Sam sat cross-legged on the freshly cut grass, his new stone axe resting beside him as he examined the crafting station. The novelty of magic-powered survival was still bizarre, but at least he was making progress. His HUD, persistent and unrelenting, offered a new notification.
Alert: Environmental Threat Detected
Investigate and neutralize the source.
Sam groaned. “Of course. Can’t even enjoy a moment of peace.”
Picking up his axe, he stood and scanned his surroundings. The shimmering boundary at the edge of his tutorial zone pulsed faintly, as if urging him toward something just beyond his comfort zone. He moved cautiously, every step deliberate, until he heard a faint chittering noise.
At first, he thought it was the wind rustling through the grass. But then, from a cluster of bushes near the boundary, a dozen small, fur-covered creatures scurried out. They looked harmless; round, about the size of grapefruits, with beady eyes and twitching noses.
“What the hell are you supposed to be?” Sam muttered, gripping his axe tighter.
The creatures didn’t answer, of course. Instead, they charged, their tiny, clawed feet kicking up dirt as they moved alarmingly fast for their size.
Enemy Identified: Rugglemites
Warning: Avoid being bitten. Evolution imminent upon contact.
Sam barely had time to read the warning before the first wave of rugglemites was upon him. Swinging his axe in a wide arc, he knocked several of them back. The creatures tumbled away, squealing in protest but quickly regaining their balance.
One of them darted toward his ankle, jaws snapping. Sam stomped his boot down, pinning it to the ground, and swung the axe with a decisive thud. The HUD chimed.
Rugglemite defeated.
Experience gained: 10.
“Okay, not too bad,” Sam said, stepping back to avoid another attack. “Just stay calm and keep them at a distance.”
But as he swatted away another wave, one of the rugglemites managed to slip through his defense. Its teeth sank into his calf before he could react.
“Ah, damn it!” Sam shouted, kicking it away. The creature rolled across the ground, its furry exterior already changing. The soft, round shape hardened, its fur retracting to reveal jagged, bone-like protrusions. It stood on newly formed hind legs, its mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.
“Great. It evolves like some nightmare Pokémon,” Sam muttered, swinging his axe again. The evolved rugglemite leapt back, dodging the strike with alarming agility.
The chittering grew louder. More rugglemites emerged from the bushes, as if drawn by the commotion. Sam’s heart sank as he realized how quickly the odds were turning against him.
“Alright, new plan,” he said, retreating toward the crafting station. “Time to get creative.”
Tip: Use mana to enhance combat effectiveness.
“Sure, why not?” Sam said through gritted teeth. He focused on the axe in his hands, channeling the now-familiar hum of mana into the weapon. A faint glow surrounded the blade, and when he swung it again, the impact sent the nearest rugglemite flying with a crack of energy.
“That’s more like it!” Sam grinned, his confidence returning. He moved with purpose, swinging the enhanced axe in controlled arcs to keep the swarm at bay. The glowing blade sliced through the creatures with ease, leaving a trail of faint blue sparks in its wake.
But the evolved rugglemite wasn’t done. It screeched, the sound grating like nails on a chalkboard, and launched itself at Sam’s chest. He barely managed to sidestep, slamming the axe down as it passed. The creature split in two, dissolving into a faint, shimmering mist.
Evolved Rugglemite defeated.
Experience gained: 50.
Sam didn’t have time to celebrate. Two more rugglemites latched onto his boots, their teeth gnashing through the leather. He kicked frantically, dislodging one, but the other sank its fangs deeper. Pain shot up his leg as the creature began to transform.
“Not again!” Sam growled, slamming the axe down with a burst of mana. The glowing blade cleaved through the creature before it could fully evolve.
Breathing heavily, Sam glanced around. The swarm had thinned, but a handful of rugglemites still circled him, their chittering growing more frenzied.
“Alright, let’s end this,” he said, raising the axe. He focused his remaining mana, pouring it into the weapon until it blazed with radiant energy. The glow intensified, crackling like a miniature thunderstorm.
With a shout, Sam swung the axe in a wide arc, unleashing a shockwave that rippled through the air. The remaining rugglemites were caught in the blast, their bodies disintegrating into mist.
Combat complete.
Threat neutralized.
Sam dropped to one knee, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. The HUD displayed a new notification.
Level up!
Rewards: Increased mana capacity, +5 Strength, +3 Agility.
“Well, that was a workout,” Sam muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. He glanced at his torn boots and bloodied leg, wincing at the sight. “Guess I’ll need to figure out healing magic next if thats a thing.”
The bushes rustled again, but this time, Sam raised the axe with a weary sigh. “What now?”
A single rugglemite rolled out, its tiny body trembling. It looked up at him with wide, pitiful eyes, its furless face oddly expressive.
“Don’t even think about it,” Sam warned, pointing the axe at the creature. But instead of attacking, the rugglemite let out a soft chirp and scurried away into the bushes.
Sam lowered the axe, shaking his head. “I swear, if this turns into some kind of rugglemite revenge arc, I’m out of here.”
He limped back to the crafting station and slumped against the crafting station, propping the axe beside him. His leg throbbed from the bite, and he grimaced as he peeled back the torn leather of his boot. The wound wasn’t deep, but the flesh around it had turned an odd shade of red, with faint, glowing veins snaking outward like cracks in glass.
“Great. Alien infection,” he muttered, leaning his head back. “Just what I needed.”
The HUD pinged again
New Objective: Heal injury.
“Thanks Einstein.. No shit…” Sam muttered
Tip: Basic healing requires gathering restorative herbs or accessing natural mana springs.
“Restorative herbs?” Sam groaned, glancing around his expanded zone. “Yeah, sure. Let me just summon up my inner herbalist.”
He pushed himself to his feet, biting back a hiss of pain. His mana reserves were still low, but he’d have to make do. The axe felt heavier in his grip as he limped toward a patch of wild overgrowth near the boundary. If this world really wanted him to find healing herbs, there had to be something useful nearby.
The overgrowth teemed with life; long, twisting vines and strange, luminescent flowers that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Sam approached cautiously, keeping the axe ready. The rugglemites had taught him not to trust anything that looked harmless.
He knelt beside a cluster of small, blue-green plants with wide leaves. They shimmered faintly in the air, and the HUD chimed as he reached for them.
Item Identified: Azureleaf
Properties: Restorative. Can be used to craft Basic Healing Salve.
“Alright, progress,” Sam muttered, plucking a handful of leaves. The moment he touched them, a soothing coolness spread through his fingers. He stuffed them into his inventory and stood, scanning the area for more.
A faint rustling in the bushes made him pause. He froze, tightening his grip on the axe. The sound grew louder, and a moment later, the last thing he expected appeared: the rugglemite from before.
The little creature chirped softly, its beady eyes wide with what Sam swore was concern. It held something in its tiny, clawed hands; a jagged piece of bark covered in dark sap. The rugglemite rolled the bark toward him, stopping just out of his reach, before retreating a few steps.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sam said, staring at the offering. “You’re trying to help?”
The rugglemite chirped again, tilting its head.
Sam considered his options. The smart move was to ignore the creature, grab the bark, and keep moving. But something about its hesitant movements and the way it kept glancing at his injured leg made him pause. Against his better judgment, he lowered the axe and reached for the bark.
The HUD chimed.
Item Identified: Rugglebark Resin
Properties: Accelerates healing when combined with Azureleaf.
Sam looked at the rugglemite, then back at the resin. “Okay, fine. Truce, for now.”
The rugglemite chirped once more before scurrying off into the undergrowth. Sam sighed and made his way back to the crafting station. Once there, he placed the azureleaf and rugglebark resin on the workbench. The HUD displayed a new crafting option.
Crafting Recipe: Basic Healing Salve
Materials: Azureleaf (3), Rugglebark Resin (1).
Effect: Restores health and removes minor status ailments.
Sam initiated the crafting process, channeling what little mana he had left into the materials. The leaves and resin shimmered, blending together into a thick, green paste that glowed faintly. He scooped it into his hand and hesitated for a moment before smearing it over the wound on his leg.
The effect was immediate. A cool, tingling sensation spread from the wound, and the red, glowing veins began to fade. Sam let out a relieved breath as the pain dulled to a faint ache.
“Not bad,” he said, flexing his leg. “At least now I won’t die of alien rugglemite venom.”
The HUD pinged again, displaying a new objective.
New Objective: Investigate Mana Node Disturbance.
Warning: Anomalous activity detected beyond current zone.
Sam groaned. “Because why not? Can’t let me catch my breath, can you?”
Still, he felt a spark of curiosity. The mana nodes had been mysterious so far, but if something was disturbing them, it couldn’t be good. He grabbed his axe, checked his mana bar; it was still barely half full and set off toward the edge of the boundary.
As he approached, the shimmering barrier flickered, and the air grew heavy with static. The node he’d activated earlier glowed erratically, its surface rippling like water in a storm. Sam tightened his grip on the axe, his heart pounding.
The bushes parted, and a figure stepped into view. It wasn’t another rugglemite or harmless critter. It was humanoid, tall and lean, with skin that shimmered like polished metal and eyes that glowed a piercing white. The figure’s movements were fluid, almost graceful, as it stopped just outside the node’s radius.
New Entity Detected: Sentinel Construct
Purpose: Unknown.
The sentinel tilted its head, studying Sam with an unnerving intensity. Then, in a voice that was both mechanical and eerily human, it spoke.
“Unauthorized user detected. You have exceeded your designated parameters. Prepare for recalibration.”
Sam’s blood ran cold. “Recalibration? Yeah, that doesn’t sound good.”
The sentinel raised one hand, and a blade of pure energy extended from its forearm. Sam took a step back, raising his axe defensively.
“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got,” he muttered. Then, with a shout, he charged.
Sam lunged forward, the glow of his mana-infused axe catching the sentinel’s attention. The construct moved with inhuman speed, sidestepping his initial swing and retaliating with a swipe of its energy blade. Sam barely managed to twist out of the way, feeling the heat of the weapon pass inches from his side.
“Fast and sharp,” Sam muttered, keeping his stance low. “Great combo.”
The sentinel advanced, its movements unnervingly precise. It slashed again, the blade carving through the air with a high-pitched hum. Sam ducked, countering with an upward swing of his axe. The construct blocked effortlessly, the axe sparking against the energy blade.
Warning: Mana reserves critical.
The HUD’s alert flashed in the corner of his vision, but Sam didn’t have time to process it. The sentinel’s free hand shot forward, slamming into his chest and sending him sprawling backward. He hit the ground hard, his axe skidding out of reach.
“Fuck” he groaned, scrambling to his feet. The sentinel didn’t wait, closing the distance with terrifying efficiency. Sam’s mind raced. He couldn’t match this thing in speed or precision. He needed to outthink it and quickly.
His eyes darted to the shimmering mana node. The construct seemed focused on defending it, which meant it was tied to the anomaly somehow. If he couldn’t defeat the sentinel outright, maybe he could disrupt its connection to the node.
“Alright, let’s gamble,” Sam muttered, diving toward his axe. He snatched it up and, instead of facing the sentinel head-on, sprinted toward the mana node. The construct reacted instantly, its energy blade crackling as it raised it for a killing strike.
Sam feinted at the last second, skidding to the side and slamming his axe into the ground. A burst of mana erupted from the blade, sending a shockwave toward the node. The shimmering sphere flickered violently, its glow intensifying.
The sentinel staggered, its movements suddenly jerky and uncoordinated. It turned toward the node, emitting a distorted, mechanical screech. Sam seized the opportunity, channeling the last of his mana into a powerful overhead strike. The axe came down on the sentinel’s shoulder, cutting deep into its metallic frame.
The construct collapsed to one knee, sparks flying from the wound. It swung its energy blade in a wide arc, forcing Sam to leap back. The sentinel’s glowing eyes dimmed for a moment, then reignited with renewed fury.
“Not down yet, huh?” Sam said, breathing hard. His mana bar was empty, and the axe’s glow had faded. He was running on fumes, but the sentinel looked equally unstable. Its movements were slower, more erratic, as though the disruption to the node had damaged its core.
Sam’s gaze shifted to the node. It was still flickering, its energy pulsing irregularly. If he could destabilize it completely, it might take the sentinel down with it. But whatever he did, he’d have to do it fast.
The sentinel charged, its energy blade slashing wildly. Sam dodged clumsily, the blade grazing his arm and leaving a searing burn. He stumbled but managed to stay on his feet, his mind racing.
“Come on, think,” he muttered, his eyes locking onto the mana node. “What else can I use?”
The crafting station. It was just a few feet away, stocked with leftover materials from earlier. Sam bolted toward it, ignoring the pain in his arm and the pounding of his heart. The sentinel pursued, its blade carving deep gouges into the ground behind him.
Reaching the station, Sam grabbed the heaviest stone he could find. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. He turned to face the sentinel, gripping the stone tightly.
“Let’s see how you like this!” he shouted, hurling the stone with all his strength. It wasn’t aimed at the sentinel; it was aimed at the node.
The stone struck the flickering sphere dead center. The node’s glow flared, and a shockwave rippled outward, throwing both Sam and the sentinel off their feet. The construct hit the ground hard, its energy blade flickering out. Sparks erupted from its joints as it twitched, then went still.
Sam groaned, pushing himself up on shaking arms. The mana node had gone dark, its energy spent. The sentinel lay motionless, its once-bright eyes now dull and lifeless.
Objective Complete: Investigate Mana Node Disturbance.
Rewards: Increased mana regeneration rate. Access to expanded crafting recipes.
Sam let out a weak laugh, collapsing onto his back. “I really hope I don’t have to do that again anytime soon.”
The HUD pinged again, this time with a softer tone.
New Objective: Recover and Prepare.
Sam stared up at the sky, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. The fight had drained him, but there was a strange sense of accomplishment in his exhaustion.
“Alright,” he said, forcing himself to his feet. “Let’s see what else this world wants to throw at me.”
He glanced at the sentinel’s broken form, his eyes narrowing. Something told him this wasn’t the last he’d see of them. If there were more constructs out there, he needed to be ready.
Tip: Explore your expanded zone for resources and potential allies.
Sam let out another weak laugh, then started coughing… “figures..”