Day 1

The world spun as Alexander Maxwell gasped for air, his knees digging into the damp, unfamiliar soil. His chest heaved as though he'd run a marathon, and his head pounded with an ache that muddled his thoughts. He pressed his hand against the ground for support, feeling the cool earth beneath his fingers.

Towering trees loomed around him, their twisted trunks stretching high into a canopy so dense that sunlight barely pierced through. The air was heavy, thick with moisture, and filled with the distant cries of creatures he didn't recognize.

"Where… am I?" Alexander whispered, his voice rough and dry. His dark eyes darted around, scanning the alien environment.

He reached instinctively for his pockets, but they were empty. No phone, no wallet, no tools—just the plain clothes on his back: a light jacket, a shirt, jeans, and sturdy boots. It was as though he'd been dropped into the wilderness with nothing but his wits.

The System Appears

A soft chime cut through the oppressive silence. Alexander flinched as a glowing blue screen materialized in front of him, floating mid-air. His pulse quickened as he stared at the translucent text.

[Welcome to the Trial of Dominance]

Objective: Build your territory. Survive. Thrive.

Rules: You are one of many participants from across different worlds. Your choices will shape your rise—or your downfall.

Rewards: Unlock paths, ideas, and buffs to aid your progress.

Warning: Failure to protect your territory will result in elimination.

Alexander's fists clenched.

Elimination. It sounded more like a death sentence than a game. The screen disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, only to be replaced by another.

[Path Selection Unlocked]

Choose Your Starting Path:

Path of Expansion – Focus on territorial growth.

Path of Exploration – Discover resources and chart new lands.

Path of Survival – Strengthen yourself and endure challenges.

His jaw tightened as he read the options. Each one was tempting in its own way, but survival struck a chord. Expanding or exploring wouldn't mean anything if he couldn't stay alive.

"I choose the Path of Survival," Alexander said aloud.

The screen flickered, acknowledging his choice.

[Path of Survival: First Idea Unlocked]

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Idea 1: Toughened Bodies Active

Personal Buff: +25% stamina and strength.

Territory Buff: Settlers gain +15% resilience against fatigue and injuries.

A sudden wave of energy coursed through him. The ache in his muscles eased, and his breathing steadied. He felt stronger, his body responding as though it had just recovered from weeks of conditioning.

Mission: Hunt the Predator

The relief was short-lived. A low, guttural growl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down Alexander's spine. His heart raced as his eyes darted toward the source of the noise, but the dense forest concealed whatever was stalking him.

The system chimed again.

[New Mission: Hunt the Predator]

Objective: Kill the wolf threatening your survival.

Reward: Unlock Path of Hunting.

Alexander's lips pressed into a grim line. He glanced around, spotting a rocky outcrop a few dozen meters away. It wasn't ideal, but it offered some cover and a defensible position.

The First Tool

Reaching the outcrop, Alexander scavenged the area, his hands searching through the forest floor for anything useful. He found a sturdy branch and a sharp-edged stone, tying them together with a strip of fabric torn from his jacket. The improvised spear wasn't pretty, but it was better than nothing.

Stay calm, he thought, clutching the weapon tightly. You've faced worse odds before. This is no different.

The growl came again, closer this time. The bushes rustled, and a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged from the shadows.

The Predator Strikes

The wolf stepped into the clearing, its massive frame dwarfing anything Alexander had seen before. Its dark fur bristled as it bared its fangs, saliva dripping from its snarling maw.

Alexander tightened his grip on the spear, his muscles coiled like a spring. The wolf circled him, its movements slow and deliberate, its glowing eyes fixed on his every step.

It lunged.

Alexander twisted to the side, the spear lashing out in a sharp arc. The pointed stone grazed the wolf's shoulder, drawing blood but doing little to slow it down. It growled, snapping at him as he backpedaled, his boots sliding on the uneven ground.

The wolf lunged again, its claws raking the air. This time, Alexander anticipated the attack. He planted his feet and thrust the spear forward with all his strength. The stone pierced the wolf's flank, sinking deep.

The beast howled in pain, twisting violently as it tried to dislodge the weapon. Alexander released the spear and rolled to the side, grabbing a nearby rock.

The wolf turned on him, its injured side slowing it down but not stopping it. It pounced, its claws narrowly missing his arm as he ducked under its attack. With a grunt, Alexander brought the rock crashing down on its skull.

The wolf staggered, blood dripping from its wounds. It growled weakly, its legs trembling before it finally collapsed.

Alexander stood over the fallen predator, his chest heaving. His hands trembled as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. He wiped the blood from his face and stared at the wolf's lifeless body.

The Path of Hunting

The system chimed, breaking the tense silence.

[Mission Complete: Hunt the Predator]

Reward: Unlock Path of Hunting.

[Path of Hunting: First Idea Unlocked]

Idea 1: Efficient Harvesting Active

Personal Buff: Alexander gains +25% yield when skinning or processing animals.

Territory Buff: Settlers gain +15% efficiency when handling animal products (meat, hides, bones).

Alexander exhaled slowly. The reward was welcome, but the weight of what he'd just done hung heavy on his shoulders.

The sun began to rise, casting light over the bloodied clearing. He crouched beside the wolf's corpse, cutting into its thick fur to harvest the meat and skin. His hands moved instinctively, guided by the system's buffs. By the time he was finished, he had enough food to last several days and a thick pelt to shield against the cold.

A New Beginning

As Alexander stood over the remains of the wolf, a new notification appeared.

[New Objective: Establish a Territory]

Gather resources and begin building a permanent settlement.Reward: Unlock Path of Expansion.

He stared at the message, his resolve hardening. "If this is a trial, I'll beat it. One step at a time."

With that, he turned toward the forest, ready to face whatever came next.