I found a spot nestled between the roots of a large tree, the ground covered in soft moss that would provide some comfort. With my makeshift clothes still damp but drying quickly in the evening air, I settled down, curling up and trying to make myself as small as possible.

I glanced around one last time, ensuring there were nothing nearby. The forest was alive with the sounds of creatures of the night, but none seemed to pose an danger yet. I closed my eyes, my body finally relaxing after the day's constant tension.

As I drifted off to sleep, my thoughts wandered to what the future might hold. I had faced my first major challenge and survived, but I knew there would be many more to come. I needed to learn, adapt, and grow stronger if I was going to survive in this world.

As I drifted into sleep, the peaceful forest sounds faded, replaced by an unsettling silence. Next thing I know I found myself in a dark, empty place. The air was thick and heavy, making it hard to breathe. A sense of dread settled over me, and I felt an inexplicable chill run down my spine.

In the darkness, a shadowy figure emerged. At first, it was indistinct, but as it moved closer, it began to take shape. To my horror, the figure morphed into a image of me, except its nothing but black as darkness itself and with white lifeless eyes. It then smiled while tilting its head and the sinister smile spread across its face, sending a jolt of fear through me.

I wanted to move, to run, but my feet felt rooted to the spot just like last time. The shadowy figure advanced, its movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring my terror. My heart pounded in my chest, the only sound in the oppressive silence. The figure's smile grew wider as it right infront of me, its eyes locked onto mine with a terrifying intensity.

Just as it was about to reach me, I woke up with a start. My body was drenched in sweat, my heart racing. The forest was dark and quiet, the moon casting a pale light through the trees. I sat up, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I tried to shake off the lingering fear from the nightmare.

I looked around, half-expecting to see the shadowy figure lurking in the darkness, but there was nothing. Just the quiet forest and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself and remind myself that it was just a dream.

Despite my efforts, the unease lingered. The nightmare had felt so real, and the image of my doppelganger charging at me was burned into my mind. After calming myself I decided to stay awake for a while, keeping watch over my surroundings.

After waiting for a good while i went back to sleep expecting the nightmare to continue but it didn't came.

...

As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, I felt a sense of relief. The darkness of the night gave way to the promise of a new day. I stood up, stretching my wings and preparing myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. The nightmare had shaken me, but it had also strengthened my resolve.

Shaking off the remnants of the nightmare, I decided it was time to move on. The night had been long and cold,but as the dawn brought a renewed sense of determination. I reached for the small pouch I had scavenged from the caravan wreckage and pulled out a piece of jerky. It was tough and salty, but it filled the gnawing hunger in my stomach. As I chewed, I thought about what lay ahead. I needed to learn more about this forest and its dangers, but I also needed to find something more substantial to eat and a place to call home, at least temporarily.

Once I finished eating, I stood up, stretched my wings, and set off deeper into the forest. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows and giving the forest an almost magical quality. The air was cool and fresh, and the sounds of the forest waking up surrounded me—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and distant animal calls.

I moved cautiously, my senses alert to any potential threats. The memory of the hydra was still fresh, and I knew that there were more dangers lurking in these woods. But there was also the possibility of finding resources—food, water, maybe even shelter.

As I explored, I paid attention to the details of my surroundings. I noticed different types of plants, some of which might be edible, though I wasn’t sure which ones were safe. I also saw signs of other creatures—tracks, broken branches, and nests high in the trees. The forest was teeming with life, and I knew I had to be careful.

After a while, I came across a small stream flowing through the forest. The water was clear and inviting, so I knelt down and took a drink. The cool water refreshed me, and I felt a bit more energized. I followed the stream for a while, hoping it might lead me to somewhere useful—perhaps a clearing, a town, or even a clue about where I might find others.

Eventually, I stumbled upon a small, secluded grove surrounded by tall trees and thick bushes. It seemed peaceful, and the ground was covered in soft grass. It wasn’t much, but it could serve as a temporary base while I figured out my next steps.

After walking a while taking in the scenery as settle down to rest for a while. But just as I began to settle into the grove, a low, menacing growl echoed through the trees. My heart skipped a beat, and I turned quickly, scanning the area. Emerging from the shadows were a pack of wolves, their eyes gleaming with hunger as they stalked towards me their grey fur blending in with the shadows. There were five of them, as their fur bristles and their sharp teeth bared as they moved in a coordinated formation, surrounding me.

The lead wolf, a large and imposing creature with dark gray fur, stepped forward, sizing me up with cold, calculating eyes. The others circled around, their movements synchronized as they tested my reactions. I could feel the tension in the air; they were trying to decide if I was easy prey.

My instincts screamed at me to run, but I knew that would only trigger a chase. I had to stand my ground, to show them that I wasn’t something to be taken lightly. I spread my wings wide, making myself appear larger, and let out a sharp, piercing screech, hoping to startle them.

The wolves hesitated, their eyes narrowing as they assessed this unexpected challenge. The lead wolf growled again, but this time, it was less confident, as if reconsidering its approach. I knew I had to act fast, before they made up their minds.

I reached for the small dagger I had tucked into my makeshift belt. It felt tiny in my hand, almost insignificant compared to the wolves’ fangs and claws, but it was all I had. I held it out in front of me, trying to steady my grip, and prepared to defend myself.

Stolen novel; please report.

The standoff seemed to stretch on forever, the wolves and I locked in a battle of wills. My heart pounded in my chest, every muscle in my body tensed and ready to spring into action at the slightest movement. The lead wolf took a cautious step forward, testing my resolve, but I didn’t back down.

For a moment, I thought they might retreat. The wolves seemed uncertain, their eyes flicking between each other as if questioning whether the risk was worth it. But just as I began to hope they would leave, one of the wolves, eager and impatient, lunged at me.

I reacted on pure instinct, slashing with the dagger as I jumped to the side. The blade caught the wolf on the side, not deep enough to seriously injure it, but enough to draw blood. The wolf yelped and retreated, clearly shocked by the resistance. The others growled, their hackles raised, but the scent of blood in the air made them wary.

I used the momentary distraction to create some distance, slowly backing towards the thicker part of the grove where the underbrush was dense. My wings flared out again, making me seem as threatening as possible. The wolves move more cautious than before.

I try to think of a plan i already know running ain't an option since they would be faster, climbing a tree is a no go since they could easily wait me out, and standing my ground and try to scare them is off the table since one of them attacked so my only choice left is to fight.

The standoff felt like an eternity. The wolves prowled closer, their growls growing louder, more aggressive. I could see the hunger in their eyes, the calculation as they prepared to strike. My claws tightened around the dull dagger I had taken from the caravan wreckage. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

Then, with a sudden burst of energy, the largest wolf lunged forward, its fangs bared. The pack followed, moving as one, their speed and coordination terrifying. My body reacted on instinct—I flared my wings, leaping back and creating a gust of wind that knocked the wolf slightly as the others quickly rush me from the sides. I swung the dagger wildly, catching another wolf on its side, but it was only a glancing blow, barely slowing it down.

The wolves were relentless, attacking from all sides. I dodged and slashed with everything I had, but they were quick, their jaws snapping dangerously close each time. One wolf managed to clamp onto my arm, its teeth digging into my flesh. I screamed in pain and fury, slashing at its face until it let go, blood staining my feathers.

Then I notice the knife is broken and on instinct I quickly use my claws and began clawing and tearing the wolf. My claws tore through its fur and flesh, and with a final, desperate blow, I managed to bring it down. The wolf collapsed, blood staining the grass as the rest of the pack hesitated, their confidence shaken.

I then let out a powerful screech in as a attempt to ward them off and it worked.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, the larger wolf howled and the remaining wolves turned tail and fled into the forest as the larger one turns turns its head at me one last time before it fled with the rest of its pack into the forest, vanishing as quickly as they had appeared. I stood there, panting and covered in scratches, bite and claw marks. I barely able to believe that I had survived.

Suddenly, a glowing screen appeared before my eyes, hovering in midair.

You have slain a lvl 15 Shade Forest Wolf

Then a second message appeared below the first

You have gained 357 exp.

Then the third

You have killed creature and gain the title "First Blood" all physical stats are raised by 3

Then a fourth

You have slain a creature that is 10 levels above you and gained the title "Made Possible" all physical stats are raised by 10

And finally a fifth message appeared

You have leveled up 1>7.

I stared in shock as the screens faded away as quickly as they had come, leaving me standing alone in the grove. My body tingled with newfound strength, the pain from my wounds already fading. I could feel the power coursing through me, a surge of energy that hadn’t been there before.

Confusion mixed with exhilaration. Somehow, I had leveled up—just like in a game. This world was stranger than I had imagined, with rules and systems I still didn’t fully understand. But I had understand one thing I just grown stronger, and that gave me hope. If I could survive this, maybe I could survive whatever else this world had to throw at me.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the dead wolf lying at my feet. It had been a brutal fight, but I had won. And now, I had to figure out what to do next, how to harness this newfound power, and how to continue surviving in this dangerous world.

After the adrenaline faded and the reality of what had just happened settled in, I found myself sitting beside the lifeless body of the wolf I had killed. My heart still pounded from the fight, but now a different feeling took over—one of unease and uncertainty. I had taken a life, even if it was in self-defense. The wolf had been trying to kill me, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.

I stared at the wolf's body, its fur matted with blood, and felt a pang of guilt. In my previous life, I had never hurt anything more than a fly. But this world was different. It was brutal and unforgiving, and I knew that if I wanted to survive, I would have to make difficult choices—choices I never imagined making as a child.

After what felt like hours of sitting in silence, I forced myself to move. The wolf's death couldn’t be in vain. I had to make the most of it. With a heavy heart, I set about the grim task of skinning the wolf and taking what was of value. The process was messy and unpleasant even though I used to do it with my dad but without the blood spilling on me, but I pushed through, using the broken dull dagger I had found at the caravan to carefully remove the hide even though its broken I don't want to use my claws for something like this so it took more time than I would've liked.

The fur was thick and warm, perfect for making clothing or perhaps a makeshift blanket. I set it aside, then turned my attention to the meat. I wasn’t sure how to properly butcher an animal, but I did my best, cutting away the parts that seemed edible. The meat would be valuable for the days ahead, providing me with sustenance in the harsh wilderness.

As I worked, I couldn’t help but think about what this experience meant for me. I had crossed a line, one I couldn’t uncross. But as much as I disliked the idea of killing, I knew I had no choice. This world was dangerous, and it would take everything I had to survive.

Once I had gathered all that I could from the wolf, I decided to drag the remains away from the grove. Leaving it nearby could attract predators, and I didn’t want to invite more trouble. The weight of the carcass was manageable, thanks to my newfound strength from leveling up. I hauled it to a distant spot in the forest, where I left it to the scavengers and nature to take care of the rest.

Returning to the grove, I felt a mix of exhaustion and resolve. I was no longer the same person who had hatched from that golden egg. I was changing, adapting to this world and its harsh realities. And while I still felt a pang of guilt for the life I had taken, I knew it was necessary.

As night began to fall once more, I prepared a small fire to cook some of the meat it took a lot longer because it was harder than I though it would be dad made it look easy, I smiled thinking back where me and my family used to go camping back then. The aroma filled the air, reminding me of how hungry I was. As I ate, I reminded myself that every choice I made, no matter how difficult, was a step toward survival. And in this world, survival was the only option.

- - -

"Huh, looks like the kid is taking it rather well of his first taste of blood and it looks like he discovered the thing I gave him" the being said scratching its chin as he watch the boy say out random words before looking like he saw the most awesome thing in his life. "I made sure its easy for the boy to understand and the fact the boy plays DnD was icing on the cake he didn't have to do that much work to make it easy for the boy to understand the being smiled as he watch the boy accidentally almost burned his dinner.

"Looks like things are about to be interesting tomorrow"