James had spent most of the night in a fervor, ignoring everything else as he picked through his apartment. No cabinet was left empty, no drawer unturned. A pile of junk was in the middle of that apartment, filled with bits and pieces unneeded from trying to stuff as much as possible into his storage. That particular state happened after he realized the storage dimension was not just a tiny room he had access to. It stored things in the state they were put in, and as far as he could tell, were weightless once inside the dimension.
This tidbit had been learned after shoving several more gallon jugs of water into the space just after a loaf of bread. A panic had seized him and all of the jugs were removed followed by the bread with haste, yet he found nothing wrong. Not only was the loaf of bread not squished into oblivion, but the first jug he had put in from earlier in the night was still cold like it had come fresh from the fridge. That discovery just made matters worse, and by time he had finished he was face down on the couch sleeping the sleep of the dead.
Thankfully, when his eyes shot open at nearly noon the next day, he found that no one had entered the open apartment, instead, he just had a growling stomach and a new notification waiting for him. Twenty-four hours had passed, and unless he had gotten a manic packer skill the notification could only be one thing, Hirax. As James brought up the list, a half empty box of poptarts appeared in his lap, fully intent on eating while he listened to the "Lead Administrator" drone on about the trials and tribulations of humanity.
ANNOUNCEMENT June 21st 24:00:00
[ AUDIO PLAYBACK BEGINS ]
GREETINGS BEINGS OF EARTH!
Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, as nearly half of you, the beings of earth, have had their lives extinguished. Today is a sad day.
It does at least seem that things are slowing down, and your leaders are gaining control.
Despite this solmen start, a few of you have even taken the first steps on your journey in the system! We welcome you to the collective!
The density of mana continues to amaze us. More and more [Dungeons] have popped up around the planet, some of them have even sprouted villages!
Be careful when exploring these new areas as villages do not have mindless [Monsters]. The inhabitants may or may not view you as hostile.
Try not to make a blunder of inter-species relations!
Finally, your planets expansion has continued at a rapid rate, growing beyond our expectations. It seems at this point it is nearly twice the size of old. Who knows what sort of adventure is waiting out there!
A new broadcast will be sent at the same time next cycle.
[ AUDIO PLAYBACK ENDS ]
─ Signed Hirax, Lead Administrator 0001 of UV-Quadrant 356
As the message ended there were more questions now than before. The system was not only bringing monsters, but other sentient life. Villages huh? Wonder if any popped up around here... maybe I can learn more about the system. His train of thought was derailed by a hitch, brows furrowing a little, Wait. Will they even understand me? I mean. Hirax is speaking english, but I assume that's being translated. English is not exactly the only language on the planet... Hm. The look on his face was one of deep thought, tainted by a half of a poptart hanging from his mouth. That expression remained for a few moments before a shrug rolled through his shoulders and he shoved the rest of the poptart inwards. Whatever I'll figure something out. Its not like one is even guaranteed to be around here.
The box of poptarts disappeared and he hopped to his feet, stretching as best he could, loud yawn set free from within. "I need a shower, some clean clothes, then I think I'll get out of here. If there isn't a village I'll need to find some running water and shelter before I go exploring."
----------------------------------
Dressed in clean blue jeans and a gray long sleeved shirt, James was rummaging through his totaled truck. Nothing had been touched, and besides the damage from the wreck it seemed perfectly fine, a passing thought coming from his lips , "Wonder why nothings been messed with it?" He had retrieved the tool kit from the back, the bottle of water in the backseat, and the few granola bars he had in the console, which meant there was little reason left to worry. Instead, his mind drifted to the wilderness, and where he was compared to the town.
"I could've sworn I was closer to town when I passed by yesterday", that statement caused his head to turn to the road, not ten feet from where he was up a small incline. "The road on the way was not torn up at all, at least anymore than usual did it expand with everything else?" Continuing to talk to himself, it was almost like James was out for a jog than running from his home and the end of the world. His life had become much more interesting, and the only thing James wanted was to experience more of it.
He put everything except the bottle of water into his storage and then settled onto the floor of the back of the trunk, legs hanging over the edge. The bottle was opened, contents drained, re-closed, and then it too disappeared. Waste not want not. He could not even remember where he had heard the saying, but in this situation it just got a bit of a laugh from his lips.
The laugh turned sour, face taking on a more somber expression, "What the hell am I doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" There was a sigh and James slumped back onto the rear seat from inside the trunk. Arms using the head rests as cushions he stared off into the woods, losing himself in his thoughts again, "I came out here to learn more and get stronger but besides hunting for a village and killing the wild life what the hell should I be doing?"
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Eyes slipping shut he took in a deep breath and held it. The moments ticked by, the pain in his lungs slowly growing until finally, just as he started to get dizzy, he forced the air out between his lips letting loose a poor simile for an elephants trumpet. Eyes re-opened and he shook his head, smiling once more, "Whatever, it's not like me to worry about that sorta shit. Hell. I would've probably been dead a long time ago if I worried about that sorta stuff." Another laugh, louder this time, and he pulled himself up and out of the truck, giving it one last look over before turning towards the woods. "Following the road seems boring so lets go off-road!"
The smart thing to do? Definitely not. James was set in it though, as that black metal rod was picked up from its place leaning against the truck and he walked off in between the trees, heading to destination unknown.
----------------------------------
Hours passed before James found something, just trees, rocks, more trees. For his part he kept high spirits, knowing that as long as he continued he would find something. Now his patience had been repaid, as he was staring down three wild wolves. Each the same level as he was.
"You three should be a good test of what I can do against something thats a part of the system", the reply he got was the front most wolf snarling at him, baring teeth. The beast refused to back down from what it considered prey, even with the unease it felt. That got a grin on James's face, growing to the point it showed a little bit of teeth himself, like a switch being flicked.
"Thats the way. You mutts wouldn't be worth my time otherwise." To James these were just obstacles, something created for the system in order to grow stronger, and he wanted them to at least put up a fight. "Come on then! No? Then I'll come to you!" His body dropped, arms out behind him, feet digging into the ground and propelling him forward towards the wolf that had snarled at him.
Just as he got in range, his right arm came back forwards, that metal rod trailing behind. The rod was sent towards the the beasts side, not giving it a chance to react, colliding with a sickening thud and sending it careening into a tree.
You have dealt 20 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (1)
You inflict 3 [Bleeding] damage to Wild Wolf (1) over 5 seconds
The stance he used left him wide open though, and the other two wolves were not going let James attack freely. Before he could right himself, they both went for his legs. Two sets of teeth sunk into his thighs, latching on and pulling away from one another, sending him forwards onto his face.
Wild Wolf (2) has dealt 15 [Piercing] damage to you
Wild Wolf (2) has inflicted 5 [Bleeding] damage to you over 5 seconds
Wild Wolf (3) has dealt 10 [Piercing] damage to you
Wild Wolf (3) has inflicted 5 [Bleeding] damage to you over 5 seconds
Howling in anger and pain, the hand holding the rod slammed down rod end colliding with the right side wolves skull. A crunch and a yelp was the reply, teeth instantly letting loose from that side, the wolf jerking back and away from James shaking its head back and forth.
Critical Hit! You have dealt 50 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (2)
While this was going on, the first wolf had gotten back to its feet and circled around James. It waited for the right moment and then bolted forwards, aiming for his face, trying to disable him before he could cause more damage. Eyes opened in surprise and his free arm came up, managing to just get his forearm into its path. It clamped down on the steel arm-guard, growling and slobbering over it and his face as it did so.
Managing to block the attack did not save him fully, as the last wolf still had hold of his other thigh and began to tug and pull on it. The first holding his arm forced him onto his face again, gnashing teeth in rage.
Wild Wolf (3) has dealt 15 [Piercing] damage to you
Wild Wolf (3) has refreshed its [Bleeding] effect to 5 seconds
James was regenerating quickly, but the wolves were dealing more damage than he could deal with. Fucking mutts. Roaring out he got the leg not being savaged under him, pushing himself up to his knee, hand with the rod flat on the dirt. Bending at an angle that would have been impossible before the system improved his physique he used brute strength to pull back on the arm held by the first wolf, bringing it and the wolf up and over his body and down onto the one with its teeth sunk into his skin.
You have dealt 10 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (1)
You have dealt 10 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (3)
There were two yelps as both wolves were sent tumbling away, letting James get to his feet, limping from the more torn up leg. A glance to the third showed it was slumped on the ground, breathing, but obviously not in fighting condition, he began circling around to it, keeping the other two in sight, even as they got to their feet. They did not charge at him carelessly, just snarling once more. Both the wolves and James had clearly underestimated one another.
He stopped, standing over the downed wolf, his pole raised up. This got more of a reaction from the others, as they began to close in on him. A glance down, then back up, he knew he had to do this quick. His body tensed and he jerked suddenly, slamming that pole downwards into the skull of the wolf beneath his feet, destroying it taking the beasts life.
Critical Hit! You have dealt 45 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (2)
Wild Wolf (2) has perished
No sooner than he finished did he jump back, thankful he did, as the spot he had been in was occupied by both of the remaining beasts, crowding their former pack-mate. He did not attempt to taunt them anymore, instead, he watched, wary, letting his body have time to recover. The wolves, not sure what James was up to just split, slowly edging towards him from two directions. Shit. They are way smarter than I thought. Not wanting to get hit from two sides again, James began to circle while backing away as well, trying to keep them closer to one another.
This dance continued for several moments, the wounds on his thighs no longer bleeding, before the wolves took their chance and bolted towards him. Knowing he was likely going to get hit, at least once, James brought the rod down on the right side, hitting the wolf there in the skull and putting it down instantly. That victory was short lived, as the other immediately latched onto his leg and pulled back sending him to the ground again.
You have dealt 30 [Blunt] damage to Wild Wolf (1)
Wild Wolf (1) has perished
Wild Wolf (3) has dealt 15 [Piercing] damage to you
Wild Wolf (3) has inflicted 5 [Bleeding] damage to you over 5 seconds
It immediately backed off, having learned that staying latched on was only going to get it hit. James, not wanting to let the beast have free access to his body, got back to his feet, groaning as he did so, leg bleeding once more. His eyes were bright even despite the fact his body was aching. This. This was what he had been looking for.