The memory of the first real fight in this world, still afresh in his mind Alex kept treading straight ahead traversing in between the intricate path formed due to humongous trees. As he stepped forward with his journey he also started to diligently collect as many berries as he could find.

The passage of time became evident as the once-prominent patches of sunlight began to fade, signaling the approach of the afternoon. Recognizing the need to secure a hiding place for the upcoming night, Alex quickened his pace.

Suddenly, a cacophony of incoherent noises reached his ears originating from somewhere nearby. He tried to pinpoint the source of those noises straining his ears. At last, he confirmed that those noises were emanating from the left side from where he was standing. It was not in the direction he was heading but he decided to investigate hopeful that it would lead him to a suitable place to spend the night.

Alex, moving cautiously, followed the sounds to the left. The forest became denser, and the noises grew louder. The air was thick with the scent of nature, both soothing and unsettling. As he ventured deeper into the woods, he noticed a group of roughly ten goblins doing an unknown erratic dance while producing those bizarre noises.

'Is it some kind of ritual they are doing?'

Alex thought looking at them. He was on the higher ground than them. In front of him was a naturally formed crater-like structure and they were grouped inside that small valley-like place with various small and big rocks scattered around making it a perfect hidden place.

There was also a small pond that may be filled with natural rainwater at least it looked pure from a distance. There was also a bonfire that may have been formed by those groups of goblins.

He found what he was looking for, a place to stay. But the problem was it was the territory of those goblins, and he couldn't just go ahead and be the guest of honor at the party they were having. If he wanted to have that place for himself, he would have to crash that monster party.

But how? There were ten goblins there and he was just alone with three spears, one branch, and a slingshot. He was sure at a higher ground and hidden for now but during the confrontation, he would be outnumbered for sure. Even though Goblins are weak monsters they would be disastrous enemy for a non-experienced like him.

He had to come up with a plan. Observing the goblins from his concealed position, Alex started to strategize. The goblins seemed engrossed in some activity a ritual as he surmised, unaware of his presence.

Firstly, he assessed the terrain. The area had some tall rocks scattered around, providing potential vantage points. He decided to use the slingshot for a surprise attack from a distance, targeting the goblin furthest away from the group.

Next, he thought about utilizing the element of surprise. Carefully, he would sneak up on the nearest goblin, making sure to eliminate it swiftly and silently with his spear. Then, he planned to retreat to the higher ground and observe the goblins' reactions.

For the remaining goblins, he intended to create confusion. Using the slingshot again, he would strike at different locations, diverting their attention and creating an opportunity to pick them off one by one.

As he devised this plan, Alex could feel the adrenaline pumping. He knew the success of his first real battle in this new world depended on his strategic thinking and swift execution.

Under the cover of the forest, Alex executed his plan with a combination of precision and agility. Taking a deep breath, he readied the slingshot, aiming carefully at the goblin farthest from the group. With a swift motion, he released the projectile, hitting the target accurately.

As the stone bullet moved propelled by the force of a slingshot, Alex could see the movement in slow motion as if time had started flowing slowly raising his anxiety with each passing second. With abetted breath he watched as his stone reached its target, luckily injuring its eye and rendering it blind. 

The goblin, taken by surprise, let out a shriek, alerting the others. Seizing the moment, Alex dashed forward and jumped at the nearest goblin, his spear poised for a quick, lethal strike. In a matter of seconds, the first goblin fell silently.

Retreating to the higher ground, Alex observed the chaos unfolding among the goblins. Confused by the sudden attack, they scattered in different directions. Various battle cries emerged as they tried to find the perpetrator behind the hidden attack. But only chaos and confusion remained as they couldn't find anyone. Utilizing the distraction, Alex continued his assault, strategically using the slingshot to create diversions.

After the second shot, he injured another goblin on the other side. Then again, he emerged from behind rocks and thrust his spear plunging it deep inside a confused goblin ending its life in one stab. Then he stroked a nearby goblin with the branch avoiding its attack on its head. After ending its life effortlessly, with a quick retreat of foot, he sprinted behind the rock and continued his shot from another side.

Each strike from the slingshot drew the goblins away from each other, making them vulnerable to Alex's precise spear attacks. They were mad and anger clouded their mind making their only advantage of numbers useless. With calculated movements, he eliminated them one by one, exploiting the disarray he had created.

It showed precisely the lack of intelligence among the Goblins. That gave Alex the advantage and he perfectly took that ensuring his win. Alex was not completely unscathed, as there were some small injuries not life-threatening both due to the engaging battle and due to the running around from one side to another. His breath was erratic, and his body was covered in sweat.

The forest echoed with the sounds of struggle albeit futile, but eventually, silence settled in as the last goblin fell. Alex stood amidst the aftermath, a mixture of relief and accomplishment coursing through him.

That relief eased his tension, and his legs gave in making him fall where he was standing proudly before. The territory was now his to claim, and the hidden corner of the forest became his temporary sanctuary.

As he surveyed the surroundings after the battle, the reality and dream cleared inside his mind. This battle gave him a glimpse into the possible future encounters and how his new life would be inside this forest ruled only by might and power.

Here in this unknown place only thing that could guarantee his survival was his strength. There was no one to depend on but only himself. It was unknown if it would even be possible for him to see the world outside of this forest or if he could remain alive till that time came.

No matter what or however the future unfolds, Alex was ready to take the plunge. He was ready to make the most out of this opportunity that was given to him. He promised himself that he would survive by whatever means.

Regaining his breath along with inspiration he stood up and started to survey the surroundings. The dead bodies of goblin were everywhere as he looked. He also found a small pond. After checking the water, he drank a handful from it as it was pure enough. He also noticed trees with fruits look like apples. They were big but not as humongous as other trees. He decided to try those later as they looked fine and edible as goblins had made their tribe gather around those trees.

After all that Alex recovered all cores from those goblins and took all the bodies to a corner. There he dug a small hole with the help of a spear of course after making the soil wet with water to make it easier. Then he buried those bodies. He was not compassionate or anything, but it was to make the smell of blood and death disappear from that place.

As the night approached, Alex surveyed the area for a suitable spot to spend the night. Among the rocky formations, he discovered a small cave-like structure, naturally formed by the positioning of rocks. Deciding it was the safest option, he ventured inside to find that it provided some protection from the outside elements.

To make it more comfortable Alex gathered large leaves from nearby and made a makeshift bed inside. It would prevent the cold and also would give a little luxury inside the forest above the rocky soil. Then for fire, he made a simple bonfire with small rocks as boundary and dry branches and leaves inside. He took the fire from the bonfire made by goblins. It was easy for today but next time, he would have to find another way.

As he completed his preparations, dark night blanketed the forest only the fire remained as light for Alex. The eerie darkness made the forest cold. Screams and noises filled the surroundings as nocturnal animals or should I say monsters awakened making their day start.

Without waiting for another second, Alex went inside the cave. The leafy bed and the fire gave him just enough heat to fight the cold. The crackling flames provided not only warmth but also a sense of security against the unknown lurking in the darkness beyond.

It was the time to rest. The very first night after he came to this world alone. Loneliness gripped him worse than he ever thought. Memories of his family flashed, and he swiftly wiped his tears. It was his action of not making his weakness known to who knows whom.

Ever since he acquired his knowledge of the world, Alex had felt that his emotions were his strength. But his life made him understand how his emotions could also be used against him making it a perfect weapon. After that, he had learned how to hide, how to bury those emotions, those feelings deep inside the abysmal heart.

Clearing all those thoughts, he emptied his pockets. In front of him lay nineteen monster cores: six from slimes and the remaining from goblins. He could distinguish between them as the cores from slime had a bluish shade inside and the cores from goblins had a mint hue also the sizes were different, the ones from goblins were bigger comparatively.

As he was literally inside a magic-filled world, he wanted to absorb or feel the energy inside, but he halted that thought as those learnings of mana and Qi were all from novels and games and he was not in an environment for him to recklessly experiment with them. So, he gathered all the cores in a corner of the cave as they would prickle if he slept with them inside his pocket.

He took that apple-looking fruit in his hands and gave it a small bite. It was sour be not fully ripen. As nothing happened, he ate that fruit along with berries to mask its sourness with their sweetness. It was a bliss, a delicacy inside this God-forsaken Forest. After filling his stomach, Alex settled down for the night, hoping for a peaceful rest amid this mysterious world.