I continued cautiously through the thick underbrush. The thought of being watched still hung on me. I could have sworn the branches were snagging at my clothes like they were desperately trying to slow me down. Maybe they were, but who knows? Leaves seemed like they spoke to each other around me in a language I couldn’t quite catch. Even the damp air stuck to my skin, making me feel a bit like a soggy piece of bread. I pushed aside these obstacles. I felt my senses sharpening.

But let’s be real. The darkening forest turned every shadow into a likely threat. I couldn’t say much about my heart rate. It had been doing its best impression of a jackhammer ever since my rabbit battle. Occasionally, I stopped and took a few deep breaths, inhaling the air that smelled of decaying leaves. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Mother Nature… no, wait, the System was trying to mess with me.

Pushing forward, I felt my muscles finally start to relax a little as the trees began to thin, revealing a small clearing. Treading into this open space was like breaking free from an awkward conversation, which was such a relief. There, in the center of the clearing, stood a large boulder. I approached it, running my fingers over the rugged texture and feeling the dampness of the moss.

Climbing onto the boulder, I straightened my back and scanned the surroundings from this elevated vantage point. Talk about a view. But wait, what was that? A cave with an entrance partially concealed by overgrown undergrowth at the base of a nearby hill. Its mouth seemed to call me. It’s kind of like that last slice of pizza you know you shouldn’t eat. Next to it, a stream with clear waters. I paused to listen, letting the sound of the babbling water drown out my earlier fears.

At a steady pace, I made my way toward the cave, feeling the ground sink slightly beneath my feet, cushioned by layers of fallen leaves that muffled my every step. The swooshing underbrush accompanied my movements, each step inching me closer to the entrance, framed by thick clusters of ferns and wildflowers. I could feel a draft wafting from the cave, definitely inviting but also a tad ominous.

I peered into the darkness. The air inside felt cool and musty. I took a deep breath, and wow, that coolness against my skin was refreshing. Shadows swayed on the walls, stirred by a mild draft, and I could hear the sound of dripping water coming from deeper within. Yep, definitely mysterious.

The darkness swallowed the feeble light of twilight, extending far beyond my sight, turning the cave into a void. I pursed my lips, noting the difference between the cool air inside and the humid warmth of the forest outside. This cave felt like a timeless being, waiting unwearyingly to reveal its secrets.

Before diving into the unknown, I knelt by the stream at the clearing’s edge, cupping my hands to take a drink. The water flowed over my throat, each sip seeming to wash away the stiffness from my arduous trek through the thick forest.

Rejuvenated, I shifted my attention back to the entrance. Vines draped over its mouth, obscuring what lay beyond. I pulled aside the foliage, and as the vines parted, a dim glow caught my eye. A spark in the dark.

For a moment, I hesitated, recalling those strange creatures that had already tested my mettle. The memory of those aggressive rabbits and their transformations played on repeat in my mind. But now isn’t the time to dwell on that. “Excuse me,” I called into the darkness. “Anyone home?”

The silence that followed was oddly reassuring. I know, I know, it sounds strange to find peace in silence after a day like mine, but there was something about it that made me feel like I was finally in control. Stepping inside, I noticed the cave was more spacious than I expected, roomy enough for me to stretch out and actually move around comfortably. I’m not talking about the sort of cave that’s cramped and feels like it’s closing in on you, but a nice, open space where I could breathe. Pressing deeper into the darkness, I listened to the sound of my footsteps bounce off the stone walls, like some eerie welcome party for one. I took it as a good sign. It was empty.

When I was satisfied the place was uninhabited, I decided to take precautions, anyway. Better safe than sorry. I gathered some loose stones and branches from outside, getting to work on building a makeshift barrier at the entrance. It wasn’t anything fancy, just enough to make me feel like I had a bit of a defense. I left a small gap, just wide enough for me to squeeze through if I needed to make a quick getaway. You can never be too careful in a world like this.

After setting up my little “security system,” I leaned back against the stone wall, closed my eyes, and let the fatigue from that crazy rabbit battle finally start to drain away. Trust me, you don’t realize just how much intensity fills your body until it all fades.

I summoned the Status Window. The first thing that caught my eye was the blinking Online Store. “Ah, right,” I murmured to myself. Now that I’d leveled up, new items would be available for purchase.

I selected the option, and the blue screen integrated into my vision, its glow pushing back the darkness around me. Several categories appeared, but one drew my attention. Weapons. Tapping it, I began to read through the choices.

***

1)     Blademaster Weapons

2)     Mage Weapons

3)     Marksman Weapons

4)     Tanker Weapons

5)     Support Weapons

***

I selected the Marksman option, and the screen shifted before my eyes.

Based on your level and subclass, the following weapons are available for your usage:

Hunter Slingshot (50 gold)

I groaned while staring at the description. Seriously? A slingshot?

Despite my reservations, I knew the slingshot was better than hurling rocks like some kind of caveman. With a reluctant tap, I purchased the weapon, and just like that, it appeared in my hand, sleek and promising. I held it up, turning it over and examining its weight. I triggered my Status Sight, eager to examine its properties.

***

Hunter Slingshot: A modern, high-quality slingshot designed for hunting and outdoor activities. These slingshots are built to provide power, accuracy, and durability, making them suitable for small game hunting and target shooting. To use, pull the pouch, chant the loading phrase, and then release the projectile.

***

“I see,” I pulled back the slingshot’s pouch. “Sōten Ishi,” I chanted, my focus on the wall in front of me. With a flick of my wrist, I released the pouch. The rock shot forward with a satisfying whoosh, hitting the wall with a loud thud. But then, whoa! The rock rebounded back toward me.

“Ack!” I dove aside, scarcely avoiding a painful encounter. My mind recalled the goblin’s self-inflicted demise, that image seared into my mind. Note to self. Don’t aim at the wall directly in front of you next time.

Grinning to myself, I decided to test the slingshot thoroughly in the morning. After all, I had just leveled up and been gifted four free stat points. I rubbed my chin, considering the importance of STR and DEX, while also evaluating the benefits of enhancing other skills.

“Should I pump up my strength or dexterity?” I debated with myself, fingers hovering over the options like I was at a buffet line and couldn’t decide what to get. I wondered if I could increase my strength and dexterity through training. After a decisive nod, I decided to save those free points for later. Sometimes, patience pays off.

Feeling hungry, I pulled a rabbit and the goblin’s knife from my Tool/Items inventory and began the task of preparing the meat for cooking. Survival instincts kicked in, guiding my hands like I’d been doing this forever. Soon, a small fire crackled to life with the help of flint I had purchased from the online store. After skinning the rabbit, I roasted it over the flames, the scent of meat filling the cave and making my stomach growl.

“Wow, even though you were horny, your meat tastes delicious,” I chuckled, enjoying the spoils from my fallen opponent. Who knew you could feel gratitude for your food?

Once I finished my meal, I exited the cave and knelt beside the stream, filling a newly bought canteen with its water. The full moon hung high in the night sky, casting the clearing in a glow. Everything sparkled, like nature was putting on a show just for me. Yep, this cave is definitely a suitable base camp for the coming days. A hidden refuge in the wild.

Returning inside, I settled on the stone floor of the cave, replaying the day’s events in my mind. It had been a whirlwind of outlandish creatures and the thrill of battle. The mysteries of this world spun together in my thoughts. Despite the lingering uncertainty, I felt motivated at the thought of what lay ahead.

As fatigue crept in, I leaned back against the cave wall, feeling the coolness seep through my clothes. The solid stone beneath me was a reassuring presence, grounding me at the moment. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and surrendered to sleep. The cave encased me in quiet, muffling the world outside and inviting me into its depths.

Before drifting off, I made a promise to myself. No matter how absurd or dangerous this world might become, I would face it head-on. I would uncover its secrets and confront its challenges.