Johan continued his trudge through the dense forest, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of monsters and the tavern-anointed Den of Wolves. Despite following the directions indicated by his mini-map, there was no sign of the establishment.

Frustration burned within him as he concluded he might have taken a wrong turn somewhere after falling unconscious the night before. Doubt gnawed at his gut, twisting with every step.

"It has to be around here somewhere... It seems the map only shows landmarks after I've been to them..." Johan mumbled, taking his anger out by kicking a nearby stump. The impact reverberated through his leg, grounding him in the present.

Just as he was about to succumb to his growing annoyance, a notification flashed on his HUD screen, drawing his attention as it materialized.

[System Notification] 
[Critical Levels Detected!] 

[Hydration: 12%] 

[Attention, Lightbearer. Your hydration level has fallen below critical thresholds. Replenish hydration by drinking water. Failure to address this need may result in adverse effects and severe penalties, including loss of consciousness and decreased performance.] 

[You must prioritize acquiring nourishment and hydration to ensure your survival and well-being in this environment.] 

[Remember to consume food and water regularly to maintain optimal health and functionality. Ignoring these warnings may jeopardize your ability to navigate this world effectively.] 

[Stay vigilant and promptly attend to your basic needs to avoid potential consequences.]

"What the hell? This shit is starting to get on my nerves," Johan cursed under his breath, irritation flaring as he glared at the notification blinking insistently in bold red letters.

It felt more like an annoying pop-up ad than life-or-death advice.

His focus had been heavily on finding the tavern before nightfall, and he hadn't realized how much more dehydrated he had become. He needed water—fast. Without wasting another moment, Johan reached for the leather canteen dangling from his belt, fingers fumbling with the straps in his haste.

Finally managing to unfasten the canteen, he wasted no time unscrewing the cap and bringing the container to his lips. The cool water rushed over his parched throat, offering a momentary relief from the discomfort of dehydration. Johan tilted his head back, gulping down the precious liquid, his thirst driving him to drink greedily.

As he lowered the canteen, a few stray droplets trickled down his chin, dampening the fabric of his shirt. Johan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, exhaling heavily, the refreshing sensation of moisture rushing through his body.

Each gulp felt like a lifeline in a world that seemed determined to sap him dry.

Despite his quarrels with the Sanity System's constant warnings, he knew he couldn't afford to ignore them. With a deep sigh, he fastened the cap onto the canteen and returned it to his belt. The constant reminder of his dwindling levels made his mind race with thoughts of finding a solution to his predicament, urging him to take action.

"I have to find the Den of Wolves... Maybe the high ground would help me get a better view of the area," he muttered, his eyes scanning through the forest trees until they settled on a small mountain looming before him.

From afar, it looked like a narrow trail wound up the rugged terrain, beckoning Johan to follow its path. Eager to finally put his walking to rest, Johan set off, each step hopefully bringing him closer to his destination.

As Johan ascended the narrow trail up the rugged mountain, the forest below unfolded like a magnificent painting—each detail smeared in vibrant hues of green and sunshine gold. The canopy of trees stretched as far as the eye could see, their lush foliage swaying gently in the breeze.

From his vantage point on the trail, Johan admired the breathtaking scenery spread out before him. The forest seemed to go on endlessly, only interrupted by the occasional winding river or rocky outcrop.

For a moment, he felt the weight of his situation lift as he absorbed the beauty of his surroundings.

After reaching the top of the mountain, Johan stood silently, the cool breeze tousling his hair. The forest sprawled out below the cliff like a lush green carpet. As Johan appreciated the view, his gaze drew to a dark, eerie cave behind him. A shiver ran down his spine, but he quickly dismissed it, focusing instead on scanning the area for signs of civilization.

He squinted against the sunlight, his eyes searching for anything that resembled a building or tavern. In the distance, a thin trail of smoke curled into the sky, catching Johan's attention. He followed its path until his eyes landed on a small wooden structure nestled among the trees.

"That must be it... The Den of Wolves, the tavern the princess had mentioned," Johan stated, but as he turned to head down the mountain, a strange sensation washed over him.

It was as if someone—or something—was watching him, lurking in the shadows. His heart quickened, and he couldn't shake the feeling of being stalked.

Sweat trickled down his back, and his instincts screamed at him to be alert.

Unease prickled at the back of Johan's neck as he glanced over his shoulder, but there was nothing there—just the silent, foreboding mouth of the cave, its darkness swallowing the sunlight. With a deep breath, Johan pushed aside his nervousness and began heading toward the path back down the mountain, the feeling of being watched lingering in the rear of his mind.

Johan took another step and suddenly, ominous growls echoed from the cave behind him. He instinctively gripped the hilt of an imaginary sword that wasn't there.

"Shit..."

Slowly—like shadows emerging from the depths of darkness—a pack of wolves arose from the cave's mouth. Seven of them, their eyes gleaming with an unnatural hunger, their teeth bared in menacing snarls. These were no ordinary wolves; they were larger and fiercer, their coats bristling with malevolent energy.

Johan's body filled with fear as the wolves advanced, their movements synchronized and predatory. They circled him, blocking his path down the mountain and cutting off any chance of escape. Foam dripped from their mouths, and their growls grew louder, filling the air with an unmistakable sense of danger.

The adrenaline coursed through his veins as desperation gripped Johan's chest, leaving him with no choice but to fight. He tried to think of a way to survive this encounter, but as the wolves closed in, their snarls growing louder, he knew that escape would not come easy.

As Johan faced the encroaching wolves, a notification blinked into existence on his HUD screen, catching his attention.

[System Notification]
[Quest Triggered!] 

[Survival of the Fittest] 
[Use your skills and abilities to slay the seven dire wolves in combat.]

His heart pounded as he read the mission details. He realized this wasn't just a matter of survival anymore; it was a test of his strength, skill, and resolve to keep moving forward.

With a steady hand, Johan braced himself for whatever was to come, knowing he would have to fight tooth and nail to complete the quest and make it out alive.

The seven dire wolves continued to circle Johan, each one poised to strike in its unique way. A surge of panic rose within him. "...Okay, Johan, time to show these overgrown puppies what you can do..."

The first wolf lunged forward, its jaws snapping shut just inches from Johan's face. With lightning-fast reflexes, he raised his hand and focused on his Radiant Shield skill, forming a barrier of light that protected him from most of the attack.

The wolf's teeth clashed against the shimmering shield, its snarls rumbling through the air as it recoiled in surprise.

"Nice try, furball," Johan grinned, the adrenaline pumping through him. But he knew he couldn't rely on the protective barrier alone. It was time to go on offense.

With a quick mental command, he activated the Light Burst skill, channeling his energy into a dazzling sphere of light. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed it at the nearest wolf, blinding it momentarily and knocking it back.

"Take that!" he laughed, feeling the rush of exhilaration as he watched the wolf stumble.

Seizing the opportunity, Johan quickly targeted another wolf, summoning his Healing Light skill. He felt a pulse of energy flow through him as he sent a wave of light toward himself, healing the minor wounds he'd accumulated.

"Just a little top-up for the hero who's not part of the prophecy," he quipped, feeling revitalized as he turned his focus back to the wolves.

As the pack regrouped, snarling with renewed determination, Johan unleashed his Light Eruption skill, calling upon a surge of energy to explode outward.

The blinding light caught two wolves off guard, sending them tumbling off the cliff. "Looks like I've got some tricks up my sleeve," he jested, his confidence growing with every successful strike.

With the pack now disoriented, Johan executed a strategic retreat, using the terrain to his advantage. He led the remaining wolves toward the edge of the cliff, the ground beneath them uneven and treacherous.

The wolves lunged at him, teeth bared. Johan sidestepped, calling forth his Radiant Shield once more to deflect the attacks. The wolves crashed into the barrier, staggering back in confusion.

"Not today, Fido," Johan taunted, focusing his energy one last time before unleashing a devastating Light Burst, sending the wolves flying back and leaving them incapacitated.

Breathing heavily, his chest heaving with exhaustion, Johan stood victorious among the carnage, the echoes of his battle fading into the silence of the mountain.

"I did it... I won..." he muttered, still processing the magnitude of his victory.

Just as he began to catch his breath, a familiar notification appeared, hovering like a translucent hologram, but this time, it displayed something Johan had never seen until now.

[Experience Gained] 

[Defeating Dire Wolf 1: +14 EXP] 
[Defeating Dire Wolf 2: +14 EXP] 
[Defeating Dire Wolf 3: +14 EXP] 
[Defeating Dire Wolf 4: +14 EXP]
[Defeating Dire Wolf 5: +14 EXP] 
[Defeating Dire Wolf 6: +14 EXP] 
[Defeating Dire Wolf 7: +14 EXP]

[Completing Quest "Survival of the Fittest": +125 EXP]

Johan's eyes widened as he read the numbers, fixated on the glowing experience bar before him. A whopping total of 223 experience points flooded his system as he witnessed the bar steadily filling up.

With each dire wolf defeated and the side quest objective accomplished, the bar inched closer and closer to completion, slowly approaching its limit. With a final flash of light, the bar reached its peak before starting over again. It took 100 experience points to get him from Level 1, and the remaining experience points filled the new empty EXP bar.

[Congratulations! You have reached Level 2!] 
[EXP needed for Level 3:]
(123/250)

[Skill Points Gained: +1] 
[Attribute Points Gained: +3] 

With the adrenaline still coursing through his veins and the echoes of victory ringing in his ears, Johan couldn't help but marvel at his first taste of combat in this new world, fueled by the unique mechanics of the Sanity System. A sense of exhilaration washed over him, mingled with a deep satisfaction as he let out a loud laugh atop the cliff.

Basking in the afterglow of his triumph, a faint notification blinked on his HUD screen. Johan reached out to access the message, his mind buzzing with curiosity.

"What's this?" he mused aloud, and with a swift motion, he navigated to the notification, his fingers deftly tapping on the holographic interface.

[System Notification] 
[Loot Rewards Collected:]

[Wolf Pelt x7: A thick, fur-lined pelt used for crafting various leather-based items or sold for a decent price.] 

[Wolf Fang x14: 
Sharp and sturdy fangs used in crafting weapons, jewelry, or even magical tools.] 

[Wolf Claw x21: 
Razor-sharp claws that can be fashioned into daggers or used to create potent potions or poisons.] 

[Wolf Meat x7: 
Nutritious meat that can be cooked into hearty meals to restore health or sold to hungry travelers.] 

[Wolf Hide x7: 
Tough and durable, this hide is used to craft armor or shields, protecting against physical attacks.] 

[Wolf Bone x21: 
Sturdy bones one can carve into tools, weapons, or even used in rituals.] 

It seemed like the world of Eosdadalon was full of wonders. Johan's eyes widened in amazement. The loot never hit the ground but instantly appeared in his inventory storage. The fact that the Sanity System had such a convenient auto-looting mechanic and allowed him to carry and manage items without the burden of physical weight was God-sent.

"Whoa, this is incredible... With this storage system, I can haul around loot like I'm in an MMO. Thank goodness, there was no way I would lug all this around like a pack mule."

With his loot safely stored away and a surge of newfound confidence in his combat abilities, Johan set his sights on his new objective, the Den of Wolves.