Ren woke to silence.
The river, the forest, even the distant cries of wildlife—all gone. His body still ached from the earlier battle, and the mud and blood covering him felt like weights pressing him down.
Then faint light appeared.
Crystals.
They jutted from the walls and ceiling, glowing in eerie blues and pale greens, casting fractured shadows across the rough stone floor. The air was thick and damp, smelling faintly metallic.
Where am I…? Ren muttered.
Before he could think further, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his head.
[Trial Zone Activated]
[Location: Unknown Cavern]
[Escape: Not Permitted]
Ren froze. The words hit him like ice.
The shadows shifted.
Low growls rolled through the cavern. Multiple sets of eyes glinted faintly in the crystal light.
Then they stepped forward.
Three massive wolves, muscles coiled beneath dark, scarred fur. But one towered above the rest—its amber eyes sharp, its fur matted and marked by old fights. The Alpha Wolf.
Ren's chest tightened. He had faced wolves before, but this—this was a coordinated pack, hunting together. Alone, he might survive. Together, death seemed inevitable.
Suddenly, the system appeared before him.
[Task 1: Kill the Alpha Wolf]
[Reward: 10 Points]
[Failure: Death]
[Task 2: Perform 100 Push-Ups]
[Reward: 20 Points]
[Punishment: 50-Watt Electric Shock per incomplete set]
[Optional Task 3: Complete Task 1 and Task 2 within 1 Hour]
[Reward: Basic Map, Sharp Dagger, Crude Sword]
Ren stared, his heart pounding. A cave glowing with crystals, a pack of deadly wolves, and system tasks that could kill him instantly.
He swallowed.
"No," he whispered. "I survive this. Or die trying."
The Alpha Wolf growled, low and deep. The Betas crouched slightly, ready to spring.
Ren's hands clenched into fists. No weapons. No armor. Nothing but instinct, his body still aching from previous battles, and the faint glimmer of system-given hope.
He crouched, trying to measure the distance between him and the wolves.
The system message blinked again:
[Hint: Your environment can be used to your advantage]
Ren's gaze flicked to the crystals. They jutted sharply from walls and ceiling—perfect for dodges, jumps, and misdirection.
The wolves moved in sync, circling, growling, eyes fixed on him. Even from a distance, Ren felt the lethal intelligence in their movements. They weren't mindless—they were a pack.
[Optional Task Timer Started: 60 Minutes]
Ren's heart thumped in rhythm with the growls. Every muscle screamed for rest. Every joint begged for him to collapse.
Then the Alpha lunged first. Its momentum was terrifying, powerful, precise.
Ren rolled sideways, narrowly avoiding the crushing impact. The air vibrated from the blow. Rocks crumbled beneath him.
The Betas sprang in tandem, flanking him from both sides.
[System Update: Combat Detected – Task 1 In Progress]
Ren scrambled backward, tripping over jagged crystal roots. He barely managed to keep his balance, bracing for the next attack. His hands brushed the sharp crystal edges. Pain shot through his fingers, but it grounded him. He could use it.
He had no time to think, only react.
The wolves lunged again, coordinating instinctively. Alpha strikes, Betas flanking, claws and teeth slicing the air around him.
Ren swung a broken branch, catching one Beta's flank. It yelped, momentarily staggered, but the Alpha growled and the other Beta snapped forward.
Ren rolled again, narrowly dodging a snapping jaw.
[Progress Recorded: Severe Injury Encounter – Skill Potential Detected]
Ren's body felt alive. Painful, yes. But alive. Every dodge, roll, and swing awakened instincts in him, memories of martial arts movements his system had taught him after the wolves in the forest.
He gritted his teeth.
This is survival.
This is what it takes.
He rolled behind a jagged crystal, catching his breath for a split second. The wolves snarled and circled him, but didn't charge immediately.
Ren's eyes flicked to the panel.
[Optional Task Timer Remaining: 59:12]
One hour to kill the Alpha and finish push-ups.
If I survive this pack, maybe… maybe I can get a weapon.
He adjusted his grip on the branch, feet tensing.
The Alpha crouched, muscles coiled like steel springs.
Ren's pulse thundered. The fight would start now.
And in the glowing crystal light, with the pack circling and the system watching, Ren realized—he had no choice but to fight.