Raeshan's body slammed onto the ground.
"..."
He rolled instinctively, coughing as cold air filled his lungs. The smell of damp earth and blood hit his nose at the same time.
Before he could fully stand, a familiar blue window appeared in front of him.
Ding.
[Tutorial Rift Survival Kit Granted]
[Iron Sword 1*]
[Healing Potion x2*]
[Beginner Armor Full Set]
Raeshan stared at the items for a second, then let out a bitter laugh.
"So this is all I get for Nightmare difficulty."
Light wrapped around his body as the items were equipped. A simple iron sword appeared in his hand, rough and heavy, but solid.
Basic leather and iron armor formed around his body, snug and surprisingly comfortable.
He tested his grip on the sword and swung it lightly. The blade cut through the air with a dull sound.
"Not great, but better than nothing."
The surrounding environment slowly came into focus.
Dead trees stretched toward a gray sky. The ground was dry and cracked, stained dark in places. A cold wind howled through the forest, carrying a low, distant growl.
Raeshan's expression tightened.
This wasn't a game screen anymore.
This was real.
He reached for the healing potions at his waist, confirming they were there, then steadied his breathing.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Survive first."
Somewhere in the distance, a long howl echoed through the forest.
Raeshan raised his sword.
The tutorial had begun.
———
howl
The howl echoed again, closer this time.
Raeshan's fingers tightened around the iron sword.
His heartbeat thudded loudly in his ears, each breath feeling heavier than the last. The cold wind brushed against his face, carrying the smell of decay and wet fur.
He slowly scanned his surroundings.
Dead trees stood crooked and bare, their branches like claws reaching toward the sky. The ground was uneven, littered with broken stones and dried bones that crunched softly under his boots.
"So this is the Nightmare tutorial," he murmured.
Another sound followed. Footsteps.
Raeshan lowered his body slightly, steadying his stance the way he had seen Awakeners do in countless videos. He reminded himself this was not a game. There was no respawn here.
From between the trees, shadows moved.
Glowing red eyes appeared one after another in the darkness.
howl
A low growl rolled through the forest.
[Dried Wolf x3 Detected]
Raeshan's throat went dry.
The wolves stepped into view. Their bodies were thin and shriveled, fur clinging to bone. Patches of gray flesh were exposed, cracked and dried like old leather. Saliva dripped from their mouths as they circled him slowly.
Raeshan took a step back, then stopped. Running would only show weakness.
"Three," he whispered. "I can handle three."
The wolves lunged.
Raeshan moved on instinct. He twisted to the side as the first wolf leaped, its claws scraping against his armor. He swung his sword with both hands.
The blade bit into flesh.
The wolf yelped and crashed into the dirt, rolling away.
[You have killed Dried Wolf x1]
The second wolf came from behind. Raeshan felt a sharp pain as its teeth grazed his arm. Blood soaked into his sleeve.
He gritted his teeth and kicked backward, then turned and slashed wildly. The sword connected with the wolf's neck.
It fell, twitching.
[You have killed Dried Wolf x1]
The third wolf hesitated.
Raeshan didn't give it time.
He charged forward, ignoring the pain in his arm, and drove the sword straight into its skull. The body went limp beneath him.
[You have killed Dried Wolf x1]
Silence returned to the forest.
Raeshan stood there, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his arm onto the cracked ground. His hands trembled, not from exhaustion, but from fear.
"I'm alive," he muttered.
He quickly pulled out one of the healing potions and drank it.
Warmth spread through his body as the wound closed, leaving behind only a faint scar.
[Healing Potion Consumed]
Raeshan exhaled slowly.
"This isn't like the game," he said to himself.
He wiped his blade clean on the ground and looked deeper into the forest.
Somewhere out there was the Silver Dried Wolf.
And this was only the beginning.
Raeshan didn't move right away.
He stayed still, listening.
The forest was quiet again, but it was the wrong kind of quiet.
No wind.
No insects.
As if everything was holding its breath.
He slowly crouched down and checked the bodies of the dried wolves. Their flesh was brittle, almost crumbling under his fingers. When he pulled his hand back, a faint gray dust stuck to his skin.
"So this is what they mean by dried," he muttered.
Ding.
[Hidden Mission Progress Updated]
[Dried Wolf Killed: 3]
[Remaining Targets: Unknown]
Raeshan's expression hardened.
Unknown meant there were more. Many more.
He stood up and looked ahead. Faint claw marks were etched into the ground, leading deeper into the forest.
He followed them carefully, keeping his steps light. Every sense in his body was stretched tight. His grip on the sword never loosened.
Minutes passed.
Then he smelled it.
Raeshan slowed and peered through the trees.
Ahead was a small clearing. The ground was stained dark, and bones were scattered everywhere.
Human bones.
Monster bones.
Some looked chewed. Others were snapped clean in half.
At the center of the clearing stood something larger than the others.
A wolf.
It was nearly twice the size of the ones he had just fought. Its body was lean and muscular despite the dried skin clinging to its frame. Silver-gray fur covered its head and spine, dull but unmistakable.
Its eyes opened.
Cold.
The wolf lifted its head and stared directly at Raeshan.
A low growl rolled from its throat.
[Mini Boss Detected: Silver Dried Wolf]
Raeshan's breath caught.
So this was it.
The Silver Dried Wolf didn't rush him. It walked forward slowly, deliberately, as if measuring him. Each step cracked the ground beneath its claws.
Raeshan raised his sword and adjusted his stance.
"Not rushing," he whispered. "It's smarter."
The wolf suddenly vanished.
"..."
Raeshan's eyes widened.
Too fast.
Pain exploded across his side as something slammed into him. He was thrown across the clearing, rolling hard against the ground. His armor scraped and cracked, but held.
He coughed and forced himself up just in time to see the wolf strike again.
He blocked.
Metal screeched as claws slammed into his sword, sending a shock through his arms. The force nearly knocked the blade from his grip.
The wolf's jaws snapped inches from his face.
Raeshan shoved forward with everything he had and rolled away.
His chest heaved.
"This thing isn't like the others," he said through clenched teeth.
The Silver Dried Wolf circled him, tail low, eyes never leaving him.
Raeshan steadied his breathing.
"Fine. Then I won't make one."
He shifted his grip, lowered his center of gravity, and took a single step forward.
The real fight had begun.
---
Author's Note
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