The rustling grew louder, a steady, rhythmic sound moving through the underbrush. Ethan's heart rate spiked, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The world around him seemed to slow, every leaf, every branch creaking in the eerie silence between heartbeats. His senses were sharper now, his thoughts clearer but his body still felt heavy, alien. His legs trembled as he stood, unsteady.
[System Status: Active]
Host: Ethan Cross
Age: 21 (Adjusted)
Chrono Rank: F (Novice)
Attributes:
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 12
Willpower: 10
Abilities:
Rapid Cognitive Acceleration – Learn and process information 2x faster for a limited time.
Time Instinct (Locked) – Instinctive awareness of immediate threats, activated at Rank E.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. He could see the status screen flickering in front of him, the words there, like a constant reminder that he was no longer in control of his fate. The System had its own agenda -Survive. But what did that mean? How was he supposed to survive here, in this unknown world?
The rustling grew louder.
Something was coming. Something big.
Ethan's breath quickened. He turned toward the sound, his body tensing instinctively, but his limbs felt stiff, uncooperative. He reached for his side, expecting to find a weapon, but there was nothing. Panic surged through him as the ground beneath him seemed to shift, becoming unstable. The creature was close now—he could hear it breathing, deep, heavy exhalations from the shadows.
His fingers twitched, the System flashing new options in his mind.
[System Status: Active]
Abilities Available:
Combat Tactics: Basic (Untrained)
Weapon Handling: None detected
[Suggested Action: Flee or Prepare for Combat.]
[Warning: Host's physical attributes are below optimal for direct confrontation.]
"Great…" Ethan muttered, his hands trembling at his sides.
A shadow passed between the trees, too large to be anything natural. He forced himself to take a deep breath. His instincts screamed at him to run, but he couldn't. The System was pushing him into a corner, telling him to fight or die. His brain was still adjusting to the overload of information, and his body wasn't much better off.
The rustling grew louder, followed by a growl—a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through the air. Ethan's pulse raced as he scrambled to his feet, adrenaline flooding his system.
He didn't have time to think. His fingers twitched again, the System flashing options for him faster than he could process them.
[Error: Body Coordination Below Minimum Standard for Execution.]
[Ability Acquired: Basic Combat Maneuver – Dodge]
[Warning: Low Energy Levels Detected.]
"Dodge?!" Ethan hissed through gritted teeth. The creature was already on him again, claws slashing through the air where his head had been moments ago.
He twisted his body instinctively, throwing himself to the side just as the beast's claws missed by inches. His heart pounded in his chest, but the rush of success was short-lived. His body wasn't responding as it should. It was like his limbs were working through molasses, too slow, too clumsy.
[System Status: Active]
Combat Status: Unstable
[Warning: Host's Coordination below optimal for prolonged combat.]
Ethan gritted his teeth as the creature circled, closing in again. He couldn't outrun it. He couldn't hide. He had no choice but to fight or die.
"System, help me!" he shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.
[Warning: Host's Data Synchronization Incomplete. Full Combat Abilities Unavailable.]
The creature lunged again, faster this time, but Ethan reacted purely on instinct. He threw up his arm, his body moving before his mind could catch up, and felt a sharp impact as the creature's claws scraped against his forearm.
The pain was intense, but he barely had time to process it before the creature's massive form was on top of him, teeth bared in a vicious snarl. The System seemed to pulse in the back of his mind, a call to action.
[Ability Acquired: Temporal Reflex – Instant Action Mode (Limited Duration)]
Something clicked within Ethan, like a switch being flipped in his brain. His vision sharpened and time slowed to a crawl. The world around him seemed to fall away, leaving only the beast and its impending strike. He moved faster than he'd ever moved before, his body instinctively ducking and rolling out of the way.
The creature's claws missed him by a hair's breadth as he spun, coming to his feet in one fluid motion. His hand shot out, grabbing a rock from the ground and throwing it with all his strength.
The impact was enough to distract the creature, its head snapping toward the sound, giving Ethan just enough time to react.
[Ability Unlocked: Basic Weapon Handling – Impromptu Projectile]
With a quick motion, he grabbed another rock, hurling it with all the force he could muster. It struck the creature in the eye, causing it to howl in pain and stagger back.
The System chimed, the words flashing before his eyes:
[Combat Outcome: Victory – Minor Damage Sustained.]
[Host Condition: Critical, Immediate Medical Attention Required.]
The creature staggered back, its massive form retreating into the trees. Ethan stood, panting, blood dripping from his wounds. He had no idea what had just happened, but for the first time since awakening in this strange world, he felt something stir inside him "power". He wasn't entirely sure how to use it yet, but he had survived.
And that, it seemed, was all the System cared about.