Early morning light shimmered on the river’s surface, illuminating the survivors’ camp with a gentle haze. Elijah Merrows sipped from a wooden cup of boiled water, letting the warmth chase away the chill of dawn. Around him, the camp stirred to life—some rummaged for leftover fish or roasted roots, others packed bedrolls or checked weapons. A comforting hum of activity replaced the tense silence they had known in the undead city, though vigilance remained high.
Nearby, Nora Reyes ran a rag along her wind-laced sword, eyes half-lidded with tired focus. She noticed Elijah’s glance and offered a faint, private smile. “Morning,” she said softly. “Ready for more scouting?”
Elijah drained the last of his water, nodding. “We can’t just sit around. Ingrid’s group is out there—maybe we can trade more. Or find other folks. Plus, these monstrous beasts don’t kill themselves.” He tried a wry grin, which felt forced even to him. A sense of anticipation and unease knotted in his gut.
On the far side of camp, Gideon Pierce and Vince Anders conferred over a rough map sketched onto a slab of bark. Arrows indicated the directions they had scouted the previous day. Gideon waved Elijah and Nora over, beckoning them into the discussion. “We think we found a vantage point upriver,” he explained, tapping a drawn symbol. “A rocky bluff that could give us a broader view of the forest’s eastern edge and any sign of more smoke pillars.”
Vince nodded, sparks dancing along his knuckles. “We saw a partial silhouette there yesterday, but it was too dark to climb safely. If we scale it, we might see for miles.”
Misha, leaning on her spear, cleared her throat. “Meanwhile, Ingrid’s band is somewhere south, near the deeper woods. We might want to circle back and check if they’ve found anything new.”
Elijah weighed the options. “We can split again, but I don’t like over-dividing forces. We should tackle the bluff first, see if it reveals anything crucial. Then circle around to Ingrid.”
Nora agreed, slipping her rag into a pouch. “Sounds good. We need a bigger picture of this realm. We can’t rely on random encounters for direction.” She met Elijah’s gaze, and he sensed her steady resolve overshadowing her personal doubts for the moment.
Gideon scanned the camp, selecting the day’s expedition team. “Nora, Elijah, Vince, Misha, and me. That’s enough skill for a serious threat, plus synergy if we need it. The rest will protect camp with Harold and Brittany. Lauren, please keep an eye on resources. Genevieve can lead a short hunt.”
Those named fell in line, gathering final gear. Within half an hour, they set off upriver, forging through tall grass glistening with morning dew. The sun rose swiftly, warming the air and revealing a rolling landscape fringed with patches of dense woodland. Occasionally, they heard distant roars or shrieks, but no direct encounters materialized. Everyone moved warily, scanning the terrain in case a boar-lizard or thunder-lion decided to pounce.
Vince exhaled through his teeth as they crossed a shallow part of the river, water soaking their boots. “Kinda weird, right? The city was all claustrophobic fights. Here, it’s open fields, but the tension’s no less. Just… waiting.”
Nora nodded, flicking water droplets off her boots. “We’ve traded constant ambush for the threat of unstoppable apex predators or unknown survivors.” She paused. “I’m grateful we have synergy, at least.”
Elijah followed them onto the opposite bank, recalling how synergy had pierced the Thundercat’s defense days ago. “We might need to refine it. My arrow skill helps, but if we face bigger packs or advanced beasts, one synergy shot won’t solve everything.”
Gideon, limping slightly, grunted in agreement. “We can run some practice if we find a safe spot. Not here in the open.”
They continued upriver, the bank gradually rising into a ridge scattered with rocks. By midday, they stood at the base of a steep bluff, large boulders forming a jagged route upward. The river wound below like a shimmering ribbon, disappearing into the horizon. Elijah marveled at the openness; no dark ceiling overhead, only an expanse of blue sky. A pang of gratitude rose in him, balanced by the knowledge that the tutorial could turn dire any moment.
They found a manageable path, though Misha had to help Gideon in a few places. The older man’s leg injury slowed him, but he refused to stay behind, gritting his teeth through each climb. Nora and Vince split off occasionally to scout side ledges, ensuring no hidden predators lurked among the boulders.
Finally, they emerged onto a broad shelf near the bluff’s summit. The view stole Elijah’s breath: rolling green hills stretching in every direction, a dark forest massing to the east, and beyond it, faint silhouettes of tall peaks. Southward, the river bent, forming small wetlands or marshes. He squinted, toggling Archer’s Eye to peer at a distant point on the horizon—a faint plume of smoke, maybe the remains of Ingrid’s camp or another settlement.
Gideon leaned on a boulder, panting softly, eyes shining with a mix of fatigue and awe. “It’s… bigger than I thought,” he admitted. “We have no illusions about a neat, bounded stage like the city. This could be huge.”
Misha lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the sun. “Any sign of advanced structures, ruins, or dungeons?” She scanned carefully. “I see what might be old walls near that forest, or a natural rock formation. Hard to tell from here.”
Vince hopped onto a stable rock, crackling sparks around his fingers. “I see some movement in those wetlands to the south—big shapes. Could be large beasts or mutated crocodiles. Who knows?”
Elijah let out a breath, turning slowly. “Nothing screams ‘System puzzle’ yet, but that might be hidden in the forest or mountains.”
Nora rested her blade across her lap, having taken a seat on a flat stone. “We might systematically map the region. Or see if Ingrid’s group knows more. They’ve been here longer.”
Gideon nodded grimly. “We gather data, figure out if there’s a central shrine or boss. The city had synergy-based puzzles. Maybe this realm demands we locate a totem or a high-level beast that controls the domain. The System must have a progression path.”
A hush fell over them as they took in the sweeping panorama, each mind spinning with possibilities. The wind ruffled Elijah’s hair, carrying scents of pine from the far-off forest. Despite the tension, a trickle of excitement stirred in him. Surviving the city had proven their adaptability. This realm offered a broader canvas for synergy and exploration.
The moment was shattered by a sudden cry from Misha, who had stepped a few yards away along the rocky edge. She stumbled, bracing herself. “Look—down there!” she hissed, pointing to a slope near the river. Through a break in the tree line, a cluster of creatures shuffled. Their shapes were hunched, each about the size of a man, with spindly limbs and elongated snouts. Fur or chitin glinted in the sunlight. They seemed to be scuttling, half-bipedal, half-crawling.
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Vince squinted. “What are those? Giant weasel-lizards?”
Nora pressed her lips into a thin line. “If they’re apex predators, we’d see them hunt more aggressively. They look cautious.”
Elijah toggled Archer’s Eye, trying to glean detail. About six or seven of the creatures prowled along the slope, nuzzling into the grass as though searching for something. Every so often, one let out a shrill chatter, spurring the others to shuffle. “Could be a new species. They might not be mindless. Let’s see if the System ID helps from this distance.”
He focused, though at range it took extra time. An interface flickered:
[???: Level ???
Rarity: Unknown
Insufficient data for identification.]
He sighed, shaking his head. “Too far or too obscure. No info.” Gideon peered over the edge, jaw tensing. “We should probably avoid them until we know more.” The group quietly concurred. They’d had enough of lethal surprises.
They lingered on the bluff a bit longer, marking key landmarks mentally. Then, the scorching midday sun forced them to head back down. Climbing down proved trickier for Gideon’s leg, but with Misha’s and Elijah’s help, he managed. By late afternoon, they followed the river downstream, returning toward camp.
When they arrived, the camp was abuzz. Brittany’s Fortifying Song flitted in and out, trying to calm everyone. Lauren and Harold were busy tending to a wounded man, blood staining a ripped shirt. Genevieve, her face pale, looked up as Elijah’s squad approached. “We got attacked,” she said breathlessly. “A boar-lizard stampeded in, plus two smaller beasts. We chased them off, but… we lost a supply crate, and Tomas is hurt.”
Gideon’s expression darkened. “Is it serious?”
Lauren wiped sweat from her brow, pressing her Recovery Sigil against Tomas’s side. “He’ll live, but the wound’s deep. Another inch, he’d be gone.”
Elijah rubbed the back of his neck, tension knotting. “We can’t keep fending off random attacks forever. We need more secure fortification or consider relocating closer to Ingrid’s group or somewhere with natural barriers.”
Vince absently crackled sparks around his fingertips. “Also, the bigger monsters seem bolder. We need synergy to repel them. The City Emblem’s undead suppression won’t help here.”
A subdued silence followed. The joyous relief of open skies had faded into uneasy acceptance that this realm was no easier than the last. Resources were scattered, predators roamed freely, and they had minimal structure to rely on. They formed a quick council by the central fire, while Misha and Patrice stood watch along the perimeter.
Gideon spoke first. “We can’t just stand pat. The open grass here is too vulnerable. Maybe we head east to the forest, see if we can rig a camp among trees. Ingrid’s group is south, but do we want to rely on them for shelter?”
Nora frowned. “Forests might have their own threats, but at least there’s cover. I’d rather that than get stampeded by boar-lizards nightly.”
Elijah folded his arms, recalling the vantage from the bluff. “We saw some rocky formations that could serve as partial walls. Maybe near the forest’s edge. We also glimpsed that cluster of odd creatures prowling about. They might be local fauna or even intelligent—hard to say.”
Lauren tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “We have limited healing supplies. The synergy potion from the city library is valuable, but we can’t waste it on routine monsters.”
They debated options: forging an alliance with Ingrid, scouring for better defenses, or methodically clearing an area of dangerous beasts. In the end, a rough plan emerged. Early next morning, they would relocate: pack up what they could, move east near the forest line, and see if they could establish a protected camp. Possibly they’d connect with Ingrid’s band again, though no guarantees of safe cooperation existed.
That night, they dug rudimentary trenches and sharpened stakes around the camp for one last time in this spot. Tomas stabilized after Lauren’s healing, though he remained too weak to fight. Brittany’s quiet song hovered at the edges of conversation, a balm to stressed nerves. Elijah found a moment of calm near the fire, adjusting his bowstring. Nora joined him, settling on the same log.
She let out a sigh, gaze flicking around at their ragtag group. “All this moving, defending, never settling… You ever wonder if we’ll reach an actual safe place?”
Elijah studied the red embers in the fire pit. “Sometimes. But maybe the tutorial doesn’t allow real safety—just stages of respite. Each realm is a test, right?” He thought of the synergy dais back in the city, how it forced them to unify. Now, nature itself might push them to refine synergy or seek alliances. “All we can do is keep forging ahead.”
Nora nodded, a flicker of uncertainty in her expression. She seemed like she wanted to say more—about missing normal life or questioning the System’s endless demands—but she simply rested a hand on his shoulder for a moment, a silent show of solidarity.
Morning broke, and the survivors rose. With subdued efficiency, they dismantled tents, redistributed supplies, and carefully carried the injured. Gideon led from the front, wincing occasionally but refusing to shirk the march. Misha and Patrice formed a scouting vanguard, while Vince and Nora flanked the group, ready to unleash synergy or spells if beasts attacked. Elijah walked among them, scanning the horizon with Archer’s Eye. His heart pounded at the prospect of forging deeper into the unknown, but excitement trickled in beneath the worry.
They traveled east, grass swishing around their ankles, the river to their right. Eventually, the meadow transitioned into sporadic tree clusters, the air turning cooler under the shade. Bird calls echoed from high branches, an oddly soothing soundtrack to a realm that had already proven lethal.
Pausing at a small clearing, Gideon signaled the group to fan out and secure the area for a temporary rest. No monstrous creatures emerged, though hoofprints suggested boar-lizards roamed nearby. As they prepared to continue, one of Ingrid’s scouts appeared at the clearing’s edge—a lean woman carrying a short bow, accompanied by two companions. She raised a hand in greeting, no immediate hostility on her face.
“Thought we might see you soon,” the scout said, scanning the group’s bedraggled faces. “Ingrid sent us to check the forest border. She wanted me to relay a message: We found a large ravine south of here—might be safe from big predators, if we can rig rope bridges or barricades. We’re debating relocating there.”
Gideon exchanged looks with Elijah and Nora. A ravine with natural barriers sounded promising, though it could trap them if cornered. Elijah stepped forward. “We were actually looking for better defensible ground ourselves. Maybe we can coordinate.”
The scout nodded neutrally. “Could be beneficial. Ingrid’s group doesn’t mind cooperating, but we have limited food. We’d expect fair trade or synergy in hunts.”
They conferred briefly, deciding that a joint effort could ease the constant threat of random beasts. The scout offered to guide them to Ingrid’s location. Though tension flickered at the thought of merging groups, the chance for a stable ravine camp was hard to ignore.
Thus, in a subdued march, Elijah and Gideon led the survivors deeper into the forest’s outskirts, following the scout’s directions. Thoughts churned: forging a temporary alliance with Ingrid might spark friction later, but it could also provide immediate relief. Each rustling branch overhead kept them on guard, synergy spells at the ready.
As they walked, Elijah felt a subtle System chime in his mind: a small XP increment for continuous travel and minor synergy usage to fend off small threats—no major leveling, but a sign that every step in this realm inched them forward. No one jumped for joy, used to the slow grind now. Their real challenge lay in forging alliances without succumbing to desperation. Still, the incremental progress reminded Elijah that if they endured this realm’s perils, new skills or synergy breakthroughs awaited.
Nora brushed past him, gaze distant. He caught the flicker of longing in her eyes again—perhaps recalling simpler days, or worrying about the next inevitable fight. He offered a reassuring nod. “We’ll make it work,” he murmured softly, though inside he shared her doubts.
They pressed on, forging a path toward Ingrid’s alleged ravine, uncertain if this new arrangement would bring unity or conflict. The forest canopy thickened overhead, dimming the midday sun to a soft glow. Yet each step resonated with a subdued hope: they had synergy, they had each other, and they refused to let the System break them. If forging alliances with other survivors was the next puzzle, they intended to solve it as they had solved so many before—through cooperation, perseverance, and a spark of trust in an uncertain world.
