Matt (Human) | LVL: 1 (0 / 10 EXP)

  HP: 110/110 | MP: 117/117 | STM: 114/116

  STR: 9 | AGI: 12 | VIT: 10 | END: 16 | INT: 17

  Skills: Appraisal (B), Wind Magic Affinity (C), Efficient Body (D)

  “Yesss! I’m a mage!!” Matt fist-pumps the air in celebration. His excitement fades into anxiety however, as realisation of their predicament dawns. “Wait, we’re stuck in a creepy forest in another world. This is not good.” Pacing around the clearing, his voice rises with stress. “I mean, are we stuck here? What are we going to do-”

  Matt’s frantic words are drowned out by a bone-chilling howl that reverberates throughout their bodies. Matt stops dead and turns to look at Sophie. With an expression of fear and determination, she mouths the words “That sounded very close.” Moving cautiously, she bends down and picks up a sturdy branch, clutching it as a makeshift weapon.

  “What’s that?” She hisses, as a ghostly creature begins to form from the fog. A low growl rumbles from the creature, as a large, off-white wolf steps into view. Its eyes full of hostility, it bares menacing blood-stained teeth. Slowly retreating, Matt catches a glimpse of a large gash across the creatures stomach. “Look! It’s injured!” he gasps.

  “I see.” Sophie acknowledges through gritted teeth. “Stay behind me.” She raises her branch high, prepared to defend herself. As the wolf lunges, she swings the weapon down hard, striking its head with a dull crack. The wolf yelps in pain as the branch shatters over its head.

  The wolf recoils, shaking its head as if dazed, but then snarls and circles the pair, its eyes glow sinisterly looking for an opening. A thin stream of blood trickling down its face making it an even more frightening sight. Sophie tightens her grip on the splintered branch, her eyes darting between the wolf and her surroundings. "It’s not giving up," she mutters, her heart racing.

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  Matt’s eyes flick to a sharp rock nearby, and he instinctively snatches it up. “Get back!” he shouts, before hurling it in the wolf’s direction. The projectile grazes its flank, making the creature flinch. Encouraged, Matt grabs another rock, but the monster charges him before he’s able to throw it.

  Caught off guard, Matt tries to sidestep, but the wolf’s vicious claws rake across his ribs as it passes. “Ahh!” he cries, stumbling backward. “Matt!” Sophie shouts, panic creeping into her voice. Imitating Matt, she launches a stone at the wolf, drawing its attention.

  As the beast pounces towards her, Sophie swings her branch wildly, managing to force it into the wolf’s jaws as it collides with her, knocking her to the ground. Sophie’s arms tremble as she fights to keep the snarling beast at bay. Saliva drips onto her face. Its claws dig into her sides. She kicks. It doesn’t budge.

  A shrill whistle of cold air slices through the chaotic struggle. Warm blood splatters onto Sophie as a thick icicle pierces the beast’s throat. Two more follow in quick succession, impaling the stomach. The wolf stumbles toward Matt for a few short, unsteady steps before collapsing in a bloody heap.

  “Sophie! Are you hurt?” Matt cries out.

  Sophie (LVL 1) and Matt (LVL 1) have slain Ash Wolf (LVL 9).

  Matt has gained 127 EXP and levelled up! (LVL 1 → 5)

  Sophie has gained 116 EXP and levelled up! (LVL 1 → 5)

  “I- I’m okay,” she whispers, her voice wavering as she begins to shake. “This place- this world is not safe Matt!” She kicks the wolf in anger. “This… this thing almost killed us!”

  Matt replies in a strained voice. “I didn’t think... I didn’t think something like that would happen so quickly.”

  Sophie stays silent for a moment, her gaze drifting to the dense trees around them, the fog still swirling ominously. “Me neither,” she replies quietly, her voice a little steadier now. “But... we’re still alive. That’s something, right?”

  Her words seem to anchor Matt, and he gives her a reassuring nod. “Right. But what you said before was correct… this area isn’t safe. We should leave. Who knows what else might have heard the noise we made.”

  Her trembles start to subside as she considers his words. Slowly, she nods, her gaze scanning their surroundings. “Okay…” She hesitates, taking in the dense, fog-filled forest, where every direction looks the same. “Which way?”