The Trial of Instinct

Mark once again felt the ground vanish beneath his feet. The light of the rest area faded, replaced by an ominous darkness. The air shifted abruptly—gone was the dry heat of the desert, replaced by suffocating humidity.

He landed softly on a carpet of damp moss. Silence enveloped him.

[[Welcome to the Third Floor.]]

[[Trial: Instinct.]]

[[Objective: Reach the final point by following the correct path.]]

[[Distance: 15 kilometers.]]

[[Timer activated: 00:00:00]]

Mark surveyed his surroundings. A dense jungle stretched endlessly, each tree towering into an unseen sky. Thick leaves blocked most of the light, casting eerie shadows across the terrain.

He pulled out the compass. The needle spun briefly before locking onto a direction straight ahead.

— No creatures, no immediate threat. Just walk, like last time?

He took a step forward.

The ground creaked beneath his weight, revealing tangled roots slick with moisture. The heavy air made each breath laborious.

[Warning, Citizen Mark. This environment is designed to deceive your senses. Follow the compass, but trust your instincts.]

Mark nodded. The memory of the desert's hallucinations was still fresh. This time, he would be ready.

[Timer: 01:14:36]

Progress was slow. The jungle seemed to close in around him. Each step on the damp moss produced a dull thud. Shadows danced between the massive trunks.

The compass vibrated suddenly.

[[Needle instability detected. High probability of illusion.]]

Mark froze. The needle wavered, as if uncertain.

— What the hell?

He scanned the area. To his left, a clear, inviting path. To his right, a narrow trail choked with thorns and twisted branches.

The compass pointed vaguely to the right, but the unstable needle sparked doubt.

— Xi, any advice?

[Insufficient data. Instinct is key.]

Mark gritted his teeth. He eyed both paths, fists clenched.

— The easy route never pays off. Right it is.

He pushed into the thorny trail, branches scratching his skin as he forced his way through.

Minutes later, the compass stabilized.

[[Correct route confirmed.]]

Mark exhaled in relief. He had chosen wisely.

[Timer: 03:27:19]

The jungle felt alive. Rustling sounds surrounded him, yet every glance back revealed nothing. The shadows stretched unnaturally, sometimes forming humanoid shapes.

The compass vibrated again.

[[Potential threat detected.]]

Mark froze, ears straining.

A faint breath. To his left.

— No way I'm falling into a trap.

He grabbed a sturdy branch and crept forward. Without warning, a dark shape lunged from the underbrush.

A black panther with crimson eyes.

Mark rolled aside, barely dodging the razor-sharp claws. The beast growled, its form blending with the shadows.

— Knew it. Nothing's ever simple.

The panther pounced again. This time, Mark dodged more easily, instincts sharpened by past trials.

Gripping the branch tightly, he waited. When the panther lunged, he swung with all his might, striking its temple.

The creature dissolved into black mist.

[[Intermediate hallucination dissipated. Mental endurance +1.]]

— Even the creatures are illusions now? Great.

Mark pressed on, muscles tense.

[Timer: 05:52:44]

The jungle thickened. Mark paused to sip from his canteen, muscles aching.

The compass vibrated once more.

[[Primary route blocked. Secondary path detected.]]

A colossal tree had fallen ahead, obstructing the path. To the left, a narrow trail twisted between trunks.

— Another choice… he muttered.

This time, the needle held steady, pointing toward the side path.

— Let's trust it.

He stepped onto the trail, carefully avoiding slippery roots.

[Timer: 06:37:55]

An hour later, the jungle transformed. Silence swallowed every sound.

[[Alert: Sensory reduction active. Vision -30%.]]

The shadows deepened. Mark squinted—everything blurred.

— Damn it...

Tension gripped his muscles. A crack to his right made him whirl around, slipping on a root.

He hit the ground hard, scraping his arm against rough bark.

— Shit!

[[Minor injury detected. Light bleeding.]]

Mark winced, clutching his wounded arm.

— Can't stop. If I rest here…

He stumbled forward, bloodied hand gripping the compass tightly.

[Timer: 08:14:32]

Finally, he reached a pale-lit clearing. The compass pointed straight ahead, unwavering.

[[Final point detected. Remaining distance: 500 meters.]]

Mark quickened his pace, heart pounding.

Suddenly, the jungle came alive. Shadows flitted between trees, encircling him.

Twisted humanoid silhouettes. Faceless, their movements jerky and unnatural.

[[Alert: Sensory reduction active. Hearing -50%.]]

Silence enveloped him. Only his heartbeat echoed in his ears.

— No… Not now!

Mark staggered back, fists raised.

[[Critical threat detected. Avoid combat.]]

— Avoid?! Where the hell do I go?!

The compass flickered. The needle spun wildly, then snapped to a trail on his right.

Without hesitation, Mark sprinted.

The shadows glided after him, soundless and relentless. He leapt over a fallen log, dodged a snaking root, and finally glimpsed a glowing portal in the clearing's center.

[[Alert: Sensory reduction active. Touch -40%.]]

His legs grew heavy, as if the ground itself resisted him.

— Almost… he gasped, lungs burning.

A branch lashed his face. He stumbled, crashing onto jagged rocks. The pain was dulled but undeniable.

[[Moderate injury detected. Ankle sprain.]]

Mark grimaced, dragging himself toward the portal as the shadows closed in.

— No… Not dying here!

With a final surge, he hurled a stone at the nearest figure. The shadow shattered like glass.

Seizing the moment, he crawled toward the portal.

His fingers brushed the light just as a dark hand clasped his ankle.

[Timer: 09:02:58]

[[Congratulations! Trial complete.]]

[[Rewards: +5 Perception, +3 Agility, 1,000 credits.]]

[[Item obtained: Silent Boots – Reduces movement noise by 50%.]]

Mark collapsed onto the cold floor of the rest area, chest heaving, ankle throbbing.

— What the hell were those things? Just hallucinations?

[Negative, Citizen Mark. They were semi-real entities designed to test your survival instincts.]

He shook his head, exhaustion washing over him, face streaked with sweat and dried blood.

But the triumphant smile faded quickly.

— No… Not yet. I'm far from ready for what's next.

Mark fell back, staring at the glowing ceiling, surrendering to fatigue.

For now, he needed rest. The next floor could wait.