First Battle

[You have leveled up!]

[Rewards are being distributed!]

[You have gained 50+ Vitality]

[You have gained 5 stat points]

[You have gained a new skill!]

[Fire Magic : Level 0]

[Fire Magic Proficiency : 0%]

'A new skill? And it's magic?' Alex thought, amazed. Forgetting about his stat points, he raised his hands, focusing on the idea of fire appearing in his palms.

"Come on, fire. Show yourself."

"I command the flames."

"Burn brightly."

"Please, respond to me."

"Abracadabra!"

Nothing happened. Instead of feeling frustrated, Alex only grew more determined.

"The more important the skill, the more effort it takes," he muttered, tightening his fists.

Alex sat on the ground like a monk, closing his eyes and patiently breathing as he focused on imagining the fire.

Finally, after an hour, he felt the fire slowly begin to flow from his heart to his mind. But it vanished instantly as soon as he lost focus.

Alex tried to keep imagining it again and again, until he was extremely tired.

It has already passed 5 hours since he tried it relentlessly, but it keeps vanishing the moment it comes into contact with his brain.

Alex didn't give up, but now he was hungry, he had to stop whatever he was trying to do and start looking for something to eat. 

While searching for bugs and worms to eat, Alex accidentally broke a few old trees with a hit or two. However, he didn't find any. Instead, he found himself flexing his dominance over the trees and insects.

Alex's strength had gotten quite sturdy then the first time he came to this world. In just a few days he had grown exponentially. 

Sure this would make quite a commotion in the forest, but he knew he was fast and with his Sage Eyes and Quick Dash he can avoid any potential danger.

It was arrogant of him, but it wasn't his fault. Cause right now, all he cared about was magic. 

Alex was a complex individual, balancing extremes within himself. He was both incredibly cautious and yet, at times, strangely childish. 

Who wouldn't? If they see magic that they were forced to believe wasn't real their entire life, but if now it was right next to their eyes?

"Bugs worms, where are you....."

He did find food, but it wasn't bugs. It was a strange plant, one that was actually moving. It sat a few hundred meters away, hidden behind thick trees, so Alex couldn't see it clearly. As he drew closer, he realized it was a 10-foot-tall Venus flytrap, walking around. Alex didn't have any offensive skills, nor was he confident in his strength. Should I turn back?

That's exactly when he remembers the stat points. Right, I can use it. 

[Strength : 22.8] >> [Strength : 25.8]

Alex could feel a surge of strength coming from his body. "So this is what having power feels like, as if his hands had gotten lighter, he quickly runs around the plant monster. 

The plant monster, unable to keep track of Alex's speed, swings its huge roots all over the place. But too bad for him, Alex could see the roots with his naked eyes, it was just too slow. Alex catches one of the roots and drags it out of its position. 

The plant monster was too heavy, and as it moved, its roots were ripped from the ground, tearing away from its body.

One by one, Alex broke its roots, but it drained a lot of his stamina. Using Quick Dash, he closed the distance and struck the plant monster. However, the creature was far too sturdy, and no matter how hard he hit, it barely seemed to budge.

Suddenly, Alex steps on a small rock and slightly loses his position, that was when the plant monster devours him. 

[Warning! You are in contact with poison]

[Poison Resistance skill has been activated!]

Inside the plant, there was nothing but liquid, leaking out with an incredibly foul smell. Alex tried hitting the plant monster again, but it had no effect. Realizing his efforts were useless, he decided that his last resort was to meditate right then and there.

He kept thinking about fire, Alex's hunger was getting more and more extreme but he kept on meditating without losing his focus. 

After 3 hours -

Finally, Alex could feel the fire burning inside his heart but it was too small. 

Alex placed his hands on the monster's body and focused, imagining fire. A small flame came to life, too weak to harm the plant at first. But after ten minutes, the fire began to spread, growing stronger and more intense.

In extreme pain, the plant monster tried to flee, moving as fast as it could, but it was helpless. After a few more minutes, it was completely engulfed in flames, burning relentlessly.

Alex quickly pulled himself out of the plant monster and used the fire from the top of the plant as well, directing the flames to spread even further, intensifying the damage.

[You have slain a Giga Venus]

[You have gained 15 exp]

Alex firmly stands on top of the monster. 

No humans would have been able to beat this monster in their current state. Alex knew that hence why he seemed quite proud of what he had achieved.

By the time the monster was killed, they were in an unknown place. The trees were thicker than ever, insects were everywhere. 

"Just where am I now?" Alex looks around cluelessly, even the Sage Vision weren't of much use as it only works in darkness and it can't see through objects.

Alex also notices the change in his senses, he could feel strong sensations from the nearby, he wasn't sure what it exactly was. 

'I'm not sure what it is, but this sensation isn't good. It more or less reminds me of those beast I have met before. The Ancient Snake, The Serpent, The Spider. 

_____________

[Player : Alex]

[Level : 2 (15/500)]

[Vitality : (210/625)]

[Mana : 1.9]

_____________

'Mana? Ok that explains both the fire power and this sensation I am getting.'

'Now that I know where this is coming from, I should avoid such creature as much as possible. I still think I have zero chance to win against them.' 

Alex had to return to his old ways, moving slowly and conserving his energy. He could feel the presence of at least six creatures in different directions, but the southwest was the only direction where he sensed no presence at all.

After walking for 12 minutes straight he couldn't sense any more monster's sensation nearby and he couldn't seemed to see anything in this vicinity...calmed, Alex starts looking for food

A strange monster emerged, covered in black fur. Its back was massive, and its legs and arms resembled those of a wolf. Its face was like a nasty hyena, devoid of eyes, while a lion's tail swayed behind it. Saliva dripped from its mouth as it hungrily sniffed the air, drawn to Alex's presence.

Despite the nasty presence of this monster, Alex didn't seemed to be scared. 

"I'm not gonna run away at least not against a stray dog like beast" 

Alex's eyes turned golden as he uses Sage Vision with strong intent.

"I'm gonna beat you, take your exp and feed my hunger"