Chapter 2: Into the Unknown

Chapter 2: Into the Unknown

The moment I saw the gate expand, shimmering like a mirage, danger flickered at the corners of my mind. Without a second thought, I dove behind the nearest wall, shielding myself just as a deafening explosion erupted from the gate. Shards of concrete and debris whizzed past me, pelting the area like bullets. I pressed myself against the wall, my heart pounding in my chest as the dust settled around me.

Most people were frozen, trying to comprehend the situation. Their hesitation was their downfall. They didn't understand that the world had just changed. Like in the stories I'd read, this was the point of no return. The gate wasn't just a strange occurrence; it was a herald of something far more dangerous. I could almost see it playing out: monsters, trials, and a new world order would follow. The strong would seize power, and those who adapted quickly would rise above the rest while the weak would fall behind, left to be trampled or worse.

I peeked around the corner and spotted the gate, now more stable but still swirling with dark energy. A chill ran down my spine. It felt like staring into the abyss, and I knew it wouldn't be long before something emerged. The impending chaos would attract those looking to control whatever power lay beyond.

"Don't wait. Move," my instincts screamed at me. This was no time to be cautious or wait for others to lead. It wasn't like in manga, where the hero listened to a lengthy monologue from the monster boss before a battle. I had to strike first, move before the enemy had a chance to react.

I took a deep breath and pushed off the wall, eyes locked on the gate. If I hesitated, monsters might arrive and attack me along with other people. However, those who would fight and survive, would gain strength, and tip the balance of power before I even had a chance to find my footing. I wasn't about to let that happen to me whether being killed by monsters or leaving myself helpless in this new reality.

With adrenaline surging, I sprinted toward the gate. Each step felt like a gamble—a 50% chance of success, a 50% chance of failure. Clarity washed over me as I realized this was something games rarely allowed: entering before monsters emerged. It was a risky move, but doing nothing was a guaranteed path to being injured if not dead or left behind after missing the chance of awakening. The closer I got, the more I felt the power emanating from it, pulsing like a heartbeat. The unknown loomed before me, filled with potential danger and opportunity.

"Attack before the boss finishes his speech," I muttered to myself, finding a flicker of amusement in the absurdity of it all. I had no map, no guide, only my instincts and the lessons learned from countless stories. Those instincts urged me forward, propelling me into the swirling darkness of the gate.

As I leapt into the void, a brief sensation of weightlessness overtook me. Colors merged in a dizzying blur, and moments later, the world shifted again, tearing me apart and reassembling me in an instant.

An unsettling chill enveloped me. Dimly lit and heavy with an oppressive sense of danger, the new world around me felt fraught with peril. My instincts screamed to stay alert as I scanned my surroundings. In the distance, figures moved—monsters like Orcs, armed with crude weapons, advancing toward me.

"As expected, but that's a lot of them," I muttered.

Luckily, I had arrived just in time, slipping in before they could sense me. It seemed they were distracted, likely drawn by the noise of the gate's formation—a beacon that called them closer.

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Aeon slipped in just in time before the approaching monsters could sense him, quickly dashing away from the gate area. He scanned his surroundings as he ran, ensuring no threats were nearby. Once he had gained enough distance, he slowed to a walk, occasionally encountering monsters but managing to hide and avoid confrontation.

During his journey, Aeon came across a small, weak-looking monster. He considered killing it, but hesitated. "If I kill this one, I'll awaken, but it might grant me a weak skill," he thought. "Better to assassinate a stronger monster and gain a more powerful ability." Just as he was contemplating this, a massive snake lunged at him from the shadows. Aeon narrowly dodged the attack and created some distance, strategizing his next move. A direct confrontation could lead to injuries or poisoning, so he decided running away was the safest option.

As he sprinted for about ten seconds, a huge, bird-like creature suddenly descended from the sky and attacked the snake. The two creatures engaged in a fierce battle. The snake coiled its massive body around the bird, trying to constrict it, while the bird struck back, fiercely pecking at the snake's neck and slashing with its sharp talons. The snake hissed and tightened its grip, attempting to crush the bird, but the bird retaliated, ripping at the snake's scales and flesh. The intense struggle sent debris scattering around, forcing Aeon to take cover behind a tree to protect himself from the chaos.

Eventually, the battle reached its conclusion. The bird emerged as the victor, though severely weakened and poisoned. Its once-majestic wings now drooped, and it struggled to stay upright, clearly paralyzed by the snake's venom. Aeon's instincts kicked in. He knew the bird was going to die, evident from its pale complexion and labored breathing. If he killed it now, he might awaken a powerful, high-ranking skill—assuming this world worked like the fictional novels and manga he was familiar with.

From a blind spot, Aeon slowly and carefully approached the bird, which weakly turned its wary eyes toward him. He glanced around, searching for a weapon, but found nothing sharp enough for a swift, painless kill. An idea sparked—he could use the bird's own talons. "I hope you lived your life to the fullest," he whispered, determined to end the creature's suffering quickly. Grabbing a talon, he struck with all his strength, driving it straight into the bird's head. It was over in an instant.

Taking a moment to collect himself, Aeon suddenly heard a noise from the direction of the supposedly dead snake. Approaching cautiously, he found that the snake was still alive, barely clinging to life. "Seems like I'm luckier than I thought," he muttered, realizing he had a chance to kill two high-ranking monsters. He swiftly finished off the snake, but strangely, nothing happened after their deaths. Confused, Aeon wondered if it was because he hadn't fought them directly, but his suspicion was dispelled when he killed a smaller monster as a test, and still, nothing changed.

After wandering for about half an hour, Aeon spotted a goblin scurrying into a cave. Instinctively, he understood that this was their den. An idea formed in his mind—he would cause a fire, sealing the cave entrance to trap the goblins inside. The smoke and flames would suffocate and kill at least half of them. Gathering forest materials, he set a fire and used a large rock to block the entrance. As expected, chaos erupted within the cave, the goblins' terrified and enraged cries echoing inside.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the noise ceased, but Aeon waited another ten minutes just to be sure. Finally, he moved the rock aside and stepped into the cave. Inside, he found the lifeless bodies of goblins scattered around, and he swiftly finished off any that were still breathing.

///////

Aeon surveyed the aftermath inside the cave, the smell of smoke still lingering in the air. The bodies of goblins lay strewn across the cave floor, their twisted forms illuminated by the faint glow of embers. He moved methodically, checking each body to ensure none had survived. The plan had worked better than he anticipated; many goblins had succumbed to the smoke and fire, leaving only a few stragglers to be finished off.

As he ventured deeper into the cave, Aeon noticed something unusual. There was a faint glint coming from a crevice further in. Curiosity piqued, he carefully made his way toward it, his senses on high alert for any potential danger. The cave walls grew damp and narrow, but the glints became more pronounced, leading him to a hidden chamber.

Inside the chamber, Aeon discovered what looked like a treasure trove. Piles of gold coins, jewels, and various weapons were scattered across the floor, along with other valuable loot the goblins had clearly amassed over time. There were swords, daggers, and even some armor pieces, all of varying quality. Some were rusted and old, but others appeared pristine, possibly taken from unfortunate adventurers who had wandered too close to the goblins' den.

Aeon's eyes lit up at the sight. This was more than he had expected. Not only had he managed to clear out the goblin den, but he had stumbled upon a hoard of resources that could prove invaluable. He began sifting through the loot, testing the weight of swords, examining the sharpness of blades, and pocketing some of the gold coins. 

As he handled the weapons, he felt a sense of satisfaction. These items would give him an edge in future encounters, and the coins would allow him to barter or buy supplies if he found a settlement. But even as he collected the spoils, he couldn't help but think about how this trove had ended up here. The goblins had likely raided travelers, taking whatever they could, and hoarding it all in this secret chamber. It was a grim reminder of how ruthless this world could be.

Once he had taken what he could carry, Aeon moved to leave the chamber. He heard faint movements echoing from deeper within the cave—perhaps more goblins, or something else entirely. He decided not to linger; he had already gained what he came for, and it was time to move. 

Emerging from the cave, Aeon was greeted by the cool night air. The forest was eerily quiet, as if the world had paused, waiting to see what he would do next. He clenched his fist, feeling the weight of his new weapons, and began to walk. The encounters with the snake, the bird, and now the goblins had been mere stepping stones, tests of his ability to survive and adapt.

But now, with these new resources, he was ready for more. He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was evolving, and whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on. He couldn't rely on luck forever, and he knew it. Each battle, each strategic decision, would need to be sharper, more calculated. He had to prepare for whatever challenges this world would throw at him next.

As he moved further into the darkness of the forest, a new determination burned within him. Aeon was no longer just a wanderer stumbling through battles—he was a hunter, seeking strength, seeking answers, and most of all, seeking to carve out his place in this unforgiving world. And nothing, not monsters nor men, would stand in his way.