chapter two: Dangers in the forset of the Gronax World

**Chapter Two: Dangers in the Forests of the Gronax World**

When Axel regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by an ethereal barrier protecting him from nearby threats. The soft humming of energy was the only evidence of his existence.

A while passed, and the forest remained strangely quiet. Axel could hear a faint voice from the system providing updates:

[All injuries have been treated. Healing process complete. The host will regain consciousness in 5 minutes. Activating beginner training mode to provide necessary guidance.]

When Axel finally opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a soft bed of moss. The world around him seemed quieter, as if the forest had granted him a moment of respite. He slowly sat up, feeling strength flowing through his body.

He whispered, looking around, "What... what happened?"

[Welcome back, host. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the primary protection mode has been activated. Your injuries have been treated, and you have received a small compensation for the error.]

Axel raised an eyebrow: "Compensation?"

[You have been awarded 500 experience points, a rare sword named "Doom Blade (Replica)," and access to the basic storage function in the system. Additionally, your level has increased to 2.]

Axel blinked in disbelief and said, "I leveled up? Does that mean I have points or stats?"

[Yes. You can access your stats through the system interface.]

A pale blue screen appeared before him, displaying his current attributes:

[Status Window]

Name: Axel

Race: Human

Bloodline: Unknown

Level: 2

Experience: 100/5000

Health: 120/120

Energy: 80/80

Strength: 15

Speed: 12

Endurance: 14

Intelligence: 10

Skills:

Swordsman (Passive)

Tactical Awareness (Requires conditions to activate)

Inventory:

1. Doom Blade (Replica)

2. Mixed Primitive Energy Stones: 5

Axel looked at the screen in disbelief: "This... looks like a game. But it feels so real. The pain, the exhaustion... everything." He clenched his fist, feeling the newfound power coursing through his body. "If this is a game, then I'll do my best to survive."

He noticed that the bloodline was classified as "unknown." So he asked the system curiously, "Why is the bloodline unknown?"

[The system does not have sufficient information to determine the bloodline at this time. These details will be revealed as you progress in the Gronax world.]

Axel shrugged indifferently: "Fine, I have more important matters right now." He pulled out the Doom Blade from his inventory, impressed by its sleek, dark design. Although it was classified as a replica, it looked imposing, its edge gleaming dangerously.

Before he could dwell on his thoughts, the system interrupted him:

[First Mission: Survive in the forests of the Gronax world for 24 hours. Start gathering resources, exploring your surroundings, and preparing for any potential threats. Mission started.]

Axel smiled lightly and said, "24 hours? That's not too bad." He stood up and began surveying the forest around him. "Let's see what this world has to offer."

Axel ventured deeper into the forest, wary of any signs of danger as he sheathed the sword at his waist. The towering orange trees cast long shadows over the ground covered with mist, lending a strange and majestic atmosphere to the place. The slight movements of small creatures, like the blue squirrels, and the sound of rustling leaves reminded him that he was not alone.

As he walked, he noticed strange, glowing plants scattered across the forest floor. One flower, with vibrant red petals and a pulsing center, caught his attention.

[Detected: Crimson Flower (Quantity: 30).]

[A common herb used in creating healing potions and can be eaten to restore a small amount of health. Collecting it may attract hostile creatures.]

Axel hesitated for a moment: "Of course, things can't be that easy, but thirty? That's a large number I can't just leave, especially since it helps with healing." He gripped his sword tightly and bent down beside the flower. He muttered, "Let's hope nothing bothers me."

هذا

As soon as he plucked the flower, the ground shook slightly beneath him. He heard a low growl behind him that made his heart race. He turned slowly to find himself face to face with a massive creature resembling a wolf, its fur glowing with energy and its eyes burning with an ominous yellow light.

[Detected Enemy: Lightning Wolf.]

[Level: 5]

[Health: 250/250]

Axel exclaimed in disbelief, "Level 5?! Are you kidding me?" He gripped his sword tightly, trying to steady his breath.

The wolf let out a thunderous roar before pouncing at him, its claws tearing into the ground in its path. Axel barely managed to roll aside, narrowly avoiding the attack as the earth shattered where he had been standing.

"Think, Axel... You've faced worse situations. Maybe not this bad, but you've survived before," he spoke to himself as he tried to gather his courage.

Despite the size and immense power of the wolf, his military training and the skills he had acquired from the system gave him an edge. With every attack from the wolf, Axel began to feel the threat this creature posed. He noticed how the wolf shifted its weight before an attack and how it repositioned itself when it retreated.

"Think... Think, Axel, what should you do in this situation? A fast, powerful beast is attacking you with enough force to destroy trees... This is impossible! How am I supposed to win against a beast like this?"

[Host, you possess the Tactical Awareness skill. It activates under specific conditions, allowing you to see the enemy's weak point. The condition is to have a clear mind and only think that you want to know the beast's weak point in front of you.]

"Why didn't you tell me before?! Do you realize that this isn't important? I'll try to clear my mind and see how the skill activates."

After Axel cleared his mind, he felt the world turn black and white, and white threads appeared around him, pointing toward the wolf's neck. With these threads, Axel could predict the next movements of the wolf. The next time the wolf attacked, Axel managed to dodge its assault at the last moment, causing the wolf to crash into a nearby rock. He seized the opportunity, directing a series of precise strikes towards the exposed side of the wolf.

With a howl of pain and its attention directed towards its wounds, Axel gained more opportunities to attack. The wolf's movements slowed, and its strikes became weaker, making it much easier to evade the wolf's attacks and deliver more strikes until eventually, the wolf began to collapse gradually from exhaustion and injuries.

Finally, with one finishing blow to the wolf's neck, the massive creature fell to the ground with a loud thud. However, Axel stood above the corpse, panting heavily and gripping his left shoulder, which bore a deep scratch from one of the Lightning Wolf's claws. Despite his injuries, he felt a rush of victory.

[Victory! You have defeated the Lightning Wolf.]

[Rewards: 300 experience points, Thunder Wolf Fang, and a Primitive Energy Stone (Yellow).]

Axel smiled slightly as he read the notifications: "If this is the power of a level five beast, how strong would a level ten beast be? I feel like I won't live to see something like that if I stay at my current strength, so I have to get used to fighting for survival."

Axel sat down on the ground to catch his breath and eat one of the herbs to heal himself, but he quickly heard a faint rustling in the nearby foliage. He cautiously gripped his sword and moved towards the sound. But what he found wasn't another enemy. Instead, it was a small creature with soft fur and large curious eyes looking at him.

[Detected: Aulwolf Cub.]

[A rare and peaceful creature native to the Green Valley. Attempting to approach it may be risky, but it can become a potential ally.]

Axel stopped, pondering his options. The cub appeared harmless, but the forest was full of surprises. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly reached out his hand, waiting for the creature's reaction.

To his surprise, the cub did not flee. Instead, it approached his hand and sniffed it gently before rubbing against it in a friendly manner. Axel smiled, amazed at this unexpected encounter.

[The Aulwolf Cub has been added to the companion inventory.]

[The Aulwolf Cub will provide support and companionship as it matures.]

Axel said with a smile as he petted the cub's head, "I think you'll make a good companion. Welcome to the team."

He carefully placed the small cub in his pack and resumed his exploration, prepared for any further dangers. However, it wasn't long before a sharp scream pierced the air, followed by the flapping of massive wings. Axel looked up to see a massive flying creature swooping towards him, its claws outstretched.

[Detected Enemy: Griffon Hatchling.]

[Level: 7]

[Health: 180/180]

Axel sighed, saying sarcastically, "It seems this day isn't going to end anytime soon." Axel raised his sword, ready for another round of tough fighting.

Under the dim light of the sun filtering through the towering orange trees, Axel observed the Griffon hatchling carefully, the powerful creature standing before him. Its wide wings fluttered in the air, and its sharp claws glistened under the sunlight, while its massive beak swooped down as if seeking to tear apart anything in its path. Its strength and ferocity were evident in every move.

Axel took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. "A hatchling? This can't just be a hatchling... this is a massive beast. What will it look like when it matures?" Thoughts raced in his mind, mingling fear with a deep desire to survive.

The forest around him fell silent as if it had stopped breathing, creating an invisible tension in the air. The Griffon took a step forward, soaring above Axel at breathtaking speed, increasing the pressure on him. It was clear that it was not just a wild beast but acted with caution, as if it was fully aware of what it was doing.

"I can't escape this battle... staying here means death, but fighting purely with instinct isn't enough. I need to be smart." Axel knew he wouldn't be able to match the beast in raw strength. He quickly looked around, trying to analyze his environment.

Then the message from the system appeared in the corner of his eye:

[Warning: The enemy's level exceeds yours. It is advised to flee or to use strategies to win.]

"Strategies?" Axel muttered as he stared at the Griffon, "I had everything planned, but I can't give up now."

The beast began to soar over him again, and when it suddenly dove to attempt to pounce on him, Axel had decided on his plan. "If I can anticipate its movements, I can slow it down."

He noticed the ground was filled with small stones and tangled roots; perhaps this was his chance. He decided to lead the Griffon into an area filled with natural obstacles, making it harder for it to fly.

The Griffon flapped its wings and soared over Axel in an attempt to take the enemy down quickly, but Axel had stepped back and prepared himself.

"I need to act fast." Axel murmured as he picked up a small stone. He threw it towards the Griffon's head, successfully attracting its attention. Thus, the creature drew closer to him, allowing Axel to find a better spot for combat.

He continued to retreat to an area filled with rocks and fallen trees and, as the Griffon surged towards him, he felt that moment he'd been waiting for. He jumped quickly to evade the claw strike that was coming his way. The Griffon's reckless attack collided with a fallen tree, causing the beast to lose its balance for a moment.

"Now!" he shouted in his mind as he ran swiftly towards the stumbling Griffon. He leaped over the trunk of the fallen tree, directing his strike at the Griffon's wing, which was already damaged from a previous attack.

The blade pierced through skin and flesh, eliciting a deafening scream from the beast. The Griffon was shocked, causing it to stagger back momentarily.

But the beast didn't give up. It lifted its head in a desperate attempt to fly, trying with all its might to get away, despite the injury it suffered.

"You won't get far!" Axel whispered to himself. He knew this was a crucial moment, and if given a second chance, he might face worse consequences.

Axel sprinted with all his strength towards the injured beast, his eyes fixed on its wings, where it seemed the Griffon's ability to fly was compromised. At the right moment, he used his speed to deliver a direct blow to the other wing, where the blade penetrated the beast's bone, causing it to collapse to the ground.

Axel jumped back quickly, ready for any response from the creature, but he didn't get another chance to attack. The finishing blow had been struck, and the Griffon fell to the ground, immobilized.

[Victory! You have defeated the Griffon Hatchling.]

[Rewards: 500 experience points, rare Griffon Feather, and a medium Energy Stone (Blue).]

Axel stood over the beast, panting heavily while feeling the warmth of its blood on his hands. He looked at the Griffon, which began to fade gradually as its body transformed into energy dissolving into the air.

"I did it..." he muttered softly, then looked up at the sky, realizing that this fight wasn't just a test of physical strength but a test of will.

A new message appeared in the corner of his eye:

[It's time to inform you that this world is a simulation, part of an advanced training system designed to prepare you before entering the real Gronax. Everything you see here is a digital reconstruction that accurately simulates external world conditions, with adjustments to suit your current level.]

"Simulation?" Axel thought in disbelief, as if a heavy stone had dropped in his heart. "Does this mean I didn't kill a real beast? Is this just training?"

He took a deep breath, as reality began to slowly reveal itself to him. "So, if this is all a simulation... will the world I face externally be tougher?"

[Yes. Everything you encounter in this realm is a preliminary simulation in Gronax. The real Griffon would be at least above level twenty. Its attacks aren't something you can easily surpass. You're here just to get prepared for the reality. But keep in mind, the simulation isn't exactly easy either. As you progress, the monsters will become smarter and fiercer.]

"So... this is just the beginning?" Axel said with a calm smile, feeling a new determination forming in his heart. "If that's the case, then through this simulation, I will become strong enough to crush anything in my way. I won't be a victim of this savage world."

[Ding! You have an important message from the system.]

[In this world, you can improve yourself without limits as long as you continue to fight. Every monster you defeat grants you experience points and rewards. But there are limitations: as you level up, it becomes more challenging to earn points. In Gronax, the monsters won't be your only concern. There are creatures smarter, faster, and stronger than you.]

Axel smiled a confident smile despite his exhaustion. "Smarter, faster, and stronger? It doesn't matter. As long as I have time here, I will make myself invincible. You said it, I can stay here as long as I want before I face the real world."

As the system's rewards scattered around him, Axel felt a profound change within. He had entered this simulation thinking he was in Gronax, but now he knew he was in a simulation—not that it bothered him; his future strength in this world would be limitless due to the simulation. Axel responded with a smile full of anticipation for the future, "Don't worry, System. I will make Gronax the starting point of my legend. How can I lose so easily?"