Preparations
Midday approached as the sun pelted down heat from directly above it, causing the group to rest near the trees at the border of the campsite, careful not to overstep the boundary, wary of the dangers.
Michael and Joseph reached a consensus on two choices—Joseph arguing for the expensive one, while Michael took the conservative approach.
"So just so we are clear-you don't need a better bow just a better quiver and arrows" Michael said crossing his arms. "Then this is the best choice".
[Large Quiver (trash)]
A 16 arrows made of lackluster quality, mostly used by amateurish apprentices, failed attempts. Cost 5 TP.
"This makes it so we can use some of the arrows you don't use as weapons for the upcoming fight" Michael argues, miming the practicality of this with his hands.
They had been going over this for a while, causing them both to stand up, pacing around each other. Neither truly listened to the other, as their eyes remained unfocused trying to figure out a counter argument.
"I get that, I do," Joseph said, rubbing his temples. "But what happens when those cheap arrows snap mid-fight? Are you planning to throw broken twigs at them?" He exhaled sharply and gestured to his pick. "We need arrows that last".
[Touched Quiver(common)]
A superior being—now a legend among the stars—once stood upon the very materials that forged this quiver. It grants a slow yet steady repair ability, mending up to six arrows per day. Cost 9 TP.
"This will allow us to not have to refuel arrows after each wave and make it so we can make better choices for everyone else later" adds Joseph sighing, as he rests on the ground tired. "Clearly this argument isn't going anywhere, how about someone chooses for us?"
"Let's find Alex—he's not too busy right now," Michael said, wincing as he extended a hand to Joseph, pulling him up onto his shoulder.. Together, they walked towards Alex, who sat knitting Michael worn torn battle shirts.
Telling Alex each side's arguments, he falls quiet for a minute, resting the sharpened knitting utensils Christopher has sharpened onto his lap.
"There's too much we don't know about this" Alex raises his hands towards the whole campsite "And we barely understand how this system works. What if 'Trash' means exactly that—useless? We don't have points to waste gambling. We go with the safer bet." Alex questions.
"While your choice has merits Michael it has too much what if's that we cannot risk right now. I'm not just saying this because I'm biased, this is what I really believe and also I'm sorry Michael for being a dick" Alex apologizes, while lowering his head.
Joseph, still supporting Michael's weight, turned to stare at him in surprise; they hadn't expected such a well thought out response, especially an apology of all things. They had prepared to take his advice with a grain of salt and expected some jab at Michael.
I didn't know him for long-but i don't think this was how he usually acted. Michael sighs mentally, clenching his muscles jeez that fight changed him so much, made him take this stupid life and death game. "No worries you're just a kid, mate, I think we will listen to Joseph's choice" Michael says.
Wincing slightly, Michael loosened his muscles as Alex handed him the hastily stitched-up shirt. He pulled it over his head, exhaling as his lingering pain dulled further. Huh I mean I don't think I will be much help in the next fight but I may be able to move around a bit and be support.
Calling Christopher over to join them, so they could see what happens when they buy objects. "Ok, so I'm going to buy the [Novice Bow (common)] which is 5 TP and with the extra 10 TP everyone else got i will buy the [Touched Quiver (common)] which is 9 TP". Michael said as he purchased the objects.
[Touched Quiver (common)]
A superior being—now a legend among the stars—once stood upon the very materials that forged this quiver. It grants a slow yet steady repair ability, mending up to six arrows per day. Cost 9 TP.
[Novice bow (common)]
The harsh tutorial is many things, cruel, unloving but it is fair to those worthy. This average bow will last to the end of the tutorial before being destroyed. Cost 5 TP.
"How did-"
"Why is that?-"
No warning. One moment, the space was empty—the next, the bow and quiver simply existed, as if they had always been there. No light, no sound. Just reality shifting, seamless and absolute.
The bow stood a meter and a half long, its freshly cut wooden frame still bearing the natural bend of a living branch. The taut string shimmered in the sunlight, its gleaming fibers humming with quiet tension, ready to unleash power at a moment's notice.
Beside it, the quiver rested in an elegant coil of pearly-white silk, its surface smooth to the touch yet surprisingly sturdy. Six pristine arrows nestled inside, their twin red and blue fletching's fluttering slightly in the breeze. The arrowheads gleamed with a silvery sheen, honed to a razor's edge, promising precision.
Joseph reaches down cradling the bow as he slings the bow carefully over his shoulder, letting out an excited breath "Let me set up some targets. I'm going to try this out… I'll be back an hour before the next wave".
"Weirdo"
"Loser"
"I heard that-so shut up and let me have some fun" remarks Joseph as he raises the middle finger behind him towards the three as he runs off.
Michael smiled ruefully, then glanced up at his Status.
[05:12:13 REMAINING.]
"Hey Chris, I'm going to try out this skill ok?" States Michael as he turned towards the secluded part of the campsite, only hearing a grunt in reply as he helped the brothers cook the meat before battle, "Don't you dare rip my shirt," Alex yelled back…
***
Michael watched from afar as the group slumped around the fire, the two brothers quietly preparing what could be their last mea
Sophie and Alex sat around the kids, distracting and playing with them hoping their innocent smiles and laughs will continue tomorrow.
Resisting the temptation to scratch his ear, Michael looked towards the silent wood beyond, the stillness of the shadow creeping closer towards him as the sun slowly fell behind the tree lines.
I guess we will be fighting at night this time. Says Michael huffing to himself.
Looking towards the mystical blue screen in the center of his eyes, Michael pauses taking a breath in as he presses the screen, attempting to activate his recent skill.
"Woosh" a strong brush of wind flows past ruffling Michael's hair before settling down into a soft constant blow.
"What the HELL nothing happened? How do I do this? Why can't there be a guide…Damn System" Michael huffs, sitting up and pacing across the grass.
"What do I do now? Do I have to say it or is it like the Status, where I can think of it?" Michael says to the air around him.
"Please kill me now" as Michael places his face in his hands and whispers softly "Royal Stealth" while stepping into the shadows.
Level 1 [Royal Stealth] achieved*
A tickle of thought crept into his mind as he crouched, watching in fascination as his shadow detached, sliding into the trees beside him
His shadow darkened the shadow cast by the trees, enveloping his body like a coat. Looking around Michael noticed the shadows of the trees curving towards him with the bigger shadows covering and darkening the lighter parts of his clothes.
He relaxed as the pressure and feeling of constant eyes disappeared into the blowing wind.. A serene smile stretches across his face as he feels, no pressure, no need to lead-just calm and quiet.
This feels weird but nice, like no expectations, no thoughts except me and myself and the quiet world around. Michael muses to himself.
A few seconds pass as Michael experiences the changes of this ability not just the magical aspect but the feelings that run through his body.
Michael traced his fingers across his face, marveling at how the shifting shadows clung to his skin like living ink. But then… something changed.
His vision flickered—edges darkening, the world narrowing, fading—as if the night itself was swallowing him whole. His chest tightened.
Then, a sudden pull, like a vacuum yanking the shadows from his body. His heartbeat hammered in his ears. The weight of unseen eyes bore down on him. Exposed. Vulnerable.
The moment shattered—his coat of darkness ripped away, leaving him breathless.
A low, thrumming pressure built in his chest. The shadows pulsed. Then—
Level 2 [Royal Stealth] achieved*
Level 5 [Royal Stealth] achieved*
Hmm what was that? He thinks as braces himself on the floor, his blurred vision slowly coming into focus again.
"It seems i can only hold stealth for a minute, before whatever energy it uses runs out…" thoughtfully asks Michael to himself "Maybe it's because I have such a low Spirit-but if that's the case… How do I increase my Spirit then?"
Taking a deep breath in, Michael sits and relaxes in the shade between the trees for a bit, pondering the reason for whether it was Spirit that gave him that effect or some other attribute.
"Gurgle" A low rumbling noise came from below as Michael swam his head towards the distant aroma of cooked meat, sitting over the fire as the rest of the group started salivating like a pack of wolves.
Leaping to his feet, Michael stifled a groan, feeling his wounds stretch as he walked toward the group, hearing the end of Joseph's story.
"And so the terrifying Alpha fell to the ground becoming meat for our bellies" Valiantly depicting the fight, Joseph's smirks as he saw Michael "felled by our champion Michaeeeeeeel Ashford! Everyone lets Michael clap guys" as he claps at Michael's arrival.
Sophie laughs as she joins in bringing everyone else into the clap until and full on applause as Michael walks next to Joseph with his head down blushing as he gives his mate a punch to the side.
"Thank you, guys" says Michael as he smiles widely, I mean what man doesn't like a little credit?
They sat around the fire in silence, no one speaking, not even the children's usual chatter. Each person stared blissfully into the warm heat of the fire, hoping not for solace or comfort but for peaceful understanding of why… Each one had different questions and ideas but none had answers.
But they did know this, if whatever this doesn't change soon, or they don't become better then these trials…Then no memory or thought would be left behind for the world was too strong for them or they were too weak to be born here.
Michael accepted the burnt piece of meat, lost in thought. The first bite sent warmth shivering through his body—not just from the heat, but something deeper. His wounds didn't vanish, but there was a slow, steady relief, like a fire rekindling in his veins.
The flickering flames cast shifting shadows, twisting and curling as if whispering secrets. His mind drifted, pulled between the mysteries of the System and the question that lingered, unspoken.
Why had he felt so calm since the start? He was not a calm man.
Not under pressure. Not in survival.
And yet… Maybe it wasn't calm at all. Maybe it was happiness.
But why?