Chapter 23: The Struggles of Survival

Noah awoke early, his body still aching but functional. The glow of the aetheric spores illuminated the cave, casting a dim light that made the alien landscape outside appear even more menacing. After chewing on one of the glowing plants, he decided to push deeper into the zone Valerie had marked. He needed to understand this environment better if he was going to survive—and thrive.

Stepping outside, Noah began following the natural paths between the jagged rock formations. It didn't take him long to notice the abundance of the water-producing plants scattered throughout the area.

"So, that's why she sent me here," Noah muttered, crouching beside a patch of the translucent, glowing plants. "Valerie must've known these things grow here. At least I won't die of thirst."

He plucked a few more of the plants and stored them in his pack. They weren't ideal, but they'd keep him hydrated until he figured out something better.

As he ventured further, Noah's stomach growled. The rations from Valerie's pack were almost gone, and he hadn't found anything remotely resembling food. His eyes darted between the alien vegetation, but nothing stood out as safe or edible.

Step by step, he reminded himself, just as he had in the cave.

That was when he heard it. A faint, guttural sound echoed through the rocky landscape. It was low and wet, like a distorted growl.

Noah froze. His hand instinctively went to the knife at his belt. Slowly, he turned toward the source of the noise.

Emerging from the shadows of a nearby rock formation was a creature he'd seen before: an aberration. This one was smaller than the ones he'd encountered in the city—its form gangly and uneven, with glowing fissures running along its skin. Despite its size, the sight of it sent a chill down Noah's spine.

His breath quickened. Memories of the massacre in the underground flooded back. Alice's torn body. Ezra's screams. Dante's last stand. His grip on the knife faltered as his knees threatened to buckle.

No. Not now. If I freeze, I'm dead.

The aberration lunged, snapping Noah out of his daze. He sidestepped awkwardly, his body moving on instinct. The creature's claws scraped against the ground, sending a shower of sparks flying.

Noah gritted his teeth. "Come on, you can do this."

The creature lunged again. This time, Noah was ready. He ducked low and slashed upward with his knife, the blade slicing through the aberration's glowing skin. A guttural screech filled the air as the creature stumbled back, ichor spilling from the wound.

Noah pressed the attack.

He stabbed again, this time driving the blade into the aberration's chest. The creature convulsed before collapsing to the ground, its glowing fissures dimming as it twitched one last time.

Hostile eliminated. Reward acquired: Aberration Core (x1). Strength and Agility experience gained.

Noah staggered back, panting. The notification floated before him, its glow a stark contrast to the desolate surroundings.

"Another core," he muttered, glancing down at the still-warm body of the creature. Reaching out, he pried the core loose from its chest. It pulsed faintly in his hand, a reminder of the bizarre nature of this world.

Back at his cave, Noah sat with the core resting in his palm. His mind wandered back to the first time he'd consumed one. The rush of power. The strange skill he'd gained—Energy Perception.

Noah hesitated.

"What if I don't get anything this time?" he wondered aloud. The system hadn't mentioned another skill, and he'd consumed cores since that first one without receiving anything extra.

Taking a deep breath, he placed the core in his mouth and swallowed. A familiar warmth spread through his chest, followed by a faint tingling sensation in his limbs.

Aberration Core consumed. Strength +1. Stamina +1.

A smile tugged at his lips as the notification faded. "So that's how it works. No more skills, but the stats are still worth it."

As he leaned back, satisfied, another notification appeared.

Daily Quest System Reactivated.

Due to previous critical circumstances, daily quests were temporarily suspended. With current stability achieved, new daily quests have been issued.

Noah blinked. "Finally. About time."

The list of quests materialized in front of him:

Daily Quests:

Hunt and eliminate at least 2 low-level aberrations.

Consume 1 Aberration Core.

Noah chuckled dryly. "Guess the system wants me to stay busy."

He glanced down at his knife, then out toward the rocky terrain. The day was far from over, and survival meant pushing himself further.

[Noah Greene - Level 7]

Strength: 19 (+11)

Stamina: 17 (+10)

Agility: 14 (+7)

Intelligence: 6

Skills:

Beginner Combat Proficiency (Lv. 4)

Basic Evasion (Lv. 3)

Energy Surge (Active)

End of Chapter 23.