Heart of the Hunt.

May's eyes snapped open to a scene that sent a shiver down her spine. The air, thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, clung to her like a shroud. Uneven ground, a treacherous mix of mud and moss, stretched before her. An eerie silence, broken only by the distant rustle of unseen things, pressed in on her. She was in a forest—dark, forbidding, the trees towering like skeletal sentinels. Thorny vines and twisted branches formed a claustrophobic undergrowth, a maze that threatened to swallow her whole. The pungent aroma of damp earth and rotting wood made her stomach churn.

A primal fear, cold and sharp, pierced her. She was alone, utterly vulnerable in this terrifying wilderness. Her breath hitched, shallow and ragged. The cold clamminess of sweat slicked her skin. The fear—the raw, terrifying fear of being utterly lost—was a vise around her heart. She'd been ripped from her apartment, from her familiar world, and tossed into this abyss.

"Where am I?" she whispered, the sound swallowed by the growing rumble that vibrated through the earth.

Then she heard it—a low growl, deep and guttural, emerging from the shadows. She spun, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. Two pairs of glowing eyes, burning with primal rage, materialized in the gloom.

The system's calm, almost mockingly calm voice cut through her rising panic:

[System] : Alpha Hounds detected. Maximum alert.

Two pairs of glowing red eyes materialized in the gloom, burning with a feral intensity. These were no ordinary dogs; they were monstrous, their bodies sculpted from muscle and sinew, their fur matted and filthy. Their teeth, bared in a grotesque snarl, were weapons of terrifying sharpness. Thick, viscous saliva dripped from their jaws, a constant, sickening reminder of their primal hunger.

A chilling blue light filled her vision:

[System Critical Notification: Quist Initiation. Guardian Trials Commencing. Standby Mode Override. Power Level: On the Brink of Collapse. Objective: Defeat the Alpha Hound. Rewards: Hidden. Penalty for Failure: Unknown consequences.

The system's voice was cold, emotionless, but the urgency was palpable. Alpha Hounds? What were those? This wasn't a game; it was a fight for survival.

The dogs' glowing eyes were locked onto her, their bodies coiled, ready to strike. The primal fear that had haunted her childhood flared, intensified by the immediate threat. She had to fight. She had to survive.

Then, a memory—the surge of power from the convenience store, the enhanced senses. The system's voice echoed in her mind: [ Precognitive Sight and Enhanced Strength activated. ]

"B...But, this thing's different," she whispered, a tremor in her voice. The sheer scale of the threat, the palpable menace of the creatures before her, was unlike anything she'd ever encountered.

Then, A wave of nausea washed over her. The Alpha Hounds were closing in, their growls a terrifying symphony of impending doom. The metallic tang of fear coated her tongue, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves suddenly nauseating. Her legs trembled, refusing to obey her commands. The raw, visceral terror of her childhood flooded back—the helplessness, the vulnerability, the sheer terror of being at the mercy of a creature far stronger than herself.

[SYSTEM CRITICAL NOTIFICATION: PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT ALPHA HOUND. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: CONFRONT DEEP-SEATED TRAUMA. FAILURE TO CONQUER PAST TRAUMA WILL RESULT IN IRREVERSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. SUCCESS: UNLOCK TRUE POTENTIAL.]

The system's message was a stark warning, a chilling ultimatum.

"I can't... I can't do this," she whispered, the words caught in her throat, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heart. She felt utterly insignificant, a small, defenseless creature facing down a predator that embodied her deepest fears. The beasts moved closer, their growls a terrifying promise.

But even as the fear threatened to overwhelm her, a flicker of defiance ignited within her. The system's warning, rather than paralyzing her, fueled her resolve. The memory of her childhood fear—the vulnerability, the helplessness—fueled a desperate determination. This wasn't just about survival; it was about conquering that fear, about facing the darkness within and emerging victorious. This wasn't just about defeating the Alpha Hounds; it was about reclaiming her life, her power, her very self

The Alpha Hounds lunged. May reacted instinctively, dodging with surprising speed and agility. She activated her Precognitive Sight, a brief flash of insight into the Alpha Hounds' immediate future.

[System] : Precognitive Sight Activated. Target: Alpha Hound. Duration: Five seconds.]

The world slowed down around her, her senses sharpening. The forest, once a blur of darkness and shadows, became a kaleidoscope of color and sound. She saw the dogs' movements, their fangs bared, their paws ready to strike. She saw the path of their attack, the trajectory of their bites. The future unfolded before her, a fleeting glimpse of the next five seconds.

She dodged, her body a blur of motion. The dogs, their attacks thwarted, snarled in frustration. She took a step back, her mind racing, trying to formulate a plan.

She was a nobody, a girl who spent her life hiding in the shadows, but she had been given a power, a gift, a purpose. She had to survive this. She had to overcome this beast.

The Alpha Hounds lunged. The first, a hulking brute with matted brown fur, slammed into May with the force of a battering ram. She reacted instinctively, a primal scream tearing from her throat as she rolled aside, the stench of its fetid breath washing over her like a wave of nausea. The forest floor, a carpet of decaying leaves and damp earth, cushioned her fall, but the impact jarred her bones. She scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering a frantic rhythm against her ribs, the sound a deafening roar in her ears. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the Alpha Hound's raw power, a palpable energy that threatened to crush her.

She activated her Precognitive Sight. [System Notification: Precognitive Sight Activated. Target: Alpha Hound. Duration: Five seconds.] The world slowed, sharpening her senses. She saw the Alpha Hound's next move—a brutal snap of its jaws, aimed directly at her throat. She saw the glint of its teeth, razor-sharp and deadly, the viscous saliva glistening in the dim light. She saw her own desperate, clumsy attempt to dodge, the inevitable impact, the searing pain...

Then, a surge of adrenaline, a fierce will to survive that pushed back against the tide of fear. She wasn't just a bookworm; she was a fighter. She was stronger than she thought. She had to be.

With a guttural cry, she dodged, her body moving with surprising speed and agility. The Alpha Hound's jaws snapped shut inches from her face, the force of the impact sending a tremor through the forest floor. She could feel the hot breath on her cheek, the stench of its foul breath, a nauseating reminder of her vulnerability. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the pounding of her own heart and the Alpha Hound's enraged snarls.

The second Alpha Hound, smaller but no less vicious, slithered through the undergrowth, its movements fluid and deadly. Its eyes, two burning coals of malice, were fixed on her, its every muscle tense, ready to strike. May's Precognitive Sight flickered again, a brief glimpse into the future—the Alpha Hound's jaws closing around her arm, the searing pain, the overwhelming sense of helplessness...

Fear clawed at her, a cold, icy hand gripping her heart. But she refused to yield. She wouldn't be a victim. She wouldn't let her fear control her.

With a desperate lunge, she grabbed a broken branch, its jagged edges digging into her palm, the pain a welcome distraction from the terror that threatened to consume her. She swung the branch, a clumsy, desperate blow, connecting with the Alpha Hound's flank. The impact was surprisingly effective, the Alpha Hound yelping in pain, staggering back.

The fight continued—a brutal, desperate struggle against overwhelming odds. May, fueled by adrenaline and a fierce will to survive, fought back with every ounce of her strength. She dodged, she weaved, she struck, her movements becoming increasingly fluid and precise as she harnessed her enhanced abilities. Each blow was a victory against her fear, a testament to her growing strength and determination. Each near-miss was a chilling reminder of her vulnerability, a stark contrast to her burgeoning confidence.

The first Alpha Hound, enraged by May's unexpected attack, lunged again. This time, May anticipated its move, a flicker of Precognitive Sight giving her a fraction of a second's warning. She sidestepped, the Alpha Hound's jaws snapping past her ear, the hot breath scorching her skin. The impact of the near-miss sent a jolt through her body, a wave of adrenaline flooding her system. Her muscles screamed in protest, the exertion pushing her to her limits. She could feel the burn in her lungs, the lactic acid building in her muscles, the ragged gasps for air tearing from her throat. The forest floor, once a familiar comfort, now felt like a treacherous battlefield beneath her feet.

The second Alpha Hound, sensing an opportunity, launched its own attack. May, already exhausted, barely managed to parry its blow, the branch cracking under the force of the impact. She stumbled back, her knees buckling, the sharp scent of pine needles filling her nostrils as she fell to the ground. The Alpha Hound, a blur of teeth and claws, descended upon her.

[System Notification: Power Level Critical. Initiating Standby Mode.]

The system's voice was a distant echo, the blue holographic display fading as the standby mode engaged. May was on her own.

The Alpha Hound's teeth grazed her shoulder, tearing through her shirt, the searing pain a white-hot explosion that ripped through her body. Crimson blossomed across her skin, warm and sticky, a stark contrast to the icy fear that still gripped her. She tasted blood, the metallic tang mingling with the earthy scent of the forest floor. Her vision swam, the world tilting as pain threatened to overwhelm her. A searing pain shot up her arm as another snap of the Alpha Hound's jaws tore through her flesh, leaving a deep gash that bled freely. She stumbled, her legs weak, her body screaming in protest. The forest floor, once a familiar comfort, now felt like a treacherous battlefield beneath her feet.

But even as the darkness threatened to consume her, a surge of defiance ignited within her. She wouldn't give up. She wouldn't let fear win. She wouldn't let these beasts break her.

With a desperate heave, she lunged, kicked, her heel connecting with the Alpha Hound's ribs, a sharp crack echoing through the forest. The Alpha Hound howled, staggering back, giving May a precious moment to scramble to her feet. Her left arm throbbed, a searing agony that made her wince, but she ignored it, her mind focused on survival. She ripped a strip of cloth from her torn shirt, pressing it against the wound, stamping down the rising tide of nausea.

The second Alpha Hound, sensing weakness, pounced, its jaws snapping for her throat. May ducked, twisted, rolled, narrowly avoiding its attack. She scrambled backward, dodging, weaving, parrying blows with desperate flailing limbs. Her body was a battlefield—bruised, bleeding, aching—but her spirit remained unbroken. She lunged, grabbed, wrenched, twisted, using her enhanced speed and agility to her advantage, turning her body into a weapon. She jabbed, punched, kicked, elbowed, knee-struck, inflicting damage wherever she could.

Each blow was a victory against her fear, a testament to her growing strength and determination. Each near-miss was a chilling reminder of her vulnerability, a stark contrast to the fierce will that burned within her. She lunged, leaped, dodged, weaved, her movements becoming increasingly fluid and precise. She ripped, tore, snatched, grasped, using anything she could find as a weapon – a broken branch, a sharp stone, a clump of roots. The forest floor became her ally, her movements fluid and instinctive, a dance of survival.

The fight was a brutal, visceral melee, a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds. May's body screamed in protest—bruised, bleeding, aching—but her spirit remained unbroken. The forest held its breath, the silence punctuated by the snarls of the Alpha Hounds, the ragged gasps of May's labored breathing, the sickening thud of flesh against flesh, and the relentless pounding of her heart.

Blood streamed down her arm, blurring her vision, but she refused to yield. She lunged, seized a fistful of dirt and hurled it into the Alpha Hound's eyes, momentarily blinding the beast. She exploited the opening, kicking it hard in the chest, sending it sprawling. The second Alpha Hound charged, but May, anticipating its move, sidestepped, spun, and delivered a powerful kick to its jaw. The Alpha Hound reeled, its head snapping back, momentarily stunned.

May, seizing the opportunity, scrambled for a fallen branch, its jagged end a makeshift weapon. She wielded it with surprising skill, jabbing, prodding, blocking the Alpha Hounds' attacks. Her movements were becoming more fluid, more precise, fueled by a growing confidence that replaced the initial terror. She was no longer just surviving; she was fighting back.

The first Alpha Hound, recovering from its earlier blows, lunged again, its jaws snapping. May parried the attack, the branch cracking under the strain. She dropped the broken weapon, grabbing a handful of loose stones. She aimed, threw, the stones whizzing through the air, striking the Alpha Hound's eyes and face. The beast howled in pain, retreating momentarily.

The second Alpha Hound, sensing its companion's distress, advanced, its eyes burning with rage. But May was ready. She had learned to read its movements, anticipate its attacks. She moved with a newfound grace and agility, her body a blur of motion. She dodged, weaved, countered, her attacks becoming more precise, more powerful.

She saw an opening, a momentary lapse in the Alpha Hound's guard. She lunged, planted a powerful kick to its chest, sending it crashing to the ground. The Alpha Hound whimpered, its body trembling, its fighting spirit broken.

The first Alpha Hound, weakened and disoriented, made a final, desperate attempt to attack. But May was ready. She met its assault, blocking, dodging, countering with a ferocity that surprised even herself. She jabbed, punched, kicked, her movements precise and deadly. Finally, with a powerful blow to its head, she sent the Alpha Hound sprawling, its body limp and lifeless.

Silence descended upon the forest, broken only by May's ragged breathing. She stood, bruised, bleeding, exhausted, but victorious. She had faced her deepest fears and emerged triumphant. She had unlocked her hidden potential. She had survived.

Silence descended upon the forest, broken only by May's ragged breathing. She stood, bruised, bleeding, exhausted, but victorious. She had faced her deepest fears and emerged triumphant. She had unlocked her hidden potential. She had survived… or so she thought.

The victory was short-lived. A wave of exhaustion crashed over her, leaving her weak and vulnerable. May crumpled to her knees, the weight of her exertion crushing her. The world tilted, her vision blurring. The energy that had coursed through her veins just moments ago drained away, leaving her empty and vulnerable. She loosened her grip on the makeshift weapon, letting it fall with a dull thud onto the forest floor.

She had expected the system to announce her victory, to declare the Quist complete. Instead, the system's holographic display flickered to life, a chilling blue interface appearing before her.

[System Notification: New Threat Detected. User will face an additional six Alpha Hound.]

The system's cold, mechanical voice was a stark reminder of her continued peril. A surge of panic, a wave of disbelief washed over her. Six more? After all she had endured, all she had overcome?

May tried to rise, but her legs buckled. She was weak, exhausted, her muscles aching. The system's temporary enhancements were fading, leaving her vulnerable, exposed. She felt the blood trickling down her leg, a reminder of the Alpha Hound's bite. The pain, dull and numbed by the system's power, was still there, a festering wound, a reminder of her weakness.

"I have to survive! I have to end this now!" she snarled, the words a desperate prayer, a raw scream of defiance against the encroaching terror. The hunger gnawing at her stomach was a physical manifestation of her desperation, a stark reminder of her vulnerability. The ramen bowl, a symbol of a life interrupted, mocked her from some distant, unreachable past. Had she been ripped from her world only to die a meaningless death in this savage place? The injustice of it all fueled a burning rage.

Then, a surge of pure, unadulterated fury erupted within her, a white-hot inferno that incinerated her fear. "Come on then, you mangy curs!" she shrieked, her voice raw with fury, a battle cry hurled at the unseen beasts that dared to threaten her. "I'll tear you apart!" Her words were not just a threat; they were a promise, a testament to the fierce will to live that burned within her, a defiant roar against the darkness that threatened to consume her.