Chapter 8: Water Source.

The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood, mixing with the damp earth and crushed leaves. The meat was bundled in broad leaves, bound tightly with makeshift vine twine. The heavier chunks were wrapped in strips of the boars' own hide—crude, but effective.

As they finally began their trek back through the forest, each member carried their share of the load. No complaints. No wasted words. The work had sobered them.

The wounded ranger, Michael, staggered but managed to keep up, leaning on the cleric for support. Her healing magic had done its job—his breathing was steadier now, his color less pale. He would live.

Liam walked at the front, scanning the path ahead. Every so often, Kael caught him glancing in his direction, as if debating whether to speak.

Kael wasn't one for conversation, but during the butchering, they'd at least exchanged introductions. Names. Roles.

Aside from Liam and Paul, the two warriors, there was Michael—the injured archer—and the other archer, Garve. He was a broad-shouldered man with short black hair, walking near the back, his bow slung loosely across his chest. The rogue, Norvyn, moved beside him, leaner, sharper, his brown hair falling just past his ears.

Trailing behind Kael were the mage, the cleric, and the injured archer.

The mage, Alysha, stood out the most—long, pink-dyed hair spilling past her shoulders, a classic wizard hat perched atop her head. Kael couldn't recall that being part of the standard tutorial gear for mages. From what he knew, players could request a single personal item to bring into the tutorial, as long as it wasn't an advantage.

So she specifically asked for a wizard hat? She must really be into fairy tales and magic.

Kael glanced at her briefly but said nothing. He wasn't one to judge.

Beside her, the cleric—a woman named Orayne—steadied the limping Michael with a quiet grace. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, with dark hair cut into a sleek bob and eyes that radiated warmth. She moved with an air of patience, her hands always ready to catch Michael if he stumbled.

A teacher, Kael guessed. Or maybe a nurse. She had that presence—the kind that reassured others even in the worst of times.

Then there was Michael, messy brown hair and sharp eyes. He was broad-shouldered, muscular—not the kind of build Kael expected from an archer, but it made sense now. He probably did archery as a hobby. That explained his accuracy earlier.

Kael's gaze flickered to where he'd been injured, Orayne had done a good job, he would probably be back to perfect health after a good night's rest.

A flickering light from the floating panel in front of him caught Kael's attention. He scanned the screen quickly, his mind racing through the calculations. 

[Floor Panel]

Welcome, Participants, to The Silent Wilds.

Your trial begins now.

Clear Condition: Survive for 90 days. Only 200 will ascend. If more than 200 remain at the end, the top 200 based on Survival Points will advance.

Current Participants: 1894/2000

Survival Points & Elimination Rules:

Hunt the beasts of The Wilds. Eliminate other participants. Half of their points will transfer to you. Uncover hidden trials and challenges within The Wilds.

⚠ Prepare. The Eclipse Hours will come.

It was only the first day, yet over a hundred people had already died. And things would only get worse. Especially once the eclipse hours began.

That's when he noticed Alysha had moved up beside him, walking at his pace. She hesitated. A glance, then another. It wasn't the look of fear, nor caution. It was one of curiosity.

Kael sighed. "What is it?"

She flinched, as if she hadn't expected him to notice.

"Your name is Kael, right?" Her voice was soft. Shy. She hesitated, then asked, "Are you… a hunter?"

Kael blinked. Hunter? Was that what they thought?

A humorless chuckle escaped him. "Nope. Just a regular salaryman." His tone was flat. "Like most of you, I was at work when I got transported here."

For a moment, it became silent. When he looked up, he noticed the others were listening now. Even Orayne stole a glance his way. He didn't like that. He wanted them to focus on their surroundings, not him. This wasn't the time for distractions. 

Still, he couldn't exactly blame them.

Alysha's brows furrowed slightly, her lips parting as if to say something.

"Really…? That's surprising," she murmured, eyes lingering on him for a second longer before dropping back into place.

She didn't press the topic. Kael exhaled through his nose and turned back to the path ahead. He had bigger things to worry about. 

"I think we should take a different path, Liam," Kael said, quickening his steps to walk beside him.

Liam turned, smiling. "Another monster nearby?"

Kael shook his head. "No, but if we head right, we'll hit water faster." He gestured toward the sloping ground. "The air's more humid, which means moisture. And terrain like this? Water always pools downhill."

Liam studied him, weighing his words. Then, after a beat, he nodded. "Alright. Let's move."

The group adjusted their course, stepping with a renewed urgency. Water wasn't just a necessity—it was survival. Still, Kael knew better than anyone that a water source meant danger. Beasts, other survivors, or worse—something was always waiting.

Minutes passed before they finally saw it.

A river. Not stagnant, not a muddy marsh, but true, flowing water. The sunlight caught the surface, making it gleam like liquid silver, rushing over smooth stones, cascading in gentle ripples.

For a moment, the world froze. Then—

They ran.

Feet pounded the ground, dust rising in their wake. The thirst clawing at their throats overpowered every instinct, every ounce of caution. They fell to their knees, hands cupped, water spilling down their chins as they drank like starving animals.

Kael didn't join them—not immediately.

He turned, scanning the treeline, the underbrush, the surrounding rock formations. No footprints. No movement. No signs of anything yet. That was what worried him the most.

Liam's voice broke the silence. "Garve, Norvyn—find us a place to camp. Close, but not too close."

They nodded, already moving. Kael stepped forward, kneeling at the river's edge. The moment the cool liquid touched his lips, relief flooded through him.

But he couldn't help but shake the feeling that something was off.

Am I imagining it?