The Price of Power

Kyle stood among the goblin corpses, his breath ragged, his heart hammering against his ribs. His hands were slick with blood—not just theirs, but his own. The rush of power still coursed through him, a pulsing energy that made his muscles feel denser, stronger. The system had changed him. He felt it.

His mind replayed the fight in slow motion. He had moved faster than he ever had before, his strikes landing with unnatural precision. And when their blood had touched him, he had grown stronger. It wasn't normal. It wasn't human.

A deep sense of unease settled over him.

The screen still hovered in his vision, waiting.

New Ability Acquired: Blood Reclamation (Lv. 1)

Your body absorbs the strength of those you slay, converting their life force into raw power. Effect increases with level.

It wasn't just some game mechanic. It was real. And if this world worked on game-like rules, then that meant there were things stronger than goblins. A lot stronger.

A low growl rumbled in the distance.

Kyle stiffened, his instincts screaming at him. He turned toward the sound, his eyes locking onto the tree line. Shadows moved between the blackened trunks, barely visible against the unnatural twilight.

He wasn't alone.

Kyle took a slow, cautious step back, scanning for an escape route. He needed a weapon. He needed shelter. He needed to think.

Then, as if sensing his hesitation, the system sent another message.

Quest Activated: First Steps in The Land

Objective: Survive the first night.

Reward: +1 Skill Point, Basic Inventory Access

A cold pit formed in his stomach. The system was giving him a survival quest. That meant this world wasn't just dangerous—it was actively trying to kill him.

The growl grew louder.

Kyle turned and ran.

His body responded faster than it should have. His new strength propelled him forward, his feet barely making a sound against the hard earth. The trees blurred past him, the wind whipping against his skin.

Then he saw it—a structure, half-buried in the distance. A ruin.

Kyle didn't stop to question his luck. He sprinted toward it, his lungs burning with the effort. The crumbling remains of what must have once been a tower stood at the edge of a shallow ravine. Vines strangled the stone, and chunks of the upper floors had collapsed inward, leaving jagged debris in its wake.

Kyle didn't care. It was shelter.

He reached the entrance and threw himself inside just as the growl turned into a snarl.

A massive shadow lunged from the treeline.

Kyle barely had time to react before something huge slammed into the doorway, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone. He stumbled back, his heart racing.

The creature outside let out a furious screech, its claws scraping against the stone as it tried to force its way in.

Kyle didn't wait to see what it was. He turned and ran deeper into the ruin.

The air inside was thick with dust and decay. The ceiling had partially collapsed, and the only light came from the faint glow of the system screen hovering in his vision. He stumbled past broken pillars, his mind racing. He needed a weapon. He needed—

His foot hit something solid.

Kyle nearly tripped over the remains of a rusted chest.

A notification flickered.

Ancient Cache Detected. Would you like to open it?

Kyle slammed his hand against the lid.

The chest let out a soft click, the rusted lock crumbling away. Inside, wrapped in decayed cloth, was a weapon.

Item Acquired: Worn Iron Sword

A simple but sturdy blade. Better than your fists.

Kyle didn't care how useless it sounded. He grabbed the sword, gripping the hilt with white-knuckled fingers. It was heavier than he expected, but it was something.

The snarl at the doorway turned into a full-blown roar.

Kyle turned just in time to see the creature force its way inside.

It was worse than a goblin.

It was huge—easily eight feet tall, with a body covered in thick, matted fur. Its limbs were elongated, ending in clawed fingers too long for comfort. Its face was a grotesque mix of wolf and man, its jaw filled with jagged, uneven fangs.

Kyle had seen things like this before.

A warg.

Not the kind from games. This one was real. And it was hungry.

The warg lunged.

Kyle barely had time to react. He threw himself to the side, the beast's claws raking across the stone where he had just stood. The sheer force of the attack sent rubble flying.

He had no armor. No skills besides Blood Reclamation.

If it hit him, he was dead.

Kyle gritted his teeth and gripped the sword tighter. He had one chance.

He needed to end this fast.

The warg lunged again.

Kyle moved.

His body reacted on instinct, enhanced by whatever power the system had given him. He ducked low, dodging beneath the warg's outstretched claws. The sword felt heavy, clumsy in his grip, but he swung with everything he had.

The blade bit into the warg's side.

The beast let out a furious roar, but Kyle barely registered it.

Blood splattered across his skin.

Blood Reclamation Activated.

Absorbing Energy… Strength Increased.

Kyle felt the change instantly. His grip steadied. His muscles tightened. The sluggish weight of the sword felt just a little lighter.

The warg staggered, but it wasn't down.

Kyle pressed the advantage. He slashed again, this time aiming for its throat.

The beast twisted, and Kyle's attack went wide.

Claws raked across his arm.

Pain exploded through him.

He barely kept his grip on the sword as he stumbled back, blood dripping from the fresh wound. His vision blurred.

Then—

Blood Reclamation Activated.

Healing Minor Wounds… Pain Suppressed.

Kyle gasped as the pain dulled. His wound didn't fully heal, but it knit slightly, just enough to keep him standing.

He exhaled sharply.

He could do this.

He had to do this.

The warg lunged for a final time, its maw open wide.

Kyle didn't dodge.

He stepped forward.

The beast's fangs clamped down—on his sword.

Kyle twisted with all his strength.

The blade tore through muscle and bone.

The warg let out a final, choking growl before it collapsed, its lifeblood pooling around its massive frame.

Kyle staggered back, his body trembling with exhaustion. He could barely keep the sword upright.

A final notification flickered.

Congratulations!

You have defeated your first Elite Creature.

Title Acquired: "Beastslayer"

+3 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Constitution.

Kyle let out a ragged breath.

He was alive.

But the night was far from over.

He tightened his grip on the sword, his gaze flicking toward the ruined tower's entrance. The system had called this place The Land.