Steps into the Wild

Roy stepped beyond the towering walls of the shelter, feeling the weight of the open world settle on his shoulders. The massive fortifications behind him stood as a testament to human survival, lined with powerful cannons and automated turrets. Beyond them, however, lay a land lost to time—a vast, ruined expanse of broken buildings and shattered streets, remnants of a civilization that had crumbled long before he was born.

The air outside carried a different scent, wild and untamed, laced with the metallic tang of rust and the distant musk of beasts. Roy scanned his surroundings, his sharp gaze locking onto several creatures roaming near the outskirts. Lesser beasts—mostly scavengers and weak predators—prowled just outside the walls, but the guards barely paid them any attention. They were no threat to the shelter, and killing them was just a waste of energy.

Mimi chirped in his mind. "Pi Pi! User is now in the wild! Adventure begins!"

Roy smirked. "Yeah… finally." He adjusted the straps of his gear, his mind set on his destination—the cave he had glimpsed in the fragmented memories of the Fire Lion. If there was anything worth finding there, he was determined to uncover it.

His first steps into the wasteland were careful but steady. The cracked pavement and fallen debris made for uneven terrain, forcing him to remain alert. He moved swiftly, avoiding unnecessary encounters, though he kept his senses honed for danger.

Hours passed before he ran into his first real fight.

A low growl reached his ears, and Roy turned just in time to see a shadow dart between the broken cars ahead. His instincts flared, and he tightened his grip on his weapon.

A Nightfang Hound emerged from behind a rusted vehicle, its sleek, black fur blending into the darkened ruins. Its eyes glowed with a predatory light, saliva dripping from its fangs as it circled him.

Roy exhaled. "Alright, let's see how much I've improved."

The beast lunged.

He sidestepped at the last moment, twisting his body as his claws ignited with Inferno Fang. In one swift motion, he slashed downward, flames trailing behind his attack. The Nightfang yelped, rolling away with a smoldering wound across its side.

Mimi's voice buzzed excitedly. "Pi Pi! Clean hit!"

The hound, undeterred, let out a vicious snarl and pounced again. This time, Roy met it head-on. He feinted left before driving his claw into its chest, flames searing through flesh and bone. The beast collapsed with a final whimper.

Roy took a breath, feeling his adrenaline steady. "Not bad. But I need to get faster."

His stomach growled. He glanced at the carcass before him and considered his options. Wild beasts were a common food source, but not all were safe to eat. Fortunately, he knew from training that Nightfang Hounds were edible.

"Guess I'm eating hound tonight," he muttered.

Finding a relatively safe spot, Roy set up a small fire in the ruins of an old convenience store, its roof partially collapsed but its walls mostly intact. He skinned the hound with practiced efficiency, carving out the best portions before skewering them over the flames.

The scent of roasting meat filled the air, making his stomach rumble even more. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.

Mimi chimed in. "Pi Pi! User is a hunter now! Surviving like a true warrior!"

Roy chuckled, tearing off a chunk of the cooked meat. It was surprisingly good—lean but rich in flavor. He ate in silence, his thoughts drifting to the journey ahead.

The cave was still a long way off. He would need to find another safe place to rest before reaching it. Finishing his meal, he secured his gear and moved out, navigating through the ruins with cautious ease.

By nightfall, he found shelter in an old office building, its foundation cracked but stable enough for a temporary camp. After securing the entrances and setting up small alarms, he allowed himself a moment of rest.

Staring up at the ceiling, Roy exhaled. "One day down."

He still had a long way to go.

And tomorrow would bring even greater challenges.

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant smoke from the shelter behind him. Roy stretched his limbs, shaking off the stiffness from his night in the abandoned building. Sunlight peeked through the cracks in the broken walls, casting long shadows.

"Pi Pi! User slept like a rock!" Mimi chirped from his wrist. "Energy levels are back to optimal! Ready for more fights?"

Roy smirked, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "I'd rather not go looking for fights, but if something comes at me, I won't hold back."

Stepping out, he took in the vast ruins stretching ahead. The world beyond the shelter was harsh—crumbling roads, shattered skyscrapers, and nature reclaiming what was once civilization. The sight of it sent a thrill through him. This was the real world. No walls. No safety nets. Just him and his strength.

His destination was still far, but he had a rough idea of where to go. The cave from the Fire Lion's memory called to him, and he intended to find out why.

A Predator's Hunt

It didn't take long before danger found him.

The growl came from the shadows of a collapsed building, deep and guttural. Roy turned just in time to see a massive hound-like beast lunge at him. Its eyes burned red, saliva dripping from its fangs as it aimed for his throat.

Roy dodged, rolling across the cracked pavement. His instincts kicked in. Flames surged to his fingertips as he countered with Inferno Fang. His claws sliced through the beast's hide, searing flesh as fire engulfed the wound.

The creature howled in agony before crumpling to the ground, smoke rising from its scorched body.

Roy exhaled, feeling his pulse steady. "Didn't expect breakfast to jump at me."

He glanced around, making sure no other threats lurked nearby. Then, with the efficiency of someone trained in survival, he skinned the beast and set up a small fire using debris. The scent of roasting meat filled the air as he ate, his energy replenished.

"Pi Pi! User's cooking is improving!" Mimi commented, its voice cheerful.

Roy snorted. "Anything tastes good when you're hungry."

Once satisfied, he continued on.

A Different Kind of Danger

The ruins weren't just home to beasts. There were people out here too—dangerous ones.

Roy spotted them long before they saw him. A group of three, rough-looking men with makeshift armor and worn weapons, moving through the wreckage like vultures. Bandits.

He could have avoided them. But they saw him first.

"Oi, kid!" One of them called out, stepping forward with a sneer. "You're a bit far from the shelter, aren't you?"

Roy didn't answer, his stance guarded.

"Drop your bag, weapons too," another man growled. "Hand 'em over, and maybe we won't gut you."

Roy's fingers twitched. He had faced beasts before, but this was different. These were people. They talked. They had expressions. They were alive.

But they were also threats.

One lunged first, a rusted blade swinging for his neck. Roy's body moved on instinct. He sidestepped, fire igniting in his palm as he countered with Lion's Blaze. The man's body ignited mid-scream, collapsing in a charred heap.

The other two hesitated—but only for a moment. Then they rushed him.

Roy didn't hesitate.

The fight was over in seconds. One man was impaled through the chest with a flaming claw, the other decapitated in a single swift strike.

Then, silence.

The smell of burnt flesh lingered in the air. Roy stood still, his breath slow, his hands clenched. The bodies lay at his feet, unmoving.

He had killed before—beasts, monsters. But this was different. These were humans.

A strange feeling twisted in his stomach. He didn't feel guilt exactly. He hadn't wanted to kill them, but they had attacked first. This was survival.

"Pi Pi! User is very strong!" Mimi chimed, breaking the silence. "No hesitation! No mercy! Just like a true warrior!"

Roy exhaled, shaking off the lingering weight in his chest. "Let's just keep moving."

He took their supplies—food, a few weapons, nothing special—and left their bodies behind. The world wouldn't mourn them.

The Cave in Sight

Hours passed, the sun now high in the sky. Roy pushed through the ruins, his body tense but his mind sharper than ever. He had learned something today.

The wilderness didn't just test his strength. It tested his resolve.

And then, finally, he saw it.

Through the crumbled skyline, past the endless ruins, there it was—a dark maw carved into the side of a jagged hill. The cave.

A strange feeling crept up his spine. Standing there, staring at the entrance, he felt… watched.

Roy didn't step forward. Not yet.

Something was waiting inside.

And he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.