Chapter 2: The System’s First Test

The silence was unnatural.

Lena stood at the edge of the island, the ocean stretching endlessly before her. The salty breeze brushed against her skin, but it carried no sound of birds, no hum of insects, nothing.

Just the crash of waves. Just the rustling of leaves.

It was too quiet.

Her instincts screamed at her—she was being watched.

She didn't know by what. She didn't know from where. But she knew better than to ignore it.

A slow breath. A firm grip on the knife in her hand. Then, she moved.

Her first priority was the hut.

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[Quest Activated: First Shelter Inspection]

Objective: Investigate the hut.

Reward: Basic Survival Pack.

Failure Consequence: None.

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Lena barely reacted as the floating words appeared before fading. The system was tracking her movements.

It wasn't just watching—it was directing.

That meant it had rules.

And if there were rules, there were ways to bend them.

She walked carefully, her boots pressing into the damp earth. The island's terrain was rougher than she'd expected—twisted roots jutted from the ground, and rocks were hidden beneath the grass, waiting to trip the unwary.

The hut stood in the center of the island, old and half-rotten. The wood was warped from moisture, and gaps between the planks let slivers of light filter through.

But that wasn't what made Lena stop.

It was the claw marks.

Deep, jagged slashes carved into the wood.

Not made by human hands.

Lena's pulse quickened. She reached out, running her fingers along the grooves. The cuts were rough, uneven. Whatever had made them had been frantic.

Something had been trapped inside.

She inhaled slowly, grip tightening around her knife. Then, she stepped forward.

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Inside the Hut

The air was thick with the scent of rot.

Dim light filtered through the cracks, casting long shadows over the dirt floor. The remains of a wooden table lay collapsed in the corner, and a torn cloth was crumpled against the wall—a failed attempt at a bed.

Lena scanned the room quickly. There were no bones. No blood.

But the claw marks weren't just on the walls.

They were on the floor. Dragged deep into the wood. As if something had fought against being pulled away.

Her stomach twisted.

Before she could take another step, the system's voice echoed in her mind.

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[Quest Completed: First Shelter Inspection.]

Reward: Basic Survival Pack received.

---

A soft blue glow flickered in front of her.

Then—a dull thud.

Lena spun around, knife raised.

Near the entrance, a black box had appeared out of thin air.

She approached cautiously, crouching beside it. The lid had no lock. Taking a slow breath, she flipped it open.

Inside, there were four items:

A knife, smaller than hers but sharp.

A roll of bandages, clean and neatly packed.

A plastic water bottle, filled.

A protein bar, unlabeled.

She exhaled. Not much. But it was better than nothing.

She grabbed the supplies, shoving them into her pockets. The knife she tested in her grip—a good backup.

Her gaze returned to the clawed walls.

Something had been here before.

And there was no guarantee it was gone.

A sudden gust of wind slipped through the gaps in the wood, carrying a faint, rotting scent.

Lena's muscles tensed.

Then—

A sound.

Distant. Low.

A howl.

Not human.

She turned toward the door, heart pounding. She wasn't alone.

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Somewhere Else…

A pair of golden eyes flickered open in the dim light.

The air was thick with the scent of salt and storm winds. The ocean whispered in the distance, waves lapping against the shore.

He had felt it the moment she arrived.

Another survivor. Another piece placed onto the board.

He inhaled slowly, tasting the air. This one was different.

The island itself responded to her presence. A ripple through the land, like something long buried had stirred at her arrival.

He rose to his feet, his movements smooth and soundless. The ocean whispered in the distance, waves lapping against the shore.

He traced a finger over the faint markings on his wrist—sigils that pulsed with quiet energy.

The game had begun.

And now, it was time to see just how well this new player could survive.

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