2. The First Floor

Kael barely had time to process his new abilities before the void around him shattered like broken glass. The swirling mist gave way to an entirely new environment—a vast forest bathed in an eerie, silver glow. Trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves shimmering under the strange light. A thick fog rolled between the trunks, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.

A notification appeared before him.

[Welcome to the First Floor - Hell Mode]

[Survival Challenge Initiated]

[Objective: Survive for 24 hours]

[Time Remaining: 23:59:59]

Kael's heart pounded. No beginner tutorial, no introductory fight—just straight into survival. He had expected difficulty, but this was something else entirely.

Azrael hovered beside him, arms crossed. "Well, this is promising. Most climbers on easier settings get to warm up with basic monsters. You? You get thrown straight into the fire. I like it."

Kael shot him a sharp look. "What am I dealing with?"

Azrael chuckled. "You mean besides being dropped in a nightmare forest with something hunting you? Oh, not much."

Kael exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves. He was being watched. The feeling sent a chill up his spine. Predation had granted him a way to grow stronger, but he needed to survive long enough to use it.

A low growl echoed through the fog.

Kael turned sharply, muscles tensing. From the darkness emerged a creature unlike anything he had ever seen. It was wolf-like in form, but its fur bristled with dark spikes, its eyes gleaming a hungry red. Its presence sent a wave of raw malice through the air.

[Bloodthorn Wolf - Level 5]

[Ability: Enhanced Regeneration, Blood Scent]

Azrael whistled. "That's a nasty one. Fast, strong, and it heals quickly. Hope you're a quick learner."

Kael clenched his fists. He didn't have a weapon, and his stats were at the bare minimum. His only hope was his new trait. He had to kill to grow.

The Bloodthorn Wolf lunged.

Kael barely dodged, rolling to the side as claws slashed through the air where he had stood. The beast was fast—faster than he had expected. It wasn't just mindless aggression; it was testing him, gauging his reactions.

Kael reached for a branch on the ground, gripping it like a makeshift weapon. He knew it wouldn't do much, but he needed something to work with.

The wolf attacked again, this time feinting before twisting mid-air. Kael reacted on instinct, ducking under its swipe and slamming the branch against its side. The impact barely staggered it, but it bought him a split second to reposition.

Azrael observed with mild amusement. "Not bad. But if all you do is run and swing sticks, you'll be dead before the hour's up."

Kael gritted his teeth. He needed an opening. He had to take a risk.

The wolf lunged once more—this time, Kael didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped forward, throwing his weight into a punch aimed directly at the beast's eye.

A howl of pain rang through the forest as the wolf recoiled, its movements briefly erratic. Kael didn't hesitate. He lunged, wrapping his arms around its neck, using all his strength to keep it pinned.

The wolf thrashed violently, claws raking against his arms, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, burning—but Kael held on, twisting with every ounce of power he had. With a final, brutal wrench, there was a sickening snap.

The wolf went limp.

A notification flickered to life before his eyes.

[Enemy Defeated - Bloodthorn Wolf]

[Processing Predation...]

[+2 Strength, +1 Agility obtained]

[Skill Acquired: Blood Scent (Lesser) - Sense wounded creatures within a certain range]

Kael staggered back, panting heavily, his arms burning from the wolf's claws. But the exhaustion was nothing compared to the surge of power he felt. His body tingled, as if something inside him had shifted.

He clenched his fists. Stronger. Faster. This was real.

Azrael nodded approvingly. "Not bad for a first kill. But don't celebrate just yet."

Kael wiped the sweat from his brow. "Why?"

The mist around them stirred, and multiple sets of glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness.

Azrael smirked. "Because now you've got their attention."