Chương 1: The nightmare begins.
In the midst of the darkened night, a dense forest stood tall, its towering trees reaching skyward like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets within. The forest exuded an aura of mystique, with its towering giants and lush undergrowth enveloping the surroundings in an impenetrable cloak of greenery. As moonlight trickled through the small gaps between the leaves, a faint glow illuminated the path ahead, offering a sliver of visibility amidst the dense foliage.
Fireflies danced through the air, their ethereal glow casting a cool blue light that bathed the forest in an otherworldly radiance. These mesmerizing creatures flitted about, their delicate wings shimmering in the moonlit glow. They found respite among the vibrant flowers and blooming bushes that adorned the forest floor, creating pockets of soft illumination. The entire scene felt enchanted, as if the forest itself held a touch of magic within its depths.
However, within this serene and ethereal landscape, an unexpected sight disrupted the harmony of the natural world. Nestled amidst the vibrant foliage and delicate white flowers, lay a lone figure—a man. His presence seemed incongruous, a stark contrast to the tranquility of his surroundings.
Collapsed upon a bed of pristine white flowers, the man appeared weary, his form slumped as if drained of all energy. Clad in a simple grey shirt and black pants, his attire was unremarkable, yet his physicality hinted at a different story. Muscles rippled beneath his clothes, evidence of a well-honed physique forged through countless battles. The chiseled contours of his jawline and the scars etched upon his weathered face spoke of a seasoned warrior, one who had faced adversity and emerged with a resilience that only experience can impart.
Despite the fact that he was unconscious, there was an air of quiet strength that emanated from him. He seemed both a part of this untamed realm and yet a foreign presence within it. His very presence invited curiosity and begged the question: Who was this man? What had led him to this mystical forest, and what trials had he faced to bear the marks of his past?
Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, the haze of drowsiness giving way to a sudden surge of awareness. The man's mind jolted into alertness as he swiftly sat up, his senses attuned to his unfamiliar surroundings. Confusion etched across his face as he took in the verdant expanse of the forest that enveloped him.
"What in the world just happened?" The man was named Dian and his voice resonated amidst the quiet of the woodland, a mix of bewilderment and determination evident in his tone. He shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the remnants of a disorienting dream, struggling to piece together the fragments of his memory.
"I… a portal? Yes, a portal opened up and there were monsters…" Dian's brow furrowed as he delved deeper into his recollection, his mind a battleground between scattered fragments of imagery and fading impressions. The memory of grotesque monsters with piercing eyes and limbs resembling lethal blades flickered within his consciousness.
As the situation spiraled out of control, the military had been forced to intervene, mobilizing their forces to confront the otherworldly menace. Dian and his squad, along with other brave soldiers, were thrust into the heart of the battle, tasked with combating the formidable creatures. Yet, even with their combined might and unwavering determination, the monsters proved to be an unparalleled challenge.
Dian's mind cast back to the harrowing moments of the skirmish, the desperation that clung to the air as they fought tooth and nail to fend off the encroaching nightmare. Memories became hazy, fragmented, as the price for victory became apparent. A throbbing pain, like a relentless drumbeat within his skull, assaulted his senses as he vanquished one of the abominations, its demise exacting a toll on his own well-being.
Amidst the chaos, Dian found himself whisked away to the care of a medic, leaving behind the fate of his comrades shrouded in uncertainty.
"Yea I remember now… It wasn't just me, but anyone who killed the monster became crazy and had to be dragged back to the medic… But how did I got here?" Dian mumbled to himself as he kept trying to remember what happened when he near collapsed from the headache pain.
As the fragments of his memories coalesced, Dian's mind delved deeper into the enigmatic sequence of events that followed his encounter with the malevolent forces. Amidst the haze of pain and uncertainty, he found himself lying on a medical cot, attended to by a diligent medic who fought against the specter of death that loomed over him.
In the midst of this dire situation, however, something extraordinary unfolded before Dian's bewildered gaze. As the otherworldly pain ebbed away, replaced by an eerie calm, a peculiar phenomenon transpired right before his eyes. A shimmering, ethereal window materialized, reminiscent of a screen from a video game or virtual reality interface.
The words emblazoned upon the window captured Dian's attention, demanding his comprehension.
Demon soul detected – Systems online.
Do you understand?
Yes or No
The weight of the situation pressed upon him as he contemplated the gravity of his choices.
As Dian retraced the hazy memory, he recollected his drug-induced state as he responded affirmatively to the mysterious system's inquiry. The alluring effect of morphine had clouded his judgment, impairing his ability to fully comprehend the ramifications of his decision. Nevertheless, his utterance of "yes" triggered a cascade of events within the game-like window.
The system promptly acknowledged his consent, proceeding to initiate an analysis of his condition. A status card materialized, presenting a summary of his attributes or abilities in a format reminiscent of a character sheet. Dian didn't remember what the information was, though the full significance of these newfound capabilities eluded him in his groggy state.
Right after that, the game system like window said that he had gotten a message from someone or something, he told it to open it and then he received the following message…
Hey! Congratulations!
You're one of the lucky few who were able to kill a demon and not be driven mad by their soul's corruption.
Interesting.
You.
You're useful.
Right after that, the system went ballistic and started glitching out before he lost consciousness.
"That's the last thing I remember…" Dian whispered to himself again.
As Dian's senses slowly regained their sharpness, he instinctively checked his pulse, hoping to ground himself in the reality of the situation. Pinching himself followed suit, a desperate attempt to assure himself that he hadn't slipped into some bizarre dream or hallucination. Yet, the oddness of his predicament remained. His gaze fell upon his attire, or rather, the lack thereof. Gone were his protective gear, weapons, and the familiar weight of his equipment. Instead, he found himself clad in a simple ensemble comprising a thin grey shirt and black pants, a far cry from the battle-ready attire he had worn in his fight against the monsters.
Okay Dian, don't panic. Remember, panic isn't gonna help anyone or anything. Let's slowly piece everything together.
Dian thought as he stood up in the midst of the silent forest, his body motionless as he absorbed the stillness around him. Taking a deep breath, he allowed the air to fill his lungs, offering a momentary respite from the whirlwind of events that had unfolded within such a confined timeframe. It was now, in this tranquil setting, that he found a precious opportunity to reflect upon the sequence of occurrences he had set into motion.
When that system menu came up before… did it say something about me absorbing a demon soul?
… Am I a demon now like the monsters then?
And what was that status card thing that popped up before?
Almost on cue, as if it was waiting for Dian to think of it, a game like window opened up in front of him labeled as status card.
Status card.
Name: Dian Webb
Class: n/a
Level: 1
Exp: 1/10
Health: 70/70
Mana: 60/60
Str: 8
Con: 7
Int: 7
Wis: 8
Agi: 7
Luc: 5
What the hell? Dian thought, confused by the whole situation but suddenly, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted. He noticed movement from the corner of his eyes, a seemingly innocuous bush nearby, which inexplicably stirred with movement.
Dian's senses sharpened, his instincts honed by years of combat experience, as he heard a rustling sound emanating from the nearby bushes. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready to react to any threat that might emerge. With a calculated crouch, he surveyed his surroundings, scanning for any potential weapon to defend himself. His heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but the options were limited. A handful of pebbles, mere rocks, were all he could find within reach. Although far from ideal, Dian knew that having something, even makeshift, was better than being completely defenseless.
Dian's gaze remained fixed on the rustling bush, his focus unbroken. Mindful of the need for stealth, he carefully selected a pebble and weighed it in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he propelled the pebble towards a distant tree, deliberately creating a diversion to assess the response. The pebble found its mark with a muted thud against the tree trunk, eliciting a stir from the bush. Anticipation held its grip on Dian as he braced for whatever emerged.
To his surprise and bewilderment, a peculiar creature the size of a basketball bounded out from the bushes. It was a yellow rabbit, yet far from ordinary. It's sharp teeth were protruding out of its mouth and two blade-like horns atop its head rendered it distinctly otherworldly. Dian's eyes narrowed, his mind struggling to comprehend the sight before him. In this unfamiliar and bewildering environment, even the fauna seemed to defy logic and convention.
…It reminds me of those monsters.
Then suddenly Dian hears a ding noise reverberate in his ear and a small status window open up above the rabbit.
Demon Hare (Level: ???)
Seriously, what in the world is happening here?
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