The "Whispering Woods" lived up to its name, but not in a gentle, storybook way. It was less a gentle murmur and more a chorus of unsettling rustles, snaps of unseen twigs, and a low, almost inaudible hum that vibrated in David's teeth. Sunlight struggled to pierce the dense canopy, casting long, dancing shadows that played tricks on his eyes. Every dark shape looked like a lurking beast.
David clutched his [Trainee's Blade], its hilt already slick with his nervous sweat. The [Traveler's Tunic] felt flimsy against his skin, offering little comfort. "Okay, 'Shadowfang Pups'," he muttered, peering into the gloom. "Let's see if you're as bitey as your name suggests."
He'd walked for what felt like an eternity, though it was probably only twenty minutes, following a barely discernible path. The EchoNet messages about this place hadn't been exaggerating the creepiness.
Then he saw them.
Three of them. They were roughly the size of large terriers, but with mangy, dark fur, overly long snouts filled with needle-sharp teeth, and eyes that glowed a faint, malevolent red. "Shadowfang Pups," a small label of text confirmed above one of them. They were sniffing at the base of a gnarled tree, their tails twitching.
David's breath hitched. They looked fast. And hungry.
His first instinct was to turn and run back to the relative safety of Newhaven, even if the guard captain would probably just sigh at him again. But then the "Survive" quest flashed in his mind, followed by the crucial "Evolution Points: 0." He wouldn't survive long as a "Lost Lamb" if he couldn't even face down a glorified dog.
"Right," he whispered, tightening his grip on the blade. "Here goes nothing."
He tried to move stealthily, but a dry branch snapped under his foot with a crack that sounded like a gunshot in the quiet woods. The pups' heads shot up, red eyes locking onto him. One of them let out a yappy, high-pitched snarl.
They charged.
Panic surged. David stumbled back, swinging his [Trainee's Blade] wildly. It connected with nothing but air. The lead pup lunged, jaws snapping. David yelped, barely twisting aside. Sharp teeth grazed his arm, sending a jolt of pain through him.
[-5 HP!] a red number popped up briefly in his vision.
"Hey! Not cool!" He gritted his teeth, fear giving way to a surge of adrenaline. He couldn't just flail. He focused on the closest pup, the one that had nipped him. It was circling, preparing for another go.
This time, when it lunged, David didn't just swing. He aimed. He brought the [Trainee's Blade] down in a clumsy, desperate arc. The satisfying thud of impact was followed by a pained yelp.
[-7 Damage!]
The pup stumbled, a dark gash appearing on its flank. It wasn't dead, but it was hurt. The other two were closing in.
David felt a strange clarity. He sidestepped another lunge, his hoodie tearing. He swung again at the injured pup, connecting with its head. It whimpered and collapsed, dissolving into faint particles of light.
[Shadowfang Pup defeated! +10 EP!]
Ten EP! It wasn't much, but it was something. Hope, small but vital, sparked within him. One down, two to go.
The remaining pups seemed more cautious now, but also angrier. They attacked together. David blocked a snapping jaw with the flat of his blade, the impact jarring his arm. He kicked out, connecting with the other pup's ribs, sending it tumbling. He pressed his advantage, thrusting at the one he'd blocked. The blade sank in.
[-9 Damage!]
[Shadowfang Pup defeated! +10 EP!]
The last pup, seeing its packmates vanish, let out a mournful howl and then, to David's immense relief, turned tail and fled into the undergrowth.
David stood there, panting, his arm stinging, hoodie torn. His heart was doing a drum solo against his ribs. "Wow," he breathed. "That was… awful. And also kind of amazing."
He checked his system panel. [Evolution Points: 20]. A grin spread across his face. It worked!
"Okay, system," he said, a new excitement in his voice. "How do I use these fancy points?"
He focused on his [Trainee's Blade] in his inventory display. As he did, a new option shimmered beside it: [Evolve (Cost: 15 EP)].
Fifteen EP. He had enough. He tentatively selected the option.
[Evolve [Trainee's Blade]? YES/NO]
[Potential Evolutions:]
[1. Minor Sharpness Enhancement (Passive): Increases base damage slightly.]
[2. Minor Durability Enhancement (Passive): Increases item toughness.]
[3. Unlock Skill - [Swift Strike] (Active): A quick, forward-lunging attack. Cooldown: 10 seconds.]
David's eyes widened at the third option. A new skill? That sounded way better than just a bit more sharpness, especially after his clumsy first fight. He selected option 3.
[Evolving [Trainee's Blade]... Please wait.]
The blade in his hand glowed faintly for a moment. When the light faded, the text in his inventory updated.
[Trainee's Blade (Basic Quality - Evolved)]
[Attack: +3 (+1 Sharpness)]
[Durability: 20/20]
[Skill: [Swift Strike] - A quick, forward-lunging attack. Deals 120% weapon damage. Cost: 5 Mana (currently N/A). Cooldown: 10 seconds.]
[A simple blade, now with a surprising little trick.]
"Mana? Currently N/A?" David frowned. Another system he didn't understand yet. But [Swift Strike]! He mimed a quick lunge. The idea of having an actual combat move felt incredible. The small "+1 Sharpness" was a nice bonus too.
He still had 5 EP left. He looked at his [Traveler's Tunic]. An evolve option appeared here too: [Evolve (Cost: 5 EP)]. Perfect.
[Evolve [Traveler's Tunic]? YES/NO]
[Potential Evolutions:]
[1. Minor Durability Enhancement (Passive): Increases item toughness.]
[2. Slight HP Regeneration (Passive): Slowly restores a small amount of HP over time.]
[3. Minor Cold Resistance (Passive). ]
The HP regeneration sounded incredibly useful, especially after that pup had taken a chunk out of him. He selected it.
[Evolving [Traveler's Tunic]... Please wait.]
Another faint glow, this time from his chest.
[Traveler's Tunic (Basic Quality - Evolved)]
[Defense: +2 (+1 Durability)]
[Durability: 17/17 (repaired slightly on evolution)]
[Property: Faint Vitality - Restores 1 HP every 60 seconds outside of combat.]
[Still better than nothing, and now it mends you a tiny bit.]
One HP every minute wasn't game-changing, but it was something. And the extra durability was welcome. He actually felt a tiny warmth spreading from the tunic.
David felt a thrill of accomplishment. This system was incredible. He wasn't just a "Lost Lamb" anymore. He was a Lost Lamb with an evolving sword and a self-mending shirt!
He was so engrossed in examining his newly-evolved gear that he didn't hear the light footsteps approaching until a calm voice spoke from just behind him.
"Not bad for a newcomer. Though your footwork could use some serious practice."
David yelped, spinning around, [Trainee's Blade] (Evolved!) raised defensively.
Standing a few feet away was a young woman. She was lean and carried a longbow with an air of quiet competence. Her dark hair was tied back practically, and her eyes, a striking shade of green, were sharp and observant. She wore well-maintained leather armor that looked far superior to his own basic tunic.
"Whoa! Don't sneak up on people like that!" David exclaimed, heart rate spiking again.
She offered a small, almost imperceptible smile. "My apologies. You seemed rather… absorbed." Her gaze flickered to his blade, then to his torn hoodie. "Shadowfang Pups?"
David nodded, still a little wary. "Yeah. First ones."
"You handled them," she stated, more observation than question. "Most fresh arrivals panic and get swarmed."
"Almost did," David admitted. "Name's David McCabe ."
"Katrina Vic ," she replied, her voice even. "I saw the last one run. You got lucky it didn't rally others." She gestured vaguely deeper into the woods. "This part of the Whispering Woods isn't too dangerous if you're careful, but it's easy to get turned around or stumble into something nastier."
She paused, then looked directly at him. "You're alone. That's not wise out here. I'm heading towards the old Briarwatch ruins. Supposedly some decent salvage, maybe a few Thorned Treants if we're lucky. More EP than pups, that's for sure. Care to team up? An extra blade, even an inexperienced one, is better than none."
David hesitated. Teaming up made logical sense. She clearly knew her way around and seemed capable. But he'd only just arrived in this bizarre world. He knew nothing about factions, reputations, or even basic etiquette. Trusting a complete stranger, no matter how composed, felt like a big leap. Plus, he wanted to understand his own system, his own capabilities, a bit more before relying on someone else.
"I appreciate the offer, Katrina," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But I think I need to get my bearings a bit first. Figure things out on my own for a little while." He internally cringed. Did that sound brave or just stupid?
Katrina simply nodded, no offense taken. "Understandable. The woods can teach you a lot, one way or another." She gave him a final, appraising look. "Just try not to learn too many lessons the hard way. Good luck, David Mccabe ."
With a faint rustle of leaves, she turned and moved gracefully into the dappled shadows, disappearing with a swiftness that made David realize just how out of his depth he still was.
He was alone again, but not quite the same as before. He had 20 EP earned, evolved gear, and a new skill. And he had a name to remember: Katrina Vic.
He took a deep breath, the slight sting in his arm a reminder of the reality of this world. The Whispering Woods still felt menacing, but now, there was a flicker of determination alongside the fear. He needed more EP. Many more.