Sahan awakened inside the ruins of a large stone temple, his body and clothes covered in dust and sweat, but there was a fire in his eye… something new… something strange.
Suddenly, a transparent screen popped up before him as if it had simply appeared out of thin air, displaying the following damning message:
*[System Activated]*
*Welcome, Core Bearer.*
*Sahan (in shock):* "What is this… a screen? Is… this real?"
A voice rang loud in his head, soothing yet filled with the might of a thousand seething winds:
*"I am the system bound only to you. My duty: to prepare you for survival, evolution, and dominion."*
The words started to appear with one another:
- *Acquired Skill: Creature Analysis*
- *Acquired Skill: Night Vision*
- *Current Level: 1 / Classification: Unranked*
*Sahan (in soul crushing disbelief):* "Skills? This… is like a video game, but I can _feel_ them inside me. This is not merely an interface!"
He took two steps forward, and the screen flashed again:
*[First Mission: Survive for 24 hours]*
*Reward: Unlocked 'Rapid Healing' ability*
*Failure: Death.*
He paused and clenched his fist, answering:
"Alright System… I'll play this game, but I play this game my way."
Suddenly, a deep guttural roar echoed through the forest nearby… something was coming at him.