Eli leaned against the jagged edge of a fallen tree, chest heaving, the aftermath of the Nyrad fight still throbbing in his arms and shoulders. The bow felt heavy, unwieldy in his hands, but it was his weapon now. He had chosen it over the fire spear — safer, less flashy, less suspicious. And it had already saved his life once.
The forest around him wasn't calm. The mist rose in thick swirls, carrying a faint electric hum that made his teeth tingle. Shadows moved unnaturally between the trees, the ground glowing faintly with residual runes from monsters past. He wasn't safe yet.
Then, a faint flicker of blue appeared in front of him. A vertical hologram, simple but noticeable, shimmered in the mist.
"Eli," the voice said, calm, almost melodic but tinged with metallic clarity. "You are exposed. Take stock. React quickly."
He froze. His heart hammered. Other players had HUDs, menus, generic notifications — nothing alive. But this… this was different. It wasn't just information; it was presence. Awareness. And it spoke directly to him, with a tone that somehow reminded him of someone he could trust, like an older sister leaning down to scold him for hesitating.
"Focus. That Nyrad is not the only threat nearby," it continued. "Your skills are subpar. Your strength is minimal. But your luck is high. Use it."
Luck. That word rang in his mind. He had survived fights he shouldn't have, narrowly dodged creatures, and stumbled through situations other players would have failed. He wasn't skilled. But fortune had been his ally. And right now, it was all he had.
The forest shifted around him. Another Nyrad, larger and faster, stalked through the mist, its glowing eyes fixated on him. Every instinct screamed to run, but escape meant leaving the bow behind, stepping into open terrain, and exposing himself further.
"Aim for the hind limb," the SYSTEM instructed. "Not the torso, not the head. Timing is everything. The opening is brief."
Eli nodded, nocking an arrow. The string vibrated under his fingers, mirroring the tremor of his heartbeat. He released, and the arrow struck its mark. The creature yelped, limping, and Eli rolled away just as it lunged. Pain flared in his shoulder from the scrape of its claws, but he barely registered it.
"Well… adequate," the SYSTEM said, its glow pulsing faintly, like a heartbeat. "Do not rely on skill. Rely on observation, timing, and your luck. Survive."
Eli sank to his knees, panting. His survival so far had been precarious, and this system — this glowing, flickering AI — was different from anything he'd encountered in-game. It wasn't just providing guidance; it was aware, responsive, present.
"Do not linger," it continued. "Threats abound. Other players and NPCs may not care for your well-being. I can guide, but I cannot fight for you. Only you can act."
He exhaled slowly. The isolation of it pressed down on him. Other players roamed the forest, laughing and chatting, oblivious to the dangers he faced. Their HUDs were empty, lifeless. Only he could see or hear this system. Only he had this… companion.
"Eli," it said softly, flickering, "stay alive. Focus. I will watch over you, but your survival is yours alone."
He gripped the bow tighter, his eyes scanning the mist. Survival wasn't guaranteed. It never had been. But now, with the SYSTEM watching him — speaking to him, teasing, guiding, almost like an older sister — he felt a flicker of reassurance.
He couldn't tell anyone. No one else could see it. And that made him more alone than ever. But at least he wasn't truly alone.
["Move carefully," the SYSTEM said, pulsing faintly. "The Forest Vale does not forgive hesitation. And neither do they." ]
Eli swallowed, tightening his grip on the bow. Luck had kept him alive so far. Now, he had guidance. And if he could just survive long enough… maybe, just maybe, he'd make it out.
The fog shifted around him, the mist curling like fingers of some unseen predator. Shadows danced and coiled, the forest breathing around him. He tightened his stance, readying another arrow.
["I will not let you waste this life, Eli," the SYSTEM whispered. ]["Focus, survive, endure."]
And for the first time since he had entered this game-world, he believed — however faintly — that he might actually have a chance.