The sky darkens fast over the forest. The young man tightens the rope around his crude shelter. He pulls the knots with slow force until the branches hold steady. The structure covers only one side and gives weak protection. It blocks wind and hides him from one direction. He steps back to check it from the ground. It stands uneven but strong enough for the night.
He crouches and gathers dry leaves. He places them in a small pile near the roots. He sets the metal shard against a stone and strikes both together. Sparks fall onto the leaves. A thin line of fire forms and grows into a slow flame. He pushes more leaves under it until the flame settles.
He covers part of the fire with short branches. Only a faint glow escapes. He sits with the stone knife across his lap. His ribs still hurt from the fight in the clearing. Each breath reminds him of the damage.
A prompt appears in front of him.
[Hunger Rising]
[Minor stamina loss over time]
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the dried meat he took from a crate. He eats small pieces with slow bites. The taste sits strong and rough. Warmth spreads through his chest as the hunger eases.
The forest shifts with activity as the night grows deeper. Insects hum. Leaves shake. Small creatures move across the undergrowth. Far away, he hears raised voices. The sounds of thrown objects. A short scream follows. Silence returns right after.
He stares at the fire. The weak flame pushes shadows across the dirt. He lifts his hand and lowers the fire even more. He wants no attention from beast or player.
Another prompt appears.
[Night Cycle Active]
[High Tier Creatures Patrol Deeper Zones]
[Recommendation: Stay hidden]
He keeps both hands near the knife and listens. His heartbeat stays steady now. Each sound in the forest holds weight.
Minutes stretch into long hours. He tries to force memories into place. Nothing forms. His mind stays blank. The hole inside it refuses to change.
A loud snap breaks the quiet. Heavy steps follow. The pattern sounds slow and deliberate. Each footfall presses into the earth with strength. The young man kneels low and places one hand over the fire. He smothers the flame with quick movements. Darkness fills the shelter.
He holds his breath. His eyes adjust to the faint moonlight that slips between the branches. A large figure moves in the distance. It steps closer with steady rhythm. The creature stands taller than any person he has seen. Thick fur. Long limbs. Broad torso. It moves with clear presence.
A prompt forms in front of him.
[Beast Class: Forest Goliath]
[Threat: Severe]
[Advice: Avoid contact]
The creature sniffs the air. Its head turns to the left. Then to the right. It stops near the shelter. The young man presses his chest against the dirt and stays still. His ribs ache but he forces himself not to move.
The creature scratches a tree. The sound tears through the quiet. Bark falls to the ground. It sniffs again. Its breath sounds thick and heavy.
Seconds feel long. The creature stands still. Then it steps away. The ground shakes under its weight. The sound of its movements fades as it enters the deeper forest.
The young man waits until he hears nothing. Then he strikes the metal shard again. The flame returns in a tiny spark. He hides it behind a rock to reduce the glow.
Wind passes through the branches above him. The forest softens for a brief moment.
Footsteps approach again. These sound lighter. Faster. Human. He grips the knife with both hands.
A girl appears between the trees. She stops when she sees the faint glow. Her arms rise to show she holds nothing.
"Please," she says in a quiet voice. "I saw the large creature. I need a place to hide. If you want me to leave, I will leave."
Her clothes hang torn at one shoulder. Dirt covers her legs. Her breathing stays sharp. Her eyes hold fear.
The young man studies her movements. She carries no weapon. No pack. No tool. She keeps her distance as she waits for his response.
He gives a slow nod.
She steps close to the weak flame and kneels. She keeps one hand near her own side as if ready to push herself away if danger appears.
"Thank you," she whispers.
He remains silent. He watches the forest and keeps the knife tight in his grip.
A prompt appears.
[Player Identified: Lira]
[Threat: Low]
[Status: Injured]
Lira lifts her arm and shows the torn cloth on her shoulder. A shallow cut crosses her skin. Dried blood surrounds the wound.
"I escaped a group near the ridge," she says. "They chased anyone close to them. One hit my shoulder while I ran." She touches the wound and winces. "I lost my tool when I fell."
The young man searches his shelter. He pulls out the cloth strip he saved from the broken crate. He hands it to her with a short motion.
She nods and wraps the wound with slow care. She ties the cloth tight and checks her arm. "This helps. Thank you."
She studies his expression. "You are quiet."
He does not reply.
"You lost your memories too," she says. "Your eyes look empty, like you woke with nothing."
He nods once.
She lowers her gaze. "Everyone arrives like this. The system takes everything. It forces us to fight for space. Someone built this island for reasons we do not know."
They sit in silence. The night grows colder.
Lira leans closer to the fire to warm her hands. She stays alert even when she rests. Her head turns each time the leaves shift.
"I will leave at sunrise," she says. "I do not want to bring trouble to you. Thank you for letting me stay here."
He listens but says nothing. Speaking feels strange without memories. He does not know what tone he used before the system erased him.
The forest rustles with small movement. Tiny creatures pass without interest. He relaxes a little but stays ready.
Time passes in slow hours. Lira sits against a thick root and closes her eyes. She sleeps in a curled position with her arms close to her chest. The young man watches the fire and keeps guard. He lifts dirt now and then to control the flame strength.
A distant roar breaks the quiet. Not close. Not far. A different beast. The sound fades.
The sky shifts from deep black to dark gray. A prompt appears.
[Day Cycle Approaching]
[Threat Levels Lower During Daylight]
Lira wakes with a small gasp. She stands and adjusts the cloth around her shoulder. A small amount of blood shows but the wound stays sealed.
"I should go," she says. "I want to reach the coast in daylight. I need better supplies."
She steps toward the trees. She looks back once. "Be careful. The ridge group grows stronger each hour."
She leaves with quiet footsteps until the forest hides her again.
The young man rises from the shelter. He stretches his shoulders and feels the stiffness from the night. His ribs hurt but less than before.
He looks at the beach in the distance. Smoke rises from camps. Players move along the shoreline. Some gather supplies. Some chase weaker targets.
He looks at the deeper forest. High tier creatures walk there. Strong threats move between the trees. Unknown dangers circle that area.
He looks between both paths and chooses the shore. He needs resources before he enters stronger zones.
He steps through the trees with the knife in his hand. Light breaks through the canopy. Morning arrives slow but steady.
The day begins with his first clear goal:
Gather supplies, strengthen tools,
and stay alive.