Darkness. A weightless, endless void, where time seemed to stretch and fold upon itself. Yuji floated in that emptiness, neither awake nor truly asleep. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the faint, familiar chime of the system-a sound that echoed through the void like a lighthouse cutting through fog.
[Critical injuries detected.]. Initiating emergency recovery protocol. The host will be immobilized for 12 hours. Vital functions stabilized. Blood loss halted. Minor tissue regeneration in progress.]
So this is what it feels like to be caught between life and death, Yuji thought, his awareness drifting in and out. Twelve hours... Was I really that close to the end? The words from the system felt both comforting and terrifying, a reminder of how fragile his existence had become.
[Recovery protocol complete. Minor injuries remain. Status: Stable. Host will regain consciousness shortly.]
The words drifted across his mind, pulling him upward, toward the surface of awareness. He became aware of his body-first the dull ache in his chest, then the stiffness in his legs, and finally the coolness of the earth beneath him. With a sudden gasp, Yuji's eyes snapped open.
He lay on his side in the dew-damp grass, the world around him painted in the gentle gold of early morning. For a moment, he didn't move, afraid that any motion would bring back the agony he remembered so vividly. Is it over? Am I really alive? But as the seconds ticked by, he realized the pain had dulled, replaced by a heavy soreness that was almost comforting in its familiarity.
Yuji tried to take a deep breath. His ribs protested, but the sharp, stabbing pain from before was gone. He exhaled slowly, watching his breath mist in the cool air. Above him, the sky was a canvas of pastel colors-rose and lavender clouds drifting lazily, the sun just peeking over the horizon.
He blinked, adjusting to the light. The meadow was quiet, save for the distant chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of grass in the breeze. The chaos of the previous day felt like a bad dream, but the ache in his body reminded him it had been all too real. I survived. Somehow, I actually survived.
He flexed his legs, testing their strength. They trembled, but they held. He pressed a hoof to his chest, feeling the tender bruises beneath his fur. Blood no longer pooled in his mouth, though he could still taste its metallic tang. He was battered, but he was alive. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the rising sun wash over him.
For how long was I out? he wondered, glancing at the changing sky. What did I miss while I was trapped in that void? The thought sent a ripple of unease through him, but also a strange sense of hope. If I can survive this, maybe I really do have a chance here.
It was then that he noticed the shadow standing nearby. The adult goat-the one who had saved him-stood silent and watchful, its powerful frame outlined by the morning light. For now, though, Yuji allowed himself a moment of quiet relief.
The adult goat stood a short distance away, its presence commanding yet calm. Its coat, streaked with silver and marked by old scars, glimmered in the morning light. Yuji watched as the goat's chest rose and fell with slow, steady breaths-a living wall between him and the dangers lurking in the shadows of memory.
Yuji tried to speak, but his throat was parched. He swallowed hard, then managed a hoarse, "Thank you… for saving me."
The adult goat's ears flicked, and it turned to face him fully. Its golden eyes seemed to pierce right through Yuji, not unkind but searching, as if weighing the worth of the battered soul before it.
"You saved yourself as much as I did," the adult replied, its voice deep and resonant. "Most would have given up. You didn't. You endured, even when your body failed you. That's strength – not the kind that comes from muscle, but from spirit."
Yuji's gaze flickered to the scars on the goat's legs and shoulders. He wondered what battles this creature had fought, what pain it had endured to earn such marks. "Why did you help me?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
A shadow crossed the adult goat's face. "Because I know what it means to be alone. To be hunted for something you can't control. I've seen too many fall because no one stood up for them. I won't let that happen again – not if I can help it."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant calls of birds and the gentle sigh of the wind. Yuji felt something shift inside him-a fragile bond forming, born from shared pain and hard-won wisdom.
The adult goat continued, "This herd… it fears what it doesn't understand. And right now, that means you. They call you an outsider, but outsiders are just words. What matters is how you carry yourself. If you want to survive here, you'll need more than stubbornness. You'll need allies. You'll need to earn their respect."
Rokan took a step back, his silhouette noble against the brightening sky. "Rest for now. When you're ready, the real work begins."
Yuji watched as Rokan turned away and left. He didn't say anything- just nodded his head. He still remembered what had happened in the morning, and the strange new world the system had revealed to him. This was a magical world where anything seemed possible, a place where superstrong beings might exist- creatures capable of anything.
'No, I can't waste time. I don't have time. I have to become strong. I have to make full use of the system.' Yuji resolved, determination hardening within him. He clenched his jaw, feeling a sense of urgency settle over him like a heavy cloak. The memory of pain and helplessness from before flickered in his mind, fuelling his resolve. 'I won't let myself get beaten by bunch of yearling goat again.'
Thinking this, he looked at the notification hovering before him.
[Host, there are too many notifications that you haven't checked. Do you want to check on them?
He had seen this notification when the goat started talking, but he hadn't had the chance to open it. What kind of notification did I receive? Yuji wondered, his mind racing. "System, show me the notification."
Mission: Hold the Line
Objective: Survive and defend yourself against hostile yearling goats for a set duration ( 5 minutes) without being fatally injured.
Mission Details:
Description: You have become the target of an orchestrated attack by several yearling goats intent on killing you. Your only chance of survival is to endure their assault until help arrives or they lose interest.
Requirements: Remain conscious and alive for the full duration of the attack (e.g., 5 minutes). Attempt to defend yourself using any means available (dodging, counterattacks, using terrain, etc.). Do not allow your health to drop to zero.Bonus Objectives: Successfully counter a yearling's attack at least once. Avoid being pinned to the ground for more than 30 seconds. Endure the assault without losing consciousness.
Failure Conditions:
Health drops to zero (death).Loss of consciousness before the timer ends.
[Mission completed. Rewards calculated.]
Exp: 10
Skill: Blood Resilience (Lv. 1) acquired.
Special Item: Cursed Bandage (Uncommon) received.
[System advice: Use the Cursed Bandage to accelerate recovery. Warning: Side effects possible.]
"Too much information, system. Too much information," Yuji said in a frustrated voice. Just reading this one notification had taken too much of his time. He couldn't possibly read all the notifications for every mission he had completed. There was no need for that.
Why does it have to be so overwhelming? he thought, feeling irritation build inside him. I just want the important parts, not every tiny detail.
"Show less information about the missions I've completed, Or is there an option to only show what's necessary?" he asked, hoping the system would understand his request.