The Forest Gnawer lunged with terrifying speed, its claws outstretched and its jaws snapping hungrily. Miguel's body moved almost on instinct, dropping low to the ground just as the beast sailed overhead.
THUD!
The monster crashed into the dirt, skidding a few feet before twisting its grotesque body back toward him.
Miguel's heart pounded like a war drum in his chest. Every fiber of his being screamed: Run! Hide!
But deep inside, another voice — a stubborn, defiant voice — shouted even louder: Fight!
"No one else is going to save me," Miguel growled under his breath. "I have to do this."
He quickly grabbed a thick branch lying nearby — crude, splintered, but better than nothing. He gripped it tightly, holding it like a makeshift spear.
The Forest Gnawer snarled and charged again.
Miguel sidestepped, barely avoiding the lethal claws. He swung the branch with all his strength, catching the beast across the snout.
It yelped, stumbling back, shaking its head.
Ding!
[Basic Combat Skill: Improvised Weapon Handling - Unlocked!]
[Skill Level: 1]
Miguel blinked in surprise.
I can unlock skills through action?!
The realization gave him a surge of hope. He wasn't entirely helpless. He could adapt, he could learn — he could fight back.
Gritting his teeth, he advanced, jabbing the branch forward, keeping the monster at bay. Each strike was clumsy, but driven by sheer desperation. The Forest Gnawer snapped and clawed at him, but Miguel refused to back down.
Another strike to the leg.
Another to the ribs.
The monster faltered, blood dripping from shallow wounds.
But Miguel was tiring too.
His arms shook from the effort. His breath came in ragged gasps. If he didn't finish this soon, the beast would outlast him.
"One shot," he whispered. "One clean shot."
The creature lunged—its mouth wide open to tear into his throat.
Miguel didn't dodge.
Instead, he stepped in, driving the sharpened end of the broken branch deep into the monster's gaping maw with all the strength he had left.
CRACK.
The Forest Gnawer shuddered violently, eyes rolling back, and collapsed onto the forest floor.
Dead.
For a moment, Miguel stood frozen, gasping for air, staring at the unmoving body. Then the System chimed.
Ding!
[Quest Updated: Survive for 24 Hours — First Enemy Defeated!]
[Bonus Objective Achieved: Self-defense without Weapons.]
[Reward: Starter Pack Unlocked.]
[Obtained Item: Forest Gnawer Fang (Material)]
[Skill Level Up: Improvised Weapon Handling - Level 2]
Miguel collapsed to his knees, the adrenaline slowly draining away.
He had survived.
His body ached, his hands were raw and bloody, but he was alive.
A small glowing chest materialized before him, hovering slightly above the ground.
"Starter Pack… please be something good," he muttered.
He tapped it.
Ding!
[Starter Pack Contents:]
Basic Traveler's Clothing (Durability +5)
Beginner's Knife (Attack +3)
Survival Manual (Passive Learning: Basic Shelter Building)
10 Kingdom Credits (Currency)
Miguel grinned despite himself.
For the first time in what felt like forever, hope bloomed in his chest.
He wasn't just a lost worker anymore.
He wasn't a nameless face in the crowd.
Here, in this strange and brutal world, he had a chance to build something of his own.
And he would.
No matter how hard it got.
No matter what monsters stood in his way.
[End of Chapter 3]