The wind murmured through the cracks in the cave, carrying the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirps of alien creatures. They stirred awake to the soothing, unfamiliar sounds of this foreign world. Outside, the sky was a deep lavender, streaked with golden threads of dawn.
This planet, alien and enigmatic, held a strange kind of beauty—one that masked its lurking dangers.
It was their fifth day here, stranded in a land that defied logic and reason.
A world both mesmerizing and treacherous. As Ayan rose to his feet, stretching his stiff muscles, the weight of the day's challenges settled over him. Their supply of Earthly food was dwindling, and the fruits of this planet had proven poisonous. If they were to survive, they'd have no choice but to hunt monsters for sustenance. The thought of eating the flesh of these beasts filled some with dread, but hunger left them no alternative.
The group began to gather outside the cave, the morning light brushing their faces with soft warmth. Today was different. There was a newfound intensity in their eyes as they prepared for their morning training. The past few days had revealed truths they couldn't ignore. For too long, they had leaned too heavily on Ayan. His strength and courage had been their crutch, but at what cost? Both of his ankles had been fractured during their battles, yet none of them had noticed. The realization gnawed at them, a bitter reminder of their reliance on a single leader. But today, things would change.
Ayan's ankles had healed completely thanks to leveling up, and he insisted on joining the hunt again. "I'm fine now," he said, his tone firm and resolute. "I've leveled up too. Let's stop worrying and focus on the mission." The others nodded, their determination bolstered by his words. Six of them had leveled up, but four—John, Zhi-ming, Nikolai, and Kaito—remained at Level Zero.
Their priority now was clear: ensure the weaker members gained strength as quickly as possible. But it wasn't just the leveling disparity that concerned them. The real issue was weapons. Despite killing six monsters, they had only three usable tools—Ayan's sword, Haruto's shield, and Luca's spear.
It was barely enough for the battles ahead. They had been lucky so far, encountering only the weakest monsters. But luck wouldn't hold forever. Stronger creatures—or worse, packs of them—would come. And when they did, their survival would depend on strategy, teamwork, and preparation.
After training harder than ever before, the group returned to the cave for a quick breakfast. The familiar yet dwindling taste of Earthly food reminded them of home—a home they longed to return to. But with each passing day, that hope felt more distant. As the sun climbed higher in the lavender sky, they ventured into the jungle to begin their hunt.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and foliage, every rustle and crack of a twig sending shivers down their spines. Today, their search was unusually short. Within moments, they spotted their target.
The creature was massive, its pale blue skin glistening with dark green spots. Twin horns curved menacingly from its head, and its thick legs ended in sharp, claw-like points. Ayan, Haruto, and Luca stepped forward, weapons in hand, while the rest of the group hung back, ready to assist if needed.
Luca struck first, hurling his spear with precision.
But the monster was faster than they had anticipated, its bulk belying its agility. It dodged with ease, and in a heartbeat, it leaped toward Luca, its sharp horns aimed straight at him. Luca barely had time to react. Mid-air, he realized he was vulnerable—he hadn't even landed from his attack. His heart pounded as the beast closed in, but at the last second, Haruto dashed forward. With a powerful shove, Haruto pushed Luca out of harm's way and raised his shield just in time.
The monster's attack collided with a deafening crash. The force of the impact sent Haruto flying back, his body slamming into a nearby tree. He coughed violently, a thin trail of blood escaping his lips. The group froze, fear gripping their hearts. This wasn't like the battles they had faced before. This monster was stronger, faster—deadlier.
But Ayan's voice cut through the tension, steady and commanding. "Haruto, are you alright?" Haruto staggered to his feet, wincing but determined. "Nothing major," he replied, though his voice betrayed the pain he felt. Ayan nodded. "Good. We need you."
They retreated momentarily, reassessing their strategy. Luca retrieved his spear, while Ayan stepped forward to draw the monster's attention. Sword in hand, he charged at the beast, his movements calculated and precise. The monster met him head-on, its horns gleaming wickedly.
But just as they were about to collide, Ayan leaped into the air, landing a strike on the beast's back. The blade sliced through its thick skin but failed to penetrate deeply. The creature roared in fury, its bloodshot eyes blazing with rage. Before it could retaliate, Luca launched his spear once more. This time, the weapon struck true, embedding itself in the monster's side and drawing a guttural scream.
But the fight was far from over. The monster whirled around, its horns swinging like axes.
Ayan raised his sword in defense, deflecting the blow, but the force of the impact sent a jolt of pain through his body. He gritted his teeth, spitting blood as he steadied himself. The beast charged again, but this time, Luca attacked its hind leg, his spear piercing through flesh and bone.
With a cry of triumph, Ayan seized the opportunity, slashing at the creature's other leg. The monster faltered, its movements growing sluggish. Together, Ayan and Luca pressed forward, delivering blow after blow until the beast lay incapacitated.
Breathing heavily, Ayan tore the monster's horns from its head. Its body twitched weakly, its strength spent. With a nod, he called for the others to finish it off. John stepped forward, sword in hand. Ayan handed him the weapon, a look of encouragement in his eyes. "Your turn. We're prioritizing strength now." John nodded, determination flickering across his face. He raised the sword high and brought it down with all his might, severing the monster's neck. A strange voice echoed in his mind:
"You killed an ordinary-class monster: 'Dustry.'"
"You received a reward: Chipped Axe."
"You earned 100 experience points and leveled up."
A grin spread across John's face as he revealed his new weapon. The chipped axe was crude but sturdy, a symbol of their growing arsenal. The group cheered quietly, their spirits lifting despite their exhaustion. With four weapons now in their possession, their battles would become less daunting.
Though victorious, the fight had taken its toll. Haruto and Ayan's injuries were severe, and the group decided to rest before continuing. As they searched for a safe spot, they stumbled upon a small cave. After ensuring it wasn't home to any predators, they settled in, the cool shade providing relief from the oppressive jungle heat. For now, they allowed themselves a moment of peace, knowing full well that the battles ahead would only grow more challenging.
The lavender sky above them bore witness to their resolve. They were tired, battered, and uncertain of what the future held. But they were still standing. And as long as they stood together, they would fight.