“Why is the sky spinning? What is this screen?” I soon realised the sky wasn’t spinning; it was just a side effect of my shock. I still don’t know what this screen is, though. I slowly stand up, then quickly stumble to the nearest tree and lean on it. “GO AWAY!” I yell. Surprisingly, the screen disappears. “Come back?” The screen reappears. “Go away!” I think. It disappears. So mental commands do work. I take a deep breath and take in my surroundings. I stand in a forest. I can hear the sound of a rushing stream nearby. Rising above the trees is a colossal mountain, and hidden in the cavity of a tree is a small chest. Perception XP gained! Perception 0 (1/1) - Perception 1 (0/4). Limit for level reached.

  I’ll check out whatever that is later. First, chest! I grab it and open the lid, and find a small dagger. Dagger - Common H. Interesting. I try studying it more, but it just looks like a standard fantasy dagger. Next, I try opening the menu again.

  Proficiencies

  Perception 1 [-3] Limit Reached

  Limit reached. I wonder how I can increase that limit. It says -3, hopefully I could get that into the positives. Was it -4 before? So many questions. But before I can think of more questions, I hear a growl behind me. Wolf 1 - H. I scramble away, holding my dagger in front of me. “Stay-Stay away.”. The wolf lunges, and I thrust the dagger forward. Its claws sink into me.

  Wolf 1 - H Killed! +1 Class Experience. No class, experience discarded.

  HP 0/2 - Entered Death saving throws. Consuming stamina and mana for successes. HP 1 / 2, Stamina 7/15, Mana 10/18. Dagger XP gained! Dagger 0 (1/1) - Dagger 1 [-2] Limit Reached.

  My eyes open again. A screen is hovering above me, showing much more progression. But I died. No, knocked out. Class offered - Fighter. A master of all armours and blades. +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Constitution stats per level, 10 Base health. “Um, sure.” I feel warmth flow throughout my entire body. Then, my eyes close again, and I fall asleep.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  8 hours later . . .

  I wake up. The sky is a pinkish blue colour. Night is approaching. “If that wolf was what attacked me during the day, then what will come out during the night?” I run toward the sound of the river. Running through the underbrush, I soon find the river. A small island was in the centre, with another large chest on top. Across the river, another human stood. Human 0 - H. We both stared at the chest, knowing what it could offer. I’d already found my dagger in one, which had undoubtedly saved my life. The other human drew a longsword. I drew my dagger and jumped into the water. I can’t tell what the other human is doing, but judging by the splash, he is also diving in. I made it onto the small island first; the longsword must be slowing the other person down.

  I scramble over the chest and point my dagger towards the other human, who has just made it to the bank. “Stay away, and nobody has to get hurt.” “Never, that chest could contain something which could get me through this.” “I could for me to.” I jabbed my dagger at the other human and whiffed. The other human swings his longsword at me, but I manage to parry the strike. I kick them back into the river, trying to hold them down, but they jump back up and drag me into the river. I struggle to break free and try to stab them, but they grab my hand. I headbutt them, and they release me. I stab forward and pierce them through the heart.

  Class XP earned! Fighter 0 (1/1) - Fighter 1 (0/3)

  Stats up! +2 Strength - 7 [-2], +2 Dexterity 6 [-2], +1 Constitution 7 [-2]

  Skill choice available!

  I dragged myself back onto the island. I wish I hadn’t had to do that, but whatever is here will be important. I open the chest and see a strange glowing sword.

  Longsword +1 - Uncommon H

  “Interesting, I haven’t seen a +1 weapon before”, I thought, then checked out whatever a “Skill choice was.” I saw a dropdown menu, showing several skills I could choose from.

  Fighting Style - Use your stamina to empower your fighting in a chosen way

  Second wind - Use your stamina to heal yourself

  Weapon Mastery - Master 3 weapons of your choice

  Fighter Proficiency - Gain a proficiency level in checks, weapons, armour and saves.

  I wonder what the difference is between Weapon Mastery and Fighter Proficiency. The latter just seemed better. But now, he decided that something else was more necessary.

  Skill gained: Second wind 0 (0/10)