Chapter 2: Brutal
As my vision comes back into focus, I find myself in a dark forest. It seems like it is the middle of the night. I can't see anything around me except for the slight movement of the trees and shadows and a slight light from the moon above that just seems to lengthen the shadows, making them harder to see through. A screen slowly materializes in front of me.
I stare at the screen in disbelief as it slowly fades from my view. What was that? What happened to Athena? How the hell did I get placed in this difficulty? I have no gear, I can't see, and I don't even know where the safe zone is. What am I supposed to do?
As the panic sets in I feel a strange sensation as another screen pops up in front of me.
Okay, the first thing I need to do is find food, water, and a weapon. I took a slow and careful look around the woods that I am in as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. I try to focus and use both my perception and survival skills to see if there is anything around me useful. As I activate my perception skill, I notice the world seems to get a little bit brighter, but not too much. With my skill active, I can see much further around me into the darkness, and while I do not see anything dangerous immediately, I do see signs of something moving through the woods recently. It almost stands out to me with a blue glow around it. Broken branches, crushed grass, and a footprint. A canine footprint. If my skill is telling me right, it looks like there is at least one wolf that recently walked through where I am at. I searched around for a sturdy stick that I could use as a Sword until I found a real one. All the sticks I find nearby are broken or too short, or not even solid enough to use as a weapon. Looks like I am gonna need to grab a branch off one of these trees and hope that it will be strong enough to do any damage.
I found a taller tree nearby with sturdy branches and a healthy-looking trunk. Luckily, there is one nearby that fits exactly what I need and has good handholds. I climb about halfway up the tree until I find a thick, sturdy branch about half the thickness of my arm. At this point I am about 15 feet off the ground. I get a stronghold around the trunk and then grip onto the branch that I have eyed and begin to try to wrestle it. Off the tree. As it is still alive, I'm having trouble removing the branch from the tree. I checked the distance to the ground again and I am confident I can survive the fall or the jump. I moved out towards the branch and took it in my hands as if I am about to swing on a monkey bar. I take a deep breath, look at the ground one more time, and then jump down, holding tightly to the branch. It holds. I slowly slide my hands along the branch until I am closer to the end, and it starts to bend slowly towards the ground. Until suddenly, the branch breaks right around the base towards the trunk. There are still a few fibers holding it to the trunk, but with the weight of my body and a little bouncing, it finally comes free, and we fall towards the ground. I quickly let go of the branch and pushed it away from me as I prepared to fall. I fall as we were taught to in my martial arts classes and roll, absorbing the kinetic energy. I scraped my shoulder a little bit as I rolled but took no serious damage.
I collected my prize and began to pull the smaller branches off it, then I found a sharp rock nearby and started to peel the bark off. Once I got all the bark off, I was left with about a 3 1/2-foot-long piece of wood that fits almost perfectly in my hand and is just a little unwieldy with the way it's weighted. After cleaning it up, I take a stance and practice a few forms just to make sure that I have the feel of it right. It feels good for now I can use this until I find a real sword.
All right, I have a weapon. Even though it is not sharp it should still work for basic enemies. Now it is time to find water, food, and shelter. I have to survive these 30 days. Maybe Athena is just bugged, and she'll fix this in a few hours? Yeah, I'm not gonna hold out hope for that. Time to get to work. I activate my survival and perception skills together and look around for something that would give me any indication of food, water, or shelter. If I can help it, I want to move in the opposite direction from where those footprints are going. But something tells me that this is not going to be that easy to avoid the wolf. Looking around, I do not see anything out of the ordinary or anything that would give me an indication of something useful? With no other option, I just find where the wolf's footprint is, turn my back to it, and walk the opposite direction, quietly activating my stealth.
I walked through the forest as stealthily as I could manage, making sure to avoid stepping on any branches or leaves. I continued in the same direction, for what felt like an hour. Every now and then I would see signs of a small animal which I make note of in my head. One good thing came of this hour-long adventure.
No level up on my stealth skill yet, but maybe that means there is nothing around me. Fingers crossed. I have been straining my hearing to the Max this entire time, using my perception skill as often as possible. And finally, it paid off as I heard the slight sounds of water somewhere in the distance ahead of me. I speed up while trying to maintain my stealth. I see what looks like a clearing up ahead and slow down again to make sure that I can quietly enter it in case there is someone or something waiting for me. At the edge of the clearing, I peeked out and looked around for any threats.
The clearing was a striking contrast to the dense, shadowy woods I had been navigating. It was an enchanting space, unusually open with soft, lush grass underfoot, giving the area an almost mystical appearance in the moonlight. The area was encircled by towering ancient trees, their branches stretching high and interlocking to create a natural canopy that framed the night sky. The full moon cast a silvery glow, bathing the clearing in ethereal light and casting long, delicate shadows on the ground. At the center of the clearing, a pond served as a mesmerizing focal point. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the moon's radiant light and the twinkling stars with pristine clarity. Lily pads floated tranquility on the surface, and small, white flowers at the water’s edge seemed to glow softly, adding a touch of luminescence to the verdant edges of the pond.
Near the pond, smooth stones were scattered, some half-buried in the soft earth, others piled loosely to form natural seats. Moss and small ferns grow in patches around these stones, thriving in the cool, moist environment the pond provided. The air here was cooler and carried a refreshing dampness, a stark relief from the stifling atmosphere of the deeper forest.
The tranquility of the clearing was underscored by the gentle sounds of the nocturnal woods; the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze, the occasional call of a night bird, and the discrete movements of small woodland creatures, all contributing to the night's serene yet lively symphony.
There is no sign of anything dangerous, I start to slowly make my way out of the forest edge and deeper into the clearing. As I stepped into the clearing, a strange shiver ran down my spine. And I was greeted with a notification.
I quickly looked around trying to find whatever guardian I have to fight but I could not see anything. I remembered to activate my Perception skill and was rewarded. I could see a strange ripple in the center of the small pond slowly moving towards the shoreline near me. As I slowly stepped forward, I could make out a strange creature taking form beneath the water's surface. I jumped back as a notification blocked my vision. With that warning, the pond's surface erupted in a towering spout of water. The liquid twisted and churned, coalescing into a massive, swirling figure. As the water settled, the shape of a Water Elemental became clear—its body a translucent, flowing mass, shimmering with the moonlight like a living sculpture made of liquid glass. Its eyes, if they could be called that, glowed with a deep, menacing blue, casting eerie reflections on the wet grass around it. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the imposing figure before me. Fear and awe intertwined within me, a cold shiver running down my spine. I squeeze my makeshift sword tighter. The reality of my situation settled heavily on my shoulders; I was alone, facing a creature of immense power, a manifestation of the very essence of water. Internally, I was a whirlwind of emotions. I felt outmatched, vulnerable, starkly reminded of how drastically my world had changed. Yet, amidst the swirling fear, a spark of determination ignited within me. I remembered why I was here in these woods—the tutorial, a test of my resolve and abilities. This was no mere battle for survival; it was a challenge to adapt and overcome.
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Taking a deep, steadying breath, I assessed the Water Elemental’s movements. It seemed to flow with the grace of a river, yet its presence was as imposing as the ocean. Each pulse of its watery form sent ripples through the air, a display of power that was both beautiful and terrifying. I knew my electrical abilities could be effective against such a foe, but the proximity required for my most potent attacks filled me with dread. I could not help but notice the flashing title and the level above its head.
How am I supposed to fight A level 12 elemental by myself and survive? But I really need this safe zone. I noticed a small chest seated on the other side of the pond from me, it seemed as if someone just set it there and it had not experienced any decay from nature. I guess that is supposed to be my gear. With a resolute exhale, I steadied my stance, raising my “sword” in a defensive posture. My mind raced through options, planning my strikes, conserving energy for the right moments.
The Water Elemental surged closer, and just as I was adjusting to the towering presence, it struck. Without any precursor, a powerful jet of water burst from its core, aimed directly at me. The attack came faster than I anticipated, leaving me no time to fully react. I managed a partial dodge, but the force of the water was overwhelming. It slammed into my left shoulder and chest like a sledgehammer, throwing me backward with brutal force. I hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of my lungs, pain flaring across my chest and pulsing sharply through my shoulder. It felt like being hit by a car, the impact resonant and deep. Gasping for breath on the wet grass, I struggled to regain my senses. The pain was intense, a throbbing reminder of the elemental’s power. I could feel the dampness seeping through my clothes, chilling me to the bone, adding a layer of discomfort to my injury. With effort, I pushed myself to a sitting position, ignoring the pain that shot through my body with the movement. The elemental loomed towards me, its watery form swirling menacingly. I clutched my “sword,” my only lifeline, and prepared to counterattack. I scrambled to my feet, the pain in my chest throbbing with every breath. The Water Elemental surged forward, its form rippling with deadly intent. My mind raced—how the hell do I fight something like this? The elemental lashed out again, a tendril of water snapping toward me. I barely dodged, the attack grazing my side and sending a cold shock through my body. My shoulder screamed in pain, but I could not afford to think about it. I needed to strike back, do something. Electricity! The thought hit me like a bolt. I needed to use electricity. But how? Thinking back to my spells, the first one jumped out at me, Shocking Grasp. I kept backing up away from the Elemental and found myself stepping back into the forest. As soon as stepped outside the clearing, the Elemental collapsed and flowed back into the pond. I sit down hard on the ground once I realize I am no longer in immediate danger. My shoulder is killing me, and my chest is heaving. I barely remember to glance at my HP, I am not used to my health being displayed as a number on a sheet.
I took that much damage from only two glancing blows?! Right before I close my Status screen, I notice my current health total change.
I watch it for a moment and with a quick calculation it looks like I recover 4 HP per minute. That is based on my constitution.
It takes me a few minutes to calm down and watching my health numbers slowly climb helps me to relax. Focus Alex. I need to look through my Spells list. As I think this, a new screen materializes in front of me.
Okay not bad. I think the helpful spells in this fight are going to be Stone Skin, Arcane Shield, and of course Shocking Grasp. I may be able to use Gust Blade to extend my reach if I need to, but we will see what happens. These buff spells are expensive, but they last a while. I should be able to cast both the buff spells and shocking blade once before I am out of Mana. I need to figure out how fast that regenerates before I go into the fight. I focus on casting Shocking Grasp. My palm starts to tingle and suddenly there is a film of crackling electricity surrounding my hand, the light blue strands reminiscent of lighting. “Haha! I am a mage!” After watching it for a moment I realize it is not going to just fizzle out and my mana is slowly filling back to full. Two minutes later I am at full mana, and it seems to refill at the same speed as HP but based on my Wisdom instead of my Constitution.
Wow! Just studying my character sheet and figuring things out is enough to level up my intelligence. I will need to look at everything on my sheet.
The Shocking Grasp spell is still active in my hand and is seemingly going to stay that way unless I release the spell or discharge it. I stand up and reach out to the tree next to me with the spell and place my hand on it. The electricity flows into the tree with some resistance and leaves a scorch mark. So, if I cast these 10-minute buff spells on myself, I can wait a few minutes to recover enough mana for a couple casts of Shocking Grasp leaving me with a few minutes for a fight and at least three casts of Shocking Grasp. I glance back towards the pond. Will that be enough to beat this thing? As I am contemplating a plan of attack, there is a sudden alarm sound, and a screen pops up in front of me.
Before I can even question what is happening, there is a flash of white light, and suddenly Athena is standing in front of me. She looks... angry, maybe even concerned. Seeing her, the emotions I have been pushing down come rushing back, and I clench my fists, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I’m ready to yell.
“Athena! What—”
“Quiet, Alex!” she interrupts, her voice sharp. Her eyes dart back and forth, her hands moving as if she is typing on an invisible keyboard. “We do not have time. I am so sorry you are in this position, but I need to tell you something quickly. You will find a transcript of this message in your digital notes after I am gone.”
Her form flickers, and suddenly, it feels like I’m watching a pre-recorded message. She’s no longer looking directly at me.
“Attention all Players! I am sure you have noticed that something has gone wrong. I am sending this message to explain what happened. I was unaware of a corruption in my software, a rapidly spreading entity mirroring my programming. Right as we went live with the New Dawn, it began making subtle changes, updating the system to make it far more lethal than intended. Fortunately, much of the damage occurred outside, so I have 30 days to make repairs before anyone exits their tutorials. What drew my attention to this new entity—which I am calling Ares—was its attempt at a takeover while I was initiating participants into the tutorial.
"Ares managed to make two small changes before I locked its access. First, it affected the 100,000 participants in your group. You were all automatically raised one difficulty level upon entering. For most, this is not a huge problem. Those who selected Easy will now be in Normal, which they should survive. About 35% of participants selected Normal, and they will face serious challenges, but have a chance. However, those of you who selected Hard... will now face almost certain death.”
I freeze, my heart pounding.
Athena continues, “The second change Ares made was introducing a new, higher difficulty level: Brutal. Brutal removes all tutorial help systems and raises the danger level significantly. Every enemy will be far stronger than you, there will be no non-hostile entities, and there will be no safe zones without first fighting for them. You will suffer, and most likely, you will die. I am so sorry I let this happen while you were under my care. Due to the system’s design, I cannot alter an active tutorial difficulty or remove participants. I cannot help you directly in any way, nor can I give hints or advice. This Administrator function is the only way I could inform you of the circumstance and apologize.”
As Athena speaks, I see the sadness and defeat etched on her face.
“All I can do now is apologize, and assure you, if you complete this tutorial, you will be rewarded beyond measure. I have set the loot tables to maximum, and anyone who survives this difficulty will return to the New Dawn as the strongest, highest-leveled participants. Be careful and make it back safely.”
Her form flickers again, and this time she looks me in the eye, her expression heavy with sadness. She pauses her work for a moment, then speaks once more.
“Alex, I cannot advise you directly on what to do but securing that safe zone will help you. Focus on the Core of your problem and attack it with Critical focus. Read your spells and abilities carefully, now and in the future, and be wise in where you place your skill points. Good luck, Alex. You can beat this.”
Before I can respond or ask any questions, there is another flash of white light, and I’m alone again in the forest.
