Chương 4: Falling Into A New World

I scream like a child as I start to fall, I seem to be accelerating at quite a rapid pace. However, the view beneath me is truly outstanding, and distracts me from the whole falling thing. A vast land displays itself before me. Spiky red mountains in the distance rise high into the sky, piercing even the clouds. Vast forests coat the land in shades of lush greens and browns. Rivers crisscross the land, and I even see a few dots in the sky that must be birds. I bet this landscape hides all sorts of treasures, too.

Which would be super duper nice and all, if I wasn't currently plummeting from a great height. I am no expert, but this seems like not a good situation. I have absolutely no way to stop my descent. I even make sure to double and triple check my storage, nope, nothing. Though I do learn that I can access my menu without placing my hand over my corestone. I simply must think about it and it appears. Truly handy, though it doesn't really help at the moment. You know, because of the whole plummeting to my death thing.

Helplessly, I watch as the ground quickly approaches. I clench my teeth, bracing for the inevitable impact. Once I am about two hundred meters away, I close my eyes and await my death. Wait, didn't I already die? Am I dead already? To my great surprise, my second death never comes. I feel a strong wind billow around me and I open my eyes. My vision is filled with green as I glide through the air, just above the tops of the trees. I reach my hand down and reach towards the trees.

My body feels light and wonderful, and this is so much fun! My laughter rises up and I am consumed by it. Who knew dying could be this much fun? I never would've guessed! After about maybe a minute of gliding, I suddenly am guided downwards into a fairly large clearing. Where I promptly am deposited right onto the ground, by way of landing right on my ass of course. Sighing, I stand up and brush myself off a bit. As I take a deep breath of the forestry air, a sense of calm fills me.

This forest doesn't seem so bad, in fact, it seems downright peaceful. Then, a message appears in my vision. You have now entered the Southern Wilds | Danger Level: High So, I am somewhere in the south. Which makes sense, as it does feel a lot warmer than where I lived in my old world. Good thing too, as all I am wearing is my cloak that the weird spirit lady gave me. Speaking of which, I realize I have an Identify skill, which seems useful. It takes me a moment to figure it out, but I manage to use it on my cloak.

Cloak of The Spirit Hero (Divine) This one of many heroes' cloaks. Each one is a truly priceless artifact with vast power contained within. In the case of this cloak, it amplifies the heroes' spirit sensitivities as well as provides limited protections against the elements. The cloak also hides the wearer from all but the strongest identify-related skills. However, due to its nature, it provides no defenses, and all attacks will simply pass through it.

Though it is also superlight and does not obstruct other equipment as a result. Imbuements: Spirit Sensitivity (Minor), Environmental Ward (Minor), Concealment (Divine), Ethereal Nature (Unique) Requirements: {Hero of Spirit}, Soulbound So, other than my magical cloak, I am basically naked. Which, considering the fact that that message said these wilds were quite dangerous, doesn't seem very ideal. Though I do remember seeing some useful items in my storage.

I open it up and find some basic clothes, a tunic and pants is all they are really. Even Identify agrees with me, not even providing a description of them. I also take out the hammer, which is my preferred weapon. It isn't a very fancy hammer, really just one meant for smithing basic stuff. But I can feel the weight behind it, definitely a heavier alloy. Not the best for actual smithing, but great for smashing the heads in of some beasts.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. At least the goddess is somewhat charitable. Though, I feel like she could've easily dropped me right into a city. Oh well, I am here in this forest, so I might as well make good use of it. By that, I mean hunting monsters and treasures. After all, I have a feeling this world isn't as idyllic as one would think from above. It's nothing concrete, just that sort of feeling you get in your gut when something isn't quite right.

Also, the system informing me that hunting monsters is one of the best ways to level up doesn't help much with that notion. Given that I have no clue what to do, following what the system tells me to do seems like a good plan. But I still wonder why exactly it is guiding me such. I need to stay aware of my situation, this is a new world. While I might not be the most adventurous of people, I don't mind it that much.

But the warnings of danger do have me cautious, this whole ordeal seems too good to be true, which usually means it is. Good thing I am not a brand new adventurer by any means. After all, if one wants fancier materials, wandering about a bit is a must. Not to brag, but I've even slayed a few creatures back in my day. Nothing too fancy of course, my best conquest was a simple griffin – though it nearly cost me an arm and a leg. I can't wait to find out what sort of beasts this new world has to fight.

I bet they will have some awesome materials that I can acquire. As if on cue, a growl sounds from some of the nearby bushes. A presence settles over me, a bad one. Like something very evil is nearby. I turn towards the sound and find a pair of red eyes staring at me from a bush. Not just any eyes though, those of a hunter. A bit of panic comes over me as I start to back away. But after just a few steps, something leaps from the bushes and right towards me.

I step to the side as some sort of wolf crashes into the ground where I was just standing. It has a thick silvery coat that is soaked with blood in a few places. Clearly an experienced beast. The system urges me to Identify it, which I do as I start to swing my hammer. [Lesser Forest Wolf - Lvl 1] The wolf charges at me, and my hammer smashes into its side. I hear the sound of several bones cracking and what should be severe damage. Yet, it doesn't stop coming towards me.

It pounces on me and takes me to the ground, latching onto my arm and taking a bite out of it. Blood pours from my arm, splattering onto the ground. What few instincts I have kick in and I smack it repeatedly in its side with any leverage I can get. The beast growls and then starts to go for my neck, which I try to block with my hammer. I am reasonably successful at this, though it does nick my shoulder with its fang. Fuck, why the hell is it so strong? Isn't it the same level as me?

I manage to throw it off me and roll to the side. I use the handle of my hammer to block its jaw from getting at me while I repeatedly slam my nearly destroyed arm into the side of its head. Blood goes everywhere, a damn miracle none of it lands in my eyes. But what is worse is that the wolf adapts to my attacks. After a few punches, it jumps back and stares at me. I gulp in air as fast as I can, adrenaline coursing through me–certainly the only reason why I am alive at all.

I try to stand, but my body is far too weak. The wolf charges at me again, killing intent radiating off of it. This thing is no mere beast, rather, it is intelligent. Which is quite frankly terrifying. Mustering all my remaining strength, I manage to roll out of the way. But the wolf must've predicted that, as it quickly turns, and jumps upwards. I stare upwards at the wolf, fangs hovering just above my throat. With a roar of my own, I focus all of my intent I have left on swinging my hammer.

Suddenly, I feel a jolt of energy leave my body, and the hammer gains a faint glow to it. Without hesitation, I slam it into the side of the wolf's head. Crack.

'Ding', You have slain [Lesser Forest Wolf - Lvl 1].

'Ding', Magic Smith has advanced to level 2. Stat points distributed. Woah I actually fucking did it. I even leveled up! I feel just a bit stronger and faster than before. Must be because of those 'stat' things. I also note that I seem to get 'experience', which must be what is required to level. However, that is all well and good. But I do sort of have an issue. That being I am currently bleeding out in the middle of a forest clearing. I may have won, but that wolf did quite a number on me.

In fact, it would appear that the wolf has completely shredded apart my left forearm. I can even see the bone. While I am no healer, I am pretty sure that is a bad sign. Cough Potions Oh right! I open up my storage and draw out one of the health potions. Pretty simple things, though they were extremely rare in my old world. Something about alchemy being tied to the destruction of humanity or something. With my uninjured hand, I pop the cork of the bottle and pour it into my mouth.

The instant I swallow, I feel a surge of energy rush through me. I can sense the wound in my arm stabilize, and slowly start to heal. As do all of my other injuries. It is quite slow, but I no longer feel as though my life is bleeding out of me. A wave of exhaustion rushes over me, and while it is probably a bad idea, I let it. Though just for a 'short' nap of course. There is no way I could sleep for too long in a hostile place after all…