Chapter 2: New Rules
The forest pressed in around Alex, its shadows lengthening as he stood over the wolf's lifeless body. His chest heaved, the adrenaline from the fight draining away, leaving behind sore muscles and a buzzing mind. He'd survived his first real test in Eryndor, but a distant, guttural roar reminded him that this world wasn't done with him yet.
He wiped the wolf's blood from his knife onto its matted fur and sheathed the blade, his gaze darting through the tangled undergrowth. Whatever had roared was still out there, and he wasn't about to stumble into it blind. First, he needed to figure out what he was working with.
Alex summoned his status screen with a thought, and the glowing interface flared to life before him:
Alex Kain
Level: 2
Health: 120/120
Mana: 60/60
Strength: 11
Agility: 11
Intelligence: 13
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Savage Bite