Morning light streams through the wooden shutters, casting a golden glow across the room. I stretch, my body feeling rested, stronger than before. Five days inside Astralis, and the weight of the world no longer feels suffocating.
I bring up my interface with a flick of my wrist.
Ether Balance: 869
Level: 3
HP: 300
Everything is in order. Today, I collect my new weapon.
Stepping outside, the village is alive with activity. Players move through the streets, voices rising as they trade, negotiate, and prepare for hunts beyond the safety of the town. Some are organizing parties, others sharpening their weapons. For a moment, I listen to their conversations, picking up bits of strategy and rumor. The game's economy is shifting rapidly, prices rising as players understand the true value of Ether.
I make my way to the blacksmith's forge. The heat is thick inside, the scent of burning coal heavy in the air. The blacksmith stands at his anvil, hammering a glowing piece of metal. He doesn't look up immediately, focused on his work.
"Your sword's done," he says after a moment, reaching beneath the counter.
He pulls out the weapon, and my breath slows.
The Black Wolf Blade is unlike any weapon I've seen so far. Its steel is dark, almost shadowed, a faint pattern of silver running along the edges. The Dire Wolf Fang has been forged into the hilt, smooth and polished, fitted seamlessly into the design. The sword feels heavier than my last, its balance refined, more precise.
I take it, testing its weight with a few careful swings. The movement is fluid, effortless.
"It's strong," the blacksmith says, watching me. "The fang made a difference. The core too. Should hold up much longer than your last blade."
I nod, gripping the hilt tighter. My old sword had nearly broken in my last fight. This one would last.
"How much?" I ask, bringing up my interface.
The blacksmith hesitates. "You gave me the materials, so the cost is lower than usual. Forty Ether."
I send the payment instantly.
[Send: 40 Ether → Blacksmith]
Transaction Complete.
My balance shifts to 829.
The blacksmith looks satisfied as he turns back to his work. "Should serve you well. But don't get reckless. If you die, it won't matter how good the blade is."
I step out of the forge, adjusting the sword at my side. The weight is reassuring. For the first time, I feel ready to push further.
The streets of the village are busier than they were this morning. More players have arrived. Word of the locked log-out system has spread, and the atmosphere has changed. There is tension in every conversation, in every exchange. Some players still believe there's a way out that doesn't involve climbing all 10,000 floors. Others have already accepted the reality of the situation.
At the inn, I settle in for the night, securing another meal. The food is filling, heavier than I expect, warming my body as I finish the last bite.
Sleep comes quickly, my mind already shifting toward tomorrow.
Soon, it will be time to test the Black Wolf Blade.
And I plan to push it to its limits.
I wake early, my body adjusting to the rhythm of this world. The Black Wolf Blade rests beside me, its weight a reminder of the battles ahead. I check my stats. Level three. Stronger than I was five days ago, but not strong enough. If I want to climb the floors, I need more power.
Stepping out of the inn, I make my way through the village. The atmosphere has changed. More players are gathering in groups, organizing hunts and training sessions. Some have accepted the reality of our situation, others still hope there is a way out. I ignore the conversations and head toward the plains. My path is set.
I move toward the deeper parts of the forest, passing the area where I fought the Dire Wolf. There must be stronger enemies, creatures capable of pushing me beyond my current limits. The light dims as I enter the thickest part of the woods, and the air feels colder. A presence lingers.
The first attack comes from the shadows. A blur of movement, faster than anything I have fought before. I sidestep just in time, feeling the rush of air as claws swipe past my shoulder. My eyes adjust, tracking the shape now circling me. A beast taller than a normal wolf but leaner, its fur tinged dark red. Its name flashes in my interface.
Bloodfang Wolf.
HP: 450
Attack: 15 per hit
Speed: High
I tighten my grip on the hilt. This is what I came for.
The wolf lunges again, its movements calculated. I block, the clash of steel and claw sending vibrations through my arms. My health dips, a small red number appearing in the corner of my vision. 285 out of 300. It's fast, but I'm learning. I twist my blade, deflecting its next strike, then pivot forward. My attack lands, cutting into its shoulder.
The wolf snarls, but it doesn't retreat. It circles me, eyes burning with hunger. I adjust my stance, waiting.
It moves left. I feint right. The instant it lunges, I swing, slicing into its ribs. The creature lets out a sharp growl, its movements faltering. I press forward, blade cutting through the air as I strike again. The wolf twists, but it's too late.
One final attack. The sword meets flesh.
The beast falls.
Bloodfang Wolf defeated.
I breathe deeply, my muscles aching from the speed of the fight. A faint glow signals the loot. A Bloodfang Core and a reinforced hide. I collect them quickly, my fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the core.
Experience notification.
Level four.
My stats increase, my health pool expanding to 350. My body feels different, lighter, sharper. I glance toward the deeper part of the forest, knowing this is only the beginning.
I move forward.
This world will not wait for the weak.
I refuse to stay one of them.
The forest grows darker as I push deeper, my breathing steady, muscles still burning from the last fight. The weight of the Black Wolf Blade feels familiar now, an extension of my movements rather than a burden. My interface updates with new stats. Level four. My health has increased to 350, but I need more than raw endurance to climb further.
I allocate two points into agility. My movements feel lighter, my reaction speed sharpening slightly. It is not enough to make me unstoppable, but it is a start.
There is movement ahead. A second Bloodfang Wolf steps into view, its eyes locking onto me immediately. The first battle had been a test, but this one will be different. I am stronger now, faster. I grip my sword, stepping forward.
The wolf charges. This time, I dodge effortlessly, shifting to the side before it can strike. My speed has improved. I move with purpose, positioning myself at an angle before attacking. My blade cuts through flesh, but the creature retaliates faster than expected.
Fifteen damage. My health drops to 335.
I counter immediately, my increased agility giving me the edge. My movements are more fluid, each strike landing more efficiently. The battle lasts shorter than the first. I finish the wolf with a calculated thrust, stepping back as it falls.
Bloodfang Wolf defeated. Loot notification appears. Another core and hide, valuable materials for crafting. More experience added to my total. Level five.
I check my interface. My health increases to 400. Two more skill points available. I invest them into agility again, feeling another shift in my body. My balance improves, my ability to sidestep and maneuver sharpening further.
I adjust the Black Wolf Blade at my hip, scanning the forest. This is the beginning. If I want to climb, I need more victories like this. Strength alone will not be enough.
I turn back toward the village. It is time to prepare for what comes next.