The fog rolled in on the morning of the fourth day.
Ha-Joon was gathering bitterroot berries from the edge of the safe zone when he noticed it—slow, creeping, and unnaturally dense. It slithered over the rocks and trees like a living thing, devouring light and color.
At first, he thought it was a normal part of this realm.
Then the system alerted him.
> [Warning: External Phenomenon Detected]
Event Type: Mist Bloom
Safe Zone protection weakened. Visibility reduced. Monster aggression increased.
His breath caught.
"Monster aggression increased…?"
He looked up, the once-bright blue dome now flickering faintly like an old lightbulb.
Panic stirred in his chest.
The safe zone wasn't absolute.
---
He rushed back toward the center of the dome, clutching the last fruit in his arms. As he sat on the ground and opened the system menu, a new option appeared: Event Log.
Inside it was an explanation:
> Mist Bloom: A natural event in the Endless Realm. Appears every 3–5 days.
During Mist Bloom, monsters gain improved tracking and territory expands temporarily.
Safe zones offer limited protection.
Recommendation: Hide. Do not fight.
He gulped and scanned the terrain. There was no roof or structure inside the safe zone, only trees and uneven ground.
There was only one option—the crevice he had used as shelter before.
---
He packed as much as he could: a small pouch of berries, two beast bones he'd collected, a handful of water-sapping moss wrapped in cloth, and the blunt, stick-like weapon he still carried.
Then he ran for the crevice.
By the time he reached it, the mist had already blanketed half the terrain. Visibility was down to five meters.
---
Inside the crevice, he crouched low, covering the entrance with nearby dry vines.
The wind outside had gone silent.
And then…
The growls began.
---
At first, it was distant.
A faint snarl. A shuffle of clawed feet.
But soon, it grew louder.
A beast howled, followed by the sound of something crashing into a tree.
Ha-Joon held his breath.
His hand clenched the broken branch tighter.
Then, just outside his hiding place, footsteps.
Slow. Heavy. Crunching leaves under sharp feet.
His body stiffened.
He dared not look.
> [Skill Activated: Danger Sense Lv.1]
A nearby entity is aware of your position.
Estimated threat level: Tier 1 – Above Host Strength
Current Recommendation: Remain Hidden
His chest screamed for air.
Something massive sniffed at the entrance of the crevice.
He saw a shadow.
A large one.
A low growl, like a tiger humming through rocks.
Then—
It stopped.
Sniffed again.
And walked away.
---
Ha-Joon exhaled shakily, tears in his eyes.
He had survived. Barely.
---
> [Mist Bloom Progress: 67%]
Remaining Time: ~3 hours
He stared at the system message.
Three more hours?
He leaned back against the cold wall of the cave, clenching his teeth.
The fear wasn't new.
But this level of helplessness was.
His mind raced. "I need to get stronger. I can't keep hiding like a rat. What if next time it's stronger? What if I can't run fast enough?"
The system, almost like it heard him, issued a soft chime.
> [Growth Path Detected]
Due to Host's Consistent Survival in Threat Zones:
New Skill Option Unlocked – Choose One:
1. Stealth Movement Lv.1 – Move quietly, reducing detection chance by basic enemies.
2. Focused Mind Lv.1 – Slight resistance to panic and mental pressure during crisis.
3. Beast Sense Lv.1 – Briefly sense nearby creatures through terrain.
Ha-Joon didn't hesitate.
> Skill Chosen: Focused Mind Lv.1
His chest settled instantly. It was like someone poured cool water into his brain. His heartbeat slowed. His thoughts cleared.
He could still feel fear—but it no longer dominated him.
---
> [Trait Evolved: Endurance of the Damned → Endurance of the Unshaken]
You are no longer overwhelmed by fear, exhaustion, or dread.
Your mind and body operate beyond human thresholds.
---
The mist slowly began to fade.
The sky returned to its unnatural red hue. The blue dome stabilized. The noises stopped.
He stepped out of the crevice after the system pinged again.
> [Mist Bloom Event Completed]
Survival Bonus Granted:
+30 EXP
+2 Bonus Stat Points
Title Unlocked: "Mist Survivor"
Achievement: +1 Adaptability
---
He checked his Status Screen:
---
[Status Screen – Jung Ha-Joon]
Level: 3
EXP: 40/300
Stat Points Available: 2
Titles:
• Mist Survivor (+2% evasion in low visibility)
Skills:
• Pain Resistance Lv.3
• Danger Sense Lv.1
• Energy Absorption Lv.2
• Basic Foraging Lv.1
• Sprint Lv.1
• Improvised Weapon Handling Lv.1
• Focused Mind Lv.1
Trait: Endurance of the Unshaken (Passive)
---
"I'm leveling up just from not dying," he murmured. "This place rewards survival more than killing…"
But that wouldn't last forever.
Eventually, he'd have to fight stronger things.
---
For the next two days, he used the safe zone to train.
He ran laps to improve his stamina, practiced movement with his crude spear, and used his Sprint skill to test maneuverability.
The system awarded tiny gains:
+1 Agility.
+1 Strength.
Skill Experience improved.
He hunted smaller beasts, using traps made from vines and sharpened stones. He absorbed cores, cooked meat, and learned how to sharpen bones into weapons.
---
> [Survival Duration: 7 Days]
Milestone Achieved: First Week Completed
Award Unlocked: Permanent Stat Boost +1 to All
Bonus: Random Skill Scroll – [Bone Crafting Lv.1]
Trait Mutation in Progress…
Ha-Joon sat by the fire he built with friction and dry bark.
He looked up at the endless sky again.
Only seven days?
It had felt like months.
But he had already survived ambushes, hunger, wounds, and Mist Bloom.
And now… he was beginning to understand this world.
---
> [New Quest: Locate Trial Tower – Level 1]
Objective: Enter the Trial Tower to advance your Tier.
Reward: Class Awakening Chance
His eyes widened.
"A class?"
For the first time since arriving here, he saw a goal.
A path forward.
And with it—a way out.
---
But beyond the safe zone, the terrain was shifting again.
New monsters had emerged.
And in the far distance, a colossal tower now stood—its shape twisting impossibly high into the storm-filled sky.
He would need to leave the safe zone.
Face whatever came.
And climb.
--