Scene: June Afternoon – 3:00 PM – Oliver's Guide Study
A warm beam of Luxlight filtered down through the forest canopy as the wind danced gently through the leaves. It was 3:00 PM, and the woods had quieted to a gentle hush—the perfect moment for study.
Oliver, seated against the bark of a sturdy tree, flipped through the glowing orange interface of the Systematic Guide, eyes scanning each page with sharp focus. His green hoodie fluttered slightly in the breeze, and beside him, his stone dagger lay embedded in the dirt, just in case.
The page labeled:
> 📖 Guide Section: Woodland Mobs
Threats, Creatures, and Environmental Anomalies
Oliver read through carefully:
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🔹 Hollowing Creeks
> ➤ Classification: Wood Demon
➤ Danger: High (Special Condition)
Hollowing Creeks disguise themselves as lifeless wooden totems. They are docile under direct eye contact—but the moment a Traveler turns their back, they attack without hesitation.
— Warning: Physical attacks are useless. The only way to eliminate a Hollowing Creek is to locate and destroy its vine cord, hidden on connected Hollowing Trees nearby.
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🔹 Wood Imps
> ➤ Classification: Common Mob
➤ Danger: Low (Training Level)
Extremely common in beginner zones. Small, twisted wooden creatures, often carrying shovels, sticks, or stone weapons. Easily dealt with by White or Blue-ranked Travelers.
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🔹 Bush Dwellers
> ➤ Classification: Hidden Mob
➤ Danger: Moderate to High
Invisible unless provoked. They remain hidden within large bushes and attack fatigued or unaware Travelers.
— Rare Event: If Traveler is ranked Green or higher, Bush Dwellers may drag them into a Plant Dimension, an alternate space filled with natural hazards and warped vegetation.
Portals can be found to exit.
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🔹 Skeletons
> ➤ Classification: Undead
➤ Danger: Moderate
Skeletons roam at random and attack on sight. Equipped with limited arrows, they engage at range but are vulnerable once out of ammo.
Close-range combat recommended afterward.
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🔹 Wraiths
> ➤ Classification: Spirit Entity
➤ Danger: High (Night Only)
Mostly seen during night hours. Wraiths create strong emotional discomfort when nearby. If a Traveler feels unexplainable dread, it is likely a Wraith is watching.
— Caution: Wraiths can phase through basic barriers.
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🔹 Hobgoblins & Goblins
> ➤ Classification: Semi-Sentient Humanoids
➤ Danger: Varies
Appear in small bands or village units. Use bows, clubs, spears, and even basic magic.
— Important: Not all Goblins are hostile. Some are neutral or civilized, especially within structured Goblin settlements.
— Avoid needless aggression.
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🔹 Wilderness Beasts
> Massive, high-level region bosses that wander deep woods and ancient clearings.
— Wallowing Hogs
> > Huge, tusked beasts that charge with ferocity. Known to crush travelers underfoot. Weak to fire and loud noise.
— Phantoms (Night Only)
> > Shadowy entities that move in flickers. Rarely seen clearly. They follow Travelers silently and drain stamina over time. Best avoided at night.
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Oliver exhaled slowly, eyes narrowed. "So many dangers… and I've only just begun."
He tapped the bookmark icon, highlighting key threats: Hollowing Creeks, Bush Dwellers, and Wraiths.
> [✅ Notes saved: Survival Priority Updated]
Sliding the guide away with a flick of his finger, Oliver stood and looked around the forest again. The sun was still high, but nightfall wasn't far. He'd need a camp—and soon.
Because if these creatures were real… then so was everything else.
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Scene: Late Afternoon – The Forest Floor Echoes with Action
In the warm light of Lux, filtered gold through the swaying canopy, Oliver stalked forward—stone sword in hand, green hoodie lightly dusted in tree bark and bits of broken twigs. The forest, once unknown and overwhelming, now felt like a practice ground. A place to grind.
From behind mossy trunks and leafy underbrush, Wooden Imps chittered with mischief, brandishing crooked shovels and wooden spears. But Oliver didn't hesitate anymore.
Swing. Slash. Step back. Repeat.
One by one, the imps fell. Tiny bursts of green light floated upward as they vanished into splinters and dust. At his feet, more oak saplings scattered—a common drop from these beginner mobs.
> +13 monsters defeated
+45 VP gained
As the last imp collapsed into wood chips, Oliver stood upright and heard the familiar ping of the Systematic Guide chiming with updated notifications. His glowing orange interface lit up like a congratulatory screen:
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📜 Achievements Unlocked!
🔪 Monster Hunter I
> First combat milestone. You've proven you can survive.
Reward: +10 Bonus VP
🌳 Resource Collector I
> You've collected 10+ natural world drops.
Reward: Basic Plant Pack
💡 Field Tip:
Saplings can be replanted or refined into charms when the Workbench reaches Lv.2
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Oliver wiped sweat from his brow, breathing heavy but satisfied. In just the first day, he'd already started gathering points and learning more about the woods' rhythm. This wasn't just luck—it was progress.
> "If this keeps up… maybe I can build something here."
He looked at his stone sword, dulling slightly now from all the use, and back down at the fresh saplings piling in his inventory.
The grind had begun—and Oliver was already swinging his way into becoming a true Traveler.
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