The beast struck without a sound, a silent weight that dropped from the darkness. I barely had time to react, my last-second awareness the only thing that saved me. "Argh... What the hell was that?!" Pinned to the ground, I jammed the metal rod I'd been carrying for self-defense against the creature's snout. Even with my enhanced physique, its sheer weight was too much to push off. Saliva, hot and foul, dripped from jaws gnashing against the steel. My reinforced protective gear was already in tatters, the beast's claws having shredded the material on my upper body and arms. Yet, I calmly considered my next move. The sudden lunge had been startling, but by filtering out the fear and pain, the situation became little more than a high-stakes game. This cold detachment allowed me to respond instantly, without the fumbling tension of a true life-or-death struggle. With a sharp twist of my wrists, I torqued the metal rod sideways. The maneuver created a fleeting gap, just enough for one hand to flash to my belt and grip the handle of my knife. Without hesitation, I plunged the blade into the beast's neck. Whether it was the meager amount of magic I’d channeled into the steel using "Magic Affinity" or just brute force, the knife sank deep, punching through thick hide. One hand kept the snarling snout at bay with the rod; the other repeatedly drove the knife into its vital point. Fortunately, the creature began to weaken. The fierce battle, which felt like it stretched for an eternity, started to turn. I could feel the strength draining from its limbs, its struggles growing more sluggish. "Ugh... Huff... Finally over." I gave the corpse one last prod to be certain it was dead, then scrambled to my feet. The creature was a black leopard. Its dark coat had made it nearly invisible in the night, and I was lucky to have sensed it at all. I turned my attention from the dead cat to my own condition. My clothes and equipment were torn to shreds, and my body was a mess of cuts and bloodstains. A sorry sight, to say the least. But even as I watched, the wounds were knitting themselves closed in real-time. My protective gear, though ruined, had done its job and prevented any serious injuries. "Staying here isn't a good idea." Between the noise of the fight and the spreading scent of blood, it was time to move. I hastily washed the worst of the blood from my skin, knowing it was a poor effort, and quickened my pace, ready to leave the clearing behind. Just as I was about to plunge back into the trees, my luck held. A faint light flickered through the forest ahead. I approached cautiously and found what looked like a small village nestled among the trees. I assumed it was the middle of the night, but judging by the people still moving about, it must be earlier than I thought. This was my first encounter with the inhabitants of this world. Despite my disheveled state, I did my best to look presentable as I approached the tall wooden fence that encircled the settlement. A sturdy gate blocked the entrance, closed for the night and seemingly unguarded. As I was wondering what to do, a man's head popped up over the top of the fence. Relieved to see someone, I composed myself and called out. "Hello! I'm a traveler. I got lost in the forest and stumbled upon your village. Could I possibly trouble you for a place to stay for the night?" "You came through the forest alone? At this hour?" the man asked, his voice sharp with disbelief. "The one crawling with beasts?" I had only run into the one leopard. Had the forest really been that dangerous? A sigh of relief escaped me; I'd been luckier than I knew. "Ah... yes. It was a close call, but I managed to get through unharmed. Though I ended up looking like this, haha." I let out an awkward chuckle. The man studied my ragged appearance for a moment, then disappeared. He returned a few minutes later, followed by an old man who I took to be the village chief. "So," the old man began, his voice calm, "my man tells me you got lost traveling and found your way here?" I did my best to look harmless, nodding politely. The old man surveyed me from head to toe, then offered a kind smile. "In times like these, folks have to help each other out. Come, get some rest." With a loud creak, the middle-aged man who'd first spotted me unbarred the gate. I stepped inside, bowing my head slightly in thanks. "Thank you again for your kindness." "It's late, so you should get inside and rest," the old man said, accepting my thanks with a warm expression. The other man, however, remained stony-faced. Quite the irritable one, I thought. I followed the old man as he led me into the village, and we fell into easy conversation. He was, as I suspected, the village chief. From him, I learned that the forest I'd crossed was far more perilous than I had realized. Encountering only a single black leopard and then finding a village so close by were both incredible strokes of luck. "I'm Elder of Rot. And your name?" "Ah, my name is Vanguard." The village was small, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the chief's house. "You can rest in this room," Elder of Rot said, gesturing to a simple door. "You've been through a lot. Sleep well." "Thank you so much. I don't know how I can repay this favor..." "Well, if you're feeling grateful, you can chop some firewood for me tomorrow." "Yes! I've got plenty of stamina. You can count on me!" The chief left, and I was finally alone in the room. It was a bit dusty, but compared to another night in the forest, it was paradise. A wave of relief washed over me. I dropped my backpack and peeled off my tattered clothes. The upper garment was a lost cause, and the rest of my gear, damaged by the leopard's claws, wasn't much better. Still, it was better than nothing, so I decided not to discard it just yet. I was aware of it when I came in, but it's still fascinating to experience it firsthand. To unconsciously understand and speak their language. As I wiped myself down with a damp towel, I saw that all my wounds had completely healed, leaving no trace. "Rapid Recovery" was an incredibly useful skill. "Magic Affinity" had also certainly proven its worth. After cleaning up, I unrolled my sleeping bag on the old bed and lay down. In the span of a few hours, I had fought a beast and held a conversation with the natives of this world. Yeah, I'm doing fine. The conversation didn't feel strange, and the chief's reaction was good. Gazing at the ceiling, I felt the corners of my mouth lift into a soft smile. "Mind Hub" was probably helping, but the smile felt natural enough. After a few moments, I closed my eyes and let my consciousness slip into a dormant state. I opened the box and took a bite of chicken. "Chicken is still the best." I'd ordered it the moment my avatar ported to the other world, but with the time difference, it had only just arrived. It had only been about twenty minutes Earth-time, so the wait was understandable. This is a pretty sweet setup. Exploring another world while taking a warm shower and tearing into some fried chicken. My other avatar, 'Sentinel,' took over from 'Vanguard,' beginning an intense training regimen. I needed to be prepared for any unexpected situations. After quickly finishing the chicken and cleaning up, I sensed morning breaking in the world where my other self lay dormant. "Hmm... time to gather some information on how this world works, I suppose." I strolled over to my computer and began browsing various sites. My journey in this new world could be enjoyed even with the internet at my fingertips. Though my eyes were closed in a dormant state, my senses weren't completely blocked. When I felt the room brighten and heard the sounds of people stirring outside, I opened my eyes and sat up. Even avatars needed proper sleep to rest their brains, but one night of light rest to adjust to the time difference was enough. "Good morning, Chief." "Ah, Vanguard. Did you sleep well?" Elder of Rot asked, emerging from his own room. "Yes, thanks to you. It was the most comfortable I've been in days." After exchanging greetings, I went to the backyard for a quick wash. "It's not much, but please, eat up," the chief said, setting down a simple breakfast. "Thank you for providing a meal as well." "Heh, it's like I said. We help each other to get by. You can help with some village work later." The meal consisted of potatoes, hard bread, and a thin soup, but as my first real food in this world, it was more than satisfying. It seemed they didn't cook at home, and when I asked, Elder of Rot explained, "As an old man living alone, my neighbors are kind enough to help with my meals. I'm very grateful." The villagers seemed to be a tighter-knit community than I expected. Or maybe the chief just received special treatment. Naturally, the conversation turned to me. "Come to think of it, I've never seen clothes or equipment like yours before. Where are you from?" "Ahaha, I just have a taste for unique things. I picked them up here and there as I wandered." "I see... Isn't it tough, traveling all alone?" I gave him the vague adventurer persona I had prepared, explaining that I had lost my way while roaming without a destination. From there, I naturally steered the conversation, asking if there were any other cities nearby. "Hmm... an old man in a remote village wouldn't know much. I've heard there's a small city if you head east, though." It wasn't a definitive answer, but it was a direction. For now, east was the goal. It was better than wandering aimlessly. I decided to leave the next day and spend the rest of this one helping around the village as promised. I needed to gather at least some basic information if I wanted to grow safely in this world. This was the perfect opportunity to learn from the natives. I filled the water tank in the backyard, chopped a large pile of firewood, and helped with repairs on the village's wooden fence. "Mr. Vanguard, could you pass me that rope?" "You've got some real stamina. What kind of work did you do before?" While working alongside the other men, I made an effort to engage them in conversation, asking questions as naturally as I could. "I see. So the hunters handle most of the contact with the outside? Is there a specific route they use that's safer?" With my high stamina, the labor wasn't difficult. I saw it as another chance to train, so I kept at it without a break. "You've worked hard today," Elder of Rot said that evening. "If you're leaving early tomorrow, you should rest up. How about one last drink?" After I had finished for the day and washed up, the chief brought out a bottle of liquor with the evening meal. It was strong, but it posed no threat to my rapidly recovering liver, and the taste suited me better than I'd expected. I savored the simple pleasure of drinking the local spirits, and before I knew it, a good amount of time had passed. Not wanting to wake up late, I reluctantly called it a night. I tidied up, went to my room, and slipped into my sleeping bag. Unlike the previous night, I was adjusted to the time, and the day's hard labor combined with the alcohol let me fall into a deep and profound sleep. I stopped the game I was playing, closed my eyes, and focused. At the gym across town, Sentinel, who had been in the middle of a set of squats, also stopped and closed his eyes. The connection to the avatar, Vanguard, was lost.

Chapter 5: Cold, Calculated Survival