Scene: Rushing Through Twilight — Stonebark Expanse, Approaching Nightfall
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The canopy above dimmed gradually, blotting out the golds of dusk with the deep blues and purples of approaching night. The Stonebark Expanse was starting to change. No longer just a forest of birdsong and rustling leaves—it became something deeper, quieter, more primal.
Oliver's boots padded softly across a worn trail, sword in hand, senses heightened.
So far... no wooden imps. No demons. Not even a breeze.
Just the subtle tension of the forest holding its breath.
From the underbrush, there came a soft snort.
Oliver halted.
Emerging with cautious curiosity, a Stonebark Hog sniffed at Oliver's feet. It looked younger than the others—rounder, smoother in hide, with odd teal-colored eyes. It was alone. A straggler?
Oliver froze, unsure if this was another trap or a misunderstood gesture of nature.
He slowly extended his hand and gently brushed its skin—cool, textured, but peaceful. The hog snorted, sniffing once more at his boots, then wandered away quietly, vanishing behind some ferns.
Just as Oliver considered reaching for another apple—
> Snap. Crunch.
His head turned sharply.
Three Stonebark Wolves emerged from the darker edge of the woods.
Larger than any wild wolves he'd ever seen, they carried a natural grace and danger. Their fur was thick, marked by patches of dark stone-like plating, and their yellow eyes scanned the trees with intent. Predators, no question.
Oliver didn't breathe.
But they didn't look at him.
They didn't growl.
They simply moved past him like shadows on a hunt—seeking prey elsewhere.
Only when their figures vanished into the trees did Oliver release the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"…Okay… still alive."
The Systematic Guide flickered briefly in the corner of his view:
> 🐺 Bestiary Update: Stonebark Wolves
Predatory, semi-intelligent. Will ignore non-aggressive, low-output Travelers unless provoked or hungry. May hunt injured or exhausted creatures instead.
Oliver tightened his grip on his stone sword, now damp from his earlier splash magic. He pressed forward toward the sound of rushing water, louder with each step.
The last of the light danced on the rippling river ahead.
And somewhere in the distance... a branch cracked.
Nature wasn't finished yet.
Not tonight.
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Scene: Decision in the Dark — 10:00 PM
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The sky had deepened into a rich navy black, streaked with starlight through the thinning canopy. Oliver crouched behind a mossy boulder, his stone sword stabbed into the dirt beside him, flicking through pages on the glowing Systematic Guide projection, the soft orange light casting a faint glow on his damp boots and the faint mist of his breath.
He scrolled through the pages, options limited. Resources tight.
> 📘 Systematic Investigation
Staying Put: 75% chance to attract wandering wooden imps (solo, group, or rare mini-army).
Traveling at Night: 40-60% chance to encounter Imp Demons or Wraith Scouts depending on terrain.
Sleep Option: Unavailable
→ Mattress Locked (Requires 80+ Mysticoins)
→ Alternative crafting: [Wool ×3] + [Sewing Kit] + [Sheets ×2]
Note: All components currently unobtainable without civilization or high-level scavenging.
Oliver sighed.
He looked around the Stonebark Expanse—quiet now, but it was deceptive. The imps hunted at night, especially near static energy like campfires or resting Travelers.
He thought aloud, quietly:
> "If I stay, I become a target.
If I move, I might avoid attention—or stumble into something worse..."
The weight of exhaustion crept in—not yet crippling, but his stamina bar dipped slightly. A thin red warning on the HUD blinked:
> ⚠️ Sleep Suggested Within 4 Hours
Mental recovery & Vita efficiency decreasing.
He scrolled once more, looking for loopholes—anything.
> 🟠 Alternative Shelter Recipes
Stone Hideout: Needs [30 Stone], [Workbench Level 2], [Blueprint: Hideout]
Tree Nest (Temporary): Needs [Large Leaves x5], [Vine Cord x3], [Wood Planks x8]
→ Duration: 3 hours max rest. Risk level: Medium.
→ Benefit: Brief sleep recovery + light stealth.
Oliver squinted. The Tree Nest... doable, maybe.
No mattress. No wool. Just a wandering night or a crafted canopy in the trees to pray the imps can't smell through Vita scent.
He stood, brushing dirt from his jacket, glancing toward the trees that seemed almost to lean in closer.
> "I'll gather the vines. And leaves.
Better tired and hidden… than dead in my sleep."
He sheathed the stone sword, ready to collect materials under starlight—silent, swift, and always one breath away from a nightmare.
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Objective Update: Craft Tree Nest (Optional Shelter)
[ ] Large Leaves x5
[ ] Vine Cord x3
[ ] Wood Planks x8
Optional Bonus: Smokescreen Herbs (Mask Vita Signature)
Night continues...