Shadow Cultivator

In the cold, gloomy silence, Li Yuan slowly opened his eyes. For a few more seconds, he couldn't realize where he was. The last thing he remembered was the familiar light of the desk lamp, the quiet noise outside the window, and the computer monitor where another game was playing. And now it was all gone. In place of the familiar surroundings was a dark, dank space with a disgusting smell of dampness and fresh wood.

His hands shook as he tried to rise. The feel of the ground beneath his palms was strange - cold, uneven, as if covered in small stones. Looking around, he noticed strange fireflies flickering in the distance. They resembled the faint flames of candles, but they moved too smoothly and chaotically, as if they were living a life of their own.

"Where am I?" - he whispered, feeling the coldness engulf his body.

Suddenly a panel appeared in front of his eyes. It was so unexpected that he froze in place, unable to look away. Translucent lines of text hung straight up in the air, like a computer screen, only without the monitor.

Welcome, player. You have activated the system.

Do you want to start training? [Yes/No]

"What the..." - The words stuck in his throat. He reached out slowly, his fingers trembling slightly. The screen looked frighteningly real, yet completely impossible. Not knowing what else to do, he chose yes.

Training has begun. First assignment received: survive. Enjoy the game.

These words sounded too mechanical, cold. Li Yuan felt watched for a moment, as if someone was watching his every move. This discomfort was immediately replaced by a wave of panic when he heard a rustle behind him.

Li Yuan slowly turned around and noticed movement in the shadows. To his horror, eyes - red, burning like coals - began to appear from the darkness. His body froze, but his brain screamed to run.

A creature stepped out of the shadows. It wasn't a man or even an animal. A huge body with long claws and spikes, covered in skin as black as coal. It resembled a mixture of a wolf and a lizard, moving with a predatory grace.

A rusty sword suddenly materialized in its hands. The blade looked wretched - covered in spots of corrosion, with jagged edges.

"Really? That's all I have?" - he whispered, feeling panic rising.

The creature jumped, and Li Yuan barely had time to dodge. His heart pounded frantically as the claws traveled across the ground, leaving deep furrows. He raised his sword, but the trembling in his hands made his movements awkward.

Tip: Use the attack.

As if on command, he struck the first blow. The sword struck the side of the monster, but it only roared without even flinching.

-3 HP.

"Minus three? Are you kidding me?" - He shouted out, retreating backward. The wolf lizard jumped again, and only by a miracle did he manage to dodge.

Tip: Find the enemy's weak spot.

Li Yuan tried to examine the monster. In the light of the strange fireflies, he noticed that one of the plates on its chest was damaged. It looked like the only vulnerable spot.

The monster growled, preparing for another attack. Li Yuan looked for cover in panic, but there was nothing suitable. The faint light of the lights illuminated his sword for a moment, and he realized that this rusty blade could only withstand one precise strike. Taking a deep breath, he gathered all his resolve and aimed his sword at the crack.

The monster, sensing the threat, managed to intercept the sword with its claws. Their collision gave off a painful vibration in Li Yuan's hands. It seemed like another second and the sword would break. Gathering all his strength, he jerked out his sword and thrust it straight into the crack.

The creature howled, its body flashed with bright light, and then scattered into ashes. Li Yuan fell to his knees, feeling his legs go under. A panel appeared in front of his eyes again:

Task Completed. Received: 100 experience, 5 coins.

"What's going on here?" - He exhaled, struggling to get to his feet. Panic gave way to a strange sense of interest. He glanced at the new panel that appeared in front of him:

Your characteristics have been updated.

Name: Li Yuan

Level: 1

Strength: 6

Dexterity: 5

Intelligence: 7

Stamina: 4

"It's a game... But I'm in it," he whispered. The panel disappeared, leaving him alone. It was quiet all around, but that made it even scarier. He realized only one thing: to survive, he would have to accept the rules of this new world.

Before moving on, an image flashed in his mind. A brief dream - as if he had seen this world before. His hands instinctively reached for his pocket, but he found nothing familiar. "Why do I feel like I've seen this place before? Like I'm supposed to be here..."

His thoughts were interrupted by a low growl from the shadows. A muffled roar sounded in the distance, making the ground beneath his feet shake. And if this monster was only the beginning...