Ascension of the Eternal Game-Chapter 2: New Rules

The forest pressed in around Alex, its shadows lengthening as he stood over the wolf's lifeless body. His chest heaved, the adrenaline from the fight draining away, leaving behind sore muscles and a buzzing mind. He'd survived his first real test in Eryndor, but a distant, guttural roar reminded him that this world wasn't done with him yet.

He wiped the wolf's blood from his knife onto its matted fur and sheathed the blade, his gaze darting through the tangled undergrowth. Whatever had roared was still out there, and he wasn't about to stumble into it blind. First, he needed to figure out what he was working with.

Alex summoned his status screen with a thought, and the glowing interface flared to life before him:

Alex Kain

Level: 2

Health: 120/120

Mana: 60/60

Strength: 11

Agility: 11

Intelligence: 13

Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Savage Bite

Talent: Skill Synthesis

Experience: 50/200

His stats had ticked up slightly since Level 1. So, leveling boosts me automatically, he mused, clenching his fist to test the faint new strength in his grip. It was strange—knowing this was his body, not some avatar, yet feeling it change like a video game character.

The skills caught his eye next. Basic Swordsmanship had guided his knife in the fight, turning clumsy swings into something precise. Savage Bite, though—he still wasn't sure what to make of that. He focused on it, and a description popped up:

Savage Bite: A feral attack that deals piercing damage. Can be used with or without a weapon. Cost: 10 Mana.

Mana, huh? He hadn't tapped into it yet, but with 60 points, he could use the skill six times before running dry—assuming it didn't recharge. Then there was Skill Synthesis, the talent that set him apart. He pulled up its details:

Skill Synthesis: Combine two or more skills to create a new, unique ability. Success rate varies based on compatibility. Warning: Synthesized skills replace the originals.

Replace them? If he fused Basic Swordsmanship and Savage Bite, he'd lose both for whatever came out of it. The risk made his stomach twist, but the idea of crafting something powerful was tempting. He decided to hold off—he needed more skills to play with first.

A chime interrupted his thoughts, and a notification appeared:

Quest Available: Seek the Guide

Description: Every new player is assigned a guide to explain the basics of Eryndor. Find your guide in the nearby village of Thornwood.

Reward: 100 XP, Basic Equipment

Accept? Yes/No

A lifeline. Alex accepted instantly. A guide could answer his questions, and gear would help him survive whatever came next. But where was Thornwood? The forest offered no clues—just trees, vines, and that faint path he'd spotted earlier. Worth a shot, he thought, adjusting his grip on the knife and starting down it.

Before moving far, he tested his skills. He drew his knife and triggered Basic Swordsmanship. His arm flowed through a series of cuts and stabs, smooth and confident—like he'd been drilling it for years. He grinned, sheathing the weapon. Then, Savage Bite. A wild energy surged up his spine, sharpening his senses. He lunged at a tree, sinking his teeth into the bark. It cracked and splintered, but he spat out the mess with a wince. Useful, but gross. His mana dropped to 50/60, then ticked back up to 51. Regeneration's slow, but it's there.

Satisfied, he trekked onward. The forest hummed with life—chirps, rustles, snaps—but he kept his guard up. After ten minutes, the trees parted, revealing a wooden palisade. Thornwood. Guards paced the gate, their armor gleaming. Their movements were too perfect, too synchronized. NPCs, Alex figured, stepping forward.

"Halt!" a bearded guard barked. "State your business."

"I'm a new player," Alex said, keeping his tone steady. "Here to meet my guide."

The guard's stern face eased. "Another fresh one. Welcome to Thornwood. Your guide's in the tavern—main road, straight ahead."

Alex nodded and passed through the gate. Thornwood buzzed with energy: merchants shouting, kids darting around, and players—some wide-eyed, others swaggering with fancy gear—mixing with the locals. He followed the road, passing a blacksmith and an alchemist, until he reached the tavern—a sturdy building with a mug-shaped sign.

Inside, it smelled of ale and meat, rowdy voices clashing with a bard's lute. Alex scanned the crowd, then saw a wave from a booth. A woman, cloaked and sharp-eyed, beckoned him over. A staff rested beside her.

He sat across from her. "Alex Kain, I presume?" she asked, her voice calm but playful.

"Yeah. You're my guide?"

"Mira," she said with a nod. "Here to teach you Eryndor's ropes. Ask away."

Alex jumped to his biggest question. "Skill Synthesis—what's the deal?"

Mira's eyes glinted. "Rare talent. Lets you meld skills into something new, potentially extraordinary. But it's a gamble—the originals vanish, and success depends on how well they fit."

"So I could lose good skills if it flops?"

"Exactly. Experiment wisely."

"How do I get more skills?"

"Quests, training, or beating foes—like your Savage Bite. Some NPCs or players might teach you, too, if you qualify."

Alex nodded, then hesitated. "What about going home?"

Mira's face turned grave. "Level 100 or a World Quest. Both are brutal. Levels slow down, and World Quests are rare and dangerous."

"How long does that take?"

"Depends. A year for some, decades for others. Time's skewed—ten days here is one on Earth."

That softened the blow. "And the stuff we bring back?"

"Gold, items, skills—regulated by the RRA. Some skills won't work on Earth, or they'll change. It's tricky, but lucrative."

Alex leaned back, excitement flickering through his nerves. Mira slid a small chest across the table. "Your reward."

He opened it: leather armor, a short sword, and gold coins. He donned the armor and swapped his knife for the sword as a notification pinged:

Quest Completed: Seek the Guide

Reward: 100 XP, Basic Equipment

Level Up! You are now Level 3.

Energy pulsed through him, his stats rising again. Mira stood. "That's all for now, Alex. Good luck."

"Wait," he called. "Any advice?"

She paused. "Trust your gut, but don't be rash. Eryndor rewards the bold, but it's merciless. And not everything's what it seems."

She melted into the crowd, leaving him pondering her words. Outside, the sun dipped low. As he wandered, shouts erupted from the village square. Curious, he jogged over.

A pack of oversized wolves—eyes glowing red—clashed with a group of players. Most flailed, but one stood out: a red-haired woman, sword flashing as she carved through the beasts. She was good, but swarmed.

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Alex drew his sword and charged, Basic Swordsmanship guiding his strikes. He slashed a wolf off her back, earning a quick, surprised glance from her green eyes. She nodded, and they fought together, back-to-back. When a wolf lunged too close, he triggered Savage Bite, ripping its throat out.

Soon, the wolves were dead. The woman sheathed her blade. "Thanks. Thought we were toast."

"Alex," he said, panting. "No problem."

"Lyra." She shook his hand, her grip strong. "You're new, but you fight like you're not."

"Got here today."

She laughed. "And you're already diving in? Gutsy. We're hitting a dungeon tomorrow—want in?"

He eyed her. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. We need a sword, and you've got... something extra." She smirked at his bloody chin.

"It's a skill," he admitted.

"Neat. So, you coming?"

A team meant safety and knowledge. Plus, Lyra's fire drew him in. "Yeah, I'm in."

"Dawn, village gate," she said, turning. "Watch for the alpha wolf—it's nasty."

She left, and Alex found an inn, crashing onto a straw bed with his gold. Tomorrow loomed large: a dungeon, new allies, and more mysteries. Mira's warning lingered as he drifted off: Not everything is as it seems.