Kei’s breath came in sharp gasps as he darted between the jagged rocks scattered across the uneven terrain. The sound of his sneakers scraping against the ground felt thunderous in his ears. Behind him, the growling beast crashed through the underbrush, its guttural snarls growing louder with every passing second.


    "Not good. Not good!" Kei muttered, ducking under an overhanging branch. He glanced back, his silver-grey hair sticking to his forehead with sweat. The creature—a massive, hulking thing with sinewy limbs and skin like cracked obsidian—was gaining on him. Its glowing orange eyes burned with unrelenting focus.


    A system notification blinked in the corner of his vision, crisp and cold:


    <blockquote>


    System Notification: Beast Encounter: Lava Stalker Level: 5 Recommended: Avoidance or Strategic Elimination


    </blockquote>


    "Oh, great. Because running away wasn’t already my plan," Kei grumbled, vaulting over a boulder. His heart pounded in rhythm with the pounding steps of the creature behind him. He had no weapons, no skills—just a system that popped up unhelpful notifications while he was trying not to die.


    The uneven ground beneath his feet suddenly dropped away, and Kei skidded to a stop just in time to avoid tumbling into a shallow ravine. He turned, panting, and spotted the Lava Stalker closing the distance. He needed a plan—any plan—and fast.


    The First Probe


    Kei scrambled for a fist-sized rock, gripping its rough surface in his sweaty palm. "Let’s see how you like this!" he shouted, hurling it with all his might. The rock sailed through the air and struck the beast’s flank with a dull thud. It didn’t even flinch.


    "Figures," Kei muttered, backing up until his heels teetered on the edge of the ravine. The creature snarled and crouched, muscles bunching as it prepared to lunge.


    "Think, think, think!" Kei’s eyes darted around the terrain. Rocks, dirt, scattered branches... nothing that screamed "Beast Killer 9000."


    The Lava Stalker leapt.


    Kei threw himself to the side, landing awkwardly on his shoulder as the beast’s claws raked the air where he had just been standing. Dust and debris exploded around them. Kei rolled, grabbing another rock as he scrambled to his feet.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Okay, so brute force isn’t gonna cut it," he muttered. His gaze flicked to the beast’s glowing eyes. "But maybe I don’t need brute force."


    Blind Luck


    Kei hurled the second rock, aiming for the creature’s face. The rock struck true, smashing into its left eye with a sickening squelch. The Lava Stalker reared back with an ear-splitting roar, its claws swiping wildly as it stumbled.


    A new notification flashed:


    <blockquote>


    System Notification: Critical Hit! Lava Stalker’s Vision Impaired (-50% Accuracy)


    </blockquote>


    Kei blinked. "Wait, that actually worked?"


    The beast thrashed, its injured eye oozing a viscous, molten fluid. Kei’s momentary triumph evaporated as the creature’s uninjured eye locked onto him with renewed fury.


    "Guess that’s my cue to run," Kei said, bolting down the ravine. The uneven terrain slowed him, but it also seemed to hinder the Lava Stalker. Its massive frame struggled to navigate the narrow passage.


    Echoes of Instinct


    Kei’s mind raced as he ran, scanning the terrain for anything he could use. He remembered the system notification describing "strategic elimination." Strategy. Right. He needed to think like Mia would—always questioning, always analyzing. What did he have? What did the environment offer?


    His eyes landed on a cluster of loose rocks perched precariously on a ledge above the ravine. An idea sparked.


    Skidding to a stop, Kei turned to face the pursuing beast. His chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath. "Alright, big guy. Let’s see if you’re as dumb as you look."


    The Lava Stalker roared, charging forward. Kei waited, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. The moment the creature was beneath the ledge, he grabbed a jagged stone and hurled it at the cluster of rocks.


    The impact sent the loose stones tumbling down. They crashed onto the Lava Stalker, a cascade of debris that knocked it off balance. The beast howled as it struggled under the weight of the falling rocks.


    <blockquote>


    System Notification: Trap Triggered: Landslide Lava Stalker Stunned (-5 seconds)


    </blockquote>


    Kei didn’t waste a moment. He grabbed another rock and hurled it at the creature’s remaining eye. This time, his aim was off, but the distraction gave him just enough time to climb higher up the ravine wall, putting more distance between himself and the beast.


    The First Step


    Kei collapsed onto a flat ledge, gasping for air. The Lava Stalker’s roars echoed up the ravine as it thrashed below, trying to free itself from the rocks. For now, he was safe.


    Another notification appeared, and Kei groaned. "What now?"


    <blockquote>


    System Notification: Zone Survival Progress: 5% Skill Unlocked: [Basic Throwing] +1 Dexterity


    </blockquote>


    Kei stared at the glowing text and let out a breathless laugh. "Basic Throwing? Really? Guess I’ll take it."


    He flopped onto his back, staring up at the narrow strip of sky visible above the ravine. For the first time since the System appeared, he allowed himself a moment to relax.


    "One step at a time," he murmured, closing his eyes as his heartbeat slowed. "One step at a time."