NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 2: The Weight Of Survival
The peaceful days on Whale Island passed quickly, but for Chris Valentine, life had become anything but simple. Though he spent his days fishing with Gon, helping Mito-san with chores, and enjoying the calm, his nights were restless.
Chris sat on the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on the waves below. The system's prompts haunted his thoughts, particularly one in particular:
[Optional Sub-Quest: Learn to Kill]
Objective: Understand the necessity of killing to survive. Experience the weight of taking a life.
Rewards: Killing Intent Awareness Unlocked, 1000 System Points, Mental Fortitude Boost.
The idea of taking a life—any life—felt alien and wrong. On Earth, Chris had been taught that killing was the ultimate taboo. But this wasn't Earth.
Here, weakness would get him killed. And even if he didn't want to admit it, he knew the system was right.
"Chris?" Gon's voice broke through the silence.
Chris turned to see the 10-year-old boy approaching him, holding two fishing rods in one hand and a lantern in the other. His grin was as bright as ever, untainted by the harsh truths of the world.
"Couldn't sleep again?" Gon asked, setting the lantern down and plopping beside him.
"Yeah," Chris admitted. "Just thinking."
Gon tilted his head curiously. "About what?"
Chris hesitated. "About the world out there. What it's really like."
Gon's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It must be amazing! All the places to explore, the creatures to see, and the adventures to have! Don't you want to see it too, Chris?"
Chris looked at the boy and smiled faintly. Gon's innocence was refreshing but also worrying. He didn't understand what awaited them beyond the safety of Whale Island.
"Yeah," Chris said, "I do. But it's not going to be easy, Gon. The world out there is dangerous."
Gon shrugged. "Danger doesn't scare me. If my dad can handle it, I can too!"
Chris sighed, but before he could reply, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Alert: Proximity Threat Detected. Wild Animal Approaching.]
Chris's body tensed. The system never gave unnecessary warnings.
"Gon," Chris said, his voice low, "stay close to me."
Gon blinked. "What's wrong?"
Before Chris could answer, a low growl came from the trees behind them. Slowly, Chris turned, his red eyes scanning the darkness. The lantern's dim light illuminated the form of a large wild dog—its matted fur and bared teeth dripping with saliva.
The animal was clearly hungry, and they were its prey.
Gon froze, his usual energy replaced by fear. "Chris…"
Chris stepped in front of him, his mind racing. This wasn't like fishing or helping with chores. This was survival.
The dog lunged.
Chris reacted on instinct, shoving Gon out of the way and sidestepping the attack. The animal skidded to a halt, growling as it prepared for another charge.
[New Combat Tutorial Unlocked: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Lv. 2)]
Chris's muscles moved before his mind could catch up. He ducked as the dog lunged again, delivering a swift kick to its side. The animal yelped but recovered quickly, circling him like a predator stalking its prey.
"Chris, be careful!" Gon shouted.
Chris's heart pounded as the dog charged once more. This time, he grabbed a nearby stick, using it to block the animal's snapping jaws. It was strong—far stronger than he anticipated.
[Critical Decision Point: Lethal or Non-Lethal Action?]
Lethal Action: Kill the wild animal to ensure survival.
Non-Lethal Action: Subdue the animal and risk further attacks.
Chris gritted his teeth. The system wasn't giving him much of a choice. If he didn't kill it, they could both end up dead.
As the dog lunged again, Chris didn't hesitate. He swung the stick with all his strength, striking the animal's head. It collapsed to the ground, whimpering before falling silent.
The world seemed to go quiet. Chris stood there, his chest heaving as he stared at the lifeless body of the animal.
[Sub-Quest Complete: Learn to Kill]
Killing Intent Awareness Unlocked
1000 System Points Awarded
Mental Fortitude Boost Acquired
Gon approached cautiously, his wide eyes fixed on Chris. "You… you killed it."
Chris turned to the boy, his expression unreadable. "I had to. If I didn't, it would have killed us."
Gon looked at the animal, then back at Chris. "Is this what the world out there is like?"
Chris nodded slowly. "Yes. And if you want to survive, you have to be ready for it."
Gon was silent for a long moment before his usual determination returned. "Then I'll get stronger. I'll make sure I can protect myself—and my friends."
Chris placed a hand on Gon's shoulder. "Good. Because out there, you can't afford to hesitate."
As they returned to the village, Chris felt a strange mix of emotions. He had taken his first life, and while it weighed heavily on him, he also felt… stronger. The system's rewards had bolstered his resolve, and he knew this was only the beginning.
He would adapt to this world, no matter what it took. And one day, he would become the strongest human alive..
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