Jihoon backtracked his way through the sandstorm as best he could, walking surprisingly well even after his injury.

  The gashes have closed up really quickly… an effect of the game’s world maybe?

  He held his mask tightly to his face, sand trying to force its way into the seams.

  His vision had begun blurring, as he stumbled through the falling sand and limited vision.

  Jihoon collapsed in the sand, backing next to a small, round, cactus-shaped plant.

  Looks like the one I broke open with Si-woo… a day ago.

  I didn’t feel anything negative eating it then.

  Jihoon stabbed his metal rod into the plant, using it as a hinge to break off a larger piece of the flesh.

  The opening in the plant revealed its inner liquid reservoir, that he’d once warned Si-woo of drinking so carelessly.

  It could be poisonous, but if the flesh is fine…

  Any rational thought was overridden by Jihoon’s thirst, as he stuck his whole head into the opening of the plant, gulping down the liquid without reservations.

  The liquid was thicker than water, with a slight gel consistency, but quickly soothed his throat.

  After lying in the sand, to regain his strength, the sandstorm cleared up, and Jihoon had found himself staring at the mineshaft, but a few hundred meters out by his estimate.

  I swear I walked further, unless my perception was off.

  But then why would I be facing towards the mineshaft?

  Circles, then?

  With the immediate threat of thirst gone, Jihoon looked towards the horizon, where the desert sand had begun to merge into a thicker soil, with scarce greenery and shrubs.

  If anything, water isn’t my biggest problem. These water-plants aren’t too uncommon.

  But staying in this desert is a death sentence, intense weather and heat will kill me eventually.

  He started towards the greener horizon, and instead of sinking straight into the ground, the ground had finally held his weight.

  Views of distant greener mountains, and what resembled small, green patches of forest filled Jihoon with a tiny sliver of hope.

  The sun had set rapidly over Jihoon’s trek, as it was already after noon when he’d left the mineshaft.

  The night was near impossible to see in, as Jihoon could only barely make out the silhouettes of the obstacles in front of him.

  The world was covered in a blanket of black, but a small flickering light stood against that blanketed night, far in the distance.

  Curiosity drove Jihoon to continue his walk during the night, as the light grew closer, and a faint mix of voices grew as well.

  People..? Voices..? Is this my salvation?

  Jihoon walked towards the voices, entering a small grove of rough forest, with the shine of moonlight on water a bit further away.

  Jihoon, now able to make out silhouettes of people against the skyline, began walking faster, as primitive shelters and a campfire came into sight.

  He staggered as fast as he could, his leg still preventing a full sprint.

  “Hello–” He called from the dark, mere feet away from the edge of the campfire’s light.

  Two people, centered around the campfire had turned towards Jihoon, their conversation cut short.

  Both of them dropped down to the floor, grabbing sharpened, long wooden sticks.

  “Wait–” Jihoon stammered.

  “Who are you? Are you from this world?”

  An older man with a short beard asked, his voice shaking.

  Huh? What does he mean?

  Jihoon, on edge at their open aggression, held his metal rod forward, gripping it with both hands.

  “Where are you from?” One of the survivors asked, a younger man, in a clearer tone.

  The young man’s demeanor was bright, as he smiled even in the face of a rough-looking stranger.

  He had healthy, blonde buzzed hair and looked about Jihoon’s age, maybe older.

  “I just walked here..? From the desert.”

  “The desert? You alone?”

  “I was with people, though not anymore.”

  “Where’d they go?”

  If I say they died wouldn’t that be suspicious? They’re already so scared of me…

  “I’m… not sure. Our camp was attacked and I slipped out in the night. I’ve been wandering in the desert since.”

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  The young blonde stepped back, holding his spear in a passive position.

  “My name is Kang Il-seong. May I ask yours?”

  “Baek Jihoon, It’s a pleasure.”

  “So, where'd you get all that?”

  Kang Il-seong motioned towards the metal rod, and Jihoon’s facemask.

  “I found an old structure, and it's just whatever I was able to hold onto and make use of.”

  “A structure? Like a dungeon?”

  Dungeon? Oh… I guess it is like a game, huh?

  “I’m not sure, it had some wolves but, what are dungeons like?”

  “I’m not sure either, but with a game menu, I’d just assumed there would be more elements resembling a game. So what about your level and abilities? What level are you?”

  Oh, I’ve forgotten about that. Maybe I’ve gained a level or two?

  Jihoon whispered “Menu,” as a blue screen popped up in front of him.

  BAEK JIHOON

  LEVEL: 3

  VITALITY: 2

  ENDURANCE: 1

  STRENGTH: 2

  AGILITY: 1

  ABILITIES:

  An increase in vitality and strength? But no way to upgrade them myself. Maybe they simply rise with my level? Or is it an assessment of myself?

  Still no abilities though. Are they rare? Or am I just some sort of exception? How’d I even level up? From the wolves?

  Jihoon showed his menu to Il-seong, and the bearded man, as they inspected it with interest.

  “Is there a way to level up your stats? How’d you even get to level three? Ya feel stronger or something like that?”

  They bombarded him with questions, though he was unsure himself.

  Il-seong opened his menu, just out of curiosity, and it displayed him at level 1, with a 0 in every stat except a 1 in endurance.

  “Level one? I started at level zero, have you leveled up?”

  “Yeah, but I’m unsure how. I’ve not fought anything, like you would in a game.”

  There must be other ways to level up other than combat, though it seems either adventuring or fighting must be a good way to level up.

  “Anyways, Jihoon, make yourself at home with us. I don’t exactly speak for the whole camp, but I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

  The bearded man seemed to agree, and Jihoon blushed a little under his mask, feeling like an intrusion.

  Jihoon sat with them by the fire, talking with them and eventually telling them the full truth about his original group.

  “Well, there was nothing you could’ve done… It’s not worth dying for a lost cause…”

  Il-seong tried to sympathize, but the thought of massive monsters attacking was terrifying, and though he’d been smiling since Jihoon arrived, it faded slightly.

  “I thought when I got here I’d been brought into a game, and I’d be able to be like one of those manhwa main characters, getting some cheat ability or something. But it’s nothing like that… huh?” Il-seong laughed in self pity, wondering why he thought he could ever be something so fantastical.

  Jihoon felt unsure how to respond, and the trio sat in silence for a moment, only broken by the bearded man’s words.

  “We’re actually standing guard for a situation like that, even if we don’t look like it; Though, I doubt we’ll make much of a difference if something as monstrous as those beasts you describe comes our way.”

  “So, Jihoon–” Il-seong butted in.

  “Take us to that mineshaft you found. You’re level three, and it’s likely because of that. I want us to have equipment, to at least stand a chance.”

  A shiver traveled down Jihoon’s spine remembering how he’d fought ferociously for his life in the mineshaft.

  “Alright–” He reluctantly agreed.

  Il-seong smiled. “Tomorrow, I’m gonna grab a group of people who I think can fight, and we’ll head out.”

  He motioned towards a small lean-to shelter, “Get some rest though. You’ve been through a lot. I’ll explain your situation to everyone here.”

  Il-seong smiled, and somehow it gave Jihoon a strong sense of trust. From just a sense, Jihoon could feel that Il-seong was a half decent person.

  Jihoon agreed, without hesitation, suddenly feeling the exhaustion of his long travels and his lasting wounds.

  Jihoon checked on his bandages quickly before he slept.

  The wounds have closed, very quickly. It’s almost inhuman. Maybe it’s a side effect of this game world? Or maybe because my vitality stat increased? Mysteries…

  Jihoon shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep quickly, dreaming of his life back on Earth.