C2 Chapter 1:A New World
"...Ugh..."
Aiden slowly opened his eyes.
His head felt heavy, and his whole body ached.
For a few moments, he could only stare at the clear blue sky above him.
Soft white clouds drifted across the endless horizon.
A cool sea breeze brushed against his face.
"The sky...?"
He quickly sat up.
The familiar apartment was gone.
Instead, he was sitting on a patch of green grass.
He looked around.
Behind him stood a small forest.
In front of him stretched an endless blue ocean.
To his left was a small freshwater pond.
To his right stood a rocky hill.
The island was quiet.
Too quiet.
There were no roads.
No buildings.
No people.
Only the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
"What... is this place?"
His heartbeat quickened.
The last thing he remembered was the countdown... and the blinding light.
"It wasn't a dream..."
Just then, a soft voice echoed inside his mind.
[Welcome, Player.]
A transparent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
---
Civilization Survival System Activated
Player: Aiden
Level: 1
Health (HP): 100/100
Mana (MP): 50/50
Stamina: 100/100
---
Attributes
- Strength: 5
- Agility: 5
- Vitality: 5
- Intelligence: 5
- Spirit: 5
- Luck: 1
Free Stat Points: 0
---
Talent: D-Rank (Sealed)
Status: Locked
Profession: None
Skills: None
Survival Points: 0
---
Aiden blinked several times.
"A game...?"
Before he could think further, more messages appeared.
[Welcome to the Trial of Civilization.]
[Every player has been assigned a personal island.]
[Survive, grow, and build your civilization.]
[The first World Event will begin in 60 days.]
[Good luck.]
The screen disappeared.
Silence returned.
"...That's it?"
"No tutorial?"
"No instructions?"
Aiden laughed bitterly.
"If this is really a survival game..."
He looked around once more.
"...Then standing here won't help."
He took a deep breath.
"First... water."
He walked toward the pond.
The water was clear enough to see small fish swimming beneath the surface.
He knelt carefully.
After checking that nothing seemed dangerous, he cupped some water in his hands and drank.
It was cool and refreshing.
At least he wouldn't die of thirst today.
Next, he looked toward the forest.
"If I want to survive the night..."
"I'll need wood."
Without any tools, he walked to the nearest small tree.
He grabbed a low branch with both hands and pulled.
Nothing happened.
He sighed.
"So it won't be that easy."
He searched the ground instead.
After several minutes, he found a fallen branch about as long as his arm.
It wasn't much.
But it was a start.
At that moment...
Ding!
A blue notification appeared.
[Achievement Unlocked!]
First Branch Collected
Reward:
- 5 Survival Points
- 10 Profession EXP (Unassigned)
Aiden smiled.
"So... even small progress matters."
He held the branch tightly and looked toward the setting sun.
The daylight was already beginning to fade.
"I have only one goal today."
He took a slow breath.
"Survive the first night."
Far across the endless ocean...
Thousands of other players were saying the exact same words.
And somewhere, hidden beyond the horizon...
Something ancient slowly opened its eyes.
