Timebound abyss

Arin’s Journey in the Whispering Woods

It had been nearly two weeks since Arin, now called Kiro, found himself training under Kevin in the depths of the Whispering Woods. Every day brought new challenges, and the eerie atmosphere of the forest unsettled him. The twisted trees whispered secrets in the wind, and the constant danger of monsters kept Kiro on edge. Kevin’s training sessions were brutal, pushing Kiro beyond his limits, but his determination to survive in this strange world kept him going.

The Bond with Aero

During these first two weeks, Kiro had begun forming a bond with his pet bird, Aero, grew. He had rescued Aero from a monster attack a week ago, and since then, the bird had followed him everywhere. Aero wasn’t like any bird he had seen before—its feathers glistened a deep blue, and its eyes had a curious intelligence about them.

There were moments of lightness amidst the danger. One evening, while Kevin was sharpening his weapons, Kiro tossed a small fruit to Aero. The bird caught it mid-air, then promptly threw it back at Kiro’s face.

"Hey!" Kiro laughed, rubbing his nose. “You’re supposed to eat it, not attack me!”

Kevin, who rarely smiled, let out a low chuckle. “Looks like even your bird thinks you’re hopeless.”

Aero cawed in agreement, flapping its wings proudly.

Despite the danger surrounding them, moments like these kept Kiro grounded, offering him brief respites from the grim reality of his new life.

First Encounter with Aerofuse

Around the same time, Kevin began teaching Kiro about Aerofuse, a powerful ability that enhanced physical strength, speed, and endurance temporarily. “It’s not something to take lightly,” Kevin had warned. “It can make you feel invincible, but there’s always a cost.”

The first time Kiro activated Aerofuse, his muscles surged with power, his blood boiling like fire. His vision sharpened, and everything seemed to slow around him. But the toll on his body was immediate. After a few minutes, his limbs shook uncontrollably, and he collapsed, gasping for air.

Kevin shook his head. “You’re not ready yet.”

The First Monster Fight

A few days later, Kiro had his first real fight with a monster. Kevin had spotted a twisted beast lurking near their camp. Its grotesque figure—a blend of wolf and bear—loomed over the trees, its dark fur matted and its eyes gleaming with unnatural hunger.

"Stay behind me," Kevin ordered, pulling out his strange-looking gun. Kiro, feeling the weight of his wooden sword, could only nod.

As the beast charged, Kevin fired several rounds, the loud gunshots echoing through the trees. The bullets seemed to slow the beast but not stop it. Kiro had no choice but to activate Aerofuse. His body felt lighter, faster, as he darted forward, dodging the beast's powerful claws.

Together, they fought the beast until it finally collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a dull thud. As Kiro caught his breath, he noticed something strange. The air around the beast began to shimmer, and within seconds, a glowing, jelly-like substance began to form over its body.

“What the hell is that?” Kiro muttered, stepping back.

Kevin’s face darkened. “Don’t go near it,” he warned. “It’s dangerous. We don’t know what it is, but some people have died just getting too close.”

The strange glowing substance seemed to grow, pulsing with a sickly light, before eventually fading into the ground. Kiro felt a chill run down his spine. What could cause something like that?

The sickly light faded into the ground, leaving Kiro with a deep unease. What was happening in this world?