"Okay, Zoe," she stated to herself, standing on shaky legs and staring into the endless tunnels before her. "You've got this. You're not going to die in a slimy puddle at the bottom of a cave. Not again. Nuh uh!"
She took a deep breath, her new lungs struggling to adapt to the damp, heavy air, and clenched her fists. "Just put one foot in front of the other," she continued, her voice gaining a little more confidence. "You can figure this out. You don't need to be strong or fast. You just need to be smart. And you're smart, Zoe. You can handle this."
The pep talk was working, if only a little. She felt a flicker of determination flare up inside her chest. It was faint, like a match struggling to stay lit in a storm, but it was enough. She wasn't going to lie down and give up. Not yet.
Zoe glanced down the tunnel in front of her. Every instinct told her this was a bad idea—venturing deeper into the cave without a plan—but what choice did she have? There was no point in sitting still. Maybe, just maybe, she'd find an exit. Or, at the very least, she'd figure out what the hell was going on.
With a determined huff, Zoe set off into the darkness, her bare feet slapping against the cold, damp stone as she walked. The tunnel twisted and turned, the walls closing in at times before opening up into larger, more cavernous spaces. The air was thick, the smell of damp earth and moss filling her nostrils.
Every now and then, she stumbled. Each time, she cursed under her breath but kept moving. She had no idea where she was going, but staying put wasn't an option.
Time passed—minutes, maybe hours—and the tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly before her. Zoe's legs were beginning to ache, the cold seeping into her bones. She needed to find warmth. Or food. Or something.
She paused for a moment, leaning against the rough stone wall to catch her breath. Her body felt weak, her energy drained from the relentless walking and constant stress. She had no idea what kind of creatures lived down here, but the silence of the cave was unnerving. Every drip of water echoed in the distance, and every shadow seemed to move when she wasn't looking.
She whispered to herself. "It's just a cave. You're probably alone. Just keep moving."
But as soon as the words left her mouth, a faint sound reached her ears. Zoe froze, her breath hitching in her throat. It was distant, barely audible over the dripping water, but it was unmistakable—a low, rumbling growl.
Her heart leaped into her throat. She stood perfectly still, her eyes wide and scanning the darkness. The growl came again, louder this time, and it was followed by the sound of something large shifting, rocks scraping against stone as it moved. Zoe's pulse quickened. Something was down here with her. Something big.
The growling grew closer, echoing through the tunnel, and Zoe's mind raced. She had no idea what kind of creature made that noise, but she was pretty sure she didn't want to find out. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but where? The tunnels were a maze, and she had no idea which way would lead her to safety—or a dead end. Before she could make a decision, a notification flashed across her vision, bright and bold:
Danger Detected: Ophiotaurus (Level 10)
Zoe's eyes widened in horror. Level 10? She was barely managing as a Level 1. How was she supposed to deal with a creature nine levels higher than her...?
The menu flashed again, this time with more information:
Ophiotaurus
Description: A large, serpentine creature with the body of a bull and the tail of a snake. Known to inhabit deep cave systems, the Ophiotaurus is a rare and dangerous beast with heightened aggression and territorial instincts. It is said to have the strength of ten men and can crush its enemies with a single swipe of its tail.
Weakness: Vulnerable underbelly when exposed.
Potential Resources from Kill:
Ophiotaurus Hide (Durable, useful for crafting armor)
