Even with his newly enhanced strength and Berserk ability, Alexander wasn’t about to step blindly into the unknown.
The Space-Time Gate could lead anywhere.
Better to prepare for the worst.
He drove to a licensed gun store and purchased a full arsenal: pistols, shotguns, automatic rifles, a sniper rifle, and ample ammunition for each.
Everything went straight into his Infinite Personal Space.
He also gathered machetes, combat knives, sturdy clothing, medical supplies, and other survival gear.
Alexander originally wanted to get a few cases of grenades to store in his space, but unfortunately, these were military-grade items and simply couldn’t be bought through regular channels.
After registering the firearms as required, he called his teacher to request a few days off and got a full night’s rest to recover his energy.
Only when he felt truly ready did Alexander stand in the center of his apartment and open the Space-Time Gate.
A shimmering rift tore open before him.
Gripping a double-barreled shotgun, he stepped through.
Whoosh!
The transition was instantaneous.
Dense, humid air wrapped around him as he emerged into an ancient forest.
Towering trees blocked most of the sky, their thick canopy allowing only faint starlight to filter through.
The ground was damp and rich with the scent of moss and earth.
It felt like a primeval wilderness, beautiful, but potentially deadly.
Alexander scanned his surroundings, senses sharp.
“Not a wasteland or some hellish dimension. That’s something.”
Still, he stayed cautious.
A flickering light in the distance caught his eye, firelight, not far away.
“People,” he murmured.
“Or at least something that uses fire. Time to get some answers.”
He moved quietly toward the glow, gun ready.
As he drew closer, the metallic tang of blood hit him.
By the campfire sat a hunched figure devouring something.
Human?
Seeing that it was a human, Alexander breathed a sigh of relief.
Since it was a human, he could communicate.
Even if there was a language barrier, he could still negotiate through actions and body language.
“Friend, I’m a lost traveler. Can I ask for directions?”
Alexander strode towards the bonfire, but his steps suddenly halted when he was less than twenty paces away.
His stomach twisted when he realized what it was: a human thigh.
The figure slowly raised its head.
Its eyes were completely black, no distinction between pupil and sclera.
Thick fur covered a face that was more beast than man.
Alexander’s blood ran cold.
“Shit!”
He turned and ran.
The creature discarded its meal and gave chase with terrifying speed, closing the gap in seconds.
“You fucking think I’m scared of you, huh!”
Realizing he couldn’t outrun it, Alexander skidded to a halt, spun, and fired his revolver in one fluid motion.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
All six shots struck true.
The blood-soaked monster let out a piercing howl, but its movements didn’t stop; instead, it became even more ferocious and lunged at Alexander.
There was no time to switch guns, so he could only bite the bullet and engage in close combat with this monster.
Thud!
Alexander holstered the empty revolver and met it head-on.
His enhanced strength made the fight brutally one-sided at first.
A powerful punch shattered the creature’s nose.
He grabbed its arms and slammed it to the ground with a wrestling takedown, pinning it effortlessly.
‘That’s it?’ he thought, almost disappointed.
Just then, a ray of moonlight shone down, illuminating the monster.
In an instant, a sudden change occurred.
It screamed in agony as its body convulsed.
Fur thickened rapidly, bullet wounds knit closed, bones shifted with grotesque cracks, and its teeth elongated into fangs.
In moments, the beast had transformed into a full werewolf, larger, stronger, and radiating primal fury.
“Awooo!”
“Well now it can transform, classic.” The werewolf’s strength surged.
It thrashed wildly, forcing Alexander to strain just to hold it.
He released his grip and rolled back several paces.
The creature sprang up, ready to pounce.
Alexander was already reaching into his Personal Space.
“Times have changed, buddy.”
He leveled the double-barreled shotgun at point-blank range.
The werewolf’s pupils dilated; although it didn’t know what this thing was, its beastly intuition told it that the object in this human’s hand was extremely dangerous.
BANG!
The thunderous blast lit up the forest.
At such close range, the shotgun’s full power tore into the beast.
It was flung backward, crashing through underbrush with a final, agonized cry.
Alexander stood still for a moment, breathing steadily as the echo faded.
The forest fell quiet once more, save for the rustle of leaves and distant night sounds.
He lowered the weapon, scanning the trees.
“One down. Now… where the hell am I?”