Back to the Cave

### Chapter 20

As Roland blinked away the blinding light, he found himself standing once again in the familiar embrace of the dense, shadowy forest. The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures filled the air. It was the same forest where his journey had begun, where he had first embarked on his adventure in this strange world.

"There's no mistaking it," Roland murmured to himself, a sense of familiarity washing over him. He knew this place like the back of his hand, every twist and turn of the forest imprinted in his memory. It was the same forest where he had sought refuge, where he had made his temporary home amidst the towering trees and winding trails.

With purposeful strides, Roland navigated the familiar terrain, each step bringing him closer to his destination. He could almost smell the scent of moss and earth, feel the soft soil beneath his feet. The memories flooded back, filling him with a sense of nostalgia and determination.

And then, just ahead, he spotted it: the entrance to the cave he had carved out with his own hands. The sight brought a rare smile to his face, a mix of relief and longing. It was like coming home after a long journey, returning to the place where it all began.

"Home sweet dream," Roland breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. The cave symbolized his beginnings in this world, his hopes and dreams for the future. It was a testament to his strength and resilience, a reminder of the challenges he had overcome.

As he stepped into the familiar surroundings of the cave, Roland felt a sense of peace wash over him. The fire pit lay cold and dormant, the remnants of his old campfire still visible. He could almost hear the echoes of his own laughter, see the shadows of his past moving about.

Sitting by the fire pit, Roland allowed himself a moment of rest. He knew that the journey ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it head-on. Pandora was a harsh, unforgiving world, but he was determined to carve out his own path and make his mark.

### Chapter 20

As Roland sat by the cold fire pit, the familiar surroundings of his cave bringing him a sense of peace, he decided it was time to check on his rewards. He called out, "Daisy, are you there?"

A moment later, the familiar voice of his system assistant, Daisy, echoed in his mind. "Hello, Roland! It's good to hear from you again."

"Where have you been, Daisy?" Roland asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and frustration. "I couldn't access you at all during Round 2. What happened?"

"I'm sorry about that, Roland," Daisy replied, her voice tinged with regret. "I was blocked from interfering during Round 2. It was a rule of the competition, designed to ensure that no external systems could provide an unfair advantage."

Roland sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that makes sense, I suppose. But it's good to have you back. Can you show me my rewards for the competition?"

"Of course, Roland!" Daisy's voice brightened with excitement. "You've received a lot of rewards for your performance in Round 2. Here they are: System Update 3, 100 experience points per kill, a Mystery Chest, one Advantage Healing Potion per kill, and a Sub-Class Scroll."

Hearing the extensive list of rewards, Roland nearly jumped up from excitement. "That's amazing, Daisy! Let's open my rewards right now."

"Right away!" Daisy chirped. However, almost immediately, her voice vanished as system went directly to update . " System upgrading, upgrading time 47:59:50 sec."

All the excitement drained from Roland was dumfounded as he saw the system update status appear in his mind. "48 hours, huh?" he muttered, trying to hide his disappointment. "I guess I'll just have to wait."

Roland sighed again, a mix of frustration and resignation washing over him. He glanced around the cave, his makeshift home. "Guess I'll just get some rest while I wait."

With a final glance at the system update status, Roland settled down on the cave floor. The anticipation of his rewards was still bubbling within him, but the exhaustion from the recent battles weighed heavily on his eyelids. Begrudgingly, he allowed himself to drift off to sleep, dreaming of the powerful new abilities and items that awaited him once the upgrade was complete.