THE BITTER BITE

As Ray closed his Inventory, a low grumble emanated from his stomach, reminding him of his hunger.

He instinctively placed a hand on his belly, feeling the emptiness within.

Hunger and thirst had begun to take their toll. With a determined sigh, he resolved to address his immediate needs.

"I can't go on like this. I need to find something to eat and drink."

Turning towards the water source he had discovered earlier, Ray leaned down and cupped his hands, bringing the cool liquid to his dehydrated lips.

He took several refreshing sips, momentarily relieving his thirst.

However, despite the brief respite, hunger still gnawed at him.

He realized that the system had not provided him with any starting provisions, unlike typical games.

His mind raced, considering his options for sustenance. Then, he recalled the item he had acquired from the rat monster—Rat Meat.

"Well, it's not the most appetizing option, but it's better than starving."

Drawing the Rat Meat from his Inventory, Ray examined it cautiously.

A pungent odor wafted from the meat, giving him pause. He opened the item's description, and a holographic window materialized before him.

"Rat Meat, huh? Edible, but potentially toxic... I have to take the risk if I want to survive."

Uncertainty filled Ray's mind as he deliberated whether to proceed. The prospect of consuming potentially toxic meat unsettled him.

Yet, the persistent hunger spurred him on. Overcoming his hesitation, he took a small bite of the Rat Meat.

"Here goes nothing..."

However, the taste and texture proved unbearable, stimulating a gag reflex.

Ray quickly spat it out and hurried to the water source, seeking solace in its cleansing properties.

Taking deep sips, he calmed himself, determined to find a way to overcome his hunger.

"That was... awful. But I can't let hunger defeat me."

With a resolute spirit, Ray devised a plan. He decided to chew the meat in small amounts, quickly swallowing it, followed by drinking water to mitigate the unpleasant taste.

Implementing his strategy, he pushed through the aversion and consumed the unappetizing meal.

Immediately after finishing the Rat Meat, a notification from the system startled Ray.

System:

[You have been Poisoned]

[Due to being Poisoned, Your Health will Drop by 2 HP/sec]

Ray's eyes widened in alarm, realizing the consequences of his choice.

"Poisoned? I didn't expect this... What have I gotten myself into?"

However, his quick thinking prompted him to remember the Swiftheal Potions he had obtained earlier.

"Thank goodness for these potions. They might save me from this predicament."

In a hurried motion, Ray retrieved the Swiftheal Potion and consumed it, hoping to counteract the poison's effects. The system promptly delivered its response.

[Your Health Has Been Restored]

[Poison Effect has been removed]

A wave of relief washed over Ray as he felt the poison's grip loosen.

With a momentary respite, he contemplated the situation. His gamer instincts kicked in, recalling a skill from Fantasphere—a game he had played—the skill of "Poison Immunity."

In the game, it was an evolved version of "Poison Resistance" that he had acquired during the tutorial.

However, he faced the harsh reality that attaining such a skill required enduring substantial amounts of poison, a notion he found repulsive in the real world.

"Poison Immunity... It sounds tempting, but the thought of going through that much poison, in reality, is daunting."

Realizing the significance of survival, Ray resolved to rest for a while before embarking on further hunting expeditions. He needed to level up quickly, improving his stats to better face the challenges ahead.

"I need to gather my strength and come up with a better plan. I can't let these hardships break me."

As he found a comfortable spot to recuperate, Ray's mind focused on the lessons learned and the harsh choices he had to make.

His determination burned brighter, fueled by the will to survive in this unforgiving realm.

Ready to continue his journey, he prepared himself for the next stage of his adventure, hoping to emerge stronger and wiser than before.