My imperial system

Morning.

They were barely twenty minutes into the jungle when Aric raised a hand. "Wait."

A rustle.

Someone—or something—was watching.

Darius whispered, "System scan."

> [Entity Detected – Human (???) – Threat Level: Unknown]

Rowan stepped forward, sword drawn. "Show yourself."

Leaves parted.

A man stumbled out—ragged, barefoot, wild hair matted with dirt and blood. His eyes darted like an animal's, but there was recognition in them.

"You…" the man croaked, pointing at Darius. "You have the light."

"What light?" Darius asked, cautious.

"The system," the man growled. "It talks to you, doesn't it? Gives you power."

Darius stiffened. "How do you know that?"

The man laughed—short and broken. "Because it used to talk to me."

> [New Interaction: Forgotten Survivor - Status: Mentally Unstable]

Optional Quest Unlocked: Hear the Survivor's Story

Reward: ???

Aric leaned in. "He's cracked."

Rowan didn't lower his blade. "Or dangerous."

But Darius stepped closer. "Who are you?"

The man's expression twisted. "I was like you. Before the system stopped listening. Before the island… took everything."

He slumped against a tree. "There are others. Dead. Gone. Twisted. If you think you're safe—you're not."

Darius's system chimed again:

> [Warning: Survivor's Knowledge May Trigger System Shift]

Darius narrowed his eyes. "What do you know about the Forgotten Empire?"

The man stared back, a bitter smile creeping across his face. "More than the system wants you to."

---