The Extra-dimensional Pioneer Of Fiction [Draft]

Arlo woke to a throbbing ache in his head, the chirping orchestra of crickets, and the faint, earthy scent of pine. Blinking against the disorientation, he became acutely aware of the gritty gravel beneath his fingers and the damp earth soaking into his clothes. He lay sprawled beside a dusty road, towering trees looming overhead like silent guardians. As his vision sharpened, he groaned and pushed himself upright, only for a sharp pulse of pain to lance through his skull.

"Okay, definitely not home," he muttered, brushing leaves off his hoodie with shaky hands.

Fragments of memory flitted through his mind like shards of broken glass—disjointed and incomplete. He remembered the bus ride, the sudden scream of tires, the violent jolt of impact, and his body flinging sideways as if weightless. The last vivid image was his own reflection in the cracked bus window, wide-eyed with shock.

"Great. Just… great," he sighed, scanning the road for any sign of wreckage or, better yet, help. But there was nothing—no bus, no twisted metal, no other survivors. Just an unbroken expanse of trees and an eerie silence broken only by the occasional chirp of unseen creatures.

Instinctively, he patted himself down, half-expecting broken bones or blood. To his surprise, he seemed relatively unscathed. His slim frame, clad in a dark hoodie over a casual suit, appeared intact, and even his backpack, still slung over one shoulder, had survived whatever ordeal he'd endured.A sharp chime cut through the quiet, mechanical and clear, like a bell echoing in the distance.

Ding…

[System Initializing...]

"What the…" Arlo spun around, heart pounding. The sound had no visible source, but before he could question it further, a glowing square materialized in front of him. It hovered mid-air like a hologram, bright and surreal. It reminded him of a video game interface—something straight out of the novels he used to binge between study marathons.

The display read:

[Status Window]

Arlo Leeroy

Job: None

Level: 1

EXP: 0/20

Race: Human (Male)

HP: 100

MP: 0

Arlo blinked, then rubbed his eyes for good measure. The screen remained, as real and tangible as the gravel beneath him.

"Well, this is… different," he muttered, glancing around as if expecting hidden cameras or a film crew to appear. No such luck.

Still, curiosity won out over skepticism, and his gaze returned to the glowing screen.

The stats weren't unfamiliar—his late-night RPG marathons had trained him well—but seeing them applied to himself was surreal. His eyes drifted down to the attributes section.

[Skill Info]

Strength: 5

Dexterity: 6

Intelligence: 8

Charisma: 4

Luck: 5

Endurance: 6

Wisdom: 8

"Figures," he muttered, smirking despite himself. High intelligence and wisdom but abysmal charisma? Sounded about right. "Guess all those years skipping parties to bury myself in lab work finally paid off."

Then he noticed the skills listed below the Stats:

[Observe Lv: 3/10] - Description: A skill that detects information/knowledge of target, whether living, object, place, etc., including history or personal information. Observe is obtained through continuous observation. The higher the skill level the more detailed the information to see

[Analysis Lv: 4/10] - Description: Allows the you to gather visible information about something or someone and connect relevant parts of that information with others you already have. This skill allows the user to do a detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features of the target. The higher the skill level is the more detailed information of the target it can discover or situation

Arlo chuckled dryly. "Analysis, huh? So basically, 'Arlo's a science nerd.' Sounds about right."

Curious, he reached out to tap the screen, half-expecting it to react. It flickered slightly but otherwise remained unresponsive before vanishing altogether. The crisp air suddenly felt heavier as his mind raced to process the bizarre experience.

This wasn't a lucid dream, and it wasn't some kind of concussion-induced hallucination. Everything felt far too vivid—the rough gravel under his fingers, the cool air brushing his skin, the faint scent of pine lingering in his nose.

No, this was real.

A flicker of panic rose in his chest, but he quelled it with a deep breath. "Focus," he muttered. "Step one: observe. Step two: analyze. Med tech 101."

He turned his attention to his surroundings, scrutinizing the landscape with a more methodical eye. The road stretched endlessly in both directions, cracked and uneven. Pine trees loomed tall and shadowy, their branches swaying faintly in the breeze. Everything was unfamiliar, yet strangely reminiscent of something he couldn't quite place a setting from a game, perhaps, or a half-remembered dream.

"Okay, brain," he muttered. "Let's recap. Woke up after a bus crash, got a status screen like I'm in some MMORPG, and… no idea what happens next."

He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion and adrenaline warring for dominance. Logic dictated that he needed to focus on survival—find food, shelter, or at least figure out where he was. But his situation defied logic in every conceivable way.

"Fan-freaking-tastic," he said to the empty road. "When I said I was ready for an adventure, I didn't mean stranded in an alternate reality."

With a resigned sigh, Arlo adjusted his backpack and picked a direction at random. The crunch of gravel beneath his sneakers was the only sound as he walked, each step feeling like a gamble, a move deeper into an unknown he couldn't yet comprehend.

"Well," he muttered, glancing up at the towering pines. "Guess there's only one way to figure this out."

==============================================

[????????] 

Arlo trudged along the cracked, endless road, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath his sneakers the only sound keeping him company. His thoughts swirled like a whirlpool, still reeling from the bizarre status window. Unable to resist, he summoned it again with a quick gesture, the glowing panel materializing just above his hand.

"All right," he murmured, staring at it with cautious curiosity. "Let's figure this out. Think RPG stats... no different than grinding levels on a weekend." 

He hesitated for a moment before tapping the screen experimentally. It flickered slightly in response, like it was alive. A notification appeared, stark and unhelpfully simple:

[Job: None (Unlocked upon first employment)]

"Well, there's a familiar disappointment," Arlo sighed, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Guess I'm stuck with 'Unemployed Wanderer' for now."

He scanned the rest of the stats. His HP—a clean 100—offered a small comfort, though his MP sat mockingly at zero. Curious, he tapped the entry. Another notification blinked into view:

[Notification: MP is locked until Wisdom reaches 10]

"So, no magic until I hit some kind of nerd threshold? Guess that tracks," he muttered, scratching his head.

The rest of the stats followed a predictable logic he could grasp easily:

Strength: Physical power. your ability to lift weight, the power you can exert in physical strike

Dexterity: movement speed, balance subtlety of your movements, precision, agility, reaction speed, and bodily flexibility

Intelligence: Capacity for logical reasoning, understanding new information, memory, your ability to connect points of information, absorb and discern facts, quick thinking.

Charisma: refers to your social abilities', your capacity to interact with others, and understanding their emotion. As expected, pitifully low. He let out a resigned sigh at that one.

Luck: He could use more of that, and often. Your chance of succeeding in action based on random events like flipping the coin or a series of occurrences that may favor you in some way

Endurance: refers to your vitality physical endurance and over all health as well as stamina to performed exhausting action for extended period of time.

Wisdom: To use your intelligence and knowledge based on judgement rather than purely rational thinking. it include s perceiving people's intentions, resisting mental influence attempts, noticing manipulation, boosting mana, common sense, and something ominously labeled "spirituality."

"Common sense and spirituality... Guess that's code for 'don't get yourself killed, Leeroy.' Noted," Arlo said dryly.

As he walked, his unease grew. The surreal nature of it all—the stats, the interface, the glowing notifications—it felt too vivid to be a hallucination but too ridiculous to be real. Before he could lose himself in overthinking, a low rumble echoed in the distance.

He squinted and spotted the outline of a van approaching from the horizon. Without hesitation, he stepped to the side of the road and stuck out his hand. The vehicle slowed, and he climbed inside without question.

Arlo leaned back in his seat, letting out a sigh of relief. Finally, a moment to breathe. He glanced at the smudged window beside him, catching a glimpse of his reflection. His tired, pale face mirrored his unease, but he forced a shaky smile anyway.

"One crisis at a time," he muttered under his breath.

The man at the wheel, who introduced himself as Trent, tossed a curious glance at Arlo through the rear-view mirror.

"You good back there, buddy?" Trent asked, his tone a mix of skepticism and mild concern.

"Yeah, just a little shaken up. You know, from getting dumped in the middle of nowhere," Arlo replied, offering a laugh that came out far too casual for his liking.

Trent's expression—a smug smirk paired with a faint scowl—set off alarm bells in Arlo's mind. He looked familiar.

Beside Trent sat a woman with dark, wavy hair. Her gaze locked on Arlo, sharp and assessing. Something about her face tugged at his memory. Her name surfaced like a fragment of a memory: Jenna.

"Wait a minute..." he whispered to himself, realization dawning in slow-motion horror.A sharp chime sounded. His vision swam as a glowing notification materialized before him:

[Quest Generated: Survive Camp Crystal Lake Until Dawn.]

His stomach dropped."No way…" Arlo muttered, feeling the blood drain from his face.

Trent leaned out of the driver's side window, studying him. "Hey, man, you okay? Look like you've been wandering here for days."

Arlo forced a deep breath and plastered on a shaky smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... weird day." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Name's Arlo, by the way."

Trent nodded. "Trent. So, what's the story? Why are you out here alone?"

Arlo hesitated. How much could he actually explain? "To be honest, I don't really know. I was on a bus, and the next thing I remember, I'm waking up by the side of the road. Pretty sure someone thought it'd be funny to dump me out here."

Trent's skeptical glance lingered. "So… you just woke up? No clue how?"

"Pretty much," Arlo said with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. "One minute I'm on a bus, the next... bam. Roadkill waiting to happen."

Jenna glanced back, her eyes softening. "Well, at least we found you," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The others in the van chimed in, their voices a mix of agreement and curiosity. Bree, seated beside Arlo, flashed him a teasing grin.

"So, you're a lost hitchhiker, huh?" she asked, leaning slightly toward him.

Arlo chuckled nervously, inwardly activating Observe on the group. Little blue outlines appeared briefly around each of them, revealing quick summaries in his mind:

[Observe Activated]

Trent Sutton Lv: 5 - Description: Confident, bold, probably likes control.

Jenna Montgomery Lv: 4 - Description: Empathetic, a natural leader.

Bree Guille Lv: 3 - Description: Outgoing, loves attention.

Chelsea Sanders Lv: 3 - Description: Quiet but observant.

Chewie Wong Lv: 3 - Description: Easygoing joker.

Nolan Hamilton Lv: 4 - Description: Solid, dependable.

Lawrence Escarpeta Lv: 4 - Description: Quiet thinker.

At least the skill works, Arlo thought with relief. Something familiar in this increasingly insane situation.Bree's grin widened."What kind of bus just dumps someone in the middle of nowhere? Sounds like a bad joke."

"Yeah, pretty messed up." He shrugged, trying to seem unfazed.

As they drove, casual conversation flowed. Chelsea asked about his studies, while Chewie cracked jokes that drew laughter from everyone except Trent, who stayed mostly quiet. Yet, for Arlo, every mile felt like a march toward doom.

..........

[Crystal Lake]

The realization hit him harder with every passing second. His mind raced, dredging up memories of Friday the 13th. Jason Voorhees. The masked killer waiting for them at the campgrounds.

A new notification popped up in his HUD:

[Warning: Disclosure of restricted information is prohibited. Violating this rule will result in penalties.]

Arlo clamped his mouth shut, glaring at the glowing message.

[Quest: Survive Camp Crystal Lake Until Dawn.]

Description: Survive the night without dying a very horrible death by Jason Voorhees.

Difficulty: D-Rank

Reward: 700 Credits, 500 EXP.

Failure: Death

Fantastic

"Seriously?" he muttered under his breath, earning a curious look from Bree.

"You okay?" she asked, nudging his arm lightly.

"Yeah, just realizing I've got my work cut out for me," he replied with a forced chuckle.The van rolled on, the chatter and laughter continuing as if nothing was wrong. But inside, Arlo's mind spun through escape strategies, survival plans, and ways to keep these people alive.Because no matter how terrifying this quest was, one thing was certain: he wasn't going to let them die if he could help it.

==================================================

[Crystal Lake: Trent Cabin]

Arlo's stomach twisted as the van pulled up to Trent's "cabin." The term didn't quite fit—this was no rustic hideaway but a sprawling mansion dropped in the wilderness. Massive logs made up the structure, towering into the treetops. A wide, inviting porch wrapped around the front, and trophy heads of deer, bears, and even a wolf adorned the walls like grim sentinels. Inside, animal skins were draped over rustic furniture, giving the place a "hunter's paradise" vibe that screamed both luxury retreat and prime horror movie setting.

The group dispersed almost instantly. Trent and Chewie cranked up the stereo, the bass rattling the walls and making the windows vibrate. Bree and Chelsea raided the kitchen, laughing as they uncovered a hoard of snacks. Out on the deck, Nolan and Lawrence chatted about possible water-skiing spots, their voices drifting into the house.

Arlo stood by the door, his gut churning with unease. He took a steadying breath.

"Hey, I'm gonna take a quick look around the lake," he announced, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Trent glanced up from fiddling with the stereo. "Why? Planning to go for a solo swim or something?"

"Nah, just curious," Arlo replied with a shrug, keeping his tone casual. "Figured I'd scope out the area. Maybe find some fishing spots or whatever."

Or maybe find out if the psycho with the hockey mask is lurking around, he though

..............

The narrow path to the lake was eerily quiet, the forest around him dense and foreboding. The water shimmered in dark, glassy patches, reflecting the looming trees like a cracked mirror. Despite his nerves, Arlo kept his breathing steady, letting his Observe skill do its thing. The faint flicker of data fed into his vision, highlighting subtle disturbances in the path—broken twigs, flattened grass, faint indentations in the dirt.

His mind drifted to Jason Voorhees. The infamous slasher wasn't just a brute. He was a force of nature. Arlo pictured the hulking figure: machete in hand, hockey mask glinting in the moonlight, unrelenting and nearly indestructible. He wasn't some mindless killer—he was a predator, cunning and tactical.

Fighting him head-on? Not an option, Arlo thought grimly.

Suddenly, a notification pinged into his vision, pulling him from his thoughts:

[Observe Skill Activated]

Bear Trap

Description: A spring-loaded trap designed to incapacitate prey.

Threat Level: Mid to High

Arlo crouched beside the path, spotting the rusty teeth of an old bear trap half-hidden beneath fallen leaves. His pulse quickened as he scanned the area. There were more—snares, tripwires, and crude but deadly traps littered the trails.

Jason's not just a brute. He's a damn survivalist, Arlo realized with a chill. This isn't just a hunt—it's a game.

He sidestepped the traps carefully, relying on Observe to guide him.

The skill's faint outlines and warnings lit his path, showing him where to step and what to avoid. Each successful dodge bolstered his confidence, but the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him. Out here, alone, he was the perfect target—a solitary figure wandering straight into Jason's hunting grounds.

Then, the notification appeared in his HUD.

[Jason Voorhees - Level 10]

Arlo froze, his blood turning to ice. He scanned the dense forest ahead, and there he was—Jason.

The figure stood motionless about a hundred meters away, partially obscured by the trees. The iconic hockey mask gleamed faintly in the dim light, the rest of him shrouded in shadows. He didn't move, didn't flinch—he simply watched.

Arlo's pulse thundered in his ears.

[Analysis Activated]

Name: Jason Voorhees

Threat Level: Extreme

Status: Focused on the nearest threat. Heightened aggression detected.

Suggestion: Extreme Caution, Act natural and walk away slowly.

Nearest threat? Arlo thought bitterly. Great, that's me.

Fighting the primal urge to run, Arlo forced himself to move casually. He kept his head down and his steps deliberate, channeling every calm, oblivious character he'd ever seen in a horror movie. Nothing to see here, just a clueless tourist wandering the lake, he thought, gripping his composure like a lifeline.

Jason didn't follow.

When the tension in Arlo's chest finally loosened, he quickened his pace, making his way back toward the cabin. The moment he stepped inside and closed the door behind him, he leaned against it, exhaling shakily. His hands trembled as he tried to shake off the encounter.

"No machete-wielding psychos for now," he muttered to himself.

But when he looked up, the entire group was staring at him.

"You okay, man?" Chewie asked, raising an eyebrow. "You look like you ran into Bigfoot or something."

"Or worse," Arlo replied, his voice tight. "Actually… can we all head into the living room for a second? There's something you guys need to know."

==================================================

The group gathered in the living room, their chatter replaced by curiosity and mild concern. Trent lounged on the couch, arms crossed, his expression skeptical. Bree perched on the armrest beside him, while Chelsea and Nolan sat across from them. Lawrence and Chewie leaned against the wall, watching Arlo expectantly.

"So, what's this about?" Trent asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You find some ghost out there?"

"Not a ghost," Arlo said, clearing his throat. "A guy. Big, muscular, standing by the lake. Watching. Looked… well, creepy, to say the least."

Trent snorted. "Nice try, dude. We're not falling for some horror story."

Arlo held his gaze, dead serious. "I'm not joking. There's a reason people go missing around here. Check the news if you don't believe me."

The room fell silent. Bree wrapped her arms around herself, her confidence visibly shaken. Chelsea glanced at Nolan, her unease evident despite her effort to stay calm.

"Okay, well… that's unsettling," Bree murmured.

Nolan, trying to laugh it off, looked at Arlo and said, "Come on, man, you're just trying to freak us out, right? Trying to keep us from enjoying the lake?"

Arlo shook his head, dead serious. "Not even close There's a reason I'm saying this."

He looked around, ensuring everyone was paying attention. "This guy looked like he meant business. Not just some camper passing through."

"Speaking of which," Trent cut in, frowning, "where's Jenna? Didn't she go off with that Clay guy?"

Arlo's stomach tightened. He remembered the movie—the part where Jenna and Clay stumbled onto the abandoned camp and crossed paths with Jason.… and things had gone downhill from there. She's going to need backup when she comes back. Arlo resolved then and there that he needed to keep everyone here until Jenna returned.

Bree suddenly asked, breaking his train of thought, "So what did this guy look like, exactly?" Arlo nearly grinned, thinking, You're doing me a favor, Bree.

This was his chance to make sure no one wanted to go outside. He kept his tone steady but descriptive. "Huge guy, tall, built like a tank. But what really stood out was his mask. A hockey mask, covering his face entirely. Just standing there, like he was… waiting."

The description had the desired effect. Chewie's face went pale, and even Trent shifted uneasily. The hockey mask had done it.

"Alright, so now we've got some freak in a mask wandering around?" Trent muttered, glancing at the door.

"They're looking for his sister," Arlo said quickly, trying to keep the panic from his voice. "They'll be back soon."

"Soon isn't good enough," Trent said, standing. "If there's some psycho out there, we can't just sit around."

Arlo stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "We're safer together. Let's wait for them here."

Trent glared at him, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his nerves. "Fine," he muttered. "But if they're not back soon, I'm going after her."

Arlo nodded, hoping Jenna and Clay would return before things spiraled out of control.

As Bree broke the silence with a nervous question about the man by the lake, Arlo dove into the description, ensuring no one wanted to step outside. If they could stick together, maybe just maybe they'd have a chance of surviving the night.