Ch 6—Death

Over the last two weeks, Matthew had come to enjoy living as a vagabond.

There were things he could never get used to however, first off was sleeping in the dark forest. It had taken a few days for him to understand the creatures of the forest.

A few very sleep deprived days.

The forest slept during these hours, but it didn't make it easier for him to fall asleep. Small twigs cracking made his heart race, the eerie whisper of the wind felt like the voice of death.

He had resorted to journalling to slowly relax, he recounted all of the day's activities, while he planned for tomorrow. I

t was strange how looking forward to the next day made it a little easier to close his eyes.

Day one. I appreciate Old cat more and more. It is invaluable for a solo adventurer like me.

The first days had me coming to terms with the fact I had no wilderness survival skills.

I started near the lake, scouting it from above before descending.

The terrain had seven open fields, a high rocky hill with small caves, and a dark murky swamp near the edge that I chose to ignore.

In the swamp, there was many giant half-man, half-snake-like beasts with green-gray skin and four eyes and fangs that spilled from its mouth.

So yeah… I'm not going there. Not that everywhere else was safe, either. Each plain was hunting grounds for the flying creatures. The herbivorous creatures also graze there unfortunately.

Not that I think I could take ten bison at once, especially magic bison that shoot out lightning bolts. The plains were also hunting grounds of the hounds.

Pack hunters with powerful senses, I can barely hide from them while completely still.

The jungle itself isn't very safe. Man eating plants, the invisible predator from the central cavern and strange massive lizards. I need to go back to the former terrace just to sleep.

Day two. Running on fumes here, couldn't sleep with all the noise and well… fear. The good news, however, is that I've secured a food source

There are these strange monkeys with two tails that I've been following.

I watched them and the fruits they eat and after some very tense testing they seem all right. My stomach keeps bothering me, but I'm hoping it's just me expecting food poisoning.

Getting the fruits however is not easy. Remember those man-eating plants and the Light Lurker (the invisible bloke)? Yeah, they wait around…

Although I've noticed they avoid each other.

The status screen can also tell you what type of Spirit coins you've absorbed, I'm slowly learning the names of these monsters.

Day three. I found a way to ward off the Lurkers. The scent from the Carrion weed( the man-eating plant), it has a potent paralytic poison(Trust me—my hand is never going to be the same.)

The Lurkers and even hounds avoid them heavily.

However, I am an intelligent hunter… I used some pine resin to coat my body then set the thing on fire. I was able to harvest the paralytic and it has been very useful… hehe

Matthew frowned, Why do I sound so unhinged?

He shrugged, blaming the hunger and isolation. He continued reading.

Day four. The place is really horrible. I have spent the entire day being stalked. I call it the Yellow dragon, I doubt I'll be learning its true name anytime soon.

A massive, slow yellow lizard with powerful jaws and a tail strong enough to topple a tree. It wasn't fast enough to chase me, but it relentlessly followed me.

It wasn't tricked by the smell of the plants and is veryyyy patient. Probably poisonous. Its sense of smell and hearing were frighteningly sharp.

Like bruh—get a job or something. How am i the only thing it has followed for the last FIVE HOURS! Leave me alone! It did this really creepy thing when I was studying the hounds.

It would spot me and wait in paths I was bound to follow, watching like it believed I couldn't see him. Worse, when I turn my back, it will be closer.

I, rightfully, fell over screaming like an idiot when the bastard silently approached me.

It just stopped and stared at me, still and waiting.

For a couple of minutes, I just screamed while it watched. Then I ran—constantly checking my back, terrified that it would have closed the gap, its enormous jaws opening to reveal rows of hooked, slimy teeth that would…. Ugh creepy bastard.

Anywayyy, avoid their territory at all cost. It's very energy efficient so it won't chase, but if it grabs you well… no point in writing this.

Day five. I met some people—well I saw and followed them at least. They were a brave sort, not loud but eager to prove they weren't scared. I was wondering if I should be more like them.

They pushed aside the great green leaves and crouched through the undergrowth undeterred by any fear of death.

I think that's my biggest weakness, I didn't hesitate to kill the paratized boy and I've served my time in the reserves. I'm not a coward, but you know what i mean

They aren't scared of death, it was their foolishness that emboldened them but it worked. They killed two lone hounds and managed to bring down a bison that seemed to have discharged all its lightning.

It was a strange stroke of luck, that the bison had no lightning to cook them or the strange flying beast didn't swoop down on them. Heck, they barely avoided a patch of Carrion weed.

They were inches from a really disturbing death.

Day six. They weren't as lucky today, I felt strangely sad watching them die. I guess I would have liked to see them defeat the forest with that foolish bravery.

I've learnt more about the beasts though, the Light lurker wasn't the only beast that could become invisible. Huge lizards that could camouflage and move in bursts of red, ethereal light.

A strange flying piece of vine, Its sleek, black body was so lanky I mistook it for a vine flowing in the wind.It strikes like a spear, it stopped dancing through the air like a piece of ribbon and suddenly shot through the air into one of their chests.

It uses sight I think, but I'm not sure how it chooses prey.

Matthew closed the book, tucking the brown leather bound journal into his bag. He should sleep, there much to do tomorrow.

The last five days were a horrific fever dream, but his goal was clear. He needed to fight and grow stronger.

Death was the only way.