49. Pre-fight ramblings

'I understand this seems a bit dangerous to you, but don't let that get to you. After all, I've decided to act more cautiously than before'

I have certainly not healed completely, as although the lacerations on my torso and legs have scarred, it is still difficult for me to use my arm as I would like to.

However, that doesn't worry me too much because I don't plan to engage in close combat, at least not this time.

The day has finally come when I have dared to follow the hunting party, for up to now, since the feline attack, I have spent most of my time hiding in the vicinity of the cave, in safe areas where I would not attract beasts by the smell of blood, nor would I be found by the giant, who might be angry to see me loafing around.

'Running with a broken arm that needs more time to heal is uncomfortable, but I can do nothing but endure it since this is partially my fault'

In retrospect, I underestimated the severity of my injuries, thinking that the beast's bite, as violent as it was, had only ripped my muscle with its fangs, leaving the bone with slight scrapes that would soon heal.

I was wrong. I did it because the pain wasn't as bad as when my calf ruptured.

Apparently, my brain had decided on its own that it wasn't necessary to send such signals from my arm because the damage was completely evident. Now, that changed the next morning.

Once I had breakfast, having replenished the energy I was lacking, my natural regeneration was set in motion, leading to intense currents of pain assailing me, which allowed me to understand the condition I was in. A little late, as I had wasted the night in vain, a time I could have used to wrap some cloth around the wound or wash it.

That was a bad experience, no doubt, but without being excessive, so after complaining to you a bit about it, I can erase it from my memory as if nothing had happened. Nonetheless, the true problem comes from the fact that my recovery has taken longer than I expected.

This delay was not only because of the limited innate abilities I possess but also because of the poor location in which I live. After all, having an injured arm, I could not fight for food, nor could I get ahead of the others to go to the dining hall since I had to take my time getting down from the top of the tree where I was resting.

'No, that's impossible, as I have stopped waking up early'

I have lost that advantage because nightmares prevent me from getting proper sleep. I can't do it because, during the night, I end up waking up several times sweaty and agitated plus, even though I usually fall back to slumber, the time it takes me to do it prevents me from getting enough rest each day.

Thus, waking up before sunrise is not an option unless I want to be overwhelmed by drowsiness again.

With that said the truth is that lately, I have been able to sleep better since, after obtaining numerous garments on my trip to the women's bedroom, I was able to do it completely sheltered, with a pillow under my head and even a pajama that I take off when I get up.

'The things I got from there were a lot, but unfortunately, I didn't get anything useful for fights'

I dare not say I am disappointed, for considering their situation, it would be rare for them to have weapons in their possessions. Still, I would have liked to get a pair of leather gloves or boots.

Now, let's talk a little bit about what happened that day...

'Before you, I confess, I am not proud of what I did. On the contrary, it was unpleasant to act like that'

I feel bad about it. I didn't mean to scare them, but that was the only way I had, as with them ignoring my gentle knock on the door, what else could I do? Talking them into letting me in wasn't feasible.

First of all, I don't speak the native language, and even if I did, being able to imitate some words, my deep tone of voice would surely generate the opposite effect to what I wanted because, for them, a man is synonymous with trouble and danger. Not to mention, I still try to hide the degree of intelligence I possess.

That's why, burdened with many worries, I decided to carry out a crude imitation of the standard actions of a barbarian, kicking open the door and entering the place with heavy steps coupled with a look of annoyance.

Once I got what I was looking for, I took a sheets placed on one of the beds and, using it as a sack to hold the other clothes, left the room.

'When I think of it like that, it's no wonder that being there, I could smell the stench of urine accompanied by crying and screaming... I hope it didn't leave them even more traumatized'

Well, if they really can't forget that event, then I can only send them a silent apology, for I don't intend to let guilt plague me. At the end of the day, it wouldn't change anything that happened.

Anyway, it would be too hypocritical of me to remain in vain lamentation since I plan to visit them again in the not-too-distant future because, with the recent arrival of the merchant, it is possible that they may have obtained new products that would be useful to me.

'Hopefully, by then, they will have learned to welcome me at my knock'

Moving on to another matter I wanted to tell you about, I finally met in person the bastard in charge of supporting the creation and maintenance of this damned place, that is to say, the merchant. Also, that was when I was closest to the crazy old man, an event that caused me to shiver as I imagined the power hidden in his skeletal body.

Due to that, I did my best to ignore him as I focused my gaze on the man in the suit who, like a clown, was doing his best to entertain his client, although, at that time, his performance was less exaggerated than the one I saw from afar.

I remember that, while I was at it, his gaze focused on me for a few moments, sending me waves of concern as I began to wonder if he had noticed the difference between me and the others, but since that was the only time he looked, I dismissed that fear from my mind.

'It was momentarily, as I witnessed three things that gained my interest, this returned'

The first of these were the swords carried by the merchant's guards, very different from the one the giant had on his back, for these were not only smaller but also had inscriptions engraved on their sheath similar to those on the walls inside the cave.

'Unfortunately, I could not see them unsheathed'

Next was what had previously fooled me, which was the clumsiness with which the old man had the small products lifted into the air, for in my eyes, his action still looked awkward. However, the other results showed that the geezer was not weak at all.

'He was trying to trick the guy in front of him, or maybe magic was more complicated than I imagined'

Lastly, when the deal seemed to be completed, just before the old man turned around to go back the way he came out, I noticed that the merchant came closer to him than ever, so much so that the giant tensed up as he grabbed his weapon ready to lunge, being stopped before he did by the one he wished to protect.

'The merchant whispered something to him. What did he say?'

It was then my turn to stress out since, not listening to him, I naturally came to regret that he was talking about me, so that night was particularly bad, even though nothing happened in the end.

Still, as a precaution, when the merchant and his group of escorts were leaving, I followed them from the branches of the trees to-...

'One, two, three... Three felines together, are they a family?... No, by the size they are, apparently they are all adults, not a single offspring, so it is probably a group that coincidentally ended up gathering to hunt'

Going near them is too dangerous, but I can't miss this opportunity either. Well, I will have to implement the plans I had prepared in advance, with my fingers crossed that everything turns out well.