Chapter 7: Too Bad

When I was first reincarnated, I was ecstatic. Finally, I could leave behind everything and start over.

But there were some problems with that. Namely, I was running from my past. No matter what I did, there was no way to actually run from the past. You couldn't change it and you certainly couldn't right the wrongs. Well, in most cases. In some cases though, you could apologize or at least try to change. I could always just erase my memories. But would that person really be me?

I tried to change all my life but, in the end, it all came down to nothing. In the end, I couldn't really change who I was. Every time I did something I didn't like, I felt like I was lying to myself. Felt like I was selling my body, my soul. I didn't die alone because I didn't want anyone. I died alone because no one wanted me. That was probably going to be true for this world as well. No matter what I did and how I did it, I was still going to be alone.

After all, you couldn't change the past and you couldn't change yourself. Sure gradual change was possible, but… not for me.

Besides I'm a monster. A shapeshifter. And now… I was going to be a murderer. But… that was fine.

The world around me was different from the one I was used to. The trees were vibrant, the birds were loud and there were no roads.

It wasn't a forest but the foliage was pretty dense. I didn't sense any monster in the area and my map was actually mapped for once, so I didn't need to go on to explore. And it also had a mark on it, an arrow of sorts. Apparently, if I walked for about four hours straight, I was going to reach a village. A village I had business with.

It was almost afternoon though, and I didn't want to reach the village late at night because that would probably make them suspicious. I first had to figure out how strong humans were before devouring them. My guess was- not very, at least from the twin's memories. But I knew I couldn't underestimate humans of all things.

It'll be a pain to walk for four hours. Especially with my meager stamina. So… I almost turned into a goblin- almost….

Sigh… the dress. It cost mana to make this. I couldn't just rip it apart! Inventory! I filed it in my inventory. I had more slots now. About a hundred. Apparently, evolution really packed a punch. It only made me bigger though.

Now that I looked carefully, I really was a beauty, huh? I didn't feel even an ounce of lust though.

There were no enemies on my map. So, I turned into a goblin and started dashing. Goblins, the typical ones were pretty damn fast. Hobs were strong while goblin kings were both. Boost!

Boost, actually boosted speed stat rather than everything. Which was fine but I wished it was named speed boost or something similar because I almost crashed into a wall the last time.

I ran fast. Probably faster than even sprint athletes back home. I made extra sure to not run into trees. But the grass here was sharp and cut my flesh. Goblin skin was tough but the grass still sliced me up really bad. The cuts didn't hurt and they didn't really shave my HP but they were just plain annoying and itched!

About twenty minutes later I stopped, unable to proceed any further. My lungs were on fire and I needed water. But there was no water.

Parched, I desperately surveyed the surroundings for some damn water… nothing.

If only the damn map had more details! Maybe I shouldn't have run full speed. I ended up covering one third of my journey, so that was good at least.

This world didn't look that different from Earth. The trees were similar but bigger. The animals, also bigger. The monsters… big. The humans… small? No, you only saw children. And although I thought they were fifteen, in reality they were twelve. So actual humans were probably as big as Europeans, at least on this continent.

I started walking and eyed unsuspecting preys. The minimap showed enemies but it didn't show typical animals like squirrels or birds. Goblins loved eating raw flesh, so maybe I could quench my thirst with some blood.

There's one! I quickly crafted a goblin bow and arrow, and took aim. I shot and it was a bullseye. A perfectly ripe squirrel!

So, goblin archery is a passive skill….

The moment I touched the bow, it felt like I'd known archery from the very moment I was born; I hadn't even seen a real bow before this reincarnation thing. Passive skills didn't cost MP but crafting this bow and arrow did. The bow cost 5 while an arrow cost 2 MP. Not bad but right now that was pretty brutal.

And I wasn't recovering any MP whatsoever!

I dug my teeth into the squirrel (taste was like a meat pie), ate it and moved on.

[Absorbed forest squirrel!]

[Skill Nut Sense acquired!]

Apparently, now I could sense nuts in the area. Interesting…

I proceeded to hunt at least one of every single damn animal in the forest while I alternated between running and walking. By the end of it, I didn't gain any levels but I did gain three very interesting skills. 'Birds Eye View' which allowed me to see far away, 'Navigation' exactly what it implied (utterly useless since I already had a minimap system), and 'Ram'. Apparently, I could turn into a Billy Goat and ram into things now. Nice!

While I was at it, I saw some fellow goblin (scouts) who I graciously absorbed. Couldn't live behind family, right?

[Skill, Partial Mimicry Acquired!]

I tried it right away. I could turn my hand into mush, I could also turn it into a human hand if I wanted to. Did it work for stuff down there though?

Very interesting….

It took me about two hours before the foliage thinned. Lamina village was just up ahead. I turned back to my human form in a bush and put on my dress. Maybe I should have also created underwear? I looked fine and it didn't really bother me, so it was probably fine. I'd just take some from the village. Nah, not like I'll be a girl forever or something.

I continued walking for a about ten minutes before I reached a wall of sorts. It was made from tall tree branches. Thick branches. Or were they young trees?

There was a bored looking guard at the entrance. He eyed me for a couple of seconds before smiling dashingly. "I haven't seen you before, miss. Visiting someone?"

I didn't know this person. Not from the twins' memories at least. So, there was a good chance he was hired from another village. "No. I actually got lost. I was with my parents but sadly we were attacked by goblins and I got separated. Luckily, I had a guard with me who kept me safe but…" I didn't finish and feigned a bit of sadness. I was trying to pull off 'a rich spoiled young lady who just experienced the harsh reality of life but couldn't accept it' scenario.

"I see, must have been tough. Please come on in. I'm sure the village will welcome such a beautiful lady with open arms. The big house in the middle is the elder's house. I'm sorry I can't escort you there but if you explain your situation to him, he might even help you get reunited with your parents!" he had a spear in his hand and his outfit was very fantasy like. It was similar to a costume but his clothes were pretty muted in color and I could tell… they were real.

"Really!?" I became all excited and almost jumped. His eyes were glued to my flat chest for some reason? Oh? Apparently, my nipples were pressing up. What the fuck is wrong with you? Hey, I wasn't even remotely turned on or anything but these things were just perking on their own! Annoying… "Thank you very much!" I thanked him and entered the village. The whole time, the man stared at me like I was some sort of a display. Too bad I'm a guy though. Heh.