54. Future plans

''Finally, it's time for my revenge to take place. More or less since, unfortunately, it would be impossible for me to find or even differentiate the bastard dog that attacked me, or else I... I am not sure if I would emerge victorious from that encounter''

My arm has finished healing completely. Actually, this happened days ago, but even so, I did not give the expected importance to it because I was then focused on another matter, which was practicing the use of the rock sling and verifying the damage it causes to the targets.

After all, just because I have recovered does not mean that I throw away the weapon, which I take so much effort to craft, for while my fists and feet can deal with enemies coming at me, to fight those who are beyond my reach, I have no choice but to use it if I wish to cause even a slight damage.

''Certainly, I would not defeat them, but at least I could get their attention''

Anyway, based on thorough and numerous tests, I have discovered that, no matter where I hit them, it is impossible for me to defeat any beast residing in the vicinity with a simple rock, for although the rats, who are the weakest physically speaking, can be severely injured if they receive a hit to the head, as these are so many they have the opportunity to hide underground to heal their wounds, while the others continue the battle.

As for the felines, they are at most stunned for a few moments, but I have assumed that this deficiency is largely due to the poor materials that make up the sling, as perhaps with a more resistant one, the damage would be greater. Of course, this is just speculation without conclusive evidence.

Concerning the rabbits, I am not sure what the result would be with the adults, a pitiful one that is for sure, because the only specimen with which I tried it was a young one, who was only distracted by the impact, but no apparent pain.

Now, with the hedgehogs, there was no effect, even though I did the shot with all my strength, leading to the rope breaking after only one use.

The results did not prove to be promising. Not to mention, hitting them is still a challenge, which I can only complete if I take advantage of the distraction caused by the barbarians. Therefore, in a solo fight, taking the time to aim could become an overly difficult task, which would not compensate for the effort to do so.

''Predictably from a weapon that originated on Earth, it highlights the difference between the ecosystems of the two worlds. At the end of the day, it proves ineffective against the giant animals here, but it must be deadly if used on humans with weak bodies''

Without fear of being mistaken, I consider that a single shot, executed correctly, is enough to end the life of subjects like the old wizard and the merchant. However, there is no real reason for me to try.

''No, I have not forgotten my desire to escape this damned place. It's just that I've realized I don't need to go up against someone I probably can't beat, even if I use all the means at my disposal... unless luck is on my side, allowing me to hit him with an undetectable attack, but that's a risk I'm not willing to assume''

I plan to leave here, but I will do it quietly. Besides, I have decided to look for a hidden place, not too far from the cave, where I can fit in.

''Yes, I know that even if I left, no one would notice until too late. However, that's not why I'm looking for it. I don't plan to hide inside. I need it to store the food I will take with me on my journey to the outskirts of the forest''

Since I don't have a map to tell me the exact location where we are, indeed, I can't even rely on the rising and setting of the sun to show me the east and west direction since it doesn't, my only option is to walk in a straight line until I find any trace of civilization.

At first impression, that might sound very simple, but in reality, it is not at all, so to carry it out successfully, I need to fulfill some basic requirements that I have established for myself.

Arranged from least to greatest in terms of difficulty, the first of these is to obtain enough garments to carry with me since these would not only serve to protect me from the sun, provide me with comfort, and allow me acceptance from ordinary people but would also help me as bandages, sacks, and even weapons.

This one I consider the easiest of the conditions because it is something I have already solved with a second trip to the women's bedroom, where this time, learning from their mistakes, they welcomed me after my gentle knock on the door, so without shouting and whining around me, I could take my time to find and get all the men's garments they kept.

''I must admit that, lately, I have been feeling at home, as after tying my shirts and pants to the little branches next to the place where I sleep, I have come to feel as if these were four warm walls that protect me. Although, this illusion is broken when I have to pick up, clean, or wash the ones that fall to the ground due to the night wind''

With that said, the next is why I will be looking for a hiding place on a hill or a hole in a tree trunk. That is, in order to leave, I need to keep myself sufficiently fed and watered to be able to walk without stopping.

A complicated task, considering that it will be hard for me to hunt for my food.

''Don't worry. I have already devised a way to avoid that. To be specific, it occurred to me to take pieces of meat cooked during mealtimes to the frozen room, leaving them nearby until they were covered with ice, and then wrapping them in rags and dirt to store them in my stash until they would be useful to me''

That was a brilliant idea that came to my mind in a moment of enlightenment while I was urinating in a bush. Nonetheless, I have not put it into practice, as I still have to fulfill the most important requirement, which is also the most challenging.

''I need more power to deal with the beasts on my own, or at least enough to be able to run away from them''

Today I have planned to confront a feline up close, but even if I do, it will be with the help of others who are stronger and more experienced than I am, so my participation during the battle will undoubtedly be minimal.

''I'll have to do it''

If I start actively participating in the hunts, I will gradually learn, grow, and improve, just as I did when I fought against the boys my age, but that is not the ideal way to develop me. So, in order to do what is best for my future, I will also join the battles that adults have with each other, even though I consider them more dangerous than fighting the beasts.

''Indeed, I said I had stopped practicing martial arts because they would only be useful against human beings, and that I no longer had anyone to use them against... No, I don't take it back, as I don't consider the big guys as people. Bipedal animals would be the right way to describe them''

That is why fighting them would serve me well. After all, their savage behaviors are not very different from the beasts I will face on the way. Besides, doing so would allow me to perfect the skill I left halfway.

Even so, since I have no desire to die, for the time being, I will do so with the use of techniques different from theirs, but once I obtain the same capabilities, I will let myself go without thinking so that I can learn from their movements.

They will be my teachers, not the most suitable, but the only ones I can get here. From them, I will learn by using my body and not my eyes how to release my instincts to dodge without hesitation and move in a way the beasts won't be able to predict my next attack.

''Evidently, that's something I've put into practice in previous fights, but nowhere near the same level as them''

Besides, seeing it is not the same as doing it, for to my eyes, they only seem to fight like idiots, but the outcomes they get prove me wrong.

Strategically speaking, they fight terribly. However, the fact that despite it, no one has died since I joined the hunting party shows that they have what it takes to live on their own in this dangerous place.

''A quality I lack and require''

Speaking of what I don't have. I would like to get a pair of boots like the giant's, as well as one or two knives such as the ones that women use for cooking, maybe I have to...