Ch3 : Hunt Down

[Day 3]

Before the sunrise, I was stirred awake inside my so-called base. Thoughts of the previous incident came across my mind, I couldn't help but linger at insignificant stuff.

Am I freaking out? Oh no, cowards vibe.

Day is very unsettling for me. I doubt myself to stand another day here, yet it can't be blamed. I have to walk forward, to get out of here even with the last effort. I won't let anyone shake me to my whim.

I could say that I'll take them down but I couldn't even see their movements. How can I say something so irrational? Why am I so outcast in this world? Now I can monologue foolishly on this, no?

Even if I have to fight, I am totally at loss. I'd been mild since every moment of life and didn't consider going to the gym to build up because I thought I won't ever engage in a single fight. Even robbers would rob me without a fight!

So what should I do? Build up my body so I can roast them at ease? Would I need to do push ups, sit ups, or maybe squats? Maybe some push ups, then I'll camp!

One! Two! Yah!

Few minutes later

Huff… Huff!

'I can't do more than that!'

Tiredly, I sat on the ground and with a sudden appetite, I grabbed a fruit to eat. As I bite on, it explodes out its seed on my face.

Just a while later, the sun rises as I clean my face near the riverbank. There were many inhabitants, fortunately passive, drinking water. If chances come, I can make them prey but they run better than me…

Even if not, I am just indirectly being mocked. Heh… my tears, don't fall. It's not time. We have a long way to go.

Just as I was about to go, at the end of the corner of my eyes, my sight fell onto something illogical. It was a piece of cloth wrapped around the horns of one of the inhabitants who was drinking water. I can't practically find a reason for him to have a piece of cloth, human-use piece of cloth? Even though it was ragged, where did he get it? Is a human, other than me, here?

Before I could think of more reasons, it started walking away from the river. It wasn't far so I started chasing after him. However, I slowed down as he was going into the northeast region, the place which has both swamp and deep forest together.

I gulped down heavily, hesitation was on top of me. Whether to go in or not, I can't decide it properly. Even if I know there isn't anyone and anyone who will welcome me, still this furious mind won't let it till I confirm it. I mustered up courage and took out my knife.

As I went deeper into the area, to make matters worse, the trees blocked most of the sunlight, casting an eerie silence. However, there lives numerous wilds as I remember correctly my previous experience there.

In the muddy ground of the swamp, faint trails of him can be seen with ease. I followed the path made by him and separated myself completely from the local swamp where I had found wilds. I conceal myself in bushes and steadily move forward.

Ahead of me, I felt someone lurking there ready to ambush. Welp, I threw a rock and, as expected, it revealed itself and crushed the rock into pieces which he caught by just brute of his fangs. How creepy.

He is one of a kind I have seen before. That time I couldn't have given a name but based on his appearance of purrs, I will name it Fuzzy Purr. It is an absolutely ridiculous name but whatsoever. Who's gonna judge it?

Upon further examination, I noticed several injuries on his body. An apex or a high creature possibly can cause such harm to them, I suppose, so I am just indirectly entering into that apex… Ah, holy shit.

I need to end this quickly or I might end up in some big trouble for real. I can't let him escape either. He may come back with his other companies later if escaped. The odds of possibilities? I must be freaking out that I am coming with such various outcomes!

As if tired of waiting for me to attack first at him, he lunged at me. The realization hit me, the fight has already begun ever since I found him, I can't be gasping out for my own thoughts.

His movements were unsteadily and his pace was significantly reduced. 'cause of injuries, I presume that I had a good advantage over the fight. I dodged his attack. Just as I thought that, the table turned and with his horns on head he made a cut on the side of my forearm.

I stepped back, keeping a distance. My breathing becomes slightly narrowed at the situation, not about the fact I get injured but the fact he could easily have his horns stabbed directly into my heart if not injured.

Come on, this heart is for your sister in law, not for you to puncture it before she does.

I notice him perspiring, giving a hint of his fatigue condition. He prepared himself to launch another attack. As he approaches with a glint of bloodlust in eyes, I position myself with a plan in mind. It may not work but I don't have any other better choice.

He attacked and as previously he turned his head to attack with his horns again. I had grasped this much, at least. To his surprise, I climbed up his back. He baffled and spun around to get me off.

I didn't have enough grip and so I flew off into a brush full of thorns which stuck deep into my skin. Such a shame, although it isn't my previous handsome body, you can't just make my current body worse. Don't you want your sister in law to be beautiful?

He snorts, I can see tension between us, for us, prey is in front of sight. I scanned the surroundings as I smirked upon something.

I let the gasp of fear inside of me, which made me feel inadequate of courage, and rushed at him instead. He, as well, lunged forward to give a blow. However, I slipped myself under him providing a blindspot, I stabbed the knife in his lower jaw and entangled his neck by arms . He groans in agony, being completely bewildered.

Yes and a blow on his head…

–!

My arm..? Why is it feeling numb..?

He immediately pushed me off after recovering. I didn't give a complete attack and moreover my knife got stuck into his lower jaw. Even after the attack my left arm remained numb, not responding despite the effort.

What's wrong?

Uh, thorns? Thorns in my left arm? Is it because of them? Most probably, since it happened after getting stuck by thorns. Was that to favor him?

I am feeling this complete bullshit.

Gahh.. The Lord doesn't have mercy.

I gasp a bit, trying to make a bit of sense to continue partake in this fight. Buddy, I was just a person full of ill-manners, please forgive my rudeness and let me go.

"Oinkk!!"

Did he just read my mind? And disagree?

Welp, fighting to death and not getting a reward must be so frustrating. Seems like I can't run away either. Silence was immense between us, so much that it could be suffocating.

I tried to find something within the range, however, forest foliage made it impossible to find. I sigh, trying to calm myself as I grab those thorns beside me and wrap it around my fist.

Will it numb my whole body or not, I don't know but I've less time to finish it off or I might be finished off.

We both dash at each other. I took his attack and response back with thorns in my left fist, stabbing it down under his skin. If I gotta be paralyzed then why leave you alone?

He pushed me off so I gave a blow of my kneecap to his lower jaw. The next moment, I grabbed the knife and tried to cut open his jaw, however, my mind went nauseous. I can't remain steady, numbness spreading throughout my whole body.

Despite it, I put all the strength in and finally cut open his jaw along with his upper jaw. As the result, I fell on the ground yet he remained on his feet. I thought it was the last moment of my life but then he also fell down on the ground.

Uh, my limbs feel stiff. I can't move further… What hardships. I sighed exasperatedly.

'When will this paralyzing effect be worn off?!'

I glance at him and see him taking his last breaths. The loss of blood would definitely end for him, moreover, what a barbaric condition he is in. I might vomit if I look too much.

Let's wait and see when I get up. I hope no-one comes before I get up. I also have to follow that guy who has cloth but well he ran off.

Um.. Sorry dude, I decided to make you food. You have given me quite trouble.

—

Uhh..

'Yes, I can finally move! It took almost an entire day!'

I stood up and stretched myself a bit. The sun has gotten to the horizon, indicating the end of the day. I haven't got any clue where exactly that guy went. When I followed his trail, it ended at the point where the swamp end.

I decided to not go any further and go back to my place. There's not any point since I'll receive a piece of cloth alone if I even caught him. It wouldn't help me. I just assumed that people had been there for something, sometime.

After returning back to base, I relaxed for a while and later set fire to cook the food. It's been awhile since I tasted meat. It will lack spices but nuts! I have gotten the meat!

Ow, ow. I have caused myself quite injuries, haven't I? I must be careful later.

The sun finally gets under the horizon and the night starts. I enjoyed seeing the stars. Everything is quite unsettling…

Sigh…