Chapter 4: Bumping in a Forest

(T/W: hints of suicide)

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Yes, black trees. Their trunks were ash black, and leaves, a dull grey. Which didn't make sense, according to science, but neither did reincarnation.

'If it's like this, I can only afford to take the risk and move straight. Somewhere, there has to be an escape.' Kanae thought, biting her soft lip, cringing when a small amount of blood coated her tongue.

Licking her wound, she looked ahead.

"Is there any point? Any point in doing all this? If I'm meant to die on not completing any of these missions... Shouldn't I just end my life now?" She whispered slowly to herself.

She spotted a sharp rock on the ground and picked it up. Her hands wrapped around it, as if used to feeling it. "Should I? This won't be my first cut." She mumbled. "It'll only take a few seconds."

Without hesitating anymore, she swung the rock towards her stomach, but it stopped just an inch before piercing her pale skin. Her hand trembled.

The very next moment, clear signs of mirth showed up on her face.

"As if! I value my life; thank you. And you, sharp rock, can go to hell." She let out a laugh.

She threw the rock high up in the air, letting it fall to the ground.

"It's getting dark. I should find shelter." She scratched her hair. Even though the sky was a dull grey, she could tell it was getting darker. The clouds were getting more ominous as if it was going to rain.

Kanae walked on and on. She had no idea how much time it had been, but it seemed like hours to her. There was no sight of the sun, and the cold made her body achingly numb. She had been in search of a cave, or a huge tree to rest.

All the trees seemed too weak and unsafe to sleep on for the night.

Just when Kanae almost collapsed from the cold, she heard the System speak again. "System alerts: Predator nearby. Player White is cautioned to move wisely."

"Am I a magnet bar or what? Why do I keep attracting these pests at the worst time possible?!" She groaned. She was just a normal girl! She couldn't bear to face all the monsters like the other wuxia female leads.

She simply wanted to escape real life.

And now that she had done so, she wished to live happily here. But of course, nothing comes without a cost. And she'll be costed her life or her virginity. Either way, she was cursed to have bad luck. She didn't favor death or kids.

Her ears perked upon hearing a low growl. She could see the faint outlines of a bear-like monster approaching her at a quick rate. "No! Slow down! I don't have cookies! Or honey! I'm innocent..." She screamed while crying mentally.

She thought she was a goner, but then spotted a cave! It was surrounded by fog and a scent that tickled Kanae's nose. Not wanting to be chased anymore, she quickly went inside the cave, peeking out to see if the bear could sight her.

With all that snow, he shouldn't be able to track her scent. She sighed in relief when he went away after searching here and there for a minute.

She was about to cheer but froze on hearing a couple of moans.

"Ed!" A girl's voice rang out, softly, sweet enough to make many men desire her.

There was a thin, membrane-like substance that was hung in between the cave. A lamp glowed dimly, and showed the shadow of a beautiful woman's body arching, seeming soft and luscious, especially as the man wrapped his hands around her.

"Miao." The man muttered, rubbing his nose on her flawless back, moaning with each move.

Kanae looked at the scene, flabbergasted, mouth agape.

'Hey, hey, hey, stop making my pure virgin eyes filthy! Why are you both bumping in a forest?!' She cried in her mind.

It wasn't as if they could hear her, so she just shook her head and prepared herself to leave. A 'growl' made her stop in her tracks. A lump appeared in her throat, and the figures behind the membrane halted as well.

Kanae's eyes grew serious.

It just so happened that the bear had found her.

The thin membrane shifted and Kanae was met with a sight she would never forget. Two naked bodies revealed themselves under the dim light. One was beautiful, perfectly developed, and soft. Luscious gold locks of hair surrounded the girl's dainty face, giving her the appearance of an angel. Bright red lips that looked bitten, matched her pale, white skin.

The male was equally good looking. With dark hair and a warm skin tone, especially those muscles, he was not inferior to the female in terms of attractiveness at all.

Yet, what irked Kanae, was the glaring view of their private parts.

Hiding her face, she cried out, "No! My poor virgin eyes!"

Both of them gaped at the dirty clothed Kanae, who resembled a beggar in a lot of ways. Her clothes were torn from her previous meeting with the Dungeon Master. And her face was dirty with some dust and snow, making it look mucky.

On top of that, she had scratched her leg while running away.

The boy was the first to move, and held a hand protectively in front of the girl, pushing her back. Instead of Kanae, he glanced at the cave entrance, identifying the real threat.

"Who are you?! How did you come-" The girl yelled at Kanae, her voice slightly high pitched, hands hastening to cover herself up. A 'growl' interrupted and she jumped in shock.

Hearing the girl yell, Kanae reluctantly removed her hands from her eyes and scratched her neck sheepishly.

The couple looked at her, annoyed. After all, a stranger had just barged into their small haven and brought an uninvited guest with her.

"Oi, you. Weren't you the one who led him here? Go kill him." The girl demanded. This time, she possessively wrapped a hand around her lover, as if scared that Kanae might snatch him.

Kanae gave her a 'Are you dumb?' look.

She chewed her lip on seeing Kanae's stare, and asked defensively, " What?"

Kanae shrugged and replied, "If I could defeat him, why would I take the trouble to waste my time here?"

The girl's eyes burned and she retorted, "Don't be so haughty after you've brought trouble to our doors!"