Murky waters.

His short, sharp inhale indicated how serious his mood had just gotten.

"You were the first one who was willing to speak to me after such a long time. I was stuck there. Half dead, just waiting for anyone to finish me or to bleed out. I tried to get out first dozens of nights, but I'd always bled before I could leave. And then, I'd appear in that camp again with two arrows in my chest, waiting for death once again. I'm not sorry for clinging to you so hard, you would have to kill me to get rid of me. Probably more than once or twice. Don't leave me behind," He glared down at her while wrestling with the irresistible urge to kiss her and distract her thoughts with other things she might enjoy doing outside of gathering weed.

"Bugak, it won't take long, I promise. We are broke. I'll hurry," She calmed him down in a slow, comforting voice.

"One day. That's all I can give you. I'll go look for you if you are not back by the morning," He let out a sigh, unable to resist the urge to gently brush his fingers by her neck, craving the comforting warmth it provided, before she could walk away.

"I understand. I'll hurry," She agreed with a smile, completely oblivious to his desperate attempt to keep her by his side.

He turned around, letting out a deep hum before settling back against the sturdy willow tree. Unwilling to depart without a farewell, she leaned down and tenderly kissed his cheek.

"I'll try my best to be back before the sunrise. Just wait for me, please," she smiled as she gave him one final kiss before rising to her feet and embarking towards the muddy waters with her empty backpack.

He found himself unable to bear the sigh of her leaving.

Reflecting on why he allowed her to speak to him in such a manner, he realized that his anger had vanished and was replaced by profound disappointment.

Deep down, he understood that she knew nothing about his urges, about his instincts forcing him to keep her close, to be able to protect her with his own life.

He lifted his gaze to catch her reaching out to one of the reptiles, playfully scratching its hard skin. For the first time, he was actually grateful for her inability to fight.

Were it not for the fact that her title is merciful, her body would be torn up into several pieces by now. He had witnessed their formidable fighting abilities firsthand, especially in the water where nothing seemed to be capable of matching them.

As he watched her carefully walk around the reptile she had just petted, he couldn't help but feel a newfound admiration for her.

Cayman ~ hostile ~ 100% HP

Cayman ~ friendly ~ 100% HP

As she cautiously threaded through the reeds and shallow water, she focused on collecting only the expensive plants, ignoring the rest to save space in her inventory.

 Each step sent her bare feet sinking into sandy mud and in between slimy roots, but she persisted, holding her skirt high and using her other hand for balance.

As she delved further into the wetlands, the comforting sight of the familiar shoreline faded away, and she was enveloped in an entirely different realm, captivating and unfamiliar.

Spectacular flowers cascaded from tall trees, draping them with delicate tendrils of roots and leaves. The opaque water could hide large numbers of beasts beneath its surface and she knew she should be frightened by it.

Despite understanding that her heart should be gripped by fear, she remained surprisingly calm. As she hummed a soft melody to help ease her worry, her lips curled up into a soft smile.