The flames inside the Fireplace burned steadily, filling the cabin with a warm orange glow.
Marin wrinkled her nose in discomfort.
Her clothes, already drenched from the river earlier, clung to her skin with a sticky, suffocating feel as the heat from the fireplace baked them.
“Ugh…
this feels terrible…” she murmured.
She reached up, tugging her wet collar downward to expose more of her honey-toned skin and the deep cleavage between her breasts, now glistening in the firelight.
Then, without any hesitation and right in front of Yu, she began to undress.
She didn’t stop at her outer clothes; she stripped off her lingerie as well.
Her full, rounded breasts were instantly freed from their restraints, trembling slightly under the influence of gravity and the flickering firelight.
The tender pink tips were left exposed to the air.
After all, they’ve already done the most intimate things together.
Why should she still care about such a trivial thing?
She placed her wet clothes by the fireplace to dry, then, completely naked, faced the warmth of the flames and sat down, tucking her knees up.
Her legs were spread wide apart as she let the fireplace’s heat bake her bare, flawless body from every angle.
The firelight danced across her smooth back, her slender waist, and her full, rounded, and voluptuously firm buttocks.
Yu couldn’t stop staring.
No matter how he looked at her, he never tired of Marin’s exquisite body.
She was utterly flawless, and she was a White Tiger.
Perhaps because of her youth, her breasts—though too large to be cupped by a single hand—showed no sign of sagging.
She truly looked like a character stepped straight out of a 2D world.
Yu felt his blood rush, surging once more in an uncontrollable direction.
Especially those voluptuous buttocks, rising and falling slightly with her breath in the firelight.
Their rounded fullness and the tantalizingly faint glimpse of the crevice between them were a direct challenge to his newly calmed nerves.
He spun around abruptly, forcing himself to stop looking at the blood-boiling sight.
His Adam’s apple bobbed sharply as he struggled to suppress the heat churning in his chest.
“Ahem,” Yu cleared his dry throat, trying to keep his voice steady as he spoke, still facing away from Marin.
“I’m going out to explore the downstream area of the river.
Stay here and don’t wander off.
Keep an eye on the fire—don’t let it go out.
Add more wood if it runs low.”
“Oh, okay~ Be careful on your way, Yu-kun!” Marin didn’t even turn her head, merely waving a lazy hand as she stretched her waist comfortably.
The firelight fully revealed the perfect curve of her back and the line from her waist to her hips.
Yu didn’t dare linger any longer and quickly walked out of the wooden cabin.
The cold wind against his face helped cool his overheated body and clear his mind.
After taking several deep breaths of cold air, Yu brought out the [Damaged Stream Area Map] again.
He had already investigated the upstream danger marker and the circled X.
It was time to examine the downstream region marked as a [Swamp].
Since nightfall was approaching, Yu left the [Logging Axe] behind.
Using the fading daylight, he followed the riverbank downstream.
The terrain gradually became flatter, while the current slowed considerably.
The air grew noticeably damper, carrying the distinct scents of water and decaying plant matter.
Vegetation along both banks also changed.
The trees became sparse, replaced by vast patches of dense plants taller than a person.
At first glance, it looked like a reed bed.
However, there was far more than just Reed.
As Yu entered the edge of the Wetland, numerous labels appeared through the [Eye of Omniscience].
[Dense Reed Bed]
[Description: A common aquatic grass with hollow but durable stalks.]
[Obtainable:]
• [Reed Root] (Edible)
[Cattail]
[Description: An aquatic plant with a candle-shaped flower spike.]
[Obtainable:]
• [Cattail Pollen] (Edible)
• [Cattail Rhizome] (Edible)
• [Cattail Fluff]
[Abandoned Waterbird Nest]
[Description: A waterbird nest that has been abandoned or damaged.]
[Obtainable:]
• [Waterbird Egg] ×1–2 (20% chance)
• [Soft Dry Grass]
• [Feather]
[Shallow Salt Flat]
[Description: An area where repeated river flooding and evaporation have left tiny deposits of crystallized salt along the bank.]
[Obtainable:]
• [Saline Soil]
The sheer number of labels left Yu almost dizzy.
This downstream Wetland offered abundant plant resources, potential food, and even a way to obtain salt.
It was practically a treasure trove.
However, danger always accompanied opportunity.
Deep within the Dense Reed Beds and beneath the water, the [Eye of Omniscience] detected several creatures.
[Swamp Crocodile (LV.2)]
[HP: 40/40]
[Attack: 10]
[Defense: 6]
[Ambush Expert]: While concealed underwater or among dense aquatic plants, the sound and water disturbances produced by its movements are reduced by 20%, greatly lowering its chance of being detected.
[Mottled Water Snake (LV.2)]
[HP: 10/10]
[Attack: 1]
[Defense: 2]
[Venomous Fangs]: Each attack injects a small quantity of neurotoxin, causing the target to lose 1 HP per second for 30 seconds.
[The damage cannot stack, but every successful attack refreshes its duration.]
Crocodiles and water snakes were hiding among the reeds.
Yu watched the plants sway gently in the evening breeze.
Without the [Eye of Omniscience] revealing their labels, he would never have noticed the deadly creatures concealed within.
The Swamp Crocodile was particularly dangerous.
With [Ambush Expert], it was nearly invisible underwater.
If it launched a surprise attack at close range, Yu could easily be caught in a death roll.
The Mottled Water Snake’s venom appeared weak at first glance, but losing HP continuously for thirty seconds could still be fatal without any antidote.
“LV.2…”
Yu studied the level labels above the crocodile and snake.
The LV.1 [Silver-Scaled Fish] and [Silver-Scaled Dace] possessed different attributes, but neither had displayed an offensive trait.
The two creatures before him clearly possessed hunting abilities such as [Ambush Expert] and [Venomous Fangs].
‘Could I classify LV.1 and LV.2 by whether the creature is aggressive?’
LV.1 might represent relatively passive creatures with little threat, while LV.2 could indicate an ability to attack proactively, causing the danger level to rise sharply. This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.
The sky darkened rapidly.
The setting sun painted the horizon dark red while casting long shadows across the reed beds, making the Wetland appear even more ominous.
‘I have no ranged weapon or antidote.
Entering these reeds without preparation would be far too dangerous.’
Yu quickly reached a decision.
He had brought no equipment because he had only intended to scout the area.
Exploring farther would have to wait.
“I will focus on gathering resources.”
Yu carefully moved along the Wetland’s edge.
Using the [Eye of Omniscience], he avoided every area containing the labels of Swamp Crocodiles or Mottled Water Snakes while searching for resources he could gather safely.
He soon found a target.
An [Abandoned Waterbird Nest] had been built between several thick Reed stalks.
Yu cautiously approached and brushed aside the dry grass covering it.
As expected, two [Waterbird Eggs] rested inside, with bits of grass stuck to their shells.
After collecting them, Yu also gathered the [Soft Dry Grass] and [Feathers] from the nest.
He then discovered a [Shallow Salt Flat] on an exposed patch of mud along the riverbank.
Its surface was covered in a faint layer of white crystals.
Yu scooped up some coarse [Saline Soil] and carefully wrapped it in leaves.
He then turned his attention toward the thick [Reeds] and [Cattails].
Yu dug up several plants by hand but did not become greedy.
He gathered only a practical amount while ensuring that he remained safe.
He bundled the Reed Stalks and Cattail plants together with [Tough Vines], placing the Waterbird Eggs and wrapped Saline Soil securely on top.
By the time he finished, darkness was close.
The Wetland appeared even deeper and more mysterious beneath the gathering dusk.
Occasional cries from unknown waterbirds echoed through the reeds, adding to the chill.
Yu lifted the bundle of newly gathered resources onto his shoulder and began returning toward the cabins.
Tonight’s harvest had been considerable.
He had confirmed both the resources and dangers of the downstream Wetland while bringing back food, salt, and several useful materials.
Just as he was about to leave the Wetland and reenter the woods, a faint rustling came from behind the bushes ahead.
Yu immediately stopped and raised his guard.
He lowered his body and gently placed the bundle on the ground.
‘Is that a wild animal, or something else?’
Yu carefully parted several broad leaves blocking his view and peered toward the source of the sound.
He froze.
What met his gaze was not the ferocious beast he had expected, but a patch of skin so pale it was almost dazzling.
It was a figure with her back to him, sprawled on the grassy riverbank in a rather awkward posture—she must have fallen.
The figure had twin tails that appeared blue in the night, and she was wearing a sailor uniform and a short skirt.
It was Togawa Sakiko.
As she lay prone, her short skirt had ridden up, and Yu’s gaze happened to capture two rounded, pert cheeks of her buttocks, with the pink cleft in between.
Commando!
She wasn’t wearing…
anything at all underneath?
Togawa Sakiko seemed completely unaware of his presence.
She was struggling to get up from the ground, brushing the mud and grass off her skirt and thighs while muttering something in annoyance, her voice too soft to be heard.
Only after her figure completely disappeared did Yu slowly straighten up from behind the bushes where he was hiding.
“She’s actually going commando…” Yu stroked his chin, a strange expression on his face.
“Does she have that kind of fetish?”
…
It encourages me!