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— ✦ —
A torch flew past Hiroshi's face.
That was close! The villagers aren't exactly welcoming here.
He leaped backwards, away from the villagers.
But where do I go… it's either the villagers here, or the monster out there.
Hiroshi's face tensed, eyes closed.
He turned around and readied himself.
I have to try, I definitely can't beat all those villagers in my state.
He dashed out of the village, leaving the lights behind as well as its angry inhabitants.
Hiroshi ran through the blue faded wall of light once again.
I should be far enough from them now. They won't pursue me into the forest.
I think he said the forest is dangerous at night?
Coming to a stop, Hiroshi looked up at the sky. The darkness was fading away.
The sky softened from black to blue.
His gaze was interrupted by a growl coming from his body.
Come to think of it, I haven't eaten or drunk since I’ve got here.
I should find some food.
With a slight limp, he walked on.
Before he knew it, the darkness was almost gone, and rays of light began to illuminate the forest.
Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention.
It had a faint glow, and dark dots covered its red cap.
A mushroom…
Crouching down, he stared at it.
His stomach roared again.
Damn it, here goes nothing!
Hiroshi grabbed it by its base and ripped it out of the ground, putting it close to his nose.
He sniffed it carefully.
Nothing.
Well, at least it doesn't smell bad.
Hiroshi opened his mouth slightly, just enough space between his front teeth.
He took a tiny bite of the mushroom’s totally not ominous cap.
Looking up, he chewed the tiny piece he bit off cautiously.
Well, it's not ba—
It suddenly hit him.
What is this… not good…
"Sta…tus…" He barely managed to blurt it out, wheezing.
A new line appeared at the bottom he hadn't seen before.
Condition: Poisoned. Duration: 15 seconds
Poison!?
He threw the mushroom to the ground, reactively grabbing his throat as he coughed and wheezed, his face turning purple. At first, it looked like tears, until they darkened, thickened, and turned red.
He stared at his HP draining, with a few seconds left.
Please…
The condition disappeared, however, his pain hadn’t.
Phew… that was close.
First wolves, then a bear, angry villagers and now a mushroom. Seriously, everything is trying to kill me in this world.
He wiped the red tears from his cheeks and sniffled.
I should keep moving, it's dangerous to stop.
As Hiroshi walked on, light began to pierce the forest's tree tops.
Without realizing, his mangled arm left the safe shadow of the forest and entered the light.
The li—
It instantly began to scorch, cooking it like it was thermite on metal. He let out a long shout in pain.
Now the sun… If I stayed in the light for a second longer, I could've maybe even lost that arm.
He quickly hopped back away from the ray of light, holding his now burned, mangled arm.
This world really hates me, huh.
He looked up. There were spots of light dotted on the grass. The sounds of chirping and leaves rustling reminded him of home, but this was a different world now. A dangerous one.
Squinting his eyes, there was a dark shadow off in the distance at a wall.
What is that? Is that a…
I should check it out.
He walked towards it, carefully avoiding invisible sun-rays that went through gaps of leaves and branches.
After walking for a short while, he arrived before a large entrance to the side of the cliff.
Partial shade illuminated a short distance into the cave, but after that, darkness.
His stomach alerted him once more, louder.
I know I know. We'll get something in you soon, buddy.
For now, I should check out this cave.
He walked into it carefully. As he got deeper and deeper, the light from the entrance began to fade.
That's strange, even though it's quite dark here, I can see quite well.
Is it my vampire class?
He looked around, the cave widened, making a sort of large area, before narrowing again and continuing deeper.
This looks like a pretty good spot. I should set up some sort of camp here.
But first, I need something to wrap my hand with, and a campfire… and food…
He shuffled his hair in frustration.
Grrr, I need EVERYTHING!!
His eyes landed on the narrow path that went deeper into the cave.
I should explore that a bit later. Setting up camp should be my first priority.
He turned and left the cave.
There was a large partial shade that was overcast by the large cliff.
Perfect, the sun has already moved behind the cliff, so this should make navigating a bit easier.
In front, not too far away from the cave entrance, there laid an old, moss-covered log.
Hiroshi smiled.
He walked over and crouched down.
Perfect.
After putting his arms beneath the log, he lifted it with surprising ease.
Oooh, it's going up quite easily. Is it because I leveled up?
After bringing the log back into the cave, he put it down at the center.
Hiroshi's hands were on his hips, standing tall before the log in the middle of the cave, proud.
Alright, time to make a campfire.
After a short while, he came back again, this time with small branches in hand.
Alright. That's the firewood checked. Now… for some FOOD!
He laughed to himself, the thought of cooked meat slowly rotating on a stick above the fire, and then left the cave once more.
Ooo meat, where are you, meat?
He slowly crept through the vegetation again.
He peeked through the bushes.
There was a group of rabbits with their backs turned. His face became unhinged, smiling.
His body shifted ever so slightly, the bush making a noise.
The rabbits instantly turned their heads.
Their eyes were glowing red and had two long twisted teeth coming out.
Hiroshi's face shifted back to bland.
Really. Of course they're monsters.
Well, they're small… let's do this!
He burst out of the bushes, dashing towards the group of rabbits. They, in turn, began to hop towards him.
"Vampire Claws!" His nails transformed.
One of them lunged into the air.
Another air attack, huh. I've seen this before. Easy.
His fingers closed together, and threw out his hand, piercing the rabbit's stomach, killing it instantly.
"White Rabbit, defeated,” the system announced.
He tossed it to the side and twisted his body whilst crouching down, letting his arm spin in a slashing motion. The other rabbit's head flew clean off.
I'm getting the hang of this body.
"White Rabbit, defeated."
The third one chewed into his leg.
Damn it, one broke through. While it's there…
He gritted his teeth, bearing the pain of the bite.
Whilst the rabbit's teeth were buried in his calf, he struck downwards, impaling its head with his sharp nails.
"White Rabbit, defeated."
"Level up. Please choose two skills." The words echoed directly in his mind.
Another level. Two more skills, I'll choose them later.
His stomach roared out at him, the loudest it's ever been since he got here.
First, I've got to take care of my stomach.
"Status." He ordered.
The window appeared without fail.
Level three. I need to get stronger to fight that bear.
I took some damage in that fight…
HP: 160/200. It stared at him.
"Status close." The window vanished.
Hiroshi looked down at the three rabbits, his mouth watering, zoned out.
Hehehe…
After gathering them in his arms, he headed back for the cave.
He tossed the rabbits next to the log and went outside, then came back a moment later with a crude chipped stone knife.
Alright, time to get to work.
An hour went by as Hiroshi skinned the beasts, cut off their fangs, and gutted the monsters. Embers gently flickered from the campfire. A makeshift spit made out of sticks was above it, with the rabbit’s meat pierced through a stick. Hiroshi turned it slowly, and shortly it was ready.
Taking the skewer into his hand and bringing it close to his face, his eyes widened in anticipation. His mouth drooled.
He cautiously got closer to the meat.
Don't be poison, don't be poison.
The first bite of the meat absolutely sent him. He was in heaven. Tears formed on the edges of his eyes, at long last, food.
It's… so good!
With tears streaming down his cheeks, he munched on the roasted rabbit meat non-stop, like someone was about to take it away from him.
After everything… I finally can eat. I've earned it.
As Hiroshi munched on the remaining skewers, something caught his eye at the narrow tunnel.
Huh… did something just… move?
His eyes squinted, then closed.
I should listen…
A slow, scraping sound slipped through the dark, like sandpaper rubbing against rock.
Hiroshi's eyes shot open, bursting into a fighting stance.
Vampire Claws!
Razor sharp nails grew out immediately.
He readied himself; it was coming.
Bring it then. I'm not letting you have my food.
It began to emerge from the shadow.