CHAPTER 17 — Through the Wildwood
Zodac woke up the next morning with a stiff groan.
"Uhhh… yeah, believing me when I say this—resting your back on a tree is the most uncomfortable experience I've had in my life."
He pushed himself up, stretching until his spine released a series of loud pops.
Crack. Crack.
"Ouch. Okay, never doing that again."
He reached into his cross bag and pulled out a small silver vial. Tilting his head back, he poured the transparent liquid into his mouth. Instantly, white steam rolled out between his lips as if he had swallowed a miniature furnace. Zodac exhaled, releasing a thick puff.
"Refreshing," he sighed, wiping his mouth. "The old lady wasn't joking—best toothbrush replacement ever. Removes bad breath, whitens teeth, and comes with special effects."
More steam leaked out whenever he spoke.
"Huh… feels like I'm smoking."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and checked the map. According to the system, the nearest village was south—close to Sundara, but faster if he cut through the forest rather than taking the road. Risky, but time-saving.
So, he entered the wilderness.
Towering trees surrounded him, their branches woven like nature's walls. Grass brushed against his boots, and every shadow seemed capable of hiding a monster. The air smelled of damp earth—peaceful, but unsettling.
He followed the map carefully, double-checking every turn.
Then something caught his eye.
At the base of a nearby tree grew a strange plant—green, heart-shaped leaves sprouting both from the bark and emerging from the soil. Curious, Zodac crouched beside it.
"Scan."
A familiar flicker appeared, followed by the green orb and floating book.
"So the system pulls extra details from the book… like a shared database."
A grin formed. "Useful."
He reached forward to harvest them—then paused.
"My bag is full… and I'll need these fresh."
Instead, he plucked the leaves and placed them into the orb.
"Transfer to inventory."
He continued until every Liliac leaf was safely stored—forever fresh thanks to the inventory system.
"That should do it."
Zodac resumed walking. Hours passed, daylight fading behind the treetops—yet the village still wasn't in sight.
But fate wasn't entirely cruel.
He stumbled upon a natural hot spring hidden between mossy rocks, steam rising from crystal-blue water. Without hesitation, he unequipped his armor and slipped in. Heat wrapped around his sore body, melting away tension.
When he finally stood up, his back pain was gone.
"That was heavenly," he whispered, smiling.
Armor back on, he continued through the forest—until sudden rustling froze him mid-step.
He stopped.
"Something's here."
RAYGUST materialized at his hip, and instinct guided his hand toward it. His heartbeat quickened.
What if I can't handle whatever's out there? I'm still not strong enough...
The bushes shook—then a furry blur launched at him.
Zodac reacted on instinct, twisting and swinging his weapon. The blade cut cleanly through, and blood exploded outward, splattering across his armor, face, and the surrounding grass. Red soaked the forest floor like a botched ritual.
Breathing hard, he looked down.
A severed rabbit-like head lay beside him—except larger, with sharp, protruding fangs.
"System scan."
"Saber-tooth rabbit?" he repeated, horrified.
"This world is not normal."
He lifted the head, still dripping blood, staring at the unnaturally long teeth.
"Well… alchemists trade weird stuff, right? Monster parts should be useful."
He snapped off the two long fangs and placed them into the orb.
"Transfer to inventory."
He wiped the blood from his cheek and exhaled slowly.
"Yep… definitely need better sleeping arrangements."
Then he continued deeper into the forest.