"Damn."
That curse came out softly, almost soundless.
This was bad.
Not because I couldn't fight it. But because the water I desperately needed was now directly under that creature's control, while my body wasn't fully recovered. If I retreated and searched for another water source, I didn't know how much farther I'd have to walk. My body could still move, but delaying the thirst for too long would only worsen my condition.
I remained still.
I didn't move closer. I also didn't retreat. My eyes kept assessing, observing every detail of the creature.
The instinct inside me stirred slowly, like something waking from sleep. The same instinct that had appeared before.
I began to compare.
My instinct said it wasn't as strong as the troll, but from the way it moved, its body structure, and the thickness of its scales, this creature is clearly not an easy opponent.
Maybe stronger than the bear, and faster too.
I observed its neck. Not too long, but quite flexible. Its four legs looked strong, with claws capable of gripping hard ground. Its jaws... I couldn't see its fangs clearly from this angle, but judging by the shape of its head, this creature's bite was definitely not something I wanted to receive head-on.
If it became aware of me and attacked first, the fight would be far more risky.
I shifted my weight slowly, silently, making sure my feet didn't step on anything fragile. I didn't want to attract its attention before I was ready.
My mind worked quickly, but methodically.
Could I fight it?
The answer: yes.
Could I fight it now, in this physical condition, without taking great risk?
That was a different question.
I was still thirsty. My muscles weren't fully recovered since leaving the hole, and my waist still sent signals whenever I moved too fast. Even though my shoulder was no longer stiff and seemed to have healed, that didn't mean my body was ready for a long fight without consequences.
If this fight dragged on, or if I made a small mistake, I could get injured.
But I also couldn't wait too long.
The creature didn't look like it would leave anytime soon. It was drinking calmly, as if this g was its territory. Was it possible that was true?
Was this its lair?
I glanced around. The ground in some spots looked more compact, as if often traversed. There were scrape marks on the low rocks near the water. Claw marks in the damp soil.
This place wasn't just a stopover.
This was its territory.
I took a slow breath, held the air for a moment, then exhaled softly. I forced my mind to stay cold.
Strategy.
A direct confrontation wasn't the best option. Its scales were thick. If I attacked from the front, I'd face its jaws and claws directly, and that was foolish.
An attack from behind?
That long tail could be a problem. One sweep could break bones if I was careless.
From the side?
Maybe. But only if I could incapacitate it quickly.
I observed its head again. Neck. The underside of the jaw. The area behind the eyes.
Not all scales were usually the same thickness.
That instinct applied gentle pressure again, not the wild urge like when I chased the troll. This was more… calm. Like a mature calculation filtered by instinct.
This creature was strong.
But not as strong as the troll.
And I knew, I couldn't keep choosing the safe path.
Water was my immediate goal, but it wasn't my only need. This body still wasn't strong enough. Every step, every encounter with a creature in this forest, reminded me of limits that were still too close.
If I wanted to survive longer, and if I wanted to repay all that had happened, I had to push past those limits, little by little.
And the creature in front of me was one way to do that.
I stared at the lizard again. How it stood, how it distributed its weight, how it was completely unaware of my presence. This wasn't a trivial opponent, but it wasn't impossible either. My instinct said the same as before.
Stronger than a bear.
But not as strong as the troll.
Meaning, there was a chance.
I glanced around again, not with a clear head movement, but with a narrow, controlled shift of my eyes. I searched for anything that could give me a slight advantage.
Large rocks, fallen logs, mounds of earth, anything that could break its line of sight or give me temporary cover. But this depression was too open. The surface was relatively flat, with the water pool in the middle and trees standing quite far apart.
The only thing that stood out was one fairly large rock, positioned somewhat near the lizard, but not too close. It could be my launching point, a spot to start from.
If I retreated now, I might still be able to find another water source. This forest was vast, and in theory, there was always a chance of finding another depression or hidden stream.
But I also knew reality wasn't that simple. Clean water wasn't always easy to find, and the chance to approach a water source without having to face a dangerous creature like this wouldn't always come. Avoiding it now meant delaying, and delays like that often ended with greater risks later.
Shit…
I cursed silently in my mind, not out of fear, but because the situation truly didn't offer much room for comfortable choices.
I wouldn't attack recklessly. That was no longer my way. If I attacked, then the attack had to be carried out with the intent to end things as quickly as possible. Precise. Without giving the opponent a chance to understand what was happening. A prolonged fight in an open place like this would only benefit a creature that size, not me.
I lowered my body a little more, almost crouching, making sure the line of my shoulders aligned with the ground's contour and my shadow merged with the mist moving low over the depression's surface.
I regulated my breath slowly, shallow and controlled, enough to fill my lungs without moving my chest too noticeably. I noted every small movement of the lizard with full focus: the position of its head, how its legs supported its weight, the brief pauses between each movement of its tongue touching the water.
I was acutely aware of the risks. My body wasn't fully recovered. My waist still held discomfort from the previous claw marks, and I couldn't ignore that fact. But if I kept delaying every fight that wasn't ideal, I would never move forward.
Would never become stronger. My revenge, my growth, all of it demanded a price. And that price had to be paid, either now with full awareness, or later at a much higher cost.
And if I succeeded in killing it and eating it, my wounds could heal completely.
For the next few seconds, I remained motionless.
The mist moved slowly over the depression's surface, thin and low, covering ankles up to near knees. The water pool ahead barely rippled, its surface calm, disturbed only by the touch of the lizard's tongue moving in a steady, unhurried rhythm. It was still bowing its head, completely immersed in its activity, showing no signs of alertness.
Alright. You can do this, Vira.
I shifted my foot slowly. Not with the full sole, but with the outer side of my boot, pressing into the damp soil little by little to muffle the sound.
The surface here wasn't friendly—the ground was damp, mixed with decaying leaves, thin protruding roots, and mud that could shift if weight was placed wrong.
Srskk.
That small sound still escaped.
Too loud.
I stopped immediately. My breath caught in my throat. My entire body froze in a half-leaning position, one foot forward, one foot supporting my weight. Several seconds passed in oppressive silence. I didn't move a muscle, letting the mist and the ambient scent cover my presence again.
No reaction.
The lizard remained at the pool's edge, its tongue slowly extending into the water, completely unaware that the distance between us had decreased significantly.
Huff… that was close.
I lowered my body even further, almost into a full crouch. This position immediately put pressure on my waist, and a wave of discomfort came instantly—not sharp pain, but a dull pressure reminding me that the wound there wasn't truly healed.
I didn't ignore it. I adjusted the angle of my hips, shifted my foot position slightly, kept my spine straight so the weight wouldn't concentrate on one point. I couldn't let an old injury determine the outcome of this fight. If I fell due to a posture mistake, there would be no second chance.
I moved again.
One step.
Then stopped.
I gave the environment time to settle again. Let the mist cover the traces of my movement. Let the scents of damp soil, water, and thick moss merge, swallowing my own body odor.
Then another step. My movement was almost like stalking, not walking. Every shift was made with full awareness of body weight and footing.
The mist around the depression really helped, disguising my silhouette, while there was almost no wind. All these conditions gave me an advantage—but only if I wasn't careless.
The distance between us kept narrowing.
Fifteen meters. Ten. Eight.
And I reached the rock, pressing against it while staring at the lizard still drinking.
I waited, and chose my next move.
My eyes swept over the lizard's body with full focus, mapping every visible part again. From the front was too dangerous; I could get bitten instantly. From the side near the head was also bad; a creature this size could break bones with one reflexive movement.
My choices narrowed to one point.
The back, slightly to the left, near the base of the neck.
There, the scales looked smaller and not as dense as on the back or jaws. That area allowed for muscle movement, but it also meant it was more vulnerable if attacked from the right angle.
If I could sink my claws deep enough there, I wouldn't just wound its skin; I could damage the muscle that moved its head. If that worked, the balance of the fight would tip in my favor. Its attacks would slow, and its reactions wouldn't be as sharp.
That was enough.
I didn't need to search further.
That was my target.
I drew a slow breath, held it briefly, then released it soundlessly. The next second, I moved.
Not running, but fast infiltration. My body moved low and leaned forward. The claws on my right hand extended first, aligned with my intent.
When I was very close to the still-unaware lizard calmly drinking water, I leaped, channeling all my strength into my hand, attacking in one straight trajectory.
SHREEK!
Claws sank into the side of the lizard's neck, piercing through the gap between scales with resistance harder than bear flesh, but still penetrable. Blood sprayed thinly, dark and thick, splattering onto my hand and the ground below. The smell of iron was immediately apparent, strong and warm.
The lizard roared.
"RAAAKKHH!"
That sound wasn't a sharp shriek, but a heavy hiss mixed with chest vibrations, strong enough to make the surrounding ground tremble. Its body jerked reflexively. Its head lifted high, and the water pool in front of it splashed in all directions; the mist, once calm, was immediately split by the sudden movement.
I didn't stop.
My other hand followed, sinking into a slightly different spot, closer to the back of the head. I twisted my wrist, not pulling out, but tearing the muscle tissue from within. The movement was rough, and I could feel the resistance of living tissue that didn't want to separate.
KRRRT!
The lizard writhed violently. Its neck muscles contracted, and the force was enough to push my body sideways. My feet lost their footing on the wet ground. At the same time, its tail moved swiftly.
WHUUM!