Toki woke up screaming.
"Mother!"
His voice tore through the quiet night. His chest heaven, sweat dripping down his face. It had already been three days since he entered the jungle, yet the dream - no, the memory - still chased at him every night.
The fire he built crackled softly infront of him, its warm glow flickering across the trees. He sat there staring at it, letting his heartbeat settle.
Then -
rustle... rustle...
Something moved in the bushes behind him.
Toki's hand instantly gripped his sword. His scream must've attracted monsters. He rose slowly, eye sharp, posture calm but ready to strike.
A split second later, a monster lizard lunged out of the darkness.
SHING ! -
Toki slashed once. The creature dropped instantly, its body still twitching.
He exhaled. "As expected."
The sky was beginning to lighten. Dawn wasn't far.
"I'm hungry... "he muttered." I should get something to eat."
He put out the fire with dirt and leaves, then moved through the forest, scanning for prey.
After a few minutes, he spotted a rabbit nibbling quietly near a fallen log.
Toki looked around and noticed a first - sized rock at his feet.
"Perfect."
He picked it up, weighed it in his hand, then flicked it forward with swift precision.
Thud.
Bullseye.
Toki retrieved the rabbit and walked toward a nearby river. The water was clear and cold, flowing gently over smooth stones. He washed the rabbit, cleaned his hand, and took a long drink. The coolness refreshed him instantly. He filled his canteen before heading back.
At the campsite, he rekindled the fire and cooked the rabbit, the smell filling the air. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
After finishing his meal, he stood, stretched, and looked toward the west.
"I think I should try heading west today."
He kicked dirt over the ashes of the fire and set off.
On the way, a few monster appeared - small creatures, weak and barely the effort. He cut them down without showing his pace.
But the ground began to vibrate.