Before I realize it, night had already fallen, and I hadn't found a safe place to spend it.
I decided to climb a tree, but who was I kidding? I have no experience climbing, especially on trees this thick and tall.
My arms wrap around the trunk, but I immediately slip. I grab a stone and scrape it across the bark, leaving barely a mark. I leap once more, stretching toward the lowest branch, but my fingers brush only empty air. Frustration surges through me.
The night feels heavier than ever. My shoulders droop, and the cold seeps into my bones.
No shelter, no food, no water. All I can do is lean against the tree I tried to climb. At that moment, I reorganize my thoughts and try to hold onto some positive ones.
-(Look at the situation I've been through.)
-(I was almost devoured by tigers, but I'm here… alive.)
Gaining a bit of energy, I lay my head on the ground, but since I can't see anything, I end up lightly hitting a rock.
-...
I sigh heavily, but decide to use the rock as a pillow. I pick up a somewhat green leaf I saw earlier and cover myself a little.
I close my eyes.
-(Tomorrow I'll have a lot to do, so I need to save my energy.)
I start thinking about the future, when I manage to get out of this dangerous place. I can already imagine finding a village and living there for a while. Later, once I have some experience, I plan to travel the entire world. But for that to happen in the future, I need to survive today.
I smile lightly.
-(Could there be technology in this world? Like cell phones and TVs?)
-(That's a topic for another time.)
-(Well… good night!)
-...
I turn to one side, trying to sleep.
-...
Then I turn to another side, and then another.
-...
-(Huh? Where's the sleep? I'm not sleepy?)
-(I walked all day, almost got killed by tigers, and even tried climbing trees all afternoon, but still, I'm not even a little tired or drowsy.)
I open my eyes and get up from the ground.
-(Come to think of it, I haven't felt hungry or thirsty all day. That's not normal.)
-(Why could that be?)
-(Wait.)
-(Could it… maybe have something to do with my regeneration?)
I laugh, a spark of certainty lighting up inside me.
-It must be that… it can only be that.
-Ah, ah, ah, ah!
-This is good.
No need to sleep… no need to eat or drink. Eight extra hours, no worries. Suddenly, survival feels a little easier.
I look at the horizon, but all I see is darkness.
-So that means I become more efficient at escaping this forest.
But soon I drift back into thought, because if I really don't need any of these things. Eating, sleeping, or drinking, it can only be because of my regeneration. That's the only plausible explanation. But that raises another question.
I place my hand on the tree trunk.
-Then what sustains my regeneration?
-Usually, this kind of power always comes at a cost.
-So what must the cost be?
I start searching my memory for the conversations I had with Eladreo, but my mind is still somewhat foggy about it. I keep thinking, trying to remember for a long time, but I can't recall the conversation I had with Eladreo, not even the one about my wish.
-(Come to think of it…)
-(It seems I'm losing the memories related to him!)
When that thought crosses my mind, I grow worried that I might not only lose the memories related to Eladreo, but also those of my family. Not wanting to lose those memories, I decide to rummage through my mind. I realize that my memories of my family remain intact.
I let out a sigh of relief.
-(I'm not losing their memories.)
-(Thank goodness.)
But my calm is not complete, even after confirming that my family's memories are intact. I try as hard as I can to remember the conversations I had with Eladreo, but that part is still blurry. It feels like, even in this short period of time, my memories related to him have worsened.
-I don't want to lose those memories!
-Wait… who sent me to the Other World? Eladreo. But who is he really? Some kind of Regent? Or just a trainee? His room… somewhere in the cosmos, like an office? What does he do? What do you look like? I can't remember!
I try to search my mind for his characteristics and clothing when, suddenly, I hear a loud howl that cuts through my thoughts.
Soon, another howl seems to answer the first. I hear several sounds of bushes moving in the distance, followed by more howls.
My body freezes instantly. I tremble with fear.
-Not now, right?!
-They're not coming this way… right!?
But they are. The howls grow louder, closer, more numerous, moving straight in my direction.
My legs pump like never before, heart pounding. Danger races toward me, a pack of wolves, closing in.
But unfortunately, my escape is terribly hindered. Unable to see anything ahead of me, I crash straight into trees, trip over rocks, and fall several times, not to mention the many wounds I acquire while trying to escape.
I keep running, trying to maintain my pace, when I suddenly realize something.
-(What is this?)
-(My body is scratched up!)
But I don't think about stopping, I keep moving forward. The more I advance, the more injuries I get. I have to run with my arms in front of me to protect my face. Even with my regeneration, there are too many wounds opening up, and the ones that just closed open again.
-Aaah!
I feel thorns piercing my feet.
-(Damn it!)
-(It feels like a bunch of knives are cutting and stabbing me!)
My muscles ache to the extreme. I begin to lose strength and quickly slow down. In my final steps, I walk slowly to avoid new cuts, stopping my run completely. I catch my breath and let my body heal from these wounds. Fatigue is the first sensation to fade, and the deepest injuries close. Even without seeing the regeneration, I can feel my body steadily getting better.
I take a step forward, but stop, something scratches me, grazing my skin, though the cut heals in an instant.
-(Good…)
-(Thank goodness I wished for regeneration.)
I consider staying here for a while. This place is dangerous, full of things that can easily cut and pierce me. The wolves certainly won't rush in here. Just like humans, animals don't like feeling pain.
I feel relieved, thinking I've escaped.
-(Wolves have excellent night vision. They must realize this place is dangerous and won't follow me.)
But, to my misfortune, the wolves howl.
-!!!
I start running again.
….
…
..
.