I could've rage quit the game and flipped my desk, but I can't, because I'm in it.
In RPG games, when you defeat a monster, you can just loot the remains like a chest, which will show the loot, or others will just spew their contents on the ground. But no, the carcass of the beast I just slayed just lay there doing nothing, absolutely friggin' nothing. Are you friggin' kidding me? I need to disembowel it using my own hands, or my tetanus-ridden sword, to extract meat?
I threw a tantrum like an oversized toddler having a seizure.
I felt like screaming and reciting a heart-wrenching poem of slurs, but I knew better than to attract the attention of other more sinister creatures in this unforgiving Labyrinth.
Though I was stuffed with the weird-tasting fruit from the peach-mango tree, the fleeting thought of meat couldn't leave my mind. Pork chops, ribs, ham, longganisa—you name it.
Then I heard it. The laughing howl that was like being strangled, at the same time, pierced my auditory canal, followed by howl-cackle, howl-cackle of what I would guess would be parrot monkeys alarming a signal.
Panic and terror flooded over me. I need to move, I thought. I gathered fruits and stuffed them inside the pocket of my hoodie, which was now dangling like a belt bag (thanks to the tear made by the Boapede and the weight of the fruit). I fastened my weapon in the back, hand-carried fruits, and bit one in my mouth. "I could've been eating barbecues," I mumbled. I sniffed, and blinked back a tear as I left my prized trophy behind with a heavy heart.
"Survival, Kiko, survival," I told myself, thinking of what to do next. Then the survival dude from my memory TV said: "There are three most important keys to survival..." (My mind fast-forwarded through his usual preamble). "1. Food..." (Fast forward). Got that covered. "2. You need to have clean water..." (Fast forward). "Water, copy that... Wait! Clean water? How can I find water good for drinking?" (My mind quickly rewound). "You can either boil it, or in the wild, blah blah blah," (My mind fast-forwarded again, because my brain couldn't handle the details at the moment), "lastly find a shelter." (Stop). I cut the memory before the man caught insects and started munching them like chips with gusto.
The shelter. The memory of the shack came to my mind, and the Boapede that attacked it. "Nope, not there," I said.
In a moment of sneak-walking, I realized that the battle I just had should've brought me to the ER with broken bones or in a coma. Though severely roughed up and covered with bruises, I'm still glad to walk away with minimal damage.
I saw a big tree that grew over a high ruined wall. I thought it was a good idea to go up and have a good view of the surrounding area. I clumsily climbed, and after nearly slipping a few times, I reached the top. It was majestic, towering. The walls of the labyrinth around north-west showed a statue bigger than the rest, and at my location, I could still see its shoulders up. Its features, even with age, looked magnificent. Its crown and braided beard were intricately made, so anyone who would see it would end in a "wow." And to the north, I could make out a citadel or a pyramid. I'm not sure just by looking at the top of it, but I know it is massive because I can see it above the labyrinth wall.
And I looked to my back, I saw the Peach-Mango tree, below it, unmistakable, was a pack of Raptorbills consuming my fallen enemy.
I couldn't stay here; it's too open, I thought. I must look for a shelter and a source of water.
I brought out the map and looked at the surroundings. I tapped on the location of the Peach-Mango tree, and there was a prompt like my awareness usually pops.
Tag location? Yes/No
I tried tapping it with my hands, but it didn't react. "Hmmm, how does this work?" I thought. "How can I input 'yes'?" Then the 'yes' blinked. It changed to a different question that asked: Do you want to add/tag a location name? Yes/No. "I think I get it now," I thought. I thought of the word 'yes' and it blinked yes, then changed to: Add name/tag: ______. I thought "Peach-Mango Tree." Then magically, it appeared in the map "Peach-Mango Tree." I smiled a genuine smile for the first time, hopeful and grateful that I have unlocked another feature that could save me time in exploring this vast labyrinth.
I looked around and saw a river west to my location and noted it on my map. River: unexplored.
I scanned the horizon for a possible base, my fortress of solitude. It should have a good view, inconspicuous, easily defended, and can shelter me from the elements. It should be near to the sources of water and food.
I saw two possible locations and noted them in my Google Maps. I took a deep breath and looked at the view one more time. Wind blowing my greasy hair to the side as the changing of hues in the afternoon placed a vibrant tone to this majestic land.