Kneeling at the riverbank, I stared at my reflection.
Mud streaked my cheeks, my hair stuck out in every direction like I'd been electrocuted, and faint brown stains clung to my shirt and neck from yesterday's rabbit blood. My eyes looked tired.
"…I look like a swamp goblin."
I wrinkled my nose and leaned closer. My reflection wobbled with the current, making me look even worse—like my face was melting. I tugged at my hair with both hands and groaned.
"Ugh… No wonder monsters keep attacking me. I probably smell like their cousin."
The water flowed clear and fresh, curving gently to the left. Sunlight scattered across the surface in golden ripples. It looked so clean, so refreshing, that for a moment, I almost forgot how cold rivers were supposed to be.
Almost.
I hesitated only a second before tugging off my filthy shirt and trousers, tossing them in a crumpled heap by the bank. My bare feet squished against the mud as I stepped forward.
"Alright," I muttered, puffing myself up. "No deep swimming. Just… washing. Nice and safe. Nothing heroic."
I dipped a toe in.
Cold. So cold.
It shot up my leg like icy lightning, and I yelped. "Ghhhaaahhh! Why is it always freezing? Fantasy water's supposed to be magical and warm or something!"
Still, I shuffled forward, grimacing as the water climbed to my knees. That was plenty deep. Anything more and I'd drown.
I scooped handfuls of water and splashed them over my arms, chest, and face. Goosebumps broke out instantly, my skin turning blotchy red from the shock. My teeth chattered uncontrollably as I dunked my head, sending rivulets of icy water down my back.
"Ghhhhh—! S-s-so c-c-cold!"
The forest echoed with my pitiful squeaks, but at least the grime started to come off. Mud swirled away in brown clouds, leaving my skin stinging but clean.
I scrubbed harder, splashing water through my hair until it clung damp against my scalp.
Then I froze.
Not from the cold—well, okay, maybe partly the cold—but because a thought popped into my head. My cheeks puffed, eyes darting left and right.
"…Heh." I snickered. "In swimming pools, they always warn you not to pee in the water."
I tilted my head dramatically, whispering to the river. "Well, there's no lifeguard here. Just me."
For a second, I stood there in the shallows, the water rushing around my legs, crystal clear and biting cold. Then, with a mischievous grin, I leaned forward.
"Nature's circle of life," I whispered.
Heat bloomed despite the cold, and I couldn't stop a laugh from bubbling out of me. My cheeks burned crimson.
"Don't judge me!" I splashed water frantically around my legs, washing away the "evidence" while giggling like an idiot.
Shaking my head, still chuckling, I sloshed back to shore.
The clothes I'd dumped looked like they'd crawled out of a battlefield. My shirt was stiff with sweat and blood, and my pants had grass stains so bad they'd probably never come out.
I grabbed them anyway, dunking both into the river. Muddy water instantly darkened the surface as I sloshed them up and down, squeezing until filth seeped out.
I wrung them out as best as I could, and hung them across a low branch. They sagged pitifully, dripping onto the grass.
At least the satchel had come with spare clothes: a plain shirt and trousers. I tugged them on and sighed with relief.
"Finally. I don't feel like roadkill."
Feeling less disgusting, I crouched again by the river, cupping my hands to drink greedily. Cold water rushed down my throat, washing away the dryness, leaving me sighing in bliss. I refilled the copper flask until it sloshed full, tucking it carefully back into the bag.
"Better. Much better."
I flopped onto the grass, arms spread wide, the sun warming my damp skin. For the first time since Kael abandoned me in this forest, I didn't feel like I was on the verge of dying. Clean skin, clean clothes, and fresh water. Survival level: beginner, but passable.
My eyelids drooped, body begging for rest.
Then a rustling across the river snapped me awake. I bolted upright, heart hammering. My eyes scanned the opposite bank. No monsters. Just the wind stirring branches. Still, the reminder was clear: I was not safe.
"Right. No relaxing too much."
With a grunt, I packed my things into the satchel. My washed clothes still hung dripping from the branch. I sighed. "Well, they'll dry eventually. Into the bag you go, soggy or not."
The river curved left into the distance, steady and inviting.
"Hmm." I tapped my chin. "If I follow the stream, I won't get lost. Water always leads somewhere… maybe even to the mansion."
It sounded clever in my head. With a self-satisfied nod, I slung the satchel across my shoulder and set off along the bank, humming under my breath.
Hours passed like that. Peaceful, almost boring. Until my stomach growled again.
I groaned and rubbed my belly. "Is it already lunch time?"
The river burbled beside me, fish darting through the shallows. I stopped dead, staring.
"…Fish."
I crouched, eyes wide. "Wait, that's food! Rabbit every day will get boring. If I can catch one, I'll have fish for lunch."
The plan sounded perfect in my head. The execution… not so much.
First attempt: bare hands. I lunged forward, palms scooping through the water. SPLASH. Fish scattered in every direction.
"Ughh—! They're too fast!"
Second attempt: throwing rocks. I crouched like some prehistoric hunter and chucked a pebble at a fat silver fish. The rock splashed harmlessly, and the fish bolted like it was laughing at me.
"Are you kidding me?! Do these fish have ninja training?!"
Third attempt: a spear. I broke a branch off a tree, stripped it down, and sharpened the end with my knife. Standing knee-deep in the river, I jabbed furiously at shadows. Water sloshed everywhere. The fish swam in lazy circles, mocking me.
"Seriously?!" I shouted, hair plastered to my forehead. "Do fish just… dodge as a skill?!"
Frustration boiled in my chest as I stabbed uselessly at the darting fish. My grip on the branch tightened until my knuckles turned white.