Done.
I lifted the bottle, inspecting it from various angles. Its shape was still rough and imperfect, but overall it was better than the bottle I had made before.
"Good," I murmured, satisfied with my work.
Now, it's time to fill this bottle with clean water.
I walked towards the pool. The pool water was still clear, reflecting the sunlight now bright enough. I knelt by the pool's edge, then dipped the mouth of the bottle into the water.
Water flowed in smoothly, filling the bottle's cavity until full. I could feel its weight increase in my hand. Once full, I lifted it, let the excess water drip back into the pool, then sealed it tightly with the lizard-scale lid.
I tied the bottle to my waist with the same rope, ensuring it wouldn't fall when I moved.
Preparation complete.
Now, I could clean myself.
I looked at the pool water again, then at my own body. Dried blood covered my skin, from hands to feet. My torn uniform was also stained with blood and mud. Even my hair felt sticky and dirty.
But before entering the pool, I looked at my tattered uniform with conflicted feelings.
My skirt was badly torn, only my underwear still holding up beneath it. My top wasn't much better, torn in many places, barely covering my small chest.
Should I discard it?
This uniform was no longer wearable. Torn everywhere, dried bloodstains, and its smell... unpleasant.
If I discarded this uniform, I would be nearly naked. Just underwear and a simple bra.
And even though no one could see me in this forest, for some reason... I still felt the need to cover my body.
Maybe this was the last remaining shred of my humanity.
Or maybe just habit.
"There's no choice," I murmured softly. "I'll keep wearing it."
This uniform, though torn and tattered, could still cover my body a little. Better than nothing at all.
With that decision, I sat at the pool's edge and began removing my shoes. These dull, dirty white shoes were my mother's last gift to me. I removed them carefully, then took off the socks that were also beyond repair.
After that, I stepped into the pool, still wearing my torn uniform.
The cold water immediately soaked into the fabric, making the uniform cling to my skin. The sensation was uncomfortable, but I didn't care.
I walked deeper until the water reached my waist. Then I began cleaning myself while still wearing all my clothes.
My hands swept water over my shoulders, over my arms, cleaning the dried blood clinging to my skin and clothes. The water around me slowly changed color, turning pinkish as it mixed with blood washing off my body and clothing.
I scooped water with both hands, then poured it over my hair. My long, sticky black hair gradually became cleaner, water flowing from the ends back into the pool.
I scrubbed my uniform a little, soaking and cleaning the worst stains. Not too thoroughly, because I wanted to continue my journey soon. The important thing was, the worst blood and grime were gone.
Feeling clean enough, I stepped out of the pool. Water dripped from my body and clothes, forming a small puddle on the ground.
My uniform was still soaking wet, clinging to my skin uncomfortably. But there was no time to wait for it to dry completely.
I picked up my still-damp socks and put them back on. I also put on my shoes, though they felt slightly uncomfortable with still-wet feet.
But it didn't matter. Over time, everything would dry on its own.
I had to continue my journey.
I had to become stronger.
That thought crossed my mind, clear and firm.
No more time to relax or linger in one place. This forest still held many monsters, and I needed to hunt more to gain greater power.
I took the wooden bottle tied to my waist, checked it once more. Still strong and not leaking.
Good. I was ready to continue.
Only one problem remained.
Where to?
I stood still, looking around. The forest stretched in all directions, tall trees with thick trunks stood like walls, leaves intertwined blocking the sky, while the dirt paths under my feet didn't truly form a road. No signs, no direction markers, no clear enough differences to use as guidance.
Wherever I looked, the scenery was the same.
If I walked there, or in the opposite direction, the result likely wouldn't differ. This forest gave no hints. It simply existed, vast and indifferent, as if unconcerned with where I stepped.
I let out a slow sigh.
For a moment, the confusion felt real. The simple awareness that I was alone, without a map, and without a definite destination. There was no "right direction." Only equally uncertain choices.
I closed my eyes briefly.
If I thought too long, I wouldn't move at all. And stopping in a place like this wasn't an option. Staying still too long only meant giving danger time to come to me.
I opened my eyes again, letting my gaze sweep the forest once more. This time, I wasn't looking for signs or logic. I just… felt.
There was a small pull. Not a voice. Not a whisper. Just a subtle inclination, a direction that felt slightly more right than the others, though I couldn't explain it in words.
Instinct.
So far, that instinct was what had kept me alive.
"This way." I murmured softly.
I tightened my grip on the water bottle, adjusted my posture, then stepped between the trees. No certainty ahead. No safety guarantee.
And as long as my feet could still step, I would keep moving, wherever this instinct took me.
I kept walking, following the instinct guiding me deeper into the forest.
My wet uniform slowly began to dry, though still felt damp and clung to my skin. My socks and shoes were also still wet, making each step slightly uncomfortable. But I ignored all that.
The important thing was to keep moving forward.
The mist around me began to thin as the sun rose higher. Light seeped through gaps in the foliage, forming bright streaks dancing on the forest floor.
The sounds of the forest became audible. Distant bird chirps, rustling leaves blown by wind, and occasional sounds of twigs breaking under my feet.
I stopped briefly, searching for a tree with suitable bark. After finding one, I scratched a cross mark with a sharp stone in my hand. A marker to remember the direction.
Then I continued my journey.
My steps were steady, my breathing regular. My body felt light, no longer burdened by wounds or fatigue hindering me. Every muscle responded perfectly, every movement felt natural.
I kept walking, following an unclear path between large trees. Roots protruding from the ground occasionally blocked the way, forcing me to jump or go around them.
But my movements were accustomed to terrain like this.
After walking for quite a while, the instinct inside me whispered louder.
There was something.
I slowed my pace, sharpened my hearing. A sound in the distance... footsteps. Not heavy, but clear enough.
I crouched slowly, hiding my presence behind thick bushes. My eyes swept the area ahead, searching for the sound's source.
And I saw it.
A wolf.
Its fur was dark gray, its body slender but muscular. Its eyes were pale yellow, alert and sharp. It was walking slowly between the trees.
The same kind of wolf I had faced before.
Just a wolf...
I rose from my hiding spot, no longer trying to hide. The wolf immediately turned toward me, ears perked, body tense.
It growled lowly, baring its sharp fangs.
"Grrrrr..."
I walked toward it calmly. Not rushed, and without fear.
The wolf took a step back, seeming hesitant. Its instinct probably told it something was wrong. That the prey before it wasn't ordinary prey.
But its territorial instinct was stronger.
It growled louder, then lunged.
"GRAAAH!"
I didn't even need to dodge.
When its body flew through the air toward me with jaws wide open, I simply raised my right hand.
And my sharp claws pierced directly into its neck.
SHREEK—!
Blood sprayed. The wolf's body was flung sideways, hitting the ground hard. It writhed briefly, trying to rise, but its movements were already weak.
I stepped closer, then with one quick motion, ended its life.
Everything finished in seconds.
No significant resistance.
I stared at the wolf's carcass with a flat expression.
I didn't need to eat it.
So I left it as it was, then continued my journey.
The instinct inside me still guided me. There was still something ahead. Something more... interesting.
I kept walking, leaving marks on trees every few dozen steps. Arranging small stones at easily missed points.
Time passed. The sun moved slowly across the sky, shifting shadows on the forest floor.
Then I heard another sound.
A rough breath.
I stopped, then moved slowly toward the sound. This time I was more careful, not revealing myself immediately.
I peeked from behind a large tree, and saw it.
A bear.
It was large, almost the same size as the bear I had fought before. Its fur was brownish-black, its body large and muscular. It was digging in the ground with its massive claws, searching for something.
I observed it for a moment, assessing its strength. The instinct inside me whispered that this bear wasn't much different from the one I had fought before.
And precisely because of that, my mind immediately went to one thing.
Poison.
A creature this size was strong enough to endure, but not strange enough to be beyond my calculations. If I wanted to know how effective my new ability was, this bear was the perfect choice.
I didn't emerge immediately. I lowered my body further, slowed my breathing, letting my footsteps blend with the forest sounds. The damp leaves muffled the sound of my steps. I calculated every movement.
The bear hadn't noticed anything yet.
When I was close enough, close enough for one clean attack, I didn't strike immediately.
I imagined the poison on my claws. The dark green poison of that lizard. The warm sensation I had felt before returned, flowing from within my body to my fingertips. My nails darkened, almost black, with a faint greenish hue at the tips.
Then I moved.
In one quick burst, I shot out from hiding, using its blind spot. My body slammed into the side of its neck with all my weight.
KRSSH—!
My claws sank deep.
Not only was flesh torn, but poison also immediately entered the bear's neck.
Hot blood sprayed, but almost instantly its color darkened around the wound. The bear tensed violently, its body trembling as if struck by something from within.
"GROOOAAARR!!"
Its roar broke out, not just angry, but pained. It slammed its massive body into the ground, spinning wildly, its claws sweeping the air aimlessly. Its movements were chaotic, uncoordinated.
I didn't retreat far.
I jumped back only as far as necessary, dodging one claw swipe that hit the ground where I had stood a second earlier. The ground split, small stones flying.
The poison worked fast.
I could see it from how it moved. Its steps were heavy, unbalanced. Its neck stiffened, its breathing became rough and interrupted.
The ground shook as it stood upright, revealing its nearly three-meter height.
"GROOOAARRR!"
Its roar shook the air, but its tone was unstable. There was panic there.
I didn't flinch.
I stood calmly, staring straight at it. The wound on its neck kept bleeding poison-mixed blood, soaking its thick fur. Its eyes reddened, not just from rage, but because its body was being attacked from within.
It lowered itself back to all fours and charged.
Each step still hit the ground like a hammer, but its rhythm was broken.
I waited.
When it was close enough, I jumped sideways. Its massive claw hit the ground, leaving a deep dent. I twisted my body and kicked its side as hard as I could.
THUD—!
With a hard impact, the bear's body slammed into a tree trunk beside it. The wood shook violently, leaves showered down, and the sound of the crash echoed among the trees. It couldn't immediately adjust, staggering one step too far before finally trying to stand again.
I didn't waste that moment.
I immediately ran toward it. The distance between us closed in an instant, using its imbalance. In one quick motion, I slipped beneath its large body and thrust my hand upward.
KRSSH—!
"GRAAARRRKH!"
My claws sank into its belly, the softer part. Poison entered again, deeper this time. Blood gushed heavily. The bear roared loudly, its body going berserk, slamming the ground and air uncontrollably.
I was thrown back by the force of its body, but my feet landed steadily. Even before it finished turning, I was already moving again.
The poison was clearly effective.
Its movements slowed unnaturally. Its muscles were still strong, but its responses were delayed. Its breath was choked, and its steps no longer precise.
It attacked again, more brutal, more desperate.
And much easier to read.
I dodged left, and right, keeping close distance. Every time its attacks missed, I moved in and kept clawing it. Shoulder, side, thigh. Wound upon wound piled up, each one carrying poison deeper inside.
Its thick fur was now soaked with dark blood. Its body began to tremble.
When it stood upright again, trying to intimidate with its size, I knew the time had come.
I ran forward, jumped high, and drove my claws directly into its throat.
KRSSHH—!
"GRAAARKKH—!"
Its roar changed into a choked sound. Poison entered directly into vital pathways. Blood gushed heavily, soaking my hand. I pulled my claws out hard, tearing deeper.
The giant body staggered, then collapsed with a heavy sound that shook the ground.
Its breath rattled once… then stopped.
The poison gave it no chance to rise again.
I landed with one foot on the ground, my breath slightly ragged, staring at the bear's carcass.