In the middle of a dense forest, I lie on the ground, feeling disoriented.
-Hmm? Huh?!
-What!?
I bring my hand to my head.
-Ouch!
-My head…
I quickly get up and look around, unable to understand where I am or how I ended up here. But little by little, memories start to return. I remember recent events, my death, the Regents, the encounter with Eladreo, and this new world where I now live.
-Ah… I remember.
-So this is the new world, isn't it?
I look at my clothes and realize I only have a cloak covering my body, nothing underneath. On top of that, I'm barefoot.
-I can feel the earth between my toes.
-I should have asked for proper clothes and closed shoes if I knew I'd end up in a forest.
-It seems I'll have to get used to it.
Even though I don't like the feeling of the ground under me or the discomfort of having nothing beneath the cloak, at least the cloak Eladreo gave me is large and closed. It covers me almost completely, leaving only my feet visible. The sleeves are long, revealing only my hands, and there's a hood that can protect my head.
Looking more carefully at the surroundings, I notice this forest is extremely dense. The trees are very tall, covering almost the entire sky. Even so, I can tell it's daytime.
I look around more attentively.
-It seems I really am in a forest.
-Now what? What should I do?
I pace back and forth until an idea comes to me. I snap my fingers.
-I've got it!
-Just like in the mangas I used to read, I need to focus first on the basic needs of any living being, water, food, and a safe shelter for the night.
With my first objectives defined, I set out on my search.
.…
…
..
.
I sigh.
-I couldn't find anything to eat or drink.
I look up and notice that the sun's rays aren't shining through like before.
-(It's already getting dark… and I still haven't found a safe place.)
I sigh again.
-I never imagined surviving in the wild would be this hard…
I barely finish speaking when I hear a loud sound coming through the forest. It seems to approach quickly. I turn toward the noise, ready to fight or run. Branches and bushes shake violently.
Sweat drips down my forehead.
-…
The wind grows stronger.
-(Run!!!)
Before I realize it, a powerful gust of wind hits me, lifting my cloak and blurring my vision. The wind keeps pushing me back. Suddenly, it stops completely.
I remain alert, suspicious.
-(What was that? Was it really just a temporary gust of wind?)
Something feels wrong. My arm starts to burn. When I look at my left arm, I freeze. My arm is gone.
-Aaaaah!!!
-M-my arm!!!
The pain is immediate, brutal. My body shakes, blood pours in frightening amounts, and my thoughts scatter. My legs weaken, and I kneel on the ground.
Suddenly, right in front of me, a floating arm appears, I recognize it immediately.
-(That… my arm!)
-(What is happening?!)
I try to see who took my arm, but all I see is my arm floating in the air before it simply disappears. I act quickly. The sleeve of my cloak is intact. I intend to tie it to stop the bleeding, but it's unnecessary. My severed arm begins to regenerate right before my eyes.
My eyes widen in shock, unable to comprehend how this is possible, but then I remember the most important conversation I had with Eladreo, the wish I had made.
I grin widely as I see my arm fully regenerated and pain-free. I stand up, filled with energy and vigor.
-Don't get distracted!
But soon, I frown, clenching my teeth, trying to assume a defensive stance.
-I have to do something!
-No!
-I… I have to run while I still can!
Suddenly, I hear that sound again. I turn toward it, but feel only the wind hitting my body. The gust grows stronger. I try to escape, moving toward a tree, but every time I attempt to leave, the gusts push me back.
I'm slowly dragged backward.
-(There's definitely something controlling this wind.)
Out of nowhere, the wind intensifies violently. I cross my arms, plant my feet, and try to resist, but it becomes so strong it lifts me off the ground.
Before I know it, I slam violently against a tree.
-Aaaah!
I hit the ground hard, my body aching all over. My spine must be broken. I try to focus, but realize my legs have disappeared. My eyes widen in terror. The situation worsens when I see no culprit. Gradually, the pain subsides, my spine realigns, and my legs begin to regenerate. Even as I watch them regrow, despair claws at me.
I press my back against a tree and stand up.
-(What is this thing!?)
-(My arm was here a second ago and then vanished… Now a powerful wind throws me away and my legs vanish too… just like my arm!)
I turn my head frantically.
-(Is it invisible? Too fast?)
I hear the wind again, this time from behind. The strong gust knocks down trees, drags stones, and lifts dust.
-!!!
I can't react. I feel like I'm flying. I can't even scream. The tree I was leaning on is destroyed. I don't know what to say. I can't express anything. A sudden, immense pain hits me, then disappears instantly. I slowly lose consciousness, my vision fading.
I fall backward. Under the cloak, my body is practically destroyed. I don't move a single muscle. My mouth is open, and my wide blue eyes stare blankly with dilated pupils.
Gradually, my fingertips twitch. My mouth trembles and closes. My eyes blink a few times, coming back to life. My body remembers how to breathe, and I slowly regain consciousness. But I still can't move, my body is severely damaged. Footsteps approach.
I remain on the ground, in immense pain.
-(What happened?!)
A huge shadow covers me. My eyes widen in fear. I struggle to move as a colossal figure appears above me, resembling a tiger, but far larger than an ordinary tiger. Its fur is completely green, like the forest leaves, and its eyes are green too. But none of that matters.
Our eyes meet for a moment. The green tiger opens its mouth, revealing horrifying teeth. A strong wind pushes it into the forest. I watch it fly away, disappearing from view. My mind goes blank, so much is happening, I don't know what to do.
Leaves rustle where the wind came from. I turn my head. A new tiger appears, smaller, very thin, but equally imposing.
The new tiger looks at me and charges. Without hesitation, I see it open its mouth. Its teeth cannot pierce the cloak. Then it pulls back the sleeve of my previously regenerated arm and starts devouring it.
I can't express the pain on my face, but my eyes tear up.
-…
Before the tiger can bite further, a loud roar echoes through the forest, the first tiger. Its roar is a clear signal that it's approaching, furious. The smaller tiger is startled and begins to fade until it disappears completely.
I am shocked.
-!?!?!?!
At the same moment, the first green tiger, filled with rage, appears. It senses the smaller tiger fleeing. Its instinct will not let this tiny tiger escape unpunished. Locking its eyes on where the other vanished, it charges after it.
I cry but watch everything.
-…
-…
-…
-(This is my chance!)
I hear the wind again, but now it's moving away. The tigers, it seems, are fighting. Knowing this, I cannot waste time. Even with my body in pieces, I force myself to stand.
I see my body has regenerated most of itself. I begin walking, limping. Gradually, I manage to run while limping. Soon, I can run normally, putting distance between myself and the chaos.
.…
…
..
.
It was night, and I hadn't found a safe place to spend it. I decide to climb a tree, but who said I could manage it? I have no experience in climbing, especially not trees as thick and tall as these.
I try to hug the tree trunk, but keep slipping. I even try to carve the wood with a stone to create footholds, but the tree is too hard, not even a scratch. I try again, leaping toward the trunk. Even with my best jump, I don't reach the lowest branch. The trees are so close together, and the leaves so thick, almost covering the entire forest, that darkness comes quickly, preventing me from seeing a foot ahead.
My sadness grows in the darkness.
-…
Without shelter, food, or water, all I can do is lean against the tree I tried to climb. At that moment, I reorganize my thoughts, trying to stay positive.
-(Look at the situation I've been through.)
-(I was almost devoured by tigers, but I'm here, alive.)
Gaining a bit of encouragement, I lay my head on the ground. Unable to see anything, I lightly hit a stone.
-…
I sigh heavily but decide to use the stone as a pillow. I grab a partially green leaf I saw earlier and cover myself a little.
I close my eyes.
-(Tomorrow I'll have a lot to do, so I have to save energy.)
I begin thinking about the future, imagining leaving this dangerous place. I picture finding a village and staying there for a while. Later, when I gain experience, I plan to travel the world. But for that to happen, I have to survive today.
I smile slightly.
-(I wonder if there's 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 the other side, and again, then another.
-…
-…
-(Huh? Where's my sleep? I'm not tired?)
-(I walked all day, almost died from tigers, and tried to climb trees all afternoon, but I'm not even a little tired or sleepy.)
I open my eyes and stand up.
-(Thinking about it, I didn't feel hungry or thirsty all day either. That's not normal.)
-(Why is that?)
-(Wait.)
-(Could it… maybe have something to do with my regeneration?)
I laugh, a glimmer of certainty in my eyes.
-It must be that… it can only be that.
-Ah, ah, ah, ah!
-This is good.
If I don't need to sleep, I have more time for other things. Eight extra hours in a day is extremely useful. And if I don't need to eat or drink, my biggest concerns are gone. Every time I think about it, my spirits lift.
I look at the horizon, seeing only darkness.
-It means I'll be more efficient at escaping this forest.
But soon, my thoughts return. If I truly don't need food, sleep, or water, it can only be because of my regeneration. It's the only plausible explanation. But that raises another question.
I place my hand on the tree trunk.
-What sustains my regeneration then?
-Usually, this kind of power has a cost.
-So what could the cost be?
I search my memory for conversations with Eladreo, but my mind is still foggy. I try to remember for a long time, but can't recall my talks with him, not even about my wish.
-(Thinking about it…)
-(It seems I'm losing memories related to him!)
A chill runs through me. I worry that I might not only lose memories of Eladreo but also of my family. Not wanting that, I search my mind carefully. The memories of my family remain intact.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
-(I'm not losing their memories.)
-(Thank goodness.)
But my relief isn't complete. Despite remembering my family, I can't recall my conversations with Eladreo clearly. Even in this short period, my memories of him seem to be fading.
-I don't want to lose these memories!
-Who sent me to the Other World and granted me a wish?
-It was Eladreo!
-Who is Eladreo?
-A Regent of the Cosmos!
-Better yet… a Regent in training!
-Where is his office?
-Somewhere in the cosmos! His office looks like a study room!
-What does he do?
-He's a jack-of-all-trades!
-What does he look like? What did he wear?
-…
-…
-…
-I forgot?!?!?!
I try searching my mind for his appearance and clothes when suddenly I hear a loud howl, cutting through my thoughts. Another howl seems to respond, followed by the rustling of bushes and more howls in the distance.
I freeze instantly. I tremble in fear.
-No way!
-They're not coming here, are they!?
But they are. The howls grow stronger, closer, more numerous, moving straight toward me. I run, desperately, faster than ever, because my life is in extreme danger. Whatever is approaching is undoubtedly a wolf pack.
Unfortunately, my escape is severely hindered. Unable to see ahead, I run into trees, trip on stones, and fall repeatedly, accumulating numerous wounds while trying to flee.
I keep running, trying to maintain my pace, when I realize.
-(What is this?)
-(My body is scratched!)
I don't stop, pressing forward. The more I run, the more injuries I get. I have to keep my arms forward to protect my face. Even with regeneration, new wounds open as the old ones heal.
-Aaah!
Thorns pierce my feet.
-(Damn it!)
-(It feels like a hundred blades are cutting and stabbing me!)
My muscles ache intensely. I begin losing strength, slowing down rapidly. In my last steps, I walk slowly to avoid more cuts. I stop running completely, catching my breath and letting my body heal. Fatigue fades first, and the deepest wounds close. Even without seeing regeneration, I can feel my body improving.
I step forward but pause when something grazes me. The cut heals instantly.
-(Good…)
-(Thank goodness I wished for regeneration.)
I consider staying here for a while. This place is dangerous, full of things that could cut and pierce me easily. Wolves won't rush in recklessly. Like humans, animals avoid pain.
I feel relieved, thinking I've escaped.
-(Wolves have excellent night vision. They'll probably realize this place is dangerous and won't follow me.)
But, to my misfortune, the wolves howl.
-!!!
I run again.
.…
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..
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