With his mother's voice echoing in his mind, Riku guided himself to a safe landing, though his body ached from the exhaustion. Towering trees, at least twenty feet high, surrounded him, offering a hidden sanctuary from the prying eyes of wandering monsters.
Splash!
His dark, iridescent wings slowly retracted as he touched the ground. "Ahh..." He spun around in a daze before collapsing onto the forest floor, staring up at the endless blue sky, his ears attuned to the cheerful chorus of birdsong.
A laugh escaped him, unsteady at first, then growing stronger. "Hahaha! I honestly thought that was it... I was done for!"
Night fell, yet Riku remained on the ground, gazing at the stars. Hours passed in quiet reflection until a subtle pang reminded him of his next concern.
Brrr...
The thought of survival brought him back to reality. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and fatigue pressed on his limbs. "I completely forgot to eat... I must've been acting like I was still in a game," he muttered.
Carefully, he eased into a seated position and surveyed the unfamiliar terrain. Water and food were priorities. "If I'm in a forest, there has to be something I can eat... and water, of course."
A spark of determination coursed through him. Riku rose, brushing the dirt from his clothes, and ventured deeper into the woods, scanning for anything edible.
His prior research and meticulous preparation guided him. He identified creatures that were safe to consume, avoiding the poisonous ones with precision. Soon, a fire roared to life, and over it, he cooked his first meal in this new world—a small but vital victory that reminded him he could survive here if he relied on his wits as much as his strength.
Riku also reflected on the lessons Haru had instilled in him, emphasizing the importance of handling even the most basic tasks with determination. In the world of mutants, strength was crucial, but so were discipline, patience, and resourcefulness.
Using large, vibrant green leaves, he gathered water from a nearby lake, carefully shaping them into an improvised container. His ingenuity was his greatest ally in this unfamiliar world.
Next came food. Riku found refuge in a small cave, its narrow confines offering comfort and safety from wandering monsters. Here, he could rest, replenish his strength, and prepare for whatever challenges this strange land would throw at him.
Time passed quickly. Within a month, Riku had begun to adapt to life in the mysterious forest. Each day, he completed his daily tasks while deliberately avoiding unnecessary confrontations. He had learned a crucial lesson: the creatures lurking beneath the forest floor were far more dangerous than those roaming above, especially when venturing off the higher ledges. He also noticed that monsters rarely traveled alone; they always moved in packs.
Initially, he had attempted to explore the forest's perimeter during his 10-kilometer runs, hoping to find a way out. But no matter how far he ran, the boundary remained elusive, leaving him effectively trapped near his small cave.
Through careful observation, Riku began to understand the forest's hierarchy of monsters. Those on the ground were consistently higher level than their aerial counterparts. Drawing from the knowledge he had acquired in his previous world, he noted that a level 2 mutant could hold its own against a dozen level 1 creatures, while a level 3 mutant could handle a dozen level 2 adversaries. Yet, personal skill and strategy were just as important as raw power.
At present, Riku's offensive arsenal was limited to a single skill: [Claw]. Without additional abilities, he could not guarantee success in one-on-one encounters with stronger monsters. His focus, therefore, remained on honing his body into a reliable vessel—one that could wield his powers without leaving him vulnerable.
"I'm practically at the bottom of the forest's food chain," Riku admitted to himself. "If I dive into the hunting quest now, I'd be courting death." His caution was tempered with resolve; survival, for the moment, meant patience and preparation.
In just a month, Riku's transformation was undeniable. His muscles had thickened, lending his frame a sturdier, more imposing look. Veins traced along his arms and legs, and his features now carried a maturity that hadn't been there before. The daily exercises and grueling routines were clearly taking their toll, sculpting him into a stronger, more capable mutant.
Huff... huff... huff...
Having finished his morning drills of kicks and punches, Riku sank beneath the shade of a towering tree, taking a moment to catch his breath. His eyes wandered across the sprawling forest, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Memories of his father, Haru, and especially Yui tugged at his heart. The thought of her smile, her gentle embrace, the subtle fragrance that always lingered on her—he longed for it all. The ache of not knowing if he'd ever see her again gnawed at him.
That longing stirred something deeper within him, a fire of determination.
"What am I thinking about? No matter what happens here, I'll find a way back to Earth and marry Yui," he said aloud, his voice steady with conviction. "I just hope they haven't assumed the worst and declared me dead."
Taking a deep, fortifying breath, Riku straightened his back and readied himself for the next stage of his journey. "I can't stay here. If I want answers, I need to find a city or a town where I can gather information. Sitting around in this forest won't get me anywhere."
His goals were clear: return to Earth—and find his mother along the way. Over the past month, his dedication had paid off. With +155 fitness and +93 physical strength added to his abilities, he felt confident in his body's capacity to wield the [Fly] skill. Yet, despite all the progress, his mana pool stubbornly remained capped at 15, refusing to grow alongside his physical gains.
Perched on the elevated ground, Riku had a clear vantage point, allowing him to survey the structures below with ease. From this height, he could see the layout of the entire area, making it easier to plan his next move.
A flicker of hope lit his chest. A village, a city—any sign of human life would be a welcome sight. He had grown accustomed to solitude, but the thought of interacting with others again stirred a strange excitement within him.
[Fly!]
With practiced precision, Riku activated his skill. Dark wings unfurled from his back, sleek and powerful, without the excruciating discomfort that had accompanied his first attempt. "The system was right. Once my body improves, it hardly hurts at all," he noted, a grin tugging at his lips as he flexed his wings.
A refreshing breeze brushed against his skin as he launched into the air. "Let's go!" he called, his determination resonating in the crisp morning air. He bounded forward, clearing twelve meters before lifting himself higher, steadily gaining altitude.
Swoosh!
With every flap, he rose further, the forest stretching beneath him like a living map. His control wasn't perfect, but it was a marked improvement over his initial flight. The world from above was breathtaking, and for a few blissful moments, Riku allowed himself to forget the dangers he had faced.
"Hey... what is this feeling? Incredible!" he exclaimed, marveling at the freedom and the view. Frustration, fatigue, and fear faded, replaced by exhilaration and awe.
Soon, Riku finally left the forest behind—a vast expanse rivaling the size of a small country. His proficiency in flight had improved significantly; he could now maneuver with agility and maintain speed over long distances.
In the distance, a lone guard stood at the entrance to a settlement. "Perfect timing," Riku muttered, crouching behind a tree to remain unseen. He planned to approach cautiously, making sure his wings didn't draw attention before he could gauge the situation.