Erik's tired eyes slowly opened as the sun began to rise, illuminating the entire forest with its warm glow.
The night had been dangerous, with the air permeated by the eerie howls of monsters that prowled around in the shadows.
Despite his best efforts to find solace in the large tree, he could not fall asleep or stay asleep for long, which resulted in him becoming worn out and injured. On top of that, he received a notification from the biological supercomputer the same morning.
[QUEST FAILED.]
"This should be the quest related to Matthew," the young man said to himself. Since he was outside the city, the penalty did not affect him, and his thoughts quickly wandered elsewhere.
Erik had been put through a grueling ordeal throughout the night. The thaids had been relentlessly prowling beneath the branches ever since they had been attracted to his presence by the blood staining his clothes and occasionally coming out of his injuries.
Their low, guttural growls and threatening snarls reverberated throughout the woods, giving him chills all the way down his spine. Every rustle of leaves or crackle of twigs brought his senses to a heightened state, reminding him of the imminent danger that was hiding below and preventing him from getting a good night's sleep as a result. It wasn't an easy task because he was sleeping on the branches of a tree.
Erik had astutely utilized the tree, using his birth brain crystal power to make the tree and its branches grow. He had carefully caused them to spread further, creating a dense canopy in his surroundings.
This was done to ensure that he would remain hidden from other thaids and that the tree's scent would partially obscure his smell.
This screen of vegetation had become his refuge for the evening, protecting him from the watchful gaze of the creatures in the area.
Nevertheless, despite Erik's inventiveness, the night's ordeal took a physical toll on his body. Aside from the wounds he received in the city, his muscles hurt from the constant tension, and his limbs were covered in scratches and bruises from the frantic ascent that he had acquired during the process.
Erik's shoulders were drooping under the weight of the mental and physical exhaustion that he was experiencing. It had taken its toll on him, leaving him feeling exhausted and disoriented as a result of not getting enough sleep.
The moment he shut his eyes, vivid mental images of monstrous fangs and glowing eyes flooded his consciousness and continued to torment him throughout his restless dreams. That was not enough for the system to intervene, but it was hard nonetheless.
Erik had to force himself to take stock of his situation as the first rays of dawn began to make their way through the dense vegetation. He had to come up with a more long-term strategy for survival while also finding a way to recover from his wounds, regain his strength, and get back into fighting shape.
Because he had bandages, antibiotics, and other medical supplies that he had taken from Mr. Fox's farm, he did not run the risk of his wounds becoming infected. Instead, it was of the utmost importance to locate a safe place where he could have his wounds treated and rest appropriately for the time being.
Erik gathered the strength necessary to make the ascent back down the tree with incredible difficulty. A throbbing pain accompanied each step he took, serving as a jarring reminder of the dangers he had previously encountered. His shoulders were the most problematic, despite his arms being in relatively good shape.
Erik's stomach growled with hunger as he descended the tree, and the sun's warm embrace wrapped itself around the forest at that very moment.
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small piece of the dried meat he had acquired from Mr. Fox's farm. He chewed on it thoughtfully. He knew he had a long journey ahead of him, so he made sure to take some time to enjoy the meal and replenish his energy.
Erik was deep in thought as he ate, pondering his next move. He needed to keep moving deeper and deeper into the core of the forest. His final resting place would be in Etrium, located in the east.
"But what would I do after I arrive there? I should find a way to enter one of the cities, but if I use my current ID, Frant will learn about my survival and come there to search for me. I must assume they already know about my multiple powers, so that is a huge risk. Should I ask the mercenaries there? Hide in some vehicles? Talk to a smuggler?"
Erik started his hike again while deliberating over what course of action to take and set off with his backpack on his back. He took each step carefully, keeping in mind the injuries he had sustained, but he was propelled forward by a tenacious will that made him refuse to give up. Even though the forest was ominous and full of perils that couldn't be seen, it was not enough to break his determination.
The chorus of birdsong that filled the air in the morning was a sign that life continued to exist despite the challenges that were presented to it. Erik was given a momentary sense of peace by the brilliant hues of sunlight cast down from the canopy above, which encouraged him to continue his journey.
Erik became more sensitive to every rustle and snapped in the undergrowth as he progressed inside the forest. His eyes traveled over the area, searching for any indications of impending danger or potential routes to escape. The system would tell him in advance, but heavily relying on the system wasn't good.
The forest had morphed into both an enemy and an ally for him; it was a vast labyrinth where the only way to survive was to learn to adapt to its environment and outsmart the beasts that lived within it.
As the sun continued to climb higher in the sky, it cast long shadows that danced around at his feet. He was well aware that the trip would be arduous and that the night would present its own unique challenges to overcome. But for the time being, he continued in the clear light of day, encouraged by the prospect of better things to come.
After a long day of walking through the thick forest, Erik saw a small stream glistening in the sunlight as he continued his journey through the woods. He was exhausted from his journey and the ordeal he had been through over the past few days and tired due to the physical exertion. He cautiously approached the water, keeping his senses alert for any signs of danger.
"System, do you sense living creatures in the surroundings?" Erik asked the system.
[NEGATIVE. THE STREAM IT'S SAFE, AND THERE ARE NO THAIDS IN A HUNDRED METER RADIUS,] the system replied.
"What about the water? Is it drinkable?" The young man asked with hope in his eyes.
[THE WATER SEEMS CLEAR ENOUGH. DIP YOUR FINGERS INTO THE WATER AND TASTE IT; THE BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER WILL ANALYZE IT.]
Erik complied with the instructions, and as luck would have it, it appeared that the water in this stream originated from a spring, which meant that it was healthy enough to drink. Even though it had been exposed to some pollution from the surrounding environment, it was still safe to drink.
To fill his empty water bottles, Erik got down on his knees next to the stream and dipped them into the refreshing water that was very clear. A wave of relief washed over him as the liquid filled the containers. After pausing for a moment to slake his thirst, he cupped his hands and allowed the water to trickle down between his fingers, rehydrating his body and easing the pain of his chapped lips.
Erik's tired spirit was revived thanks to the revitalizing effect of the water's reviving flavor on him. He reveled in the uncomplicated joys that this natural haven offered him in the midst of a wild environment.
The soothing tune provided by the stream's gentle babbling served as a backdrop, helping to calm his mind and serving as a reminder that even in the midst of the chaos, there were times when he could find moments of tranquility.
That turned out to be a very fortunate discovery. After refilling his water bottles, Erik took a short break to relax next to the stream and take in the peaceful atmosphere of his surroundings.
The lush vegetation and the forest's aroma offered him a brief reprieve from the circumstances that required him to maintain a state of heightened awareness at all times. But he couldn't stay for long because there were thaids in the area.
After a brief period of time had passed, Erik got to his feet, feeling grateful for the water that would help him make it through the difficult journey. He made sure he had a sufficient supply to endure the challenges that were still in front of him and secured the filled water bottles to his backpack.
"I reek of blood," Erik said to himself. He was sure the thaids were attracted by the scent, as it was relatively fresh. He had a fresh pair of clothes he took from Mister Fox's farm, so he decided to wash the ones he had, as they were ripped and not that good to be worn.
"I will keep them in case I need to make a rope or start a fire."
He stopped for a moment to tend to his wounds to deter the monsters that prowled the woods from paying any unwelcome attention to him. Then he removed his tattered clothes, which were stained with dirt and blood.
He cautiously approached the stream that he had found, the water in the stream glistening and inviting him to wash his wounds away. He was careful as he lowered his hands into the stream's embrace, cupping his hands around the water and allowing it to cleanse him of the accumulated grime and filth.
Erik was very careful when cleaning his wounds, making sure no trace of blood could draw the attention of the monsters. Each cut and scrape received his careful attention as he endeavored to reduce the likelihood of infection and facilitate the wounds' speedy recovery.
With his wounds tended to, Erik turned his attention to his clothes. He took them and dipped them in the moving stream, agitating the fabric with his hands to remove the stains and other telltale signs of his ordeal, and then he wrung them out. The water washed away the dirt and grime left behind by his fights, giving the garments, which had been filthy before, the appearance of being clean.
After giving his wounds and clothes a thorough cleaning, Erik carefully tied them to his backpack while ensuring that the backpack would not become soaked by the wet items. He was well aware that, to avoid being discovered by the beasts that roamed the forest, it was essential to practice proper hygiene and eliminate any trace of a scent that could be associated with blood.
Erik bandaged up his wounds and prepared to continue his journey through the dangerous woods after he had finished cleaning them. After putting on his equipment and gaining a refreshed sense of preparedness and determination, he resumed his trek in an eastern direction.
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