The sky bellowed and lightning struck.
I thought that was the end of me, even without the lightning strike.
A pack of carnivores were already on their way to turn me into their lunch. Luckily, I survived-
Or did I?
I’m not really sure.
When the lightning hit me, I felt my body welcoming it.
My arc went crazy, it swelled up and I don’t remember anything that happened afterwards.
...
It’s raining. I’m still lying flat on the ground, I thought I’d be paralyzed but it seems that I can still move.
As I look around it seems like the surroundings were affected by the strike.
The creatures that pounced me were all dead, not just them but also the ones hiding and the ones that were on the trees fell to the ground.
Even if I had survived the team-oriented attack of the sabertooths, I’d still be dead meat to the ones lying in wait.
It seems that these are the only creatures around this area, this is probably their turf.
I looked around, my bag was in tatters, all my rations; food and water were all over the place. For now, I need to find shelter.
...
What about food and water you ask?
Kekeke…
Behold!
It’s a meat festival all around, I’ll take what I can then smoke it so that I’ll have some reserves.
As for water, it’s raining so I’ll just need to find a container to store the raindrops.
Now, let’s get to work.
* * * * *
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Now that what’s supposed to be done is done, I have to move.
I don’t know where I am and I’m alone.
It seems that the sabertooths were the alpha of this turf but they weren’t the only creatures here.
As soon as the situation died down, other creatures slowly let up. It seems that those beasts were at the top of the food chain so if I sit idly here, I’d probably get caught up in a turf war since sanctuary is scarce for anyone.
I’ve got lots of meat and a bit of water. I may sound confident but I still shake when I’m reminded of my situation. “You only live once”-… I finally get the meaning of the phrase. I was so gung ho about getting strong, using my responsibilities as an excuse but I’m no hero. We have to face reality and think rationally.
I still don’t know the rules of this floor, albeit, this is my first floor and without companions at that.
Truth be told, I am screwed. Starting today I will never forget that I am weak.
Moving on, it seems that this place is like a huge valley.
I got up one of the mountain tops here to check; on the other side is a barren wasteland and on the side where I appeared was a deep forest.
I can’t really tell what is beyond it but I guess a forest with food and shade is better than a safe empty space.
Onward to the forest-
Hmmm?
I feel weird… eh?
Did my arc get bigger? It’s many, many times bigger than it used to be!
Eh? Arc are like cores that form overtime… mine just went kaboom…
Wait, what if it gets bigger then I explode?!
Hmmmmmm…
Nah, I’ve never heard of a phenomenon such as this.
Before I move I better test my arcana.
Here I go-
KABOOM!
…
WH-WHAT?! IS THIS MY ARCANA?!
Wait… let’s try again-
BOOOOM!
IT IS!!! BUT HOW?! BEFORE, MY ARCANA COULDN’T EVEN HOLD POWER STRONGER THAN A MATCHSTICK!
MAYBE I AM STRON-!
Ah right, mentality of the weak, got it. Never forget that, me.
Also it seems that my arcana changed not just in mass but also… this feeling… this is…
“Electricity…”
CRACKLEEE
Um… there are supposed to be 4 elements; water, earth, fire and air…
Yet I got this super cool electricity!
ZAP!
I aimed at the tree and it cut it in an instant.
This is plenty dangerous!
I still have no idea how to use this so let’s be careful.
I may have skyrocketed my arcana output and have an electric element but that doesn’t mean that I can utilize it.
I have to tame this new power.
No doubts allowed, this is survival of the fittest.
Floors usually take a few days with a group so maybe if it’s me it’ll take about a week.
Ah! I forgot!
Stigmata has a function that lets us be ejected from purgatory!
Let’s try that and maybe I won’t need to stay here! Yeah!
.
.
.
Moments later
.
.
.
Is this thing broken?
I’ve been trying and trying for almost an hour and nothing’s happening.
I’ve never heard of a defective stigmata before.
Ah maybe I’m special?
Getting hunted by beasts, getting hit by lightning, losing my rations, doing a purge alone and now I can’t go home?
Ha…Ha…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
DAMN IT!
Ah whatever, screw it!
Let’s just clear this floor and go home!
I’ll just have to reach the tree of Narra then I’ll be home in no time.
Of course, I never forgot to collect the cores, pelts, claws and other drops of the beasts that attacked me.
So my objectives are to learn how to use this arcana, to stay alive and to go home.
That’s it for now so therefore, here I go.