My casual beauty sleep is rudely interrupted by growling and scraping sounds. When I realize where and when I’ve fallen asleep fear grips my unprepared little heart. Being high up in a tree at night with three wolves salivating beneath you is not the nicest wake-up call for a young soul. It's more like the start of a nightmare.

[The general Skill [Running] has reached lvl 9.]

[The general Skill [Stamina] has reached lvl 9.]

Name: Elyssia

Age: 9

Mana: 151/380

+57/hour

I got like a three hour power nap.

I demand more!

My stamina feels optimal while my mana is way below what I’d like it to be. I’m surprised it took the wolves this long to find me. My bleeding has stopped but the bandage is still bloody which they should be able to smell.

[Wolf lvl 16]

[Wolf lvl 14]

[Wolf lvl 18]

Huh, this is a first. About to fight something below my level. They could still very much kill me, even so, I somehow feel a lot less threatened. The saliva dripping from their maws or their feral eyes assure me that it's not just me thinking that the opponent is easy prey.

“Wait… I have the high ground and they don’t seem like they can shoot magic.” I aim my hand toward the weakest wolf and release a pure Mana Bolt into its face.

Pure mana because that's the cheapest.

[You have triumphed over the enemy [Forest Wolf - Earth lvl 14].]

The bolt lands on the target knocking the wolf back with a yelp.. it doesn’t get back up. Its snout is crumpled and blood is pouring from all over its head. While its packmates are being cautious, searching for whatever killed one of them, I keep blasting.

[You have triumphed over the enemy [Forest Wolf - Earth lvl 16].]

[Your class Skill [Mana Bolt] has reached lvl 11.]

The last wolf realizes that it's in mortal danger and there’s no way it can jump up to my position. It quickly retreats into the thick of the forest, leaving the dead behind.

“I probably should stay here and wait the night out… if only I hadn't left my backpack where I fought the fox. I really don't want these wolves to tear it apart, it's got mom’s watch in it. That fox's fur also looked really nice but I doubt I’ll find its corpse where it fell.” Eh, I’ll just keep talking to myself, bad habit or not it helps organize my thoughts. “Also, there’s no guarantee I’ll be safe up in the trees. Chances are there is something in these woods that can climb or even fly.”

With the decision made I swiftly climb down and retrace my tracks back to my stuff. I try to be as sneaky and quiet as possible along the way, begging not to alert any other predators. After around eight minutes of searching in the pitch black of the night, I find my belongings strewn out in a clearing.

“No way, there was no food in there… Is this revenge for those two?” I trudge over looking for one thing specifically. Mom's watch.

My backpack is still more or less operational so I sling it over my shoulder, after making sure the sentimental treasure is inside, and gather anything salvageable. To my surprise, I also see the body of the fox, just where it fell in a puddle of blood. It smells terrible, not just the simple smell of a dead animal, oh no. This is different, it's like something’s been left rotting for months. No wonder the wolves left it alone, I don't want to touch that either. It’s repelling…

“Wouldn’t this act as a good way to mask my scent? Keep the fur, the meat, and the wolves away, the whole package deal.” I ponder, walking over to rinse the corpse off with some conjured water.

It’s too bloody and there’s no way I’m touching it that way. After most of it is relatively clean I attempt to lift it… Yeah, no way, it's heavier than me and Might is not my go-to stat. So I grab its tail and begin to drag it back towards the main road.

The corpse is really heavy and let's not even mention the smell, that putrid, rotting stench. How I can still feel hungry remains a mystery.

I’m only a few minutes away from the main road when something moves behind me. Reflexively I snap up my Mana Shield in that direction even before turning around. A body smashes into the pure mana shield, bouncing off and snarling wildly. We’re on a budget here, that’s all I can afford.

[Wolf lvl 18]

“It’s you again? Hungry for revenge I guess, and just hungry in general.” I joke nervously.

The wolf doesn’t enjoy my company either and starts circling around me, the shield only covers one direction so I quickly abandon it, saving on mana. Speaking of mana… I only have one shot left and a crippling fifteen percent debuff to all my stats right now.

Curse my racial trait at moments like this.

I pull my knife out and keep my eye on the wolf. It's still observing me and being smart about its approach while on the other hand, I have no clue how to fight with a knife.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Stab I guess but…

The wolf has had enough, it just sprints head first towards me, fury blinding its rationale. With shaking hands and no other option, I send my last Mana Bolt into the wolf. I hit its chest making it stumble, likely breaking a bone or tearing a muscle, sadly not an outright kill. I slowly back away as the beast pushes itself upright. Blood is dripping from its mouth and even standing seems like a monumental task for the injured creature, and still, it approaches.

It growls again menacingly and limps towards me.

I still have no confidence in winning this duel, so I just keep retreating. Could I run away? Maybe… The wolf must have more Speed, especially with my debuff, however it's injured…

Before any of the outcomes could play off an arrow embeds itself into the wolf’s neck. The impact is so strong that it pushes the body flying to the side, landing with a thud.

“Are you okay there little one?” A shout comes from somewhere in the forest.

I look around perplexed, searching for the archer. A few seconds later a huge man walks out of the treeline. Not just huge because I’m small, no, the walking mountain should be well above two meters tall, still a weird Earth-ish? measurement, not a slender one either. Big brown, unkempt beard, barely any hair, as if all of it wandered down to his chin, and deep brown eyes. His attire looks similar to dad’s so I guess he’s a hunter?

[Druid lvl ??]

“What the hell are you doing? Why did you even come out? You’ll scare the poor girl.” A woman walks up from behind him with a bow in hand, smacking his bald head. “Just look at yourself, like an orc wearing human skin, both in size and looks.”

She’s normal-sized thank the Gods. Shoulder-long black hair, forest green eyes and a slender body. Almost too slender. Does she even eat anything or does the talking boulder take all her meals?

[Hunter lvl ??]

“It's okay little girl, you’re no longer in danger, the wolf is gone.” The woman says with soothing hand gestures. “You were very brave to stand up to that big bad wolf but it's all over now, you can calm down.” She smiles.

I look down at my hands. My left arm is bandaged and bloody and on my right, I’m still shakily holding the knife. I must look dirty, injured and frightened. Damn, I stooped low. My heartbeat starts to slow down and tears begin dropping from my eyes. The rush leaves me and I drop the knife, rubbing my wet eyes.

The woman slowly walks up closer and hugs me tightly. I hate to admit it but I’m not ready. I was so scared, things constantly tried to eat me and even as I did my best I might not have survived.

I just quietly sob for a few minutes as the experience sets in, fear leaving with the tears and exhaustion returning in place. “Ssh, it's okay now, you’ll be fine.” She’s slowly petting my back and her presence manages to calm me.

I take one last deep breath before trying to push away. “Thank you.” I sniff, finding myself truly speechless for the first time in a long while.

“Oh, my name is Darcy, this big oaf is Joseph. You’re welcome by the way, it would be just wrong to leave a kid like you alone in a forest, so naturally I helped.” She puts her hands on her hip proudly, done with her daily good deed. “Do you want to stay with us for the rest of the night?”

“I…” I’m hesitant here, mom and dad always told me to not be too trusting of strangers and not to accept anything that’s given too easily. “Yes, please.” My mouth makes the decision for me. Deep down I also yearn for some safety right now. “I’m Elyssia.” I add quietly.

“Wonderful, I bet you’re hungry, how about I throw something together real quick, wolf meat is not the greatest but it’ll work.” Then she looks behind me. “That fox… did you hunt that?” I just nod meekly.

She’s the energetic type for sure. Difficult people to deal with

“Wow, great job, as a mage I guess that to be expected. Still an achievement at your level.''

She walks over to the wolf, pulls out a skinning knife and starts slicing like it's nothing. The big man meanwhile disappears deeper into the woods, probably gathering some sticks as firewood if I’m not wrong.

“How did you end up alone here in the forest Elyssia? And where are your parents?” Darcy initiates some small talk while working.

The mention of my parents always manages to sour my mood and it hasn't even been two weeks since I left home. “I was heading for Granhall, to the Fist.” I answer after a short pause. “My parents are-” Then I remember the cover I’m supposed to operate under.

“Oh you poor thing, is your life so terrible that you travel here to join those sellswords?” She gets hung up on my pause right away. “Please don’t throw your life away like that, the job of a mercenary is harsh and deadly, you’re too young for that.” Thank you, finally some common sense after a week of Bennett.

Although I have my own reasons, reasons I can’t share with these people. “Wanna be strong, it's my only choice.”

“But why did you stop here in the forest? Why not just stay in the city?” Chimes in the giant of a man with a voice just as deep as you’d expect to come out of his mouth.

“I’m not sure where it is.” I still fail to find my voice and my confidence.

Joseph, returning with a bundle of sticks, stops in his tracks and remains frozen for a second. Then he falls over laughing his ass off. He’s on his knees beating the ground with his fist as he howls in laughter.

“What?” I look over to Darcy only to see tears falling down her face as she crouches and holds her mouth shut with both hands, the laughter still finding its way through her lips.

“What is it?” I cross my arms. This time, no more meek Eli. My voice is back and as indignant as ever.

Joseph manages to calm himself after a minute of wheezing. “Lassie, Granhall is an hour away down the road from here.” As soon as that leaves his mouth he’s back on the ground.

Now I’m mad and shaking uncontrollably. My face reddens and my resolve to murder Bennett deepens.

I wandered around in the forest for hours and fought multiple life-and-death battles… while the damn city was a short stroll away all along???

I pull out my knife and aggressively start to dismember the fox, still careful enough with its skin though. It's too fluffy to ruin, but the rest of it… the two hunters just stare at the sight of a little girl stabbing the carcass vehemently. They scramble to their feet and peel the knife from my hand, likely scared that I’ll hurt myself.

“Calm down, goodness, it really must’ve been difficult on you here if you react like that.” Darcy wipes the blood from my knife before handing it back.

“You could say that. This was the third time I almost died, just tonight. I hate this forest, all the forests for that matter… should I just burn it down?” My inner thoughts found their way out, my dark inner thoughts.

“Please don’t, it’s where we earn our living and you’d be executed for destroying imperial property.” Says Darcy jokingly.

There’s no way I can burn all these trees down with my tiny mana pool. For now.

I just plop down and watch as Darcy continues cutting the wolf apart. Joseph gets down to building the campfire, having a difficult time with his massive hands. He fumbles around for something to light the fire but I just hold out my hand and flick my fingers generating enough sparks to kindle the wood.

Soon The wolf meat is skewered and placed above the flames, making my mouth water. My belly has long since been demanding to be fed and soon that’ll be fulfilled.

“Say, do you wanna come back with us to the city tomorrow?” Asks Darcy. She speaks enough for both of them. “You can sleep here for tonight, I’ll help you with the fox pelt okay?”

Joseph just nods, still frugal with his words.

“Uhum.” Is all I manage to say before falling asleep, losing out on the meal.