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Is it Reincarnation if I'm Still Dead?
Arc 1, Chapter 5: What a Boar

Arc 1, Chapter 5: What a Boar

I haven't hunted anything yet. I've been wandering aimlessly in the woods for five days, without pause and without falter. Whatever creature I do see is already running away. Is my presence too obvious?

My anxiety starts to grow at the idea of suddenly falling apart. If I die in this world, will I go back? I'm not optimistic enough to think that. I'd rather be sure than do anything close to offing myself.

Speaking of death, I sometimes wonder if there was a better way. But no matter how much I justify my actions, I keep replaying his final moments. It doesn't help my conscience that I looted his corpse.

After getting used to moving, I began testing my body's limits. The result? Compared to my original body, I am stronger, faster and a heck of a lot more flexible. My bones also seem abnormally clean and healthy. I guess whoever these bones belonged to died from illness, and the necromancer had reinforced it with magic.

While climbing a tree to train my grip, I spot a large animal below. From my vantage point, it appears to be a boar, with white stripes along its charcoal black fur and... serrated tusks, eviscerating its prey.

Eh? They're not supposed to be predators, right? I best leave this thing alone and find a nice, plump hare like the one it's eating...

It abruptly turns in the direction of my tree. I freeze, and try to erase my presence. The trunks around here aren't very thick. If that boar charges this tree...

...it's charging towards this tree.

I jump down behind it before it hits the trunk. I land on my feet, but hear the terrifying sound of splintering wood. I quickly spin and thrust my sword as it's turning. Because of all its fur, I barely nick its flesh.

It hooks its tusks beneath my ribs, and heaves me into a nearby tree.

This is bad. I can't feel pain, but this prickly sensation on my back probably means I'm hurt.

!

A red health bar appears with numbers underneath:

HP: 13/24

... Maybe I shouldn't have checked. Anyway, the boar is preparing to charge now that we're apart.

I spring back up, and begin running for my life. As long as I'm faster, I can escape. Best of all, I won't get tired. So long, you limited stamina life form!

Ah hell, it's faster than me. Worse, it knows how to traverse the terrain without losing speed. The only reason I'm alive, well in one piece, is because of my sharp turns. I don't know where I am, but the trees are a lot thicker. Should I climb one now?

I look back and reject that idea. He's right on my tail bone! I need to put some distance between us.

I spot the edge of a low ledge, and perform a ninety degree turn right before it. The boar doesn't stop in time and falls off the ledge, but he'll be back. I need to start climbing.

As I begin my desperate ascent, he once again charges at the tree. Unfortunately, I hadn't reached the branches before a sudden impact makes me lose grip. As I orientate myself in mid air, I find I'm about to fall on his back. I take advantage of my descent to stab my sword into his back.

The boar gives a loud squeal, and begins to flail. I hold onto the handle for dear life, before it knocks me aside and runs off. I look at my sword that's still lodged in its flesh, along with the limb that's holding it.

I glance at my right shoulder and, unsurprisingly, my arm is gone. Give it back, you pig!

I can still feel my grip on the handle, so I release it. The arm drops from the boar's back. I hope I can reattach it, otherwise any dislocation will be severe.

Unfortunately, I see the boar slowly turn around. Damn, it wants to finish me off. I can't climb this tree with one hand.

I look around for something to use, then spot it.

I take out my cloak and bite onto one edge while holding the other. I know it will charge at my body, not the cloak, but I need to hide "it" behind me. Please let this cartoon caper work.

Luckily, the boar charges at me head on. I squat a little so it will ram at a low angle. That's right, keep running straight...

A split second before he hits, I jump back on top a hollow trunk. The boar rams it's head inside, its serrated tusks lodged in the decaying bark. With my left arm, I pull out my sword and begin stabbing it in a frenzy. By the time I stop, I had hacked it in half.

Although I can't feel fatigue, I sit down. Thank goodness it was getting dark, otherwise it might not have worked.

I glance at my health bar:

HP: 3/24

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That was too close. That animal is not a low level RPG monster. I'd rather face a wolf then that boar again...

I hastily check my surroundings. I don't see anything, but I'm afraid the blood might attract said canines.

How am I going to survive at this rate?

Suddenly, I feel a rush of energy, reinvigorating my body. The prickly feeling slowly subsides and my fractures disappear. My HP begins regenerating itself to full. I guess this is the effect of . It's basically health per kill.

I notice a flashing red icon near my health bar. It looks like an arm... that's right, my arm!

I begin to worry as I have lost connection. I fetch my immobile arm and reattach it. It appears to be held in place by magic, and it takes time for me to regain my touch and movement.

As I prepare to head out to find a source of water, I hear a familiar celebratory tune, accompanied by the message:

Innate Skill: Enhance Mind obtained!>

Name N/A Race Undead Class Risen Skeleton Level 2 HP 24/29 MP 5/5

  Base Modifiers Total Max HP 29 (↑5)   29 Max MP 5   5 Attack 5 (↑2) +4 9 Defence 8(↑2)   8 Magic 1   1 Resilience 2   2 Agility 8 (↑2)   8 Integrity 16 (↑5)   16

Unique Skills Ruler of One Innate Skills Night Vision | Create Status | Soul Core | Soul Eater | Enhance Mind Extra Skills   Magic Skills   Custom Skills   Skill Points 20/20

Affinities Spirit | Dark Resistances Nullify Manipulation | Nullify Mental Impairment | Nullify Pain | Nullify Metabolism | Nullify Fatigue | Nullify Ailment | Temperature Resistance | Decay Resistance Weaknesses Holy Weakness | Blunt Weakness Titles Worldfarer Blessings None Equipment Iron Short Sword | Cloak* | Gloves* Items Book*