——

The merchant returned to his lodging after a successful day of selling his products. His heart swelling with pride at the lucrative haul of 2 pis and 23 guls. "What a haul!" he exclaimed, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

Known as Sarin, this merchant was driven by his love for money, which had led him into the merchant trade. For Sarin, anything he found or acquired on his journeys became his product. As long as it wasn't someone else's property.

Seated on his bed, Sarin pondered his next move. Despite his newfound wealth, he lacked a home for his family. Though he longed for companionship. He held off on seeking a soulmate until he felt financially secure. He couldn't bear the thought of a loved one suffering due to his circumstances.

"Now I'm a total millionaire." he declared, counting his inventory of 98 pis alongside the recent earnings. With determination gleaming in his eyes. Sarin donned his robe and stepped out of his lodging, "I'm ready," he said, his resolve unwavering.

———

.....

... Hshs.... Ill.... Hehe....

..... gue... hu.... ju... e

Somewhere in a dense forest, a murmuring could be heard, whether it was the whisper of the dead or the call of nature. In the midst of the trees, a fire burned bright, fighting against the darkness of the night with its holy light. Seated beside it was a young man.

The young man looked pale and dry. His wide eyes staring at the fire, his lips trembling as he whispered under his breath.

"I'll just die... Yeah... Heheh... Yeah, that's right..."

His spirit had left him.

It had been three days, and Reid hadn't found any food to sustain himself. He attempted to eat the grass again, only to vomit it back up. There seemed to be no hope.

Suddenly, Reid's eyes twitched, and he glanced to his left without turning his head. A faint but audible sound of sticks snapping crunchily reached his ears. One thought occupied Reid's mind when he heard that sound, heavenly fried chicken.

"Food..." he whispered faintly. Reid stood up and looked at the beautiful moon casting its majestic light over the land. The dying fire within Reid's spirit burned violently. He felt alive,he is strong, he is....

The king of the forest.

Grabbing his divine sword, he dashed off to ripped the heavens apart.

.....

In a humble restaurant, a lonely merchant sat at his table, delicious food laid out before him. It cost him 5 guls, but he would eat his fill and prepare for the morning.

As he savored his meal, a commotion erupted from the other side of the restaurant. It caught the attention of many. But the merchant remained disinterested, focused on his food.

The shouts grew louder, the drunk man berating two hooded figures who remained silent. Sarin, the merchant, found the drunkard's behavior annoying, his loudmouth disrupting the peace.

Just as Sarin was about to intervene, something flew across the restaurant. He turned to look, expecting to see the drunk man, but he was gone. In his place stood one of the hooded figures, a towering figure that left Sarin dumbfounded. At least it was quiet now. Sarin wondered if the drunkard was dead, but a glance confirmed he was merely asleep. Felled by the hooded man's punch.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The crowd had gathered to assist the drunk man, surprised to find him still alive. Sarin, too, was taken aback. He finished his meal and returned to his lodging, excited for the day ahead.

.....

Reid woke from his delicious dream of devouring a whole chicken. The morning light revealed a scene of feathers scattered around. And the head of the fanged ostrich lying nearby.

"What the... What happened here?" he thought, bewildered by the sight of the decimated monster. He couldn't shake the thought 'Did I do that?' Despite his confusion, he felt relief that he was no longer starving. As he stood, pain shot through him. His shirt was full of holes and cuts, and he had scratches all over. Maybe from the battle last night, but he couldn't remember anything.

Suddenly, a realization struck him. "HAHA.. HAHAHA... WHAHAAHAHHA.." he laughed out loud, his eyes landing on his divine sword on the ground, still sturdy and covered in blood.

"I see.. that night, I became a demon out of hunger, devouring everything in my path." Reid chuckled inwardly. "I really am the king of this forest." He picked up his bloody divine sword and tore his shirt off, revealing his emaciated body. A body so skinny, bones could almost be seen, 'this is the body of a king' he thought. "I need to clean myself, or else infection will kill me. But where am I right now?"

Lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Reid explored the vicinity but was defeated as he wasn't familiar with the area. The trees were short, but he didn't know how far he had gone. He walked and walked, searching for water. Time passed like a wind. First food, now water. "Am I destined to die? I, the king of this forest," he thought.

"NEVER." With fiery determination, Reid continued his search and was rewarded. The splashing sound of water reached his ears, and he ran towards it. At the end, he found a shallow river.

.....

The young merchant, Sarin, found himself in a dire position. His eyes closed. his fist clenched tightly. Unable to make a choice among the three stunning options before him.

"Who, sir?.. who takes your likings?" inquired the man beside Sarin. He was chubby, dressed in formal attire. A monocle adorning his right eye and a distinguished mustache. Once more, he pressed the young merchant for his decision. His voice laden with expectation. "Sir, who would you like to choose?"

Sarin's eyes fluttered open, a sense of regret washing over him. Yet, his decision was made, final and resolute. He raised his hand and pointed decisively in a certain direction. There a beautiful and grand display awaited. Though the other two options were equally alluring. This one had captured Sarin's attention in a special way.

"Good choice, sir," the chubby man chimed in, a smile gracing his lips. "This carriage is a perfect fit for you, being a merchant. It offers ample storage space, capable of accommodating an entire room." he boasted proudly.

"A work of an excellent craftsman indeed," Sarin nodded in agreement.

....

Reid took a drink and cleaned himself, his first time washing in this unfamiliar world. Perhaps a week had passed. Though time seemed to blur together in his desperate struggle for survival. Reid had endured three days of agonizing hunger that had left him on the brink of madness.

After washing, Reid tried to apply some grass to his wounds. He hoped for healing like in fantasy books. Instead, it only intensified the pain. Prompting him to plunge back into the river to cleanse himself once more. Using the remnants of his shirt. He fashioned makeshift bandages, and cover some of his injuries.

With solemn determination, Reid cleaned his divine sword carefully. His expression showed reverence, as if he were purifying his own soul. Afterward, he dried his clothes and ignited a fire. The flickering flames casting shadows on his determined face.

"I've read somewhere that rivers are a good sign," Reid muttered to himself, gazing at the flowing water. "If I follow it downstream, I might find civilization."

With new confidence from his recent victory over the creature and the food it provided. Reid set out once more. "I'm a beast" he said.

....

Sarin readied himself and his carriage, packing some food rations for the journey ahead. Leaving the city of Ujlar behind. He set out to explore and gather more products, knowing the vast land was his for the taking as long as it remained unclaimed.

Lost in thought about his destination. Sarin was interrupted by the presence of two hooded figures. Recalling them from the previous night, he wondered if they too were departing the city.

As he observed them. One of the hooded figures turned and seemingly met his gaze. prompting Sarin's surprise. "That guy can sense my stare," Sarin whispered to himself.

Suddenly, a voice from his left startled him. "Mister, could you give us a ride?" The voice belonged to a young girl, one of the hooded figures.

Curious, Sarin inquired about their destination. The larger hooded figure, Harlin, spoke in a deep voice, "Harlin... city of Harlin."

After a brief moment of consideration, Sarin agreed, "Come on in." With no particular destination in mind himself, he saw no reason to refuse their request.

....

In the dense forest, a man stood facing a wolf as tall as him, with three eyes, both wounded. They locked eyes, their gazes unyielding.

Reid assessed the situation, sizing up the formidable wolf before him. "What is this guy? He's huge," he thought, bracing himself for the impending confrontation. "But he's wounded, I could take him," he muttered, steeling his resolve.

The wolf glared fiercely, its eyes filled with anger, resentment, and hatred. It recounted the tragic night of the hunt, where its son fell victim to a fanged ostrich. The human's intervention had brought chaos, leading to its son's demise and its own injuries. Now, driven by vengeance, it faced the human once more.

With a sudden dash, the wolf lunged at Reid, who narrowly evaded, sustaining a scratch to his forehead. Turning to confront the wolf, Reid found it already closing in, jaws wide open. He sidestepped just in time, slashing with his divine sword to little effect. Growling menacingly, the wolf persisted, forcing Reid to lower himself, preparing for the inevitable leap.

As the wolf leaped, Reid hurled sand into its eyes, buying precious moments to flee downstream. Heart pounding, Reid sprinted for his life, utilizing every advantage the terrain offered. With the relentless pursuit of the wolf, Reid's desperation grew.

"I'll die, I'll die... die, die," he repeated frantically, hurling rocks to stall his pursuer. Yet, despite his efforts, the wolf gained ground, its menacing presence ever closer.

In a last-ditch effort, Reid devised a risky maneuver, leaping over a bush with a plan to double back. But mid-air, he sensed danger, twisting to face the wolf's sudden attack.

"Aaarhjrggg!" Reid's cry pierced the air as the wolf sank its teeth into his shoulder, narrowly missing his head. Amidst the struggle, they tumbled down a steep slope, Reid relentlessly striking at the wolf's eye.

Bloodshot eyes and echoing shouts filled the forest as they rolled, Reid's resolve unwavering. Amidst the chaos, one thought echoed in Reid's mind

'If I'll die, you'll die with me.'