Chapter 3
“The biggest problem that I face now is my leg.” I think to myself as I drag myself along.
I considered just hopping around on one foot, but in the case that I fall, I might do more damage than good. No, what I need to do now is straighten my leg, make a rudimentary cast, and maybe get a walking stick so I can get off the ground.
I’ve been thinking about the situation I’m in. This is clearly not my body, I have knowledge that isn’t mine, and sharpened instincts that didn’t exist before my waking up here. Being the avid reader that I am, these are all signs of soul transferring, or “isekai” as some would call it. The only unfortunate thing that I’ve noticed is that I lack a system. Whilst dragging myself around this forest, in a direction that I believe is north, I tried every word or action phrase that could initiate a system with no luck.
When people think of going to another world, all they consider is the cool powers, and easy women. What they don’t consider is the disease, lack of good drinking water, easy to attain food, and the struggles to survive. If it weren’t for ‘other mind’ I’d likely have died very soon after I woke up. I’ve lost track of where I am so I pause and begin to reposition myself. My theory is simple, the sun rises from the East and sets in the West. Since I got up fairly early this morning, I kept turning till I felt the warmth of the sun more on my back than my front or sides, then turned towards what I believe to be the North using the cardinal directions. Of course, the same astronomical rules may not apply due to this likely being a different planet, but its better than nothing. After repositioning, I grab onto a tree and leave a deep mark, ensuring that I know the path back to my small base of operations.
A few hours of me slowly dragging my way across the forest floor when I spot something useful. ‘dogbane’ other mind tells me. This plant has fibers that can be torn off and twisted into rope. I “rush” over to the plants and search for a decent stalk. The key (according to other mind) is to find a stalk that is rotting enough to have fiber falling off, but not so rotten that the fiber isn’t usable. Other mind, tells me that the fiber is used to sew fur and hide into simple clothing pieces, but I see the massive potential in this! Traps, clothing, securing structures, holding materials… this dogbane is my ticket out of my current predicament!
Is what I thought, the process of finding good pieces of stalk, removing the fiber from the stalk, putting the pieces of fiber in groups and braiding them properly to make strong rope is hard work! I’d been at this for hours, and if it wasn’t for the callouses that already covered my hands, I’m sure I’d be bleeding. My stomach begins to grumble once again, and I pull a few berries I’d managed to pluck from the sash where I keep my dagger. The berries have a bitter taste and feel like hardened boba going down, but they provide food, and essential liquids that I haven’t been able to find a substitute for. After eating just enough to stave off the hunger, I get back to work. By midday I’d become proficient enough to make a good length of rope, about 3 meters, while also completely decimating the thicket of dogbane that I’d been using.
“The next step is to find some sturdy sticks and set my leg.” I said to no one.
Talking to myself has become my only reprieve, being alone in this forest with little to no idea of what to do can drive one to insanity. I scour the duff of the forest for any suitable sticks, a few looks strong but have rot in the middle, others are too weak and small.
Finally, I came upon a branch, about a meter across. I felt it and pressed down on it, feeling for rot, after the branch passed my rigorous testing process, I took out my dagger and began to saw at it. This obviously wasn’t the best use of my blade, and would likely dampen the sharpness, but I don’t have many options.
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Once the branch was split relatively evenly came the hard part, I looked down at my disfigured leg, knowing what I had to do. I have no medical knowledge, but I do know that the longer my leg stays like this, the worse it’ll be in the future. I bite deeply into the wooden hilt of my dagger, grab my leg and swiftly wrench it into a straightened position.
The pain I experienced is hard to describe. Tears flow like waterfalls down my face, as I feel my teeth about to shatter against the dagger. I let out a muffled groan as massive waves of pain rampage through my body, while I shiver to the extreme, my mind not being able to fully comprehend the amount of pain and shock I’m experiencing.
I sat there for a while, letting myself calm down, getting used to the fresh pain.
“It’s time to get back to work.” I winced.
I took the two branches that I cut and put them side by side, then I cut a piece from the length of rope and tied the branches together with my leg in the middle using an X knot pattern. I made sure that the branches and rope were very tight and well tied before I began to once more drag myself forward. Now I need another branch, one long and strong enough to use as a crutch.
So, the trek continues, you’d think that the forest would be rife with sticks and branches, which is true, the problem is finding the sticks and branches that suit your purposes. I don’t have much experience with foraging so maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, who knows? It doesn’t matter because I end up finding a good branch anyway. It stands at about 2 meters vertical with the top being wider and heavier than the bottom. I dug the stick into the ground, and used it to drag myself into an upright position. This is the first time that I’ve stood in a week. I laugh hysterically, then suddenly I choked up and began to cry. I stayed like that for maybe 20 minutes alternating between laughing and crying. Just a week ago I sat in an airconditioned room, playing video games online, surfing the web, watching movies, and talking to my friends. Now I am happy to just stand on my two feet and have something to eat. The change happened far too fast, and it seems only now that my brain is catching up.
Before I can sink further into my melancholy, I hear a twig snap behind me. My body immediately tenses up, as I grip my new walking stick hard and turn around faster than someone with an injured leg probably should. My well-tuned ears tell me the direction that the sound is coming from, and I scan that area with my eyes, ready for whatever may come. Suddenly a… a hare hops from the underbrush. The tension leaves my body, but I remain vigilant, when I confirm that there aren’t any animals besides the hare, a sudden laughter erupts loudly from my chest.
“Fuck! My nerves are on end.” I said, while rubbing my head and looking up.
Noticing the sky was beginning to darken, I decided to return to my “house” which was little more than a few branches sturdy enough to support my weight. The way back was a lot easier than the journey forward. With the markings I left on the trees, I quickly found my way back to the tree I’d chosen to sleep in today. Because I no longer had to drag myself on the ground and could instead hobble and hop, I made it back a few hours before sunset. I took the chance to loop the rope back and forth between the two branches of the tree to make a secure place to lay. Then I took a larger piece of the wolfs hide, that still had fur, and laid it over the rope to complete the bed. To finish it all up, I secured my bag under the bedding but attached to the rope and placed my staff over my chest as I began to fade into sleep. “It really is a shame I had to throw out the meat, I’d love some barbecue right now.”
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Two men stood outside a cave, serious expressions on their faces. They scanned the surrounding rocks and the canopy below, alert for any bantila or lokin that might try to invade their tribes laying grounds.
“Elder! Elder! Tell us a story!” The children sang as they danced around the elder who was sat next to the fire as his chosen stoked it. “Children! I will tell you a story, but first you must behave. Don’t disturb the women while they prepare the hunt!” The children quieted down and sat obediently in front of the Elder, causing a smile to branch his face. “Have I ever told you the story of the Bantila Slayer?”