I follow closely behind Alex, staying within a reasonable distance. We move through the forest, our surroundings continuing to be a mixture of towering trees, dense foliage, and the occasional shaft of sunlight peeking through the leaves.
My senses are heightened as we navigate through the forest, and I can hear the faint sounds of animals moving in the distance. The points I spent on dexterity earlier seem to have increased my awareness and ability to react, making me more attuned to potential threats in our surroundings.
The sounds of the forest, while faint, seem to echo loudly in my ears, putting me constantly on edge. The rustling of leaves, the snapping of twigs, and the occasional bird call all sound like possible dangers, increasing my heart rate and keeping me in a state of constant vigilance.
While I stay focused on our surroundings, Alex takes notice of my frightened state, my eyes darting around nervously at every sound. He glances at me, a hint of concern on his face. He offers me a reassuring word. "It's good to be cautious, but don't let your nerves get the best of you," he says, his tone calm and steady. "Try to stay focused but keep a cool head. We've got each other."
I take a deep breath and nod in response, trying to follow Alex's advice. My heart is still pounding in my chest, but I try to channel that energy into alertness rather than fear. I take another deep breath, steadying my trembling hands.
After walking a few miles through the forest, the sound of a trickle of water reaches our ears. It's a small but audible sound, like water slowly flowing over rocks. We look at each other, recognising the potential source of water.
The stream we've come across is small and slender, but it's a hopeful sight. Its existence indicates that there may be a source of water nearby. We quietly approach the stream, taking in its cool, rushing waters.
As I stand next to the stream, my mouth feels dry and parched. The sound of rushing water teases my heightened senses, reminding me of how dehydrated I am. My throat feels like sandpaper, yearning for hydration.
I subconsciously make a move to reach for the water, but Alex quickly stops me, a look of concern on his face. "Hold on. We don't know if the water is safe to drink," he warns me.
I look longingly at the stream of water, my thirst growing stronger. The sight of the cool, flowing water is both tempting and frustrating. I know we can't risk drinking it, but my dry throat begs for hydration.
I nod and follow Alex as he gestures for me to continue walking. We move alongside the small stream, following its path as it meanders through the forest. The sound of the water provides a constant presence, a subtle but persistent soundtrack to our trek.
As we continue following the small stream, we eventually reach a large clearing, and spread out before us is a large patch of water. It's a sight that immediately catches our attention, our thirst growing more intense at the sight of the water.
Our eyes widen at the sight of the beasts gathered near the water, their imposing figures a stark contrast to the beauty of the landscape. It seems that with water comes life, but also potential danger. Our thirst is still raging, but now we face the risk of being attacked by these creatures.
The two beasts that are drinking from the water are massive in size. They have thick, muscular bodies that are covered in scales, giving them a formidable appearance. They appear to be some sort of lizard-like creatures, with sharp claws and rows of pointed teeth. Their eyes scan the surroundings, alert and wary of potential threats as they quench their thirst.
We sit and watch the two creatures drinking from the water, observing them intently for any signs of illness or unusual behavior. We need to determine if there are any side effects or potential dangers associated with the water before we can consider drinking from it ourselves.
As we watch the two creatures drinking from the water, we notice that they show no signs of ill effects. They continue to drink heartily and move about without any apparent issues. It seems that the water is not toxic or dangerous to them, which is a promising sign for us.
After observing the two creatures and determining that the water is safe for them, we come to a decision to leave the area. We don't want to risk drawing their attention or provoking a confrontation, especially in our vulnerable state. We carefully move away from the clearing, silently heading back into the safety of the forest.
Alex looks at me with a determined expression, his voice filled with conviction. "We need that area," he says. "There's water there, and water means survival. We have to find a way to take it from those creatures."
"How can we kill them?" I ask Alex, my voice filled with trepidation. These creatures are massive and powerful, and we are weakened and ill-equipped. Still, we need that water, and we have to find a way to get it.
A sly smile spreads across Alex's face as he outlines his risky plan. His expression betrays his confidence, but also the danger that comes with it. "I have an idea," he says, his voice lowered to a whisper. "It's dangerous, but it could work."
As I listen to Alex's plan, a sense of unease washes over me. The words "dangerous" and "risky" echo in my mind, and I can't help but wonder what I've gotten myself into. Still, I listen intently, waiting for his idea.
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My legs pump furiously as I sprint through the forest, weaving between the trees with a panicked desperation. Branches and leaves lash at me as I pass, the world a blur around me. The sound of the creature's roaring pursuit close behind me only pushes me to run faster, my heart racing in my chest.
As I run for my life, my mind races with thoughts, one of them being how stupid Alex's plan was.
As I run, fear and adrenaline pumping through my veins, I curse inwardly at Alex and his reckless plan. Fuck that guy. I can barely process my thoughts as I focus on escaping from the relentless pursuit of the creature.
As I continue running, I suddenly realize that I've reached a dead end. There are cliffs on either side of me, blocking my path forward. I come to a halt, panting heavily, my heart racing in my chest.
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I turn around, facing the pair of beasts that have been chasing me. My frustration with Alex and his plan reaches its peak, and I curse him silently for putting me in this dangerous predicament. My heart pounds in my chest as I brace myself for the confrontation, mentally praying that his plan works.
As the two beasts approach, their eyes filled with hunger, I brace myself for the unavoidable collision. However, just before they reach me, the ground beneath them gives way, and they plunge into a deep hole. The sound of their angry roars fill the air as they struggle to escape the unexpected trap.
Their enraged roars echo through the forest as they fall onto the wooden spikes laid out in the hole. The sound of their pained cries and the splintering of wood fills the air, indicating that our trap has successfully caught them.
Before the beasts can free themselves from the trap, they are suddenly struck by a massive boulder that falls from the cliff above. The impact of the boulder crushes their bodies, silencing their roars and ending their pursuit.
Ignoring the system's notification of a level up, I look up towards the cliff where Alex is standing. He's gazing down at me with a wide smile on his face, clearly pleased with how his plan worked out.
He calls down from the cliff with a smug tone in his voice, declaring, "I told you it would work!" I can't help but shake my head in irritation at his arrogant attitude, mentally muttering, Stuff that guy.
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We find ourselves back in the clearing where the water source is located. The area is now devoid of any creatures, and the sight of the still, clear water brings a sense of relief to us. We are now alone in this area, for now.
The trap had required a full day to set up, and the prolonged process had made my thirst even more intense. My throat feels dry and parched, and the sight of the water in the clearing only serves to heighten my desire for hydration.
Unable to withstand the urge any longer, I abandon all decorum and rush towards the water. I kneel by the edge, the cool water calling out to me, and drink deeply, savouring the cold liquid as it soothes my parched throat.
Alex chuckles as he watches me greedily drink from the water. He offers a jesting remark, saying, "You need to trust me more, you know. Look at how well it turned out this time!”
I give him a narrow-eyed look, annoyed by his playful jab but refraining from responding. I focus on continuing to quench my thirst from the water, ignoring his smirk.
I pull up my Status and try to only focus on my stats. It works just as I’d planned.
You Have Defeated 2x Level 7 Maw-Tooth Stalkers
Level Up 5–6
You Gain 5 Free Stat Points
Stats:
Strength - 8
Dexterity - 20
Constitution - 16
Mana - 10
Free Stats - 5
Feeling the adrenaline still surging through my veins from the previous escape, I know exactly where to spend my remaining stat points. I can almost hear Alex's smug voice laughing as I run for my life. I distribute all 5 points straight to dexterity.
As I feel the effects of allocating the stat points to dexterity, my heightened senses kick in once more. Everything seems sharper and clearer - the scent of the nearby trees, the sound of the water, even the texture of the earth beneath me. I can practically hear the whispers of the forest around me.
With the added dexterity points coursing through me, my body feels light and agile. I stand tall, feeling empowered by the added stats, and secretly relish the thought of the two beasts attempting to pursue me again. "Go ahead, try to catch me now," I challenge silently, picturing their futile attempts in my mind. Bastards.
With the water and solitude in the clearing, I decide to take advantage of the opportunity to clean myself. I strip off my clothing and start to scrub my body thoroughly, washing away the dirt and grime accumulated from our journey.
After finishing cleansing myself, I kneel down near the water's edge and stare at my reflection. The water provides a clear mirror-like surface, reflecting my image back at me. I take a moment to study my self, noting the changes since we started this dangerous journey.
As I gaze at my reflection, a long, jagged scar becomes evident on the left side of my face. It starts from my cheek, running down over my jaw, barely missing my eye. The sight of it stirs mixed feelings within me - a reminder of the dangers we've faced and the pain endured, but also a testament to our survival.
I scrutinize my reflection in the water, taking in my appearance. My face has hardened since our journey began, the stress and danger we've faced evident in the lines etched into my skin. My deep green eyes, though weary, have a steely gleam in them, a testament to my determination to survive. My body is lean and toned from the physical demands of our travels. My dark black hair, once neatly groomed, is now wild and dirty, a tangled mess framing my face. In short, I look like someone who's lived through hell and back.
As I turn to look at Alex, my eyes roam over his body, taking note of the fresh scars and marks from his confrontation with the goblin. A quiet realisation washes over me, and I murmur softly, my voice barely above a whisper, "We really have been through a lot, haven’t we?"
Despite the somber atmosphere, a hint of a sad smile creeps onto Alex's face before he breaks into a hearty laugh. He glances over at me and playfully comments, "Cheer up, mate. You'll still have plenty of girls interested in you. They'll love that tough, scarred look."
Alex continues, breaking the moment of reflection. "But seriously, we do need to find some shelter for the night. It's getting dark, and we don't want to be caught out in the open without a place to rest."
I cast a glance around the clearing, listening to the eerie echoes of beast cries that drift towards us from afar. The encroaching darkness and the knowledge that danger lurks nearby send a shiver down my spine. I know that staying out in the open isn't an option tonight.
As I glance at the massive trees surrounding us, a thought crosses my mind. "I bet I could climb that now," I say aloud, a glimmer of an idea taking shape in my head. My mind races with possibilities as I consider the potential advantage of being up high in the trees.
I approach the tree carefully, my eyes scanning its massive trunk. There are no low branches to provide an easy grasp, making the climb more challenging. However, my mind is fixed on the plan I've devised, and I prepare myself mentally for the ascent. I take a deep breath and make my move.
With determination in my eyes, I hold both my hunting knife and Alex's firmly in each hand. I gather my strength and sprint towards the tree, jumping at the last moment to propel myself onto the trunk. I stab both knives into the trunk, using them like handholds as I begin the precarious 20-yard climb upwards.
I reach the first branch of the tree and glance down at Alex, a smug smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. From my elevated perch, I relish the look of disbelief on his face. I call down to him playfully, "Not bad, huh?"
Down below, Alex mutters something under his breath about me being a jackass and calls up to me. "And how do you expect me to climb that, genius?" he exclaims, his frustration evident in his voice.
Despite his grumbling and the apparent difficulty, Alex's strength-enhanced body powers his way up the tree. He grunts and strains, but ultimately succeeds in reaching the branch where I sit, flushed with triumph and breathing heavily.
Once he reaches the branch, he takes a moment to catch his breath and turns to me, a look of fatigue on his face. He mutters stubbornly, "I'm never doing that again," clearly exasperated from the strenuous experience.
Perched on a sturdy branch, bathed in the silver glow of the moonlight filtering through the trees, I take a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the night. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hoots of an owl create a soothing symphony, contrasting with the earlier danger we faced.
As the night continues, the occasional growl or rustling in the underbrush serve as reminders of the dangers lurking around us. However, I find myself growing a bit desensitized to it. The sounds that once filled me with fear now seem almost mundane, as if this forest's danger has become the norm for me.
As Alex settles down for the night, he grumbles once more about my appearance, remarking, "You look like a jackass with that scar. The girls won't like it". Despite the playful jab, he eventually drifts off to sleep, leaving me to keep watch for the night.