- Remind me, - Sam asked, throwing the last bag of supplies into the boat, -Why do you want to get to the other side of the island so much?

- I'm telling you, I have a hunch, I'm sure there's good prey waiting for us, and the huge boars don't inspire me with confidence. I hope that we won't meet such people there-

-It doesn't sound very convincing, but still you're right, I don't want to face such a beast again either. I don't know how you were able to cope with him-

- I was just lucky-

Sam's displeasure could be understood, after his return to the camp, Lukrut limited himself to only the smallest explanation. Of course, he kept silent about the meeting with the water spirit, and did not spread about the magic disk either. In fact, he only said that he fell off a cliff with a boar. He was lucky, the animal was not.

Sam clearly didn't like this explanation, but he wasn't going to insist on more.

- Whatever you say. All right, we can go- then he pushed the boat away from the shore and jumped on board.

The sun had just risen above the horizon, illuminating the inhospitable coast of the island and the surrounding rocks with a pale light. Clouds of steam rose above the water, covering the sea with a shaky white haze. Sam skilfully avoided blocks of granite that tore the water surface and threatened big problems to uninformed travelers. The boat slowly bypassed obstacles while Lukrut thoughtfully peered over the horizon.

Where did he end up...

it definitely wasn't a dream, the only thing stupider than that was the assumption that this was the real world. Then what? Maybe he was hit by a car and fell into a coma, or he died and this is heaven?

Strangely, the thought of his own death did not frighten him at all, on the contrary, it somehow clarified what was happening. After all, in fact, it was not the surroundings that scared him more, but the lack of memories. If only I could remember my name....

The boat tilted to starboard and began to slowly enter the arc, skirting the island. Misty forests again gave way to high granite massifs that surrounded the island like walls.

"We'll be there in about ten minutes-

"Have you been there before?"-

-Of course, the truth is that in recent years I prefer to hunt, where we stopped for the first time. More game-

-Perhaps that beast will make you think about changing preferences-

-Perhaps - Sam replied, after which he adjusted the gear and spoke again - By the way, about this, maybe you can tell me more about what happened to you when we split up?-

Lukrut seemed not to hear the question, continuing to look at the horizon.

- Look, the shore has already appeared. We need to prepare for the descent -

Sam just sighed

- You're right -

A few minutes later they were already standing on the rocky shore of the western part of the island. This place was strikingly different from the opposite side. Trees were advancing in a dense formation on the shore, digging their tenacious roots between granite blocks, reaching the water itself. Instead of sand, the shore was lined with large pebbles, abruptly turning into pieces of dark granite. A small area, free of trees, ended with a passage into the forest thicket.

- Somehow it's not friendly here- the guy whistled, looking around the meager landscape of the coast

- Let me remind you that it was your idea to stick here-

- Well, it was worth dissuading me-

-......-

- So, are we going to set up camp here? -

-You know, just because you changed the subject doesn't mean that.....- then Sam took a deep breath-However, to explain something to you.....-

-I could have been offended-

-I could. No, we're not going to make a camp here, we'll just tie the boat tighter and make a fire on the shore. In case there are strange animals here, we will quickly retreat-

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-Okay, then I'll collect firewood for now-

-Just don't go far from the camp-

In less than an hour, the boat was firmly tied to the nearest tree, and a woodpile formed on the shore.

Having finished with all the preparations, the hunters moved to the forest.

After the trouble with the beast, Sam decided not to split up, which threw Lukrut some difficulties. In fact, right now he was worried about finding a plant, which would be better done alone.

- Well? Where are we going?- the guy asked

- Let me think - Sam scratched the stubble on his cheeks - It's been a while since I've been here, but I remember for sure that there was a small lake not far from here...-

- Lake?- Lukrut even revived a little, because the mermaid also talked about the lake

- Yes, I think there will be enough game there-

- I hope not only game...-

- What? -

- Huh? Just like that, thoughts out loud, don't take it into your head-

- Don't take it into your head?- Sam turned around in surprise at the guy -Funny expression -

-You mean you've never heard that?-

-No-

-Well, apparently, that's what they say in those lands from which I came - Lukrut said evasively and began to examine the surrounding landscape

- That's right, I keep forgetting that you've lost your memory, I'm sorry...-

- It's all right-

At that moment, something whistled very close to Lukrut and rushed into the nearest bushes

- Which one... He turned around and saw Sam holding a bow in his bows, his bowstring still quivering after the arrow was fired.

- What happened?-

- We're on the hunt - Sam answered smiling and pointed towards the bushes. Something rustled there and a moment later a wounded bird resembling a quail fell out. The arrow bit into the right wing, deeply entering the brown, lightly speckled plumage.

"How did he even see her in these bushes, he also took out a bow so quickly and took aim.... Perhaps I should think about pumping the hunter's skill"

-An amazing shot - he sincerely said

- Thank you, soon you will be able to do so, I saw your progress, in just a day-

-I will hope...-

-Okay, one bird will obviously not be enough, let's go further - Sam attached the carcass to his belt and cheerfully moved forward, forcing Lukrut to step up.

Over the next two hours, Sam shot another dozen small birds and a couple of rabbits, which caused Lukrut's indignation. In fact, is the difference of 3 levels so significant? Or maybe it's all about having the [hunter] skill? But from the moment he entered these lands, the guy wasn't even asked to choose a class, let alone skills.

.- Sam sighed heavily, throwing the rabbit into the bag - I think I got carried away-

-In this regard, I was lucky - Lukrut squinted at his empty bag -My luggage is light-

-Don't worry, this is your first hunt - Sam patted the guy on the shoulder and wearily leaned against a tree

- Once I was like that, you need practice, that's all-

- I hope. Listen, how far is it to the lake? -

-Eh? Haven't you noticed yet?-

- Didn't notice what?-

-Listen up-

Lukrut shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes. In the midday heat, there was a rare chirping of birds, rustling of leaves and some other faint sounds. The guy thought again that this place was too realistic for the game. However, soon he distinguished another sound: a quiet, monotonous hum.

- I hear... but... I can't figure out what it is-

- Nothing, you'll see soon, there's just nothing left-

Lukrut looked doubtfully at his out-of-breath comrade

- Is it worth it? Your bag is already full, maybe you should go back to the boat?-

-Perhaps, but this production is not enough, and going back there, we will spend extra hours -

"Here is my chance," the guy quickly thought to himself.

- Then I think we should split up-

-I'm not sure that this is a good solution-

-On the contrary, you can go back to the boat and free the bag, and at the same time, if game turns up again on the way, it will be easier to drag it to shore. And I will follow this noise to the lake, perhaps I will be able to shoot something there - Lukrut tried to speak as casually as possible, which gave its result.

- I don't even know, after that incident-

- We're on the hunt, anything could happen, but that doesn't mean it will happen again. What kind of hunter would be afraid of the forest?

- Maybe you're right about something...- Sam looked at his bag and figured something out in his head - Okay, but be careful, I'll try to manage in a couple of hours-

-I'll wait by the lake -the guy answered and quietly added - If I find him-

-What? -

-Nothing, just thoughts out loud-

Sam looked doubtfully again at the young man, but he quickly shook his hand and moved into the depths of the forest

- I'll be waiting by the lake!-

-Take care of yourself-

-Mutually-

————————————————————————

With each step into the depths of the thicket, the mysterious hum grew louder, echoing with a noisy echo. Lukrut accelerated when bright rays of the sun began to break through the trees, illuminating the shady cover of the forest.

Finally, the trees parted and a small lake of crystal clear water spread out in front of the guy.

"So that's it...- the young man barely uttered, looking at the waterfall flowing into the lake.