The light was tinted green as the setting sun shone through the canopy into the forest. I didn’t have much time, but I wanted to try to find SOMETHING to eat. I started looking around, though the low-light wasn’t helping the situation. A quick glance in the area found nothing, just trees and the various stones, sticks, and leaves littering the ground.

I moved to my left, not wanting to get out of sight of the beach. The forest continued in front of me and I trudged on for several minutes until I spotted some bushes that were dotted with blue. I hastened my pace, tromping through the remaining distance and kicking up the underbrush as I rushed to the bushes in question.

There were definitely berries on the bushes! Finally, I’d found something that I could eat… or that would give me a terrible stomach ache and potentially kill me. I tried calling up my Survival Lore skill again, the same way I had with the water, and after a moment of concentration, I got the intuitive sense that they should be safe to eat. Tentatively, I put one in my mouth and began to chew.

The spherical berry burst in a gush of sweet juices and I audibly groaned in satisfaction. Apparently I’d been more hungry than I thought. I quickly grabbed a full handful of the berries from the bush. I shoved the full handful into my mouth and chewed happily. If my hands were any indication, I probably had a face stained full of blue juices, but I didn’t care.

It was probably due to my distraction that I didn’t notice anything creeping up on me until I felt something slam into my head from behind. I was literally floored by the blow, and found myself suddenly on the ground with a figure looming over me. As the spots in my vision cleared, I found myself looking up at a furred figure, teeth bared and clearly rather irate.

My temple twinged again and a set of information came in.

You have been struck! -2 HP (7/9)

Not incredibly helpful, other than the approach of my own potential demise. Something told me that 0 would be bad.

I looked up at the slightly hunched figure in front of me, not having the foggiest idea of what it might be, other than furred, bipedal and angry. I tried to scramble to my feet without getting struck again. The tiny fist missed me by a hair as I stood up, now finding myself looming over the 2 foot monkey by around 3 whole feet. I backed away slowly with my hands in front of me, not knowing whether it would continue to pursue me or not.

Apparently my pose was not interpreted as peaceful, or if it was the creature wasn’t placated, as it leaped at me and tried to swing its fist at me once more. I managed to duck out of the way, luckily, and seeing as there didn’t seem to be a peaceful solution to the situation, I mimicked my opponent and swung my fist at it. To my chagrin, but I’m sure to no one’s surprise, I connected with nothing but air.

The action seemed to enrage my opponent, however, and it continued to swing at me, its fist connecting with my torso before it snapped its jaws shut on my arm.

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You have been struck! -3 HP (4/9)

You have been bitten! -1 HP (3/9)

I screeched in pain as I could feel its teeth pierce my flesh, and I instinctively swung my other arm against its head, this time striking true.

You have struck ??? for 3 HP!

The blow seemed to stun the creature, though it also sent another painful throb through my arm as the creature reflexively released its hold and fell backwards onto the ground. It quickly recovered, scrambling to its feet and avoiding my foot as I took the risk to kick out at it. It snapped at my foot as I hurriedly pulled it back, and then drove its fist into my shin as I tried to pull my foot back.

You have been struck! -2 HP (1/9)

My arm throbbing, leg, ribs, and head aching, I struggled to keep my feet in front of my enemy. I could tell it wasn’t doing much better than I was as it stumbled and shook its head. Part of me just wanted to bolt, running back to the beach and hoping it wouldn’t chase me. At the same time, another part of me was furious. Was this what I’d given up my past for? To stumble on a beach and run at the first challenge, the first opponent, some furry creature half my size?

No!

No way!

I roared in rage and charged my enemy, tackling the furry beast to the ground. I saw its eyes widen in shock as I bowled it over, those eyes quickly changing to fear as I straddled in, my knees on either side of its tiny torso and my fists gripped together as I brought them down on its head.

You have stuck ??? for 1 HP!

The creature lay there, stunned, as I drew breath in hurried, jagged gasps. I looked down at the glassy-eyed creature, my chest heaving, and then I brought my arms up again one more time. With another roar, I brought my arms down once more on its head.

You have struck ??? for 6 HP!

I staggered as my fists pounded against the creature, before I screamed and did it again.

You have struck ??? for 6 HP!

You have slain a Manic Macaque! You have gained 150 Essence.

I sat there, my opponent underneath me, my chest heaving in ragged gasps of breath as my damaged body thrummed with pain, my breaths slowly turning to a rough chuckle.

I’d survived.

Granted, with 1 HP, my fists covered in something I didn’t want to consider at the moment, but I’d survived.

I slowly stood up, swaying on my feet. I stumbled over to the bush one more time, grabbing an awkward handful of berries and leaves, then turned towards the creature - no, monkey - on the ground. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, I walked back towards it, grabbed the corpse, and shuffled back towards the monument.