Being woken up by Gray, I get up and grab some smoked meat to eat. Being able to eat like this has to be one of the most fulfilling things I’ve come to like about our newfound freedom, along with no longer waking up in fear that it may be our last day alive. Munching down on the smoked meat, we start discussing our plans for the day.
“Should we try exploring the other side of the river? Avoiding the forest, we could find more materials or monsters over there.” Saying this between bites, I wait for Sally and Gray’s suggestions.
“No, I think we should stick to this side of the river, we still have downstream to explore. We need to find something to make threads, once the fur is completely dried out we can look at making bigger bags.” Grabbing another piece of smoked meat, Sally suggests her idea.
“I-I think we should e-explore around this a-area a bit m-more.” Speaking between bites, Gray has more confidence in his speech, making me turn and smile at him. Blushing, he turns away again, confusing me as to why.
“Mm, I agree we should explore more around this area first. There was that cave with the strong smell you picked out Alisha. And also the sword marks on that tree.” Nodding to Sally’s comment, I agreed with her. The cave we were in was underground, and there was more above ground to explore around us, we’ve only really been to the river and here, killing monsters around the area.
“We need to discuss how to get stronger without the System as well. Cerberus said we shouldn’t rely on it, any ideas?” Remembering Cerberus’s words to us, I bring up this topic so we could lay down some suggestions. “I’ve been practising my punches and slashes with claws, but it doesn’t feel like I’m getting stronger.”
“M-maybe we s-should do more physical a-activities, like the humans did, those w-weird thing they lifted.” Recalling the description that Gray gave, I remember some humans would use a contraption with two rocks on each end of a thick stick, lifting it up and down.
“That might work, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that.” Saying so, Sally ponders for a moment before responding “That might be the best way for now, Alisha, you should try doing more than punches, try to imagine yourself fighting something and get used to moving around.”
Tilting my head back, I think about how that would work, maybe imagine myself fighting something strong or something I’ve thought about first. Caressing the egg on my lap, I think of the fight with the Wolf Adult, dodging and moving my fists. If I can practise my movements based on that, I think it would work well. Nodding to myself, I note to try it tonight once we return from exploring our surroundings.
“So back to exploring, shall we check out that cave with the strong monster smell first? We can be careful about it, but we need to assess the danger.” Sally and Gray both agree. “Let's also pack enough food and water in case we get trapped outside.” Putting the egg back into my sack, I grab my canteen and some additional smoked meat and packed it away. Slinging the sack over my shoulder, we start moving to the entrance and leave our cave, where the morning sun was shining through.
[Sally’s PoV]
Slowly making our way to the cave we discovered earlier, I think about these last few days. Never would have I thought escaping with Alisha into the jungle that day would lead to us finally being free of the humans, we even saved Gray and met Cerberus. Finally, we can carve our own path forward, one that isn’t tied to a fate of being used and tossed aside. I’m happy, even if I don’t show it to the others, I’m happy I’m with them, that we are moving forward even if it’s just one step at a time. Approaching the cave, I move in front of Alisha and slowly enter. Once again, we start to descend while watching our step, after going down about a hundred metres, we arrive in a dark room. My eyes adjusting to the deep darkness of this place, I found my vision only shows so much in front of me, about ten metres at best. Raising my shield, I turn and look at Alisha quickly and see her sniffing around, looking a bit confused. Our eyes meet and she tilts her head, points at her nose and makes a circle with a finger, taking this to mean the smell is everywhere, I nod and turn back to face forward, moving slowly and attempting to make no noise.
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After walking for a few minutes, I feel a tap on my right shoulder, a signal that Alisha had something to share. Feeling her mouth next to my ear, she whispers “Something strange nearby, step carefully.” before pulling back. Nodding once, I slow down and keep my eyes down watching my step. Alisha’s sense of smell was amazing, being able to pick out smells I couldn’t. I can only now smell the monster smell she could at the entrance. If she says something strange is ahead, I’m very inclined to believe her.
Inching forward, a dark spot slowly comes into view. Watching my step, we slowly approach until we’re a few metres away from the strange dark area. Squinting slightly, I believe I make it out to be a hole, a big one at that. This cave is already huge, so what is this huge hole doing here, how deep is it?
Looking around, I stop and keep my guard up, we haven’t found the monster responsible for the smell yet. Turning to Alisha, I see her look at the hole strangely, like she is entranced by it. Waving my hand in front of her face, she snaps out of the strange mood and looks at me strangely and moves towards me, once again putting her mouth to my ears.
“Something strange is down there, but the smell is really far away.” After she says this, I move my mouth to her ear and ask “Is it that deep? What does it smell like?” She takes a moment, seemingly hesitant at first. “I-it smells like…it smells like…I-I don’t know, but the smell is making me feel really good…”
Taking a step back from Alisha while watching her, afraid she might dive into the hole with how she was talking, she also quickly waves her hands and makes an X. Did she guess what I was thinking? Relaxing myself a bit, I keep an eye on her while observing my surroundings. Gray has been watching behind us this entire time. Suddenly…
“Above us!” Shouting this in surprise, Alisha jumps back while looking up. Moving towards her, I raise my shield above me and feel a large hit, sending both of us rolling away from the hole. Getting up, I look around and up, and see what just hit us.
[Level 17 Demonic Tarantula]
Oh shit. We need to run. Looking at this monster that was at least five metres long and three metres tall, the body was covered in black fur, the legs were a dark brown colour, at its mouth were two massive teeth that suddenly started dripping with some sort of liquid. A slight foul entered my nostrils, and knowing that liquid was bad news, quickly backed up and ran into Alisha. Looking down at her, she looked absolutely horrible, turning green, watered eyes and was holding her head with one hand. The smell, was it overwhelming her? I kick her back, causing her to roll towards Gray. Blocking the next attack that it sends towards me and barely holding it back, I shout to Gray “Run!” He nods and moves back quickly, and reaches to grab Alisha. Before he could, the monster swung one of its legs at her. Moving quickly I jump in front of her and block with my shield, but with no foothold, I get sent into her, causing both of us to go flying away from Gray. Getting up, I see Gray looking to move towards me but I shout at him again “Get out, I’ll be right behind with her!” If we all died here, it would be for naught, at least one of us would have freedom and live.
Hesitating, Gray glances at me, with a determined look I nod at him. He glances back at the monster coming towards us and moves towards the exit. I’m sorry Gray, I’m sorry I lied to you, but it would be a miracle if we could get out of here alive. Getting up, I smash the hilt of my sword on my shield to gain its attention on me while Gray moves away. Alisha was struggling to get up, but managed to block her nose with something I can’t make out. Nodding weakly at me, she takes up position, showing resolve to fight and live through this mistake of ours. Shouting, I charge at the monster, while Alisha lowers her body to the ground and moves in swiftly. Feeling a heavy hit, I keep my foothold strong, and slash out at the leg that had hit me. Managing to cut into the leg, Alisha managed better. With her speed and claws, she slices two legs, while not managing to cut them off, the wounds are enough to make the Tarantula stumble.
Smiling, Alisha dances back, and readies herself for another attack, not in the least prepared for the Tarantula’s counter attack. Snapping a leg out faster than I can make out, I see Alisha jump in surprise and raise her arms in a cross to block the hit. Hitting her, she is sent flying…straight towards the hole. No, stop, please please land! Without realizing it, I was moving towards her, shouting something I can’t make out. Looking behind her and then at me, Alisha smiles as I hear her say “Well, fuc-”. Disappearing into the hole, I don’t know what to do. I quickly turn around, I know I can’t defeat this thing in front of me, I can’t save Alisha either, what good am I?!
Hearing a roar from above, I look up and see Gray coming down, hammer in hand aimed at the Tarantula’s head. Moving too late, Gray smashes with all of his force and connects with the bastard. Hearing a raw heavy cracking noise, I look and see Gray running towards me. Without a word, he grabs my sword arm and drags me out, without letting me go and running for the exit. At first I struggled, then remembering what happened to Alisha and the fact I couldn’t save her, I let him drag me. Moving through the exit of the cave, the Tarantula doesn’t chase, assuming it to be stunned or dead, we leave the cave and Alisha behind.