"I need to get stronger," I said, clenching my fist. "But first, I need to find something to support me so I can walk properly."
I went outside, this time with my bag and my sword.
There, I saw two sturdy sticks I could use. They weren't exactly crutches, and it would be difficult, but they'd do for now.
So I started my journey through the forest, trying to find a way out. I limped and limped,
each step heavier than the last.
Everywhere I looked, there were trees—trees everywhere. It felt like I was trapped in a never-ending maze.
My food supply was running out. I only packed a little, thinking I'd conquer this forest in an hour or less.
I guess the demon was right—my pride will be the end of me someday.
After resting for a bit, I limped on for a few minutes… and that's when I saw it. A monster. Definitely a monster, not a demon this time.
It was small, and it was bleeding badly. But when it bit into a strange-looking plant, its wounds began to close. In seconds, the creature was bursting with energy again, sprinting away into the trees.
"Holy shit," I muttered, limping toward the plant.
I picked the plant up and ate it. "Ughhh, this is disgusting." I gagged, nearly throwing up.
It tasted like a dirty shoe, and the texture was like rubber — even worse than it smelled.
But strangely, I started to feel better. Energy surged through me, and the pain in my leg began to fade. The wound sealed up, the bone slipped back inside… but the crack wasn't completely healed.
Still, it was something. At least now, I didn't have to waste my energy potions as much — this plant gave me enough strength to walk for about ten minutes.
"GRRROOOAAAHHHHH!!"
A chorus of growls echoed ahead of me. I froze, then squinted through the trees to see what was making the noise.
"Huh? What the fuck is going on here…" I muttered, confused.
There were five demon-like creatures sitting on a massive rock, around what looked like a stone table. They were hunched over it, playing some kind of strange game.
"Grrrhhkkaaahhh, grrraa," one of the creatures growled.
Another slammed the table. "Grrhaaaakaa!"
They went back and forth, snarling at each other, while the other two quietly rearranged the rocks on the table.
Then it hit me.
"Huh? What the fuck… they're gambling!"
I don't need to understand their language to know what's going on—because I'm a gambler myself. Well, was. In my past life, before I quit.
But it pisses me off — they weren't even playing the game right. If you're going to gamble, at least do it properly.
So I walked up to them and said, "Hey there."
They quickly stood up, ready to attack.
"Relax," I said, raising my hands. "I'm not here to fight… maybe later. But right now, you guys aren't gambling right."
They exchanged a glance, then sat back down. One of them picked up a large rock, placed it on the table, and motioned for me to sit. I began showing them how to gamble.
Rock/Token Gambling – Quick Steps
1. Stake – Put a rock/token in the center.
2. Play – Roll, flip, or choose secretly.
3. Win – Follow the rules or bluff.
4. Collect – Winner takes the pot.
5. Repeat – Start a new round.
After a while of teaching them how to gamble, they all looked at me and chorused, "Grakkarram," in thanks.
"There's no need to thank me," I said with a shrug. "But as they say, it doesn't matter what race you are or what language you speak—gambling has a way of bringing everyone together."
Then I stood and smiled. "Use what I taught you in another life," I said.
They lunged at me, quick and loud, all bluster, no bite. One clean motion: a step, a twist, and the first went down. The rest followed like dominos, collapsing before they could recover. No struggle. No theatrics.
Then I wiped my blood-stained hand on my sleeve and walked away. "Goodbye, my fellow gamblers."
Then I was back again, walking and walking, Then I found myself walking again—just walking and walking, searching for a way out of this cursed place.
Time dragged on endlessly; every step felt heavier, every minute stretched into hours. It was as if I'd been wandering this forest for days.
Then, out of nowhere, a thick fog began to creep in around me, curling between the trees and swallowing the path ahead.
Then, I saw it, a shadowed figure standing ahead of me. With a long sigh, I said, "I know you're powerful, so come out already."
You can always tell how strong someone is by the kind of entrance they make.
And then he stepped out.
My eyes widened. It was him, the same red-skinned demon, the same two horns, and that same half-broken one on the right.
"H–how are you alive?" I stammered.
"How I'm alive, what are you talking about human child." The said "but I'm grateful that your here…. Its been along time since I ate a human." The demon said licking his lips.
I spun to flee—then froze. Another demon stood where I'd been, identical to the first. I blinked; another. All around me their red skin and crooked horns stitched the darkness into a forest of faces. At least thirty of them.
"Nowhere to run," the nearest one drawled, voice thick with cockiness.
A cold laugh hissed out of me. "It doesn't matter how many of you there are. I'll kill every last one." Anger tasted like iron in my mouth as I stepped forward, hands already itching for blood.