The fog began to thin as I continued moving forward.
The smell of damp earth and rotting leaves filled the air, clinging to my skin, but I didn't care.
I just walked, following a faint path between the towering trees that rose like the pillars of the world.
Right now, I'm only thinking about one thing. Finding water to drink.
I haven't taken a single sip of clean water since I arrived in this world. The only thing I've been drinking is the dirty, metallic-smelling water from the servant's place.
My throat felt dry, every swallow felt like scraping sand. I wasn't weak, just thirsty, a demanding thirst, as if my body remembered that I was still human.
I exhaled slowly, my lips were chapped, but my steps remained steady.
This forest was too quiet to be believed. No bird chirps, no insect sounds, only the soft rustle of the wind and the muffled sound of my footsteps on the soft ground.
Yet amidst this silence, I felt… calm. No humans, no mocking laughter, and no orders to obey.
Only myself, and the quiet forest.
I looked ahead. Thin fog hung low, and light from the gaps in the foliage danced softly on the ground surface.
My steps paused briefly as a gentle breeze blew, carrying a different, moist scent.
I sharpened my hearing. A small, faint sound, like flowing water touching stones.
I straightened my body, and holding my breath.
Water.
I hurried, not running but quickening my pace, following the increasingly clear sound.
Every second made my heart beat a little faster. Until finally, behind shrubs and sprawling roots, I found it. A large pond with clear water, reflecting the pale light from the sky above.
I was stunned. In the midst of this dark rotten forest, there was a place this clean.
The water shimmered calmly, like a piece of glass hidden by the earth.
I knelt slowly at its edge. My hand reached out, touching its surface.
Droplets of water dripped from my fingertips, reflecting the gray sky. I stared at the water for a moment, hesitation crossing my mind.
Was this water safe to drink?
But then I let out a short breath, laughing a little at myself.
"I've drunk water dirtier than this before... whether it's safe or not, I'll worry about that later. My throat is too dry to be choosy." I murmured softly.
Without further thought, I scooped a handful of water and drank it. The taste was cold and refreshing, and as it slid down my throat, I almost felt alive again.
I gulped more, and more. Every drop that entered felt like life reigniting my body. For the first time since I woke up, I took a long breath with relief.
I stared at the water's surface for a long time, as if not believing something this beautiful could exist in a place as dark as this forest.
Tiny dewdrops clung to my hair, slowly dripping onto the water's surface, forming small circles that quickly vanished.
I took a deep breath, then looked at my uniform, already torn in several places from the fight with the wolf. The fabric was stiff with mud and sweat, clinging uncomfortably to my skin.
Slowly, I removed it piece by piece, leaving only my undergarments clinging sparingly. The damp forest air touched my skin, making me feel a slight chill, but not piercing.
The wind felt just right, enough to make my skin aware of the surrounding air, but not enough to make me shiver.
Is this also an effect of that monster meat?
My body felt warm from within, as if something was keeping my body temperature stable, even when the world around me was cold and damp.
Feeling comfortable enough with the air, I decided to wash my body as well.
However, before cleaning my body, one practical thought stopped me. If I wanted to take a shower and wash my uniform, I had to make sure the water I would later drink remained clean. I couldn't allow the pond water to mix with mud and blood.
This clear pond was a luxury, a small miracle in the darkness of this forest. But this crystal-clear water could become murky after I enter. Or worse, contaminated with dirt from my uniform. The thirst from yesterday that nearly made me collapse is still too fresh for me to try again. So I have to set aside a little clean water first.
My eyes swept the edge of the pond, looking for something I could use. Not far from the water's surface, there was a natural stone basin, deep and sturdy enough to hold water. But before I used it, I had to make sure the stone was clean.
Then I scooped some water from the pond and poured it into the stone's hollow, rubbing it with my fingers to remove the dust, thin moss, and bits of leaves. After that, I threw the dirty water out.
I repeated this step over and over until the stone felt smoother and cleaner when I touched it. Only after that did I start filling it with clear water.
With my hands cupped like a ladle, I transferred water from the pond to that stone basin.
It's quite exhausting, but seeing the clean water gather little by little makes my chest feel calmer. At least, after I stepped into the pool and clouded half of its surface with mud and dried blood stuck to my body and uniform, I still have a reserve of drinkable water.
After the stone container was filled enough, I finally exhaled and turned toward the larger pond surface. Now, I could start cleaning my body.
I stepped into the pond and let the clear water wash the dirt from my body.
The perfect water temperature sent a refreshing sensation spreading throughout my body, as if the water wasn't just cleaning, but also soothing something inside me.
I swept aside my long, dirty hair and washed it until the water dripping from the ends ran clear again.
My hands rose, sweeping water over my shoulders and arms. My skin now looked cleaner.
Then I saw my reflection in the water.
I no longer looked like a frightened girl lost in a foreign world.
What I saw now was someone who knew where she was going, even if she didn't know what awaited her there.
The wind blew softly.
My wet hair sticks to my cheek, cold, but it feels refreshing.
I washed my body once more. Unconsciously, I looked at my nails, still a soft purple, shimmering faintly under the dim light.
My nails looked cool when I saw it again. I moved it slowly, feeling its tip sharp yet flexible. Maybe with this, I can cut an apple with my nails.
Then, pushing the thought aside, I cupped my hands under the water and poured it over my head. The droplets traced paths through my hair and down my back, cool and startling against my skin.
The water dripped slowly, carrying the remaining dirt with it, leaving a refreshing coolness.
For a moment, I closed my eyes, letting the silent world around me be. Only the sound of falling water, and my calm breath.
When I opened my eyes again, the sky above was a little brighter. The fog was lifting, and soft light slipped between the leaves, dancing on the clear water.
I leaned on the edge of the pond, and watching the reflection of the sky there.
For a moment, I thought… perhaps I could live here. In a place where no one called me "trash," no one laughed at my weakness. A place with just me and the silent world.
But that thought didn't last long. I knew that staying still wouldn't make me stronger.
And within me, beneath this calmness, there was still a small ember refusing to be extinguished.
I stood up slowly. Water dripped from the ends of my hair and fingertips. Then i looked at my uniform and my shoes lying on a large rock by the water's edge. The fabric was dull, covered in mud and tears.
I stepped out of the water and walked over to gather everything, then began washing my shirt first. I scrubbed the sleeves and the chest, where the thickest dried blood mixed with mud had clung to the fabric. Every time I rubbed, the water in front of my hands turned a dark brown mixed with deep red.
After that, I picked up my skirt. The mud stuck to them like a layer of wet earth, and the fibers had stiffened from the dried blood. I soaked them in the water, squeezing every fold and seam so the dirt would loosen little by little. When its original color finally began to reappear, I let out a slow breath. Up close, some parts looked torn and crumpled, the threads unraveling as if unable to withstand everything that had happened. Even so, this skirt was still decent enough to wear.
Next, I grabbed my shoes. The white canvas had stiffened from dried soil, and the soles were packed with black mud and splatters of blood staining the sides. I dipped them into the water, scraping off every clump from the grooves, scrubbing until the original color showed again.Even though it has faded and there are still stains that are hard to remove, it is still quite decent to use.
Then I put the shoes aside and grabbed the socks. The socks were even worse, damp, dirty, and stained with brown and reddish spots that refused to go away. I rinsed them thoroughly, squeezing out the dirty water repeatedly. The fabric gradually became lighter, regaining some whiteness, although the discoloration spots remained, but at least it was better than before.
As I wash, memories arise with every stain that dissolves into the water. In my heart, I remember every event that has stained this clothing. Even though I have cleaned this uniform, those memories will always remain within me, and I will always remember them.
Once finished, I wrung it out and hung it on a low branch near the water. The damp breeze blew softly, making the fabric sway gently.
I looked at it for a moment, then took a slow breath. For some reason, seeing the uniform hanging there felt like looking at a remnant of my old self, weak, dirty, but not completely gone.
I let it dry while observing my surroundings. But without warning, a change swept through the air around me.
The leaves stopped swaying.
Silence.
I turned slowly towards the forest behind me. Something was moving among the shadows of the large trees, heavy, slow, but certain.
Its steps shook the ground with a low rhythm.
I sharpened my gaze. In the midst of the fog that had not completely lifted, a pair of yellow eyes pierced faintly between the tree trunks.
"Grrsshhhh"
The sound of heavy breathing was heard, growling softly.
I didn't know what creature it was. But one thing was certain, i wasn't the only one who came to this water source.
I straightened my body, staring in the direction of the sound without flinching. My hands clenched slowly, the purple nails at my fingertips shimmered faintly.
Water still dripped from my hair, but I didn't move. This time, I wouldn't run.
Heavy, disjointed sounds came from behind the trees. Not ordinary footsteps. Not a wolf.
The steps were heavy and slow, yet each step made the ground beneath my feet tremble as I came closer.
I turned my body slowly, and through the thin fog, i saw it.
A bear.
But not an ordinary bear. It was almost four meters tall, its body large like a living, moving rock.
Blackish-brown fur covered its body, and every movement produced a heavy sound like breaking branches.
Its head was lowered, its eyes directed at me, yellowish eyes that weren't just hungry, but wary.
The bear stood among the trees, its chest rising and falling with rough breaths.
"Grshhhhh"
It snorted, and in one breath, the world seemed to shrink around me.
I stood frozen Not from fear, but because I had never seen something this large from such a close distance.
A cold wind from the north carried the scent of soil and fur to my face. My body tensed completely.
I wouldn't flee, not this time.
I lowered my stance slightly, regulated my breathing, feeling the damp soil under my bare feet.
My brightly purple nails trembled lightly at my fingertips, but I could feel something pulsing there, something that wanted to come out.
"GRREEEUUHR"
The bear growled, its voice heavy, long, and echoing among the trees.
It took one step forward, The ground shook lightly.
I could feel the air around me change as well, like pressure coming from something far larger than myself.
I knew, one more step, and it would attack. So I moved first.
I jumped to the side, grabbed a rock from the ground, and threw it with all my strength.
The rock hit the bear's shoulder, but didn't cause even a slight wound. It only made the large creature let out an angry roar that echoed through the trees.
"GRAAAUHHRR"
"Shit—!" I gasped.
Then it charged. I can't handle this. A cold fleeting thought flashed through my mind But my limbs moved faster than my mind.
SRASSHH!
I dashed sideways as its claws slashed the ground. The earth was torn, leaving a deep hole where I had stood seconds before.
"Don't stop—don't stop!" I choked out, forcing air into my lungs.
I turned and kicked its side. My kick only caused a slight movement in the large body, but I didn't stop.
My nails rose, and from somewhere came that courage.
"Haaaah!!"
SLASH!
I slashed at its face. My nails met the bear skin. There was a sharp, tearing sound as my nails met its thick hide, not the splash of blood, but the rough rip of something sharp scraping against flesh. a thin scratch marked its skin. It was shallow, but it proved I could actually hurt it.
The bear shoved me away with brute force.
DUKK!
I hit the ground hard. The world spun in circles.
A sharp pain tore through the back of my head.
When I touched it, my fingers came away slightly bloody.
"Ugh…" I muttered, voice shaky.
"GRREEEEEUUHR"
The bear turned, roaring. I saw its teeth, long, and strong, every time it opened its mouth like a death chasm ready to swallow me.
SRASSHH!
the bear raised its paw, and I rolled sideways just before the ground beneath me shattered under its strength.
I got up, holding my breath, feeling my whole body tremble. My hands shook, but my eyes remained locked on it.
I could feel my heartbeat racing fast, but within all that fear was something else, an urge to fight.
"Come on… you can do this." I whispered to myself as I stepped forward
I stepped forward.
It snorted loudly, as if not believing its prey was actually approaching.
I crouched low, then ran.
When its paw rose, I slipped underneath it, slashing with my nails towards its leg.
My movement wasn't perfect, but enough to make it stagger slightly.
I used that opening to punch its chest with all my strength. Even though my hand hurt terribly, but the push made the bear stagger half a step back.
I stepped back quickly, my breath heavy., and My hands trembled, but I could feel energy flowing through them.
The bear stood upright again, its large body blocking the light from above. One step from it felt like a mountain shifting, and I knew if I was hit just once with its full strength, I would die.
But I didn't stop.
It attacked again. This time faster, and more ferocious.
I dodged to the left, but its paw still touched my shoulder, enough to throw me into the air.
SHREEEEKH!
"A-AAGGH—!"The cry tore out of my throat as pain shot through my body
I fell hard on the muddy ground, my body spinning before stopping.
My head buzzed, my breath was heavy, and my body ached. But I forced my body to rise.
The pain was real. And strangely… the pain actually made me aware. That I was still alive.
I ran back towards it, dodging another of its paws and leaping forward.
"HAAAAH!!"
SLASH!
I clawed its neck, kicked its side with my knee. I don't know how many times I punched, kicked, clawed, I only knew I kept doing it.
Every time it attacked, I moved faster, ducked, twisted my body, swung again.
My body moved without thought, only with raw instinct. As if it were a part of me, a part that had been asleep, now awake and taking over.
"GRAAAAAHHHH!"
The bear growled, trying to regain its balance, but I didn't stop.
My nails scratched the side of its face, leaving a faint mark without blood, but deep enough to make it turn its head in pain.
Then i used that moment. I shot forward and kicked right under his jaw, making his big head jerk up and his body fly back half a step.
Before the bear could growl, I was already moving forward again, my body following the momentum. I lunged forward, sharpening my fingers like a spear, then thrust my hand straight toward the bear's head.
"DIEEE!!"
SHREKK!
My nails pierced its flesh with ease, greeted by a wet tearing sound as its thick hide split open. The massive body jerked violently, and the heat of its blood splashed onto my arm, making me realize that my attack had actually succeeded.
I stood with my chest heaving, my breath racing, and before I realized it, the bear collapsed.
Its body fell heavily to the ground, causing vibrations under my feet.