The One Branch of The Tree

The forest was silent again, too silent as if nature itself was holding its breath after the small massacre that had just occurred, I sat on the ground leaning against a large tree trunk. 

The blood on my hands was starting to dry, my arms were stinging. My stomach still burned from Kevin's sword cut, and for the first time since coming to this world, I had time to think.

I had just killed three people, three people I knew, three classmates or at least former friends. I stared at my hands for a long moment. It was strange, I expected to feel worse, guiltier, more shaken, but instead I felt... calm.

Not because I'm a psychopath, at least hopefully not yet, but because the situation is so simple. They wanted to kill me, but I killed them first—simply survival. This world is surprisingly efficient at erasing moral gray areas, I chuckled.

“My adaptation was too fast.”

It's a bit worrying but I'll think about it later, the priority now is to survive, I opened the status.

Name: Raka

Class: One Tree Trunk

Level: 7

Attribute:

Strength: increased

Agility: increased

Vitality: increased

Where: increased

Skill:

Devour Root

Ember Slash

Minor Mana Sense

Weapon:

Thorny Branches

I looked at the new skill.

Ember Slash.

Information automatically appears.

Ember Slash

Infuse fire element into the weapon and increase the damage of the next attack.

Short cooldown.

I nodded Kevin's skill or at least the copied version so Devour Root not only absorbs stats sometimes skills too, the more absurd the more I like it. 

This class is truly like a machine, the more I kill, the stronger I grow. Simple, efficient, highly addictive, and dangerous.

I closed the status then looked around the dark fog was getting thicker and now the next problem appeared: I was alone in the monster forest without food, without a map, without friends although the last one wasn't much of a loss.

I stood slowly, my body still sore but manageable. Minor Mana Sense allowed me to faintly sense the energy currents, life and danger, still very rough but useful. 

I focused on several energy points around me, sensing quite a few monsters, which was very interesting. Previously, this information would have made me panic. Now? I actually felt the possibility of an unhealthy but effective mindset.

My stomach growled. Oh well, biological problems, I needed food, and the nearest monster might be the solution, and farming would be a multitasking activity. 

I walked slowly, following the nearest mana flow. The night forest was far more terrifying when alone, with the sounds of insects, moving leaves, and the occasional snapping twig. The fog also made visibility poor, making it a perfect beginner's nightmare.

A few minutes' walk later, I arrived at a small area near a stream with clear water. It was quite pleasant, and near the stream were two small monsters drinking, resembling rabbits if they had evolved with evil intentions. Black fur, long fangs, red eyes, an unnecessarily hostile look.

A notification appears.

Night Hare Lv.3

Level 3? Okay. Still manageable, I grinned.

“Hello dinner.”

One of the Night Hares looked up at me and attacked without a word, a feat I appreciated. The first monster leaped quickly, and I activated Ember Slash, heating up the Thorny Branch, a small flame appearing at the tip, and then I slashed.

SHRAK.

The attack hit the small fire monster's body, setting its fur ablaze. The Night Hare screamed and fell to its death. Wow, that was effective, I nodded in satisfaction.

"Reasonable."

The second monster seemed smarter, it ran away, but I didn't let it. I chased after it, my agility was much better now, I closed the distance quickly, stabbing, killing confirmed two monsters twice, absorbing, roots coming out automatically, energy entering.

A notification appears.

EXP gained.

Level 8 reached.

Agility +1

Dexterity +1

It's so good, I'm starting to unhealthy love this routine of killing, absorbing, growing, repeating. Life is simple and I'm staring at two dead monsters. 

The important question: is it safe to eat? I stared at the demon-eyed rabbit monster for a long time. Hmm, edibility is low but hunger is stronger, I sighed.

“If he died of poisoning after surviving an assassination attempt, it would be very ironic.”

I started a small fire using Ember Slash, the unlocked utility is very good. A few minutes later, the monster meat was burning on the stalk. The aroma... quite good, not bad. I tasted a little, but it was quite good.

The fantasy monster cuisine was quite delicious, I ate while sitting near the river the night sky was getting darker the cold was increasing.

For the first time since coming to this world, I was truly alone—no human voices, no classroom noise, no one calling my name—just me and the forest. It was strange, but not bad, in fact, it was more honest. At least in this world, the strong live and the weak die, there wasn't much pretense.

I finished eating and drinking from the river then leaned against the Thorny Branch rock I held my eyes slowly closing, I have to sleep for a few hours tomorrow I will start to understand this world looking for a way out or maybe not. 

Because one thing was now very clear: if I returned to being a human too soon, I would only be hunted again. No, not yet. I needed to get stronger, much stronger, strong enough to make everyone think twice before touching me. My eyes were almost completely closed when a new notification appeared.

Quest Triggered.

Survive for 7 days in the Forbidden Forest

Reward:

Unknown

Penalty:

Death 

I stared at the screen for a few seconds and then chuckled.

"Of course."

Why not? Welcome to the exciting adventure mode, I leaned my head against the rock, a faint smile appearing. Seven days? Alright, let's see who gives up first, me or this forest.

[END CHAPTER 5]