Chapter 19: Clear Skies

Days passed as I rested and waited for my wounds to heal. Even after four days, I could still feel a sharp pain in my chest every time I moved a little too fast. Despite using all my mana on Soul's Respite, I hadn't fully recovered yet.

I spent these days trying to build basic shelter from the elements. While the overhang of the alcove protected me from the rain, the cold night breeze wasn't much affected by it. I built a makeshift tent from the resources I scavenged, as well as preparing a spot for the fire.

I had also looked over my interface since I was stuck here – I had levelled up twice. I had also gained a new skill.

'Kai Friseal – Level 5 Soul Keeper | Exp: 0/500 - - Souls 22/100

Skills: Fallen Grace | Death's Scythe |Soul's Respite| Explorer | Crystal Sage'

The new skill didn't really make much sense to me. It didn't have an explanation and I had no idea as to when and how I got it. And I was probably the farthest thing from being a 'Sage'.

I had also noticed something else. I was no longer in a party. I remembered Erik saying something about forming a party when we first came into this virtual world. I clearly remembered accepting a party request. But somehow, I was no longer in Erik's party. Again, I had no clue as to when that happened – was it something Vixia did, or was it a decision on Erik's part?

I felt lost and… trapped. I felt lost because that creature blocked my path, because the crystal – my only source of hints about this world – was destroyed. I felt trapped because… I still couldn't log out. Seven whole days had passed since we entered this world. I had gotten somewhat used to this 'avatar' of mine and that felt wrong in every way. I wanted my own body back, the body I had so painstaking trained for my whole life.

I approached the lake and looked at my reflection. It still felt weird, seeing my purple eyes reflect the sunlight. Everything felt wrong, my hair, my height, my skin tone, my weight.

With a sigh, I shook my head. Thinking about this didn't do much. I still didn't know what death meant in this world. I had to get stronger and faster. I still worked under the assumption that Erik and the others had survived and that meant I had to somehow get past that creature and find them.

I got up on my feet and headed to my makeshift tent. The inside was empty besides a simple blanket and a bow and a few arrows. I grabbed the bow and arrows and headed to the entrance of the alcove. I had made the bow with a suitable stick and some of my long hair. It was… subpar, to say the least but it was enough to catch myself dinner.

I used the last bit of my mana to activate Fallen Grace and moved as silently as I could as I entered the thick forest. As soon as I stepped into the shadows of the trees, all sunlight seemed to disappear. It couldn't pierce the thick forest roof. I spotted several mushrooms growing by the tree trunks, as well as plenty of moss covering the ground. The soft moss floor was to my liking as it easily muffled the sound of my footsteps.

I also spotted some animals I hadn't seen before – glowing butterflies that didn't seem to fear me, snakes that seamlessly changed colours to match their surroundings. It had started to feel like this was a completely different forest than the one we first stepped foot in just a week ago.

Sticking close to the tree trunks, I searched for something that at least seemed edible. Fallen Grace's added strength and speed allowed me to quickly make way through the forest. I was on edge as any hostile being like those wolf-feline creatures could easily chase me down at my current state. I slowed my steps when I heard flowing water again. The stream originating from my alcove was home to many small critters, as well as some larger creatures. It made for a bountiful hunting area.

I jumped up and caught one of the lower branches of a large tree. With some effort, I pulled myself up and climbed a bit higher, to a good vantage point. I hooked a makeshift arrow and started waiting for my prey.

Soon, I was returning to camp with a glowing deer-moose hybrid in my inventory. I couldn't help but chuckle as I passed through the vines hiding the alcove entrance. The inventory was probably the most unrealistic part of the game. It was the proof that this was a virtual world.

Yet, I couldn't help but feel a little sick as I skinned the animal, removed its antlers, and chopped it up into smaller pieces. The blood flowing onto the ground, the smell of death hanging around, everything felt so real. Once I was done with it, I washed myself to get rid of that smell.

I also noticed my sense of smell getting keener as days passed. Perhaps it was because I was constantly on edge, perhaps it had to do with my levels, but it was unnatural. The same thing could be said about my sight and hearing. And all these were getting enhanced even further whenever I used Fallen Grace.

Once I got dressed again, I sat down near the lake and opened my status panel.

'Kai Friseal – Level 5 Soul Keeper | Exp: 200/550 - - Souls 24/100 - - Mana: 230'

My eyes widened. That deer had given me 150 experience points. The squirrel-like creature I had killed yesterday had given me 50. I couldn't help but think that something was wrong. It would have normally taken twenty wolf-feline creatures to gain this much experience.

I glanced at the entrance. Something was changing, the creatures in the forest were becoming more powerful and the rewards for killing them were increasing. I couldn't help but feel like it had something to do with the broken crystal and that giant horned lion.

I clenched my fists. I had to find a way to get past that creature. Looking at my map, I could see why Erik and the others had chosen to go east – it was the only way out from this area. The forest we had found ourselves in was surrounded with cliffs on all sides with the only exit being a narrow passage to the east. Right past where I fought – and miserably lost against – that monster.

As I am now, I had no way to kill it. Loosing my staff in that fight was just the icing on the cake. Now, without a proper weapon and very few resources, all I could do was wait until I recovered enough. Then again, that wooden staff wasn't a very useful weapon anyways.

I glanced at the firewood I'd gathered. Wooden weapons wouldn't do anything against that creature. I needed something sharp that could get past its fur and cut through its skin. I didn't have any metal and even if I did, I knew nothing of forging, nor did I have the facilities needed for it.

I glanced at the broken crystal laying on the ground as an idea flashed across my mind.