Day-2
…
I woke up in the morning as usual, an uneasy feeling lingering within me.
Getting up from the pile of straw I considered a bed, I headed straight to the back of the inn.
There was a well there.
I drew some water and used it to wash my face.
After that, I lit a fire in the stove and filled a pot with water from the well.
While waiting for it to boil, I ate the bread I bought yesterday.
It was hard… but not unpleasant.
Maybe that's because I prefer bland food over something that tastes bad.
To me, "bad" is something that makes me want to spit it out.
The morning passed without anything noteworthy happening.
Just me… and my routine.
-
Once I finished, I prepared myself.
Putting on the same clothes I used for hunting yesterday, wearing my leather armor, and checking my equipment.
When everything was ready, I opened the door and stepped outside.
The city in the morning felt… beautiful.
Its quietness had its own charm.
Or maybe… I'm just the kind of person who thinks that way.
There weren't many people on the road.
Morning really does seem like the best time for me.
-
It didn't take long before I reached the gate.
As usual, before leaving the city, I showed my Crimson Moon trainee tag to the guard.
Then I passed through the gate.
Everything felt… ordinary.
Today didn't feel any different from yesterday.
But at least—
the burdens I carried in my previous world were completely gone.
Maybe one day, they'll be replaced with something else.
But for now, I can say this much—
…I'm free.
I can go anywhere.
Do anything I want.
And most importantly—
I don't have to worry about my choices anymore.
It feels… refreshing.
-
After walking for quite some time, I finally arrived at the forest near the town.
I decided to rest for a bit, sitting down on the ground.
I did nothing.
Just sat there… quietly observing my surroundings.
All I could see were trees… and a few insects passing by.
Nothing else.
"…Alright."
I stood up.
Time to start hunting.
-
First, I searched around the area where I was yesterday.
The goblin I killed was gone.
Maybe another monster had eaten it.
I searched around the area… but found nothing.
Not a single thing.
Still, I didn't give up.
I moved on to another place.
…
Time passed.
Morning turned into noon—
and I still hadn't found anything.
"…I was really lucky yesterday."
Finding prey isn't easy.
In fact, it's harder than killing one.
After wandering through the forest for hours, exhaustion began to set in.
Maybe… today just isn't my day.
So I gave up.
And returned to town.
Day two—
I got nothing.
-
Day-3
…
The next day, I started my search early in the morning, just like before.
This time, I decided to hunt near a river I found yesterday.
I figured there was a chance monsters would come there—
to drink… or maybe to hunt fish.
I followed the flow of the river.
Not right along the edge, but through the bushes nearby.
No particular reason.
…I just didn't want to be seen.
-
After walking for a while, I spotted them from the bushes.
Goblin.
Not one.
Not two.
…Three.
There were also traces of a campfire nearby.
Looks like they had been staying here.
If one of them separated…
I might be able to kill it.
That's what I thought.
So I climbed a nearby tree to get a better view.
-
After observing for a while—
none of them moved.
No signs of splitting up.
So I decided to follow the river further.
-
Eventually, it was noon.
And I found nothing.
Day three—
I returned empty-handed again.
-
Day-4
…
The next day, I woke up as usual.
But when I looked outside—
it was raining.
Heavily.
There was nothing I could do but wait for it to stop.
But it didn't.
So I lay down… and closed my eyes.
When I woke up again—
it was already evening.
The rain had stopped.
…Huh.
The past two days were already bad enough.
And now this.
"I wonder… how long this will keep going…"
-
Day-5
…
I woke up feeling completely exhausted.
I didn't sleep at all last night.
Thoughts about my uncertain future kept me awake.
I know… things don't always go well.
That's normal.
For anyone.
But—
…this is frustrating.
I'm not giving up.
It's just…
these past few days have been getting to me.
-
I got up from the straw bed and went outside to wash my face.
Then went through my usual morning routine.
-
After preparing everything, I stepped outside.
Just like the previous days, the city felt the same.
Nothing special.
And because of that—
I started to wonder.
Even this new world… hasn't really changed me.
Or maybe—
…I was never capable of changing in the first place.
That thought drained what little motivation I had.
But that doesn't mean I can stop hunting.
It's the only thing I can do right now.
So… what choice do I have?
-
When I arrived at the forest, I headed toward the river again.
It seemed like the most promising place.
Better than wandering aimlessly.
Hopefully…
I'd find one alone this time.
-
I moved through the bushes, watching the river.
For a while, it felt like today would be just like the past three days.
But—
maybe luck was finally on my side.
There, by the river—
a goblin stood alone.
It looked like it was staring at its own reflection.
This is a good chance.
If I can land a clean hit…
it won't be able to do anything.
-
I reached for my axe.
Even though I had been thinking about stabbing it.
…For some reason, the axe felt like the better choice.
Slowly, I approached.
Carefully.
Closer.
Closer—
Krek.
…
A twig snapped beneath my foot.
"…Damn it."
The goblin turned around immediately.
No choice.
I rushed in.
I slammed my shield into it—
knocking it into the river.
But the water was shallow.
It didn't drown.
So I pinned it down.
Forcing its head underwater.
Holding it there.
-
It struggled violently.
Clawing at my arms.
…That hurt.
And me?
I was never physically strong to begin with.
Just a shut-in from my previous world.
So after a while—
I got tired.
And let go.
-
But I didn't stop.
As it got up, I swung my axe at its head—
…or at least, I tried to.
It ducked.
"…Damn."
Then it grabbed the knife it dropped earlier.
And charged at me wildly.
-
I kicked its stomach when I saw an opening.
It staggered back.
Taking that chance, I switched to my sword.
It may be short—
but still longer than a knife.
-
Now it was my turn.
I swung.
The blade cut into its flesh—
leaving a deep wound.
Blood started to flow.
"RRRAAAGHH!"
It screamed—
and then suddenly turned to run.
-
I jumped and grabbed its leg before it could escape.
It fell.
I stood up—
and stabbed it.
Again.
And again.
It didn't die immediately.
But it couldn't fight anymore.
-
It kept screaming.
Annoying.
And dangerous.
That could attract others.
So—
I picked up my axe.
And brought it down.
Ending it.
"…That was exhausting."
-
I sat beside the corpse.
Pulled my sword out.
Cleaned the blood with leaves and river water.
Same with the axe.
-
Then I searched the body.
This time, there was something.
A silver coin… with a hole in the middle.
"I wonder if this is worth anything…"
I washed it and put it in my bag.
-
I threw the body into the river.
Let the fish deal with it.
-
Then I headed back.
"…At least I got something today."
Better than nothing.
I should appreciate small things like this.
But—
…I hope tomorrow will be better.
Without realizing it—
I started to hope.
…