Following Nakros' advice, I went to the Misty Forest. The journey there wasn't too bad. I had to steal some clothes because I lost my demon disguise from Edwill's explosion. I used a large cloak to hide my frame so I could actually buy stuff. I thought I wouldn't really need food and such until I realized something.
("I… feel hungry?") [Solace]
Not only that, I felt tired as well. It seemed that my mana was my source of sustenance. The only part that remained from then was my need to breathe and the fact I didn't need to use the bathroom.
("I hope there isn't any other effects…") [Solace]
In the end, I just bought a ton of dried food. I just wanted to make sure it didn't spoil. I also bought a few survival things like a bag, a knife, a frying pan, a bottle, and some utensils. Now that I think of it, I could've just carved them using the knife. Afterwards, I followed the map Nakros gave me to the Misty Forest.
("...The name wasn't lying.") [Solace]
Standing before the forest, it was, in fact, misty as hell. Rather than a forest, it was just a blob of mist seeping out of the area. If I didn't see tree branches sticking out at the top I wouldn't even realize it was a forest.
("This is going to suck isn't it?") [Solace]
Just by entering it, I couldn't even see past my arms. It also made everything wet.
("You're telling me I have to live in this for a while?") [Solace]
Might as well just kill me.
("Ugh, it sticks to my skin and everything.") [Solace]
It felt like going into a steam room. …Without the heat of course.
("How am I supposed to survive in this place?") [Solace]
I wandered through wondering whether or not I would get lost instead. Turns out I didn't need to worry since my eyes adjusted quickly. Rather than being able to see just my arms, I was able to see at least a few meters out.
("Thankfully I won't be running into random objects anytime soon.") [Solace]
Being able to see a little more clearly helped a lot. The environment was a little muddy, or really moist dirt. One of those two. The trees there had a really sleek design. Upon closer inspection, they were pretty similar to birch trees.
("I can't tell what color they are… White? Maybe?") [Solace]
It was smooth to the touch. I could tell that it evolved to allow water to slide off easily.
("...Crap. I forgot to buy a flint.") [Solace]
That sudden thought came to mind. Regardless of whether or not I brought a flint, how am I supposed to start a campfire in this environment?
("Alright, whatever. First, I should look for shelter or a river.") [Solace]
I closed my eyes and focused on trying to listen for any sound cues. Hopefully I could hear the rushing water of a river, maybe even a creek.
("...Nothing. Damn.") [Solace]
I reassured myself that I'll find it farther in. I mean, I'm just at the beginning of the forest right?
("I should find some shelter first then.") [Solace]
As I wandered in, I marked trees with an X to ensure that I wasn't lost. I traveled for what felt like hours until I began to hear the rushing of water in the distance.
("I knew there would be one somewhere.") [Solace]
I followed the noise, where the mist somehow began to lift. It expanded my vision from just a few meters to a clear view. There, I reached a rushing river. One that was fierce enough to let me know I'd drown if I tried to swim.
("...At least it's clearish.") [Solace]
Except for a slight yellow hue, the water was pretty much clear. I could see fish zooming fast, each one unfamiliar to me.
("It's a fantasy world alright.") [Solace]
If I played my cards right, I could probably catch a few for dinner.
("Eh… probably not.") [Solace]
Watching the speed at which the fish passed by told me that my efforts would probably end in futility.
("Well, I found a water source first. Next should be shelter.
I couldn't expect to find a cave or something nearby. However, I did in fact find a very large boulder thirty minutes away.
("With this size, I wonder…") [Solace]
Squatting down and lifting with my legs, I picked up the boulder.
"Oh nice, I- Ew! Ew ew!" [Solace]
Underneath the boulder was an enormous amount of bugs, squirming in the mud. There were some still stuck to the bottom of the boulder so I shook it to get them off.
"Nope, nope I'm out." [Solace]
I carried the boulder over to the river, taking a few breaks along the way. It probably took me almost an hour for that.
("I should probably try to clean it.") [Solace]
I rinsed the boulder by holding it over the river and dipping it in the surface. The rapid water easily washed off any excess dirt and mud still stuck to it.
("There we go.") [Solace]
Once finished, I placed the boulder in a mossy spot about six to seven meters away from the river.
("Time to get to work.") [Solace]
Taking a deep breath, I punched the boulder hard enough for a chunk to fall out.
("Huh, that worked well.") [Solace]
The plan was to carve myself a little home in the boulder. So, I got to work. With a bunch of lefts and rights, I made a sizable hole in the boulder.
("Now, How should I make the bed?") [Solace]
I don't know about you, but I'm not too keen on having a stone bed.
("Maybe a stone foundation for a bed and then I can put some moss for comfort?") [Solace]
I didn't want to lay on straight moss because that's pretty dirty, so the question was how do I get a bag for it?
("Ah, whatever.") [Solace]
I put it off for now and just carved out a stone bed in the boulder's wall. At this point in time it was beginning to get dark and I was getting a little hungry.
("Time to eat some salted mystery meat.") [Solace]
I didn't know any animals sold on the market so I just bought salted meat or whatever I could find. In any case, I opened my bag to find my food soggy.
"Ah… shit." [Solace]
Turns out a misty environment will make things damp. The only upside is that I now know that the river doesn't have as much mist so I won't have to worry about this problem in the future.
("Oh man, it's really getting late.") [Solace]
As darkness encompassed the world, I set up a campfire. I had great difficulty finding wood dry enough to do it, but I found that I could start one by grabbing two pieces of wood and rubbing them really hard together.
("Thank goodness for super strength.") [Solace]
It honestly took a few tries at the beginning. The first attempts ended in shredding the wood rather than burning it with friction.
("Ah… Warmth.") [Solace]
I still didn't have any kind of bedding to sleep in so I kind of sat near the campfire brainstorming. That was also when I had an ingenious idea.
("If it's something soft I want to sleep in, it doesn't have to be some kind of stuffing right?") [Solace]
I scooped out a portion of my stone bed, kind of like a bathtub. Just, a lot shallower. Then, I crushed the stone I carved out into fine powder before refilling the stone bed with it. This made it so that I would sleep on some kind of sand-like bed.
"Ta-da~." [Solace]
I was a little proud of it. As for a pillow, I emptied out my bag and filled it with more stone sand. I didn't tie it too hard in order to create a soft-ish sensation.
("I'm actually a genius.") [Solace]
Satisfied with my creation, I tried to sleep. It was more comfortable, and uncomfortable than expected. Sand would get in my clothes, plus gather in places I don't want to say. There were also clicking noises that kept bothering me.
("...Clicking noises?") [Solace]
I opened my eyes to see some kind of horrid creature standing at my doorway. It had the body of a man, but limbs of something else. Arms with pincers, legs of goats, a rat-like tail, and a spider's head.
"Wh-What the fuck?!" [Solace]
Alerted and terrified, I got up at lightspeed before kicking it with all my might.
"Kyaak!!" [???]
It let out a strange sound as it tumbled away. I could see it trying to pick itself up, yet found it incredibly difficult with most of its torso caved in.
("It survived?!") [Solace]
Not to glaze myself too much, but I'm pretty damn strong. Either way, it still gave me the shivers.
("Wait, is it friendly?") [Solace]
Disgusting as it was, I found it difficult to watch as it struggled to get up. Matter of fact, was it just watching me rather than attacking me?
"Krak!" [???]
The creature opened its mandibles before firing a green liquid at me.
"Guess not!" [Solace]
I blocked the liquid with my arm, causing it to sting a bit.
"Ow! Why you little-!" [Solace]
I ran up to it, kicking its head hard enough to tear it off. Its body spasmed for a few seconds afterwards, leaving me to watch until it went limp.
("...The fuck was that?") [Solace]
Heart racing from the sudden night attack, I tried to calm down. That is, until someone spoke.
"Impressive." [???]
A pale skinned man revealed himself as he left the mist of the forest. His skin was so pale that it was like he bleached it white. He also had red eyes and long black hair, features that reminded me of something.
"...Are you a vampire?" [Solace]
I was somewhat doubtful considering his attire. Vampires of legend usually wear some kind of nobleman's clothes right? This guy looked like he was wearing rags. Actually, less rags and more homemade clothing from animal pelts like he was out of touch with civilization.
"A vampire?" [???]
The man laughed.
"That's very funny. My name is Elcrid Faux. An ancient if you would." [???]
I stared at him with caution.
"No need to be so tense. I've come with good… what do people call it these days? Tidings?" [Elcrid]
"...You mean news?" [Solace]
"No, no… It was… ah, yes. Intentions. I've come with good intentions." [Elcrid]
Pretty sure good tidings and good intentions have different meanings.
"Pardon my lack of vocabulary. May I ask your name?" [Elcrid]
"...Alt." [Solace]
I somewhat expected him to attack me after hearing my name. However, he just nodded.
"An interesting name. Well then, Alt. I sensed that you had entered the forest earlier today and was wondering if you were lost. If you'd like, could I guide you out of the forest?" [Elcrid]
This man was polite. Perhaps… too polite.
"I'll… I'll pass. You look like you'd eat me." [Solace]
Elcird laughed once again.
"You're very amusing. Not many have the courage to say that to my face." [Elcrid]
"You do look unnatural." [Solace]
Elcrid laughed once more. It was like it was his first time hearing jokes.
"Alt, if you're planning to stay, why don't you come to my home? It's much…" [Elcrid]
He glanced at my boulder-home.
"...More convenient than this." [Elcrid]
…Rude. I put my heart and soul into that boulder.
"How do I know that you're not just trying to kill me?" [Solace]
Elcrid smiled before vanishing into the mist. A moment later, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"You-!" [Solace]
I turned to find Elcrid grinning as he stepped back playfully.
"You see? If I wanted to harm you, I would've done so already." [Elcrid]
With no words to retort, I just started calculating whether or not I could escape if I decided to run.
("No, he'd probably catch up.") [Solace]
Seeing that I was frozen stiff, Elcrid reached out politely.
"Please, come be my guest. I insist." [Elcrid]
Unsure of the result of refusing, I took his hand.