"I finally reached my destination." I think to myself, standing in front of the canyon. Looking upward at the imposing mountain that was reaching the sky.
This was the edge of Sunheller Mountain and the only wall that was dividing Black Slumber Mountain and Seipheor Village.
I took a deep breath and was ready to climb this treacherous wall, at any moment. This was the only way I could reach my destination and able to hunt some monsters that lurk within.
I started to climb, roughly holding the rocks and vine protruding from the walls, my movements rough and labored.
More than ten minutes pass, and I was already short of my breath, feeling almost exhausted and drained.
To make matters worse, sometimes I sense deathly glares piercing at my direction with deep hatred, as if something sinister is watching me from the shadows.
"Maybe I'm feeling exhausted my mind is playing some tricks on me." I shook my head, dismissing the thought. There's no way that I'm significant enough to earn someone's such intense loathing.
Although the villagers did detest me, their disdain wasn't any deep enough that they could pursue me deep into the mountains.
"I should steady my walk." I adjusted my position, steadying myself for the next step, and continue my arduous climb.
...
"This was hard. I don't want to do it again." Finally, I collapse onto the ground, exhausted, taking long, labored breaths as my body screaming in protest.
"With my strength. It's already a miracle I reached this place." I gaze around me, taking in the breathtaking scenery. With long lush trees and the sweet grassy scent, I felt very pleasant and soothing as if I've entered a heaven, with white clouds floating above my head.
The beauty of this place is almost overwhelming, and I feel a deep sense of pleasure and soothing calm washing over me, as if all worries have been left behind.
"It's time for the hunt." But my peaceful reverie was short-lived, as I with a sense of determination, push myself up from the ground using my hands as a support. Looking down at landscape below scanning the terrain for any sign of movement.
And then, what caught my eyes was the dark region, the most forbidden place in Black Slumber Mountain.
A place where the sun was shining brightly on its head and trying to penetrate with its strength. However, the dark turbulent cloud running wild in that place engulfs every light it imitates. As if saying [You aren't allowed here.]
I caught the rock lying beside me and threw it in that direction. As the rock touches the eerie dark miasma hovering over the clouds, it completely disappears from my point of view nearly becoming one with the dark miasma itself.
"It's very dangerous." I remind myself,
"But, what's down there?" Yet, my curiousity getting better of me.
Every time I come to this place, I felt the inexplicable urge to enter that forbidden place, but my sense of self-preservation has always held me back.
[Curiosity always takes the best of you.] I didn't say it in a compliment. I didn't have the desire to die yet.
I glance at the spot where my rock just disappeared, and a shiver runs down my spine.
Each time I gaze at the dark region I feel some strange sense of familiarity coming from that place. As if someone was asking me to help them.
The feeling was unsettling and I know I could be of anything but useful even more to able to any help.
.....
I placed my sore muscles and massaged my throbbing shoulder, trying to ease the pain but it protests with each touch.
"It still hurts." I mutter to myself as a fierce intent ignited in my eyes.
Memories of Owen's bullying and my own powerlessness and helplessness floodind my thoughts, fueling my anger and resentment.
"It can't be helped, he's the son of the village chief." I remind myself, knowing that if I rebel and act on my anger I will definitely receive the repercussions.
The chief was a bloodthirsty man who didn't let anyone live who dares to challenge his authority.
"Like father, like son. Both have a shitty personality." I growl, my hatred simmering in my eyes.
"Anyway, forget about them. My family is most important." I shake off the bitter thoughts, as I quickly mask my face with fabric drenched in water preparing for the hunt.
I pluck the leaf from a nearby tree and drizzle the honey on its surface and place it on the ground, using it as a bait and hiding behind a large rock.
The minutes begin to trickle as the sun was on its horizon ready to set in about two hours casting a warm orange glow over this landscape.
Suddenly, I hear a soft flapping and hopping noise coming from the direction where I had placed the honey.
"It's already here." I fumed with a smile as I peer out from behind the rock, eager to catch a glimpse of the monster who was coming in its direction.
"The Honeycomb monster." I whispered, my eyes fixed on the monster as it approaches the honey.
The monster has a very long cylindrical mouth with a short stout body making it look almost comical with it's wings buckled with blue-silvery light.
Its eyes were in a straight line that couldn't see his entire surroundings, with very minimal intelligence, lower than any other level 1 monster beast.
After arriving in front of the honey, it flapped its wings spreading the blue-silvery light illuminating the surrounding area up to most 100 meters.
"Thank goodness I was already prepared."
I already know the honeycomb monster's specialty, its unique weapon; The sleeping stardust.
If I inhaled even a tiny bit of its dust, I'll be out for the count, sleeping for an entire day. And Sleeping in the wilderness is tantamount to giving up on your own life.
The blue-silvery stardust spread throughout the entire area engulfing all the creatures and sending them into a deep slumber.
I carefully leave my hiding spot walking past the sleeping creatures while divulging the honeycomb blinding spot.
I trotted forward after seeing it enjoying the meal I prepared for it. Unsheathing the machete from my waist moving slowly in careful manners.
Then moving forward with a fierce cry, I stamp my foot on the ground heavily, converging all strength into the attack.
I glide forward without losing my heart.
The machete was old and curt filled with cracks and cuts all over it, with the remaining sharpness was only at the edge of the machete.
"It was perfect." I prepare to strike. I only had to thrust the machete with all my strength into it's body.
As I run towards it, the monster senses my intent. But it was already too let.
"You are mine," I shouted a little more excited.
The machete slices through the air, already reaching his body piercing it's abdomen from the inside out.
"Screech, screech." The honeycomb monster let out a deafening screech as it succumbs to its wounds.
But I was already numb to their dying whines, knowing that in this world where survival of the fittest having sympathy for a mere monster was tantamount to idiocy.
"I'm already beaten." I fell onto my butt.
That one attack depleted all of my energy, leaving me completely spent.
"I need a long rest." I think, feeling like I've earned it.
After all, I already managed to defeat a level 1 monster with my limited strength, so I definitely deserved the reward for this.
"Ough." "Uhh." "Haa." I take some mouthfuls of puffs, trying to catch my breath.
Finally I sit down next to Honeycomb monster's lifeless body, pulling out my machete to claim my spoils.
I cut off both pairs of its ears and put it in my small bag. I fold out my other big sack cut out it's unwanted body parts and put it inside my sack.