Celm stood up and stretched his legs, his clothes starting to get wet with sweat. He thought about the strange dream he had just experienced.
Damned it, why am I drenched in sweat?
Was the sun too hot, or is it just my body reacting to that dream? Hmm... It could be both...
"Never mind it, Celm," he muttered, beginning to touch his temple.
"It's time to check on that bear. For better or worse. If it's bad... then I'm probably in a dangerous place. If it's good... well, it's still a dangerous place." He spoke quietly to himself.
Celm scanned his camp, looking for anything he could use while inside the forest. His gaze then fell on the food he hadn't finished last night. He thought for a moment.
Should I eat those remaining berries before checking on the bear?
Hmm... If I eat them now, I won't be hungry when I traverse the forest... But at the same time, I might not have enough nutrition for later.
He glared into the depths of the forest, uncertainty written on his face. His expression shifted, showing signs of fear and skepticism. He realized it.
That looks scary... Even in daylight, it still sends chills down my spine. How did I... how did I even have the strength to go there yesterday?
After a moment of reflection, he concluded.
I... I'm going to eat the berries here. After that, it's time to head into the forest. I don't know what will happen when I enter it again, but it's my only choice.
Celm sat back down on the rock, grabbed the berries, and began to eat slowly, savoring each bite. He tried to imagine what would happen to him later.
I don't know what will happen, but if it's dangerous, these berries might be my last enjoyment.
Celm stared intently at the waves of the sea as he ate. After a while, his hand brushed against a hard surface. He looked down and realized there were no berries left.
He sighed in disappointment, understanding what that meant.
"Looks like it's time," he muttered. His eyes then moved to his shard-like knife, and he overthought it for a moment.
It's time to check on that dead boar. Looks like life is going to throw some challenges my way.
He looked at the sea one last time, admiring its beauty. But it was time to venture into the land.
You were beautiful, but sadly, it's time for me to venture into the forest and into the depths of the land.
With that, he walked toward the forest. His steps showed a hint of resolve as he stopped near the edge, staring blankly at the trees.
"It's time to venture through this forest again. But not for food, for my own survival. Safe or not, you're my only hope, just like your inhabitants... if you have any," Celm spoke with newfound confidence.
He ventured cautiously into the forest, trying to retrace the path he had taken yesterday. He pushed through bushes and trees, keeping a careful watch on his surroundings, doing his best to stay silent. He whispered with frustration.
I never get used to this terrain. These sticks and branches feel like they're poking me, but the leaves are nice, at least.
Should I gather berries while I'm out here?
Yeah, let's do that.
Celm began picking berries and stuffing them into his pockets. As he ventured deeper, he started seeing new types of berries and fruits. Then something caught his eye.
"Wait a minute... what's that?" he murmured, confused. He pondered for a moment.
Should I grab it? Maybe taste it first? Nah, I'll just grab it.
"It feels different from the berries I ate earlier... Wait... am I even heading in the right direction?"
Celm tilted his head, scratching it in confusion.
I thought I was following the path from yesterday... Why am I in this random place now?
You know what? Forget about that damned boar. I'm here already, so I'll just keep going.
After some time, Celm began to feel a dryness in his mouth, but he didn't think much of it. Suddenly, his boot struck a rock, and he tripped, falling face-first into the ground.
"What the hell..." Celm shouted instinctively, then quickly covered his mouth while lying on the ground, bewildered.
Oh crap, I'm doomed... Why the heck did I scream?
Celm, are you serious? How the hell did you fall? I thought you were watching your steps.
Confusion and annoyance filled his thoughts.
"Let's just forget about that and keep going," he muttered, trying to push himself up.
...
In the Beryllium Kingdom, in the bustling town square of Veridian.
The door of the bar suddenly opened, and a man in knight armor, who could barely walk, sat down near the counter.
"Yaja, grab me a beer... No, make it three. I'm getting sick of these thugs trying to sneak through the entrance by bribing traders," he grumbled.
"Why don't you just let them in, or give the traders some guards?" Yaja sighed and replied.
Yaja paused, thinking for a moment.
According to Beryllium laws, to prevent thugs and raiders from entering the kingdom, strict inspections are required by the guards. Because of this, the gates are always filled with people and their carriages, waiting for their turn.
"Why don't you just complain to your higher-ups and disguise it as feedback from the people? That way, you might avoid getting fired," Yaja suggested with a teasing tone.
"Yaja, you're funny. But many of my colleagues have already tried that, and they got fired," the knight replied with a sad expression.
Yaja placed his knuckles to his mouth, deep in thought, trying to come up with a better solution.
Hmm... if that already happened, then what's a better way?
Wait, what if they just removed the source of the problem?
The thugs and raiders... What if the knights just eliminate their camp? That way, all the traders and merchants could travel without problems.
Yaja's eyes widened, and a smile began to form on his lips, as he thought of a potential solution.
"What if you just asked your higher-ups to remove the raider's camp?" Yaja tilted his head and asked.
"That could work... But the problem is that the soldier knights responsible for clearing the surroundings of the kingdom are currently on an expedition. Haven't you heard?" The knight responded to Yaja's suggestion.
The knight noticed the expression on Yaja face, which indicated that he was deep in thought.
"No need to think too hard, you're a young bartender. You shouldn't get involved in these affairs. You might get wrinkles at a young age," the knight said with a laugh.
"Sir, you haven't even drunk your beer, and you're already drunk? How is that even possible?" Yaja responded, secretly hiding his frustration. "Never mind, I'll get your beer."
Yaja turned, grabbed a beer mug, and walked over to the beer barrel. He twisted the faucet, watching the golden liquid fill the mug.
It's midday... how is he already drunk? He mostly comes here at midnight.
Yaja walked back to the counter and handed the knight the beer.
"Here's your beer. Only one. I don't trust someone like you who's already drunk without even drinking one," Yaja said calmly.
"That'll never happen," the knight replied, his brows raised in surprise.
After 10 minutes, the knight had fallen asleep on the counter, his head resting sideways, snoring relentlessly, with saliva dripping from his mouth.
"Well... isn't that fast? Should I ask someone outside to drag him out? Nah... he'll stay here," Yaja murmured softly, dumbfounded. He thought for a moment.
I'm planning to restock my herbs and meat for the coming winter... Should I visit Sylvaneth Forest for the herbs... and maybe even meat?
Now, let's wait for this damned knight to wake up.