Finally. Finally, I was off that blasted mountain. My legs ached, my lungs burned, and my entire body felt like it had been dragged through the wringer. But I was alive. For now, at least.
I plopped down on a rock at the base of the mountain, taking deep breaths and relishing the sweet, sweet taste of oxygen. The air up top had been so thin, I'd been gasping like a fish out of water, so this felt like paradise by comparison.
"Alright, Taurus," I muttered to myself between breaths. "Step one: get off the mountain. Done. Step two…uh…" I trailed off, realizing that I had no idea what step two was. Survive, I guessed? Find food? Shelter? Make sense of this ridiculous world I'd found myself in?
I took a moment to think, and that's when a strange thought struck me. Something had been nagging at the back of my mind since I'd woken up on this icy peak, but I hadn't stopped to really process it until now.
My body. It didn't feel like my body.
Sure, it was responsive, agile, and I wasn't constantly gasping for breath or feeling like I was one step away from collapsing. But it was more than that. It just felt…different. Younger, almost. And, as much as I hated to admit it, maybe a little more…capable?
I pushed myself up from the rock and stretched, moving my arms and legs around to test the limits. Everything was smoother, less creaky, and my muscles didn't feel like they were rebelling against me for once. It was like I'd been given a brand-new set of wheels. Well, legs, but close enough.
"Alright, let's test this out," I said, looking around for something reflective. A mirror would've been nice, or even a shiny metal object. Heck, I'd have settled for a puddle or a shard of ice. But, naturally, there was nothing. Just rocks, dirt, and snow as far as the eye could see.
I groaned. Of course, I'd end up in a world where mirrors were as rare as common sense. I searched around in the snow, hoping to find a patch of ice, something that might at least give me a vague idea of what I looked like. But nope. Not a single, shiny thing in sight.
"Seriously?" I muttered, glaring at the ground like it was personally responsible for my misfortune. "Just my luck." Then I remembered my status screen. 1 in Luck. Well, that explained a lot.
I sighed, deciding that maybe a reflective surface wasn't in the cards right now. But even without a mirror, I could tell something was different. I mean, I hadn't felt this good in…well, ever. No shortness of breath, no aching joints, no nagging thoughts about whether I'd have to call an ambulance if I pushed myself too hard. This body was…nice.
Young.
Wait. Young? The thought hit me like a splash of cold water. Was I…younger?
The curiosity was too much. I couldn't just sit here wondering. I had to know. My mind raced as I got up, scanning the horizon for anything that could give me a reflection. That's when I noticed a thick forest of oddly-shaped trees stretching out in front of me. Maybe, just maybe, there'd be a lake or a pond in there. It was a long shot, but it was all I had.
Driven by a sudden surge of excitement (and, okay, a bit of vanity), I set off toward the forest. I wove through the trees, my feet crunching over dead leaves and sticks, feeling more energized than I had in years. This body, whatever it was, felt rejuvenated, strong. And if I really was younger…well, I had to see it for myself.
I walked and walked, losing track of time as I searched for water. Every now and then, I'd spot a patch of snow or a damp spot on the ground, and I'd rush over, only to find that it was just…more snow. Not helpful.
After what felt like hours, I finally stumbled upon a glimmer of light between the trees. A lake. An actual, real-life lake, with clear, still water that reflected the sky like a mirror.
"Oh, thank whatever cruel god put me here," I muttered, practically sprinting toward the shore. I dropped to my knees by the water, cupping my hands to take a sip. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was until that moment. The water was icy cold, but it tasted like the best thing I'd ever had. Crisp, refreshing, like it had been waiting there just for me.
After gulping down several handfuls, I finally got a good look at my reflection. And…wow. Just…wow.
It wasn't my face staring back at me. I mean, it was, kind of, but also…not? The guy looking back at me was younger, maybe in his twenties, with sharper features, a jawline that could cut glass, and eyes that were…well, let's just say they had a certain sparkle to them that my old, tired eyes definitely didn't have.
And the hair. Thick, dark, slightly tousled in that "I woke up like this" way that only really good-looking people could pull off. I looked like one of those annoyingly attractive characters from a fantasy RPG. If I hadn't known better, I would've thought someone had photoshopped me.
"Holy…I'm…handsome," I muttered, stunned. I ran a hand over my face, feeling the smooth skin, the lack of wrinkles, the youthful energy practically radiating off of me. This wasn't just a new body. This was an upgrade.
I grinned, flashing my reflection a smile that would've made my old dentist proud. "Take that, every jerk who ever called me a four out of ten in high school," I said, admiring my new and improved self. "Bet they'd be eating their words if they saw me now."
I took a few moments to bask in my own good looks, posing a little in the water's reflection, flexing my arms and making faces like an idiot. It felt good. For once, I didn't feel like the sickly guy with a laundry list of medical problems. I felt…well, I felt like someone who might actually have a shot at this whole "new life" thing.
Then, my stomach growled, loud enough to scare off a few nearby birds.
"Right. Of course," I muttered, clutching my stomach. "New body, same appetite." I'd been so caught up in admiring myself that I'd forgotten about the basic necessities. Food. The body may have been rejuvenated, but it apparently still needed fuel. And, judging by the intensity of that growl, it needed it now.
I looked around, hoping to spot something edible, maybe some berries or a rabbit I could chase down (though, let's be real, I was way too squeamish to catch my own meat). But all I saw were trees, bushes, and more trees. Not exactly a buffet.
"Great," I sighed, standing up and dusting off my cloak. "Guess it's time to go hunting for food. Or foraging. Or…whatever people do in survival situations."
I took one last look at my reflection, giving myself a nod of approval. "Alright, handsome," I said, smirking. "Time to put those good looks to use and find something to eat."
With that, I set off deeper into the forest, hoping my one point in Luck wouldn't completely ruin my chances of finding a meal.