'It was a close call.'
I barely made it back to my perch before the last glimpse of sun vanished behind the endless canopy. Any later and I'd have been trying to follow my tree markings in the dark—not exactly ideal when everything in this world seemed designed to kill you.
The Bloodberry's energy surge had worn off during the climb, leaving me with shaky limbs and that strange burning sensation in my throat.
Haa…
Another sigh escaped me. I'd been doing that a lot since coming to this world, though right now, it was less about frustration and more about the growing thirst.
Beep!
[Energy Surge: Expired]
[Status Effect: Mild Dehydration]
Even my fitness band was calling me out now.
Perfect.
* * *
The night passed slowly, each unfamiliar sound jolting me from my attempts to rest. Though, unlike the last time, no monsters announced their presence with growls or roars. Maybe this silver tree was more than just a convenient perch—something about it seemed to keep things away.
By the time dawn painted the sky in shades of grey, my throat felt like I had swallowed glass and my eyes burned from exhaustion. The Bloodberries might have solved hunger, but they'd left me with a far more pressing problem.
'Water first. Then we'll talk about food.'
A quick check of my phone showed 50% battery and no danger bars. At least something was going right.
The climb down was pure torture. My muscles screamed from yesterday's goblin-induced sprint, but I had a plan. Or at least, the beginning of one.
Rip. Crack.
"Oh come ON!"
Three mangled leaves and several curses later, I finally had something that could charitably be called a water container. The vines I'd spotted yesterday helped bind it together, and my trusty sharp stone (the one I had been using to mark the trees) had proved useful in cutting what I needed.
It was crude, but it would have to do.
Gurgle…
'Shut up!'
I told my stomach.
For now.
Thirst took priority.
I stared down the path that led to the stream—the same route where I'd encountered those goblins yesterday. My grip tightened around my makeshift bowl.
'No choice.'
I hardened my resolve and headed for the water clearing, following yesterday's marks.
The ten-minute walk stretched into thirty as I zigzagged between trees, ducking at every rustle of leaves, checking for those dreaded danger bars every few minutes.
Finally, the clearing came into view.
Shhhhh...
The stream's gentle sound was almost taunting now. I scanned the area - no movement, no danger-bars.
'Safe... for now.'
I approached the water, leaf bowl clutched tight.
Slurp... Gulp...
The first few sips went straight to my mouth.
"COUGH! COUGH!"
The sound echoed too loudly in the morning silence.
I froze.
'Seriously?! Who chokes on WATER?!'
No time to berate myself. I quickly filled the crude bowl and hurried back to the treeline. Some water sloshed over the crude edges, but I didn't stop to fix it.
Only once I was safely behind a thick trunk did I check my phone for those dreaded danger bars.
Nothing.
'Good. Now get ba—'
Then I saw it.
'Oh… fuck.'
There, in the soft earth, was a print that made my Bloodberry-enhanced strength feel like a joke. Something big had passed through here, recently enough that the edges were still sharp.
Beep!
[Status Effect: Adrenaline Surge]
[Movement Speed: Temporarily Enhanced]
More water splilled from my pathetic excuse for a bowl as I speed-walked—because running makes noise and noise brings death—back toward my silver tree.
Every few steps, I checked my phone. No bars. No bars. Still no bars. Please stay no bars.
* * *
I made it back.
Safely.
And that too, in half the usual time. I looked at my crude leaf bowl now holding barely enough water to mock a thirsty ant. I set it at the base of my tree.
'Can't take it up.'
Can barely climb with both hands.
"Now then..."
To the bigger problem. Food.
…
..
.
I couldn't fight hunger, but after yesterday's Bloodberry experience, I needed something safer. Checking my phone - still no bars - I headed in the opposite direction of both the water clearing and those treacherous berries.
Shutter-!
[Blurry image/poor lighting]:
[Photo Description]
Type: Flora - Growth
Name: Darkspore
Status: Fresh
[Properties]:
- Multiple clusters visible
- Black spots present
- Poisonous
⟨Clear image needed for detailed analysis.⟩
Another percent of battery wasted. Down to 46%.
I kept moving, scanning everything that looked even remotely edible. Found some nuts that looked like walnuts, but barely enough for a snack. Still, I collected them in my makeshift bag—my shirt with its end tied in a knot.
After an hour of finding nothing but inedible growth and suspicious-looking berries, I dragged myself back to my tree.
'Should I have gone for the Bloodberries instead?'
No. That was flawed thinking. They couldn't be stored, attracted monsters, and that burning throat sensation... definitely from those seeds.
'Let's try that direction.'
I turned right, toward the unexplored path.
The only path I hadn't taken.
About a hundred meters in, I spotted them—pale yellow fruits scattered beneath a massive tree. My heart leapt—but I forced myself to be cautious after the Bloodberry incident.
Shutter-!
[Blurry image/poor lighting]:
[Photo Description]
Type: Flora - Fruit
Name: Sundrops
Status: Fresh
[Properties]:
- Multiple specimens visible
- Natural ground fall
- Thick rind present
⟨Clear image needed for detailed analysis.⟩
'Goodness gracious.'
I was dumbfounded. After wasting an hour finding nothing but inedible growth in the other direction, here was what looked like a treasure trove.
Moving closer, I positioned one fruit in a better light.
Shutter-!
[Clear Image/Perfect Lighting/Full View]:
[Photo Description]
Type: Flora - Fruit
Name: Sundrop
Status: Fresh
[Properties]:
- Edibility: SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION
- Nutritional Value: Moderate
- Thick protective rind (must be peeled)
- Naturally preserving outer layer
- Can be stored for up to 7 days after falling
- Common food source for local settlements
Note: Rind provides natural protection against insects and small creatures.
Warning: None detected.
⟨A single specimen detected in frame.⟩
'Finally... something that won't kill me.'
Four percent of battery spent, but worth every bit. My makeshift sack—shirt with its end tied in a knot—was soon filled with waxy fruits.
'Why didn't I come here first?!'
I couldn't even check my battery level with my hands full, but mental math said 42%. In total, 8% were gone.
The battery drain hurt, but finding actually safe food made it worth it.
* * *
'Here goes nothing.'
I put down the makeshift sack slowly, still about thirty meters from my tree. Just for safety. The description didn't mention attracting forest creatures, but after the Bloodberries, I wasn't taking chances.
The tree gap looked perfect—a natural hollow worn smooth by time or weather.
I started transferring the Sundrops one by one, examining each carefully.
Damaged rinds went into a separate pile.
The rind peeled away easily beneath my fingers, revealing flesh that almost glowed in the filtered sunlight.
Gulp…
'Now or never.'
One tiny bite.
The taste was mild, almost bland compared to the Bloodberries' intense flavor. But right now, bland was exactly what I wanted.
I waited.
No burning throat.
No sudden energy surge.
No unwanted visitors.
Beep!
[Status Effect: Nourished]
[No additional effects detected]
'Just... normal food.'
Perfect.
Sometimes boring was better than exciting. Especially when exciting meant potentially deadly.