After killing the goblin, Zephyr moved closer to examine the corpse. Though he felt disgusted, an innate curiosity urged him to study the creature. The goblin was much smaller than the average human, standing around four feet tall. Its facial features were eerily human but twisted—distorted versions of what they might have been.
Its sickly green skin was rough and patchy, and its slit-like cat eyes gave it a predatory look. A foul stench wafted from the body, as though the creature hadn't bathed since birth. Its armpits and private areas were covered with coarse hair, yet it was completely bald on its head. Zephyr shuddered at the sight but resisted the urge to examine the creature further. Despite his growing courage, it was already difficult to kill it as it looked eerily human.
Determined not to leave the body near the riverbank to contaminate the area, Zephyr willed flames concentrate and shoot out of his levitating fireball. Concentrating hard, he felt his Ether being drained as the flame brightened and shot out like a flamethrower. The goblin's corpse was engulfed in searing heat, vaporized entirely, leaving only ashes and the foul stench of burning flesh. Zephyr wrinkled his nose, wishing he had wind magic to disperse the smell.
With the goblin dealt with, Zephyr turned his attention to fishing.
He waded into the crystal-clear river, its cold water barely reaching his knees. The serene atmosphere tempted him to strip naked and swim, but he shook the thought away—this was not the time for leisure. Wielding his fireball for illumination, Zephyr stood still, waiting for fish to gather. After several minutes, he noticed small ripples as fish circled beneath the light of the fireball.
Zephyr steadied his breathing, activating his Perception to sense the exact positions of the fish. However, a slight shift of his leg scared them away, and they darted into the deeper parts of the river.
"Crap," he muttered under his breath.
Determined, Zephyr repeated the process, this time remaining completely motionless. As fish began to circle the fireball once more, he decided to act differently. Instead of moving closer, he concentrated his strength and threw his spear with explosive force. The spear became a blur as it struck the water with precision.
Zephyr rushed to the spot, a grin spreading across his face as he saw the spear quivering slightly. Pulling it up, he was delighted to see not one but two fish impaled on the tip, still struggling for life.
Pleased with his hard-earned success, Zephyr grabbed his spear and began the trek back to his makeshift camp on the hill. After an hour of navigating the forest, he reached his campsite, his legs aching but his spirits high.
Using his magic, he reignited the campfire and prepared the fish. After gutting and cleaning them, Zephyr skewered the fish on a sturdy stick and placed them over the flames. The pleasant aroma of roasting fish filled the air, and Zephyr's stomach growled in anticipation.
Satisfied with his progress, Zephyr lay down on the grass, staring up at the sky. The stars here were far brighter and clearer than anything he'd ever seen on Earth. The planet's moon, surrounded by a faint, glowing ring, added to the breathtaking view.
"What a day," Zephyr murmured to himself. It had undoubtedly been the craziest day of his life, filled with danger and discovery.
When the fish was ready, he eagerly retrieved them from the fire. He placed the cooked fish on a large leaf he had found earlier and began separating the meat. The taste reminded him of bland British food—completely lacking in seasoning—but he didn't care. Hunger overpowered his need for flavor, and he devoured both fish with relish.
With his hunger finally sated, Zephyr decided it was time to rest. Tomorrow would be another long day of traversing the forest in search of settlements. Crawling into his makeshift tent, his eyes fell on two books lying near his leather bag. Deciding they were worth a quick look before sleep, he reached for them, curiosity sparking once again.