"Zzzzz"

'Hmm?'

I opened my eyes to this strange sound, to my surprise, i found a fly near my face and looking at me.

"Ahh!"

I couldn't help but let out a small scream, i mean who wouldn't be surprised when the first thing he see after waking up is a fly the size of a cat looking at him affectionately.

Without thinking too much, i grabbed the dagger that was on the wooden table and thrust it into the fly's head.

Luckily i put my stuff nearby before sleeping, although sleeping on a chair is not comfortable.

"I'm pretty sure i closed all the gaps, how did this one enter i wonder"

Without caring too much about the green blood splashed on my clothes, i stood up and went to the window, checking if there is anything wrong , as for why i have a dagger.

"This damn forest is full of all kind of stuff, which idiot built this damn cabin here"

I couldn't help but sigh, just a week ago i was enjoying myself in a modern world and playing a crappy mobile game during my lunch break, then the next second i found myself in this unfamiliar yet familiar forest, near an abandoned building.

It was none other than the first map of that crappy mobile game, which i played just to pass the time, and slightly just because the female characters look attractive, the main reason was because i was bored.

With nothing on me but my clothes, i entered this shabby and abandoned hunter cabin and claim it, luckily there were some tools here and a few weapons, well i mean a bow and twenty arrows, which is good enough.

I couldn't move away from here because i don't know the way, the game just put you in a different area when you teleport, with no detailed explanation of the way out or something like this, you just click on the map and it's done.

The only thing i can call a cheat here is when i pick any object, a small dot will appear in the middle of my field of vision, i tried shooting some arrows at the wall to confirm it, and it works well, i just need to increase my archery skills.

And i don't know if the idiot who built this cabin think that this place is not suitable, he dug a well behind this shabby building and connect a pipe to it and put it inside the cabin.

"If i didn't know the plot i would really sit outside and appreciate the flowers nearby"

While muttering to myself, i start organizing my thoughts and remembering as much as i can from the plot.

"This is the seventh day here, and if this continue I'm going to feed on this damn insects till i become one"

That's right, I've been eating all kind of bugs this past days, i open the window when the sun is at the highest point , and those brainless bugs will come and hide inside this cabin to cool down.

The reason is so simple, I'm scared to go outside.

The reason I'm afraid to go outside is because this forest is not something an ordinary guy like me should enter, during the day it's filled with all kind of bugs and predators, which i think it's normal because it's a huge forest, however the problem is at night.

"Scratch on the window huh, luckily I fixed all the gaps"

I put my hand on the window and observed it carefully.

"Not so deep, which mean it's a low level ghost"

That's right, at night this forest becomes the territory of supernatural creatures, be it ghosts, zombies, werewolves, name it you have it here, and what's so tricky here is the poison in the air.

Although i didn't fight the monster myself, i witnessed with my own eyes how easily a low level zombie tore apart some wolves from my window, i didn't dare to gamble with my life, and as i have a basic understanding of those monsters from the game, i can flee if I'm prepared or maybe even killing that zombie i saw if i had enough flammable weapons, or materials.

"You didn't think i would use this poison to my own advantage, brainless monsters"

I laughed while looking at the forest.

The poison in the air is the kind that won't hurt at first, you won't feel it if you just inhale it for a short amount of time, however if you stay here for a long period, this poison will make you dizzy and fall asleep, which is an end game directly in this forest.

While falling asleep outside and inhaling more and more poison, you won't wake up at all and the night will come, which mean you're a free meal to those monsters at night, so you'd better hope you will meet a friendly vampire or something, otherwise there is no way for you.

That's why i closed every gap in this shabby place to prevent poison from getting in, and what i do everyday is inhaling some and eat those bugs that live in this forest and are accustomed to this poison, which in return let me have a deep sleep at night and skipping this horrible time and not seeing any single monster.

"I can camp here till the end of time, but I'm afraid it's not possible"

As i recall the plot, i recognize this cabin was seen in the first plot when the protagonist found a skeleton in a weird bone armor near this shabby cabin in a small flowers garden, and i remember it perfectly because it's the kind of thing you encounter in every game where you pick a weapon for free.

That's right, that skeleton is me, and my loot is exactly the bow and those twenty arrows.

"Just kidding, i wouldn't dare to step outside until the protagonist come"

I went to the wooden table and disassembled the fly, took everything edible and put it aside, then picked those hard parts and put them aside, as for the useless organs, just throw it into the toilet.

"With this few bones, my breastplate is completed"

I realized that insects here have some hard shells and something like bones inside of them, part of it is harder than every tool here, which made me think that maybe i can use it, to my surprise, after butchering tons of bugs this week, i got enough of those hard bones to make a breastplate, then reinforced it with those hard shells as well, can't say no to anything extra at this point, my safety is my top priority.

"It's…useless like this, i need to fill the space between the ribs, it's finally the shells turn"

I took everything and went near the fireplace, breaking the shells and using fire to melt them at the edge to make it stick, it was a bit tricky because it kept turning into a powder if heated for too long, luckily i had a lot of it so i finished the job before the sun rise to the highest point.

"Now this look neat, and it fit perfectly"

I put it on and tried to move, it's not hindering my movement in the slightest.

Satisfied with my work, i went and opened the window, waiting for my food delivery, because one fly can't fill my stomach, and i need enough food for lunch and dinner.

"Strange….."

There was no flies or mosquitoes rushing into the cabin, rather it was so quiet.

"Not good"

I closed the window, ran to the table and picked the dagger, put the bow around me and picked the quiver that contain those twenty arrows.

"As far as i can remember, it was mentioned that before a monster wave hit, every creature in the forest will reduce his activity range, what a pit, the protagonist is not even here yet"

I couldn't help but lament my bad luck, i found the bag that i patched the last day and wrapped the edible meat i got from the fly in some old cloth and put it in the bag, then hanged it around my wrist and opened the door.

"Time to escape"

As I walked a few meters away from the cabin, i heard a strange noise coming from the front, i say strange because it's not the usual mosquitoes and flies buzzing.

"This is…Metal clashing?"

I know this should well enough because it's the same sound as the one made by my dagger when i tried to test the hardness of those bones.

Without thinking much, i start sprinting towards the source of the sound, because metals mean people, and people means that they know the exit here.

"Strange, i didn't know i can run this fast"

Not bothering much about my increasing speed, i followed the sound and crossed many bushes and jumped on many pits, a and finally i found the source.

"Three people…seems familiar….. hmm that little guy who looks like a swordsman and little girl who wield a wand, and that big girl who seems like a knight....wait a damn second"

I feel a deja vu here, where did i see this scene i wonder.

"I remember, it's the first battle after meeting the first companions, but it's more appropriate to say he's just protecting the small girl so the knight can fight properly...…so it's still at the start of the story…"

What this three were fighting is a bunch of wolves, the same kind of wolves i saw that day from my window.

"But, that skeleton they found was during their way to stop the monster wave, which mean i died so early"

I was a bit sad, i was a background character without even the basic lore.

While i was observing from the bushes, the wolf that was fighting the knight turned his head towards me, same for the rest, and i saw their nose moving.

"Damn"

I forget I'm splashed with blood, i didn't think much because i always wash my clothes from blood after eating dinner and falling asleep as soon as possible on that chair and wooden table.

The knight took this opportunity to slash the head of the wolf fighting her, thus gaining a small advantage, as for the rest, they turned their heads and continued the fight.

"Alright, not sure what's going on but i hope this twenty arrows are enough"

I picked the bow, and that dot appeared, with it I aimed at the head of the nearby wolf, stretched the string as fas as i can, then fired.

"Huh??"

I didn't make this sound, it was the guy protecting the mage who made it.

I mean I'm surprised too, that wolf's head exploded like a watermelon.

"Headshot, next"

I started firing like crazy, before the wolves even realized what's going on, i took down five wolves with a headshot, my hit rate ratio was 1:3.

"Alright, i guess i got a bit carried away"

The remains four wolves split, two attacked the knight and the other two galloped toward the bush where i was hiding.

"Damn, no other choice now, i hope this dagger is strong enough"

I picked my dagger and jumped out of the bush, i used that dot and aimed at one of them, the moment they lunged at me, i thrust my dagger toward one of them.

I aimed at the throat, as for the other, i let him bite my rib cage armor.

"Huh? So soft?"

I was surprised how i easily tore the wolf throat, it was like cutting paper, then without thinking too much, i hit the wolf biting my armor in the forehead, directly shattering his brain.

"Am i..strong or what?"

While murmuring to myself and looking at my hands, the trio killed the remaining two wolves, then looked at my direction.

"Who are you?"

The knight looked at me with vigilance in her eyes while standing in front of the small duo.

I didn't know how to answer for a second, then i just start talking nonsense.

"I'm a ranger, i happens to pass by and heard a fight, so i decided to lend a hand"

The knight nodded, apparently buying it.

I made a victory sign behind me.

"Bullshit, Ranger? Here? And passing by? I will give you another chance, who are you?"

Huh? So hard? It's not like I'm going to fight or something…..now that i think about it, the small girl behind her is the princess of a nearby country, the small boy is the protagonist, and this knight is the personal bodyguard of the princess, so she think I'm someone who have ulterior moved huh.

So i decided to come clean.

"I'm actually lost here, I've been stuck in this forest for days, i couldn't find the exit at all, that's why, i came here hoping to find the way out"

I didn't lie, so i think this will work.

"Lost is it? This is more reasonable lie than the first, how can someone get lost in this forest with clear path? Unless you're an idiot"

I'm starting to get angry, i spawned in the middle of the forest ok? Damn, the protagonist didn't spend a minute and is already close to that princess, yet here i am getting questioned by her bodyguard, unfair.

Resisting the urge to curse her, i opened my arms and answered honestly.

"I'm really lost here miss knight, as you can see, my tattered clothes are proof of this"

Finally, she looked at my attire and seems to believe it a little, after all I'm wearing that rib cage armor on top of my shirt, and my pants is filled with holes because i just ran through a lot of tree branches that tear it apart.

"Fine, thanks for your help"

Apparently, that Princess behind her whispered something to her, which let her trust my words a little.

"Stranger, what's your name?"

I bent down to skin the wolves that i killed with dagger, not sure why but it became something like a reflex, when i see a corpse i want to dissemble it, damn those bugs, its all their fault.

"Gunavor"

I said while skinning the wolf, that name was the ID i use in every game i play, so i decided to go with it.

"Gunavor, it's nice to meet you, my name is Silvia Larse, this here is Blaire Nightshade, and this one is Edward Wither"

I know, i even know your parents.

I nodded my head at the princess who introduced herself and her team, the pink haired princess with green eyes, the brown haired protagonist with blue eyes, as for her bodyguard, her dark purple hair was tied into a ponytail, and her red eyes were glaring daggers at me.

"Nice to meet you, i hope there is no misunderstanding between us"

While answering politely, i kept walking from corpse to corpse, after butchering the first wolf, i got the hang of it and realized where to cut and where to pull.

"It's fine, but…. What are you doing Mister?"

"Looting"

I answered without much thoughts.

______________________________

"Princess, are you sure you want to bring him with us? I don't mean to doubt you, but this guy….doesn't look like a good man"

Blaire couldn't help but look at this black haired guy with brown eyes while asking Silvia.

"Relax, my necklace isn't glowing, which mean he's not targeting us"

Silvia stroked the necklace she's wearing, this is some kind of ill intentions director, be it killing intent or any bad thoughts aimed at the wearing will make the necklace glow.

"And beside, don't judge a book by it's cover Blaire"

The princess smiled at her bodyguard.

"Hey Blaire, you're just too cautious, why not relax like me and Silvia"

Edward added his opinion, which result in a nod from Silvia and a grumble reply from Blaire.

"Shut it"

Blaire just glanced at Edward and replied annoyingly.

"Errr guys, do you by any chance have an extra big bag?"

The trio looked at Gunavor who scratched his head awkwardly.

"I can't drag all this parts with me"

The princess just throw a big bag at him out of nowhere.

"Inventory…No it's called portable storage, so envious"

While murmuring to himself, Gunavor packed all the hides and meat and all the hard bones from those wolves, leaving the useless organs and other waste for others animals to clean.

"I'm ready, when are you guys going to leave this forest?"

Blaire looked at him weirdly, then asked strangely.

"Leave? Who said we're leaving?"

Gunavor paused then took a few seconds to react.

"Huh??? Are you serious? Don't you know how dangerous this place is? Especially at night??"

Silvia just nodded and answered him.

"We know, it's just….lately the annoying bugs that always harass the nearby villages have disappeared for no reason, we're here to investigate the reason, and if this is related to a new monster wave"

_____________________________

I stopped for a few seconds, letting her words sink in.

'No no no no no, it can't be me right?'

I though to myself, i didn't eat all the bugs here right?

So pretending to be an idiot, i asked again.

"I see, so you're going deep into the forest?"

"Basically yes"

Blaire answered my question and patted me on the shoulder.

"So, see you later"

Huh?

Before I understand what's going on, Silvia raised her voice.

"Blaire, Don't be so rude, don't forget that he helped us"

"Fine Fine, you can tag along, but remember, you must walk before me, and no funny tricks, understood?"

I nodded dumbfounded, then as i watched them move forward, i shouted.

"Wait for me"

Maybe it wasn't the wisest choice to skin those wolves, as I'm now carrying a big bag on my shoulder, thus only one hand is free, which I'm holding s dagger with.

"You guys should probably wear a mask, piece of cloth will do, the air here is a bit poisonous"

I reminded them kindly while moving at the front, can't let the protagonist team die can i?.

"You don't need to worry about that"

Hmm right, i forget that this guys are quite rich, so it's normal to have a few accessories with negative effects resistant or something, poor me, luckily i know how to breath steadily here and how to prevent inhaling too much poison after living here for a weak.

"By the way, are we going to walk forward like this?"

"Otherwise?"

Blaire behind me always replies to me when i open my mouth, it's not like i harmed you or something, so i just shut up and keep walking at the front.

An hour passed while walking like this, the trio chat from time to time, but as I'm a stranger to them, i decided to play it cool and avoid any awkward conversations.

"Stop"

Blaire held my shoulder and whispered.

"What's wrong?"

I responded in a low voice.

"We're nearby, see that bushes, an ominous aura is coming from there, that's our target"

Aura? I don't feel a thing.

"Can you guys pick this bag for me? I can't fight well with one hand"

I asked the trio, and the princess nodded and hide the bag in the same way she took it out before.

"Thanks"

I took a deep breath, then looked at Blaire.

"Attack together?"

She smacked my back with her hand.

"Idiot, let's sneak there"

Oh, i thought she meant to jump directly and fight or something.

Thus we sneaked into the bushes, i made a small gap to see what's going on.

There stood a strange creature that looks like a dried tree wearing a black robe.

That creature was standing in a flat ground, apparently waiting for something.

"Shaman??"

I was confused, this is an orc shaman, as far as i can remember, this guy is the kind of villain that cause troubles all the way, then get beaten up in a fight in the middle of the game.

No no no, that's not the point, the point is.

'I actually made the protagonist notice the monster wave before it even starts, hey no wonder this old guy is here, he's the mastermind of most of the monsters riots in the game'

"I will jump and you guys attack him from the—mhfmhhm"

Blaire put her hands on my mouth and whispered.

"Be quite, this is not something we should face recklessly, did you lose your brain because of this aura? Calm down"

I was confused, what aura, i want to see it too, surprisingly she talked to me in a gentle tone, it really seems like I'm some kind of mentally retardant person.

"Alright, whatever you say"

I couldn't help but chuckle, why the unnecessary drama, this guy may look strong, but he's a crispy mage with low health and defense, the kind of summoner that hide behind his beasts and run at the slightest disadvantage.

"Silvia, Edward, and you…. err Gunhead"

"It's Gunavor Miss"

"Yes, that's it, anyway, i will go to the north , Edward go to the west and Silvia go to the east, you Gunavor stay here, this way that scary creature will be trapped in the middle by us, then i will approach him and attract his attention, while you guys attack from all the side, understood?"

We all nodded, after all I'm just a guest here.

Thus the team split, moving in the bushes and heading to their location.

I was a bit excited as this is my first proper fight, after all no matter how weak this guy is in my memory, this is a real life, maybe he got some tricks up in his sleeves this time.

"Strange, why is he looking at my side?"

I noticed that the moment i was alone, the shaman looked at my place directly, thus it hit me.

"Damn, they have some stuff to hide their presence, i was shielded when i was with them, now it seems I'm discovered"

To my surprise, before i jump out of the bush, the shaman suddenly spoke.

"Finally, did you bring any good news my minion?"

Huh??

'Am i a traitor or what?'

__________________________________

"I know it, damn we almost fell into his trap, that's why i told you to not trust anyone easily princess, especially that kind of guy who look like a bandit"

Blaire smiled after hearing what the shaman said, proving her point to Silvia and Edward beside her, that's right, they didn't separate at all, it's just an act to test the water.

"So, what to do?"

Edward was confused, even thought he didn't feel like Gunavor was a bad guy, he still trust his current companions more than a stranger.

"What else, of course watch the show, beside he won't think we're together, so let's gather as much information"

While they were waiting for Gunavor to jump up and talk to his seemingly boss, Gunavor was confused more than anyone.

It was not until the shaman start walking toward him that he woke up.

"What's wrong? Are you injured, that's why i hate lowly minions like you, can't even do your job properly, i chose you because you can fly, but a worthless bug will remain a worthless bug"

This time, the four people hidden all have suspicions about what's going one.

"Come, let me see you"

The Shame was less than a meter away from Gunavor in the bush.

___________________________________

I see, fly is it.

I looked at the small bag at my waist, plus the smell of that fly's dried blood on my shirt, it all make sense now.

The minion this guy refer to is that fly i killed this morning, the smells of it's kin in that cabin was strong, that's why it was attracted by it, as for how it entered the cabin, probably from a new gab formed after a ghost attack or zombie.

'Just a few more steps'

I waited for the shaman to step a little closer, so i can guarantee my hit.

'It's Now'

The moment he was away from me by four steps, i jumped from the bush and aimed at the throat, like a mosquito, i hit him as hard as i can.

"How can it be-gaaaaaaaaah"

The shaman was confused when he saw me instead of his minion, then before he could react, my dagger already pierced his throat.

"Gaaah, haaa"

Holding his throat, he tried to talk but no use, seeing the blood flowing like a fountain, he tried to activate a spell.

"Not on my watch"

I stabbed him many times in the exposed area of his chest, face, and even his hand, i know this guy is slippy like a loch, but i ain't letting a boss like him escape.

"Haa"

I spent more than three minutes stabbing him, even if he's not twitching anymore.

It was not until footsteps emerged from my side.

"That's enough, there is children here"

Oh crap, i forget.

__________________________________

"You're…not a local right?"

'I couldn't help but think so, because if so this guy must've been famous seeing his skill so far'

While closing Silvia's eyes, Blaire thoughts about a lot of scenarios in her head.

"Like i said Miss, I'm really lost here, i couldn't find my way out of this forest"

Gunavor said honestly, at this point he just wanted to get out of this forest before nightfall.

"Alright, then what was that about? We all heard what this creature said"

This time, Edward raised his hand and asked.

"I also want to know"

With no other choice, Gunavor couldn't help but tell them his deeds in the past week.

"I see, so he mistook you for his subordinate, no wonder no insect was seen this whole time, it appears that you took care of them all alone"

Silvia removed Blaire hands from her eyes, and nodded to Gunavor explanation.

"Well, that ominous aura disappeared, it seems our job is done here"

Blaire waved her hand and pushed Silvia and Edward in the same way they came from.

Stooping in her tracks, she said before turning her head.

"Gunavor, come too, you deserve a decent meal at least———STOP, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??"

Hearing her shout, Gunavor stopped the dagger a few inches away from the shaman body.

"Looting?"

"IDIOT, DON'T YOU DARE, COME QUICKLY BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND"

"Alright alright, but i will take his robe"

With that said, Gunavor took the shaman robe and put it on himself.

"Hey luckily i didn't stab the robe too"

The robe front part is exposed, making that rib cage armor exposed, while hiding the rest of the body.

"Let's go, I'm ready"

With that said, he followed the team, wishing to get out of this forest as fast as possible.

"You look more suspicious now"

Blaire couldn't help but give a remark.

"Trust me, this is called fashion, you won't understand it, right Edward?"

"Ahahaha, i don't think so Mister Gunavor"

"Pfff, fashion is it"

While chatting and laughing, the group left the corpse of the shaman with only a piece of cloth that cover his private part, as for what would happen to the corpse, it will of course be a free meal for the night dwellers.

___________________________________

"Can't believe I'm breathing fresh air again"

I can finally see a settlement, a human settlement, great.

I couldn't help but take a deep breath, also it seems the trio kinda trust me now, as i was about to chat with them and i enjoyed the chat, haven't talked to a human since a week ago.

"Eh, you're so weird Gunavor"

Blaire gave me a remark, to which i just chuckled in response.

"Anyway, welcome to Wither city Mister Gunavor"

Edward opened his arms and said this near the big gate of this city walls.

"Thanks"

Thus, we stepped into this city while everyone of us has different thoughts.

_________

As we stepped through the city gates, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Finally, after a whole week of eating bugs and hiding in that cursed forest, I was back in civilization.

The streets of Wither City were busy, lined with people of all kinds—merchants shouting out deals, armored guards patrolling, and street performers attracting small crowds. It was like stepping into a fantasy game for real, except this time, I wasn't the player sitting comfortably behind a screen.

As I took in my surroundings, Silvia, the pink-haired princess, turned to me with a polite smile.

"You must be tired, Mister Gunavor. Would you like to rest at an inn? Or perhaps… you'd prefer to visit the guild?"

Ah, right. The classic adventurer's guild. If this world followed the same mechanics as the game, then the guild was the place where quests were taken, ranks were assigned, and strong fighters gathered. But I was dead broke. No money, no proper status, and wearing a looted robe over a homemade rib cage armor. Not exactly the best first impression.

"I appreciate the offer, Princess Silvia," I said, keeping my voice respectful, "but before anything else, I need to figure out what to do next. I've been living like a savage for days, so… I wouldn't mind earning some money first."

Blaire, the knight who had been suspicious of me the whole time, scoffed. "At least you know your place. You should wash up first. You smell like a dead animal."

I raised an eyebrow. "Considering I've been skinning wolves, that's probably accurate."

Edward, the protagonist, chuckled. "Don't mind Blaire. She's just cautious. Anyway, if you need money, why not come with us to the guild? You can sign up as an adventurer, and maybe we'll even take a quest together."

Huh. A chance to stick with the main characters? That was tempting. In the game, the protagonist's party always got involved in major events, which meant loot, experience, and safety in numbers. But it also meant trouble.

And if my theory was correct—that I was meant to be that skeleton they found in the original story—then sticking around them might be the only way to avoid my original fate.

"Alright," I nodded. "Let's check out the guild."

——

The adventurer's guild was exactly what I expected. A large, rowdy building filled with mercenaries, warriors, and mages, all boasting about their exploits. The smell of ale, sweat, and steel filled the air.

A large wooden board covered in parchment lined one wall—the quest board. Adventurers gathered around it, arguing over the best jobs.

As we entered, a few people glanced at our group. More specifically, at Silvia. The moment they recognized her, most of them quickly looked away, whispering among themselves.

A princess entering the guild wasn't normal, huh?

I ignored the stares and followed the trio to the front desk, where a receptionist greeted us with a professional smile.

"Welcome, Lady Silvia, Sir Edward, Lady Blaire. And…?"

"This is Gunavor," Silvia introduced me. "He wishes to register as an adventurer."

The receptionist glanced at me, eyeing my tattered clothes and makeshift armor, before nodding. "Of course. Please fill out this form and provide a drop of blood for verification."

Verification, huh? That must be how they confirm someone's identity to prevent criminals from sneaking in.

I took the form, quickly scanning through it. Name, age, place of origin… yeah, I was making most of this up.

Name: Gunavor

Age: 22 (No idea if this body was actually 22, but whatever, my mental age is.)

Origin: …Unknown

Yeah, let's just keep it vague.

After pricking my finger and letting a drop of blood fall onto the paper, the receptionist nodded and placed it into a strange crystal orb. The orb glowed faintly, then dimmed.

"No criminal record. You are now officially registered as an adventurer."

Nice.

The receptionist handed me a wooden plate with my name carved into it. "This is your rank. As a new adventurer, you start at the lowest rank, G. Complete quests to rank up."

I took the plate, giving it a quick spin in my fingers. Wooden, huh? In the game, ranks were color-coded—wood for G-rank, copper for F, and so on, all the way to platinum.

"Any recommendations for a first quest?" I asked.

Silvia hummed, tapping her chin. "Something simple… Oh, how about this one?" She pulled a parchment from the board and handed it to me.

Quest: Exterminate the Giant Rats in Wither City's Warehouse District

Reward: 3 Silver Coins per rat

Rats, huh? Classic.

"Well?" Blaire crossed her arms. "Too much for you?"

I smirked. "Just point me to the warehouse."

——

Minutes later, I found myself in a dark, musty warehouse, armed with my bow and dagger. Silvia and the others had decided to watch from a distance, probably curious about my skills.

I crouched low, listening for movement. The quest said "giant" rats, but how big were we talking?

Then, I heard it.

A faint rustling. A pair of glowing red eyes peered at me from the shadows.

Then another.

Then… ten more.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Alright. Let's see how well this dot works indoors."

I raised my bow and fired.

Thwack!

The arrow sailed through the air, guided by that familiar dot in my vision, and struck the first rat square between the eyes. The oversized rodent let out a shriek before collapsing in a heap.

The rest of the pack froze for a second, their beady red eyes fixating on me.

Then they charged.

I wasted no time. I reached for another arrow, pulling the string back and letting it loose. Thwack! Another rat down.

But they were fast.

By the time I fired my third arrow, the rest had already closed half the distance.

"Tch."

I slung my bow over my shoulder, drew my dagger, and braced myself.

The first rat lunged, its jagged teeth aiming for my leg. I sidestepped and slashed downward, cutting deep into its neck. Before it could even screech, I kicked it aside and turned to the next one.

Another jumped, aiming for my chest.

I let it.

The rat's teeth clamped down on my rib cage armor with a sickening crunch, but just like the wolf from before, its fangs couldn't pierce through.

"Bad choice."

I grabbed the rat's head with one hand and stabbed it through the eye with the other.

By now, the remaining rats were starting to hesitate. Animals weren't stupid—when they saw too many of their own dying, survival instincts kicked in.

Unfortunately for them, I wasn't about to let them run.

I dashed forward, driving my dagger into another rat's skull. Another tried to flee, but I grabbed it by the tail and slammed it against the ground before finishing it off.

One more left.

The last rat turned to scurry away, but before it could disappear into the shadows, a blue bolt of energy shot past me and struck it in the back.

Boom!

The rat exploded into a mess of blood and fur.

I turned around to see Silvia lowering her wand, a satisfied look on her face.

"That was impressive," she said as she approached.

Edward and Blaire followed behind her, stepping into the warehouse.

"You fight like a beast," Edward added, grinning. "Where did you learn to move like that?"

"Survival instinct," I replied, shaking the blood off my dagger.

Blaire crossed her arms, still giving me that skeptical look. "I'll admit, you're skilled. But you don't fight like an archer. Your movements are… savage."

I shrugged. "I make do with what I have."

Silvia, ignoring Blaire's complaints, clapped her hands together. "In any case, great job! You just made some money, Mister Gunavor."

I looked down at the rat corpses. Three silver per rat, and I just took out… eight? Nine?

Not bad.

Edward tossed me a small cloth bag filled with coins. "Here. Your first payment as an adventurer."

I caught the bag and shook it a little, listening to the satisfying jingle of silver.

"Thanks," I said, tucking it into my pouch.

Silvia smiled. "So, what will you do next? Will you keep taking quests, or…?"

Good question.

I could keep doing simple quests and build up some money. That'd be the safest option.

But something told me that sticking with these three was the better choice.

If the story was playing out like in the game, then trouble was always going to follow them. And if I wanted to avoid becoming that skeleton they found in the future…

Then I had to get stronger. Fast.

I glanced at the trio, then smirked.

"I think I'll stick around for a while."

Silvia's eyes lit up at my response, while Edward gave me a firm nod. Blaire, on the other hand, sighed like she had just received the worst news of her life.

"Tch. Great. Another stray following us around," she muttered under her breath.

I grinned. "Oh, don't worry, Miss Blaire. I promise I won't get in your way. If anything, I'll make sure you don't have to work too hard."

Blaire shot me a glare, but before she could retort, Silvia clapped her hands.

"Wonderful! In that case, we should prepare. We'll be heading out tomorrow morning."

"Heading out?" I raised an eyebrow.

Silvia nodded. "To the eastern region. There have been reports of strange activity near the old ruins there. Monsters behaving unnaturally, disappearances in nearby villages… we suspect it might be connected to what we found in the forest."

So they were moving toward the next part of the story already. In the game, the protagonist and his group uncovered a hidden cult operating in the ruins, responsible for controlling monster waves across the region.

That meant stronger enemies. And a bigger chance of dying if I wasn't careful.

"Do we know what kind of enemies we're dealing with?" I asked.

Edward shook his head. "Not yet. But we'll find out soon enough."

Blaire crossed her arms. "If you're coming with us, you'd better not slow us down."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said with a smirk.

Silvia smiled. "Then it's settled. Get some rest, everyone. We leave at sunrise."

——

I spent the rest of the evening gathering supplies.

With the silver I earned, I managed to buy a proper leather chestplate to replace my… unique rib cage armor. The merchant gave me a weird look when I asked if he wanted to buy it.

"No, I do not want your pile of bones, sir," he had said, horrified.

Oh well.

I also picked up a whetstone for my dagger, a small supply of dried rations, and a spare quiver of arrows. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep me going.

After finishing my errands, I returned to the small inn where Silvia had arranged rooms for us.

I had barely sat down on the bed when exhaustion hit me like a brick.

For the first time in a week, I was sleeping on something that wasn't a wooden chair.

And for the first time in a week…

I didn't have to keep one eye open, waiting for something to kill me in my sleep.

——

The next morning.

I woke up before sunrise out of pure habit.

Despite the comfort of an actual bed, my body was still used to the survival mindset I had developed in the forest.

After a quick wash and making sure my gear was ready, I stepped outside.

Silvia and Edward were already waiting by the city gates, chatting with a group of armored men.

Blaire was leaning against a wall nearby, sharpening her sword. She glanced up when she saw me approaching.

"Hmph. At least you're not late," she muttered.

"I'd never keep you waiting, Miss Blaire," I said with a mock bow.

She rolled her eyes.

Silvia turned to me with a bright smile. "Good morning, Gunavor! We're just finishing up some preparations."

I nodded toward the armored men. "Who are they?"

"They'll be escorting us to the ruins," Edward explained. "The city's guards have been investigating the area but haven't returned. These men volunteered to assist us."

I scanned the group. They looked competent enough. But something about this felt… off.

In the game, the protagonist and his group had gone to the ruins alone. There were no city guards involved.

Which meant…

Something was different.

And I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

"Well," I said, adjusting my bow, "let's get going."

Silvia nodded. "Let's."

And with that, we set off toward the ruins—toward the next part of the story.

And toward whatever new danger was waiting for us there.

The journey to the ruins took most of the morning.

The path was mostly quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant cries of birds. The city guards accompanying us marched with discipline, their armor clanking softly with each step.

Silvia and Edward chatted lightly, while Blaire kept her usual watchful glare on everything.

I, on the other hand, kept my attention on the road ahead.

Something didn't sit right with me.

In the game, this mission had been a turning point—the moment the protagonist and his party realized they were up against more than just random monster attacks. It was when the cult's influence was first revealed.

But the city hadn't sent guards in the original timeline.

That meant something had changed.

And I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

——

By midday, we reached the outskirts of the ruins.

The place was exactly as I remembered—an ancient, crumbling temple overrun with vines and moss. Stone pillars stood like broken teeth, cracked and worn by time. A massive entrance loomed ahead, the doors slightly ajar, as if inviting us inside.

The moment we arrived, the air changed.

It was subtle, but I felt it—the same way you feel when something is watching you from the dark.

Blaire must have felt it too, because her hand immediately went to her sword.

Edward, ever the optimistic protagonist, grinned. "Well, we're here. Let's check it out."

Before we could take a step forward, the captain of the city guards held up a hand.

"This is where we part ways," he said.

Silvia frowned. "What do you mean?"

The captain sighed. "Our orders were to escort you here and ensure your safety. But this place… it's not normal. My men and I can feel it. Something is wrong inside. We will wait here and guard the entrance."

Cowards.

But… that was probably for the best. If something went wrong, at least we had people outside who could report back to the city.

Silvia nodded, understanding their hesitation. "Alright. We won't force you. But be ready in case we need backup."

With that settled, we stepped inside.

——

The moment we entered, I knew we had walked into something bad.

The air was thick—almost heavy. The kind of air that clings to your skin and makes it hard to breathe.

The torches along the walls flickered weakly, casting long, eerie shadows.

And then there was the smell.

Not just dust and decay. But something else.

Something… rotten.

"Stay close," Blaire warned, her voice barely above a whisper.

No one argued.

As we ventured deeper, we reached what looked like a ritual chamber.

The walls were covered in strange markings—symbols I didn't recognize. At the center of the room, a large stone altar stood, stained dark with something I didn't want to think about.

But what really caught my attention…

Were the bodies.

Half a dozen corpses, arranged in a circle. Their skin was pale, their eyes wide open in horror. But the worst part?

They were fresh.

"Damn…" Edward muttered, his usual cheerful tone gone.

Silvia clutched her necklace, her expression grim. "We're too late…"

I stepped closer, examining the bodies.

Then I noticed something.

The wounds.

Long, deep gashes—too clean for animal attacks. But too irregular for normal weapons.

Almost like…

Claws.

A low growl echoed through the chamber.

Slowly, we turned.

At the far end of the room, something stepped out of the shadows.

Tall. Lanky. Its body covered in dark, matted fur. Its fingers were long, ending in razor-sharp claws. And its eyes…

Glowing red.

It let out another growl, stepping toward us.

A Wendigo.

Oh, hell no.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

In the game, this temple had skeleton soldiers. Maybe a minor cultist miniboss. But this? This was a high-level monster.

Blaire immediately raised her sword. Edward grabbed his own weapon. Silvia muttered an incantation, magic swirling around her fingers.

And me?

I did the only logical thing.

I pulled out my bow and whispered, "Please let this work."

Then, I fired.

Thwack!

The arrow sailed through the air, aimed straight at the Wendigo's glowing red eye. If this thing followed the same logic as the game, hitting a weak point would—

Snap!

The Wendigo tilted its head at the last second, and my arrow shattered against its thick skull.

Oh, come on!

The creature let out a horrible, distorted screech before lunging forward.

"Scatter!" Blaire shouted.

We barely had time to react. The Wendigo moved fast—too fast for something its size.

I threw myself to the side just as its claws ripped through where I had been standing a second ago, carving deep gashes into the stone floor.

Blaire charged, her sword glowing with enchantment. She swung at the Wendigo's side—

But the beast twisted unnaturally, dodging at the last second, then lashed out.

Clang!

Blaire barely managed to block, the impact sending her skidding backward.

"This thing's fast!" she cursed.

Edward moved next. He sprinted forward, sword drawn, aiming for its legs to cripple its movement.

Bad idea.

The Wendigo jumped, flipping midair, and kicked Edward straight in the chest. The impact sent him crashing into a pillar, knocking the air out of him.

Silvia finished chanting. "Holy Smite!"

A bright beam of golden light shot from her hands, striking the Wendigo directly in the chest.

For a moment, the beast staggered, its skin burning where the magic hit.

But instead of recoiling…

It turned its head to Silvia and grinned.

My stomach dropped.

It barely felt that.

This is bad.

The Wendigo lunged for Silvia next. She gasped, barely able to raise her staff in defense—

Not happening.

I grabbed the nearest object—a loose brick from the ground—and threw it at its head.

Bonk!

The Wendigo stopped mid-attack, turning to look at me.

Yes. I had just angered a nightmare creature by throwing a rock at it.

Not my best plan.

"Uh… hi?" I said.

It screeched and charged straight at me.

Crap crap crap—

I sprinted toward the nearest pillar, waited until the last second—then dove to the side.

The Wendigo, too fast to stop, smashed headfirst into the stone pillar.

CRACK!

Dust and debris exploded as the ancient stone crumbled under its weight.

I rolled to my feet, panting. That bought me seconds at best. I needed a real plan.

This thing was fast. It was strong. It could read our movements.

But…

I did land a hit earlier. When Silvia used her magic, it actually staggered.

It resisted physical attacks, but holy magic worked.

I turned to Silvia, who was helping Edward back to his feet.

"Silvia!" I shouted. "Your spells hurt it! You need to hit it again—but stronger!"

She hesitated. "I—I need time to chant a stronger spell!"

Time. That was something we didn't have.

But maybe I could buy some.

I grabbed my bow and reached into my pouch.

I had exactly one tool left that might work.

A bottle of oil.

I wasn't sure why I bought it earlier, but now I thanked my paranoia.

I popped the cork with my teeth, poured it over an arrow, then grabbed a torch from the wall.

The fire caught instantly.

A flaming arrow.

Not as good as holy magic, but fire still worked against regenerating creatures, right?

The Wendigo shook off the rubble and turned toward me again.

I raised my bow.

"Aim for the heart…" I muttered.

The dot in my vision aligned with its chest.

I pulled the string back as far as I could.

And I fired.

FWOOSH!

The arrow stabbed deep into its chest, fire spreading across its fur.

The Wendigo howled in rage, thrashing wildly as the flames licked at its body.

"NOW, SILVIA!" I yelled.

Silvia's eyes flashed. "Divine Judgment!"

A blinding pillar of light crashed down onto the Wendigo, engulfing it completely.

The beast let out a final, inhuman screech—

And then…

Silence.

—---

When the light faded, all that remained was a pile of smoldering ash.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Edward let out a weak laugh. "That… was insane."

Blaire sheathed her sword with a huff. "Insane? That was reckless. We should have—"

She turned to glare at me—only to pause.

"…Gunavor?"

I blinked. "Yeah?"

She frowned. "You're bleeding."

I looked down.

Oh.

My arm had a deep gash, probably from when I dove earlier. I must have cut it on something without realizing.

"Eh." I shrugged. "I've had worse."

Silvia rushed over, worry on her face. "Let me heal it!"

A warm light spread over my wound, sealing it shut within seconds.

"…Huh." I flexed my fingers. "Neat trick."

Silvia smiled. "You'll get used to it."

Blaire, however, was still eyeing me. "You fought that thing like you knew exactly what it could do."

Crap.

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "Lucky guesses."

She narrowed her eyes. She wasn't convinced.

Edward clapped me on the back. "Who cares? He saved us! That was awesome!"

Silvia nodded. "Indeed. You were amazing, Gunavor."

I scratched my cheek, feeling weirdly embarrassed. "I just didn't want to die."

Blaire sighed, rubbing her temples. "Whatever. Let's just check the altar and get out of here before something worse shows up."

She had a point.

We still didn't know who had summoned that thing.

And that worried me.

As we turned toward the altar, I had one thought running through my head.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Something—or someone—was changing the story.

And I needed to find out why.

We approached the altar cautiously, our steps echoing in the now eerily silent chamber. The Wendigo was dead, but the unease in the air hadn't faded. If anything, it felt worse.

Silvia examined the symbols carved into the stone. Her fingers traced the strange markings, eyes narrowing in thought. "These… aren't normal summoning runes. This isn't just dark magic—it's something older."

Blaire knelt beside one of the corpses, inspecting the wounds. "These people weren't killed by that thing."

I frowned. "What?"

She pointed at the marks. "The Wendigo used claws, but these wounds are too clean. Precise. These people were sacrificed before it was summoned."

Great. That meant someone had planned this. Someone powerful enough to summon a high-level monster and dumb enough to think they could control it.

Silvia's face darkened. "This is worse than I thought. If a cult is involved, then—"

Clank.

A soft metallic sound rang out as Edward shifted his foot. Something had rolled away from the altar.

A small black coin.

Edward picked it up and flipped it over in his palm. "What's this?"

The moment he touched it, a faint whisper filled the air.

Not words. Not a voice. Just… a presence. Cold. Hungry.

"Drop that," Blaire ordered immediately.

Edward didn't argue. He tossed the coin onto the altar, where it hissed like burning metal before settling.

Silvia swallowed. "That's a cursed object."

I didn't need her to tell me that. I could feel it.

"Alright," I muttered. "I think we've had enough surprises for today. Time to leave."

Everyone agreed. We had our proof—something unnatural was at work here. The faster we reported this to the city, the better.

But as we turned to leave—

The torches flickered.

The air grew colder.

And then…

The temple doors slammed shut.

A chill ran down my spine.

We weren't alone.

Silvia grabbed her staff. "Something's still here."

Edward raised his sword. "Another monster?"

"No." Blaire's eyes scanned the darkness. "Something worse."

I clenched my jaw, drawing my dagger. My instincts screamed at me—this was bad.

The whispering returned. Louder this time. Twisting. Surrounding us.

And then, from the shadows behind the altar, a figure stepped forward.

Tall. Cloaked in black. Their face hidden beneath a deep hood.

Their voice was like cracked ice.

"You shouldn't have come here."

My grip tightened.

Great. A boss fight.

And this time…

I wasn't sure we could win.

The hooded figure stepped forward slowly, their presence pressing down on the room like a heavy weight. The whispering voices around us grew louder, like unseen things crawling just out of sight.

Blaire raised her sword, eyes locked onto the stranger. "Who are you?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, they tilted their head slightly—as if studying us. Then, in that same ice-cold voice, they spoke again.

"You weren't supposed to interfere."

Yeah, well, neither was that Wendigo, but here we were.

I shifted my stance, keeping my bow ready. "And you weren't supposed to summon a high-level monster to kill villagers. So I guess we're both breaking the rules."

The hooded figure let out a soft chuckle. A sound that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Oh, Gunavor," they murmured. "You misunderstand."

They knew my name.

Every muscle in my body tensed.

I had never told them my real name.

Silvia and the others stiffened, realizing it too.

"How do you know him?" Blaire demanded, stepping in front of the princess.

The figure ignored her. Their hood shifted slightly toward me. "You've already changed things. Your presence here is… unexpected."

My blood ran cold.

This wasn't just some random cultist.

They knew.

They knew I wasn't supposed to exist in this story.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral. "Sorry to disappoint. But I'm not going anywhere."

The figure exhaled softly. "No. You're not."

Then the air cracked.

Darkness exploded from their hands.

The shadows lunged toward us, tendrils of pure blackness twisting like living things.

"Move!" I shouted.

Blaire reacted instantly, shoving Silvia out of the way as the shadows sliced through the air, carving deep gashes into the stone where we had stood.

Edward rolled to the side, raising his sword. "They're attacking!"

"No kidding!" I snapped, nocking an arrow and firing.

The arrow vanished mid-flight. Just disintegrated the moment it touched the swirling darkness around them.

Okay. That's new.

Silvia chanted, her staff glowing. "Divine Light!"

A golden wave of energy blasted outward, crashing into the figure's shadows. The darkness recoiled, hissing as if in pain.

The hooded figure took a step back, their voice dropping into something almost amused.

"Light magic. How… irritating."

Blaire didn't wait for them to recover. She charged forward, sword raised high.

She swung.

Her blade collided with an invisible force mid-strike—stopped dead before it could reach the figure.

The air around her warped.

Then she flew backward, smashing into a broken pillar with a pained grunt.

Silvia and Edward rushed to her side.

I didn't.

I didn't have time to think.

Didn't have time to plan.

I grabbed a second torch from the wall and hurled it at the figure.

The fire flared, forcing them to step back as the flames barely missed their cloak.

I took my chance.

I drew my dagger and ran.

Straight at them.

The figure turned toward me just as I lunged, dagger aimed for their chest.

A direct hit—

Except they caught my wrist.

With one hand.

I froze.

The grip was ice-cold, like fingers made of frozen steel. I tried to pull away—couldn't move.

The hooded figure's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Do you know why you don't belong here, Gunavor?"

My breath hitched.

They tightened their grip.

Pain shot up my arm, like my very bones were freezing over.

Then they pulled me closer.

Close enough that I could finally see beneath the hood.

And my blood turned to ice.

Because staring back at me…

Was my own face.

Pale. Hollow-eyed. A version of me that looked like he had been dead for years.

A rotting, undead version of myself.

I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't move.

The whispers grew louder—until they weren't whispers anymore.

They were screaming.

The world tilted. Darkness swallowed my vision.

And then—

Nothing.

The world was black.

I felt like I was falling—not through air, but through time.

The whispers had faded. The cold had vanished. And yet, I wasn't awake.

I was somewhere else.

Then, a voice.

Not from around me.

Not from above.

But from inside my own head.

"You shouldn't be here."

My own voice. But wrong.

I turned—no, I felt myself turning, though I wasn't sure if I even had a body in this place.

And there he was.

Me.

Gunavor—but not me.

His face was gaunt, skin pale like something that had never seen sunlight. His eyes were hollow, dark, as if the life had been drained from them long ago. His clothes were torn, rotted with time.

And around him…

Shadows moved.

Not attached to him. Not part of him.

But whispering to him.

Clinging to him like parasites.

I swallowed hard. "What… what are you?"

He looked at me for a long moment, then finally spoke.

"I am what you left behind."

I shivered. "That doesn't explain anything."

His hollow eyes blinked slowly.

"Do you remember the skeleton?"

The words sent a jolt through me.

I did. The skeleton near the cabin. The one I should have been.

The one I was supposed to be.

My mind raced. That was my fate in the original timeline, wasn't it? Dying alone in that forest. Becoming nothing but a forgotten corpse.

Yet, here I was. Alive. Stronger than I should have been.

And now this thing—this future me—was standing in front of me.

"You died," I said slowly. "You're supposed to be dead."

His lips twitched. "I am."

Silence.

Then, I whispered the question that had been burning in the back of my mind.

"Then why are you here?"

For the first time, his gaze softened.

"To stop you from becoming me."

The shadows twisted, curling around him, and suddenly—

I saw.

Flashes of memory—not mine, but his.

I saw myself dying in that cabin, alone. Starving. Too afraid to step outside until it was too late.

I saw my soul wander, lost in the forest, slowly pulled toward something dark.

I saw myself accepting the whispers when they came.

And I saw what I became.

A puppet of the dark. A ghost bound to regret. A remnant of a failed existence.

I stumbled back—if I even had legs in this place.

"No," I muttered. "That's not me. That won't be me."

He simply stared at me. "You say that now. But you don't know how close you were."

I clenched my fists.

"Then why am I still alive?"

He exhaled softly. "Because you changed."

"Changed how?"

"You ate."

I froze.

Ate?

Then it hit me.

The insects.

The bugs I had been eating in the forest.

The ones that survived the poisoned air.

The ones that had adapted to it.

I had been consuming them every day.

Their resistance. Their strength. Their unnatural traits.

It had all become part of me.

That's why I was stronger. Why I could move faster, strike harder, endure more than a normal person should.

I had discovered my talent early.

The talent my future self never realized in time.

The reason I hadn't died like he had.

I stared at him in shock. "That's it? That's the difference between us?"

He nodded. "The forest should have killed you. But you adapted. You unknowingly used the poison to grow stronger. And because of that… you changed the future."

I felt something inside me shift. A cold, unsettling truth settling into my bones.

I had survived by luck.

I had no idea what I had been doing back then. I was just some idiot trying not to starve.

But that idiot lived.

And because of that…

The future had cracked.

I took a slow breath. "So what now? What happens to you?"

He was silent for a moment. Then, for the first time, his voice sounded almost… relieved.

"I don't know. I was never supposed to exist either."

The shadows around him shuddered, as if sensing his resolve.

Then, slowly, they began to fade.

He looked at me one last time.

And then he smiled.

Not a sinister smile. Not a bitter one.

A real, genuine smile.

One filled with relief.

"Live, Gunavor."

And just like that—

He was gone.

The darkness shattered—

And I woke up.

——

I gasped, lungs burning as I snapped back to reality.

I was still in the temple.

I was still alive.

The hooded figure—my future self—was gone.

But the others were still here.

Silvia, Edward, and Blaire were staring at me in shock.

"Gunavor!" Silvia rushed forward, kneeling beside me. "Are you alright? You—your body just collapsed! We thought—"

I held up a hand, still trying to process everything.

"I'm fine," I muttered.

I wasn't fine.

I was reeling.

But I was alive.

And I wasn't going to waste it.

I pushed myself up, looking toward the altar one last time. The cursed coin, the whispering shadows… all gone.

The past had tried to catch up to me.

But I had left it behind.

I turned back to the others and forced a grin.

"So," I exhaled. "I guess that means we won, huh?"

Edward let out a nervous chuckle. "I… guess?"

Blaire still looked wary. But she didn't say anything.

Silvia, however, just smiled softly.

"Yeah," she said. "We won."

——

As we left the ruins, stepping back into the light of day, I took one last deep breath.

The future wasn't set in stone anymore.

I had no idea what was coming next.

But one thing was certain.

I was going to keep living.

No matter what it took.