An unknown span of time later, I regained consciousness and took in a slow breath.
Then, I felt the silence of the cave.
With no more beasts around, I was no longer in danger. So, the silence wasn't suffocating and oppressive.
It was peaceful.
I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling.
My body felt heavy, broken. Occasionally, pain flared up, making me wince.
After a while, I raised my hand and clenched my fist, a smile forming on my lips.
"I'm alive." I muttered. I doubt anyone but someone who had experienced the same situation as me would understand just how relieved, happy and proud I was feeling at this moment.
Suddenly…
Cough! Cough!
I broke out in a coughing fit and as it made my body shake, the pain increased, almost making me pass out again.
Slowly, I calmed down and chuckled bitterly, "...Though barely."
Without wasting time, I activated the system interface with a thought..
I had savored the pain enough.
[Inventory]
→ Basic Healing Potion ×1
I willed it and a small vial appeared in my hand.
Within the translucent vial was shimmering green liquid. It was very pleasant to look at.
"Let's see how effective it is." Opening its lid, I drank it in one go.
"Mm." I smacked my lips, feeling the refreshing, though a little sour, liquid slid down my throat, instantly making my chest and belly area cool.
Then, this cooling sensation turned into warmth that spread throughout my body.
I winced as this warmth enveloped my wounds, causing pain and some irritation.
Fortunately, the pain didn't increase, instead it lessened. However, the irritation continued increasing as my wound began to close.
My muscles relaxed and exhausted began to fade.
I was pleasantly surprised as I hadn't thought it could heal my wounds completely.
A short while later, I pushed myself into a sitting position and flexed my fingers, then my arms.
Didn't feel any pain or strain.
I stood up and began stretching my body slowly.
"Amazing." I muttered.
The wounds that were enough to kill me, and might have taken months to heal in a hospital had healed within a few minutes. Moreover, I didn't feel any weakness.
"It's time to leave." I muttered as I looked toward the cave exit.
There, soft moonlight poured in. Gentle and inviting.
I walked forward.
Step! Step! Step!
Each step echoed in the cavern, as if the cave was reluctantly bidding me farewell.
I chuckled at the thought and finally stepped out.
Immediately, moonlight filled my eyes.
I covered my eyes and blinked a few times to adjust.
Then I gaze at the scenery in front of me.
"Just… amazing." I muttered.
I was in a forest.
Tall trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves glowing faintly under the moonlight. A cool breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of earth and life.
Now, I had to find my way out of it.
Hu!
I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air. "Well, compared to the cave, this is much better."
Even if I were to encounter any beasts, I had more than enough room to flee unlike before. Of course, I hoped not to encounter any. I had faced enough danger for the day.
I began walking, following the faint slop of the land while paying attention to my surroundings.
It would be best if I could leave the forest safely and find a civilization. There, I probably wouldn't need to worry too much about food, shelter and safety.
Time passed.
Minutes.
Then, maybe hours.
Just when I was getting too tired to continue, I saw a faint, flickering light in the distance through the gap between trees.
Hope stirred within me and I quickened my pace.
Soon, the trees became fewer and the details became clearer.
There wasn't a single light, but several.
As I went closer and closer, I began seeing shadows of small, primitive-looking houses.
They were made of wood and mud, and dim lanterns were hanging outside.
I also noticed smoke rising from a few chimneys.
It was a small, primitive looking village, but it made most of my tension and worry vanish.
I had finally found people.
On earth, I liked to be alone in my room. I had begun disliking people, but only now I realized how stupid and delusional I was.
It was almost never good to be alone.
If you didn't want to talk or interact with people… it was alright. But… people had to be around you.
The village was surrounded by a not too tall stone and mud wall. At one point, there was a large wooden gate—the entrance.
As I neared it, I began hearing voices.
"…Did you hear? Another group got wiped out near the eastern forest."
"…Beasts again?"
"…No. It was worse. Some big monsters. They say even the hunters didn't stand a chance."
My brows raised at this, but after the cave, I wasn't surprised to find out this world, which apparently wasn't earth, was dangerous to live in.
Step!
Taking a breath, I stepped into the illuminated area by the lanterns on the wall while making sure my footstep was audible.
Immediately, the voices stopped and people appeared on the wall, their alert and suspicious eyes fixed on me.
My torn, blood stained clothes and almost wild appearance only served to raise their guard more.
For a few moments, there was pin drop silence.
Finally,
"Who are you?" A middle-aged man, holding a wooden but sharp spear in his hand and with a sharp look in his eyes, asked as he stared down at me.
"I'm Eren and… I just came out of that forest." I answered, my voice calm as I met his gaze.
Immediately, everyone tightened their grips of their weapons and began murmuring among them.
"Impossible."
"No lone man had ever come out alive at this late in night…"
"We should just turn him away..."
While everything whispered among them, the middle-aged man stared at me in silence.