Chapter 3: The River
My throat hurt.
Not just dry.
It burned.
Every breath scraped against it like sand, rough and sharp, making it harder to even swallow.
I tried anyway.
Nothing.
Not even saliva.
"…Water…"
The word barely came out.
My lips felt cracked, sticking together when I tried to speak. I ran my tongue over them, but it didn't help. It only made me more aware of how dry everything felt.
How empty.
My steps slowed again.
I didn't even remember when they had started dragging like this.
The forest stretched endlessly, the same trees, the same silence, the same feeling that something was always nearby… watching.
I had stopped counting how many times I fought.
How many times I almost didn't make it.
Each time, it felt harder.
Each time, I felt weaker.
[Experience Gained]
The message appeared again.
I didn't even react.
What was the point?
It didn't stop the dryness in my throat.
Didn't stop the way my head felt light, like my thoughts were slipping out of reach.
I leaned against a tree for a second, breathing unevenly.
"…Just a little…"
Just a little water.
That's all I needed.
Then I could think.
Then I could move properly.
Then maybe—
A sound.
Faint.
Soft.
I froze.
At first, I thought it was just my imagination.
But then I heard it again.
A gentle, continuous sound.
Flowing.
My head lifted slowly.
"…No way…"
Through the trees, something shimmered.
Light reflecting.
My heart started beating faster.
Water.
It had to be.
My body moved before I could think.
One step.
Then another.
Faster.
The sound grew clearer, pulling me in like it was the only thing that mattered.
My throat tightened painfully at the thought of it.
Cold water.
Running.
Real.
I could almost feel it already—
I stumbled, nearly falling, but caught myself against a tree.
"Just… a little more…"
I forced my legs to move again.
The closer I got, the louder it became.
The clearer.
Until—
I saw it.
A river.
Not big.
But enough.
The surface shimmered as it flowed, clean and endless compared to everything around it.
Relief hit so hard it almost hurt.
I let out a weak breath, something close to a laugh escaping me.
"…Finally…"
My grip loosened.
My body leaned forward.
Just a few more steps.
That's all.
Then I could drink.
Then I could rest.
Then—
I stopped.
My body froze.
Something felt wrong.
The relief didn't disappear.
But it twisted.
Turned into something uneasy.
The river was there.
But the forest around it…
Was too quiet.
No movement.
No sound.
Even the air felt heavier.
My breathing slowed on its own as I forced myself to stay still.
"…Why…"
Why does it feel like this?
I swallowed again.
It hurt.
But I ignored it.
Carefully, I stepped to the side, moving behind a tree.
If something was there—
I needed to see it first.
Slowly…
I looked.
And then—
I saw it.
Near the edge of the river.
A creature.
At first glance, it looked like the others.
But only for a second.
It was bigger.
Much bigger.
Its posture was different—stable, balanced, like it wasn't struggling to stand.
Like it belonged here.
Two bodies lay on the ground nearby.
Creatures I had fought before.
But now—
They weren't moving.
They were completely still.
The larger creature stood over them.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then it shifted slightly.
A quiet sound followed.
My chest tightened.
"…That's not the same…"
This wasn't just another monster.
This was something else.
Something above them.
Something I shouldn't be near.
My fingers tightened against the bark of the tree.
Water.
It was right there.
Just a few steps away.
If I moved fast—
If I didn't make noise—
Maybe I could reach it.
Just one handful.
That's all I needed.
Just one—
My foot moved slightly.
A soft crunch.
The smallest sound.
But in that silence—
It felt loud.
Too loud.
The creature stopped.
Completely.
My breath caught.
Slowly… its head lifted.
Then turned.
Toward me.
"…No."
My body went cold.
It had seen me.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
The river flowed beside it, calm, untouched.
So close.
Close enough to save me.
Close enough that it hurt.
The creature straightened fully.
Taller than before.
Heavier.
Its presence pressed down on me without even moving.
A faint screen flickered into view.
[Unknown Entity Detected]
[Threat Level: High]
My grip tightened.
High.
Of course it was.
I didn't need the system to tell me that.
I could feel it.
My legs felt weak.
My throat still burned.
My body was slower than before.
Running—
I glanced behind me.
Trees.
No path.
No escape.
Even if I tried—
"…I won't make it."
And even if I somehow did—
I'd still be thirsty.
Still weak.
Still dead soon after.
My eyes shifted back to the river.
Water.
Right there.
So close.
But now—
It felt farther than ever.
I lowered my gaze.
A piece of stone lay near my foot.
Rough.
Sharp enough.
I picked it up slowly.
My hand trembled around it.
"I just wanted… water…"
The words slipped out quietly.
Not angry.
Not loud.
Just… tired.
The creature took a step forward.
Heavy.
Calm.
It wasn't rushing.
It didn't need to.
It knew.
I had no way out.
I swallowed again.
It hurt more this time.
But I forced myself to stand.
My legs shook.
My body protested.
But I didn't stop.
If I ran, I'd die tired.
If I stayed—
At least I had a chance.
Even if it was small.
Even if it wasn't enough.
I stepped out from behind the tree.
The creature's eyes locked onto mine.
The river flowed quietly beside it.
Close.
So close.
My grip tightened around the stone.
My breathing uneven.
"…After this…"
I whispered.
Barely audible.
"I'm drinking that water."
Not a promise.
Not confidence.
Just something to hold onto.
Because without it—
I didn't think I could move at all.
The creature stopped.
For a brief moment—
Everything was still.
Then—
It moved.
And this time—
I didn't step back.
---