CHAPTER 3: The First Night

Chapter 3: The First Night

I figured it was best to start moving. Maybe I’d come across a village.

Hours passed—at least, I think they did—because by the time I finally stopped, the sun was already setting. My stomach growled in protest, my throat was dry, and my legs ached from walking so much.

Then, in the distance, I spotted trees. A forest.

"Forests mean fruit and water, right?"

Whatever. I’d figure it out when I got there.

Forgetting my exhaustion, I sprinted toward the treeline as the last light of the sun faded, giving way to the glow of the rising moon. Shadows stretched across the ground as I stepped into the dense woods, my only goal: finding food.

That’s when I saw them—small, round blue berries hanging from a bush.

They looked edible… right? Without thinking, I picked a few and raised them to my mouth.

Then—

A shiver ran down my spine.

Like a jolt of electricity, my entire body froze.

Ding!

A translucent screen flashed before me.

"Passive Skill [Intuition] has been activated."

"What? Why now?"

My fingers loosened, and the berries tumbled to the ground. Did this mean… they were dangerous?

I wasn’t about to take any chances. Kicking them aside, I kept searching, walking deeper into the forest.

Then, I saw it—an apple tree.

Cautiously, I plucked a bright red apple from a low branch, half-expecting my status window to warn me again.

…Nothing.

"So, it’s safe?"

I took a bite.

Sweet.

No—the sweetest apple I had ever tasted.

Juice dripped down my chin as I devoured it in seconds. I couldn’t help but drool as I reached for another, plucking a few more to take with me.

Not long after, I stumbled upon a patch of strawberries. I picked one up, waited for a reaction… nothing.

"Safe."

Well, that settled it. Dinner was secured.

Now, all I needed was a place to sleep.