The moment I took my first step toward the forest, I felt as if I had literally turned into an ant. The trees towered in a frightening way, far taller than the buildings I used to see every day. A crushing sense of smallness washed over me, as though I were a tiny creature standing in the middle of a giant world.
I muttered softly,
"So this is how small insects feel…"
A strange sense of pity crept into my heart—perhaps because I used to have a peculiar hobby in the past. I would gather ants and draw a circle of water around them, a circle with no exit. As time passed, I would slowly make it smaller and smaller, watching their frantic movements and taking pleasure in the way they reacted. I did this whenever I had free time, or whenever frustration weighed heavily on my chest.
Now, remembering those moments, I realized just how stupid I had been. How foolish I was to vent my anger on helpless ants that had done nothing wrong. Truly… I was an idiot.
Stop. Don't think any further.
I felt like dying of embarrassment every time I recalled what I used to do. I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away, then took another step forward until I fully entered the forest…
Into a dark green world, damp and heavy, filled with the scent of rotting soil and ancient wood.
I moved very slowly, partly because of the fear gripping me—the thought that a giant might appear at any moment and crush me—and partly because my injuries still ached. Either way, I had no choice but to move carefully.
With every step deeper into the forest, my sense of awe and wonder grew stronger at the same time. The forest was beautiful in every way, and its pleasant scents struck my nose from all directions, making my body relax slightly without me realizing it.
After a short distance, I noticed a slight depression in the ground—a natural hollow between the roots of a massive tree. It wasn't a real cave, but it was better than nothing, especially since I was exhausted.
I approached it cautiously, fearing that some beast might be hiding inside. I picked up a small stone and tossed it toward the hollow… nothing happened. Only then did a bit of relief seep into my chest.
It seemed I had truly become a cautious person. After that rock that had deceived me before, I wouldn't allow myself to be fooled again.
I slowly sat inside the hollow and leaned my back against the thick root. I closed my eyes and forced my mind to stop thinking for a moment, just to rest. I stayed like that briefly before feeling a sharp sting in my shoulder and leg at the same time.
I opened my eyes and looked at them… the bleeding hadn't stopped.
"I need to treat myself quickly," I muttered.
I tore a piece of my shirt and wrapped it tightly around my thigh, then did the same for my shoulder. Before I could catch my breath, my stomach growled loudly, as if protesting.
It was clearly saying: I need food… and fast.
I smiled bitterly and whispered to it,
"Alright, alright, my dear… I'll go and get you the best meal you've ever eaten. Just give me a few minutes so I can stand up."
Before I moved, a sharp dryness spread through my throat. I sighed and added,
"And you too… be patient for a bit. I'll get you some water as soon as I can."
I began moving slowly, dragging my injured leg behind me. I hadn't gone far when my eyes fell on a pale gray tree, bearing strange-looking fruit—oval and slightly elongated, with thick, rough skin. Its color shifted between dark green and faded purple, streaked with dark veins. Some of the fruits were slightly cracked, oozing a dark, sticky liquid from their splits, releasing a foul stench.
I swallowed as I stared at the fruit before me. It was truly disgusting. I tried to convince myself to leave and search for something else, but my stomach had a different opinion—it protested loudly, refusing any discussion.
And so… I had no choice but to try to pick this strange fruit.
I stood before the tree, my mind racing: How am I supposed to reach it? The branches were far too high. I didn't know how to climb, and even if I did… my injured leg wouldn't allow it. One fall from that height, and death would shake my hand and say, "Is this the stupid way you chose to die? Couldn't you find a better one?"
I took a slow breath and forced myself to calm down.
"Alright… let's think of another way."
I searched the area for anything I could use to knock one of the fruits down. My eyes quickly spotted a small rock near the roots of the tree. I bent down with difficulty, picked it up, raised my arm, and aimed at the nearest fruit.
— Thud —
The rock hit one directly. It shook slightly… but didn't fall.
I felt a brief disappointment, but I didn't stop. I grabbed another rock and threw it—this time it hit nothing. I was truly terrible at aiming, but that didn't affect my determination. I tried again… and again. After more than ten attempts, I finally struck one of the strange fruits.
It fell.
The fruit hit the ground with a dull sound that made me breathe in relief. I stared at it for a second, unable to believe I had actually managed to knock it down, then moved toward it as quickly as my injured leg allowed.
It was bigger than I expected—almost half my size. I tried to lift it, but my body immediately rejected the idea. Heavy… far too heavy.
I let out a soft laugh, a short, unconscious one.
"Well… let's just eat it here then."
I sat beside it and hesitated for a moment before sinking my teeth into its thick skin. It took a great deal of effort to tear it open, but I finally succeeded and took my first bite.
The taste…
It was bitter. A sharp bitterness exploded in my mouth, nearly making me spit it out immediately. My face twisted, and my throat burned slightly. I wanted to stop eating at once, but my stomach protested again. I sighed irritably and said to it,
"Alright, alright… I'll keep eating. Just shut up for a bit. You've annoyed me enough."
I swallowed the bite by force.
Then I took a second bite… then a third. The taste didn't improve. The bitterness remained heavy and unpleasant, but—thankfully—it wasn't poisonous.
After about ten bites, I stopped. My stomach was barely filled, but my tongue couldn't take any more. I sat there, staring at the cracked fruit before me, my mouth still coated with its foul taste.
It was the worst meal I had ever eaten…
But it was enough to silence the useless stomach's protests.
"Alright… time to look for water."
I looked around, trying to suppress my fatigue and think clearly.
"Where can I find water?" I asked myself, then closed my eyes for a few seconds, gathering my memories.
Suddenly, I remembered survival videos I used to watch on YouTube out of curiosity—never imagining I'd actually need them one day. I had always paid attention to what they said… and now, I was starting to remember what mattered.
I slowly opened my eyes, took a deep breath, and fixed my gaze in that direction.
"Alright… this is my best bet."
I clenched my teeth and began moving cautiously, step by step, dragging my injured leg across the uneven ground.