Trekking through a jungle that seemed perpetually damp, barefoot to feel the mushy ground and slimy moss, was put simply, shit and difficult.
It was even more of a pain in the ass because of my height. Every time I had to climb over some gross wet log, I felt like being a twelve foot giant would solve everything. I could just walk over this crap like it was nothing. 'Yet I'm not.'
Grumbling, I wiggled my way across a slimy fallen tree, feeling the wetness seep into my already damp, hole riddled pants. 'Hopefully that pelt will be fine to use with a bit of rope to make new ones.'
Speaking of rope, I glanced down at the length of it wrapped around my shoulder and waist. At least I'd been smart enough to bring it when I made my journey into the jungle.
Two fucking days ago.
Grumble
My shoulders sagged as my stomach chimed in. I hopped off the log once I reached the end and pushed forward, still hoping to find water.
'Is a jungle being quiet... bad?'
Shrugging, I let out a long yawn—half from hunger, half from exhaustion. I hadn't slept since venturing in here.
"When I find that water, it better be the safest place in—"
I froze.
Quieting down, I strained my ears.
It was so faint I nearly missed it:
The sound of flowing water.
A wide smile bloomed across my face. In an instant, I bolted forward, taking care not to slip on any mossy rocks.
'Fucking finally.'
The sound grew louder as I neared, and that small flicker of hope turned into a blazing inferno. Running water usually meant it was clean and drinkable.
But then my smile faded. My pace slowed.
The more cautious, grown-up part of me finally kicked in.
'There could be animals here… less than friendly ones.'
There wasn't any solid reason behind that thought—just caution. But if I were an animal and I needed water, I'd go where it was running.
I stopped completely and leaned against a tree to think.
I had two options:
I could play it safe, turn around and look for another spot—preferably one with more visibility. Or… I could risk it. Go forward, scout the area and see if anything dangerous was nearby.
Chewing my lip, I looked down and saw a stick on the ground. Picking it up, I murmured. "If it falls left, I'll find another water source. If it falls right, I'll check this one out."
Logically, this was stupid. I knew I should be scouting the area ahead either way, but tossing the stick made it feel like the decision and responsibility was out of my hands.
I threw it into the air and watched it rise.
At its apex, it paused, then began to fall.
Tk
The stick landed and stood up for a second before it leaned…
And fell to my right.
"All right, stick—my life's in your hands."
With that I crept forward, slower this time. The rushing sound of water grew clearer and it reminded me of a waterfall. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
I was so close now that only a curtain of leaves separated me from the source. Exhaling deeply, I brushed them aside—and gasped as my eyes adjusted to the sight before me.
Beautiful didn't even begin to cover it.
"Like a paradise…"
Water flowed from a cliff with four natural platforms, cascading down into a crystal clear pool below. Everything around was lush and vibrant—green foliage, colorful flowers and towering trees.
"Hahahaha!" I laughed out loud, overwhelmed before quickly clamping a hand over my mouth. I glanced around, heart racing.
"Thank god nothing heard that…"
Sighing in relief, I rolled my shoulders and stepped closer to the pool.
"OooH?"
I froze.
Turning slowly, I saw a large monkey—no, a Chimp.
It was staring at me without blinking.
Then it smiled.
A shiver crawled down my spine.
"OoAooaA!" it screeched before sprinting toward me.
I stumbled backward, tripping over a root.
"Oooah?"
It loomed over me and without hesitation, hoisted me up and slung me over its shoulder. I barely had time to scream.
As it sprinted toward the waterfall, nausea surged through me—fear and motion sickness mixing into something horrible.
"P-Put me… urgh… down!" I groaned, barely keeping my stomach in check.
Before I could punch the damn thing, it came to an abrupt stop and dropped me to the ground with a thud.
"Omph!"
The Chimp grabbed my arm, yanked me upright and turned my attention to one of the platforms above us.
My blood ran cold.
Hundreds of primates stared down at me. Silent. Watching.
'I'm so fucked.'
My thoughts went blank as a massive orangutan stepped into view atop the highest platform. It had to be at least thirteen feet tall and it looked eerily similar to King Louie from The Jungle Book.
It stared at me…
Then turned its gaze to the chimp beside me.
Without warning, it raised a hand before slamming it down onto the stone.
THUMMMM!
The impact shook the ground beneath me.
I nearly pissed myself.
Then it raised the same hand and motioned toward the chimp. A gesture.
One I could only interpret as, Speak.
"Ohaa! Oowwaa!" the chimp screeched, gesturing toward a group on my left.
I turned and saw a crowd of young primates—smaller, curious, waiting.
The towering orangutan responded with a deep, reverberating sound that rattled my chest.
"Hooorrraaa—hhhuuhhh…"
The chimp's grip on my shoulder tightened and not in a reassuring way. Then it sighed, shoulders slumping and walked away—toward the young ones.
Leaving me alone.
All eyes on me.
"HORRAAAH!"
The orangutan slammed its hand down again. I barely stayed on my feet, teeth clenched, bracing myself.
'W-Why did it do that if—'
I didn't even finish the thought before my body instinctively rolled to the right—
Something sharp grazed my left ear.
I hit the ground and tumbled, stopping just in time to catch sight of my attacker.
A young monkey—no, a Baboon.
I wasn't sure how helpful that knowledge would be.
It screeched again.
"Kee-Kee!"
It charged at me with a speed I'd never seen before, catching me off guard. I fumbled for my knife, only to pale when my hand brushed an empty waistband. 'Wha—'
"Oomph!"
The baboon slammed into me, gripping me with its small but powerful arms. Acting on instinct, I clenched my teeth and slammed my forehead into its face. I heard the faintest crack and a sharp cry of pain.
"Keeehhh!"
It recoiled, clutching its nose and I didn't waste the opportunity. Scrambling to my feet, I tried to run—praying my only lifeline wasn't anywhere nearby. I glanced up—
A familiar chimp made a noise and in its hand was my knife.
'Motherfucker!'
Cursing at both the chimp and the entire situation, I spun back around just as the young baboon recovered. It stared at me with pure hatred. I looked around wildly—then spotted a sharp pointy rock nearby.
'Hope this works!'
I dropped onto my back just as the baboon lunged, its weight crashing down on top of me. I grabbed a fistful of dirt and pebbles and flung it into its eyes. The screech it let out was sharp and panicked, temporarily blinded by the grit. Without hesitation, I snatched the rock and slammed it into the side of its head. The baboon staggered, dazed. I shoved it off and quickly mounted it, reversing our positions.
"Die!" I shouted, slamming the rock into its face again and again until—
The familiar sound of party poppers resounded in the back of my mind followed by a heavy thud against stone.
"Hrrrrhhhhrraaa."
I turned, breath ragged. The giant orangutan loomed above on its platform, staring down at me. Then without a word, it turned and left.
That's when it hit me. This had been a test. And I passed.
The chimp from earlier descended from the platform of young primates and bounded toward me, flashing what I could only assume was a monkey smile. It held out my knife.
"What?" I muttered while taking it back, then quickly shut my mouth. Talking to it was probably useless. It simply grabbed my arm, dragged me to the water's edge and began drinking.
'Well… I'm alive.'
I didn't know how long that would last, but I wasn't about to waste the chance. Tucking the knife away and dropping the rock, I cupped my hands, scooped the crystal clear water and drank deeply. I nearly moaned at how cold and refreshing it was.
—•—•
I was part of their tribe now.
'Or is it a clan?'
I wasn't sure. But after an hour of being shuffled from the water to a platform full of young primates and unceremoniously left in a corner, I figured that much out.
Whether that was good or bad… still up for debate.
If I was truly accepted, then survival might get easier. Maybe. But something in my gut told me this wouldn't be some easy "gather fruit and vibe" kind of life. Still, that was future Masaru's problem. Present Masaru was focused on something else, the System.
————
[XP Gained]
+6 XP (Baboon)
+2.5 XP (Failed Ambush)
————
#Stats#
Level: 0
XP: 90/100 -> 98.5/100
————
I groaned, drawing a few curious glances from the nearby primates. They quickly lost interest.
So close to a level-up.
Probably in a day… or whenever that orangutan decides to throw me into another life or death trial.'
For now, though, exhaustion crept in. I didn't want to fall asleep surrounded by what could very well be my death squad…
But honestly, I didn't have a choice.