Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

Chapter 8: Chapter 8- Forests Never Forgive (Part 3)

Chapter 8- Forests Never Forgive (Part 3)

Rize rolled several times before he slammed into one of the trees violently. He felt as if every bone in his body was displaced and his organs were crushed. He lay there, gasping for air with pained noises as he held his side. His eyes were wide, and the pain he was feeling was immense.

’Shi... t... I can’t... breathe...’ He thought to himself as his adrenaline kicked in and his heart started racing. Then, as he started feeling as if he was about to suffocate to death, his lungs started working again as he took several deep breaths in immense pain.

”Hah... Hahh! Hah!!!” He stared up at the wolf that was crying in pain while trying to hold its side. The injury was deep and very critical, and Rize could immediately see that. It was bleeding profusely and losing its mind.

’I did it... But...’ As he slowly stood up, the wolf locked eyes with him as it growled loudly, shaking the entire forest. At that moment, Rize realized that the fight was still not over yet. Even if he had delivered a fatal attack, the wolf wouldn’t fall without bringing it down with him. So, Rize grabbed his sword and shakily aimed it at the monster.

”I will... send you to hell...” He said.

”Grrrrr!!!!”

The creature growled again before it rushed toward him. As it was running, Rize stood there, his eyes focused and his posture calm. He didn’t let the monster intimidate him. He didn’t know if it was because of the cold weather that numbed his feelings or the fact that he was simply fighting for his life... But at that moment, he felt peaceful. As if everything was going to be truly fine. He felt as if he knew what was going to happen.

His instincts took over without him realizing. It started speaking to him and guiding him. It whispered things into his head and led his body to where it wanted him to go. That was when Rize did something completely stupid.

He closed his eyes.

The moment he did, the entire world grew quiet, and he felt like he was floating in a dark abyss where no one could reach him. He only had his sword in his hand...

Rize didn’t know what he was doing at that moment, but he didn’t feel threatened by the wolf whatsoever. Then, he opened his eyes and the air around him changed completely. It was as if Rize was possessed for a second and he wasn’t the same person anymore.

”ROAR!!!” The wolf growled at him before it launched its paw forward. The boy saw the incoming attack, and he didn’t move immediately.

He remembered what Geralt told him before coming here. ’You need to learn how to fight the unknown and win.’

Those words resonated in his head. ’If I have to fight the unknown, then... I can’t use predictable methods. I need to take them by surprise. I need to become the unknown myself.’

As he thought of that, Rize suddenly moved forward as he sidestepped the paw attack at the last second, letting it smash into the ground next to him as he slashed with his sword, aiming for the wolf’s neck. Everything happened in a split second, almost as fast as the blink of an eye.

Then, for a moment, everything went quiet around them. Neither moved as if they knew that the fight... was over.

Then... Blood exploded from the monster’s neck like an endless fountain. Rize felt the rain of blood splash on him as he took several steps back. At the same time, the wolf stared at him with shocked eyes before all life was sucked out of them and it fell to the ground... completely dead.

”...” Rize stared coldly at the monster for a few seconds before he sighed, swung his sword to the side, and turned around to walk back inside the tree trunk. He limped there, his side hurting and his chest bleeding profusely. His eyes were growing hazy from the cold, and he knew that if he lost focus or relaxed for a second, he would end up being knocked unconscious.

’This was... the first damn night... And I’m already in deep trouble!’ He cursed under his breath. The idea of him being completely stranded in the forest with bad injuries and hundreds of miles to cover on his feet was just utterly ridiculous.

”So this is what he meant when he said this is going to be brutal. I’m in deep trouble, aren’t I? Hahaha...” Rize laughed dryly as he sat down and rested his back against the wall before he sighed. ”I’m so tired... I will figure out what to do tomorrow.”

*Squeal*

Rize looked to the side as he saw the same squirrel staring at him with its wide eyes. He kept looking at it silently for a while before he finally sighed.

”I know, squirrel... I know.”

With that, he closed his eyes and tried to get some more rest as he covered his body with his coat. Even though he was battered, Rize found the power to lose consciousness and drift asleep. Luckily, the rest of that night was very quiet and no more monsters attacked him.

A few hours later, the sun rose from a distance, peeking through the thick canopy. The golden rays of light finally illuminated the dark forest, and the freezing temperatures started rising slowly.

”Hng...” Rize slowly opened his eyes as the sun’s rays hit his face. He frowned as he felt sharp pain assault his body. He was incredibly sore too, so it made him groan.

But he swallowed that pain and stood up to leave the tree trunk. ”It’s so bright, dammit.” He muttered as he looked all around him. The terrifying forest from last night was gone, and now it was back to looking absolutely breathtaking.

However, Rize knew that it was all a facade. Monsters lurked everywhere around him... Including that giant wolf.

Walking toward it, he inspected the monster.

”I’m glad I fought it at night... At least I wouldn’t have to see it in full. That would’ve made it even more terrifying.” He scratched his head. ”Now, what should I even do? I need to find water and food first before I start moving again. I should climb a tree and maybe use the high ground to scan the area.”

With those ideas in mind, Rize immediately got to work. He had no time to waste if he wanted to make it back before his injuries got infected or worse. He was on a ticking time bomb, and if he failed... He was dead, and nobody could save him.

The true test begins today. The very first full day of survival.