The higher he climbed, the brighter his vision became—like someone desperately reaching out for the light of life once more.
His eyes, once shut in darkness, slowly opened.That light was no longer just a dream. It was real.Sunlight had slipped through the gaps in the leaves above, falling directly into his eyes.
But then, the pain in his right arm returned.He looked down at the wound and clutched it again. The blood-soaked cloth had turned darker—he was still bleeding badly. His right hand was growing weaker, going numb.
The Adventurer was back—he had returned from the edge of death.But now... what was he supposed to do?
He let out a long breath, trying to steady the chaos inside his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he'd rested enough. Maybe the strength he had now would be enough to carry him forward.
The air had changed.Evening was drawing near. The wind picked up, and the birds' songs were fading, leaving behind a quieter forest. But the sun was still there—just barely.
He needed shelter. A place hidden and safe.Nights in these woods were unforgiving, filled with wild animals hunting for prey—wolves, bears, worse. Staying here wasn't an option.
With resolve in his eyes, he reached for his silver sword lying on the ground. He pushed its tip into the dirt, using it as a crutch to lift himself. His left hand gripped the hilt tightly, and his whole body trembled as he summoned every ounce of strength he had left.
Slowly, painfully, the Adventurer rose.
The pain in his right arm was unbearable—like fire clawing through his skin. But he held it in. There was no time to cry out. No time to pity himself.
Adrenaline surged through his veins, forcing his body to move through the agony.His muscles screamed.But at last—after a struggle that nearly broke him—he stood tall.
He leaned against a tree to catch his breath. His legs shook, but they didn't collapse this time.
His breath was ragged, but enough to remind him:You've made it this far.
The last light of the sun pressed on his back, reminding him that time was running out.No more waiting. He had to move.
With his body half-supported by the sword, he took a step.
One step.His entire body trembled, but with the help of the blade in his left hand, he managed to keep himself steady.
Then came the second step. A bit hesitant.He took a deep breath, calming his nerves.He looked unsure, but there was something building in him.
And then… he stepped again.
Tap.The sound of his second footfall.
He did it.
But reality sank in fast.If he kept moving this slow, when would he ever reach safety?Night was closing in. Darkness was waiting.
Still, something inside him clicked.Confidence.The next step would be easier.
That thought lit a small fire in his chest. He lifted his foot for the third step, this time with certainty.
Tap.Third step. Success.
With his spirit burning again, the act of walking didn't seem so impossible anymore.
He readied himself for the fourth step—faster this time, stronger.
The Adventurer smiled.Maybe… maybe he really could make it.Find a cave, or a hollow beneath the roots of some ancient tree.
He was so caught up in that thought, he dropped his guard.
As his fourth step landed, the tip of his sword slipped over a small rock hidden in the dirt.
His balance broke.He fell backward.His back slammed into the tree behind him—his head snapping against the bark.
Thud!
His vision spun.The world turned blurry—glimmering lights like fireflies danced in his eyes.
Dizziness hit him in waves. His body throbbed.The pain in his right arm screamed again.But now—his leg.
He tried to move it. It wouldn't respond.With trembling hands, he reached down to inspect it.
His ankle had twisted.It was already swelling, red and tender to the touch.
He let out a long breath filled with regret.His sword had fallen beside him again—just like before.It hadn't moved. Neither had he.
"…I'm such an idiot," he muttered.
He leaned back against the same tree—the same spot he'd been resting earlier.Even after everything… he hadn't moved an inch from where he started.
The Adventurer looked up.Time felt painfully slow.Above him, stars were already starting to appear, though the sun still clung faintly to the horizon.
That golden light was fading.Just like the fire inside him.
Breathing hard, he slammed his fist against the tree behind him. The frustration finally boiled over.
"I was so close… so damn close to making it out—WHY?!"
There was no hope left.Nothing left to try.
"…God," he whispered, voice thick with pain."Why did You give me hope… just to take it away like this?"
The tears he'd been holding back finally fell.His cheeks grew wet with sorrow he could no longer hold.
He hung his head, shoulders shaking from the weight of it all.His fists clenched tight, trembling.
He had tried so hard not to cry—he believed tears would kill his will to survive.
But now, it was over.
Tears dripped onto his weakening hands.
"…I'm so stupid… sob… I was too naïve… too weak…"
His voice broke between sobs.
"In the end… my life ends this year. Seventeen years… is that really enough to be called an adult?"
He took a deep breath—ragged, torn by each sob.His body shook.His shoulders trembled under the pressure of despair.
"But… but… hic… what have I even done? These six months of traveling… is this really all it comes down to?"
Tears streamed down harder, running freely across his dirt-streaked cheeks.
He looked down at the ground, now damp with his tears.
"I'm scared… hic… I don't want to die. I'm scared of this darkness swallowing me whole…"
"…Mother… Father…"
Once again—at the edge of everything—he thought of them.
And this time, his cries broke loose, echoing through the quiet forest.Night was coming fast, but to him, time had stopped entirely.