Chapter 407
Chapter 407
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 407
Chapter Title: Kim Katt in the Forest
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"Fuck."
Gulping down the water from my canteen calmed my pounding heart a bit.
—Splash splash.
I shook it and saw there wasn't much left. I'd filled it that morning after the wolf hunt and just kept drinking from it ever since.
Luckily, I still had some rations, but water was the real problem.
Fuck, I'm screwed.
The gamble paid off and I escaped, which was great, but everything else was a total disaster.
For starters, tumbling wildly from the treetop had left scratches on my face, the back of my right hand, and a bit above my wrist. Blood was flowing.
At least they weren't deep, so they'd probably stop soon.
Fuck, my hand.
I'd taken off my right gauntlet to caress Sesirit and hadn't had time to grab it. Sure, if I'd gone for it, the Harpy Queen probably would've caught me, but losing gear like that still tore at my heart.
At least I hadn't lost anything else, so that was a relief.
"Heavenly Demon Kim Katt stands upon the earth, you fuckers."
Alone.
The biggest issue was not knowing exactly where I was. The harpies had kidnapped and flown me here, so I had no clue about the direction.
And with all these massive trees, pinpointing my location was impossible.
But they hadn't flown for that long, so I wasn't seriously far off. Probably three or four days from that wolf-hunting village.
—Above all, the darkness.
Night had just begun.
I couldn't light a fire. Birds had good eyes. Hiding nearby to sleep was risky too. If I slept and woke at dawn, the harpies would definitely come chasing.
They might not pursue in the dark, dense forest now, but come sunrise, that'd change.
I had to move starting now.
No path, pitch black, but I stepped out anyway. My eyes were starting to adjust to the dark; outlines were becoming visible.
How the hell do I get out of here?
For now, I'd push on as far as I could, then tomorrow night make a hideout and sleep. I needed water, so in the morning I'd find a stream. That shouldn't be hard—they were usually between ridges.
Get your head straight, Kim Katt.
Crises like this were routine.
With my sword, I feared nothing. The moment fear hit, I'd lose my way. Nothing was visible and moving was tough, but I shoved down the terror and took a step.
I could make it back.
I believed that.
Just find one village, and I could reach Isvant without issue.
—Fssssh!
—Kyaeeat!
—Tchaaaat!!
Weird noises echoed from spots throughout the forest.
Time for all sorts of monsters to stir. Forests near cities were decently safe at night, but go farther out and it was a different story.
The farther from cities or villages, the nastier the monsters that showed up.
"Fuckers."
Still, if one attacked, I could hunt it for meat and blood—that was actually a plus.
Might've been trouble back then, but for me now? Piece of cake. Thankfully, my mana was intact, so no fatigue either.
I could move all night no problem.
—Rustle, rustle.
My palms weren't injured, so gripping the sword was fine. Sword in my right hand, I slashed through the thick underbrush under the trees as I went.
No sense of harpies pursuing.
And it felt like downhill ahead, like I was near a mountaintop somewhere. That cliff earlier too—was this high altitude?
For now, follow the ridge downward.
—Fuck.
The curse slipped out naturally.
They're probably worried sick by now... fuck. I missed Cloudy, Winia, Karin, and Lady Risha like crazy. When I got back, I'd make them hug me. Maybe beg for a 5P session.
Thinking that got me hard naturally.
"Erection."
It gave me a bit of courage.
Grabbing tough, resilient branches to avoid slipping, I descended the slope. —Snap. It was around then, pushing through the suffocating mountain darkness.
—Pftzt.
—Pft.
Off to the side, a pale green light blob zipped about. Firefly? I'd never seen one in this world.
—Moss Wisps.
It was Moss Wisps—I'd seen them a few times before.
This their habitat? Several fluttered around. Those monsters had that inhuman ability to charm people. No match for me now, though.
No need to clash, either.
Detour around.
Their essence sold for good money, but in this unknown situation—especially at night—I couldn't risk a fight. Beyond them, if there were higher specimens like that spirit girl from winter, it'd be a hassle right now.
So whenever I sensed something monster-like, I spotted it first and detoured.
Blind fighting was just loss for me now.
No water, stamina drained faster. Tempting for cash, but survival and return came first—wipe money thoughts.
Night deepened.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As dawn's end approached, the world began to brighten bit by bit.
Finally, I could properly see my surroundings.
A mountain thick with huge trees and plants growing beneath them.
"Ah, fuck."
Pulling an all-nighter had brought some fatigue. Still, no rest. Harpies would wake and chase for sure. They were fast enough to leapfrog the distance I'd covered overnight.
Above all, I needed to find a stream now that it was light.
I was thirsty enough to die. Desperate times, I'd squeeze non-toxic monster blood.
—Queeek!!
No sooner had I thought it than the monster attacks began.
Early bird gets the worm—dawn-rising monsters spotted lone me and came picking a fight.
—Queeet!!!
The attackers were massive larvae crawling down from trees, jaws agape. Insect monsters folks lumped as Giant Larvae.
One that had descended about four meters down the trunk spat saliva at me in greeting.
—Sizzle!
"You fucker!"
Sticky acidic spit usually packed poison. Easy dodge with footwork, then hurled my sword like a spear and nailed it.
—Thud!
—Queeeet!!!
The blade pierced its body and stuck in the tree. It twisted, fell with it.
—Thump.
Edible?
Unfortunately, unknown monster—probably shouldn't. Bug blood for drinking? Nah.
—Slash!
Severed its head and moved on to find a stream.
Forest was dense, but daylight meant watch for harpies. I kept glancing up at the sky as I went. Harpy attack in this situation would suck.
—Swish.
About an hour later, I heard water.
—A stream.
The instant I saw water, overwhelming joy hit—I suppressed a whoop and bolted excitedly.
"Fuck!"
Checked surroundings safe first, washed hands and face, filled canteen, quenched the thirst.
"Fuck yeah!"
Felt like my throat was burning away.
Gulping it down made me feel alive again. Tension eased a bit too. Found a stream—follow the watercourse, might find something.
Rest here a bit?
Right then.
—Rustle.
The sound made me whip around. Only thing that'd show here was a monster after water, so sword at ready.
"Huh?"
"Tchreek?"
Before my eyes.
"Uh, uh?"
"Tch, tchreek?"
An orc.
Green skin. Solid-looking arm and chest muscles, but a flabby gut. Shorter than me, but broader. Protruding tusks, sad orc eyes gone wide like it never expected this.
"Pig worm."
I swung my sword on impulse.
"Tchreeek!!!!!"
The orc reflexively yanked its rusty cutlass from its waist and blocked in a hurry. —Clang! Blades met.
Heart raced, thoughts sped up. First orc fight since Berber and the remnant subjugation.
—Orcs were strong monsters.
I was way stronger than back then, of course.
But the sudden unprepared encounter panicked me—nah, shelve that. Think after killing.
"Tch, tchreek! Tcheeeek!!!"
Panicked orc yell... was I overpowering it in strength?
Instinct kicked its groin.
—Crunch!
Sword arts included kicks and punches.
"Tchreek!!!"
My greave-reinforced steel kick plunged perfectly between its legs, and the inhuman feel of its balls bursting transmitted up my leg—its power drained instantly.
"Sorry!! Wasn't on purpose!"
—Stab!
Thrust into its neck. Gotta ease the pain! "Gur, tchreek...!" That was it. Sword in throat, orc crumpled to its knees pathetically.
—Tchrii...
Foaming blood, it went still.
Just reflex-killed the bastard. Felt like I'd turned into some vicious murderer.
"What?"
Orc died that easy?
Last time, I'd struggled hard.
Berber unbeatable close, won ranged. Remnants too—victory via improvised, unstable crescent slash instant kill.
—Drip drip.
Blood poured from the orc's neck.
"I am Heavenly Demon Kim Katt."
That was the answer.
Kim Katt had grown enough to dismantle a single orc in seconds. Sure, it was panicked, and my weapon longer.
Still, overwhelming win.
I'd been panicked too.
A mana-less warrior 1v1 beating an orc was a huge feat.
Mark of the strong.
I'd gotten strong.
Killing a first-met orc instantly brought satisfaction. What could I do? Humans and orcs fought on sight. Finished thinking, immediately rummaged its body.
—Rummage rummage.
Just out for water? Besides leather undies and rusty cutlass, nothing.
Short trip?
Orcs nearby? Tribe unlikely here—probably remnant group survivors. Nesting in a place like this.
One more reason to bolt.
1v1 fine, but group rush? Maybe not. They'd hunt the killer once they found the body too.
—Swish.
Tossed the corpse into the bushes, pocketed the cutlass, crossed the stream.
Not deep or wide, no issue. Feet wet though. Pushed into the forest proper, then ran like a marathoner.
Mountain paths uncomfortable, but moving in open stream bed? Harpies spot quick.
Fuck, escaping flying bastards was inconvenient as hell.
—Thud thud thud thud!
I stomped the ground.
I hadn't escaped yet.