24 Surviving the wild (1/2)

During breakfast, I could see Hope's impatient expression. Today is her 18th birthday which means that she can start playing the Age of Gods. She couldn't wait anymore. But she will have to wait to return from school and then birthday dinner before she can log into the game. Our grandparents are also coming so that we can all celebrate her birthday together. We haven't seen them in a couple of months so they will probably be all over us.

I heard mom talking over the phone the other day with grandma about me having a girlfriend, so I am not sure who will get more attention from grandparents, me or Hope. Either way, we can only log into the game when we go to sleep tonight. I just hope that I won't be eaten by something until then.

School day passed as usual. Except that I started sitting with Maria and Anna every break between classes. Nick still pestered Anna from time to time but since I was with them more often he started behaving properly. After school, I walked two of them to their station and then I went to mine. When I arrived home grandpa and grandma were already there. They were with Hope talking about something, but when they saw me they immediately asked me about Maria. I talked with them until lunch and then they finally eased a little with girlfriend talk.

Just before lunch came my uncle, my father's brother, with his family, his wife and two of my brothers so we all celebrated Hope's birthday together. After the cake and presents, we all talked a little more and then uncle and his family left home. Since our grandparents will stay for a couple of days more they let Hope to go and start playing the game, but I was not as lucky. I stayed with them for almost an hour talking about Maria. Not that I mind, but I wanted to go into the game as quickly as possible, who knows if something will happen. I somehow managed to get an excuse of being tired and went into my room, put my helmet on and logged into the game.

I showed up at the same place I logged out from and thought that everything is okay. But I was wrong. I didn't even have time to get up before I heard a grunt behind me. I rolled myself on the ground and something passed by me. I quickly stood up putting my staff in front of me ready to block the next attack. Looking ahead I saw a wild boar, not as big as the one I killed before in the form of Rage Beast but still big enough to know that that impact would hurt me a lot.

Using appraisal I found out that the boar was Level 7, which should be easy for me. I didn't want to fight with it, afraid that our fight will attract more wild beasts, but it was very insistent on fighting me. I could only oblige and try to finish it as soon as possible. A few minutes later boar fell dead on the ground, giving me some time to look around me. Getting attacked as soon as entering the game is not so great. If it was a stronger opponent I would be the one lying down on the ground.

But what to do now with this boar? I have neither skinning nor cooking skills and carrying it with me to the town is a foolish thing to do. I could try skinning it with my small knife and try to make a fire and then fry it a little, but that would take a long time.

I should first check all of my things. Maybe that boar trampled on them. I was close to them but I hope everything is in order. Thankfully nothing was trampled. Leather bags were near the tree and the boar didn't pass near them. The only thing I got was 2000 EXP. That much I got from wild boar Rage Beasts, which means that regular boars are weaker than Rage Beasts. That makes sense.

Just as I took all of my things and put the bags over my shoulders I heard a new sound not far from me. Now what? Looking around me I slowly started walking south. Good thing I did. A bear showed up. And it was a big one. I guess this one didn't yet enter winter sleep. He must have somehow smelled the boar I killed and was nearby. Using Appraisal after forth try I found out that the bear was level 15. There is no chance that I would win that fight. I better leave. Bears are not kings of the forest for nothing.

Going downstream I was paying attention to every sound or movement I saw. How did our ancestors survive in this kind of environment in ancient times with all those wild beasts is beyond me. If even mythological beings really existed mankind wouldn't have lasted until now. The good thing is that mythology is just that, a mythology.

Just as I was thinking about my grandpa's teachings I sensed shiver down my back. Few drops of sweat slid down my face and all of a sudden a bad feeling came over me. I stooped at once and slowly looked around me. There was nothing in front, on my left was the river so no danger came from there, yet, and on my right was the forest. At first, I thought that the danger came from the forest but I soon found out that I was wrong.

Well, technically I was not wrong, the danger was behind me, but it did come from the forest. Looking back I saw a boar. Or what was left of it to be more precise. Half of its face was missing, its belly was almost all eaten and from it, I could see innards dangling when it moved. One of its back legs were almost gone, but it still moved like it had all four.

It seems that the bear didn't finish his meal. He was probably interrupted midway. Good thing it was only that. As soon as my brain gave the order my legs started a sprint. Boar or what was left of it started chasing me right away. It was even faster than when it was alive. But why did I run away? I could kill one undead boar right? I probably could, but not what was behind it. There was nothing behind it for now but I know that it watched from the forest.