Sai wandered for hours and surveyed his surroundings with vigilance, he spotted a massive tree, far taller than any other in the area. Its height and thick branches promised both shelter and a vantage point.
Determined, he decided to climb it. Though he lacked any real experience with tree climbing, his new body seemed unnaturally versatile. His muscles moved with a fluidity and strength he had never known before, and he scaled the tree effortlessly.
Reaching the top, Sai was greeted by a breathtaking view. The vast forest stretched endlessly in every direction, the treetops shimmering under the golden light of the setting sun.
For a moment, the beauty of it all eased his growing anxiety. But his stomach soon rumbled, breaking the spell of awe.
He began recalling a survival show from his previous world. The host a man infamous for eating just about anything had often demonstrated tips to survive in any environment. "Thanks, survival guy," Sai muttered under his breath, amused at the irony of imitating a TV show in a completely alien world. (Author: Yeah, you know exactly which show we're talking about.)
He sighed, realizing he hadn't found any food or water. Weary and hungry, he decided that for tonight, he would have to endure the hunger. Tomorrow, he'd search for sustenance. For now, he settled into the branches of the tree, letting its thick foliage offer him some protection as he prepared to spend his first night in this strange, untamed world
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Sai felt a pang of realization. This was not Earth. The familiar sunsets of his world were now a distant memory, replaced by the alien beauty of this untamed wilderness.
The truth settled heavily in his mind—he was alone, stranded in a world far from anything he'd ever known.
He began thinking about his next steps, but a nagging thought crept into his mind. Why me? Sai, who had lived a content, if unremarkable, life. He had no enemies, no major struggles.
His relationships with friends and family were peaceful, and his life, while ordinary, had no pressing problems. Yet, here he was, torn from his world, thrust into a realm so foreign it defied understanding.
And then, there was the other question—what of the power? The entity he glimpsed, whose gaze alone could reduce him to nothing, loomed in his thoughts like a dark shadow.
Before he could delve deeper into his spiraling questions, a low growl rumbled from the darkness below the tree. His thoughts scattered, replaced by a jolt of alarm. Peering down through the dim light, he squinted, trying to make sense of what he saw. A massive figure moved below, its outline barely discernible in the shadows.
Sai sat motionless in the branches of the great tree, his gaze fixed on the darkened forest below. The growl had left his body tense, muscles rigid with fear. It was a strange sensation fear gripping him even though he couldn't yet see the source of the sound.
Then, more growls joined in—smaller, weaker ones that seemed to tremble before the larger beast. Sai realized the creatures were fighting, too terrified to even move. His half-asleep state evaporated instantly.
Every fiber of his being went on high alert as he gripped the branch he was perched on. What now? he thought, his mind racing as the predator below asserted its dominance. Whatever it was, Sai knew one thing with chilling certainty—if he were to encounter that beast, he wouldn't survive, no matter what.
As the night deepened, the darkness seemed to press in closer around Sai, making it nearly impossible to find any semblance of rest. Fear gnawed at him, keeping his mind restless and his body tense. This was unlike any night he had ever experienced on Earth—the oppressive stillness and the lurking threat beneath the canopy were unnerving.
Hours passed without a hint of dawn, and Sai felt the weight of the longest night pressing down on him. When the first rays of sunlight finally pierced through the dense foliage, it felt like a rebirth. The light revealed the true extent of the night's horrors. Sai's eyes darted around, taking in the eerie scene below.
He noticed a series of large footprints imprinted in the soft earth, each one massive and irregular, hinting at the presence of a formidable creature.
Curious and cautious, Sai began to follow the trail, hoping to identify the beast that had prowled this area. The footprints led him to a gruesome discovery—blood stains marred the ground, leading to scattered corpses strewn among the underbrush.
Sai approached one of the bodies, his heart pounding in his chest. The creature resembled a cross between an antlered deer and a moose, its form twisted and broken. Bones protruded grotesquely from shattered limbs, and deep claw marks marred its flesh, evidence of a savage attack. The sight was both terrifying and fascinating, stirring a mix of fear and curiosity within him.
As he examined the remains, Sai's stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his most basic need—hunger. The realization hit him hard: he hadn't eaten since his arrival, and the unfamiliar environment offered little in the way of sustenance. The emptiness in his stomach was a stark reminder of his vulnerability in this foreign world.
Sai examined the corpse carefully, selecting pieces of meat and skin that hadn't been mangled by the beast. His mind raced, trying to keep calm in the face of the grisly task. He worked quickly, gathering dry branches still suitable for kindling. After several attempts, the small flame finally caught, growing into a steady fire.
As the fire crackled, Sai carefully cooked the meat, bite by bite, his hunger momentarily satisfied as he chewed through the tough, gamey flesh. The fire also served another purpose he dried the remaining skin, fashioning it into makeshift clothing.
It was crude, but it covered his body and masked his scent, hopefully deterring any other predators. Once finished, he extinguished the fire with caution, leaving the area with utmost vigilance. Every step felt like a calculated risk.