Bab 10: 9. In the woods
'.....'= Thoughts
"....."= Conversations
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Ethan knew the vampires had a strong sense of smell, so he had to do everything possible to hide his scent as he ran into the forest. His heart raced as he sprinted through the underbrush, trying to think of ways to mask his smell. The moonlight filtered through the trees, creating spooky shadows on the ground.
While running, he grabbed some pine needles and crushed them in his hands, rubbing the strong-smelling resin on his body to hide his human scent. He hoped the strong pine smell would confuse the vampires, who were used to the scent of blood.
Ethan also searched for wild garlic and rubbed the strong cloves on his skin, hoping it would help throw off the vampires' sensitive noses. He knew it was a long shot, but he had to try anything to escape.
He then stumbled upon a patch of mint and crushed the leaves in his hands, applying the refreshing smell to his skin to further mask his human scent. The cool mint scent mixed with the earthy pine and strong garlic as he kept running.
But Ethan knew he couldn't rely only on masking his scent. He had to use every trick he could think of to throw the vampires off his trail. He carefully chose his footsteps, trying to walk in the tracks of deer and other forest animals to hide his human footprints. He varied his pace, sometimes running and then slowing to a stealthy walk, changing directions to confuse Eliza, who might be tracking him.
As he ran deeper into the forest, the trees surrounded him like ghostly watchers.
With his current strength, he could run without getting tired for almost six days. Although he had gained this strength from Victor, he was still human and needed food and sleep.
When he got hungry, he ate fruits from the trees, but he kept running as far as he could without taking unnecessary breaks.
'Shit, I didn't use my talent on the masked men,' a thought crossed his mind, but he didn't regret it too much, knowing he would have plenty of chances to test his talent on humans and vampires in the future. He just needed to focus on getting stronger.
As the sun rose higher, Ethan felt a moment of relief. He had managed to evade Eliza, at least for now. But he knew she was still out there, searching for him. He had to stay alert, continue masking his scent, and use every trick he knew to outsmart her.
Days passed as Ethan continued his escape.
On the fifth day, he suddenly found a clearing. In the distance, he spotted a small settlement glowing faintly. Without hesitation, he changed his direction and headed toward the cluster of simple buildings. As he approached, he slowed down, trying to stay unnoticed.
Getting closer, he saw a few figures moving around, busy with their nightly routines. Ethan carefully observed the area, noting the layout of the settlement. He could see cooking fires, clothing lines, and long houses made of cedar wood.
Taking a deep breath, he slipped into the shadows, keeping his movements quiet and swift. He crept from one house to another, trying not to alert the people inside. Using his heightened senses, he found clothing and utensils that could help him. Moving silently, he gathered a few sets of clothes from different houses along with some utensils.
He knew he needed to survive, and the people in the settlement would likely not notice a few missing items. With a mix of gratitude and regret, he slipped back into the forest, clutching his newfound belongings.
As he moved away from the settlement, he pressed deeper into the forest. He needed a safe place to settle down and prepare for the challenges ahead. His mind raced with thoughts on how to use his time in hiding.
He knew that avoiding human settlements was his best chance for survival. The idea of seeking refuge in a town or city crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. The vampires that had captured him could easily find him in crowded places, and he couldn't risk his life for a little human contact.
As he made his way through the thick underbrush, he carefully considered his options. Staying hidden in the forest seemed like the safest choice.
He had an infinite lifespan, and his incredible strength, gained through his talent, could grow even stronger with training. He knew he needed to go to human settlements to use his talent, but now was not the time.
He didn't want to get caught by Eliza and regret being too weak to fight back.
'It's decided then. I will train my "Enhanced Physique" ability as much as possible before going to different towns and cities,' Ethan resolved.
His talent, combined with his infinite lifespan, had more potential than anyone else's. However, he needed to be careful about acquiring new abilities, as he only had two ability slots left. He also needed to learn how to level up his talent since he had been told before traveling to the 'Twilight' world that his ability slots would increase as his talent level increased. Now, he needed time without interruptions to figure everything out.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the sun set, casting a dim orange glow through the trees. Ethan knew he needed to find a good place for his hideout. He scanned the area, looking for a spot that was hidden but also had access to important resources. Finally, he found a secluded clearing surrounded by tall trees and thick bushes. It was the perfect place to start building his temporary sanctuary.
Ethan used the stolen tools to build a basic shelter in a hidden spot. With each swing of the makeshift tools, he felt his muscles strain, showing the new strength flowing through him. He enjoyed the solitude and the freedom he had missed for so long.
After taking a moment to rest, Ethan looked around at his new environment, feeling a sense of peace. He assessed the resources available to him, noting the plants and wildlife that could help him survive in the wild.
Now that he had settled in, he began to notice the changes in his body after copying the vampire's ability. He felt stronger, as if he could tackle any challenge. His average physique had transformed into something more powerful, like a vampire's.
Ethan flexed his muscles, amazed at the newfound strength in his limbs. He felt invincible, ready to face any obstacle.
His thinking speed had also improved. He felt sharp and alert, able to process information quickly. It was as if his thoughts flowed effortlessly from one idea to the next, and he appreciated the clarity and precision of his mind.
In addition to strength and quick thinking, Ethan noticed a huge boost in his stamina. He could now work for long hours without getting tired. His endurance felt endless, and he enjoyed the energy coursing through him.
Ethan also found that his eyesight had improved significantly. He could see clearly, even in low light, and details that had once been hidden were now vivid. It felt like a veil had been lifted from his eyes, revealing a beautiful and vibrant world.
His other senses had also sharpened. He could hear the rustling of leaves from far away, feel the slightest changes in the wind, and pick up faint scents in the air. He felt hyper-aware of everything around him, noticing even the smallest changes in the environment.
Despite these amazing changes, Ethan knew he was still human. His heart continued to beat steadily, reminding him he wasn't invincible like a vampire. However, with his newfound strength and abilities, he felt capable of facing the wilderness's dangers.
Realizing the need to adapt, Ethan decided to train and make the most of his new abilities. He started with simple exercises, pushing himself to lift heavier objects. He focused on control and precision, determined not to let his strength overwhelm him.
At first, finding the right balance was tough; he often broke things with just a light touch. But with patience and determination, he began to understand his capabilities, learning to use his strength carefully.
Ethan then focused on controlling his heightened senses. He started with his improved eyesight, noticing tiny details in the landscape, like individual blades of grass and insects flying. It felt like seeing the world in high definition, and he loved the clarity it brought.
Next, he practiced his hearing, tuning into the faintest sounds in the wilderness. He could hear leaves rustling, birds chirping, and animals moving on the forest floor. It was like being a living radar, able to pick up and pinpoint the quietest noises.
Finally, he explored his sense of smell. Ethan was amazed by the variety of scents around him. He could identify different plants, the musk of wild animals, and the distant scent of water. It was like experiencing the world in a new way, and he enjoyed the sensory richness all around him.
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