章 37: In the Forest

When Titania first entered the forest he quickly slowed down into a walk. He knew that from this point on he must conserve as much energy as possible. Of course he made sure that he slowed down once he was out of eyesight of the researchers. Once he slowed down he admired the forest wilderness.

Under the shade of the forest trees that block much sunlight the entire forest had a permanent cool temperature, almost cold. The high humidity of the forest amplified its temperature even more. The trees made up the bulk of the forest were covered in sticky sap that clung to Titania's hands whenever he touched it. So far from what he had encountered there were no significantly large animals that could kill him but rather to occasional squirrel and small game.

Titania knew that he had no food or water on him. He only a gun with a loaded magazine and no other way to reload on bullets. He knew that he must play it conservatively during this test. So far he knew that he must find a water source somewhere, from a lake or pond. He began searching for it the best way he knew how.

By wandering aimlessly and having high hopes.

He knew that he didn't have to worry about hunting for food anytime soon as he could shoot with his gun. His only concern regarding that is how many bullets is going to use if he does go hunting. He preferred that he used only one per animal. Then he remembered something.

He forgot to collect the rewarded from the combat assessment.

[Mission Complete!]

[Defend yourself from General Rad the Steadfast until the assessment is over!]

[Reward: 1 Free Random Talent (Compatibility not guaranteed)]

When Titania saw this he crossed his fingers that he would receive something that would help him in his situation. A survival based talent would work extremely well in his current situation. Something that could help with finding a safe drinking source would be the best, if he would drinking water then he would find other animals too.

He paused for a moment before accepting the reward. To gather his marbles and in some case, luck. After the moment he tapped the reward.

[Randomizing...]

[Talent received!]

[Talent: Funeral Director]

When Titania read this he raised his eyebrow at it. Just from reading the name of the talent, he felt a pit develop in his stomach. Most of his hopes of getting a talent that would help him were now dashed, but a small speck remained. He tapped on the description of the talent in some hope of finding help.

[Talent: Funeral Director]

[Description: You are there to guide those who have died into the afterlife and help those who mourn there lose. You were there when they were alive and now you lay them to rest. As the enemy's health gets lower they take more damage from your attacks.]

[Remarks: Doesn't help you at funerals.]

When Titania took this as a mixed result. He didn't know how to feel about it. It helped in combat and can see how it can work his spore production ability. He could use the spore production early into the fight so that it could chip away at the enemy's health and then when it was. It also could have helped him with his bout with General Rad.

But it didn't help him with his current situation. He still needed to find a source of water, hell even an animal that had a lot of blood would substitute well.

He still wanders aimless with much lower hope, never retracing his steps only going forward. He prays that it might rain, but even then he has no means to collect rain water. Collect it with the tree leaves? No, the leaves too weak to carry it and too small contain a significant amount.

Perhaps he could drink from the puddles the way that elk and deer do and eat the moss found on gray rocks and leaves from bushes who bear better tasting fruit. But there is no water around him and the sky remain an clear blue with the occasional white cloud and no large game.

Unbeknownst Titania someone follows him, watching ever so closely. He watches, his eyes never leaving its gaze even to blink he still looks. Behold for the one observing is Ajax! Like how the hunter stalks its prey before taking the final leap with it's maw wide, so does Ajax follows Titania! He follows quietly behind Titania, never making to much noise but the occasional grumbling to himself.

"I don't know why Dad wants me to follow him," He muttered to himself as he stalks Titania, who wanders around aimlessly.

Titania presses forward and still doesn't go back to retrace his steps. Until finally he hears the sound of rushing water.