Capítulo 340: [67.1] Kidnapping a Stranger for a Meal
"Reika… Please wake up… Please…"
I hummed sleepily, "I'm awake…."
"Reika… Please open your eyes…"
I rolled over to hug Cyrus but felt an empty space next to me. In a daze, I faintly opened my eyes to see him lying beside me, his bright blue eyes shining gently as a ray of sun swept over his face. There was a peaceful smile on his face, "Reika… Good morning…"
I reached to touch his shimmering blonde hair, "Good morning, Cyrus…"
My hand suddenly went through his face as the Cyrus next to me disappeared completely. I was startled awake and looked around in a panic, "Wha-wha-what!? Where am I!?"
Sprawling out in front of me was a luscious forest, filled with birds singing and rabbits hopping around playfully.
I stared at it in disbelief, "Did I… Land in some kind of fairytale world!?"
I stood up and took a few steps, but when I saw what lay ahead of me, my mouth dropped. I was standing at the top of a mountain overlooking a land completely untouched by humans. Trees spread out so densely, I couldn't see the grass below it. Beyond that were vast valleys with swaying grass and an ocean beside me. I turned around and found that I wasn't even near the top of the mountain yet.
The squirrels played at my feet, startling me from the unknown landscape. I looked down and realized the dress I was wearing was in shreds and I was missing a shoe, revealing my missing toes. I quickly went to take out my wand to clean off the blood but found that it was no longer in my sock. I rushed to where I was sleeping before and froze when I saw…
It.
My wand was broken into three pieces.
I picked it up in a hurry and tried to push it together, but it was no use…
It was no longer functional.
I held it to my chest and felt my eyes water up.
This was all I had from my Uncle…
And now…
It's broken.
I wiped away my tears and placed the broken pieces into my sock. My aching heart echoed in my dispirited voice, "At least I didn't lose it…"
Broken or not…
I still have it.
I groaned and rubbed my eyes, "What am I going to do? I need to figure out where I am… I have to find civilization."
I tossed my remaining shoe and summoned my ice chunk using my raw mana. I got on top and soared around the forests, looking for any settlement below. However, no matter how long I searched, I found nothing. Eventually, I had no choice but to create a small house of ice for the night as I was running out of energy from creating an ice chunk from nothing.
I yawned as I lay on my back, listening to the noises of the animals around me. I stared up at the stars, "When was the last time I saw the stars so clearly?"
In my previous life, I never had the chance.
Even from my tower, the stars weren't as clear as this.
I counted each star until I finally drifted asleep. As soon as the light came, I climbed onto my ice chunk again and continued my search. As I looked around, my stomach grumbled, reminding me that the last time I ate was that piece of fruit from that strange village. To make matters worse, the ice chunk started melting as my stomach grumbled.
I need to eat soon or I will have to start walking…
I let out a sigh and sat on my ice chunk, searching for any fruit inside the interspatial bag I was given.
"Ugh… Only seeds. What am I supposed to do with that? I need food now!"
I stared down at the cute animals below with my mouth drooling.
Technically… That IS food.
The animals seemed to sense my bloodlust and quickly ran off, hiding from their new predator.
I fell back on my ice and grumbled in irritation.
Who am I kidding? I'm no hunter… I'm too soft.
My head fell to the side as I gazed into the distance. It was only then that I noticed a faint trail of smoke.
Wait!?
Smoke?!
That means humans!!!!
I quickly sped off in that direction, not daring to waste another second since my ice chunk was quickly running out of juice. When I approached, I noticed a few dozen people, all gathered around a fire.
I hopped down with a bright grin, "Humans!!!"
They all jumped up from the fire and faced me with fear on their faces, "Please go away! We don't want any trouble!"
I paused for a moment, realizing that the clothes they were wearing weren't something I had ever seen before.
Did I appear in a different area of the continent?
I cleared my throat, "Worry not. I don't want to harm you. I'm just hungry-"
A man suddenly stepped forward, trembling as he tried to appear strong, "We don't have any food to spare!! Please leave!"
I blinked in surprise and glanced at the people in front of me. They were all malnourished, practically only skin and bones. Their faces were pale and their eyes taut. Even the children looked like they would turn to dust at any moment. My heart felt like it was crushing when I noticed their pitiful appearances.
I narrowed my eyes as I assessed the area around me.
Why didn't I notice before that all the trees here are dead and barren?
How long has it been like this? Just a moment ago there were luscious trees and animals prancing around without a care in the world.
"I can find you food." I pointed far to the mountain, "There are a lot of animals up the mountain if you're hungry."
The man clicked his tongue, "Hah! That journey would take us months!"
Months?
My ice chunk moves quicker than I thought.
I slowly turned back to the man, "Do you want me to take you there?"
"Huh?"
Without waiting for his approval, I created my ice chunk and pulled him onto it by the collar of his scratchy clothes. It was surprisingly easy as he was so light. I didn't wait for him to say anything before I sped away.
He screamed in a panic, grabbing onto my legs as he cried, "PLEASE GO SLOWER!"
I was so used to riders being so frightened, I let him continue to grab onto me without even realizing it.
I spoke nonchalantly, "If I go slower, this ice chunk will be completely melted."
"Huh!? Melted?!"
When I arrived back at the mountain, I glanced down at him, "You can hunt… Right?"
"Huh? H-Hunt?"
"Hmm… It doesn't seem like you have any weapons…" I created an ice spear and shoved it into his hands, "Will this work?"
"W-What?"
"Be quick, please. I can't maintain my magic much longer."
I suddenly dropped us to the ground, ignoring his panicked screams as I did. Once he was on the ground, I pushed him off my ice chunk and watched him expectantly.
"Go on. Go get us a deer."
He stared at me in shock, "E-Excuse me?"
I pointed to the many animals trotting around carefree.
His eyes lit up, "Oh!"
I waited for a bit, but it didn't take him long until he had thrown the spear and easily killed a roaming deer. I helped him load it onto my ice chunk and we sped back toward the rest of his group.
I tossed my head at him, "After you cook this, I deserve a bite."
He was grinning ear to ear as he happily agreed, "I won't just give you a bite! I will name my firstborn after you!!!"
I raised an eyebrow, "No need. I just want food."
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Nekoru
Nekoru Hello~
These next few chapters are the chapters I've been DYING to write...
You've been so patient... Now it's time to solve more mysteries.
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