The sun climbed higher, beating down on Ethan and Marcus as they pushed deeper into the sprawling wilderness. The open fields of the previous night quickly gave way to dense, unbroken forest, then stretches of rolling hills dotted with thickets and rocky outcrops. Their journey was no longer a reconnaissance mission; it was a pure test of survival.
Ethan's injured arm ached with a dull, persistent throb, and his ribs protested with every uneven step. His **Hardened Constitution** (Tier 1) was undeniably helping him endure the pain and the constant exertion, but it didn't make the reality of their situation any less grueling. Their only comfort was the quiet hum of his **Anomaly Sense**, indicating no immediate large concentrations of infected.
"Water's going to be our first priority," Marcus stated, his eyes constantly scanning the forest floor. He moved with the quiet grace of a seasoned hunter, his senses attuned to every rustle and snap. "We'll keep an eye out for any low-lying areas, maybe a spring."
They moved methodically, conserving energy. Marcus pointed out edible berries and roots he recognized, teaching Ethan which plants to avoid. Ethan, relying on his slightly enhanced senses, sometimes caught the glint of water or the faint scent of disturbed earth that Marcus might have missed. They found a small, trickling stream by late morning, its water cool and clear, a life-saving discovery. They filled their canteens and rested, savoring the cool, fresh taste.
**\[Survival (Water Source Found) Experience Gained: 15 EXP.]**
**\[Current Experience: 550/600.]**
Their foraging for food was less successful. The dried beef jerky they'd found was a meager supplement, and the few wild berries Marcus identified offered little sustenance. The wilderness provided concealment from the infected, but it was also a tough provider.
As they pressed on, the silence of the woods was occasionally broken by the familiar, low moans of distant shamblers. These were isolated incidents, easily avoided by simply veering off course or hiding behind thick trees until they passed. They rarely saw Runners or the more specialized mutations. Without the Alpha, the infected were back to being dumb, driven by instinct.
However, the wilderness presented its own set of dangers. Mid-afternoon, they heard it: a low growl, followed by the snapping of twigs. Not the uneven gait of an infected, but the agile movements of a living, breathing predator.
"Bear," Marcus whispered, drawing his hunting knife. "Infected or not, we don't want to tangle with it."
Ethan's **Anomaly Sense** flared, confirming Marcus's suspicion. A large, dark mass moved through the trees ahead. It was an infected bear, its fur matted, its movements slightly erratic, but still incredibly powerful and fast. Its eyes glowed with the familiar milky-white haze of the infected.
**\[Threat Detected: Infected Bear (Large Infected Wildlife). Threat Level: High.]**
"Head back!" Ethan hissed, grabbing Marcus's arm. There was no fighting this thing in their condition, not without heavy weapons.
They retreated as silently and swiftly as possible, circling wide around the infected predator. The bear, thankfully, seemed more interested in something else in the brush, its focus not entirely on them. They moved for another hour, their hearts pounding, until they felt a safe distance away.
The close call with the bear underscored their vulnerability. They were not just facing infected humans; the collapse had turned all of nature into a potential threat. Every sound, every shadow, was scrutinized.
As evening approached, they tried to contact Anya and Jax again, but only received the same disheartening static. Their isolation was becoming a heavy burden, compounding the physical exhaustion. They needed to find shelter before nightfall, a more substantial one this time.
They pushed on, their eyes scanning for anything resembling an old cabin, a rock shelter, anything that could offer more than just a cluster of trees. The hope of finding Anya and Jax was their only true fuel now, driving them forward through the unending green gauntlet.