Watching the insect closely, I try to figure out a way to deal with it.
— The caterpillar has poison in its body, right? Where exactly was it…?
I remember that these creatures can make someone sick just by touch, but I can't recall exactly which part of their body contains the venom. As a precaution, I keep my distance, observing every movement of its segmented body.
I maintain a safe distance, wondering if the same strategy I used with the slug would work here as well.
— It must be tougher than the slug… And I don't know how much my spear can handle — I glance at the already worn wood. — Maybe I should just leave it and run?
I try to find an escape route, but while searching, I come across something even worse.
— That cockroach… So this is where it was. — I sigh, realizing it'll be far worse if I just run and get chased by it. — You know what? Change of plans: it's time to hunt.
I grab a stone and throw it at the cockroach, which seemed to be approaching the water. The stone splashes into the creek, drenching a few drops onto it.
At that moment, it spreads its wings and starts flying over the creek, locating me next to the caterpillar and shooting straight toward me.
— At least it's not as fast as the small ones… — I think, planting my feet firmly as if ready to strike. — …Now!
As soon as it comes close enough, I use all my strength to hit it with the spear, as if wielding a bat. The wood splits in half on impact, but I manage to disorient the cockroach, which plummets directly onto the caterpillar.
Without thinking twice, I run behind a nearby tree and hide, watching as the two insects struggle. The cockroach, affected by the impact and its own venom, tries to fly but loses control, clumsily crashing into logs and branches around it. The caterpillar, alert and cautious, takes advantage of the chaos to crawl away toward another part of the forest.
I stay still, taking deep breaths, alert for any sign of danger.
I'm not sure how much time passes, but when I notice the noise has stopped, I move silently back to the spot and see the cockroach upside down, trying to move.
— Seriously… what a horrible sight… — I think, picking up the other half of the spear that had broken and fallen to the ground. — …Here goes!
I drive the spear's tip into the cockroach's head and quickly step back, as it thrashes around violently. A few minutes later, it finally stops moving, and I let out a relieved sigh.
— Seriously… what did I do to deserve this?
I return to the spring to drink, as my throat is dry again. After finding a spot that seems safe, I check my status.
— Open panel.
[Name]: Rafael
[Race]: Human
[Level]: 1
[Skills]
[Spearman]: 2
— I didn't expect the Spearman skill to level up, since I didn't even use the spear properly… And why hasn't my level increased? Even killing a rabbit should raise my level!
As I glare at my level 1, I decide to head back to the cabin, thinking about ways to get food.
— I could eat that cockroach… But I'm not desperate enough for that yet.
I follow the creek back toward the sea.
[To be continued…]