Amon ran through the forest, branches snapping beneath his boots, thorns scraping against his clothes.

The sound grew clearer with every step. His heart beat faster in excitement. In anticipation.

Shhhh…

Shhhh…

It was no longer faint. The sound was getting closer, louder and clearer. Then.

He burst through a cluster of twisted trees and stopped abruptly. There it was. A clean, beautiful river.

It was not too large or too wide. But unmistakably real.A small stream flowed quietly between dark stones, its surface rippling gently as it moved forward.

Pale light reflected faintly off the water, creating soft, trembling patterns beneath the gloomy canopy. Compared to the lifeless forest around it, the sight felt unreal.

Amon stood there, frozen. For a few seconds, he didn't move. He didn't breathe. He didn't blink.

Then.

"…Hah…"

A short breath escaped his lips. "Hah… hah…"

Amon lowered his sword slowly. His shoulders loosened, tension draining from his body.

"Heh…"

A quiet laugh slipped out. He was not laughing loudly. Just quietly. A laugh that came from him because of happiness.

Just… relieved.

"Hehehe…"

He laughed softly, happiness seeping into every breath.

"I found it…"

A real river. Real water.

Proof that this place wasn't completely cursed. It still had things that could keep him alive. Hopeful things did exist in this creepy forest.

'Oh my goddess…' Amon unconsciously thought about the goddess, wanting to thank her… but then he didn't.

Why should he? His situation was not good at all. Just because he got a water source didn't mean he was safe.

Well, still.

A source of fresh, clean water. That would help him survive. He didn't have to worry about water anymore.

Amon walked toward the edge of the stream, his steps slow, almost careful. As if afraid the scene would disappear if he moved too quickly. He crouched down and bent forward, staring into the flowing water.

It was clear.

So clear that he could see the smooth stones resting at the bottom, untouched and clean. No strange color. No foul smell. No dark residue.

His heart eased a little more. Amon dipped his fingers into the stream. Cold.The chill shot up his arm, but it felt refreshing rather than painful.

"…Good."

He cupped his hands and lifted the water, watching it tremble between his palms. Then, after a brief hesitation, he brought it closer and tasted it.

Sip.

The water slid down his throat. Cool, pure, clean. Amon closed his eyes.

"…It's real."

There was no bitterness. No weird taste in it. Gladly, it was not poisonous. It was just normal water.

For the first time since arriving in this hellish place, a genuine smile formed on his face. "I won't die of thirst, at least…"

He let out a quiet breath and stayed there for a moment longer, listening to the gentle flow of the stream. A rare, peaceful sound in a forest filled with fear.

Amon didn't waste much time. He took out his bottle. The one he had emptied till now while coming here.

After all, it was tiring to walk so long. So he drank the remaining water in it. He only possessed two water bottles.The other was still filled.

Well, now he could just come back anytime he needed water.He started to fill the water in his bottle. After filling it, Amon sat at the edge of the river, taking some rest.

But then he felt something wrong.'Why is there nothing here? I thought maybe monsters would be near this place.'

Now he felt uneasy. This was not normal. "Let's check out this place more."

Amon stood on his feet and strode toward the nearby tree.He made a cross on its bark, a sign that he came from this direction.

He observed his surroundings in curiosity.

Then he started to walk along the side where the water was flowing, streaming with a sweet sound.

As he traveled more, he observed that the width of the river was increasing, including its depth as well.

The water was no longer transparent. "Oh, it's getting bigger… maybe I could find some people living at the edge of the river if I continue to go in this direction."

This was one of the options he had. Maybe he could find someone, though the chances were too slim.

Even Amon didn't think any human would live in a forest like this. Still, there was nothing wrong with trying to find some clues.

But another, most worrying thing was… he didn't find a single monster here. Amon stopped walking.

His brows slowly furrowed as his thoughts tangled together.A river this clean. There were no monsters or anything near it. This was too perfect. How could Amon be so lucky?

Too perfect.

He pulled out his sword and gripped it tightly.

"…This isn't normal," he muttered.

In places like this, monsters were drawn to water.

Especially in cursed forests. Water was life, for humans, beasts, and monsters alike. Yet until now, he hadn't sensed a single presence.

That uneasy feeling crawled up his spine.

Just as he was about to step back.

Ripple.

Amon froze.

"…?"

The surface of the river trembled.

Not from the flow. Did something fall into the water? A stone? But how?

From something beneath it.

Ripple.

Ripple.

His eyes snapped to the water instantly. His body shifted into a defensive stance without him realizing it, knees bending slightly, sword angled downward.

The water wasn't clear anymore. It was darker here, deeper. He couldn't see the bottom. Something moved under the water. It was slow. But there was something.

Amon held his breath.

'…Don't tell me—'

The ripples grew wider. Stronger. Then suddenly.

BOOM!

The water exploded upward.

"–!!"

Amon jumped back instinctively as something massive burst out of the river with a thunderous roar.

"HSSSSSS–!!!"

A huge snake-like monster rose into the air, water cascading down its scales like rain. Its body was thick. Thicker than a grown man's torso and its length easily exceeded ten meters.

Black and dark green scales covered its body, slick and glossy, blending almost perfectly with the forest's colors.

Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, slit pupils locking onto Amon instantly. Its mouth opened wide, revealing rows of curved fangs.

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