I come from muddy places but am beautiful and pure.
People love me for my looks and my spiritual charm.
I have your next clue. Come and get it before I close the shop for the day...
"What the hell does this mean? Where am I supposed to find a shop in this place?"
I am so furious that I feel like lashing out right now. First, that blasted bird tried to attack me, and now this clue is utterly baffling. To make matters worse, DEKU persists in bothering me like an irritating thorn that I wish I could get rid of for good.
"Muddy Place. It should be somewhere near mud" he said.
Before he could begin rambling, I said, "Great thinking. This place is so clean that finding a muddy spot will hardly be an issue." However, he ignored me and continued rambling as he always did. I caught some phrases like "... something near water" and "the Serpent river"
"I think we should go over there, Kacchan. The river isn't far from here. We just need to look for signs of water. Maybe we could take a little break there, it's already lunch time. I brought some rice cakes, mochi, kimchi and cup ramen. I didn't think about where I'd find hot water, but I figured if you were with me, you could boil some for me. Only if you want to though. I don't want to be a burden or anything..."
"JUST SHUT UP. Don't say another word." I roared, cutting him off mid-ramble. How could he speak for so long without taking a breath? "I am keeping the box and going to find that river myself. Keep your mouth shut. Got it?". Without waiting for his reply, I blasted explosions to propel myself into the air and put as much distance between us as I could.
I nodded. "Wait, Kacchan. I can't follow you using Full Cowl. It would snap the straps on my bag" I said. He ran off without listening to me. With a sigh, I started walking alone.
As I strolled slowly through the woods, I enjoyed watching the clouds drift swiftly by while birds sang a soothing melody accompanied by the rhythmic bass of cicadas. The gentle breeze lifted my hair slightly and swept the sweat from my brow, reminding the pleasant feeling of lazily wandering through a garden after a long day's work. The skip in my step came back after a few minutes of leisurely walking, though the weight of my heavy backpack made sure it didn't last. Along the way, I saw some angelic, fluffy white rabbits and fed them nuts from my bag.
After some time, I heard the rustling of leaves ahead, likely signaling a predator my way. Though not unusual in the forest, this particular rustling filled me with unease. I abandoned my bag and posed in a fighting stance, conflicted. I had no desire to harm any creature, yet I would defend myself if attacked. The presumed predator revealed itself as a deer, sprinting towards me. Maintaining my stance, I prepared to fight. But the deer darted past without incident. Confused, I watched it disappear into the woods. I picked up my bag and continued onward, puzzled by the encounter.
Kacchan must have already found the clue by now. I thought while enjoying the tranquility. Suddenly, I heard the rustling again and took a fighting stance. This time a wolf appeared and disappeared in an instance. Something is definitely wrong. I quickened my pace and this time, heard some explosions in the distance. After covering some distance, it was obvious something was bothering our short-tempered boy, as I heard swearing.
I found him blasting explosion at flies, scratching his neck like a wild animal. His arms and neck were bleeding slightly from the various scratches. His face was entirely flushed and covered in hives. I approached cautiously so as not to startle him while he focused on the flies swarming around. He flinched when he noticed me but soon relaxed a little. The relaxation was brief as he resumed scratching vigorously.
It seems like he has developed some kind of allergic reaction. I don't know if it is from something he ate or touched, but it needed treatment immediately. I quickly pulled out the medical kit and water bottle from my bag.
"Kacchan, take these. They will help with your allergy" I said.
"Stay the fuck away from me!" he yelled, scratching violently at his arms.
"You're only going to make it worse. Come on, Kacchan. I know how itchy you are feeling and it won't go away on its own. I have medicine that can help cure it. Trust me"
"Trust you?" he scoffed. "What next, trust the Grim Reaper who's here to suck out my soul and grant me immortality?"
I simply splashed the water on him. He looked at me with shocked expression that soon turned to anger and then something more. He rapidly blasted 5 explosions in succession, but simply used my Full Cowl to dodge them. I ran in the opposite direction and found a broken tree laying on the ground. Seeing him approach, I jumped high to lure him near the fallen tree. "DETROIT SMASH!" I shouted, felling another tree onto the broken one, trapping the explosive boy beneath.
He struggled to get free but the itching intensified and he clawed at his neck in desperation. His breathing became audibly labored, though whether from adrenaline or an untreated allergic reaction, it was unclear.
"Kacchan, just drop this idiocy and take the damn medicine" I shouted in frustration. "You are the one slowing us down now and I don't wish to fail this assignment because of your damn pride" I roared.
He only uttered 'Tch' in response, too tired to say anything more. I fetched medicine and another water bottle for ensuring he took the anti-allergy medication, I lifted the tree to free him. "Come on, I have a medicinal cream to soothe your itch" I said and started walking back to my bag. After a few minutes of scratching and contemplation, he followed.
By time he arrived, I was ready with the Hydrocortisone cream and a wet towel. I gestured him to sit on a nearby rock and simply handed him the wet towel. He took it and rubbed his face, neck, and arms. Once he was done, I handed him the cream.
"Don't apply it on the cuts. It will do no good" I said and watch him apply it on his hands. He considered applying it on his inflamed face but didn't knew where the cuts were. "Here, let me do it for you" I offered, reaching for the tube, but he swatted my hand away and blindly smeared the cream on his face and neck. I know he is having a slight headache and an unbearable feeling to scratch his itchy skin. I needed to distract him before he does real damage.
"Hey Kacchan! Can you please find me 4 big and heavy rocks?"
Thank you for reading this.
I would like to know if the length of the chapter is too short or too long? Let me know.
PS: Next chapter is going to be a bit longer.
Gotta go. Adventure awaits.