NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Navigating the Unknown
As the adrenaline slowly subsided, Nyanko Sakura's survival instincts began to make way for confusion and uncertainty. She stared at the blood-stained scene around her, feeling a wave of nausea. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. She couldn't stay here; she needed to find a way out and figure out her next steps.
She looked at the map she had taken from the human's belongings, her red eyes scanning the unfamiliar symbols and lines. It was clear that she couldn't read the human language, but the colors and shapes offered some clues. Green marks indicated human fortresses, while red marks indicated areas controlled by monsters. However, there was no indication of her current location.
Sakura's ears twitched as she tried to make sense of the map. Her limited understanding of the human world made it difficult, but she knew she had to try. If she could find her way to a human fortress, perhaps she could find more information or even someone who might help her, though that thought was tinged with doubt.
With the map in hand, she moved towards the front door, only to find it locked. Frustration bubbled up inside her, but she pushed it down. She needed to stay calm and think clearly. The human must have had a key. She turned back to the body, her stomach churning at the thought of searching it.
Gritting her teeth, Sakura knelt beside the man. Her claws hesitated for a moment before she started rifling through his pockets. The sight and smell of blood made her ears flatten against her head, but she pressed on. She found some strange metal objects, a few pieces of paper, and finally, a small key.
Holding the key tightly in her hand, Sakura stood up and walked back to the door. She inserted the key into the lock, and with a satisfying click, the door swung open. The cool night air greeted her, a stark contrast to the stuffy, oppressive atmosphere inside the shelter.
Stepping outside, she glanced around to ensure the coast was clear. The city was still in chaos, with distant sounds of battle and destruction filling the air. She clutched the map to her chest, trying to decide her next move. She needed to find her bearings and determine her location relative to the green and red zones on the map.
Sakura's instincts told her to head away from the loudest sounds of battle. Moving cautiously, she crept through the shadows, her ears and tail alert for any sign of danger. Every noise made her jump, but she pushed forward, determined to survive.
She found a quiet alleyway and took a moment to examine the map again. Despite not being able to read the labels, she noticed a river marked with a blue line running through the city. If she could find that river, she might be able to use it as a reference point to navigate.
With renewed determination, Sakura set off towards where she thought the river might be, using her enhanced senses to guide her. The journey was perilous, with the constant threat of both humans and monsters lurking around every corner. But Sakura's agility and night vision served her well, allowing her to avoid detection and move swiftly through the city.
Finally, she reached a vantage point where she could see the glimmer of water in the distance. Relief washed over her as she realized she had found the river. Now, she just needed to follow it and figure out her position on the map.
As she continued along the riverbank, her mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. She knew she couldn't trust anyone easily, but she also couldn't survive alone forever. She needed to find allies, someone who could understand her and help her navigate this strange, dangerous world.
With each step, Sakura's resolve grew stronger. She would find her way, no matter how difficult the journey. She was no longer just a frightened monster lost in a human world. She was Nyanko Sakura, and she would survive.