The Villain’s Perspective

The sun was slowly rising from the eastern horizon. It spread a cozy and bright light throughout the entire forest, dispelling the dangerous and freezing night.

But Lucifer didn't like it at all because it meant that he wouldn't be able to use Shadow Movement as freely as before. Now, Lucifer could only jump over the shadows created by the trees when using Shadow Movement.

On the other hand, low-level monsters would usually be less active in the morning. So not being able to use Shadow Movement wasn't that big of a problem to Lucifer.

That was, unless Lucifer encountered a monster of Giga level or higher.

Although Shadow Movement's movement ability was limited in the morning, it was still faster and more convenient than normal walking. So Lucifer kept on using Shadow Movement to go forward.

Lucifer didn't bring much food with him, he only had about 5 protein bars, so saving food was the right thing to do. Lucifer had promised to himself that he would only eat one bar a day.

But thinking and putting it into practice were two completely different things. At the end of the day, Lucifer had finished 2 protein bars in just 1 day. The remaining food was only enough for Lucifer to survive for about 2 days. But if he held on, he would survive for 5 days.

'Now I have to find a water source.'

Although food was essential, water was even more important, especially in this situation. Lucifer had read in books that humans could survive for 1 to 2 months without food but would only survive for 2 to 4 days without water.

So the most urgent task now was to find a lake, a pond or anything that contained water.

But the unusual thing was that Lucifer had been moving since last night but he still hadn't discovered a lake or even a pond.

'I guess I should change direction.'

Lucifer then decided to go slightly to the left in front to find a water source. He didn't bring a water bottle with him, so he was quite thirsty by now.

If it was urgent, Lucifer would have to drink his own urine. But if he had to, he would rather end his life than do that. For Lucifer, drinking urine was even worse than death.

Just like that, Lucifer continued to dash at full speed.

***

Lucifer had experienced 2 sunrises since he started his journey. Currently, he was experiencing his 3rd and probably last sunrise.

Although it had been 2 days, Lucifer still hadn't found any water to drink, and the weather wasn't even raining. Now, he only had 1 protein bar left.

Lucifer could feel his death getting nearer and nearer if he continued like this. His steps had slowed down significantly due to fatigue. Lucifer felt like everything around him was spinning.

He was dizzy.

Lucifer began to think back on his choice. What would it be like if he chose to follow the heroes? If he was going to die anyway, he would at least want to die in a comfortable place rather than somewhere in the jungle.

Then, Lucifer began to think about Mask and Lucian, the two people he had left behind.

'I wonder if Mask has recovered from her illness? I wonder if she will be worried about me when she wakes up? I wonder if she will recognize me when we meet again?'

'Oh right, I didn't ask her for her real name or tell her my actual name.'

Lucifer began to regret not asking Mask's real name.

Suddenly, Lucifer heard a rustling sound behind the bushes. He instantly activated Shadow Movement, merging with the shade formed by a nearby tree.

Now he had two options: First, check where the sound came from or run away like a coward.

After some deliberation, Lucifer had come to a conclusion, which was to check where the sound was from. If it was from a monster, Lucifer could simply use Shadow Movement to get away.

Lucifer slowly moved closer to the source of the sound by jumping over the shadows of the trees.

'Isn't that…'

Lucifer was delighted after witnessing what made the sound. It was from a harmless-looking deer.

Deer was an animal. And animals definitely had blood. Blood was a liquid. And water was also a liquid. Therefore, deer's blood was like water, both of which could be drunk.

Lucifer ignored the dangers of drinking blood from a deer because he was extremely thirsty right now. If he didn't drink the deer's blood, he would have to drink his own urine.

Now, Lucifer had to be extremely careful. Just a small mistake could cause Lucifer's water source to run away.

So Lucifer gradually moved through the shadows of the trees to get closer to the deer. Fortunately, it seemed that because Lucifer was one with the shadow, the deer did not notice him. It continued to graze calmly without knowing that death was approaching.

Lucifer readied the dagger he had been using since he was in Hell. Although it was a bit dull, it was still usable.

At present, Lucifer was only a few centimeters away from the deer. He had to act as quickly and decisively as possible if he wanted to kill the deer. He had to deal with it in just one hit.

Lucifer took a deep breath, then he canceled the use of Shadow Movement right away. Lucifer immediately appeared from a shade created by a tree right next to the deer.

The deer was shocked and accidentally fell to the ground. Lucifer quickly used one hand to grab the deer's neck tightly to prevent it from running away while using the other hand to stab the deer in the neck.

The deer died instantly, blood gushing out like a waterfall from the stab wound on its neck. Lucifer instantly brought his mouth close to the deer's neck and drank its blood in satisfaction.

The deer's blood was very fishy and warm, completely different from plain water. But for Lucifer now, the deer's blood was even more delicious than water. Lucifer drank until there was no more blood flowing out from the deer's wound.

Lucifer had drunk all the deer's blood, his thirst was also somewhat quenched. Although consuming animal blood was threatening, Lucifer did not regret it at all because it allowed him to continue living.

As expected, that night, Lucifer was unable to move because of a stomach ache. He had to rest on a tall tree to avoid being discovered by the monsters.

Lucifer groaned in pain. But he still did not regret his actions in the morning because it allowed him to continue surviving for a few more days and saved a protein bar.