-- Chapter 5:

A cacophony of beastial calls and the rustle of leaves in the wind sounded throughout the wide expanse of forest and mountains. Trees that have seen milleniums towered above to the heavens, shielding the behemoths that slumbered beneath from the brilliant rays of dawn.

In this wilderness, an oddity flit among the trees.

Hui Lin extended his conveniently deformable roots and branches and crawled up the side of a tree, perching himself on top, as he took in the view before him.

One month had passed since he entered this world.

Hui felt this world was far more beautiful than the one he had left, though he had to admit he hadn’t seen much of it from within the confines of his bedroom.

As Hui indulged in the breathtaking scenery, he heard a commotion in the distance. Curiosity overpowering his sense of caution, Hui shot forward and swung among the trees, rapidly heading towards the direction of the noise.

As he approached, he discovered the source.

What appeared to be a massive boar, far larger than anything Hui had encountered thus far, came barreling through the woods, ruining anything that dared exist in its path. The beast reached a height of almost 2 meters, with a length of over 3 meters. It possessed hulking muscles and a set of terrifyingly sharp tusks. Its lungs were like billows as every breath it took shook the air around.

Hui froze, both awed by the ferocity of the creature before him and deeply grieved he would never taste spare ribs again.

Then he noticed the trail of putrid liquid following the boar, and followed it to the meter long gash along the boar’s abdomen where its inner organs were almost leaking out.

‘It’s severely injured!’

An attempt at a malicious and greedy smile was made by the sapling as it begun to move.

The boar's steps slowed down as the wound took its toll. It collapsed onto its sides and continually took deep breaths, hoping to recover its injuries before any predators discovered it.

As it attempted to rest, it was alarmed by a sudden jolt of sharp pain on its heels as if it were whipped. It quickly got up and fled in a random direction, failing to notice a shadow following it above.

Several minutes later, when the boar was sure it had left behind its mysterious pursuer, it settled down to rest.

Not seconds later, it was whipped again, only harder this time. In a panic, the boar began to flee again. This process continued as the boar fled from what was evidently a sadist. It was practically in tears from the abuse. What cruel and unusual being had it offended to be harassed this much? It couldn't even fight back as it was far too weak from blood loss.

Soon it collapsed for the final time and died resentfully.

Hui gleefully landed on the corpse and went to work absorbing its essence.