She and Bao ran like mad through the forest while escaping the giant lizard and crossed an expansive distance. They mostly went in one direction, the line of detail on the map wobbling here and there when they had to dodge around a tree or th.o.r.n.y bush. The problem lied in the fact she couldn't see the edge of the forest by looking at the map! She couldn't tell how big the forest was or where the edge might be.

'The notifications said something about a s.p.a.cial array. s.p.a.cial... Did we get transported somewhere else? No, no, that can't be right. My Enslavement Bind locks me to the estate. Ah... Unless we got transported to a secret part of the estate? A different area that still counts as the estate property for the purposes of my restrictions... Or maybe the forest is a lot bigger on the inside than it is on the outside? This place has magic stuff going on, I really can't rule anything out with Earth-based common sense.'

Her thoughts ran in circles for awhile until she decided to push it all aside. She had no way of getting answers yet. With Scan Lv.5 she could find food in the forest just by looking around, so while it would take more effort than her original plan of raiding the nearest farms for supplies, the danger of starving was minimal.

Of greater concern was the threat of danger. Li Mei thought she'd be smacking tiny little slimes in the face, not taking on a gigantic lizard boss as the first encounter! Her heart was not prepared for that much excitement. Escaping from the forest would have to wait until she wasn't scared to wander around aimlessly seeking the exit, and for that...

She'd have to get stronger.

The E.R.M. gave her a boost, but it really only brought her physical stats up to par with the average child of twelve. That wouldn't be anywhere near enough to take on a monster like Vigen, who drank an empowerment serum as though it were water. His lack of reaction meant he was either very used to the pain, or already had stats above 10 - wording on the tooltip implied only increasing the stats was painful, drinking the serum for the boost shouldn't cause any suffering.

Both options were unpleasant to think about. Li Mei brought out one of the serums to examine the glowing blue vial with her upgraded Scan.

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[Empowerment Serum #3 (Low-Grade)]

Third in a series of developmental serums produced by Venture ChemCo. Effective but with a high level of impurities remaining after refinement causing flaws during use. As long as warnings are heeded the serum is safe and effective, if somewhat unpleasant.

Considering the drawbacks and impurities, low-grade serums are much cheaper and more widely available. #3 is close to mid-grade in effectiveness so it's very popular.

Forcefully increases STR, CON, and DEX by 15%. Also restores 1% Health with each consumption.

Permanent effect for those with relevant stats below 10 only.

For those with stats above 10, it provides a temporary boost of 10% to all physical stats for 3 hours and an adrenaline rush lasting 15 minutes.

WARNING: The process of increasing stats through a low-grade serum will be incredibly painful. Falling unconscious during the process can nullify the effect or even cause temporary stat loss. Vials carefully measured to const.i.tute a single dose. There will be no effect if less than a single dose is taken. Never consume more than one dose per 30 hour period, or damages may be irreparable or even lethal. Temporary boost and adrenaline rush may be addictive. Habitual use causes mood swings, irritability, increased aggression and appet.i.te.

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"I have 25 of these. That's enough to increase my physical stats three times with some vials left over! If I can endure the pain. Ugh, I don't like pain but it's all I'm made of these days..." Li Mei wrinkled her nose, running a hand over her burnt scalp. Bao's careful application of herbs helped many of her injuries, but the stat window said her overall health was a measly 73%.

At least the serums would restore some of that.

She uncorked the vial. Bao sniffed the air then snorted, his expression unmistakably disgusted. Li Mei lifted the serum away and stuck out her tongue in a very mature responding gesture. "You're already stronger than me, so I need these to catch up a bit. You don't have to drink this! Just make sure I don't pa.s.s out, this is supposed to hurt."

The fera stuck out his purple tongue, mimicking her response, but sat straight with his eyes watching her carefully. Taking that as agreement, Li Mei squared her shoulders and gulped the contents of the vial down in one go.

Cool liquid flowed through her veins, turning into fuzzy warmth that spread to the tips of her fingers and toes. Her scalp tingled, and then...

Waking up in a new body with her stomach torn open was painful.

Flesh burning as she ran through the exploding manor was painful.

Running on blistered feet through a forest of th.o.r.n.y bushes was painful.

The serum didn't cause pain.

It caused sheer agony!

Li Mei screamed until her throat bled, convulsing on the ground with such force the dirt got flung all over their little room. Bao panicked and pinned her limbs so she wouldn't hurt herself flailing. Creatures hiding in other parts of the root system fled for cover, trembling in the shadows with fright.

Days pa.s.sed in her perception before the torment faded, but according to the Interface clock it was less than ten minutes. Li Mei groaned and lay p.r.o.ne in the dirt, unable to even lift a finger. 'Addictive substance, yeah right!'

Bao only released his hold on her limbs once she managed to regulate her breathing. He was very careful not to cut her with his claws. She didn't get up at first, staring instead at the notification hovering before her eyes.

-----

[Shelter]

★★★★

Where you're at now is a good temporary location, but don't forget you were chased there by a big predator. It still knows where you're at! Maybe you should find a more secure base.

Hint: Don't forget Bao is a fera, who are trained to be mounts. He's stronger than he looks. Make sure to hold on tight.

Reward: Peace of mind, 5000 EXP

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5000 EXP wouldn't be much progress for her debt, but enough drops of water would make an ocean eventually. She'd earn EXP on the side, but her energy and attention would be on getting stronger. 7.3 million was just too big of a number to conceptualize for someone recently excited about triple digits.

Li Mei accepted the Quest and slowly sat up. The rope she looped over her shoulder before they entered the forest was long gone, dropped in the escape from the lizard. She managed to hold on to the digging bar, which she mentally renamed as a metal staff since digging bar didn't sound cool at all. It lay on the ground where it got flung during her painful serum-induced flailing, and thanks to the food they'd eaten there was just enough room to stash it in storage along with everything else.

"Hey Bao... Do you think you could carry me?" Li Mei asked, clambering to her feet. Bao looked offended that she even had to ask, tossing her a disdainful stare with three of his eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Don't give me that look, I'm just asking! We should find another safe place to stay, that big lizard knows where we are right now. But I'm... Not very strong or fast yet. Think you can help me out?"

Bao chirped an affirmative and the pair crawled their way out of the temporary root shelter. Outside, the warm humid forest was surprisingly noisy. Birds calling, insects buzzing, distant predators roaring in triumph. Li Mei inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with a strong woodsy fragrance tinged with the aroma of sweet flowers.

The fera crouched on the ground, the eye positioned in the back of his skull watching her with a touch of impatience. Li Mei hesitated before sitting on his back and burying her fingers in the thick ruff around his neck. She'd never ridden a horse, or fera or whatever, but how bad could it be?