The dirt road stretched onward under the baking mid-day sun, but I didn't mind the long hike at first. There was a serenity to this lush, untamed landscape that eased my spirits. It had been too long since I'd gotten out of the city and into nature.
But as the hours wore on, enthusiasm dwindled under the relentless heat. Rivulets of sweat soaked my shirt as my legs grew sore from trudging mile after endless mile. I should have expected this as I wasn't built for wilderness treks. Luckily my pack held water and snacks to keep me going, plus a foldable umbrella to block the sun. Still, I wished I had a trusty steed like the heroes in fantasy tales. Hoofing it solo through the wilds was not as glamorous as I imagined.
Salvation appeared around a bend in the road - a sprawling banyan tree, its tangled aerial roots creating a canopy easily wide enough to shelter a hundred people. I scrambled gratefully into the offered shade, pressing my back against the sturdy trunk with a blissful sigh as coolness seeped through my sweat-soaked shirt.
"Thanks, big guy," I murmured, giving the tree a friendly pat. After guzzling some water and catching my breath. In the short rest under this serene, leaf-filtered light, my mind start to wonder again. Are banyan tree always these big and cool? I don't know, never study environmental engineering or plant science before. Perhaps it is , perhaps it is magical. Well, only a way to find out.
My strength renewed, curiosity propelled me onwards. I walked slowly around the sprawling tree, marveling at its size and studying its features. So far, there aren't any weird fruits hanging down, crystals forming on the surface, or tentacles attacking me or grabbing me.
With a renewed strength, I felt a surge of curiosity that drove me to explore further. I circled around the massive tree carefully, awed by its enormity and intrigued by its features. It had a thick trunk that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, and branches that spread out like arms reaching for the horizon. It looked like a normal tree, except for its colossal size. I scanned its surface for any signs of magic, but I found none. There were no weird fruits dangling, no crystals sparkling on its skin, no tentacles lashing out at me, grabbing me and forcing me cum.
Rounding the bend, I spotted a tuft of snowy fur nestled among the roots. I edged forward and gasped - not just fur, but an entire furry body! An anthropomorphic wolf lay unconscious before me.
Even resting, he was intimidatingly large, easily over seven feet tall with thickly corded muscles that rippled under his fur. Through the simple tunic and trousers, I could glimpse a powerful physique carved from work. His torso tapered to a lean waist, but his arms and legs bulged with the strength of someone who spent their days in hard physical labor. Dark claws tipped each digit of his hands and bare feet.
But what fascinated me most were his lupine features, undeniably handsome. Fur as white as fresh snow covered him from head to toe. His face had a wolfish cast - a long muzzle, pointy ears and a wet black nose that twitched occasionally.
"A beastman!" I cheered uncontrollably under my breath. This was no mere wolf, but a beastman with a stunning hybrid of human and primal animal traits. My heart thrilled at this fantasy creature come to life. This is not just Isekai, this is heaven.
"Greetings, Sir!" I called. "Sorry to disturb your rest, but isn't it a nice day?" I tidied my rumpled clothes, eager to make a good first impression.
No response, not even a flicker of those lupine ears. I edged nearer, my frown deepening. His rugged features were tense, breath coming in pained rasps. Several empty flasks lay nearby, their contents spilled on the ground. Drunk? Poisoned?
I knelt and gently shook his shoulder. "Are you all right? What's wrong?" I asked, hoping for some sign of life. He remained distressingly still.
My first aid training kicked in - check airway, breathing, pulse. They were weak and rapid, but he was alive. I rummaged through my pack for anything that could help, but this was beyond my preparation. I try to induce vomiting but Mr. Anthro Wolf was too heavy and gritted his sharp teeth too hard.
This left me no choice but to...