The pain in my leg did not fade after I fell, and it spread slowly from the point of impact until it settled into a dull ache that made every movement feel heavier than it should be, so I remained on the ground for a moment, breathing steadily as I tried to regain control of my body.
A quiet sound escaped me as I tightened my jaw, and although I did not like admitting it, the fall had affected me more than I expected.
"…Tch, this is troublesome."
I placed my hands against the ground and pushed myself up carefully, making sure not to put too much weight on the injured leg as I tested it, and although it held, the discomfort made it clear that I could not move as freely as before.
I needed somewhere to sit.
My gaze shifted around the area until it landed on a nearby rock, and without wasting time, I moved toward it with controlled steps, ignoring the slight imbalance in my movement until I reached it and lowered myself down.
