But today—today will be different

Yesterday morning, as soon as dawn began to break, I was already searching through my backpack. My hand found a cold bottle—I popped a pill into my palm and swallowed it with water straight from the stream.
I didn’t have to wait long for it to take effect.
Filled with a surge of strength, I rushed into battle as I had in my youth. My legs were quick, my arms were strong, my eyes were sharp. The enemies fell one after another. Although the weight of the years is growing heavier on my shoulders, I didn’t feel it that morning. I felt invincible.
But when the sun reached its peak and the noise of battle subsided, I settled down by the campfire to catch my breath. And then I realized... the main battles would be in the evening.

This painful truth struck as hard as an enemy’s knife to the ribs. But there was nothing I could do to change it now, except attack a few enemy squads that were trying to infiltrate our territory.
In the evening, when the enemy had gathered their main forces and attempted to break through our positions, I was already suffering from side effects—my head felt heavy, my hands were shaking.
I fought as best I could, but I was only able to finish off a few enemy deserters, while my brothers-in-arms were mercilessly crushing the enemy forces.

But today—today will be different.
The pill is still in my backpack, the clock says it’s noon, and I’m in no hurry, because today I’m going on a night hunt.
Yes, the early bird catches the worm, but I aim for a much bigger catch today...