The next three days pass uneventfully for Ben. He eats his rations and tends to his fire. On the side when he finds the time, he reads his book, but there is nothing really interesting in it except more information about levels and skills. `Today is the fifth day and I feel stronger than the previous days. I should explore the area a bit.` Ben makes up his mind and equips himself accordingly.
He continues north but apart from more trees he finds nothing interesting but as he wanders through the forest he keeps using analysis when he sees an herb with the special description.
Red Witchweed
Red witchweed is a common herb. It grows preferentially in places where blood has been shed. This gives it the properties to promote natural wound healing. For this, the herb must be mashed and smeared onto the wound.
`I should collect some. They could be useful, but I should leave some so that these can grow back.` Ben crouches down and cuts the stalks with his sword. After two handfuls he stops and looks around. He has harvested about a third of the red witchweed. He continues on his way but finds nothing interesting on his exploration and decides to go back to his shelter.
Once there, he finds the campfire still smouldering in front of him and he hurries to get it burning again. Sitting in front of the campfire, Ben crushes the herbs into a paste with the help of two stones. Then he puts the paste into a container of his rations. The evening begins to dawn and Ben decides to continue tomorrow and explore in another direction.
Two days later
Ben has already explored north, east and west. When he decides to head south. After 2 hours he arrives at a hole in the forest which he decides to explore when he discovers something strange. In front of him it flickers, the walls behind this phenomenon seem to blur. Cautiously, Ben stretches out his hands as his interface opens in front of him.
Dungeon of Self-Reflection
Entrance : 1 person
Level recommendation: n/a
This dungeon is for self-reflection and to help individuals to improve oneself. The type of dungeon structure is unique to each individual.
Enter Yes / No
Surprised, Ben pulls his hand away and presses No. 'Here is a dungeon and a strange one at that. Normally dungeons should be done with a group but this one is a special dungeon apparently, but this is not the time for a dungeon. I have no idea what to expect. The heck I don't even have any combat experience. This looks more like a quick way to the grave to me.`
Ben turns and leaves the hole but marks a tree to find the dungeon again in case he changes his mind. As he heads in the direction of his camp he hears the whimper of an animal. His curiosity piqued, Ben follows the noise. He slowly creeps closer and closer until the noise becomes clearer and more distinct.
Between the trees he spots an animal path and there is a small animal. Ben hides in a bush to get a better idea of the situation. Now he recognises more clearly that in front of him is a small wolf with its paw stuck in a hole in the ground. The poor animal whimpers in pain.
One of its hind paws is stuck in a hole in the ground. Ben continues to crouch in the bushes and watches the animal for several minutes. His analysis skill said it was a moon wolf pup.
The pup is black but has a white spot on its forehead. This white spot is typical for the wolf breed and also the reason why they are called moon wolves, because the white spot looks like a waning moon. Ben is torn with his emotions. On the one hand, he knows about the danger posed by the young one. It is only level 8 and injured but the pips parents could be nearby and hear its cries. On the other hand, Ben wants to help the poor animal.
It hurts his soul to see such a poor creature, which is clearly suffering, there. Killing it does not occur to Ben at all. In the end, he comes to the conclusion that he will help the pip. He couldn't sleep peacefully if he knew there was an injured animal out there.
Having made up his mind, Ben walks slowly out of the bushes. The little wolf hears the rustling of the bush in which Ben is hiding and starts growling and baring his teeth. When the animal sees Ben, it becomes wild. It tries to free itself from the trap and shows even more teeth.
Ben, on the other hand, is not intimidated and stretches his hands out in front of him and makes what he thinks are calming noises. A meter in front of the pup, he sits down on the soil. His hands cupped together in front of him.
His counterpart is now eyeing the boy more out of curiosity than fear. It sniffs cautiously but then immediately starts to growl again. Something about the smell of Ben has unsettled the animal.
So the two creatures look at each other. Neither knows what to do in this situation. The human is overwhelmed by the situation and the animal is desperate and panic-stricken. When Ben has an idea. He summons the rations from his inventory. The first ration contains meat and the second contains the paste from the herbs.
He takes a piece of dried meat and throws it to the wolf. The wolf sniffs it timidly until the wolf devours it. Then Ben opens the other container and points to the wolf's hind leg. The wolf doesn't seem to understand what his opposite wants. Again and again Ben points to the herbs and then to the animal's hind leg. After a while, the animal seems to have grasped what he wants. Its eyes, which show intelligence, look deeply at Ben.
It seems to have understood that Ben only wants to help. Ben takes out a tunic from his inventory and cuts off some strips with his blade. He smears these strips with the herbs he gathered. Finished with the makeshift bandage, he goes to the animal. Unimpressed, the animal endures Ben touching its hind leg. Ben pulls carefully but the pup starts to growl and Ben stops tugging immediately.
He looks thoughtfully at the hind leg as he decides to carefully dig out the foot. While he starts digging, the wolf looks at the boy. All the while, the animal remains calm until Ben begins to pull tentatively on the hind leg again.
The wolf growls not because of Ben, but due to the pain. When the leg comes out of the hole, he notices that it is bleeding heavily. Ben immediately sets about dressing the hind leg with the emergency bandage. Finished and satisfied with this, he begins to examine the hole more closely.
There he discovers several small metal pieces. He tries to pull one of them out of the ground but cuts his index finger. `This is not a natural hole. Someone or something has set up a trap, but for what purpose? There are far better ways to catch wild animals` while Ben thinks, the wolf pup stands up and nudges Ben with its wet snout.
Ben turns to the animal. They stare into each other's eyes as the pup turns and limps along the animal path. `It's odd, I could have sworn the animal was looking at me with gratitude, but never mind. I have done my part. I know I can sleep in peace tonight.` Ben watches the animal for a while as he decides to head back to camp.
Once there, he finds it exactly as it was. In front of the campfire he thinks about the eventful day. First he finds a strange dungeon and then his encounter with the wolf pup. Without further events, the day draws to a close.