Standing atop a snow-capped mountain, Krez, wrapped tightly in his armor for warmth, shivering. He mused, "Even though I've reached the first stage of body cultivation, it seems I'm not immune to the cold. I wonder at what Cultivation level will that benefit start."
Krez turned and gazed back at the forest from the lofty vantage point of the mountain. With the heightened perspective, he could spot his little verdant grove nestled in the middle. Since stepping on the path of body cultivation, his eyesight had improved. Allowing him to discern the grove, a feat challenging for a regular mortal.
Though it remained a faint sight, he nodded appreciatively, recognizing it as a safe haven that sheltered him when he first entered this world in a state as feeble as a newborn puppy. Now, he scaled mountains taller than any in his previous world, marking a remarkable journey. Though Krez couldn't precisely gauge the time spent in the forest, estimating around half a year based on his hair's growth.
His preference for hair was the short slick-backed, clean-cut look but it had given way to a wilder, slick-backed style. His hair rested on the top of his neck below the ear, reflecting the transformative journey he had undertaken.
Krez's was unsure about the exact duration of his time in the forest. Stemmed from the peculiar trance-like state he entered when embarking on the path of body cultivation. During that intensive training period, he lost track of time, unsure if it was days, weeks, or even months. The the earlier days in the forest were shrouded in this trance, making it challenging for him to comprehend the passage of time. Only after emerging from his rigorous training is when krez started counting the days.
With his back to the forest, Krez eagerly planted his foot on the ground and burst into a full sprint, pushing his speed to the maximum. Excitement surged through him as he left the perceived starter zone of this new world, likening the small forest to a beginner's area in a video game. While starter zones could be enjoyable, Krez yearned for a more immersive experience. Having leveled up and grown stronger, he was ready to explore the vastness of this unfamiliar world, anticipating the adventures that lay ahead.
As he dashed down the mountains, a peculiar creature appeared – resembling a bear with antlers, twice Krez's height. Swiftly using Inspect to gauge its power level at 1.1, he leaped into the air, summoning his hammer.
Having learned the intricacies of his inventory during his ascent of the snow-capped mountain, Krez realized he could materialize items directly into his hand. Seizing this advantage, he brought the hammer down on the creature's head, shattering it entirely. The result resembled nothing more than a gorie mess where the head once was.
While still in the forest on his ascent to the snow-capped mountain's peak, Krez had extensively experimented with his inventory skill, discovering the ability to materialize items directly into his hand. However, one aspect he hadn't thoroughly tested was the size of his inventory.
In a burst of excitement, Krez grabbed the bear carcass with one hand and tossed it toward the materialized inventory portal. To his surprise, the portal effortlessly absorbed the entire bear carcass. Unlike typical video games where the main character's inventory is limited, Krez pondered if his situation might be different. A peculiar thought crossed his mind – had he just considered himself the main character?
At Krez's full speed, the snowy landscape swiftly transformed into vibrant greenery and trees. It took him merely an hour to descend to the bottom. While his descent was rapid, climbing up the mountain had been a bit slower, totaling around two hours since the start of his day. With the morning still early, Krez, done with the downhill sprint am on flat ground, opted to take a leisurely stroll.
Immersed in the scenic surroundings, Krez continued walking, hopeing to stumble upon a road or pathway that might lead him to civilization. Eager for the comforts of a city, and the amenities of it. Above all, Krez yearned for the simplicity of a normal toilet. He was weary of squatting in the wilderness every time he needed to contribute another log to nature's collection.
Krez's excitement grew as his anticipation heightened. The once forested terrain transformed into expansive plains, offering a clearer view and making it easier for him to spot signs of civilization in the distance. Now, with a broader vista, he could increase his pace. His earlier cautious stroll through the forest had been a deliberate choice to avoid missing crucial signs like beaten paths or indications of human activity. However, with the landscape now more open, Krez felt could pick up the pace.
"Whoooooo!" Krez shouted aloud, excitement flooding out as he finally found it—a road. Although slightly beat up, the tracks on it suggested recent use, likely within the last day or two, a conclusion drawn from his knowledge gained in his previous life through the numerous books he read.
Krez had ran for approximately three hours before encountering the road. Although he wasn't at his top speed, he surpassed the swiftness of most horses from his previous world. Without a proper testing apparatus, Krez couldn't quantify his exact top speed.
He sensed it exceeded that of a first-stage body cultivator like himself. While not entirely certain, it was just a hunch; Krez had noticed a trend where many of his instincts and intuitions proved accurate lately.
In the midst of the road, all Krez needed to do was choose a direction to walk. Recalling his earlier contemplation on instincts, he entertained a wild idea. Closing his eyes while standing in the middle of the road, he began to spin. No profound feelings welled up within Krez during the spin, but he eventually decided to halt, opening his eyes. To his surprise, he found himself perfectly centered, aligned with one of the directions the road took, without any deviation. Aloud, Krez declared, "This way, I guess."