In the first place, it had to be North America, and it had to be the United States. It was common sense that America existed before I lost my mind.
First, I decided to consider several possibilities and think positively. However, I couldn't just wander around this dense forest looking for the city.
So far I hadn't encountered any dangerous animals, but it was clear that my luck wouldn't last. For several days, I spent the night sleeping on a tree, sometimes waking up startled by the cries of unknown animals here and there.
In particular, the howling sounds of wolves, as if they were looking for prey, were spine-chillingly scary. Moreover, I was extremely hungry because there was nothing to eat around.
I felt like I would starve to death in the forest if I went looking for the city without any plan.
"The first priority is to find people."
Up until now, they were the only people I knew. People who look like Native Americans··· In the end, I ran away from that town, but their atmosphere was friendly to me, if anything, and it wasn't particularly bad.
Even now, I vividly remember the twinkling eyes of the girl who gave me food. I wonder if they will welcome me...
"But that's the only way I can increase my chances of surviving here."
Before that, there was something I needed to check.
"Status Window!"
A transparent window appeared before my eyes, and I looked at the message I had not yet checked.
[Congratulations! You have reached level 1 as the first person to log in.]
[You will receive a special reward. Check it out now.]
Reaching level 1 means that before that I was level 0. And then the first people to log in and a special reward caught my eye.
"It's a special reward···"
I slowly accepted the game system as reality and confirmed the message.
[Level up.]
[Randomly grants +1 ability and +2 ability points.]
[Status stat increases by 1 based on the random ability increase.]
And there are three rewards.
[All abilities are increased by +10 as a special reward.]
[Inventory is provided as a special reward.]
[The characteristic 'Map' is opened as a special reward.]
I had high expectations, but I was very disappointed when I didn't get the reward I expected. You can see that all abilities in the status window have changed with +10 added to the values.
'Inventory!'
Just in case, I shouted 'inventory' in my head and ten empty slots appeared before my eyes.
"How come there aren't any basic items like weapons or armor? Isn't the reward too cheap?"
It was different from the games I played from the start. I let out a small complaint and used the inventory right there on the spot.
'Save the spear! Save the club!'
The spear and club I had in my possession disappeared in an instant and were now sitting in my inventory. There are eight empty slots left.
I looked around, snapped a branch, and shouted.
'custody!'
As expected, a branch was taking up a space in my inventory.
'Branch!'
Before I knew it, the branch that had been in my inventory was in my hand. I discarded the branches that I didn't really need and this time I checked out the special ability, 'map'.
[Map (Growth): You can check the surroundings within a 10m radius.].
An exclamation escaped my mouth without me knowing.
"This is a system I've never seen in a game I've played… Map activation!"
A small, circular map was active next to the status window. When I zoomed in on the map, I was able to see the terrain and surroundings within a 10m radius centered on me in detail.
At that moment, a small bird quickly passed through the map.
"Is this displayed too?"
Additionally, the map also had unlockables that allowed you to distinguish between enemies and allies, as well as animals.
"This is exactly the skill I need right now."
I was slowly adapting to the game system with a happy expression on my face.
[Lv 1. Lee Cheon-il]
[Affiliation: No.]
[Characteristic (1/8): Map.]
[Ability]
Strength: 21
Agility: 16
Stamina: 23
Wisdom: 15
[Remaining points: 2]
[Beginner combat skills]
– Martial Arts (7/20.)
I nodded as I looked at my status window, which had changed as a reward.
"The beginner's martial arts seem to reflect the exercises I learned. For now, let's save the points just in case."
As soon as I finished speaking, a voice suddenly announced something.
[Tiring!]
[Quest has been activated.]
[Quest: Return to the 'Big Turtle' clan village.]
[Reward: A certain amount of experience points.]
It was a sudden quest, but I smiled faintly because I knew well what experience and leveling up meant in the game system.
"There's another reason."
Thud thud!
I opened the map window and slowly walked towards the forest I originally came from, searching my memory.
* * *
The young warriors of the Big Turtle Tribe stood in their respective positions, gazing intently into the forest. The 'brave wolf' teamed up with the 'fast-footed deer' and kept a close watch, quickly scanning the surroundings so that he could shoot his arrows at any time.
At that moment, perhaps bored from scouting and being on guard for several days, the 'fast deer' yawned deeply and spoke to the 'brave wolf'.
"Is today the day we move to the settlement?"
The 'brave wolf' nodded quietly.
"huh."
"Brave wolf! Enough is enough. I don't see any sign of the Pequots coming back. Our mission is almost over."
The 'brave wolf' still looked straight ahead and spoke calmly, as if scolding the 'fast deer' with a serious expression.
"We missed one. Considering that, I think we should not let our guard down until we can safely reach the settlement."
The 'fast-footed deer' was momentarily speechless at the sight of the 'brave wolf' who always said the right thing, and then spoke up.
"Who doesn't know that? And frankly, who made you miss it? If you had shot the arrow properly, wouldn't the bastard not have run away? Then how nice it would be to not have to go through all this trouble."
Despite the squabbles of the 'fast-footed deer', the 'brave wolf' did not lose his cool.
"If you're talking about arguing right and wrong, why didn't you, the fastest person in the tribe, chase after him? It could be one of two things. Either you were slower than him, or you were pretending not to know."
The 'fast-footed deer' answered as if making excuses, as if he was secretly feeling a pang.
"You... you're saying you're being rude? That's something I absolutely cannot tolerate. That guy is so fast..."
As the 'fast deer''s voice trailed off, as if he was sorry, the 'brave wolf' snickered and said.
"Anyway, it's true that you missed that guy because of me. Sorry, you fast deer! Next time, I'll practice my archery more and hit him better."
"······."
The 'fast-footed deer' was taken aback by the 'brave wolf's' sudden apology and grumbled as if he had been wronged.
"Who is apologizing to you? You rascal! You have to take a joke as a joke. That's true. It's not like it's just us, and we're just talking about taking it easy. Okay, I lost. This is all my fault. Okay?"
"Okay. That's enough. And what does it matter about past mistakes? Just do better in the future."
The 'swift deer' shook his head in disbelief.
"Anyway, you don't support what I say. That's why it's not fun."
"······."
There was silence between them for a moment. And as expected, once again the 'fast-footed deer' spoke first, its mouth itching.
"By the way, I saw the 'white man' fight the Pequots last time, and he was amazing. Even though he was cornered, he never lost to many. His movements were also incredibly fast… I've never seen a warrior who handled a spear so well in my life. If he hadn't been positioned at the front, we wouldn't have been able to deal with the Pequots on our own. Isn't that right?"
'The brave wolf' also watched the 'white man' fight with the 'swift deer'.
Although he didn't say anything, the 'brave wolf' had the 'white man's' miraculous movements deeply imprinted in his mind.
Although he was considered the best warrior in the tribe, he felt very shabby compared to the 'white people'. The 'brave wolf' spoke with a complicated look in his eyes, thinking of the 'white man'.
"I appreciate you helping the tribesmen in distress, but honestly, I want to fight a white person."
The 'fast-footed deer's' eyes grew wide for a moment and he spoke with a worried expression.
"Brave wolf! If you are in your right mind, I would like to stop you sincerely."
Did that sound offensive? As the 'brave wolf' blushed more than usual, the 'fast-footed deer' noticed his reaction and slyly changed the subject.
"Haha! Of course you won't lose. But is there a need for people on the same side to fight? He's the one who helped our tribe. And the white man hasn't come back yet, so I think he went back to his tribe… Will we ever meet that white man again?"
"······."
At that moment, a noise was heard from behind. At the same time, the 'brave wolf' and the 'fast-footed deer' looked back and showed expressions of delight at seeing familiar faces.
"We are ready to move to the settlement. Bring the rest of the warriors with you."
"All right."
* * *
The village, with its huts scattered throughout, was deserted. The people of the Big Turtle Tribe had each packed their bags and were ready to leave.
The day before, the 'Forest Hunter', who had finished the funeral as the chief of the tribe, inspected and received reports until the end.
All preparations are complete. Now all that remains is to leave for a new settlement. However, with a little bit of regret left, the 'Hunter of the Forest' stared at the forest where the white man had disappeared.
'If our fate allows, we will meet again someday.'
The 'Forest Hunter' nodded slightly and shouted at the tribesmen who were waiting for his order.
"Moving to a new settlement. Let's go!"
"depart!"
First, the warriors of the tribe, armed with shields and clubs, stepped forward. After them, warriors of the tribe carrying bows followed, carrying packs on their backs.
The women in the center began to move, holding baskets tied with strings to their foreheads and holding hands with the children.
Old men and women moved with pack dogs. The dogs all pulled a cart made of two crossed logs. The last line was, of course, taken by the warriors of the tribe.
* * *
Exactly five days since I started wandering through the forest. Finally, I could see the empty lot in the distance where the village had once been.
"Whew! I survived!"
I sat there for a moment. I'm thirsty and hungry. For a few days, I hadn't eaten anything, so even I could see that he had become thinner.
Honestly, I didn't have any strength left to fight. Besides, I couldn't sleep properly because I was tormented by mosquitoes and bugs all night.
I was that tired. After taking a short break just in case, he got up from his seat and walked listlessly toward the village, his eyes tense and his club and spear tightly gripped.
Thud thud!
After a while, I looked around the empty lot with a vain look in my eyes.
"Where did everyone go?"
There was not a single one of the large or small huts that had been scattered throughout the village. Of course, there was no one there.
I walked with empty steps towards the shack where I had stayed. As expected, only traces of a wood fire remained in the hut.
"Did they move somewhere else to avoid the intruders?"
I came back with great difficulty to save my life... It was empty and futile.
"At least leave some food for us to eat."
I stood there blankly, sighing in absurd resentment. My head was in a state of confusion.
"How do I find them?"
Just then, the map came to mind and I was about to check it. A small noise was heard from the right.
'Intruders?!'
I turned my head with a nervous look and took out a spear and a club from my inventory, ready to escape at any time.