Marcus watched in astonishment as his leg healed at an astonishing rate. It felt ticklish and incredibly weird to witness, but there was no denying the miraculous transformation. Remarkably, it didn't hurt at all.
Giving credit where it was due, Marcus attributed the surprising recovery to his atrocious food. Despite its repulsive taste, it seemed to have some unexpected medicinal properties.
Feeling more energized and refreshed than he had in what felt like an eternity, Marcus couldn't help but reflect on the age-old adage that medicine is always bitter—though in this case, it was downright putrid. Nevertheless, the positive outcome of his cooking endeavor uplifted Marcus's mood and filled him with a sense of hope and determination.
As long as he avoided succumbing to poisoning, Marcus was determined to consume whatever sustenance he could scrounge. In the labyrinth, one couldn't afford to be picky. He had come to understand that only the meat of the creatures dwelling in these caverns could provide him with the necessary nutrition to survive.
Another option beckoned: to depart this place through the ceiling, just as he had entered. Exiting in the same manner seemed straightforward enough. With a rock as his makeshift platform, Marcus could ascend to the ceiling and employ his newfound skill to carve out an escape route.
But if Marcus were to choose whether to live above or underground he would undoubtedly choose underground.
Since the dawn of mankind, people had sought refuge in caves for good reason: hiding was often a better alternative than fighting. Caves offered cooler temperatures, aiding in the preservation of food and providing a sense of security.
Hence, Marcus made the decision to take shelter in this cavern, at least for the time being. He had no desire to remain vulnerable in the open forest where monstrous creatures roamed freely. While this place offered its own dangers, at least he could utilize his system to hide and protect himself.
Marcus held no lofty delusions of grandeur; he understood he possessed no divine ability to summon palatial wonders at will. Aware of the inherent limitations of his system, Marcus remained undeterred. Instead, he resolved to uncover its intricacies within the sheltered confines of this underground sanctuary.
In conventional caves, the widest expanse is typically found at the entrance, gradually narrowing as one delves deeper. Throughout history, inhabitants tended to gravitate towards the mouth of the cave, avoiding the shadowy recesses of its interior. However, Marcus found himself in a distinct situation: lingering near the entrance would heighten his vulnerability, while venturing too far into the narrowing depths would compromise his ability to conceal himself. Thus, he concluded that establishing his abode somewhere in the middle struck the ideal balance for his circumstances.
When it came to sustenance, Marcus understood that the lizards were not poisonous, so he deemed them a viable option for consumption if he ever found himself in dire circumstances. After all, why take unnecessary risks? For now, however, he had no immediate concerns. The corpse he had discovered was sizable enough to sustain him for three days, provided he exercised restraint with his portions.
As for hunting, Marcus knew he would need to devise a plan, but his immediate priority was to establish his shelter. Although he had taken modeling classes in college, this was his first time undertaking such a project. Marcus quickly realized that constructing a rock tent or burrowing a hole akin to a mole would be futile endeavors. The former was impractical, while the latter posed issues such as detection by those with keen senses and inadequate ventilation. In essence, it would be akin to digging his own grave.
Arriving at this realization, Marcus concluded that the safest method of dwelling in this environment would be to excavate a branching tunnel. Placing his hands against the cave wall, Marcus envisioned the process of digging the tunnel. As if his hands were an invisible drill, the dirt and gravel effortlessly scattered aside.
Marcus fervently prayed in his heart, hoping against hope that there would be no one on the other side of the wall. After all, labyrinths like this one often boasted complicated tunnel systems branching off from the main cave passage. Fortunately, his prayers seemed to be answered, and he encountered no such unexpected encounters.
Marcus didn't dare to test his luck any further. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had already been incredibly fortunate to survive a day in such a perilous environment. Moreover, his instincts told him that when everything seemed to be going too smoothly, it often signaled that something was amiss.
After digging for three to four meters, Marcus began to feel the onset of fatigue. Realizing that pushing himself too hard could lead to exhaustion, Marcus made the wise decision to take a rest and allow himself time to recuperate.
Drawing upon his knowledge of building construction, Marcus understood the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of the tunnel. He knew that excessive digging could disrupt the stress distribution within the surrounding rock, potentially causing instability and eventual collapse. Aware of this risk, Marcus recognized that the best way to support heavy weights in such a situation was through the use of arches.
With this in mind, Marcus set about transforming the tunnel roof into a continuous arch, effectively creating a vaulted structure that would distribute the load evenly and enhance the stability of his underground sanctuary.
Marcus continued to dig for some time after taking the necessary rest. Eventually, he succeeded in creating a small one-room apartment within the confines of the tunnel. Despite its simplicity, Marcus felt a sense of contentment with his newfound shelter.
However, Marcus remained vigilant, never forgetting to keep a watchful eye on his surroundings. Aware of the potential dangers lurking in the labyrinth, he took precautions to protect himself. Marcus strategically placed exploding crystals in various directions around his makeshift dwelling. Should any threat approach too close for comfort, he was prepared to ignite the crystals and make a swift escape. Marcus deemed it illogical to engage in direct confrontation with enemies under such circumstances, preferring instead to prioritize his safety above all else.
To further bolster his defenses, Marcus ensured that he carried a sufficient supply of crystals on his person at all times. He recognized that he might not always have the opportunity to flee from danger, making preparedness for combat a prudent precaution. Fortunately, Marcus's precautions proved to be effective, and he encountered no immediate threats to his safety within the labyrinth.
With his one-room apartment now complete, Marcus turned his attention to the final tasks that remained. He knew that to truly secure his sanctuary, he needed to make it both discreet and defensible. After careful consideration, Marcus devised the perfect solution: vent holes.
These small gaps in the cave wall served multiple purposes. Not only would they allow him to look outside and assess any potential threats, but they would also provide much-needed ventilation within his living space. Additionally, Marcus ingeniously designed the vent holes to double as arrow slits, offering him a means of defense should he ever find himself under attack.
As Marcus finished crafting the vent holes, a sense of achievement washed over him. With this final touch, his underground abode was now both functional and secure. The last step was to conceal his dwelling from prying eyes. Marcus accomplished this by constructing a pile of rocks and completely sealing off the entrance to his tunnel. Standing in the dimly lit space, illuminated only by the faint glow of crystals, Marcus felt a sense of satisfaction and relief. He knew that he had taken every precaution to safeguard himself in this dangerous environment, and now he could rest easier knowing that he was hidden from view and protected from harm.
With his living quarters finally prepared to his satisfaction, Marcus allowed himself to relax for the first time in what felt like an eternity. The events of the day had left him physically and mentally drained, but now, as he settled into his makeshift abode, a sense of calm washed over him.
Stretching out on the rocky floor, Marcus closed his eyes and let out a long, relieved sigh. The dim glow of the crystals provided a faint illumination, casting dancing shadows across the cave walls. Despite the harshness of his surroundings, Marcus found a strange sense of comfort in the solitude of the underground chamber.
As exhaustion washed over him like a tidal wave, Marcus welcomed the prospect of a peaceful night's sleep. The events of the day had been fraught with danger and uncertainty, but now, with his sanctuary secured and his body weary from exertion, he felt a sense of relief knowing that he was finally safe—at least for the moment.
With each breath, Marcus felt the tension in his muscles begin to ease, the weight of the day's trials slowly lifting from his shoulders. It was a rare moment of tranquility in a world filled with chaos and peril, and Marcus embraced it fully, allowing himself to drift into a deep and restful sleep.