Back at his camp, Yura embarked on a week of rigorous labor to elevate his modest shelter into a true home. The once rudimentary refuge was transformed into a robust cabin, hewn from solid wooden logs. Inside, Yura meticulously crafted a snug bed and a sturdy wooden chest from long sticks, providing ample storage for his gear. A wall-mounted hanger was installed to neatly organize his clothing and weaponry. With a sense of pride, Yura displayed his newly acquired weapons and arranged his provisions with care, bestowing the cabin with an aura of order and purpose.Surveying his handiwork, Yura murmured to himself, "It may not be grand, but it's home now."Realizing that his stone tools were falling short of his expanding needs, Yura resolved to advance his materials. He dedicated himself to tanning the hides of the rabbit beastmen into leather—a painstaking endeavor demanding patience, yet promising significant rewards. "This will be a labor of time, but the results will be worth it," he mused as he worked.Subsequently, Yura spent two days constructing a medieval clay furnace. He meticulously gathered clay from the river and collected stones, working tirelessly to complete the furnace. During this process, he uncovered grinding stones that would sharpen his weapons. "These will prove useful," he remarked, examining the stones with satisfaction.Yura's endeavors bore fruit when he discovered that his 24 inventory capacity had a 300 threshold per item. "It's an improvement," he reflected with a hint of disappointment, "though I wish it were 999."With a renewed sense of organization, he crafted a bestiary, diligently sketching the creatures he had encountered in the forest. "I must document what lurks in these woods," he said, adding intricate details to his drawings.When the clay furnace was finally operational, Yura set about melting down the iron he had collected from his recent skirmishes. He used all 50 iron-tipped arrowheads, 4 iron-tipped spears, and 4 iron swords to forge new tools. His objective was to create an iron shovel, an iron pickaxe, and iron ingots for future endeavors. "Time to forge some proper tools for a proper craftsman," he grinned as he worked.Turning his attention to his armor, Yura repurposed the red leather armor from the rabbit beastmen, combining it with their furs to create a new set of protective gear. This ensemble included a surcoat crafted from rabbit beastmen's fur and red leather, matching pants, and a leather-furred coat for later use. He dubbed the set "The Red Rabbit Leather Armor," chuckling at the name. "It may sound a bit cringy, but it'll do."With his camp fortified and his gear upgraded, Yura felt a profound sense of achievement. He surveyed his new armor and commented, "This feels like I've stepped straight out of an RPG; I look like a bandit."Crafted Gear:Iron Tools:Iron ShovelIron PickaxeMiscellaneous Iron ItemsRed Rabbit Leather Armor:Surcoat (Rabbit Fur & Red Leather)Pants (Rabbit Fur & Red Leather)Leather-Furred CoatAdditional Gear:Vial PouchBeltRegarding the loot he had collected:The 5 pouches of red flammable liquid, resembling thick wax or honey, were stored on the shelves for potential use in improvised Molotov cocktails. "These will be invaluable if I need to make a swift escape," he noted.The 10 vials of red liquid, akin to laboratory test tubes, turned out to be healing potions. After testing one on himself, Yura confirmed their efficacy, leaving him with 9 healing vials. "These should prove quite handy," he said with a satisfied nod.The 5 hardwood bows were hung in the cabin, ready for future use. "These could be useful for a successful hunt," Yura commented as he arranged them.The 30 pieces of bread were added to his inventory for sustenance. "Not the finest fare, but it will sustain me," he mused as he incorporated them into his supplies.Clad in his newly fashioned leather armor, Yura ventured towards the rich veins of copper and iron that lay concealed within the cavernous depths of the earth. For four grueling days, he labored incessantly, his hands firmly grasping the sturdy pickaxe and shovel as he extracted a bountiful haul from the stone. Each swing of the pickaxe reverberated through the cavern as he extracted 300 copper ores and an equal amount of iron ores, gradually transforming the once-solid wall into a sprawling cavern through sheer perseverance.As he toiled, Yura muttered to himself, "If only I had a drill... This is taking forever. A drill would cut this down to a fraction of the time." His voice echoed through the cavern, mingling with the clinks and clatters of his tools. He wiped the sweat from his brow and continued, "I can't keep doing this by hand. My arms are going to be sore for days."With the precious minerals now secured, Yura devoted an entire day to the meticulous crafting of four wooden crates. Each crate was a testament to his craftsmanship, meticulously constructed to ensure both durability and quality. The process demanded patience and skill, but the result was a series of high-quality containers designed to house his amassed ores securely."Alright, these crates should hold up well," he said, inspecting his work with satisfaction. "Now, let's see how well they can handle this load."Having completed the crates, Yura turned his attention to the tanning racks he had set up earlier. With these finally prepared, he shifted his focus to creating garments that spoke of comfort and homeliness. Instead of forging formidable battle armor, he opted to fashion attire suited for daily wear—a choice that reflected his desire for solace and practicality in his secluded refuge. The result was a set of home clothes, designed not for combat but for the quiet comfort of his new life."Time to make something comfortable," he mused as he worked on the garments. "I've spent so much time battling and building, it's nice to make something just for me."After fashioning his comfortable attire, Yura took the afternoon to unwind. Seated on a sturdy log outside his cabin, he enjoyed a modest meal that included long-eared rabbit meat and jerky, alongside the bread he had earlier. Despite the variety, he couldn't help but murmur about the bread's blandness. "This bread is about as exciting as a dull blade," he remarked with a wry smile, tearing off a piece. He took another bite, followed by some of the jerky, savoring the richer, more robust flavors. "The jerky are better, though," he admitted. "I suppose there's no substitute for well-seasoned fare."Feeling refreshed, Yura turned his attention back to the furnace, prepared to tackle the intricate process of refining iron. The transformation of raw iron ore into usable iron ingots was far from simple; it required a series of precise steps.First, he set about crushing the raw iron ore. With meticulous care, Yura placed the ore on a flat rock and began grinding it with a larger rock. The repetitive motion of crushing the ore into a fine powder was laborious, but essential. "This is the first crucial step," he murmured as he worked. "The finer the ore, the more efficient the smelting."Once the ore was sufficiently pulverized, Yura gathered the crushed material and prepared the furnace. He meticulously layered charcoal in the furnace's base to ensure optimal heat generation. "Charcoal is crucial for a consistent, intense heat," he explained to himself, adding the final pieces with careful precision. "Got to make sure it's evenly distributed."Next, he lit the charcoal, allowing it to burn steadily and reach the necessary temperature. As the flames roared and the furnace grew hotter, Yura introduced the crushed iron ore into the furnace. He carefully monitored the temperature, adjusting the airflow to maintain a consistent heat. "Let's get this temperature just right," he said, checking the furnace's draft. "Too little and the ore won't melt; too much and I risk impurities."The smelting process was long and demanding. As the iron ore began to melt, Yura stirred the mixture to ensure even heating. "Patience is key," he reminded himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I need to keep the mixture moving so the metal melts uniformly."After several hours, the molten iron was ready for the next stage. Yura carefully poured the molten iron into molds, allowing it to cool and solidify into ingots. "This is the moment of truth," he said, guiding the molten metal with steady hands. "If everything goes right, these ingots will be perfect."As the iron began to cool, Yura inspected the molds with anticipation. "Looks like we've got a good batch here," he mused, checking the solidified ingots. "The hard work has paid off. These will be invaluable for the next phase of crafting."With the ingots complete, Yura felt a deep sense of satisfaction. "Now, onto the next project," he said with a grin, ready to put his newly crafted materials to use.With the furnace work complete and the iron ingots cooling into solid form, Yura turned his thoughts to the next stage of his endeavor—crafting weapons and armor. He knew that undertaking such a substantial project on his own would be time-consuming and challenging. "Creating weapons and armor from scratch will take considerable effort," he mused, his gaze fixed on the stack of ingots. "It's clear I need to trade with a city or establish connections with a skilled smith."He weighed the options before him: the prospect of journeying to a settlement or city to trade his iron bars for the necessary resources and assistance. The medieval furnace had operated at only 60% efficiency, resulting in a total of 170 iron ingots rather than the anticipated yield. "Only 170 ingots," Yura reflected, his brow furrowing in thought. "I'll need to make every ingot count if I'm to trade for what I need."Preparing for the journey ahead, Yura meticulously organized his supplies. He packed his belongings with care, ensuring he had all the essentials for a trip to an unknown settlement. "It's crucial to be well-prepared," he said to himself, securing his gear. "The journey may be long and fraught with uncertainties."With everything in order, Yura cast one last look at his camp. The transformation he had achieved—his sturdy cabin, the meticulously crafted crates, and the freshly made iron ingots—filled him with a sense of accomplishment. "I've made great progress here," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "But to advance further, I need to find a town or settlement where I can trade and forge new connections."As he set off on his journey, Yura's thoughts were a blend of anticipation and determination. "Finding a town or a skilled smith will be vital," he mused. "I need to ensure that my hard work will lead to meaningful progress. Here's to hoping I can make a fair trade and return with the resources I need."His steps carried him away from the familiarity of his camp and into the unknown, the promise of new opportunities and alliances guiding his way...... . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The days stretched on endlessly as Yura journeyed through the untamed wilderness, with no signs of a path or settlement emerging on the horizon. After two weeks of relentless travel, his resolve was beginning to wane. His red leather armor, once a symbol of his progress, now showed signs of critical wear and tear, its vibrant color fading under the harsh elements.On the first day of his journey, Yura had encountered only the familiar long-eared rabbits and their common cousins. It was not until the following days that he glimpsed creatures that stirred his curiosity and challenge. Each encounter was a testament to the wild beauty and danger of this uncharted land.One creature, a colossal brown bear, had appeared before him—its sheer size dwarfed anything he had seen before. Its teeth, reminiscent of a saber-toothed tiger, jutted menacingly from its maw. "I've never seen a bear of this magnitude," Yura mused, recording the creature in his bestiary. The bear's presence was awe-inspiring, its sheer power palpable even from a distance.Another striking sight was a deer with antlers so magnificent they seemed to channel the sunlight itself. As the deer moved, the ground beneath it erupted in a burst of vibrant flowers and lush grass. "The antlers radiate a mystical light," Yura noted, captivated by the ethereal beauty. He carefully sketched the scene, its otherworldly glow etched into his memory.The third creature, a boar of considerable size, had tusks as long and hard as metal and a hide as thick as iron. "This boar is a force to be reckoned with," Yura observed, documenting its formidable features. The boar's resilience was impressive, its physical attributes a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the wild.The final creature was a direwolf of extraordinary ferocity—a two-headed beast with a silver mane that shimmered like moonlight. Its companion, a single-headed direwolf with a darker mane, was equally formidable, blending seamlessly into the shadows. "These direwolves are a nightmare to track," Yura remarked, noting their stealth and coordination in his bestiary.Yura's encounters with these creatures were not merely observational; they also involved intense battles. The most grueling of these was with a pack of direwolves. Their ability to blend into their surroundings and coordinate their attacks made the fight particularly challenging. "Their coordination was almost tactical," he reflected on the harrowing struggle. "But victory was ours in the end."Items Obtained:3 Brown Bear Hides3 Brown Bear Meat6 Dire Wolf Hides7 Dire Wolf Meat1 Twin-Headed Dire Wolf's Head8 Magnificent Deer AntlersAs Yura continued his journey, each step forward was a reminder of the arduous path he tread. The items he had acquired were both a testament to his endurance and a crucial part of his ongoing quest. With renewed determination, he pressed on, his mind set on finding a settlement where he could trade his hard-won spoils and forge new alliances.