Chapter 2: Primordial Surge
Jiho woke to the sounds of the forest—birds chirping in the trees, the rustle of leaves as small creatures scurried about, and the soft babbling of the stream nearby. For a moment, he forgot where he was, but the aching hunger in his belly quickly brought him back to reality.
He groaned as he sat up, his muscles stiff and sore from the previous day's ordeal. His body still felt weak, but the food he had managed to scavenge had given him just enough energy to continue.
The events of the previous day played over in his mind—the dig site, the strange artifact, the sudden darkness, and then waking up in this frail, malnourished body. And, of course, the system that had awakened within him.
"System, can you help me find more food?" Jiho asked, hoping for guidance.
A faint blue glow appeared in the corner of his vision, displaying a message.
[Scanning area…]
[Edible resources detected: 300 meters southeast.]
A small arrow appeared on the interface, pointing in the direction Jiho needed to go. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the trek. His body was still weak, but he knew he couldn't stay in one place for too long.
He followed the arrow, making his way through the dense underbrush. Every step was a struggle, his legs trembling with the effort of moving his frail body. But Jiho refused to give up. He had been discarded, left to die by a family that saw him as a burden. He wouldn't let that be his fate.
After what felt like an eternity, Jiho stumbled into a small clearing. There, growing at the base of a tree, was a patch of wild berries, their dark red hue standing out against the green foliage. Jiho's heart leaped at the sight.
He dropped to his knees and began plucking the berries, shoving them into his mouth without hesitation. They were tart, but the burst of flavor was like a lifeline, revitalizing his senses. He ate greedily, filling his stomach until the ache began to fade.
[Energy levels stabilizing…]
Jiho sighed in relief, feeling some of his strength return. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep him going. As he finished the last of the berries, he leaned back against the tree, taking a moment to catch his breath.
"Okay," he said, more to himself than the system. "I can't keep doing this forever. I need a plan… something more than just scavenging for food."
The system's interface flickered, and a new message appeared before him.
[Quest: Establish Basic Survival]
Objective 1: Secure a sustainable food source.
Objective 2: Find or create shelter.
Objective 3: Begin physical conditioning to strengthen the body.
Reward: Access to advanced system functions. ]
Reward: Access to advanced system functions.
Jiho read through the objectives, a sense of determination settling over him. The system was giving him a path to follow, a way to survive and, eventually, grow stronger.
"Alright," he muttered. "First, food."
His thoughts drifted back to the tribe that had abandoned him. In his memories, he recalled how they had hunted and gathered food—primitive methods, but effective. If he could learn to hunt, maybe he could secure a steady supply of food.
But hunting required strength and skill, both of which he currently lacked. Jiho frowned, realizing that he needed to take things one step at a time. For now, he would focus on finding shelter and slowly building up his strength.
"System," he said, hoping it could offer some guidance. "Can you help me find a place to stay? Somewhere safe."
[Scanning…]
The arrow reappeared in his vision, pointing deeper into the forest. Jiho nodded to himself, getting to his feet. His body was still weak, but with food in his belly and a goal in mind, he felt a flicker of hope.
He followed the arrow, pushing through the underbrush until he reached a small, secluded cave nestled at the base of a rocky hill. The entrance was narrow, just wide enough for him to squeeze through, and the interior was cool and dark.
It wasn't much, but it would do for now. Jiho stepped inside, feeling a sense of relief as the shadows enveloped him. The cave was empty, save for a few scattered stones and a patch of moss growing in the corner. It was far from comfortable, but it was dry and offered protection from the elements.
"This will work," Jiho said, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space. He set about making the cave more livable, gathering moss to create a makeshift bed and stacking stones near the entrance to form a small barrier against any intruders.
As he worked, Jiho's thoughts kept returning to the system. It had given him a clear path to follow, but he still had so many questions. Where had it come from? Why had it chosen him? And what did it mean by "advanced functions"?
But those were questions for another time. For now, survival was his priority.
Once his shelter was ready, Jiho sat down on his bed of moss, exhaustion creeping over him. His body was still weak, but it was stronger than it had been before. Slowly, he was beginning to adapt.
As he drifted off to sleep, Jiho made a promise to himself. He would survive. He would grow stronger. And one day, he would uncover the secrets of this world and the system that had chosen him.
_______________
Jiho awoke the next morning to the sounds of the forest coming alive. He stretched, wincing as his sore muscles protested. Despite the discomfort, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He had a plan now, a path to follow.
His stomach growled, reminding him of his immediate need for food. The berries he had eaten yesterday had given him some energy, but he needed something more substantial to sustain him.
"System," Jiho called out. "Can you help me find a sustainable food source?"
The familiar blue interface appeared, displaying a message.
[Scanning area…]
[Nearest water source: 500 meters north.]
[Potential hunting grounds: 800 meters west.]
Jiho considered his options. Water was essential, and finding a reliable source would be crucial for his survival. But hunting could provide him with the protein he desperately needed to regain his strength.
"Let's start with water," he decided. "Then I'll see if I can catch something to eat."
He followed the arrow north, moving cautiously through the dense forest. The terrain was rough, and his weak body struggled with the exertion, but Jiho pressed on, determined to find the water source.
After what felt like an eternity, he emerged into a clearing. A small, clear stream flowed through the center, its waters sparkling in the morning sunlight. Jiho knelt by the stream, cupping his hands to drink. The water was cool and refreshing, quenching his thirst and giving him a small boost of energy.
He filled a large leaf with water, carrying it back to his cave to ensure he had a supply for later. With the immediate need for water taken care of, Jiho turned his attention to the next task: finding food.
He headed west, towards the potential hunting grounds the system had identified. The forest grew denser, the underbrush thicker, and Jiho had to be careful not to make too much noise. He didn't know what kind of creatures lived in this world, but he couldn't afford to attract unwanted attention.
After a while, he reached a small clearing where the underbrush was trampled, signs of animal activity evident. Jiho crouched down, examining the tracks. They looked like those of a small deer or similar animal.
Jiho realized that without tools or weapons, hunting would be a challenge. But he couldn't give up. He needed to find a way to catch something. His eyes scanned the area, looking for anything that might help.
His gaze fell upon a young tree with flexible branches. An idea began to form in his mind. He could fashion a simple trap using the tree branch as a spring mechanism.
Jiho set to work, using a sharp stone to cut a length of vine and shape a piece of wood into a crude trigger. It was rough and hastily made, but it was the best he could manage with the limited resources at his disposal.
He set the trap near a game trail, using the remaining berries as bait. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. As he worked, the system's interface flickered, displaying a new message.
[Crafting skill: Basic trap - Acquired.]
Jiho couldn't help but smile. It seemed that his efforts were being recognized by the system. He just hoped the trap would work.
With the trap set, Jiho returned to his cave, his stomach growling with hunger. He knew he wouldn't catch anything immediately, so he settled down to wait, trying to conserve his energy.
As the hours passed, Jiho's thoughts drifted to his past life. He had been an archaeologist, driven by a thirst for knowledge and discovery. Now, he was a child struggling to survive in a primitive world. The contrast was stark, but Jiho refused to let despair take hold. He had been given a second chance, and he would make the most of it.