Chapter 4: Civilization? Civilization!
Jiho's consciousness drifted in and out, caught between the depths of darkness and the faint light of awareness. His body felt heavy, his limbs unresponsive. He wasn't sure how long he had been lying there, but slowly, his senses began to return.
The first thing he noticed was the cold, damp earth beneath him. The next was the smell—iron and decay, mingling with the scent of crushed foliage. His eyes fluttered open, and he winced as a sharp pain shot through his head.
Memories of the battle with the creature flooded back to him. He remembered the surge of energy, the desperate struggle, and the final, brutal blow that had brought the beast down. But now, the adrenaline was gone, leaving only exhaustion and a dull ache that permeated his entire body.
Jiho struggled to sit up, his muscles protesting the movement. The creature's body lay a few feet away, its form twisted and still. Jiho's sharp stone was still embedded in its eye, the wound leaking dark blood that stained the earth.
He forced himself to his feet, wobbling slightly as he tried to regain his balance. Every part of him hurt, but he couldn't afford to rest here. He needed to find a safer place, somewhere he could recover without the threat of another attack.
But before he could move, the system's interface flickered into view, displaying a series of messages.
[Primordial Surge: Temporary boost of physical and mental capabilities in response to life-threatening situations. Duration: 3 minutes. Cooldown: 24 hours.]
[Warning: Physical and mental strain may occur after usage. Rest and recovery are recommended.]
Jiho stared at the messages, trying to process what they meant. The surge of power he had felt during the battle—it wasn't just adrenaline. It was something far more potent, something that the system had triggered to save his life.
But the warnings were clear. Using this ability came with risks. He could still feel the aftereffects—the way his muscles trembled, the pounding in his head. It was as if his body had been pushed beyond its limits, and now it was paying the price.
Jiho took a deep breath, steadying himself. The system had saved him, but he couldn't rely on it too much. He needed to become stronger on his own, to learn how to survive without constantly teetering on the edge of death.
He glanced back at the creature's corpse, an idea forming in his mind. The beast had been a formidable opponent, its strength and speed far beyond anything he could currently match. But now that it was dead, its body could provide him with valuable resources.
With renewed determination, Jiho approached the creature and began the grim task of harvesting what he could. He used his sharp stone to cut through the thick hide, trying to salvage the fur for warmth and the claws for makeshift weapons. The process was slow and difficult, but Jiho persevered, knowing that every bit of material could be vital to his survival.
As he worked, the system remained silent, allowing Jiho to focus on the task at hand. The beast's fur was tough, but Jiho managed to strip away a few sizable patches that could be fashioned into crude clothing or bedding. The claws, long and razor-sharp, would make excellent tools or weapons, giving him an edge in future encounters.
[Crafting skill: Basic - Progressing.]
Jiho noted the system's brief message, but he didn't linger on it. There was too much to do, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.
After what felt like hours, Jiho had gathered everything he could from the creature's body. His hands were stained with blood, his muscles aching from the effort, but he had a small pile of resources that could aid in his survival.
But now, he needed to move. The creature's blood would attract scavengers, and he was in no condition to fend off another attack. Jiho bundled up the fur and claws as best he could, slinging them over his shoulder before setting off into the forest.
He walked for what seemed like an eternity, his steps slow and unsteady. The sun had risen higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Jiho's breath came in ragged gasps, each step a monumental effort. His body screamed for rest, but he pushed on, knowing that stopping now could mean his death.
Finally, he found a small, secluded clearing with a cluster of trees that provided some cover. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do. Jiho collapsed onto the ground, his body giving out as exhaustion took hold.
For a moment, he just lay there, staring up at the sky through the canopy of leaves. The pain in his muscles was a dull throb now, his mind hazy with fatigue. But he was alive. He had survived.
As he lay there, the system's interface flickered into view once more.
[Rest recommended. Recovery time: 8 hours.]
Jiho chuckled weakly, the sound rough in his throat. "Yeah, I got that," he muttered, his eyes drifting closed.
Sleep came quickly, pulling him into its depths as his body began the slow process of recovery.
___________
Jiho woke to the sound of rustling leaves and the distant call of birds. He blinked, disoriented for a moment, before the memories of the previous day came flooding back. His body still ached, but the rest had done him some good. He felt a bit stronger, a bit more focused.
Sitting up, Jiho checked the area around him. The clearing was quiet, no signs of danger lurking nearby. He stretched, wincing as his muscles protested, but he forced himself to stand. There was work to be done.
He had survived another day, but the challenges of this world were far from over. He needed to secure a more permanent shelter, something that could protect him from both the elements and the creatures that roamed the forest.
As he considered his options, the system's interface appeared again.
[Quest Update: Establish Basic Survival]
Objective 2: Find or create shelter.
Objective 3: Begin physical conditioning to strengthen the body.
New Objective: Investigate the surrounding area for signs of civilization.]
Jiho frowned at the new objective. Civilization? Was there a chance that others lived in this world, perhaps even other humans? The thought filled him with a mixture of hope and caution. If there were others, they could be a source of aid—or danger.
He decided to prioritize finding shelter first. The system's objectives were clear, and Jiho knew that having a safe place to rest was essential before he could think about exploring further.
Gathering up the fur and claws he had collected, Jiho set off through the forest, keeping an eye out for any potential shelters. He considered returning to the cave he had found earlier, but the memory of the beast that had attacked him made him hesitant. He needed somewhere more secure, somewhere he could fortify against threats.
As he moved through the forest, Jiho noticed that the terrain was beginning to change. The trees grew sparser, the ground sloping upward into rocky hills. He climbed carefully, his legs still weak from the previous day's exertion.
After a while, he reached the top of a small ridge, and his breath caught in his throat.
Below him, nestled in a valley between the hills, was a village. It was small, with simple huts made of wood and thatch, smoke rising from a few chimneys. Jiho could see people moving about, their figures tiny from this distance.
A rush of emotions surged through him—relief, excitement, and a fair amount of fear. This was the first sign of civilization he had seen since arriving in this world. But he knew nothing about these people, their customs, or their intentions. Approaching them could be a risk.
[Investigate the surrounding area for signs of civilization – Completed.]
[New Objective: Observe the village to gather information.]
Jiho crouched down, staying hidden behind the ridge as he observed the village below. He needed to be cautious, to learn as much as he could before making contact.
The people in the village seemed to be going about their daily lives—tending to crops, herding animals, and repairing huts. They didn't appear to be heavily armed, but Jiho knew that appearances could be deceiving.
As he watched, Jiho's mind raced with possibilities. Could these people help him? Would they welcome him, or would they see him as an outsider, a threat? He had no idea what kind of society they had, what laws they followed, or how they would react to a stranger.
But one thing was clear: he couldn't survive on his own for much longer. His body was still weak, and he lacked the knowledge and resources to thrive in this world. If there was a chance that these people could offer him shelter, food, or information, he had to take it.
[New Ability Unlocked: Primordial Insight – Allows the user to gain a brief understanding of unknown entities or environments. Limited to three uses per day.]
Jiho blinked at the new message. The system was giving him another tool, something that could help him navigate this world more effectively. He decided to test it out, focusing on the village below.
"Primordial Insight," he whispered, activating the ability.