Chapter 5: First Meeting
Jiho's breath caught as the village came into focus. He expected to see something familiar, maybe a small town or even a collection of huts that hinted at some kind of civilization. Instead, what he saw was a scene straight out of the Stone Age.
The village was primitive, with simple huts made of stone and thatched roofs. Smoke drifted up from small fires, and people moved around, going about their day. But there were no roads, no signs of technology—just the bare essentials for survival. Everything was made of stone, wood, and bone.
Jiho's heart pounded. These people were living in a way he'd only read about in history books, in conditions that were as brutal as they were raw. The villagers wore animal hides, and the tools they carried were little more than sharpened stones tied to sticks. It was clear that they had to fight for every scrap of food and warmth in a world that offered nothing freely.
His stomach tightened with unease. How was he supposed to survive here? He was just a skinny teenager from a modern world, and this place was like stepping into a time machine, but without any of the comforts or safety.
"Primordial Insight," he whispered, activating the ability.
Immediately, his vision sharpened, and he could feel the pulse of life in the village below. He saw the hunters returning with their kills, the women tending to the fires, the elders huddled together, discussing matters of survival. Everything seemed so… raw. It was a world of instinct and necessity, where every day was a fight to stay alive.
But Jiho also felt the tension in the air. The villagers were always on alert, their eyes scanning the surroundings, ears tuned to every sound. This wasn't just a peaceful village; it was a place where danger lurked constantly, where a single mistake could mean death.
The system chimed in his mind, snapping him out of his thoughts.
[New Objective: Initiate first contact with the village.]
Jiho swallowed hard. The system was nudging him forward, but he couldn't just walk in there without a plan. These people were survivors, toughened by their harsh world, and he was a stranger—an unknown factor that could easily be seen as a threat.
He crouched down, staying hidden among the rocks as he observed the villagers more closely. The men were strong and muscular, their bodies honed by a lifetime of physical labor. The women, too, were lean and sturdy, their movements efficient and purposeful. Even the children had a certain sharpness in their eyes, a wariness that came from growing up in such a tough environment.
Jiho felt a pang of envy. These people knew how to survive, how to navigate a world that was as unforgiving as it was wild. But he was just some kid who had been tossed into this place with nothing but a strange system and a body that was barely holding together.
The system chimed again, this time more insistently.
[New Objective: Gain the trust of the villagers.]
Jiho sighed. He couldn't afford to stay hidden forever, but how was he supposed to gain their trust? His clothes, though tattered, were nothing like what they wore, and his modern appearance would make him stand out like a sore thumb.
He needed to show that he wasn't a threat, that he could be useful. Looking around, he picked up a few stones, trying to fashion them into a rough tool. It wasn't much, but maybe it would prove he could contribute, even in a small way.
Taking a deep breath, Jiho stood up slowly. He didn't want to startle anyone or come across as aggressive. Keeping the makeshift tool in hand, he began walking toward the village, every step filled with uncertainty.
As he got closer, he spotted a group of children playing near one of the huts. They were laughing, chasing each other around with sticks and stones, their games filled with an energy that seemed out of place in such a harsh world. For a moment, Jiho felt a flicker of nostalgia, remembering what it was like to be carefree.
One of the children noticed him first, her eyes widening in surprise. She tugged at the sleeve of the boy next to her, pointing in Jiho's direction. The boy turned, his expression quickly shifting from curiosity to caution.
Jiho stopped a few paces away, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said softly, though he knew they wouldn't understand his words.
The boy, older than the others, stepped forward, holding a stone knife in his hand. It was crude but sharp enough to be dangerous in the hands of someone who knew how to use it. His eyes were locked on Jiho, assessing the potential threat.
Before the boy could make a move, a voice called out from behind them. An older woman emerged from one of the huts, her face lined with age and experience. She wore a cloak made from animal skins and carried herself with an air of authority.
She spoke to the boy in a language Jiho didn't understand, but her tone was firm. The boy hesitated, then nodded, lowering his knife slightly but not taking his eyes off Jiho.
The woman approached Jiho cautiously, her gaze never leaving his face. Jiho could tell she was sizing him up, trying to figure out if he was a threat or someone who could be useful to the village.
He bent down, placing the makeshift tool he had crafted on the ground between them. It was a small gesture, but he hoped it would show that he wasn't just some helpless stranger—that he could contribute, even if only in a minor way.
The woman glanced at the tool, then back at Jiho. After a moment, her expression softened just a bit, and she nodded. She spoke to the boy again, who reluctantly sheathed his knife but continued to watch Jiho with wary eyes.
Jiho let out a small breath of relief. The woman seemed to have accepted his gesture, but he knew this was only the beginning. He still needed to prove himself, to show that he could be more than just a burden.
The woman motioned for him to follow her. Jiho hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped forward, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. She led him through the village, past the other huts, where more villagers emerged to see the newcomer. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and suspicion, but none of them made any aggressive moves.
The woman brought Jiho to the largest hut, where an elderly man sat by a fire, his gaze sharp and penetrating. He looked up as they approached, his eyes narrowing as he took in Jiho's appearance.
The woman spoke to the elder, explaining something in their language. Jiho couldn't understand the words, but the tone suggested that she was recounting the encounter. The elder listened in silence, his gaze never leaving Jiho. After a long moment, he grunted and made a motion with his hand, signaling the woman to continue.
The woman turned back to Jiho and pointed to herself. "Mira," she said clearly.
Jiho nodded. "Mira," he repeated, trying to commit the name to memory.
Mira then pointed to the elder. "Toran," she said, her tone indicating respect.
"Toran," Jiho echoed.
Mira nodded approvingly, then pointed at Jiho, waiting for him to introduce himself.
"Jiho," he said, tapping his chest.
Mira nodded once more, satisfied. She gestured for Jiho to sit by the fire, and he did so cautiously, feeling the warmth seep into his tired body. Toran continued to watch him, his expression unreadable, but there was a sense of curiosity there—perhaps even a hint of challenge.
The system chimed in Jiho's mind again, the cold voice breaking through the tension.
[Objective Update: First contact initiated.]
[New Objective: Gain the trust of the villagers.]
Jiho's shoulders slumped slightly. The system wasn't going to let up, and he knew that earning the trust of these people would be no easy task. But at least he was off to a start—a shaky, uncertain start, but a start nonetheless.
As he sat by the fire, Mira began speaking to him in her language, gesturing to different objects and people around the hut. Jiho realized she was trying to teach him their words, and he focused intently, repeating each one as best as he could. It was slow going, but Jiho could sense that this was another test—an opportunity to show his willingness to learn and adapt.
The other villagers watched from a distance, whispering among themselves. Jiho knew they were still suspicious, but the fact that Mira and Toran hadn't outright rejected him was a small victory.
Night began to fall, and the air grew colder. The villagers gathered around their fires, sharing what little food they had. Mira handed Jiho a piece of roasted meat, and he accepted it gratefully, his stomach growling in response. As he ate, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging, even in this harsh, unfamiliar world.
Jiho knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey. He still had to earn their trust, prove his worth, and find a way to survive in a world that was both ancient and relentless. But for the first time since arriving in this strange place, he felt a flicker of hope.
The fire crackled as Jiho finished his meal, and he looked up at the stars beginning to dot the night sky. This world was brutal and unforgiving, but it was also full of possibilities. And with the system's help, maybe—just maybe—he could carve out a place for himself here.
[New Skill Acquired: Basic Language Comprehension]
The notification flashed in his mind, bringing a small smile to his face. It was a small step, but it was progress. And in a world like this, progress was everything.