Chapter 10: Only An Elder Knows
Jiho slowly sat up, the early morning light filtering into the dilapidated hut. The intensity of the previous day's events still lingered in his mind, but for the first time in what felt like ages, he felt a small sense of peace. Stretching out his stiff limbs, he noticed a notification flashing in the corner of his vision—a small gift box icon on the system panel, marked with a red dot.
He blinked, remembering the objectives he'd been working on since his arrival: securing food, finding shelter, and beginning physical conditioning. The completion of these tasks seemed to have triggered some sort of reward.
Curious, Jiho focused on the icon, and the system interface responded immediately, opening the gift box.
[Ding!]
[Objective Complete: Survival Basics
Reward: Access to Advanced System Functions.]
Jiho felt a small surge of satisfaction. It wasn't much, but he had survived, and that was an achievement in itself.
The panel continued:
[New Function Unlocked: Advanced System Interface
Details: Access to expanded system functions, including enhanced skill management, crafting options, and area mapping.]
Jiho nodded to himself. The system's tone was as dry and serious as ever, but he appreciated the straightforwardness. No jokes, no sarcasm—just clear, actionable information.
"Alright, let's see what this Advanced Interface is about," he said.
The system responded to his command, the panel shifting to reveal new options. Jiho's eyes widened as he explored the expanded menu: detailed breakdowns of his skills, a crafting system with more advanced capabilities, and even a basic map of the surrounding area.
He spent a few moments familiarizing himself with the new features, appreciating the wealth of information now at his fingertips. As he navigated through the interface, he noticed another small icon in the corner—a notification indicating an achievement.
[Achievement Unlocked: First Steps
You have completed your initial survival objectives and unlocked the Advanced System Interface.]
Jiho allowed himself a brief smile. It was a small victory, but in a world as unforgiving as this one, every small step counted.
As Jiho continued to explore the newly unlocked features of the system, another notification caught his attention. A subtle chime echoed in his mind, and a new panel slid into view.
[Achievement Unlocked: Grimclaw Slayer
You have successfully hunted and slain the Grimclaw, a formidable beast that threatened the safety of the village.]
Jiho's eyes narrowed slightly as he read the next lines, anticipation building.
The panel shimmered, revealing two items. The first was a dagger, its blade formed from the fang of the Grimclaw. The weapon had a primal elegance, its handle wrapped in coarse leather, offering a firm grip. Jiho picked it up, feeling the weight of the blade—a perfect balance that spoke of both lethality and craftsmanship.
[Grimclaw Fang Dagger: A weapon forged from the fang of the mighty Grimclaw. It holds the beast's ferocity within, making it a formidable tool in combat. Sharpness and durability are enhanced.]
The second item was a small vial filled with a viscous, dark red liquid. Jiho held it up, inspecting the swirling contents.
[Primordial Beast Blood Essence: A potent elixir extracted from a powerful beast. Consuming it will enhance the user's physical attributes, providing a boost to strength, stamina, and vitality.]
Jiho studied the vial, a mix of excitement and caution bubbling within him. This essence could be a game-changer in a world where physical prowess was the key to survival. Without hesitation, he uncorked the vial and downed the thick liquid in one gulp. The taste was earthy, with a metallic tang that reminded him of blood.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a sudden warmth spread through his chest, radiating outward in waves. His muscles tightened, and his senses sharpened as if his entire body was being fine-tuned by some unseen hand. Jiho's breath quickened, and he gritted his teeth against the sensation.
It wasn't painful, but it was intense—like his body was being forged anew, reshaped by the essence coursing through his veins.
He felt the power surge within him, a raw, primal energy that made his skin tingle. The effect was both exhilarating and overwhelming, like holding onto the reins of a wild beast. Slowly, the sensation began to subside, leaving behind a lingering sense of strength and vitality that Jiho had never experienced before.
He clenched his fists, marveling at the newfound power in his limbs. It wasn't just physical strength—his entire being felt more attuned to the world around him, as if he could sense the life pulsing through the earth beneath his feet.
[Stat Increase: Strength +3, Stamina +3, Vitality +3.]
Jiho grinned, satisfied with the results. The effects of the Primordial Beast Blood Essence were more profound than he had anticipated.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiho decided it was time to explore the village a bit more. He had been so focused on survival and the Grimclaw hunt that he hadn't taken the time to truly observe his surroundings or the people who lived here. He pushed himself off the rough bedding and stepped out of the hut, squinting as the sunlight hit his eyes.
The village was beginning to stir with the first signs of morning activity. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of earth and woodsmoke. Jiho's eyes scanned the area, taking in the simple structures, the busy figures moving about, and the general atmosphere of the place. There was a sense of community here, something Jiho found both comforting and foreign.
As he walked through the village, he noticed the wary glances from some of the villagers. It wasn't outright fear, but more of a cautious curiosity. Jiho was still an outsider to them—a strange newcomer who had suddenly appeared and then proved himself in the hunt. He could understand their hesitance; after all, trust wasn't something that was easily given in a world like this.
Kwan was the first to approach him with a broad smile on his face. "Jiho! You up early, eh? Rest well?"
Jiho nodded, returning the smile. "Yeah, finally got some decent sleep. How about you?"
"Ah, like a baby!" Kwan chuckled, clapping Jiho on the back. "You did good yesterday. The Grimclaw won't be terrorizing us anymore, thanks to you."
"Couldn't have done it without you and the others," Jiho replied modestly, though he felt a sense of pride at the praise.
"Don't be so humble, Jiho," Kwan said, waving off his words. "You were the one who landed the killing blow. That's not something just anyone can do."
As they continued to chat, a few other hunters from the previous day's group joined them. They greeted Jiho with nods and a few words of praise, though their interactions were more reserved. It was clear that while they respected him, the bond of familiarity wasn't fully there yet.
One of the hunters, Rakan, who Jiho had recognized from the hunt, stepped forward. "Jiho, we're going to check the traps later today. Want to come along?"
Jiho considered the offer for a moment. "Sure, sounds like a plan. It'll be good to get out and stretch my legs a bit."
Just as the conversation was starting to wind down, an elder, with a weathered face and deep-set eyes that seemed to hold the weight of countless years, approached the group.
His presence immediately commanded attention, and the younger hunters quieted down, stepping aside respectfully.
"Jiho," the elder said in a low, gravelly voice. "Walk with me."
Jiho blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden request. He glanced at Kwan, who gave him a nod of encouragement, then turned back to the elder.
"Of course," Jiho replied, quickly falling into step beside the older man.
The elder led Jiho away from the bustling village center, taking a path that wound through the edge of the settlement. The silence between them was heavy, filled with an unspoken tension that made Jiho's mind race with questions. Was this about the Grimclaw? Or perhaps something else entirely?
As they walked, the elder finally broke the silence. "You have brought strength to our village, Jiho. The beast you slew was no ordinary creature."
Jiho nodded, unsure of how to respond. "It was because I had the others. I was just—"
"No," the elder interrupted, his voice firm. "It was more than that. You wield a power that is unfamiliar to us, a power that the spirits have taken notice of."
Jiho swallowed, feeling the weight of the elder's words. He had suspected that his abilities were unusual in this world, but hearing it spoken aloud by someone as wise as the elder only confirmed his suspicions.
They continued walking until they reached a secluded clearing on the outskirts of the village. The elder stopped, turning to face Jiho with a solemn expression.
"Who are you?" the elder said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. There was no hint of wariness in his voice, but it made Jiho's heart skip a beat.
Does he recognize me? No... more like, does he know I am not from here?