"Congratulations, Sam!"
He blinked at the screen, heart racing. "What did I do?"
"Objectives Completed:
Find shelter.
Protect your companion.
Reward: 5 Primal Points."
"Primal Points?" Sam echoed, confused but intrigued. The box displayed a new section labeled "Primal Points," showing the total he now had: 5.
"Primal Points can be collected by completing objectives, crafting items, or overcoming challenges," the voice explained, calm and clear. "These points can be spent to unlock new crafting options and enhance your survival skills."
Sam's eyes widened. "So, I can buy new stuff? Like a better shelter or tools?"
"Affirmative. Accumulate Primal Points to access a wider range of crafting possibilities. Your current crafting options are limited but will expand as you gain more points."
Excitement bubbled in Sam's chest. "This is amazing! I can build cool things!" He glanced at Kira, who was dozing peacefully, then back at the interface. "What can I do with these points now?"
"Available options will be displayed shortly," the voice replied. "Current crafting options will be enhanced upon spending Primal Points."
With a wave of his hand, Sam tapped the interface, and the screen shifted to show a tree of glowing boxes connected to each other by feint, digital lines. Each glowing cube contained a symbol, and a title beneath it. He clicked on a box labeled, "Starter Kit," and a new tree of translucent boxes opened, each one containing a crafting option. There were simple tools, like a stone axe and a makeshift spear, and even a small shelter upgrade that looked more insulated than the rocky nook they were in now.
"Whoa," he breathed, eyes lighting up. "I can make an axe! That would help so much! But the only thing I have enough points for seems to be the shelter upgrade."
With that, Sam selected the option to upgrade their shelter. The interface flashed, confirming his choice, and another ding echoed as the points were deducted.
As Sam stepped out of the cave, he felt a shift in the air, a kind of warmth enveloping him despite the biting cold outside. He glanced back at their newly upgraded shelter, and his eyes widened.
The rocky walls had transformed. Where before they appeared jagged and worn, they now gleamed with a subtle sheen, reflecting a faint light. The entrance looked wider and more inviting, framed by what seemed to be a natural arch that offered a sense of protection from the elements.
"How..." Sam trailed off, struggling to grasp what this power he had discovered really was.
The walls were now sturdier, with fewer gaps that let in the cold wind. He could see soft patches of moss lining the interior, creating a cozy, insulated feel that hadn't been there before.
"New features include: enhanced thermal insulation and protection against weather conditions," the voice chimed in, adding to Sam's excitement. "The shelter is now capable of withstanding harsher environments."
Sam stepped back, noticing that a small, low stone bench had appeared along one side, likely for resting. He ran his fingers along the smooth walls. "Maybe I can make it our base..."
Kira padded around the entrance, her small body silhouetted against the bright snow. She seemed to approve, sniffing curiously at the new surroundings. Sam watched her, a smile spreading across his face.
"Alright, Kira," he said softly, glancing at the cub. "We're going to be just fine."
As Sam marveled at the upgraded shelter, his curiosity pulled him back to the interface. He noticed the other glowing boxes surrounding the colorful one that represented his current crafting option. Most of them were greyed out, but one box caught his eye. It was directly connected to the first one, glowing faintly, and displayed a label: "Makeshift Axe."
He squinted at the rotating cube, trying to decipher its potential. "Makeshift Axe? What do I need to unlock you?" he wondered aloud.
The interface flickered, revealing the cost: 8 Primal Points.
Sam's heart sank a little. He had 0 now. "Eight points? That's a lot." He backed out of the Starter Kit interface and looked at the surrounding greyed-out options—some were completely foreign, while others had enticing labels like "Weapons" and "Advanced Crafting."
At the base of the tree, the Starter Kit module pulsed softly, labeled in bright letters. Next to it, a new module was partially unlocked: the Survivalist Module. Its cube shimmered enticingly, adorned with symbols depicting a campfire, a fishing rod, and various tools.
"Alright, let's see what it takes to unlock the Survivalist Module," Sam said, eyes fixed on the glowing cubes. He tapped the Survivalist Module, and a list of requirements appeared.
Survivalist Module Requirements:
Purchase all craftables in the Starter Kit.
Sam nodded, a plan forming in his mind. "So, I need to find more stuff to do. I can't just sit here..."
Feeling invigorated, Sam turned to Kira, who was starting to stir. "Hey, Kira! Are you ready for an adventure?"
The baby sabertooth blinked sleepily, then let out a small, encouraging growl, as if to say she was up for anything. Sam grinned. "Alright then. Let's go find some wood and explore a bit."
Sam glanced down at Kira, still curled up by the fire, her tiny body too fragile to endure the cold outside. She let out a soft yawn, her little fangs poking out as she stretched before nestling back into the warmth. Sam smiled, but he knew she wouldn't be able to keep up with him yet. She was too young, too small, and the harsh environment would be too much for her on her own.
Kira blinked up at him, her round eyes filled with curiosity but no fear. Sam carefully scooped her up, her soft fur warm to the touch. She wriggled a bit but quickly settled down once she was pressed against his chest.
He unzipped his jacket and gently slid Kira inside, tucking her close to his body. She squirmed for a moment before finding a comfortable spot. He could feel her little paws pressing against him as she nestled into the warmth of his shirt.
"There we go, nice and cozy." He zipped his jacket back up, leaving just enough space for her head to peek out.
Kira seemed content, her tiny purring vibrations barely audible. Sam smiled, feeling her warmth against him.
'I have to protect her, no matter what,' he thought.
The system pinged softly again as if responding to his resolve:
"New objective:
Ensure your companion's survival.
Rewards: 3 Primal Points."
Outside, the wind was still biting, but having Kira tucked inside his jacket kept him focused. Each step was slower, more deliberate, as he balanced her weight with his own, making sure not to jostle her too much.
"Don't worry, Kira. I'll figure things out for both of us," he muttered, glancing down at the sabertooth cub as she dozed off. Her small body pressed tightly against his chest, her soft breaths calming him in a way he hadn't expected.
Sam stepped further out of the cave, the cold air biting at his cheeks. The vast expanse of snow stretched before him, dotted with rocks and the occasional mound that hinted at life beneath the surface. He could feel the thrill of adventure bubbling within him.
"Brrr, it's freezing out here," he muttered, his breath visible in the frosty air. He trudged forward, the snow crunching beneath his boots with each step.
"There's gotta be something out here," he encouraged himself, forcing his legs to move faster despite the cold gnawing at his skin.
As he walked, he felt the excitement of adventure battling against the cold. "Just think of all the cool stuff we can make once we find enough resources," he said, trying to distract himself from the chill. "Maybe a fire? Or tools to gather more stuff? That would be awesome!"
Suddenly, he spotted a cluster of rocks up ahead, partially buried in snow. "Hey, look over there!" he exclaimed, pointing. "Maybe there's something useful!"
With renewed determination, he picked up his pace. But as he neared the rocks, the cold bit harder, and Sam shivered again, teeth chattering. "This better be worth it," he muttered, pushing through the discomfort.