Sam woke up to the flickering light of the fire, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the cave. Kira was still curled up beside him, her soft breathing reassuring him of her presence. But as he stretched and felt the ache in his muscles, reality set in: they needed resources to survive.
With determination, he grabbed the hidesack he'd crafted, its leather straps resting comfortably against his shoulder, then tied one of his makeshift axes to his belt. Finally, he grabbed his spear, its sharp tip glinting in the light of the fire.
Today, he would venture deeper into the wilderness, gathering whatever he could find—wood for the fire, berries for sustenance, and any other useful materials he might stumble upon. And of course, he needed to hunt as well.
He glanced at Kira, who blinked up at him sleepily, her eyes brightening as she sensed the day's adventure ahead. "Ready for another round?" he asked, a smile creeping onto his face as he tucked her in his jacket. She let out an eager chirp, and he took that as a sign to set out.
Stepping outside, the sun shone down, illuminating the snow with a golden glow. Sam took a deep breath of the crisp air, feeling invigorated. Today would be productive; he could feel it in his bones. He started down a path that led away from the cave, determined to make the most of this expedition.
Sam trudged through the desolate expanse of snow, the cold biting at his cheeks and numbing his fingers. The landscape stretched endlessly, a blank canvas of white that seemed to swallow sound.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spotted the edge of the woods ahead, where the trees stood like ancient guardians. His pace quickened, the promise of cover and resources drawing him in. As he broke through the last line of snow, he began to break off branches from the trees, their limbs cracking under his touch, while his keen eyes searched the ground for stones and flint. He used his makeshift axe to hack off the sturdier branches, each swing sending splinters flying.
Berries, tiny bursts of color against the white, caught his attention. He carefully plucked them, imagining Kira's excitement as he filled his hidesack. The weight of the sack grew heavier with each find.
Sam plucked the last few berries from a low-hanging branch and raised his palm to Kira, who eagerly sniffed the colorful morsels before nibbling at them. Just as he was about to head back, his interface flickered to life with a new objective:
"Your companion is dirty. If not cleaned, bugs and parasites are more likely."
"New objective:
Give your companion a wash."
He paused, glancing down at Kira who looked like she'd been frolicking in the dirt, her fur now speckled with bits of grime. Sam couldn't help but chuckle; she looked almost comically messy, like a tiny creature caught in a mudslide.
"Alright, little troublemaker, let's find you some clean water," he said, setting off toward the stream they'd always visit. The hidesack bounced against his hip as he navigated the snowy terrain, each step crunching underfoot, the cold air biting at his skin.
When he reached the stream, he knelt by the water's edge, watching the way the sunlight danced on the surface. The cool, clear water shimmered invitingly, and he could see the smooth stones beneath. He scooped some water into his hands and turned to Kira, who was sniffing around curiously.
"Time for a wash, little one," he said with a grin.
He gently lifted her, cradling her in one arm, and used his other hand to splash some water over her fur. Kira squirmed, letting out a playful yelp, then settled as he continued rinsing her off, laughing at her feigned annoyance.
After a few moments, Kira began to preen herself, shaking off the excess water with a delighted shiver. Sam couldn't help but smile at how she looked now, her coat glistening in the sunlight.
"Objective completed:
Give Your Companion a Wash.
Reward: 10 Primal Points!"
He now had a total of 13 Primal Points, a modest amount but not nearly enough for any substantial progress in the Survivalist module. All the craftable items he eyed cost 15 points and up, each one tantalizingly out of reach.
'One step at a time,' Sam thought, continuing to wash Kira.
As he washed her, Kira playfully teethed on one of his hands, and he instinctively pulled it away, slightly taken aback by her sharpness.
"Hey! Watch where you're chomping those chompers, ma'am!" he exclaimed, but she insisted, still trying to nibble on his fingers. He chuckled at her determination, shaking his head as he continued to wash her.
In the sunlight, he noticed something subtle but striking: her two sabertooth fangs had grown just a little, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. They glinted against her fur, giving her an even more fierce yet adorable appearance.
He glanced over her body, realizing she had also grown a bit in general. "You're becoming quite the little warrior, aren't you?" he murmured, a smile creeping onto his face.
Kira paused mid-shake, her eyes wide, as if she understood him. Sam couldn't help but chuckle at her fierce determination wrapped in such a small package.
Just as he finished up, he noticed a slight rustle in the bushes nearby. His heart raced, instinctively tightening his grip on the spear leaning against a tree. He turned his gaze toward the sound, scanning the underbrush. What had stirred? A deer? A predator?
The moment hung in the air, tension crackling like electricity, as he crouched low, ready to react. He grabbed Kira and tucked her in his jacket, just in case it was another bear looking for a meal.
Sam slowly edged closer to the source of the sound, straining to peer through the branches. Shadows danced in the underbrush, and he could just make out the silhouette of something large moving. It wasn't long before he saw it—a wild boar, snuffling through the snow, oblivious to his presence.
His stomach growled at the sight. This could be his chance for a proper meal. He carefully positioned himself behind a tree, trying to steady his breath and quiet his thoughts. This time, he wouldn't miss his shot.
He crouched low, eyes locked on the boar as it rummaged through the snow, searching for roots and whatever else it could find. The creature was bigger than he expected, its bristly fur glistening under the dappled light filtering through the trees. Sam's heart raced, the thrill of the hunt igniting a fire within him.
Kira shifted restlessly in his arms, sensing the tension. "Shh," he whispered, gently patting her back. "Let's not scare it away."
Sam took a deep breath, feeling the cold air fill his lungs. He steadied himself, adjusting his grip on the spear. This wasn't just a hunt; it was a test of everything he had learned so far. With every step, he moved slowly, deliberately, trying to minimize the crunch of snow beneath his feet.
The boar lifted its head, nostrils flaring as it caught a whiff of something. Sam froze, feeling the weight of the moment. The boar turned back to its digging, and he seized the opportunity. With a swift motion, he darted from his hiding spot, spear raised and ready.
As he lunged forward, he felt the adrenaline surge through him, propelling him closer to his target. The boar, sensing danger, bolted into the underbrush. But Sam was faster this time. He closed the distance and thrust the spear forward, adrenaline blurring the line between fear and excitement.
The spear struck true, catching the boar in the side. It squealed in shock and pain, a sound that echoed through the trees. Sam felt a rush of triumph mixed with disbelief as the boar toppled to the ground.
The boar toppled, its weight crashing into the snow with a heavy thud. Sam rushed over, adrenaline coursing through him as he approached the struggling creature. Its beady eyes reflected a mix of pain and confusion, and he could see the life slowly draining from it, blood pooling in the pristine white snow beneath its body.
Heart pounding, Sam knelt beside the boar. He felt the urgency of the moment; he couldn't let it suffer. Drawing his makeshift knife, he steadied his breath, forcing himself to focus. This was the reality of survival—raw, brutal, and necessary. He swallowed hard.
The boar squirmed, a low grunt escaping its lips as Sam positioned the blade. "One, two..." he murmured, the words barely escaping his throat. With a swift motion, he punctured the creature's throat, the knife biting deep. Warm blood gushed out, soaking into the snow as the boar's movements began to slow.
He held the knife firm, steadying the animal as its life slipped away. Sam could feel the weight of it—the gravity of taking a life.
As the boar's body stilled, Sam exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. He had done what was necessary. He quickly set to work, skinning and gutting the animal with practiced precision. The snow around him turned crimson, stark against the white landscape.
Kira watched intently from the safety of his jacket, her eyes wide but curious. Sam glanced down at her, wiping sweat from his brow. "We've got food for days, girl," he said with a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
Once the work was done, he carefully gathered the choice cuts of meat and set them aside, wrapping them in the boar's hide. As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride—he was learning, adapting, becoming the survivor he needed to be.
With his spoils secured, he stood up, muscles aching but invigorated by the success. "Let's head back," he said, slinging the boar's hide over his shoulder. "We've got a feast to prepare."