As Sam trudged back to the cave, the weight of the hidesack felt satisfying against his shoulder, filled with the day's spoils: sturdy branches, a handful of berries, and the freshly hunted boar. Kira trotted beside him, her small form a bundle of energy and curiosity, occasionally stopping to sniff the air or explore the snowy ground.
Once inside the cave, he quickly set about preparing a fire, the flickering flames casting warm shadows on the stone walls. He laid the boar's carcass near the fire, the smell of roasting meat soon filling the air, making his stomach growl with anticipation.
With the fire crackling, he pulled up his Manual Crafting System, eager to see what new options had become available. The interface shimmered to life, revealing several enticing crafting possibilities now that he had boar hide and an assortment of sticks and stones.
Crafting Options:
1. Boar Hide Tunic
(Resources: 2 Boar Hides)
2. Stone Knife
(Resources: 1 Stone, 1 Sturdy Branch, 1 Twine)
3. Improvised Spear
(Resources: 1 Sturdy Branch, 1 Stone, 2 Twine)
4. Reinforced Hidesack
(Resources: 2 Boar Hides, 3 Sturdy Branches)
5. Simple Fishing Rod
(Resources: 1 Sturdy Branch, 1 Length of Hide)
Fish Basket
(Resources: Bundle of Sturdy Branches, Bundle of Twine)
He ran his fingers over the options, his mind racing with possibilities. But after a quick mental tally, he realized he only had enough resources for one craftable item: the Simple Fishing Rod.
"Looks like I need twine and more boar hides," he muttered to himself, glancing at Kira, who was still watching him intently.
With a resolute nod, he arranged the boar hide and one of the sturdy branches side by side. He tapped on the Simple Fishing Rod option, and the boar hide glimmered, fading into ethereal light before being drawn into the interface. The branch followed suit, merging seamlessly in a swirl of glowing energy.
In an instant, the Simple Fishing Rod materialized in his hands. It was a modest creation: a long, slender branch, slightly thicker than his forearm, with a rough texture where the bark had been stripped away. At one end, a simple hook made from a curved piece of metal twinkled dully in the firelight, while the other end featured a makeshift grip, fashioned from the remnants of the boar hide. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it felt sturdy and well-balanced.
He held it up, turning it over in his hands, testing its weight. No longer would he have to rely solely on the spear.
"Let's see if this works better," he said with a grin, already envisioning the next fishing trip. With Kira at his side and a meal cooking over the fire, he felt a surge of optimism about their future. He set the fishing rod aside.
It was only mid-day, and Sam felt a swell of satisfaction at his productive morning. With the boar cooked and a new fishing rod in hand, he let out a contented sigh. Inspired, he decided to delve into the Survivalist Module again, curious about the more advanced craftables waiting to be unlocked.
As he opened the module, a series of cubes appeared before him, each glowing softly, representing new possibilities. He swiped through them, examining the options.
Shelter Upgrade
Cost: 15 Primal Points
Herbal Medicine Kit
Cost: 15 Primal Points
Hunting Bow
Cost: 20 Primal Points
Wooden Shield
Cost: 20 Primal Points
Reinforced Jacket
Cost: 25 Primal Points
Fishing Net
Cost: 25 Primal Points
Improvised Backpack
Cost: 30 Primal Points
Cooking Pot:
35 Primal Points
He noted that each item required a substantial amount of resources, but they were all within reach if he continued to gather diligently. His mind raced with possibilities.
"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me," he mused, closing the interface.
The carcass of the boar hung over the fire, its rich aroma filling the cave as the flames crackled and danced. Sam sliced into the tender meat, the juices sizzling as they dripped onto the stones below. Each piece he cut released a mouthwatering steam that made his stomach growl in anticipation.
Kira peeked out from his jacket, her little eyes wide and curious. She looked comfortable and content, nestled in the warmth of his fabric. Sam smiled down at her, raising a piece of the roasted boar to her. "This is going to be a treat for you, little one," he said, cutting off smaller bites that were manageable for her.
He carefully offered her a piece, watching as she sniffed it before taking it into her mouth, nibbling eagerly. While she feasted on her morsel, he cut larger chunks for himself, relishing the rich flavor as it melted in his mouth.
Sam set a generous piecs of boar on his leg, adjusting his position to make it comfortable for Kira. He gently lifted her from his jacket, letting her settle on his thigh. Kira's eyes sparkled with excitement as she sniffed the meat, her little nose twitching.
"Here you go, girl," he said, offering her the chunk. She eagerly pawed at it, her determination shining through as she took a bite. Sam watched her munch away, a proud smile creeping onto his face.
As she gnawed at her piece, he took the opportunity to enjoy his own meal, savoring the rich flavor of the boar. The warmth of the fire crackled beside them, creating a cozy atmosphere in the cave. Kira seemed content, occasionally glancing up at him with wide eyes, her mouth still busy with food.
"Good girl," he said, giving her a gentle scratch behind the ears. Kira purred softly in response, the sound filling the space with a sense of companionship. For that moment, everything felt right as they shared their feast, both grateful for the fruits of their labor.
With each bite, he felt his strength returning. He glanced at Kira, who was struggling a bit with her piece, but she was determined, chewing with all her might. He couldn't help but chuckle at her effort. "You'll get the hang of it," he said, giving her another small piece. "Those teeth will be big and sharp in no time. They don't call you a saber tooth for nothing."
Finished with her portion, Kira began kneading on his leg, her tiny paws rhythmically pressing into his thigh as if she were trying to fluff up a nonexistent pillow. Her tail twitched excitedly, curling and uncurling in rhythmic motions. Sam chuckled, watching her with a mix of amusement and affection. He gently scratched behind her ears.
"Ohh, Kira... What am I going to do with you?"
He suddenly heard a rustling sound from outside. His heart raced as he exchanged glances with Kira.
He stood up, storing Kira in his jacket and grabbing his spear. The rustling intensified, and he tensed. The shadows outside shifted, and Sam felt a surge of adrenaline.
Just then, a figure burst through the entrance—a scruffy young wolf, its eyes wide and hungry. Sam's breath caught in his throat. The wolf hesitated, glancing between Sam and the boar, a mix of fear and hunger in its gaze.
"Hey! Easy there!" Sam warned, trying to sound more confident than he felt. He knew wolves often traveled in packs, and the last thing he needed was a whole group trying to take his food.
Sam stood his ground, spear poised, ready to defend. The wolf took a tentative step forward, sniffing the air, its eyes darting from Sam to the boar.
Just as Sam considered his next move, a low growl echoed from deeper in the woods. Panic surged through him as he realized there could be more wolves lurking just outside.
"Not today!" Sam yelled, brandishing the spear menacingly. The wolf, momentarily startled, hesitated, and Sam seized the chance to back away slowly, keeping the boar between them.
"Scram!" he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest. The wolf backed off, its ears flattening as it sensed the threat. Sam could feel Kira clinging tightly to him, her little claws digging into his shoulder.
With one last wary glance at the boar, the wolf retreated into the shadows, but Sam knew he had to be cautious. He settled back down, his breath finally slowing, but his senses remained on high alert.
"Looks like my crazy-good cooking attracted some of the locals," he murmured to Kira, who blinked up at him, wide-eyed. He smiled, gently petting her. "You're safe now, girl, don't worry. Can't say I blame them, though. This boar does smell good. Reminds me of Dad's barbecue back home..."
Sam's breath caught as memories washed over him—his parents laughing in the backyard, the warmth of their embraces, the scent of smoke from the barbecue mingling with the sweet summer air. The boar's rich aroma, so reminiscent of those days spent with the family at his uncle's deer lease, twisted the knife of nostalgia deeper into his heart.
A lump formed in his throat, and he fought to suppress the tide of emotion, but it was no use. He felt the tears spill over, hot and unchecked, as sobs wracked his body. Kira, as if sensing his distress, nuzzled against him, her soft fur a small comfort.
"God, I miss them," he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. The loneliness here was suffocating, a stark reminder of how far he had traveled from the life he once knew. The cave felt colder now, the shadows creeping in, as if the darkness itself was mocking his isolation.
He wrapped his arms around Kira, holding her close. "I'm sorry, girl," he murmured through his tears. "I didn't mean to fall apart like this. It's just… it's hard sometimes."
Kira licked his cheek, her eyes bright and innocent, grounding him in the moment. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. As he looked at her, he remembered that he wasn't entirely alone. She depended on him, just as he depended on her.
"Okay," he said, his voice steadier now. "We'll make it through this together." He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, determined to push the sadness aside.
He gently picked up Kira, cradling her against his chest, and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. The warmth of her small body against him provided a comfort he desperately needed. Closing his eyes, he let the world around him fade, focusing only on the steady rhythm of her breaths.
"You're my little warrior, you know that?" he whispered, feeling the weight of his burdens lighten just a bit. Kira snuggled closer, her purring a soothing melody that wrapped around his heart.