A bright, slightly annoying sound pulls me out of my light sleep. Blinking, I open my eyes, needing a moment to get my bearings. Then, I see it again: the window hovering in front of me. Written in clear, clinical text are the words: "Nights survived in the forest: 1/4."
A wave of relief washes over me.
So, I made it through the first night. Three more. Just three more.
But the relief quickly fades as I realize how uncomfortable the night was on this branch. My joints ache, and a cold wind that blew through the forest all night left me shivering. The clothes I'm wearing are nothing more than a simple tunic and thin pants—perfect for a little boy in summer days but definetly not enough for nighttime survival in the forest, especially not in these temperatures.
I sit up, looking around while trying to organize my thoughts.
Okay, Hiroshi. You survived the first night, but now it's time to make a plan if you really want to last until the fifth morning.
*Step 1: Find or Build a Better Shelter*
I take a moment to inspect the tree where I spent the night. The branch is sturdy, but this open, windy "hideout" leaves me freezing at night. There are a few leafy branches here and there that might serve as makeshift "walls," but that's nowhere near enough. I decide to look for a spot on the ground that might provide better protection—maybe a dense group of trees or, if I'm lucky, a natural cave.
Slowly, I climb down the tree, trying to stay as quiet as possible—the memory of the massive wolf from last evening is still fresh in my mind. As I carefully roam the forest, I keep an eye out for potential shelters like caves or something and materials to construct a primitive "hut."
After a few minutes of wandering, I find a dense group of trees with thick, overlapping branches and a natural canopy of leaves that blocks out most of the sunlight. There's a bit of space between them, and it looks reasonably sheltered. Satisfied, I nod and decide to make this my new base. I could reinforce the area on the main tree branches with a few small branches and stack them on top of each other and fill the holes and gaps with moss and leaves for insulation, hopefully enough to keep the night's wind at bay. Well I have to try that at least, since nothing else comes to my mind and I dont wanna sleep on an open branch like tonight.
*Step 2: Forage for Food*
My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten since I arrived here. What can I eat? Berries? Mushrooms?
Immediately, I caution myself: eating random things in the forest could be dangerous. For now, I decide to stick to berries I can maybe recognize.
As I continue to explore, I come across a cluster of bushes covered in deep blue, almost black berries. They look edible—or at least, I hope they are. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury to search for anything else. Carefully, I pick a few and pop one into my mouth. The taste is sour and slightly bitter, but edible. I pick several more, stuffing them into my pocket—a small reserve for later - of course if they are not poisonous.
*Step 3: Gather Materials*
Next, I start collecting fallen branches, large leaves, and moss. I pile them on the dense area of the tree cluster, shaping them into a nest-like structure to shield me from the wind. Layer by layer, the construction grows, and I catch myself feeling almost proud of my little nest. It's far from comfortable or beautiful, but it's a step toward shelter and security.
Just as I finish my "home" I take a moment to admire it and get ready for a break, I hear rustling in the bushes behind me. A loud growl cuts through the air, making my blood run cold. Slowly, I turn around - and, of course, there he is again. The massive wolf from yesterday. Not again!
I raise my hands as if that might somehow calm him and cautiously step back. The wolf stares at me, his eyes glowing with curiosity, almost as if he's been waiting for me all night.
"Hey, big guy," I murmur nervously. "I know we had our differences yesterday, but maybe we can agree that you leave me alone? I probably don't even taste good."
The wolf tilts his head, almost as if he tries to understands me, but then shakes it off and plants himself squarely in front of my new "hut." I let out an exasperated sigh. Great- of course that wouldn't work.
Slowly, I back away, my eyes darting to a tall tree nearby. This time, I wont hesitate. I take off running, the wolf near on my heels again. I reach the tree, grab onto a branch, and swing myself up faster than I ever thought I could manage. From my safe position, I glance down and smirk triumphantly at the massive beast.
"Ha! Try me!" I shout, feeling a strange satisfaction as the wolf stands below, glaring up at me. But instead of growling or continuing his pursuit, he casually lifts a paw to scratch his ear, then trots off lazily as if he's lost interest in his toy.
I shake my head and can't help but chuckle softly. "Honestly… he's going to drive me crazy." But my laughter fades quickly as I realize the wolf could no- he will definetly come back again. I'll need a better plan if he shows up again.
As dusk falls, I settle into my new nest among the dense trees. The leaves and moss offer slightly better insulation than the open branch from the previous night, but it's still cold. Curled up and nibbling on the last of the berries from my pockets, I listen to the sounds of the forest.
Three more nights. In my mind, I go over the steps I'll need to take tomorrow. Find a more permanent solution. Gather more supplies. And if the wolf comes back—well, maybe I can outsmart him this time.