Next morning Leon emerged from the shelter, rolling his shoulders to shake off the stiffness of the crude sleeping mat.
A chorus of chirping birds greeted him, along with the rustling sound of the forest waking. He glanced at the panel before him as a new notification appeared:
[Blueprint Unlocked: Pick Axe, Hatchet.]
[System Resource Usage Tip: Pick axe speed up stone collection. Hatchets are versatile tools suitable for combat and cutting.]
"Perfect," Leon muttered to himself.
He walked a few paces from the camp, gathering small, smooth stones and sturdy branches from the surrounding area. Using the blueprint, the system guided his movements, each step and component outlined in glowing blue. As he held the materials together, they glimmered before merging with a golden light into solid tools.
[Stone Axe Created.]
[Hatchet Created.]
Leon hefted the tools, testing their weight. Simple but functional. He nodded in satisfaction and returned to the group, finding them already stirring.
The rescued group had gathered near the campfire, murmuring amongst themselves. Elys leaned against a nearby tree, arms folded, her eyes on Leon as he approached.
"All right," Leon began, loud enough for everyone to hear. "We've got work to do if we're serious about turning this place into something sustainable. That means better tools and smarter effort." He held up the axe and hatchet for everyone to see.
"These will make gathering resources faster and easier. Start with wood and stone. Don't go too far from camp, and always move in pairs."
Halgrim stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with recognition as he reached for the Hatchet. "A good blade... sturdy handle. You've done fine work here."
Leon gave a faint smile. "Thanks. Put it to good use. We'll need more wood for shelter, and we'll eventually want to stockpile for winter."
Halgrim nodded his thanks, gripping the axe as if it were a lifeline.
Leon distributed the remaining hatchet and pickaxe to others, keeping his instructions clear and direct. "Work in pairs. Stay close. Bring back as much wood and stone as you can without wandering too far. Safety first. If anyone runs into trouble, shout and retreat."
The group exchanged determined glances before setting off. Their movements were hesitant at first, but the sturdy tools in hand brought a sense of purpose that hadn't been there the day before.
Elys lingered, watching the others head into the forest. She walked up to Leon with her arms crossed, her gaze steady.
"You think this will be enough?" she asked, gesturing to the crude shelter behind him and the scattered supplies.
"It's a start," Leon replied. His eyes remained focused on the clearing ahead. "A few tools, a hut, and enough food to make it through today. It's not much, but you build on what you've got. That's how you make progress."
Elys raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully calm about all this."
He glanced at her, his expression serious. "Calm isn't the right word. Just... focused. Panic won't get us anywhere. We survive by moving forward—step by step."
She studied him for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Alright. Let's see where this takes us, then."
[Resource Update: Wood: 35, Stone: 12, Animal Hides: 8, Herbs: 6, Food Supplies: 10.]
Leon stared at the numbers, then looked at the clearing around him. His thoughts turned to what the place could become with effort and time.
A single step forward. That's all it takes to keep from falling behind.
Leon glanced her way. "Well, don't you think you should do something too?"
Her expression shifted slightly, the comment catching her off guard. A faint blush crept to her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a tilt of her head. "What should I do?"
Leon turned and picked up a small bundle of herbs and roots he had gathered earlier. "I noticed some of the plants around here could be useful. Medicinal, maybe even edible. But identifying them will take time. Want to help me sort through these?"
She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. "You trust me not to pick the wrong ones and poison us all?"
Leon chuckled softly. "It's a learning curve for all of us. Besides, we won't know unless we try." He handed her a few herbs with distinct leaves and roots. "These look similar to ones I've seen before—might be worth testing carefully."
Elys frowned at the assortment in her hands, her brows knitting in concentration. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. But don't blame me if something ends up bitter or… worse."
"Alrigh," he replied with a small smile.
The two sat by the campfire, working side by side to organize and identify the gathered plants. Leon guided her as best as he could, sharing small tips and observations.
"See these small flowers here?" he said, holding one up. "They're similar to the kind you'd find in basic medicinal teas. Worth keeping."
Elys nodded, mimicking his movements with surprising care. "I didn't expect you to know about plants."
"There's a lot I didn't expect to be doing," he admitted, his tone light. "Survival forces you to adapt. That, or…" He let the sentence trail off, shrugging.
Their hands brushed briefly as they reached for the same plant, and Elys froze for a heartbeat before continuing. Her focus was now divided between the task at hand and the strange warmth of his presence beside her.
By the time the sun began its descent, they had assembled a neat array of plants, carefully sorted and categorized. Elys leaned back, brushing her hands off with a satisfied sigh.
"Not bad for my first botany lesson," she quipped, glancing his way.
"You did well," Leon said simply, meeting her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "This might just save someone's life someday."