Late at night, Evrenos returned to the clearing beside the quarry. These quiet moments were his opportunity while everyone else was asleep. He pulled out the old, yellowed paper and reread the instructions for the "Iron Shirt Technique". He now understood how the technique worked better: tightening muscles, controlling breath, and pushing the body to its limits. But he realized something—the energy his body needed for this technique came only from the food he ate. The more protein he consumed, the faster his body recovered and grew stronger. This insight came from his past life's knowledge of biology and sports.
Evrenos took a deep breath and began the movements. He locked his muscles one by one, directing his breath to specific areas. At first, his body's resistance was low. His muscles trembled, and his breath was short. But over time, he began to adapt to this strain. The "Iron Shirt Technique" proficiency on his panel increased slightly each night. By the first night, it had risen to 6; within a few days, it had reached 10. Eating plenty of venison noticeably accelerated his progress.
As he felt this improvement, his motivation grew stronger. Each morning, he woke up with aching muscles, yet he felt a growing sense of strength beneath the exhaustion. During the day, he volunteered for harder tasks like carrying stones or chopping wood alongside his father Mehmet, pushing his body further.
One day, as Mehmet watched him carrying stones, he frowned.
"Evrenos, what's this? You seem stronger. These stones aren't easy to lift."
Evrenos smiled slightly and shrugged. "I've been working hard every day, Father. That must be it."
Mehmet nodded. "Working hard is good, but don't overdo it. Strength is important, but staying strong is even more so."
Evrenos lowered his head. "You're right, Father."
But deep down, the desire to grow stronger burned within him. He was determined to keep the technique a secret. At night, he continued to train, and during the day, he listened carefully to his father's teachings. Mehmet taught him invaluable skills in hunting and tracking, such as reading animal tracks, hiding his scent by using the wind, and predicting where prey would go for water. Hunting had become another proficiency for him.
On the panel, beneath the "Iron Shirt Technique," a new line appeared:
[Hunting]
Level: 1/50
Evrenos accepted now that the panel was a gift that only he could see. The panel brought order to his life. As he progressed, he realized how crucial it was to test his limits. Each moment he pushed his body, he felt one step closer to being ready for the challenges of this world.
By day, Evrenos honed his hunting skills; by night, he worked on the Iron Shirt Technique. Within days, his body grew noticeably stronger. Carrying stones became easier, yet he remained cautious when his father noticed his progress. "Remember, strength comes from secrecy," he repeated to himself, moving more carefully each time.
As life in the village carried on, Evrenos quietly grew stronger and learned more each day. His current goal was clear: in six months, he would complete the Iron Shirt Technique and master full control over his new body. To do that, he had to keep working and remain strong. In this world, survival meant advancing one step at a time.