Day 1 (Continued)
The morning sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Alexander Maxwell stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze fixed on the bloodied remnants of the wolf he had slain. The rush of adrenaline had faded, leaving behind exhaustion and a gnawing hunger. His improvised spear rested against the rocky outcrop, its tip cracked but stained with the proof of his first victory.
He tightened the wolf's pelt around his shoulders, its thick fur a small shield against the damp morning chill. His mind was already racing. The system rewards paths and buffs, but it's not going to do the work for me. I need to start thinking bigger.
The faint glow of the system returned, pulling his focus to the hovering blue screen in front of him.
[New Objective: Establish a Territory]
Requirements: Gather resources and build a permanent settlement.
Reward: Unlock Path of Expansion.
The reward was tempting. He had seen firsthand how much of an edge the system's buffs gave him. If he could unlock the Path of Expansion, it might help him secure this area and prepare for whatever dangers lay ahead. But the question loomed: How do I even start?
Scouting the Area
Alexander didn't need much time to decide his next steps. He slung the wolf's body over his shoulder and grabbed his spear, heading deeper into the forest to scout for resources. The ground was uneven, littered with roots and thick brush that snagged his boots. He moved cautiously, his eyes scanning every shadow for movement.
The forest was alive with sound—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the occasional distant growl that set his nerves on edge. Stay sharp, stay aware, he reminded himself.
Skinning the Wolf
Before venturing too far, Alexander returned briefly to the site of his earlier victory. The wolf's lifeless body lay where he had left it, its dark fur matted with blood. He crouched down, pulling out his sharp-edged stone.
[Buff Active: Path of Hunting – Efficient Harvesting]
Animal products gathered: +25%.
The buff wasn't just numbers on a screen; he could feel it working. His hands moved with precision, guided by the system as he carefully skinned the animal and carved the usable meat from its bones. The pelt was thick and heavy, offering some protection from the elements. The meat, though rough, would keep him alive for a few days if preserved properly.
The process was slower than he liked—his makeshift tools weren't ideal—but it gave him a strange sense of accomplishment. The wolf had nearly killed him, but now it was another resource, another step toward survival.
"Use everything you have," Alexander muttered to himself, bundling the meat and pelt together. With the task complete, he resumed his scouting efforts.
After a couple of hours, he stumbled upon a narrow stream winding through the forest. The clear water sparkled in the sunlight, its sound soothing against the backdrop of distant animal calls. He knelt by the edge, cupping his hands to drink. The water was cold and refreshing, giving him a brief moment of reprieve.
"This will do," he muttered, glancing around. The area was relatively flat, with plenty of space to build. The stream could serve as a source of water and irrigation, and the dense trees nearby offered wood and cover. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
The First Step: Gathering Resources
Alexander set to work, marking the area mentally as his starting point. He used his spear to cut down smaller saplings, stripping them of their branches to create a pile of usable wood. Each swing of the spear felt more natural than the last, his movements smoother and more efficient.
[Path of Survival: Toughened Bodies Active]
+25% stamina and strength.
The buffs worked subtly, but they made a difference. His body didn't tire as quickly, and he could carry more wood than he would have thought possible back in his old life. Still, it wasn't enough. He needed tools—real ones.
A notification appeared as if to echo his thoughts.
[New Mission: Basic Tools]
Objective: Craft a stone axe and hammer.Reward: Unlock Second Idea for Path of Hunting.
Alexander nodded. Tools will make this easier. He began searching the streambed for stones, looking for pieces that were sharp or sturdy enough to serve as tools. After a few minutes of searching, he found two promising rocks: one with a sharp edge and another smooth and heavy.
Using strips of fabric from his tattered jacket, he lashed the sharp stone to a sturdy branch, creating a crude axe. The process was slower than he liked, but the results were worth it. The axe felt solid in his hands, its weight balanced enough to make cutting and shaping wood easier.
Next, he fashioned a basic hammer, using the smooth stone and another branch. It wasn't elegant, but it would do the job.
[Mission Complete: Basic Tools]
Reward: Unlock Second Idea for Path of Hunting.
[Path of Hunting: Second Idea Unlocked]
Idea 2: Predator's Efficiency Active
Personal Buff: Alexander gains +25% damage when hunting predators.
Territory Buff: Settlers gain +15% combat efficiency against animals.
The buff notification appeared, but Alexander barely acknowledged it. His focus was already on the next step: building a proper shelter.
Shelter from the Elements
The sun dipped lower in the sky as Alexander worked tirelessly, using his new tools to shape the wood he had gathered. He fashioned a small, triangular structure from branches and large leaves, weaving the materials together for stability. It was just big enough to keep him off the ground and out of the rain, but it offered a semblance of safety.
As he tied off the final knot, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. It wasn't much, but it was his.
The system chimed again, displaying another notification.
[Objective Complete: Establish Shelter]
Reward: Unlock Path of Exploration.
[Path of Exploration: First Idea Unlocked]
Idea 1: Cartographer's Instinct Active
Personal Buff: Maps created by Alexander are 15% more accurate.
Territory Buff: Scouting efficiency increases by 10%.
Alexander exhaled slowly, his mind already racing with ideas. The buffs stacked quickly, and each one gave him a new edge. If he could keep this momentum going, he might have a real shot at not just surviving—but thriving.
He slumped against the wall of his makeshift shelter, exhaustion finally catching up to him. As he stared out into the darkening forest, he allowed himself a faint smile. One day at a time.