The forest was alive with sounds. Birds chirped from hidden perches, and the occasional rustle of leaves hinted at creatures scurrying through the underbrush. Eren moved cautiously, his senses heightened by the eerie quiet that settled between the natural noises. His new body was stronger than his old one, but he was still getting used to its size and grace. Each step was careful, deliberate, as he ventured further into the dense woods surrounding the Grand Sovereign Academy.
The Survival System's glowing interface floated just at the edge of his vision. He couldn't help but glance at it repeatedly, the unfamiliar text both comforting and unnerving. It felt like something out of a video game, but this was no game. This was his new reality.
Tutorial Quest: Establish Shelter
Objective: Construct a basic shelter to protect yourself from the elements.
Reward: Starter Kit (Tools and Supplies)
Eren let out a soft sigh, brushing a stray branch out of his path. "Alright, let's find a spot to set up," he murmured to himself. Talking aloud helped keep the isolation at bay. He scanned his surroundings, looking for a clearing or some kind of natural formation he could use to his advantage.
The forest wasn't entirely unfamiliar; the novel had described it briefly as a place teeming with both resources and danger. Still, the descriptions had been vague, and Eren wasn't eager to test just how dangerous it could be.
After about an hour of trekking, he found what he was looking for: a small clearing nestled between two towering oak trees. Their roots twisted and intertwined, forming a natural barrier on one side. The ground was mostly level, with just enough space to build a modest shelter.
"This… could work," he said, nodding to himself.
Update: Quest Progress
Location suitable for shelter detected. Proceed to construction.
The interface expanded, displaying a new set of instructions.
Basic Shelter Construction
Materials Required:
10 Units of Wood
5 Units of Stone
Tools Recommended: None (Manual labor required)
Eren frowned. "Manual labor, huh?" He glanced at his hands, flexing them. They were calloused, the hands of someone who had spent years training with weapons. Useful, but not ideal for gathering and building. Still, he didn't have much choice.
"Alright. Wood first."
The clearing was surrounded by trees, so finding wood wasn't a problem. Breaking it down into usable pieces, however, proved to be a challenge. He started with fallen branches, snapping them into manageable lengths and stacking them neatly in a corner of the clearing. By the time he'd gathered enough, his arms ached, and his palms stung from the repeated strain.
Next came the stone. He searched the edges of the clearing, finding a few loose rocks scattered among the roots of nearby trees. He dug through the soil, prying out stones one by one. By the time he had five suitable pieces, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor.
Quest Progress: Materials Gathered
Proceed to construction.
Eren wiped the sweat from his brow, sitting back on his heels to catch his breath. "This is harder than it looks in the novels," he muttered. But the sense of accomplishment outweighed his exhaustion. He was doing this. He was surviving.
He followed the Survival System's instructions, arranging the wood and stones into the foundation of a small lean-to. The interface guided him step by step, highlighting where to place each piece. It felt strange, almost surreal, like he was working alongside an invisible teacher.
By the time he placed the final piece, the shelter was complete. It wasn't much—just a basic structure with a slanted roof to keep out the rain and wind—but it was enough. He stepped back to admire his handiwork, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Quest Complete: Establish Shelter
Reward: Starter Kit (Tools and Supplies)
The chime echoed in his mind again, and a small chest materialized in front of him, shimmering with faint light. Eren knelt to open it, revealing its contents: a simple hatchet, a hunting knife, a coil of rope, and a small bundle of dried food. There was also a folded piece of parchment, which unfolded into a map of the forest when he picked it up.
"This… will make things easier," Eren said, tucking the items into his improvised shelter. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. He had completed his first challenge, and for the first time since waking up in this world, he felt like he had a chance.
As night fell, Eren sat in his shelter, listening to the sounds of the forest. The system's interface had gone quiet, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long. There would be more challenges, more dangers. The novel's main characters were out there somewhere, and he had no intention of crossing paths with them if he could help it.
But for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace. He leaned back against the rough wood of his shelter, the soft glow of the Survival System's map illuminating his face.
"One step at a time," he murmured, closing his eyes.
Tomorrow, his real journey would begin.