Chapter 5: Foundations of Survival
As the day pressed on, Alex's exhaustion began to lift, replaced by the sharp, primal instinct to survive. The shrine offered a sanctuary of sorts, but it wasn't enough on its own. To last more than a day or two, he needed water, food, and protection. He glanced at the statue, its silent presence a reminder that some unknown power resided here. That power might shield him for now, but it wouldn't fend off every threat.
Alex tightened his grip on the dagger, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. He would make the shrine his base, at least for the time being. To do that, he'd need to fortify it, scout the area, and secure resources.
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Securing Water
The first order of business was finding a clean water source. Dehydration would kill him faster than hunger, and he couldn't rely on random berries to sustain him. Alex remembered the faint sound of running water from earlier, barely audible over the forest's oppressive silence. It had come from the northeast, if his memory served.
He set off cautiously, marking his path by scratching lines into trees with the dagger. The forest was dense, and it would be too easy to lose his way. The air grew cooler as he walked, the sound of water growing louder with each step. After about fifteen minutes, he emerged onto the banks of a small stream.
The water was clear, its surface sparkling in the filtered sunlight. He crouched, inspecting it closely. A faint flow reassured him that the water wasn't stagnant, but he knew drinking directly might still carry risks. For now, he filled the tin cup he'd found at the campsite and took a small sip.
The water was cold and refreshing, washing away the dryness in his throat. He made a mental note to find a way to purify it later—maybe by boiling it, once he figured out how to start a fire. For now, he drank his fill and filled the cup again to carry back to the shrine.
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Scouting for Food
On his way back, Alex kept his eyes peeled for anything edible. He recognized the Moonberry Bush from earlier, its violet berries hanging in small clusters. He picked a handful, careful to avoid the leaves, and wrapped them in a piece of fabric he tore from his shirt.
He also noticed mushrooms growing on the base of a tree, their pale caps dotted with red speckles. He hesitated, unsure of their safety. Activating Inspect, he crouched to examine them.
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Bloodcap Mushrooms
Properties: Edible but mildly toxic in large quantities. Consuming more than three may cause nausea.
Special Effect: Slightly restores stamina when consumed.
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The information wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. He carefully picked a few, keeping them separate from the berries. If nothing else, he could test small amounts later to confirm their effects. His stomach growled, and he fought the urge to eat them now. He needed to ration what little he had.
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Fortifying the Shrine
When Alex returned to the shrine, he placed the food and water near the statue, setting up a rudimentary supply pile. The area felt safer in the daylight, but the memory of the Rotwolf Alpha reminded him how quickly danger could strike. He needed to fortify the area against threats.
The first thing he did was examine the perimeter. The ruins naturally provided some defense—stone walls jutted up in irregular patterns, creating barriers that could funnel attackers. However, there were gaps wide enough for creatures to slip through. He needed to block those off.
He gathered fallen branches, dragging them into the clearing. Using the dagger, he stripped the branches of smaller twigs and sharpened the ends to create crude stakes. He lashed them together with vines, forming makeshift barricades that he wedged into the gaps. It wasn't perfect, but it would slow down anything trying to get in.
Next, he worked on the fire pit in the center of the clearing. He piled dry leaves and twigs into the pit, arranging them carefully. Starting a fire would be crucial for warmth and protection, but he had no tools to spark one. Frustration bubbled up as he struck the dagger against a stone, producing only dull clinks.
"Think, Alex," he muttered. Fire needed more than sparks—it needed fuel and air. He remembered the Blackbark Trees from earlier and their decay-resistant properties. Maybe their wood burned differently.
Leaving the shrine, he found a smaller Blackbark branch and dragged it back. Using the dagger, he shaved off thin strips of wood and arranged them in the fire pit. Then, he struck the dagger against a rock again, this time with more focus. Sparks flew, catching on the shavings. He blew gently, coaxing the tiny ember into life.
Fire burst to life, small but steady. Relief flooded him as he fed the flames, adding larger pieces of wood until he had a proper fire. The warmth chased away the chill, and the smoke drifted upward, a comforting signal of progress.
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Planning for the Future
As the fire crackled, Alex sat near the statue, nibbling on a single Moonberry. His body ached from the day's work, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. The shrine was safer, he had water and a small stash of food, and the fire provided a beacon of safety.
He checked his mana again.
Mana: 89/100.
The shrine's restorative aura had done its job, giving him a sense of security he hadn't felt since waking in this strange place.
But the day's successes didn't blind him to the dangers still lurking in the forest. The memory of the Rotwolf Alpha's glowing eyes and the eerie stillness of the thrall he had controlled were constant reminders of the world's hostility.
He pulled out the journal from the satchel, flipping through its pages again. One entry caught his attention:
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Day 20: The shrine's aura weakens at night. The creatures sense it. I can't stay here forever. If I could find the other shrines, maybe I'd have a chance. But the path is treacherous, and my supplies are dwindling.
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Alex closed the journal, his mind racing. The idea of other shrines was tantalizing, but it also hinted at greater challenges ahead. He wasn't ready to leave yet. He needed to build his strength, improve his skills, and gather more resources before he could even consider venturing deeper into this world.
As the firelight danced across the ancient stones, Alex's resolve hardened. Survival wasn't just about finding food and water—it was about adapting, learning, and using every tool at his disposal.
Tomorrow, he would explore further, hunt for more supplies, and experiment with his necromancer abilities. For now, he allowed himself a rare moment of rest, the soft glow of the fire and the hum of the shrine lulling him into uneasy sleep.
The forest remained dark and dangerous, but Alex had carved out a small piece of safety. And for the first time, he felt like he had a chance.