Chapter 4:

After the exciting day Paul slept like a log and the next morning Marcus woke him up early. They had a breakfast consisting of dark bread, dried meat and herbal tea.

Marcus then skinned, gutted and butchered the wolf, before distributing the most of the meat amongst the settlers.

They went to the river and inspected the skins they left out yesterday. Paul scraped and brushed off the tanning material while Marcus cleaned the wolf skin.

Marcus then taught Paul about the final step of the tanning process. “In order to get good quality furs and leather, one needs to beat and stretch the skins into shape in the end.” They went back to Marcus place, where Marcus placed one of the bunny skins on a sturdy workbench and beat down uneven parts while stretching the skin until he was satisfied with the result.

Paul tried to imitate him, but his right arm was nearly unusable. Marcus noticed his agony and took over. He told Paul about various hunting techniques while finishing the tanning process.

Paul learned some basics on how to approach prey without being noticed, how to track certain prey, where best to set traps and which bait works on certain monsters. He diligently wrote everything down with the help of his menu function for future reference. It was really convenient to write using your thoughts.

Around lunchtime, Marcus was finished processing the animal skins and a pile of furs and leathers was laying on top the workbench.

“Paul sit over there and lift your feet.” Marcus used a straight stick to measure his feet. He then used one of the larger bunny leathers to skilfully cut out two soles, and cut the remaining fur scraps into straps to hold them in place. After making sure the measurements were right, he used some thick leather he already had to make thick and sturdy soles and sew everything together into a pair of neat looking sandals. He obviously had some experience working with the material, and everything looked pretty durable, although they were made in less than an hour.

“Wah, I thought I would walk around barefoot for a long time after all” Paul exclaimed, he felt like he could cry from joy. It was only for a day, but walking around barefooted was really annoying, let alone painful. He had seen most of the farmers walk around without any shoes, so he assumed that using them was not very common and he had to get used to walking around barefoot.

“Thank you very much!” Paul took a few steps in his new sandals. They were very comfortable, although they were just sandals. He inspected them.

[Sturdy Fur Sandals

Defense: 3

Durable: 25/25

Leather Armor (Feet)

Skillfully made, open shoes. Common materials were used during production. They protect the feet and do not hinder movement in any way.]

For lunch, Marcus made a stew using the meat he had kept from the wolf and after treating the injury on Pauls arm, they headed out checking the traps.

The injury looked like it would take some time to heal and seriously hindered Paul’s progress. He could not really use his dominant arm for any strenuous tasks. On top of that, his health stayed at 45/55 ever since he got up in the morning. His other minor injuries had completely healed by now and did not bother him anymore, although the bite from the fox was still wrapped under a bandage and looked like it would leave a small scar.

Still, he was determined to raise his level today. They discovered one bunny and one fox in the traps and Marcus gave Paul hints on how to quickly end them. The lecture and leatherworking earlier had provided Paul with 4 xp, and the two small animals gave another 8 xp combined. Only 6 xp now until his first level gain.

While heading back through the grass covered hills between the forest and the river, he found a red dot on his minimap. When he told Marcus to take a small detour to check it out, Marcus obliged without asking questions. Finding the wolf must have convinced him to just rely on Paul’s instinct.

They discovered a snake in the grass. Marcus had told Paul earlier that hunting snakes can be done safely by carrying a long branch with a “Y” shaped end, and then pinning the snake down by the neck before cutting its head. He had also told Paul to bury the snakes head in the ground, so people walking barefoot wont step on it and poison themselves. Paul swore to himself to always do that, to protect the poor, barefooted travellers.

They did not bring that kind of stick though, and could not find one after searching the vicinity. Marcus then shot an arrow into the snake from above, providing the same effect of hindering the snake’s movement. Paul then killed the snake by dropping a small rock on its skull. As it was a combined effort, Paul only got 3 xp.

After hunting another snake along the way, this time with the method Marcus had recommended, Paul finally got the [Level Up] notification. He checked and had received 5 Statpoints and 2 Skillpoints, but decided to allocate the points after returning to the settlement.

Paul again helped skinning the animals and opened the menu while cleaning the bunny fur.

After getting more used to controlling the menu with his thoughts, he had found out that he could get additional information to most of his stats.

Basically, the stats all had a general effect on his body. Unlike in video games, he still had to utilize that effect to get results. Agility for example gave him the ability to move with more precision and increases his reaction speed, therefore increases his chance to dodge. If he did not actively move out of the way, he would still be hit though. The same applied for all the other stats, apart from luck. Luck could influence external things, for example a flying arrow might only graze him instead of hitting him directly. Unfortunately, luck could not be raised with stat-points.

He then checked the skills tab. A message popped up:

[Congratulations for acquiring your first skill points. A basic understanding of skills has to be acquired in the world before you can learn it.

After learning a skill, you can raise the skill-level either by applying the skill and widen your understanding by training and studying, or spend more skill-points. On higher skill-levels the effects of training and spending points decrease.]

When he was level 1, the tab was empty, but after levelling up, a number of skills had shown up, all of them were greyed out.

[Leatherworking]

Crafting Skill: Ability to obtain and process hides and skins of creatures, also supplements production of items made from leather, fur and chitin. Results are influenced by agility.

[Resilience]

Passive: Determines durability of the body and natural defence. Lowers perceived pain. Higher skill-levels provide additional HP.

[Blunt weapons]

Weapon skill: Ability to handle blunt weapons, like maces, clubs and stones.

[Daggers]

Weapon skill: Ability to handle daggers and knifes.

[Sense Surroundings]

Passive: Ability to perceive creatures and terrain around you. Widens range of minimap. Higher skill-levels will add additional information.

[Healer]

Active: Ability to treat injuries and abnormal status-effects. Includes bandaging, wound-treatment and nursery of patients. Higher skill-levels provide additional information on negative status effects and possible treatments.

Paul thought about those options. While all of them seemed to be useful, for now he wanted skills that he could continuously train. While the skill to widen his minimap radius looked intriguing, he had no idea how he could improve it through training. He would probably pick it up later.

The weapon skills did not seem to be very useful for now. He was never a fan of blunt weapons, and had the disadvantage of requiring the attacker to be very close to the enemy. Training it would be a pain.

The only skill that interested him was the crafting skill. He spent most of the time in the village helping Marcus with tanning, so he expected it to be easily trained for now. After running around naked in the woods, the prospect of being able to make his own clothing was rather tempting as well.

Paul decided to spend one skill point for [Leatherworking]. He may have used the other one for the Healer skill, but decided against it. He had already formed a plan last night, and it was better to acquire a combat related skill to help him on his way to level two.

He then spent 4 of his stat points on agility and the remaining one on endurance.

Name: Paul

Adult Human Male

Level: 2

Experience: 2 / 1%

Strength: 10

Endurance: 12

Agility: 14

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 10

Luck: 0

Health: 50/60

Mana: 50

Stamina: 60

After spending half an hour cleaning the skins, his [Leatherworking] skill rose to beginner level 1, 3%.

Paul was slightly disappointed, but he felt a slight change in the easy of handling the skin. By raising his agility, the movements of his hands became more precise and he could somehow fell a connection to the hide, “sensing” when a spot was clean enough and where to focus more of his attention.

It was still early in the afternoon, and Paul wanted to prepare some things. He asked Marcus to introduce him to the carpenter.

“You are already a member of our community, no need to be so formal. You can just talk to Ray.” Marcus told him, but came along anyway. Raymond was around Marcus’ age, probably in his early thirties. He was rather tall and muscular, even compared to the overall fit farmers. After Marcus briefly introduced them to each other, he went off to his home.

“I would like to make a spear, could you help me with it?” Paul quickly came to the point.

Ray seemed to agree “I thought you wanted to ask for help in building your own house, but there is no way I could do that right away. Marcus also seems to be fine keeping you around at his place.

Making a wooden spear does not take that much time, so I am fine with that much. Unfortunately, we have no one capable of working with metals here, so I can tell you right away that the result will be a bit disappointing.”

Paul did not care about it too much, the spear he was going to make was only meant as a temporary weapon anyway.

Ray grabbed a saw, small axe and a knife, attached them to his belt and they went off to the nearby woods together.

“Would you be ok with me doing most of the work myself and giving me guidance? I know that my skill will be lacking, but I want to acquire as much knowledge as possible to help out with various tasks in the village.” Paul asked Raymond.

“Heh, I like that attitude. I still have a lot of work to do in the village, so I will take over if you take too long, but for let’s see how much you can handle yourself.”

Ray then told Marcus that they would search for a young tree. A large branch could work as well, but for best results fresh and straight wood is needed.

After 15 minutes they had found a tree that was suitable according to Ray. He handed Paul the saw and told him where and how to cut it.

The trunk was rather thin and the saw was the right tool for the job, so after a short time the tree fell to the ground. Ray then told Paul to saw the larger branches off, while Ray was cutting away smaller branches on the other end.

They brought the slender trunk back to the settlement and Ray instructed Paul how to use several different tools to cut away from the trunk until it formed into a suitable staff of around 2 meters length. He then skilfully smoothened the surface himself while Paul watched. He then handed Paul a sturdy knife and told him to carve the pointy end while he produced some boards.

When Paul was satisfied with his result, Ray inspected the spear. It already looked fine, but Ray told Paul that the end needs to be hardened with heat to make it more durable. He started a small fire a short walk away from the village and instructed Paul until the spear was finished.

Paul inspected the result:

[Wooden Spear

Damage: 5

Durability: 12

Spear-type Weapon

A wooden spear. It is slightly bent and the surface is not perfectly smooth, but is made from suitable wood and will not break easily.]

It was good enough for Paul. When he inspected his skills, he had unlocked the [Carpentry] skill as he had hoped, although he did not want to spend any points on it for now.

He thanked Ray and went back to Marcus.

“So you want to use a spear, huh? I am not against it of course, but I won’t be able to give you any training on it. I have never picked one up myself.” Marcus did not seem impressed by Paul’s weapon choice.

“After the close encounter with the wolf, I decided to switch to a weapon that I could use from a greater distance” Paul justified his choice. He would have preferred a sword himself, but there was no way to get one in this village. The spear also had the advantage that he could produce one himself if he had to.

“Marcus, I know that I have only spent a bit more than a day here in this village and under your guidance, but I have decided that I want to go hunting alone tonight. I promise to return as soon as possible.

“What do you mean?” Marcus looked shocked

“As I said, I want to go out hunting. And I need to do so alone. Please understand”

“I know I cannot stop you, but I cannot say I am not disappointed. And you are still wounded. I know you did not want others to notice, but that injury on your arm is quite severe. To be honest, I cannot imagine you surviving a night in the forest all alone. Especially as there is no need to do so.” Marcus could not understand Paul, and it was an expected reaction.

“Please do not worry, I have no plan on dying before repaying you for your help so far. We don’t know each other for too long, but I came to trust you. There is a good reason why I want to leave for the forest alone. I will tell you, but I ask you to keep it a secret for now.”

“Ok, I can promise that much”

“When I was wondering alone in the forest, I could feel a presence watching over me. After I got injured on the first day, I meditated at night and prayed for help, and the next morning my wound was healed.

I could not feel that presence here in the village or while hunting with you, so I will leave for the forest alone tonight and in the hope that it will help me recover faster.” Paul could lie without losing eye-contact or becoming flustered. Marcus seemed to buy it.

“Hmm, that sounds unusual, but stranger things have happened. If the goddess of the nature has found a liking in you, it would also explain how you could spot animals so easily.” He was making strange connections by himself, but Paul did not stop him.

“Ok, do what you think you have to do. But know that I do not think you are a burden, even with your injury. You can assist me while hunting and cleaning animal skins, and help with odd jobs around the village until you have recovered your strength normally.”

“I am thankful that you think that way, but I want to try out my method. I promise to return under any circumstances.”

Paul ate dinner with the other villagers, lent a bag and a piece of bread from Marcus and then went on his way. He found that he had gained the [Deception] for his elaborate lie and wondered if he should spent a skillpoint on it soon. He left the village and walked towards the small creek he had wandered along yesterday and arrived while it was still bright.

He left the path and followed the creek until he reached the edge of the forest. He then undressed and put all his belongings into the bag, before hanging it on a branch of a tree. He only kept the spear and even took of the bandages.

Paul’s plan was to die in the forest. He had thought about cutting his wrist or getting bit by snake, but he was neither suicidal, nor did he want to die as slow death by poison. Leaving his body out in the grasslands was a bad idea as well, he wanted to die somewhere where his body would stay hidden so long that it would be unrecognizable by the time it was found, if ever.

Naked Paul grabbed his spear and wandered along the creek. He kept his eyes on the minimap, looking for hostile creatures. He found one a few hundred meters into the forest. It was a level 1 fox.

“Not really planning to die from such an insignificant enemy. Here I come!” The fox before did not run from him, so Paul did not try to sneak up it this time. He charged towards the fox (of course he stepped on a pointy branch and hurt his foot) and stabbed at the fox with his spear.

The attack was rather clumsy and the fox was quick. Paul missed completely. The fox used this chance and jumped towards Paul, scratching and biting his thigh.

Fox bit you for 3 damage.

Fox scratched you for 1 damage.

Paul dropped the spear and grabbed the fox before it would start to attack his exposed genitalia. He planned to die, but the thought of having his penis bitten off by a wild animal was dreadful beyond compare.

He threw the relatively light fox against the thick trunk of a large tree with all his strength.

Fox took 3 damage from environment.

Fox is [confused]

Paul was satisfied. Before the fox could recover, he grabbed its tail and swung the fox in a circle over his head, before swinging it against the trunk. He then repeated it again.

Fox took 5 damage from environment.

Fox is [dazed].

Fox took 5 damage from environment.

Fox is [unconscious].

Paul dropped the fox on the floor and picked up his spear, killing the fox with a stab to the neck.

He checked the skills tab and had acquired [Spear-type Weapons: Weapon skill. Ability to handle spears, polearms and similar weapons]

He spent his remaining skillpoint on learning it. He would prefer a sword as he had practised kendo for some time, but with no way to get one soon he decided that a spear would be a good alternative. Historically, spear users had an advantage over sword wielders and he could even use it as a walking stick, so there was nothing wrong with fighting with a spear.

He picked up the carcass and went back to the creek, then continued walking alongside of it into the forest. He wanted to retrieve the spear if possible.

It was getting pretty dark quickly, and Paul focused on the minimap while following the creek. He had heard a wolf howling from deeper within the forest and quickened his steps.

After about an hour of wandering and injuring both of his feet along the way, a couple of red dots showed up on the edge of his radar. Paul smiled.

“Hey fuckers, come and get me!” he shouted in the direction of the animals. He stabbed the spear into the ground, dropped the fox carcass a few meters away and took a few steps towards the red dots on the minimap, which had stopped moving. He then heard rustling in the underbrush.

When he heard the sounds several predators running towards him, he tried to make out their shapes in the darkness, but could not see anything.

The last thing he felt was something jumping at him and toppling him over, shortly before a sharp pain his throat. He quickly lost consciousness from the pain and blood loss.