Chapter 13 Choices in the Forest

Sitting back, I blew out a breath. Given, it took a bit. But, as I crafted boots out of the recovered basic material, my Crafting skill levelled up II and III in the span of ten minutes. Three sets of Sabre fur boots sat next to me. Lazily I tapped them one by one.

[Sabre Fur boots]

Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these boots were created using primitive but intuitive means. The pelts themselves offer decent protection against cold weather and give the wearer protection from sharp objects. Though, the durability is not as high due to the means by which it was made.

+12% Exposure Protection

+2 defence against piercing damage

+1 Armor Class

83/83 Durability

I tapped the last one.

[Sabre Fur boots]

Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these boots were created using average, but intuitive means. The pelts themselves offer proper protection against cold weather and give the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is low, but better than basic items.

+15% Exposure Protection

+2 defence against piercing damage

+2 Armor Class

120/120 Durability

That was definitely a success! I quickly discarded my Dire Ermine Boots and donned my new boots. It already felt warmer! I sighed happily as my exposure bar lifted to a notch above halfway for the first time since I crashed into the snow covered zone. With that little bit of feel good, I looked at the boots I wouldn’t be using. Normally, I would just throw them away or sell them if I had the chance. But, this was dire straits. I needed the materials.

It was quite easier than crafting without a skill, though, I still took care in not damaging anything. It came as a surprise when after the second pair was disassembled, I heard a ping and the notification.

Tinker I [Novice]

Certain craftsmen would not mind taking apart old works. In so doing, they sometimes gained new inspiration to improve their work.

[Passive] After taking apart something you crafted, you gain understanding how to enhance your next attempt at crafting a better item of its kind.

[Active] +10 focus when taking apart your handiwork. +10% chance to gain insight into creating a higher tier item of the same kind. Lasts 3 minutes. Cool-down 15 minutes.

[Congratulations on being in the top 100 of people who discovered this skill.]

+1 Insight

Odd...that was another one I didn’t have on my previous play-through. Though, I never thought of taking my stuff apart. It could come in useful, but the fifteen-minute cool down on the active ability was a bit heavy handed. Still, being in the top 100 of discovering skill was definitely nice.

That said, I didn’t plan on creating another set of boots yet anyway, so I didn’t activate the skill on the last set of extra boots I had.

The materials gained from the boots would help in making a winter coat. So, I started with that.

Keeping a steady hand was difficult with the small gusts of wind coming through, but I wanted that coat, so I pressed through. At certain places I had to rely on the Crafting III skill as I definitely didn’t know how to go on. Still, it was good to know as I saw what the skill accomplished in my place.

Twenty minutes later, I blew out a breath and smiled. The success in warmer clothes lifted my spirits considerably. I created as best I could a coat with the Sabre-Tooth’s fur using the greater pelt material I had gathered from the beast and also the average pelt part to craft me some better insulated pants. On completion, a ping sounded.

Success in creating an average item.

Success in creating a basic item.

In seeing that, I tapped the coat and the pants. The information popped up in front of me.

[Frost Sabre Fur cloak]

Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, this cloak was created using average, but intuitive means. The fur offers good protection against cold weather, and gives the wearer protection from sharp objects. The durability is good.

+20% Exposure Protection

+3 defence against piercing damage

+4 Armor Class

250/250 Durability

[Sabre Fur trousers]

Using the pelt and fur of a Giant Frost Sabre Tooth and inner bark, these trousers were created using basic, but intuitive means. The fur offer decent protection against cold weather and gives the wearer some protection from sharp objects. The durability is decent.

+14% Exposure Protection

+1 defence against piercing damage

+2 Armor Class

250/250 Durability

A grin popped up on my face and without waiting, I threw the cloak over my shoulders. Immediately my eyes darted over to Zalia before I snuck into my trousers. It was awkward enough that she saved my life without knowing her at all. So, I was careful not to disturb her.

Though, upon finishing my exposure bar topped out at two thirds full, distracting me from the company. A big sigh of relief escaped my lips. There was no need to find a fire in the snow during the day and good weather any more. Night to some extent, storms or blizzards would still cause a lot of trouble. All it really did was give me a bit better chance to survive the exposure of this zone. I just had to keep an eye on the durability if I was going to have go through intense situations.

I looked at the few pieces of remaining pelt and fur. It would be useful to make gloves, but my eyelids were basically holding marches down my eyes. They were stubborn this time, so I waved the white flag for now. I would win that fight next time.

***

A quick sting of pain woke me from my slumber. I sat upright in bewilderment.

“Took you long enough to wake.”

I turned to the voice and saw Zalia playing with a lock of hair looking as undisturbed as one could be in such a frozen wasteland. That weight of emotion she carried the night before was nowhere to be seen. It kind of left me confused in how to respond to it. Shrugging my shoulders finally, I got up and pulled my new coat tighter around me.

“So, where are we off to?”

Zalia popped a smile and said,

“We go to the Farseeing Eye. It will help in the trials ahead. Let’s g—“

“Whoa there!” I quickly said, “I have to stop you there for a moment. How far is it to this Farseeing Eye? I have something important to do.”

Immediately, she narrowed her eyes at me, like she was trying figure something out about what I said. I lifted my arms in question before she waved me off.

“The Eye is not far, maybe a few hours. What is this important business you have to do?”

I rubbed at my face, she was slightly difficult to pin point. Regardless of that, I said,

“I have to go in that direction.” I pointed towards the path I flew. “There is an item I dropped and would like to retrieve, if you don’t mind.”

“I do mind.” She said flatly. “That direction would add unnecessary time to our journey.”

“Huh?” I said flabbergasted.

“You now know my heart’s quest. We have to go there with all haste.”

She was a strong minded one that was for sure. I understood her plight, but I needed my sword!

“Look here, Lady. If I retrieve my sword, I can better help with your quest. Is that suitable to your needs?” I tried to keep my voice as diplomatic as I could.

Watching her chew at her lips in indecision was working at my nerves, but I kept calm.

An actual minute later, she said,

“If it helps the cause, then I can guide you safely in that direction.”

I grinned and said,

“You won’t regret it.”

While Zalia hopped up into the ruins to scout out our surroundings, I sliced off some meat from the deceased creature that hasn’t frozen over during the night and then wrapped it in some of my extra but more common fur.

Just thinking of some of my new fur accessories had me in a happy mood. Having had to fight day and night to survive the exposure for that amount of time was exhausting. To have a bit of breathing room during the day was incredible. My arms went up as I stretched lazily.

About ten minutes later, Zalia returned and motioned for me to follow her. I looked one last time at the Sabre Tooth and shuddered, that had been faaar too close. I needed to be more careful going forward.

The snow was still cold as we trudged through it, but I sighed in relief as my exposure stayed at two thirds.

On the closest hill, I looked back at the ruins and curiosity bubbled up in me. There had to be secrets hidden in its reaches. Yet, I didn’t have the time to explore. All I could do was shrug and continue on.

Zalia stayed in front about thirty metres at all times. So, I didn’t bother talking. Either way, it would’ve attracted unwanted attention. The snow made the walking a bit difficult, though for the first time in days I could plan ahead outside of stay warm and tend to my basic needs.

Problem was, I believed Zalia when she said the storms claimed adventurer after adventurer. It meant either discovering this biome needed extreme endurance and high exposure countering items, or a quest lead here, one that none has found before or is too difficult that people gave up on it. All those scenarios posed considerable problems for me. I was low-levelled in a zone that was incredibly hard to reach even with great character builds. Worse was, I had no memory of my fellow developers discussing this biome. Sure, mentions floated around that a snow biome got added to this side of the world, but that was it! My boss would slam me with a frying pan if he knew I was so misinformed on the very game I was helping develop... The thought made me slap my cheeks. They counted on me outside. I had to step it up and focus more.

Somewhere through my deliberations, Zalia flicked her wrist in my direction while keeping her eyes on something across the next hill. Approaching her with some caution, I carefully looked over the ridge.

A big stone stuck out of the snow like a big tooth. I frowned and wanted to ask why she called me.

Then, I heard a growl and my eyes narrowed. On looking closer, I saw blood across the snow in streaks. There was something here...

A dark mass limped around the corner. My eyes widened in shock.

Mr. Scary Bear!

He survived the stab and the fall! Pure amazement washed over me, then I saw my sword sticking out of its big muscled leg. I fist pumped in giddiness, but then I realized I would have to get it away from the bear while it was alive.

My courage dropped like a rock.

This was the very bear that put me into a stalemate at level 55. No conceivable way I could get that sword at level 17 presented itself... Worse, Mr. Scary Bear was probably soooo angry at me.

“It is imperative that we avoid that bear. He looks like an alpha. What is more, it is hurt.”

I licked my lips and choked on my words as I said,

“You know Zalia, in most other instances I would wholeheartedly agree with you, but you see... I... we... um—”

“Spit it out man.” She demanded suspiciously.

“That sword in its leg?”

“Yes?”

“Well, that is the thing I came to get on our little detour.”

Her eyes got wide.

“You got to be joking! That thing would kill both of us with ease! Definitely if it is hurt and feels cornered!”

She got me there. I was absolutely certain this bear was way more dangerous than the Sabre Tooth. The Hem-Iree woods had a calming effect on all predators in it. But, it was now in a strange biome it isn’t suppose to be in and I was the one to shove that sword in its leg. If it didn’t hold an extreme grudge against me, I would be Moses’ uncle.

Still, that sword would help me in my mission more than any other item I had lost on my trip through the sky, and the fact that it couldn’t sprint after me with that sword in its leg made it... not so impossible, I guess?

“I know. But, we need to try something. I can vow that the sword will help your mission more than you can understand. We just need to make a plan on how to get it without being mauled by Mr. Scary Bear.”

She frowned.

“Mr. Scary Bear?”

I chuckled and rubbed a hand through my hair before I replied,

“That is my nick name for it from before I came to this place.”

“You know that bear?!” She asked incredulous.

“Long story. But never mind that, will you consider helping me with this?”

Her brow furrowed as she stared out over the expanse at the limping monster.

“If you say that sword will help my quest, then yes... However! We have to take extreme caution.”

I nodded rapidly in agreement. No understatement there.

“Then we need to figure out a plan.”

“It sure need to be a better plan than whatever you had going with that Sabre Tooth.”

I just shook my head as I huffed. This was going to be a tough situation at best.

“It will be. It needs to be.”