I wide path cut across the forest going directly north-south. Wide enough for a cart and more to spare. The ground is soft and covered in grass, but large vegetation has stayed clear. It looks more like an animal trail than a road, but it is just too big. Whatever created this path must have been as big as the dragons I saw at the start of my journey, but considering the way the vegetation has naturally shaped into a path, it will have to be a heavily frequented route. While thinking, my alert kicks off so hard it skips with a level increasing ping.

From the top of the nearest tree I watch a large not so friendly looking bi-pedal creature walk down the patch. As I am about to use analyze to figure out what the creature is a couple of forest rats suicidally charge the large creature. A couple of slaps knocked them out and each one bone crunchingly devoured raw by the creature. Definitely not the cultured bi-pedal I was looking for. The daft forest rats must be the bread and butter for these larger monsters.

Too soon he is out of sight to utilize analyze to give a name to the creature. I assume it was a he, no woman of any race could be that ugly. Peaceful bi-pedal are unlikely to be neighbors with such a creature. The path I had first thought to be a road is in fact a monster trail. As I am about to get down from the tree and far off from the path, my alert goes off again. Another creature is coming down the path. This one looks like a huge bear, just more mean looking. A bit like Winnie the Poo's evil uncle.

I end up staying in the tree for most of the day holding my breath not to be spotted by the many large beasts walking past. Eventually I get down and run for the coast. I continue southwest along the coast for another day to get far away from the monster trail. It has been more than half a month and I am no closer to finding a friendly harbour. I still rank below the caveman and his advanced stone tools. I still haven't managed to create fire despite my modern knowledge, and I am getting really fed up with my vegan diet. I crave something more filling like meat or even an omelette.

Without fire, omelettes are a no go. Without tools, preparing meat will be difficult at best. Close to impossible for me. I continue my pity party sitting amongst some rocks by the coast. As I look at the ground, I notice a wax like appearance on some of the rocks. Isn't that flint? Analyze confirms it. In an instant my mood changes 180 degrees.

With flint I can solve both my problems. I strike a flint stone against my iron ore. Sparks fly and fire has been made. I bring out some of my oddly shaped stones and part of an antler I picked up on my walk, and start experimenting on the flint. Sure enough, the flint breaks and chips into smaller pieces. I continue until nighttime.

The next morning I start gathering as many flint rocks as I can find and quickly double my stored stones. While continuing to work on my flint knapping skills, I charcoal the end of on of my stronger sticks and scrape charcoal down to form the tip of the most primitive of spears. My first weapon! The following morning I find some eggs and cook them on a hot stone, and I have my first omelette. Life has become a lot more bearable, though I am still a level 1 nobody lost in the wilderness all alone.

Realizing the need for a goal, I decide to follow the next stream inland. Though I am still looking for a friendly civilization, I am now also resolved to find a place to call home, even if it is just for me. As I approach the forest, I leave the coast behind me for the last time. Just as I enter the forest, a forest rat is waiting for me. Did it see me earlier among the rocks? Did all the forest animals stay away from the rocky coastline? I never got attacked by animals while gathering stones. Did I make the right decision going into the forest? Why is my alert only now going off?

The rat charges at me like all its predecessors. I bring out my crude spear just in time to skewer it. It dies instantly. That was easy. Looks like I got some new skills as well. Maybe alert adjust based on the risk I am being exposed to. Looking at my menu, I notice that all my stats have gone up a bit. It doesn't really show in the descriptions, but the numbers are all up. Some more than others. It also says I am a now Level 2!

Considering the hard life I have been living for the last couple of weeks, I had completely forgotten this game like aspect of my new life. With my spear I have also gained my first combat skill. Need to work on this one. I continue my walk up the stream. A bit of risk might be worth it if I can level up and improve myself.