Ren leaned against a rock near the entrance of the bear's cave, the warm sunlight brushing over his sore muscles. His chest ached from yesterday's brutal fight, and every limb throbbed from the deep claw marks left by the Alpha wolves. Survival in this world wasn't just about strength—it was about foresight, preparation, and learning to adapt.
He opened his system tab.
[Healing Potion – 1]
Without hesitation, he drank it. Warmth spread through his body, easing the aches and fatigue. His muscles relaxed slightly, and he let out a quiet sigh. The forest outside was alive with the gentle rustling of leaves, distant birdsong, and the soft murmur of the river flowing nearby.
Ren had a clear goal: make this cave a livable base. Once the bear's den, it was now his home—a safe place to rest, recover, and plan for the next challenges. But first, he needed to find anything usable for survival.
He summoned the sharp dagger from his inventory, its edge gleaming briefly in the sunlight streaming through the cave entrance. He intended to use it to scour the nearby beach and riverbank, searching for natural tools, containers, or anything that could help him survive.
For twenty minutes, Ren dug through sand, lifted rocks, and examined driftwood. He tested hollow logs and shells, hoping to find something usable, but came up empty-handed. Every attempt ended in frustration.
Sighing, he returned the dagger to his inventory. "Nothing… nothing at all," he muttered. The cave itself was dark, damp, and littered with leaves and debris. At least he had a place to sleep safely. He swept aside some dirt and stones, clearing a small space near the cave entrance to rest. The bear, still injured from their previous fight, lay nearby. Its amber eyes followed him cautiously, but it made no aggressive move.
Ren realized that natural resources weren't enough. If he wanted to survive, he needed more than just rocks and sand. A thought struck him—this was a game world. The system had always provided solutions when asked.
He opened the interface.
"System… I need anything I can use to survive. Tools, containers, instructions—anything. I've searched the beach and cave, and there's nothing here I can use," he explained, his voice steady but tinged with frustration.
The system responded almost immediately:
[Items Available for Purchase: Crafting Assistance]
Craftsmanship Skill – Locked
Craft Level 2 Manual – 5 Points
Traveler's Craft Full Guide Pack – 10 Points
Ren's eyes widened. The Craft Level 2 Manual… it might contain some knowledge to help him later. He hesitated briefly, then spent 5 points to purchase the manual. Out of curiosity, he opened it.
The pages were filled with detailed diagrams, instructions, and methods for crafting tools, containers, and structures far beyond anything he could attempt right now. At first, it seemed almost useless—he didn't have any materials, nor did he have the skill to follow the instructions.
Then, unexpectedly, the system chimed:
[System Update: Craftsmanship Skill Acquired – Level 2]
Ren froze, staring at the notification. Craftsmanship Level 2? He hadn't expected it to unlock immediately, especially since he hadn't attempted any crafting yet. A small laugh escaped him. He ran a hand through his messy hair, glancing at the cave and surrounding beach.
Even without knowing how to use it, this was a huge advantage. Soon, he would be able to make containers, sharpen sticks, or even craft small tools for survival. Right now, he could only plan and prepare, but he felt the first spark of confidence since entering this game world.
He leaned back against the cave wall, surveying his temporary home. The cave was small, but functional:
A cleared space for sleeping and resting
A rocky ledge near the entrance to hold items off the ground
Enough room for him and the bear to stay inside safely
The bear shifted slightly, lifting its head and staring at him with those intelligent amber eyes. It was wounded and weary, yet it seemed to understand that this cave now served a new purpose—their shared base.
Ren closed the manual after flipping through a few pages. He knew that for now, he couldn't craft anything yet, but having the knowledge and skill ready would make the next steps easier. He could already envision creating containers for water, sharpening sticks for weapons, and even building small traps in the future.
He stepped outside briefly, cupping river water in his hands and drinking deeply. Cool, refreshing, it revived him more than the healing potion could. The beach and river were simple but critical resources. He'd need them for hydration, cleaning, and eventually crafting once he learned the full extent of his new skill.
By late afternoon, Ren had:
Cleared a small area inside the cave for sleeping and storage
Scanned the beach and cave surroundings for resources (finding none)
Purchased the Craft Level 2 Manual and unlocked Craftsmanship Level 2
He paused, taking in the sight of the cave and the forest beyond. It wasn't much, but it was enough. With the system's guidance and his new skill, the next step in survival—gathering, crafting, and defending himself—was within reach.
The bear remained nearby, lying at the cave entrance, wounded but calm. Ren watched it for a moment, wondering if it trusted him yet. Slowly, he felt a sense of companionship growing between them. This cave, once a bear's den, was now their shared home.
Ren leaned back against the wall, sipping water from his hands. Tomorrow, he would begin exploring further, testing his new skill, and preparing for the dangers that awaited. But for tonight, he could rest. The system had given him the edge; now it was his turn to learn, adapt, and survive.
Even without crafting anything yet, hope had returned. This cave wasn't just shelter—it was a stepping stone toward mastery in this strange, game-like world.