I woke up feeling refreshed. The fire had burned down to embers, but the shack held its warmth far better than before.
Good enough.
I stepped outside and spent the morning chopping wood until my inventory was nearly full. The work was steady, almost calming, and I noticed the effects of my stat increases right away—each swing felt smoother, stronger. What would've exhausted me before barely slowed me down now.
Once I had enough, I started fusing.
I turned wood into wooden arrows, simple but reliable. Using more wood, I fused together a target ring and set it up a short distance from the shack.
Might as well practice.
I spent the next few hours firing arrow after arrow. Most missed. Some hit wide. A few struck the target cleanly. Slowly, my hands steadied. My breathing evened out. My movements became more natural.
Then I heard it.
Ding!
New Skill Acquired: Basic Bowmanship
A subtle shift settled into my body. When I raised the bow again, it felt different—balanced, familiar, like my stance and grip were correcting themselves on their own.
That's pretty cool.
The description made it clear: the higher the skill's level, the better I'd be with the bow. Skills advanced through use, progressing from Basic to Intermediate, and eventually Master.
Satisfied, I packed up and went back inside. I cooked what food I had left, ate until I was full, then used my remaining wood to fuse together a small food storage shack attached to my home. With the cold air surrounding it, it should help preserve whatever food I gathered in the future.
After that, I decided to hunt again.
Using Detect, I scanned the forest for movement. It didn't take long to find what I was looking for—more oversized squirrels lurking among the trees.
This time, I kept my distance.
The bow felt steady in my hands. I took my time, released, and watched the arrow fly true. The second shot followed just as smoothly.
Both creatures dropped before they could even get close.
Two kills.
Both Level 3.
Ding!
Level 3 Fanged Squirrel defeated.
EXP gained: 50.
Bonus EXP applied: x2 (Target was higher level).
Total EXP gained: 100.
Level 3 Fanged Squirrel defeated.
EXP gained: 50.
Bonus EXP applied: x2 (Target was higher level).
Total EXP gained: 100.
Level up!
Warmth surged through my body as the increase settled in.
Stat Increase Applied.
All stats increased by +0.5.
I exhaled slowly, lowering the bow.
Distance. Patience. Preparation.
That was the difference between surviving and dying.
Back at my shack, I stored the monster meat, fur, bones, and fangs in the newly built storage extension. Seeing everything organized and secure gave me a small sense of control in an otherwise hostile world.
After a moment's thought, I pulled out more bones and focused on my gear.
I added a hood.
Then gloves.
The materials reshaped themselves around my intent.
Fusion Successful.
Item Updated: Reinforced Fur Garb (Enhanced)
The hood trapped heat around my head, and the gloves protected my hands without limiting movement.
Good.
I checked my supplies—both my inventory and the storage shack—taking stock of what I had left. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep moving forward.
For the rest of the day, I focused on gathering. I collected wood, loose stone, and rock, storing everything as I went. Once I had enough, I returned to the shack and reinforced it further, strengthening weak points and improving its stability.
Then I pushed it even further.
Using fusion, I extended the shack upward, creating a small second level. An upstairs. I moved my sleeping area up there, away from the cold ground, and fused my bed with fur to make it warmer.
Fusion Successful.
Item Updated: Bed → Insulated Fur Bed
By the time I finished, exhaustion had settled deep into my bones.
I climbed upstairs, lay down, and let the warmth surround me.
Sleep came quickly.
Then—
I was jolted awake by numerous noises outside in the middle of the night.
Not just one thing.
Many.
Something was out there.
And it wasn't alone.