After a few minutes of catching my breath, I stood up with my body sore. I grab one of the 15 foot river cane and my knife. Then I head up the hill to where the cave entrance is.
Once at the top I roughly cut the cane in two, then sharpen one end of each piece. I'm going to use them as posts for my shelter.
After cutting the 2 pieces I figure out where I want the posts to go. Taking my time to think about where the posts will go, as I won't have an easy time taking everything down once the shelter is up.
I make a spot for a post, a few feet from the cave hole so that it is in the corner of the shelter once erected. Laying down one of the posts so that I know where to put the next marker for the post.
I do this a couple of times so I get my dimensions correct. I take the post, the sharp end facing downward, and slam it into the ground. Trying to get it as deep as possible.
A few tires to get it stuck in the ground, and all I do is make a small hole. It doesn't stay upright.
*Sigh*
I thought this would have worked. I guess I have to dig a hole, then put the post in and then fill it in.
Why can't this be easy?
I get to work making holes for the posts, trying to get down about a foot so that the posts are nice and secure.
After making 8 holes for the posts, when I have them, I notice that the sky is getting dark. It shouldn't be getting this dark. There is plenty of time left before nightfall. Maybe it will rain? I can't remember it raining since being here.
Moving my body a little faster hoping that it is just dark clouds and not rain. Lifting the post up and putting the sharp end down, I hold the post straight, or what I think is straight.
Using my foot to move the dirt from the hole back in, compacting the dirt around the post. Making it as sturdy as possible.
Moving on to the next post that is to the left of the first one. I do the exact same as the other post. Lifting and stamping the dirt.
I move down the steep hill with practiced steps. Arriving at the other 15 foot river cane. Dragging the cane up to where I will cut it in half and put the two halves in the holes. With a little more familiarity I cut the river cane in half.
Moving one post behind the cave entrance and to the right. There is already a post behind and to the left. Repeating my steps again with the posts, now there are 4 posts making a corner of the shelter. WIth the cave entrance having a few feet of space in the corner.
Looking up at the sky seeing that it is getting darker. I should probably gather some more food before it's too late.
Heading down the steep hill I start to wander around near the creak looking for either Cretumbi or Gildish. I could look for Dreagus if there aren't any of the other two, but I would really rather not.
After a few minutes I found 2 Cretumbi, no Gildish and quite a few Dreagus. I grabbed 2 Dreagus berries so now I should be good to roast them. Heading back to the campfire I feel that the coals are warm.
I put the berries on the coals to have them roast. I don't think that they will catch fire or go bad.
My next course of action should be to get 2 more river canes for now. Then work on the walls and roof tomorrow.
I head back up the hill to grab my knife and spear. I really need to make a belt, it sucks having to fumble around.
With both items in my hand I move back to the campfire. I rotate the berries so one side doesn't get burnt. Once I think they are done I move them off the coals. Waiting a few minutes till they cool. Once they are cooled I move them into the cave, I don't want any animals or creatures eating them.
I should have just left my tools at the top of the hill and got them once the berries were done. But I guess I am too impatient.
Now that that is all done I head to where the river cane in by the fast moving river.
It feels like I am moving slower than I did the first time I went to get some of the river cane. It's probably from my sore body. I am going to definitely sleep well tonight with how sore I am.
After the tiring trek to the river cane, with 2 fluid movements I cut down 2 metallic river canes.
Struggling heavily, I manage to get both the river canes on my shoulder. WIth my knife and spear in my other hand.
I start to breathe heavily almost immediately, my body straining under the weight of the 2 river canes. It may not be a lot for others but with my body already sore and malnourished it is taking its toll.
With determined steps I make my way back to base. My muscles are screaming at me to stop but I push forward. I have gone through worse than a little bit of muscle pain. My jaw clenched tight and my teeth showed from exertion.
Then a little cold drop hits my arms. Starting from one drop then more. The piter pater of light rain starts to hit the leaves and forest floor. Hoping that it stays that way, I would rather light rain over a heavy downpour.
I try my hardest to move my body forward faster not wanting to be caught in the rain. WIth a few quick steps mustering up the strength in my body. I did go faster but only for a few steps then back to my struggling steps.
WIth my heavy steps I move forward seeing the creak. The sounds of rain getting heavier but still light at the moment.
Shit! I have to go up the steep hill with both of these river cane. I drop both of the river canes on the hill then grab one of them to drag up.
With the added weight of the river cane and the rain, makes the climb so much harder than it needs to be. But with determination to get to the top, I manage somehow.
Collapsing to my knees with labored breaths, dropping the spear and knife, I feel and hear the rain getting harder. My tunic and trousers becoming wet. I still have one more river cane to drag up.
I take my wet and exhausted body back down the hill to drag up the last river cane. As I do I hear.
"CRACK"
A thunderous sound echoes through the forest with the rain now blanketing the hill and forest. The rain is cold and piercing, making my worn out body hurt more. Making my way down the hill to the last river can. My feet are becoming unsteady with how much rain is coming down. Making the hill wet and unstable.
Getting to the last river cane I start to drag it up the hill, leaving behind a grove in the ground. The ground becomes soft from the rain. Puddles and small rivers starting to form on the hill. Making my footing slip when I least expect it.
I trip and fall going up the hill like it was the first time. Honestly I think this is the worst. I have struggled getting up this hill. Everything is stacked against me right now. Mother nature and my body.
I keep pushing forward, getting to the top where my posts and cave are. I drop the river cane next to the other one and drag my body to the cave entrance. I quickly grabbed my knife and headed into my cave.
Taking my time to get in, I slip hitting my shoulder on the side of the cave entrance. Water is flowing into the darkness where I have to crawl next. A deep sigh comes out of my mouth as I get down on my hands and knees and start my crawl in.
Water is rushing past me as the rain continues to fall.
"CRACK"
"BOOM"
Thunder and lightning going off above me as I crawl my way into where I will sleep. I hope it is not too bad inside.
Making my way through the darkness and cold muddy water passing by me. I finally made my way into the large cave opening. I hear the water rushing in from not just from the spot I was in but also another spot.
Barely making anything out with my [Dark VIsion] I see water flowing through the opening at the back. The one where I can't feel the bottom. All the water is rushing there following the least path of resistance.
Moving my body to where the raw hide of the blue wolf is, to see how wet or dry it is. It better be dry, if not then the hide will probably be ruined. I arrive next to the raw hide and feel how dry it is. Thankfully it is still dry and crinkly.
I start to take my clothes off due to how wet they are. Getting sick from being too cold is a big worry for me. If I get sick it can be a quick way for my death. Which I don't want for a long time.
After taking off my clothes and leaving them next to the cave wall. I lay down on the pelt. It is hard and uncomfortable but better than nothing. I take a roasted Cretumbi and start to eat it. Thankfully I have [Dark Vison] Other wise I wouldn't be able to see anything.
With the sweet flavor of the berry in my mouth, I feel my body relax, losing all tension.
"BOOM"
Sounds of the thunder storm rang above me, shaking the cave a bit with each one. The sound echoes for a bit as the sound travels round the cave. It is a little jarring from the sound of thunder and the cave shaking from it.
After finishing one roasted berry I move on to the next one. Just as sweet as the one previously. I can feel myself getting full from the berries. I wasn't too hungry to begin with. I do know I have to eat after a hard day of work.
Got to fill my body up, I don't want to be weak anymore. I need to get strong for my goals.
I haven't looked at the system in a while, maybe I should before I sleep. My body is so tired I need all the rest I can get.
"Show status"
---[ Status ]---
[User - Pola]
[Skills - Identify, Dark Vision, Crafting]
[Combat skills - Spear]
------
Hmm nothing has changed yet. Or maybe it has but just hasn't been a big change. Maybe I can ask the system to show my skill with how close I am to leveling them up. Or if they can level up?
"System, is it possible to use percentages for my skills? I want to know how close I am to being able to level them up. If I can level the skills up at all."
I wait to see if the system would respond at all. I wait and wait, and nothing at all.
Should I see if my status has changed? Probably it can't hurt to try.
"Show status"
---[ Status ]---
[User - Pola]
[Skills - Identify (16%), Dark Vision (7%), Crafting (80%)]
[Combat skills - Spear (1%)]
------
My eyes get wide as I see the blue screen change for the first time other than getting skills. Finally! Now I know I am heading in the right direction. I wonder why [Dark Vision] and [Identify] are so slow to level up.
Maybe [Dark Vision] has to do with being in the dark? I really haven't been in the dark too much. Only the one time in the woods when I rushed back here and the few times I have been in the cave. That must be how the skill levels up! Let's wait a while longer and check back to see if my hypothesis is right.
Now [Identify] is self explanatory, just have to look at items or creatures to level it up. Wait, I only found 17 different creatures or items? THAT'S IT! I had to have found more right? No I did! They are just question marks. Hmm I wonder if there are other ways to level up the skill.
"CRACK! BOOM!"
Well seeing as I have time to kill I might as well try.