Things were taking shape. While waiting for winter, I was making arrangements to spend it more pleasantly. The house was almost ready, and although I hadn't found a water source, I was about to put the forge to the test. We wouldn't have to worry about food for a while; with everything I'd brought, it should last us through the winter safely.
I thought for a while what to do with the Zaabi's claws, as they weren't long enough for a knife or dagger, nor would they be useful for a spear, as it would only take up a small point.
— "Unless the spear is for a baby, " I said out loud. Thanks to this, I realized I could make a very small spear; it was the same as making arrows. Once that idea took shape, I couldn't get it out of my head. Although the claws were a little crooked due to their natural shape.
" If I can file them down and get an arrowhead shape, it will work ."
I checked the bird's eight talons, and it looks like I can file them down to reshape them, although the material seems significantly hard. Now we need a good wood that's straight and strong. The Zaabi's feathers would also work well for making arrows; they were strong and would make the arrow travel more steadily.
To be able to do all this I would have to start by making the bow, it would be nice to be able to combine good wood and some of the metal I brought.
With everything decided, I gathered my things, and like every day after finishing helping, I headed out into the forest. I had a slightly larger cloth backpack with the two daggers hanging from my right waist and the knife on my left. Since I couldn't be without them, I carried the saber in it along with the daggers to make it easier to use. I didn't need to carry water, since I could conjure a little and drink it, or so I thought.
I wish I could find a tree that had properties similar to those of the earth, my former home, or better, like an oak, a pine, or a holm oak would be great. I continued searching, looking at tree branches, their bark, and sometimes their fruit.
I kept walking for a long time. I'd started to see some rodents that looked like a cross between squirrels and rabbits. They were called "Talpus ." Although the book said they tasted good and reproduced in alarming numbers, I wasn't interested in one; it would be too little meat for my parents and me. It also said their fur could be sold for a good price, but only if it was white or some other light colour, but this one was brown, so I decided to pass.
Later, I saw a Talpus again, but this time it was a white one. I immediately aimed my mana-coated dagger and threw it. I'd gotten much better at throwing daggers, as it immediately penetrated the head like butter, leaving all the remaining skin and flesh unharmed.
As I headed to pick it up, I thought about the number of rodents in this area. In the plant species book, it said that some animal species were attracted to fruit trees.
Some of those trees would be useful for my purposes; I needed a tough, yet flexible one.
After traveling for a long time, I felt a little tired, so I quickly checked out the place and sat down for a quick rest. I didn't plan on lingering, so I didn't prepare much.
At one point, I felt the skin on my neck prickling. I immediately followed my intuition and quickly ducked down. As I did, I saw a large snake passing over my head. I had narrowly missed it.
" An ' Anguiss , ' " I immediately thought. From what I had read and learned, I could recognize many of the forest species.
Although treating its skin would be difficult, there are many things I'd like to get my hands on. I didn't have much time to think; the snake was already turning around, and I had to react. From what I understand, these things have different venoms among the same species, and some are quite brutal.
I dodged the Anguiss's incoming attack and tried to slash at it with my saber. I didn't throw my daggers because it could easily dodge them. The exchange was short; the animal's advantage lay in its surprise attack, but as long as I held the saber, there wasn't much of a chance. After cutting its abdomen, which was the softest part of the Anguiss, I cleaned it up a bit and put it in the cloth sack.
I continued on my way, and as I went, I kept finding Talpus. Although they were elusive and hid easily, there were many of them, so it wasn't difficult to find them. I thought maybe I was near a burrow, and that's why there were so many of them—maybe that's why the Anguiss, which isn't very common, was nearby.
Suddenly, I started seeing some small, black fruits on the ground. They looked like some kind of berry. I picked some and tried to identify them. They looked like the fruits of some trees in the book, but I couldn't find the similarity. I started searching above my head to find out where they were from, and I realized, because I couldn't identify them, that they weren't berries, but the seeds inside the pods of one of the trees. This tree was very good for what I wanted to do; it had straight, hard, and flexible branches. It looked a lot like the ebony wood I had on Earth, although in this world it wasn't the best, but for a beginner like me, it was enough.
Everything about this type of tree was good, according to the book, from the fruit to the wood. They could be used to make drinks or to eat, and they would help heal or improve the health of the person who consumed them. This species was called ' Obant .' I began cutting some branches, making sure they were neither too large nor too thin.
Having obtained everything I had planned for today's journey and more, I headed toward the forest exit. I was carrying more than three Talpus , the Anguiss, the wood, and some fruit. Since I was moving forward while trotting, it wouldn't take me long to leave the forest.
Mother had started preparing the meal, only handing her the rodents and fruits, and only showing her the Anguiss.
She congratulated me for the first time in a long time.
—Well done, Sam. Your aim is getting better and better. All the Talpus have only one wound, and their hides will sell very well. —he began— But you must be careful. Based on what you're carrying, I can see that you're going deeper and deeper into the forest, and as you probably know, the deeper you go, the more dangerous you are. —he concluded with a worried tone.
I nodded at the advice and said I would be careful, I was still very young and shouldn't get too confident .
Since I still had time, I put everything aside and began cleaning the snake skin to make it as clean as possible. When I finally finished, I realized it took much longer than I expected. My mother was already calling for lunch, so I cast a quick spell to cleanse myself so I could eat with my parents.
After resting and talking with my parents about the day's experiences and everything that had happened, I headed to my room. I needed to train with the sword and try to increase the mana in my body. As always, I meditated for a while and practiced a little with the sword.
The days passed peacefully and some of the projects were taking shape. I had made a kind of crucible to try to melt the ore I had brought and it had worked very well.
The mineral had taken on a grey colour with red tints, it looked very pretty.
I had also asked my father to buy a few tools so I could work with them. A hammer and some pliers would suffice for now. I would have to wait for them, as it was only a few days before my father left for the village.
With everything ready, I was slowly making progress on the bow and arrows. I had been entering the forest frequently, bringing food or some fruit, and that was enough. I had improved much more in my aim and control of the saber; my mana pool was growing. Slowly but surely, I could feel it getting bigger.
One day, after making the first arrow, which had turned out very well with the Zaabi's feathers, his small claws, the Obant wood, and some pieces of snakeskin to tie everything together, I had a flexible arrow with a very good point.
He had set off for the forest after being pleased with the arrow's work. He had already spent a long time inside the forest, and everything was quiet. Although the animals were still gathering everything they could to get through the winter.
Suddenly I felt that there was a great commotion near where I was, it made me very curious since these were not very common situations here.
I started running toward the roars and sounds of fighting. When I saw what was happening, I gripped the saber and the knife in my other hand tightly.
There was a pack of Luven attacking a small animal that was trying to defend itself with everything it had, the little one was very fast, always narrowly escaping the clutches and serious injuries.
I just watched for a while, when I finally managed to distinguish which animal was trying to survive, I gripped the saber even tighter, so much so that my knuckles turned white and my hand ached from the tight grip I was applying.
I tried to calm down and think about the situation. If I interfered in the fight, it would be a 2 vs. 6, which was the number of Luvens who had been attacking, and that was assuming the other animal didn't attack me.
With a quick thought, I sheathed my saber and threw both daggers as quickly as I could at one of the Luvens. The first was merely a feint, while the second was meant to slash him in the eye. When the second dagger found its mark, the Luven let out a low squeal and lay sprawling on the ground. With one less man, the job would be easier, or so I wanted to believe.
Now all attention had fallen on me, the remaining five had split up, two were attacking the small animal while the other three were looking at me menacingly, looking for any small opportunity.
I quickly snatched my saber back, never taking my eyes off the Luven. For a brief moment, I lost sight of one, which immediately leaped to attack. I tried to dodge, but the Luven were swift animals, focused on the hunt, and they seemed very well organized.
I inwardly cursed at my intrusion, but there wasn't much I could do. Knowing it would be a tough battle, I tried coating my entire body with a thin layer of mana, but I couldn't maintain my concentration for long. I decided it would be best to at least cover my arms, and that way, I'd be more efficient with my mana consumption, and my concentration wouldn't be affected much.
The damned Luven kept running in circles, trying to attack from every angle; a 3-on-1 fight wasn't exactly a good idea. We'd only been at it for a few minutes, but I was already covered in bruises and scratches all over my body. At one point, one of them jumped up with his mouth open, aiming for my neck. Unfortunately for him, my reaction was to use the small, magic-infused knife to stab him in the back of his neck.
When the Luven died, it fell on top of me, so the other two took advantage and pounced on me. I tried to shake off the pesky wolf so I could defend myself, but the other two were already on me. One attacked my right leg while the other had gone for my left arm. I decided to take care of the one closest to the saber first, and I managed to stick the saber in its head.
When the Luven attacking my leg saw that it was alone, it tried to flee, but it was too late. I grabbed the knife with my right arm and threw it. Only a squeal was heard, and the knife had dug deep into the wolf's back. I turned around to see how the little one was doing; apparently, he was good at fighting; it was only 1 vs. 1 now. One of the wolves was lying on the ground with its throat ripped out.
I tried to stand up with all my strength to help the little one, he was also very badly injured and soon it would be a battle to see who would die first.
I approached the first wolf I killed and pulled out both daggers. I was waiting for a good moment, and thankfully, the wait wasn't long. With the first throw, I prevented the Luven from attacking the small one's neck, and with the second, I stopped it from escaping. The small one took advantage of the gap and ripped out the entire lower jaw with its claw.
After seeing that everything around us was calm, the two of us exchanged glances for a while before collapsing and breathing heavily. The fight hadn't lasted long, but we were in pretty bad shape. My leg was badly bitten and I couldn't move it properly. My arm wasn't in any better shape; he almost tore it off with his bite if it weren't for the mana coating. The little one couldn't move either; he was badly injured and would need a miracle to survive. I started crawling to get closer, to clean him up and staunch some of the gushing blood.
He growled a little and was reluctant to let me get close, but he had no other choice; he no longer had the energy to continue fighting.
— Everything is fine little one, we have met before and I hope you trust me and don't attack me — I told the little ' Lirak ' as I sat down next to him.