`I really shouldn't still be here.` Another half hour had passed since I found the crate with the food. Yet I was still here. Still working on looting what I can. Even though I can't put any more stuff in my backpack.
In fact, the last thing I had scavenged wasn't even inside my backpack. Risking getting soaked if I'm not careful with it. The two tarps I had found in the last crate were rolled up and tied to the bottom of my bag with some rope.
Rope that chafed a bit against my back. But tarp is useful. Especially for building a shelter in the snow. Even if it was just made out of fabrics. So I wanted to take it with me.
"Come on." I mutter while trying to pry the lid off the crate I'm currently working on. My arms are burning and shaking from the exertion. "Come on. Last one." With a final push, I manage to get the lid off.
The wood on the other edge of the lid splintered before giving in and letting me get at its contents. Which was clothing. But not just any clothing. The words on the crate, according to what I know of the language so far, read "outdoor clothing".
And once again, I was right about my guess. They were indeed outdoor clothes. Coats, boots, gloves, pants, and sweaters. Such things. Made from the same material as my current clothes are made of.
"Perfect." I rub my hands together as I look down on my spoils. I grab gloves and put them in my coat pockets first. Then I tie an extra pair of boots that should fit me just fine to the side of my backpack.
Before putting on another coat. One bigger than mine. But when I do, I notice something. Something strange. Something that I have been noticing more and more. Something that has been helping me out all along.
`These clothes really are temperature-controlled or something. Magic is weird as hell.` I muse while scratching the side of my head. The fact that I am simply wearing my hood is keeping my whole face warm is not lost on me.
Just wearing the clothes I have on right now felt like being in an astronaut suit. They didn't hinder me at all. But none of the cold air that should hit my face does. My whole body felt warm and cozy.
And that hadn't changed despite me putting on a second coat. Like my first coat was regulating my whole body temperature perfectly. "Definitely one of the reasons why I'm not nearly sweating as much as I should."
My musings were interrupted by the fact that I had just managed to stuff another pair of pants into my backpack. But with that, my backpack really was full. Like, completely. Filled to bursting with all manner of useful things.
Besides the food, clothes, and the tarps, I had also managed to find a handy tea kettle that didn't take up too much space in my bag and could serve as a cup or just a container for some melted snow. Possibly allowing me to even cook something with the water.
But of course, the most important find I had made. Besides, maybe the food crate was the crate that had the word "tools" on it.
That crate was the real winner. Though I couldn't take much of it with me. Since a lot of the tools were simply too big or heavy for me to carry comfortably.
However. What I couldn't just leave behind was the rope. Six small metal climbing stakes. And the metal shovel I found in said crate.
These tools. They would make my life a lot easier. Not just because they were useful for building a shelter. But also because they were essential if I wanted to make it across the mountain in the distance.
A place I would have to cross if I wanted to get to Eidralore. Or so I hope.
`Please let me be right. Otherwise, I'm beyond cooked.` Of course, much like with everything else so far, this was just an assumption. But not only was the airship seemingly heading towards the mountain, or what is beyond it, based on the skid marks of the crash.
But this mountain was also seemingly the last summit of a much larger mountain chain I could see to the west.
And considering only the west of Draumond has a lot of large mountain chains, and I can't see any mountains east or south. It must mean I'm heading north if I walk towards the mountain.
And while I could maybe walk around the mountain to get to my destination, I was led to believe that that wouldn't work. "This game has trains. I remember riding them a lot to get to dungeons all over the map."
So why take something as potentially dangerous as an airship to get to your destination? `Because Eidralore is on top of a high plateau at the tail end of a mountain range.` So, aiming for higher ground was probably a good idea.
I only remember that because it gives a debuff to your character if you fight outside the city. Tanking your stamina quicker because the air is thin so high up.
`Meaning I definitely have to get to higher ground.` I tested this theory already. Before I even started to work on the crates. By taking my hood off and trying to breathe normally. Which I was able to do despite how cold and biting the wind was.
`Meaning I'm not that high up.` I pause. "Or maybe this body is used to being high up?" It was a distinct possibility. People who live their whole lives in high altitudes tend not to have as many problems as others do when high up.
But that was just more theories. More assumptions. Sure, my assumptions are based on what I know. And usually they turn out to be right. But still. I can't rely on them.
What I can rely on is the fact that once I reach the peak of the mountain, I can figure out my position much easier than from here.
Not that knowing this excites me. Quite the opposite, in fact. Climbing a mountain in this body will be more than a little difficult. `Not that I have any other choice, ehh?` I sigh, shake my head, and prepare to finally head out.
Quickly checking over everything I have once more before finally shouldering my now significantly heavier backpack and setting off.
But not before doing one more thing. One thing I have wanted to do for a while now. Just to confirm something.
Name: Daniel Blackwell
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Body/ Strength: 6/ Endurance: 5/ Toughness: 4
Mind/ Acuity: 27/ Wisdom: 3/ Intelligence: 3
Soul/ Destiny: 0/ Fate: 3/ Radiance 9997
Checking my Stats.
Another one of my theories seemingly proven right.
Both my wisdom and intelligence have shot up to three. Presumably because I managed to figure out at least a decent number of letters from the alphabet of this world. Or at least the language spoken in the Eidralûn Kingdom.
"Hmmm." I smirk at this. That I was right yet again, giving me a boost in mood and energy. Enough to distract me from the fact that my legs are already hurting, even though I have just taken my first steps away from the wreckage.
Not that the rest of my body isn't also sore. `But such is life in another world.` I think to myself as I continue heading further away from the airship. The corpses. The Crates. And potential safety and danger both.
Striking out into the white unknown before me. The wind turning and pushing me onwards. As if to encourage me to go and strike out towards the forest.