The initial satisfaction of a clean home was swiftly overpowered by a much more primal and urgent demand: hunger. A deep, gnawing emptiness growled in Jovi's stomach, a stark reminder that his transmigration hadn't come with a starter pack of supplies or currency. He patted his empty pockets, the reality of his poverty settling in like a heavy weight. The thought of going back to Mayor Woop Slap, hat in hand, after the man had just given him a house, made him cringe. It was far too shameless an act, even for a starving man.
He stood in the doorway of his cottage, the vibrant colors of the sunset now fading into deep indigo. The village was quiet, with lights beginning to flicker in the windows of other homes. His gaze was drawn to the dark, imposing line of the forest that bordered the village. It was a place of mystery and, he suspected, danger. But for a man with his abilities, danger could also mean dinner.
"There's only one option," Jovi muttered to himself, a resolute glint in his eyes. He needed to hunt.
Stepping out of the cozy circle of the village's light, he entered the forest. The transition was immediate. The familiar sounds of the village—the distant chatter, the clinking of dishes—were swallowed by the deep, living silence of the woods. As night firmly took hold, the canopy above blocked out the starlight, plunging the path into an inky blackness that would have been impenetrable to any normal man. Twisted roots seemed to reach for his ankles, and the shadows between the trees writhed with unseen movement.
But Jovi was no longer a normal man.
With a conscious thought, he willed his power to awaken. A unique, cold energy flowed into his eyes. The world shifted. The deep darkness was suddenly washed in a subtle, crimson-tinged light. His vision became preternaturally sharp. He could see the individual veins on a leaf several yards away, track the frantic scuttle of a beetle across the forest floor, and perceive the world with a clarity that felt supernatural. The Sharingan was active, turning the terrifying gloom into a well-lit hunting ground.
He moved with a new confidence, his footsteps silent on the soft loam. After about twenty minutes of tracking, he found his prey. Or rather, it found him.
A low, guttural growl rumbled through the trees, a sound that vibrated in Jovi's very bones. From behind a thicket of thorny bushes, a massive tiger emerged. It was a magnificent and terrifying beast, its striped fur rippling over powerful muscles, its fangs glistening like daggers in the enhanced vision of the Sharingan. It was easily twice the size of any big cat from his old world. It lowered its head, its amber eyes fixed on him with predatory intent, and let out a deafening roar that shook the leaves around them.
Instead of fear, a calm, analytical coldness settled over Jovi. This was the perfect test. He stood his ground, a faint, confident smile playing on his lips.
The tiger, enraged by this lack of fear, coiled its muscles to pounce. But in that split second before it launched itself, its eyes met Jovi's.
The world seemed to freeze. The tiger's furious amber irises widened, and within them, a reflection appeared: Jovi's own eyes, now a brilliant, bloody crimson with a single tomoe spinning slowly around the pupil. In that instant, a connection was forged—not of flesh, but of mind.
The beast's powerful will, driven purely by instinct, was no match for the hypnotic power of the Sharingan. Jovi felt a strange, psychic link snap into place. He didn't speak aloud, but projected a single, unwavering command directly into the tiger's consciousness.
*"Your own life is the threat. End it."*
The effect was instantaneous and horrifying. The ferocious gleam in the tiger's eyes vanished, replaced by a dull, vacant obedience. The powerful limbs that had been poised to tear Jovi apart now turned inward. With a sudden, violent motion, the beast raised one of its own massive paws, claws fully extended, and swiped it across its own neck with terrifying force.
There was a sickening tear of flesh and a choked gurgle. The great beast shuddered, its legs buckling beneath it. It collapsed to the forest floor, its lifeblood seeping into the dark earth, its eyes still locked blankly on Jovi until the light within them faded completely.
A silence returned to the forest, deeper and more profound than before. Jovi looked down at the fallen predator, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. There was triumph, the satisfaction of a successful hunt and a proven power. But there was also a cold, sobering understanding of the absolute control he now wielded. This was not a game.
Shaking off the grim thoughts, he focused on the practical matter. He had his dinner. With an effort that tested his new but still-untrained strength, he managed to drag the heavy carcass back to his cottage.
Under the light of the moon and the twin stars, he worked meticulously, using a knife he had found in the cottage to skin and butcher the tiger. He cut the rich, dark meat into manageable strips and portions. Soon, the savory smell of roasting meat filled the small home, a stark and pleasant contrast to the musty odor of just a few hours prior. He ate his fill, the meal tasting of both victory and survival. As he lay down to sleep, his stomach full and his home secure, he knew one thing for certain: his journey in this world had truly, and irrevocably, begun.