Rei blinked against the morning sunlight filtering through the treetops. The forest smelled of damp earth and growing things. Birds called in the distance, and somewhere nearby, a stream gurgled.
He flexed his fingers. Strong. Agile. Ready. But hungry. And thirsty. Survival came first.
"Aster," Rei said, brushing moss off his clothes. "We need water and food. Let's move."
"Understood, my lord," Aster replied calmly, stepping lightly through the undergrowth. "I will follow and observe."
Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves made Rei's pulse quicken as they moved cautiously through the forest.
They soon came to the stream he had noticed before. Clear, cold water ran over smooth stones. Rei knelt and cupped his hands, drinking deeply. Aster knelt beside him, drinking silently, eyes scanning the forest.
"Food next," Rei said. He scanned the surrounding area. Berry bushes grew low nearby. He approached carefully, inspecting the fruits for any signs of danger. Aster followed, stepping lightly and observing Rei's movements.
As Rei picked a handful, a glint among the roots of a nearby tree caught his eye. A rough leather pouch, partially buried.
"What's this?" he murmured, brushing the dirt away.
Aster leaned over, tilting his head. "An item, my lord. Possibly useful. Shall we examine it?"
Rei nodded and opened the pouch. Inside lay a small, carved wooden talisman etched with faint symbols that shimmered in the light.
[Item Detected: Unknown]
[Hint: This item may be connected to a race. Use it to unlock potential abilities.]
Rei raised an eyebrow. "So the system gives hints for races… noted." He pocketed the talisman. Could be useful later.
Hours passed as they explored. Rei gathered berries and roots, testing each carefully. Aster observed constantly, noting which plants seemed edible or harmful.
A ripple of light appeared in Rei's vision:
[System Notice]
[Rei Ardent]
[Skill Acquired: Forager's Intuition]
[Description: Your ability to identify edible plants, roots, and natural resources has improved, reducing the risk of consuming harmful substances.]
Rei blinked. "So… I actually get skills too?"
He flexed his hands. Looks like surviving in this forest is going to be easier than I thought.
Later, as Aster scanned their surroundings, another ripple appeared:
[System Notice]
[Avatar 1: Aster]
[Skill Acquired: Observation Focus]
[Description: By carefully scanning his surroundings, Aster improves his ability to detect environmental changes, movement, and potential threats.]
[System Notice]
[Rei Ardent]
[Skill Acquired: Observation Focus]
[Description: Shared growth: Skills learned by your avatar are also acquired by you. Your ability to detect environmental changes, movement, and potential threats has improved.]
Rei blinked at the notification, a faint smile on his face. "So, I get this one too… nice. Guess being his 'lord' has its perks."
By evening, they had constructed a simple lean-to from fallen branches and leaves. The forest quieted except for the crackling of the small fire Rei had managed to spark.
Rei leaned back, watching the shadows stretch. "Not a bad first day."
Aster scanned the perimeter. "Each observation increases my efficiency in detecting resources and potential hazards, my lord."
Rei nodded. He's not just an assistant. He's learning, evolving… calm, observant, capable.
He glanced at the talisman in his pocket. "There's more out there—items, tools, things tied to races. That can wait. Right now, we survive. One step at a time."
Aster's silver eyes met his. "Understood, my lord. We will proceed carefully and remain vigilant."
For the first time, Rei felt confident. Not invincible. Not yet. But ready.