Ethan awoke the next morning with the weight of Korak’s words still heavy on his mind. The tribal leader had essentially handed him an opportunity to prove himself, but also a responsibility he hadn’t quite anticipated. He was new to this world, still learning its rules, yet the villagers seemed to see something in him. They trusted him enough to ask for help with their weapons, and if he was being honest, that was something he could work with.
But it wasn’t going to be easy.
The early morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting a soft golden glow over the village. The hunters had already left for their day’s tasks, and the village women were starting to prepare food. A few of them eyed Ethan with curiosity as he passed by, but none approached. The children, whom he had seen only in glimpses the day before, were nowhere to be found. The village still felt guarded.
Focus, Ethan, he told himself. He made his way toward the edge of the village, where a small clearing served as the tribe’s crafting area. A few rudimentary tools were scattered about—stone hammers, bone chisels, and leather straps—but nothing particularly advanced.
I need to find a way to improve these.
He picked up a stone hammer and examined it. Primitive, but effective enough for simple tasks. However, if the villagers were struggling to take down beasts like the Dire Boar from before, they needed more than just basic tools. They needed something sharper, more durable.
Ethan crouched by the fire pit, rubbing his chin as his mind started working through possibilities. His Crafting skill had improved since he first arrived, but he still felt limited by his knowledge of this world. He had always been a genius with academics back home, but here… this was a different challenge.
How do I make better weapons with these materials?
He thought back to what he had seen in his status screen. His Intelligence stat was higher than most of the tribe, but his Strength and Endurance were lacking. He wouldn’t be able to physically overpower these beasts, but he could outsmart them. He could use the knowledge he had from both worlds to create something new.
----------------------------------------
Experimenting with Stone and Bone
Ethan spent the better part of the morning experimenting. He had a vague understanding of basic metallurgy from his studies back in school, but he didn’t have access to any metals here. He’d have to work with what the village already had: stone, bone, and wood.
He started by sharpening the edges of a few stones using friction against other rocks, attempting to create something resembling an axe blade. It was tedious work, and the results were far from perfect, but after an hour of chiseling, he had a roughly hewn stone blade that could be attached to a wooden handle.
Next, he turned his attention to the bones left from yesterday’s hunt. The village had stripped the carcass for meat, but several larger bones remained. Ethan took one of the thicker ones and began scraping at its surface, slowly shaping it into a long, jagged spike. If I can make a spear out of this…
It took longer than he expected. The bone was tough, and without proper tools, it was difficult to shape. By midday, however, he had managed to create something that at least resembled a spearhead.
With both his stone axe blade and bone spearhead complete, he set about binding them to handles made from the sturdiest branches he could find. Using the sinew from the boar, he tied the heads securely to their respective handles. The results weren’t pretty, but they were functional.
When he was done, Ethan stood back and wiped the sweat from his brow, admiring his work. He had crafted a crude stone axe and a bone spear—rudimentary by his own standards, but far better than what the village currently had.
It’s a start, he thought.
----------------------------------------
Testing the Weapons
Korak found him later that afternoon, inspecting the weapons with an appraising eye. The tribal leader said nothing for a moment, simply hefting the bone spear in his hand and giving it a few test jabs at an imaginary foe.
“You’ve done well,” Korak said at last, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “These are… different from what we use, but they might work.”
Ethan exhaled, feeling a slight wave of relief. Korak’s approval meant a lot more than he was willing to admit. “I hope they’re enough. These beasts aren’t easy to take down.”
Korak grunted in agreement, setting the spear aside and gesturing for Ethan to follow him. “Come. We’ll test them tomorrow. But tonight, we feast. It has been a while since our village has felt a true victory, and you helped make that happen.”
Ethan nodded, following Korak back toward the village center, where preparations were already underway for what looked like a feast. Villagers were gathering, some of them carrying platters of meat, while others worked on setting up long tables.
As they approached, Ethan noticed the hunters from earlier returning to the village. They carried their catch over their shoulders—a pair of smaller boars, nothing like the Dire Boar, but enough to feed the tribe. The atmosphere felt lighter than it had the day before. The tension wasn’t completely gone, but there was a sense of relief in the air, as if the village had survived another day.
----------------------------------------
The Feast
The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden-orange hue across the village. Ethan sat near the fire with Korak and a few of the other hunters. Plates of cooked meat were passed around, and the scent was enough to make Ethan’s stomach growl.
Rika sat across from him, chewing on a piece of boar. Her sharp eyes still studied him with caution, but there was something softer in her gaze now—an acknowledgment of the work he had put in, perhaps.
“You made those weapons quickly,” she remarked, breaking the silence.
Ethan nodded. “I figured the village needed something more effective if we’re going to keep dealing with beasts like that Dire Boar.”
Korak grunted his agreement. “Our weapons are old. We have passed down these methods for generations, but perhaps it is time we adapt.”
The others around the fire murmured in agreement. Ethan could sense that the tribe was slowly warming up to him, but he knew it would take more than a few weapons to truly earn their trust. They’ve been surviving in this world long before I arrived.
As the feast continued, Ethan caught sight of the children for the first time. They emerged from one of the larger huts, led by an older woman. The children were young—no older than ten, from what he could tell. They giggled and played near the edges of the feast, but they didn’t stray far from the adults.
Ethan watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips. In this harsh world, it was nice to see that even the youngest could find some moments of joy.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
----------------------------------------
After the Feast
As the fire burned low and the villagers began to retire for the night, Ethan sat by himself, thinking. He was slowly integrating into the village, but there was still so much he didn’t understand about this world. The status screen, the monsters, the skill points—all of it felt like pieces of a puzzle he hadn’t yet figured out.
He glanced at his hands, still stained with dirt and dried blood from his earlier crafting. I’m getting stronger, but I need to be smarter. He had learned that brute force wasn’t his strength, but intelligence and ingenuity could be.
----------------------------------------
A New Plan
That night, as he lay by the fire, staring up at the stars, Ethan began to form a plan. He needed to gather more information—about the world, the beasts, and the skill system that seemed to govern everything. The tribe had given him a place, but he knew that he wouldn’t always be able to rely on them. He had to rely on himself.
And to do that, he needed to grow stronger. His mind drifted to the idea of the Lottery System once again. He didn’t have enough skill points yet, but when he did… he would take the risk. If he wanted to survive here, he couldn’t play it safe forever.
With that thought, Ethan closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the fire lull him to sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he would be ready for them.
Ethan awoke at dawn, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. The fire had long since died down, leaving only smoldering embers. The village was still quiet, save for the faint sound of the breeze rustling the leaves. He sat up, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from yesterday’s work. Despite the soreness, there was a sense of satisfaction. He had made progress. He was starting to fit in—if only slightly.
As he stood and stretched, his thoughts returned to the task at hand. Korak had metioned testing the new weapons today, and Ethan was curious to see how they would fare. But more than that, he was eager to explore the limits of his own abilities. The status screen, the skill points, the leveling system—it was all still so foreign to him, but he knew it held the key to survival in this world.
----------------------------------------
Pt: 2
----------------------------------------
I need to understand how this works, he thought, clenching his fists.
The village slowly came to life as he made his way to the clearing where he had crafted the weapons the day before. Korak was already there, inspecting the stone axe and bone spear with a critical eye. The tribal leader nodded when he saw Ethan approach.
“Good. You’re awake. We’ll see how these perform in the hunt.”
Ethan nodded. “I’m curious myself. These should hold up, but we’ll need to be smart about how we use them.”
Korak’s gaze shifted to the forest, his expression unreadable. “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to show you. A place not far from here that might help you understand our world better. You’ve proven yourself capable, so I think it’s time you see it.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “What kind of place?”
“A shrine. It’s ancient, and few of our people have ventured there in recent years. But it’s said to hold knowledge—about the beasts, the land, and even the strange power you’ve mentioned. The status screens, the leveling… It may have answers.”
Ethan’s heart quickened. This was exactly what he needed—answers. He nodded, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling up. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
----------------------------------------
The Shrine of Forgotten Knowledge
Korak led Ethan deep into the forest, far from the village’s protective boundaries. The dense foliage soon gave way to a darker, more ancient part of the woods. The trees here were taller, their bark gnarled and twisted as though shaped by time and forgotten forces. The air grew cooler, and a subtle tension hung in the atmosphere, as if the forest itself was watching them.
After what felt like hours of trekking, they finally arrived at the shrine. It was a massive stone structure, half-buried by the encroaching wilderness. Vines crawled up its sides, and moss covered the carvings etched into its surface. Despite its age and the elements that had worn it down, the shrine still exuded a palpable sense of power.
“This is it,” Korak said, his voice low. “The Shrine of Forgotten Knowledge.”
Ethan stared at the ancient monument, his mind racing. This place felt… different. It wasn’t just a relic of the past. It was something more. He stepped closer, examining the carvings. Strange symbols and glyphs covered the stone, and though he couldn’t read them, they seemed oddly familiar.
Korak remained by the entrance, his expression somber. “This place is sacred to our people, but few come here. We believe it’s tied to the forces that govern this world—the same forces that allow us to see our stats, to level up. But it’s also dangerous. Not everyone who seeks answers here leaves unscathed.”
Ethan swallowed, a chill running down his spine. “What do you mean?”
“Some have tried to tap into the power of the shrine,” Korak explained. “But the kknowledge comes at a price. Only those strong of mind and will can handle it. Others… lose themselves.”
Ethan hesitated for a moment. The promise of knowledge was tempting, but the warning was clear. This wasn’t just a place to casually explore. There were risks involved—risks he wasn’t sure he fully understood. But he had come too far to turn back now.
“I’ll be careful,” Ethan said, stepping forward.
Korak nodded. “Good. I’ll stay here. You must go inside alone.”
Ethan took a deep breath and entered the shrine. The air inside was cool, almost unnaturally so. The stone walls seemed to close in around him as he walked deeper into the structure. Flickers of light—like faint, ghostly flames—danced along the walls, illuminating the path ahead.
At the center of the shrine, a massive stone tablet stood, surrounded by glowing orbs of light. The tablet was covered in the same strange symbols as the outer walls, but now, as Ethan approached, the symbols began to shift and rearrange themselves, forming words he could understand.
“Welcome, Seeker of Knowledge. What you desire comes with a cost.”
Ethan’s pulse quickened. The tablet seemed to be communicating with him. He stepped closer, his eyes scanning the words.
“To gain the power you seek, you must offer a part of yourself. What will you sacrifice?”
A menu appeared in front of him—much like the status screen, but different. It listed various attributes—strength, endurance, intelligence, and more. It seemed that in order to gain new knowledge, he would have to give up some of his own power.
I have to sacrifice my own stats? Ethan thought, frowning. This was more complicated than he had anticipated. But if this shrine could offer him a deeper understanding of the world, it might be worth the trade.
He hesitated for a moment before selecting a portion of his Endurance. It wasn’t his strongest attribute, and he figured he could survive losing a small amount. As he confirmed his choice, the glowing orbs around the tablet intensified, and a surge of energy coursed through him.
For a moment, Ethan felt as though his entire body was being torn apart, his mind overwhelmed by a flood of information. Images flashed before his eyes—visions of ancient battles, monstrous creatures, and strange symbols that seemed to pulse with power. It was too much to take in all at once, and he staggered back, gasping for breath.
When the visions finally subsided, Ethan found himself kneeling on the cold stone floor, his head pounding. But something was different. He could feel it.
A new screen appeared in front of him, displaying a new skill:
[Skill Gained: Arcane Sight – Allows the user to detect hidden magical forces and identify creatures with magical affinity.]
Ethan blinked, his heart racing. This was… exactly what he needed. With this new skill, he could gain a deeper understanding of the beasts and the world around him. But the cost had been real—his Endurance had dropped slightly, leaving him feeling weaker, more vulnerable.
It’s a trade-off, he thought. But one I’m willing to make.
He stood up, still feeling a bit shaky but determined. As he made his way back toward the entrance, Korak’s words echoed in his mind.
“Knowledge comes at a price.”
----------------------------------------
The Village's New Hope
When Ethan emerged from the shrine, Korak was waiting, his expression unreadable. “You’re still in one piece. That’s a good sign.”
Ethan nodded, trying to shake off the lingering dizziness. “I learned something—about the creatures here, about the magic in this world. It’s going to help.”
Korak’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You sacrificed something, didn’t you?”
Ethan sighed, nodding. “Yeah, but it was worth it. I gained a new skill—something that’ll help us understand the beasts and the magic they possess.”
Korak regarded him for a long moment before nodding. “Good. We’ll need every advantage we can get.”
As they made their way back to the village, Ethan couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. He was slowly piecing together the mysteries of this world, but there was still so much to learn. The village needed him, and in a strange way, he needed them too. They had given him a place here, a chance to prove himself. But this was only the beginning.
I’ll grow stronger. Smarter. I’ll figure this world out.
And with that thought, Ethan felt a quiet resolve settle over him. The challenges ahead were daunting, but he wasn’t alone. He had the vilage, the knowledge of the shrine, and now, a new found power.
Tomorrow would bring more battles, more challenges. But for the first time since he arrived in this strange world, Ethan felt like he was truly prepared.