[Herbal Poultice] = Twine (Hemp+4, 0.1-0.5m) + Herbs (Disinfecting, 0.1-0.5kg) + Bowl (Any, 2L) + Water (Salt, 1-1.5L) + Campfire (Any, 380-400°K)
----------------------------------------
Well, that’s one problem out of the way.
Jay wiped the sweat from his brow, having completed his latest craft.
It was by no means difficult. Cotton fibers had to be threaded into thin sheets, using his loom to speed up the process. Specific disinfecting herbs needed to be dried, ground down, and sprinkled on top. Aloe vera, thyme, oregano. Whatever he could get his hands on seemed to work best.
The cloth then had to be mixed with salt water and boiled, however, and this took more time than he thought. The balance was keeping the temperature constant in this chilled air. Bacteria had to be killed from the seawater, but it couldn’t burn hot enough to break down the herbs.
But after days since finishing this research project and the morning spent crafting, he finally had these herbal poultices complete.
He studied his palms. They’d changed so much since coming here. Now meatier. Calloused. Strong. They were the type of hands that could shatter a windshield on Earth.
Yet, that would not be enough. Not here.
After a week in this spot, Jay had determined that there were only two ways to advance.
The first was obvious, and that was what everyone else went through. Sail into the ocean, find an F-Rank island, and fight their way to the center. The boss monster would be waiting there, along with its leviathan core. Absorbing that power then fused it with their Expatriate Core, compounding every benefit it provided to allow them to craft at this level.
Of course, Jay lacked an Expatriate Core himself, and though opportunities had come and gone, he’d never been able to bring himself to harvest one from someone else. Hell, he didn’t even know if that was a real option…
This left the other, secondary choice: through pure, brute force. If Jay could not power up conventionally, then nothing prevented him from doing what Viktor had and raising his vitality to insurmountable heights. Hunger would never be an issue so long as Jay had access to his cursed vitaberry bush that provided three days worth of calories every single day, and this never affected the contents of his diet.
But this created an obvious detriment. Medicine and potions only held efficacy until their threshold was passed. In his case, Jay had been relying on basic healing potions and medicines that could be crafted anywhere, but they all capped out at 100 vitality. He could drink all the healing potions in the world, but they wouldn’t make a difference the second he reached 100 vitality. His Wounds would go untreated, and his Afflictions would not be cleared.
Herbal medicine, however, was higher on the tree and went to 150 by default. If he upscaled the materials before use, he could push it as far as 200. Thus, with this latest craft, he no longer had to keep himself limited. Fighting madness might still become a problem while he worked on the next tier of sanity-protecting potions, but his Nightrealm armor set worked to great effect, and he’d managed to keep a healthy supply of cores after escaping from that Seam.
Jay wouldn’t need to fight monsters daily like everyone to live. He’d only need to do it once. The vitaberry bush would take care of everything from there, pushing as high as his herbal medicine allowed.
Might as well get started. Jay grabbed his weapons and left camp.
It was time to go hunting again.
* * *
Fog drifted between sage-colored vales. Snow capped the roaring peaks beside. Crystalline water cut through this jagged landscape, forming lakes and creeks, their surface coated with a thin sheet of ice.
And Jay trotted through this rugged landscape, his arms wrapped around his geargun as he sought out threats. As beautiful as this island was to see, he’d only clung along the edge, knowing just how much more dangerous it would be within.
His fur boats sunk slightly against snow dust, reminding him of how vulnerable Jay would be to an attack. The armor was “Buttressed” to no end, the benefit of having scavenged the hide from a dead moose in the fifties. But fur armor was still Primal Age tech, and he only wore it now for its insulation.
He’d have to develop cotton clothing to sit below his regular armor set if he planned to push deeper into this island.
Just another thing for the to-do list. For now, Jay would be happy to eat anything other than a berry fused with blood.
He knelt low and ran gloved fingers through the dust, tracing the outline of some animal tracks. Another of those horned rabbits, no doubt. He’d seen a few since landing, but the bastards were quick, and always had a habit of disappearing before he got too close.
Won’t be so lucky this time.
He swallowed the last of his perception-boosting tea. The world fell into a greater focus, his eyes able to take in everything in sight. The rabbit’s tracks popped at once, along with its trajectory and depth, stretching through the trees before disappearing in a bush. He perked his ears, now able to discriminate from the ambient noise.
Nothing dangerous was nearby. That much, he could say.
Jay switched his geargun for his treated bow, now even stronger from all the upscaled pine wood nearby. Corundums were the choice gemstone infused in his bow and rings. They increased bleed effects, making Wounds drain vitality quicker than normal, even against animals. With the added sleepgrease for his silver-tipped arrows, he could kill just about any passive monster. If not immediately, then when it bled out later.
He tip-toed through the woods, his bow ready. The pine needles crunched under his shoes, ever-so-slightly. Brambles shifted not far away. He slipped out of sight, watching slowly from the cover of a bush.
His prey stepped into the open. A white coat covered its small body, pure and clean like mountain snow. Its dark eyes scanned the horizon curiously, even as it nibbled on some grass. But what stood out more than anything were the horns. Like antlers for a deer, they protruded from the rabbit’s scalp, worn and old like the land it inhabited.
Slowly, carefully, Jay took aim, waiting for the wind to slow down.
In the past, Jay would have hated to slaughter an innocent creature like this. He’d never been a violent person on Earth, and only felt compelled to respond after being confronted by so much violence here. But his time here had scraped all that irrational weakness away, forging him in the fires of a hundred life-altering battles.
So when it came time to shoot this adorable rabbit right in the heart, he didn’t even blink.
The arrow soared through the air, flying right for its heart. Jay leaned forth in anticipation.
The rabbit’s ear suddenly twitched. It vanished into thin air. The arrow crashed harmlessly into the bushes behind.
Jay blinked. What!?
Before he could question this illusion, his eyes landed a few feet away. There, the rabbit with the antlers continued to chew on its grass, though now focused directly on him.
Maybe I missed? Jay considered. He raised his bow and took aim a second time, now using [Sharpshooter] to guarantee the perfect shot.
Yet as this second arrow flew, the rabbit performed another impossible evasion, now tilting its torso in the blink of an eye. Its brow furrowed angrily at almost being killed, and it disappeared again.
No, that wasn’t quite accurate. Jay could see it move this time, bouncing from tree to tree like an anime ninja. Puffs of snow flared out as it flew to safety.
What the hell was that? He consulted the Guide.
White Jackalope (level 61) – A rabbit with antlers, found in many E-Rank islands. This creature has a strong sense of smell and quick reflexes.
Research is available.
He stared at the space left behind where the jackalope had been, still struggling to process how fast it had moved. Quick reflexes? You can say that again. He’d never be able to catch that beast if it saw him coming.
But it was also level 61 and non-hostile by nature. Even if this was a difficult hunt, he’d gain nothing by surrendering and risked nothing so long as no one else drew near.
Jay grit his teeth and crept through the snow again, resolved to see this kill through. He’d just have to get the jump on it first…
That proved easier said than done, however. Now that the jackalope knew its life was on the line, it was not so easily caught off guard. The next hour became spent wasting arrows, each one always half a second behind their intended target. The jackalope didn’t flee the area completely, but it did not allow him to catch it unawares.
Jay tried to change tactics after several failed attempts. He used his grapple gun to hit the high ground first. He covered himself in pine tar to mask the scent. He set spike traps and herded his prey their way.
All to no avail. The jackalope had a perception that would make an alchemist blush, even one juiced up on the most upscaled potion imaginable. It simply scurried under logs from his sky-bound arrows, sniffed through the tar, and rolled between the spikes without incident.
And never did it leave its little valley, almost mockingly in how effectively it could evade capture.
Jay’s eye twitched as it escaped his latest trap, and he had half a mind to whip out the geargun and turn its entire home to cinders. But that would trash the mats, and he needed those more than all else.
The white jackalope went back to chewing grass, its eyes locked with his, though no longer the least bit concerned. It knew that he had no power here.
What to do? This creature might have been passive, but it had defeated him at every step. How would he be able to beat something so agile and alert?
A devilish grin spread across his cheeks, the plan coming to mind.
He put his bow down and drew his sword. With a furious battle cry, he ran at full speed.
The jackalope didn’t move right away. Maybe because of its hubris or confusion as to why this human thought it could bring it down, but it waited until the last second. Jay exploited the pause, using [Quickstep] to close in and following it with a [Slash].
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The jackalope evaded with ease, scurrying with its lightning pace another fifty feet away.
Jay redirected at once, sprinting for this next destination at full speed. The jackalope was less bold this time, leaping to safety a second earlier. But Jay did not relent. He simply chose this next destination as well, still screaming like a madman.
On and on, the two went. Jay chased this monster down wherever it tried to flee. It continued to dodge his swipes, his sword only ever gracing its afterimage.
No surprise, really. Jay might have inhuman speed and strength, but an arrow was worlds quicker, and this creature could avoid those as well. Every attempt he made was a clear failure from the start, destined to never bring his enemy down with a mere sword alone.
But that was all part of the dance. This wasn’t a game of stealth. Far from it. No, Jay would defeat this rabbit like he planned to win this island. Through pure, brute force. The more they ran about, the more tired they became. Jay huffed for free air before long, but his opponent did the same, its tiny chest rising and falling with increasing urgency.
His muscles ached and sweat began to build, but Jay did not allow himself to rest for more than a few moments. Just enough to [Recover], and then he was back to the chase.
Soon enough, his hunger began to plummet from burning so many calories. But this, too, was part of the plan. With one pop of his vitaberry bush, he was back in the game, raising his sword again and charging for that damned rabbit.
Meanwhile, the jackalope began to slacken after too much time. It couldn’t hide for long because Jay had enough strength to shatter most obstacles, and it couldn’t stay still long enough to rest because he was always on the chase. It tried to flee the valley through a steep cliff before the end, only to be reminded that Jay could be just as dexterous with the power of his grapple gun.
And then somewhere along the way, the jackalope collapsed completely, no longer able to keep fleeing. It panted for air, tiny legs vibrating from all the strain.
Only then did Jay feel that sting of regret. Even if he needed its meat to progress and hated how effectively it evaded him, he took no joy in what now must happen. There was nothing pleasant about murdering some harmless animal.
At least I can make it quick. With a heavy heart, he drew his steel combat knife and closed in, aiming right for the head. The jackalope closed its eyes, knowing its time had come.
[Slice].
Jay breathed deep, but that was all he could afford. Daylight still burned, and he’d embarked on this mission for a reason.
He went to work from there. Hacking away the hide, removing the organs, cleaning the meat. There was no monster core to claim, but he still kept track of everything. No one ever knew what might end up useful later.
His nostrils burned at the sight of cooked meat, but he didn’t allow himself to consume it until it had been processed into a higher-nutrition meal. This was the benefit of learning extra Cooking recipes, which Viktor had used to great effect. Jay needed only upscaled herbs and water, and he’d net even more points than before.
Finally, it was time to eat. Jay swallowed his meal with glee.
But then he rechecked his Stats.
Name: Jay Reis (Copper Age)
Vitality – 106/106
Hunger – 69/72
Thirst – 19/24
Fatigue – 32/40 (Poorly Rested)
Sanity – 85/110
All that effort for a few measly points. It wasn’t nothing, but it wasn’t amazing either. He wouldn’t be much better prepared than before, but at least he wouldn’t have to worry about losing them later on. His vitaberry bush still had one berry left, and would replenish its total supply by tomorrow.
And yet…
“Holy shit,” Trish’s voice echoed nearby. “You managed to catch one of those things?”
Jay looked up and gaped.
Of all the strange people in this world, Trish might have been the strangest he’d met so far. She’d shown up as one of the last when Viktor arrived, underleveled and ill-prepared compared to everyone else, no more than a club wielder with armor made of bark, and not a clue as to what was going on.
But damn, did she adapt quick. Almost too much so. Within a week of Viktor’s arrival, she’d gotten access to Copper Age gear, killing others before they could kill her. And now that they’d reached this E-Rank island, she’d returned to her original club and heavy armor without missing a beat. Her blue eyes contrasted against the full suit of silver plate, and her short blonde hair had been freshly shaved.
She watched him curiously, her oversized copper cudgel even larger than before. Like a tree’s log, it rested awkwardly over one shoulder.
“Since when did you use silver?” Jay asked.
“It helps,” she said
“In what way?”
“In a way that makes life easier here,” she explained, just vague enough to avoid Rule 5.
Fair enough. He’d have to think more on this later. He looked to his meal instead. “Let’s just say those jackalopes aren’t as bad as you’d think.”
“Don’t be modest. Me and Hyuk have been bashing our heads against the wall trying to kill one of these, but they’re always a step ahead.” She smiled. “I’m impressed.”
“Thanks,” Jay said, not sure how to feel. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen this woman smile. “How’s Hyuk doing in your neck of the woods?”
“About as good as expected. Same as you. Same as me. We just aren’t supposed to be here yet.”
Jay sighed. “I know. Still working on your raft?”
“Got no choice. No point in staying if it’ll just get me killed.”
“Even after what we faced on the water? Last we checked, there’d be no way to avoid that with the isolation of this place.”
Trish grimaced. “At the end of the day, it’s just another monster to kill. I’ll leave early and hope for the best. There’s bound to be something out there.” She stared deep. “You should leave too.”
“What’s the point? Without a Core of my own, I’ll gain nothing else there.”
“Maybe that’s how it works. Maybe it doesn’t. You place too much blind faith in the information handed to you.”
“And you don’t listen enough,” he pointed out.
Trish shrugged. “It’s gotten me this far.”
The two made their way back from there, chatting casually as they headed for their shared dump. Trish had been among the first to split apart, heading north along the coast where they’d landed. Naomi’s group pressed inland soon after, and Hyuk drifted away after that.
Leaving Jay alone again.
There was no choice. Natura rose in part due to how Expatriates interacted with one another. This phenomenon was also influenced by what their intentions were and how much value was gained. The more they helped, the quicker it rose, and the worse their nights would become.
Thus, it was logical for everyone to go again to their own lanes. It was logical for Naomi and her group to continue their operations where they’d be least likely to bring them harm. And it was logical that neither Hyuk nor Trish would spend their days engaging in this meaningless chatter to pass the time. They too had their own struggles, after all.
So why did this all still feel so… Off?
“You hear that?” Trish asked when they reached the communal dump.
Jay perked his ear, and his heart skipped a beat. He nodded.
Someone was close by, right on the beach where they’d landed.
Without saying another word, the pair fell to the ground and crawled forth. They’d placed their dump in a crag between the seaside cliffs, but from their angle of arrival, they could stick to the cliff top and get a clear line of sight for the beach. That was their destination, inching forth step by step as they crept up to the rim.
But then they reached the top, and a collective hush fell between them.
It wasn’t a single ‘someone’ on the beach.
Name: Jay Reis (Copper Age)
Vitality – 106/106
Hunger – 69/72
Thirst – 19/24
Fatigue – 32/40 (Poorly Rested)
Sanity – 85/110
Main Crafts: Alchemy 2, Armor Crafting 2, Base Building 3, Cooking 2, Jewelry 2, Medicine 2, Tailoring 2, Tool Crafting 3, Tinkering 1, Vehicles 1, Weapon Crafting 2.
Weapon Crafts: Axes 5, Bows 9, Clubs 5, Daggers 5, Spears 5, Swords 11.
Armor Crafts: Heavy Armor 5, Light Armor 5, Medium Armor 8, Shields 6.
Sub-Crafts: Curved Swords 5.
Character Skills:
[Forbidden Knowledge]
Armor Skills:
Heavy Armor: [Push], [Stampede]
Medium Armor: [Recover], [Leap], [Waterform], [Quickstep]
Light Armor: [Dash], [Feather Fall]
Shield: [Brace], [Track], [Break]
Weapon Skills:
Axes: [Chop], [Whirlwind]
Bows: [Sharpshooter], [Longshot], [Scattershot Arrow]
Clubs: [Bash], [Paralyze]
Daggers: [Slice], [Flourish]
Spears: [Thrust], [Sweep]
Swords: [Power Attack], [Slash], [Rend], [Shirk], [Violent Storm]
Cursed Items:
[Vitaberry Bush]
Armor:
[Copperplated Hat+3] (Nightmarish+4), (Buttressed+3), (Hardened+2), (Reinforced+2)
[Copperplated Coat+3] (Buttressed+5), (Buttressed+3), (Hardened+2), (Reinforced+3)
[Copperplated Leggings+3] (Nightmarish+3), (Buttressed+3), (Hardened+2), (Reinforced+3)
[Copperplated Shoes+2] (Nightmarish+3), (Buttressed+3), (Hardened+1), (Reinforced+2)
[Copperplated Gloves+2] (Nightmarish+2), (Buttressed+2), (Hardened+1), (Reinforced+2)
[Silver Amulet]: Socketed with [Chipped Tourmaline] (Tempus)
[Silver Ring]: Socketed with [Chipped Beryl] (Frigus)
[Silver Ring]: Socketed with [Chipped Beryl] (Frigus)
Weapons:
[Pig Iron Scimitar+5] (Affinity+8), (Hardened+6), (Reinforced+6), (Stable+2)
[Treated Bow+2] (Hardened+2): Socketed with [Chipped Beryl] (Frigus)
[Basic Leather Quiver]: Contains 17 [Silver-tipped Arrows] (Elemental+3), and 3 [Scattershot Arrows] (Elemental+3)
[Steel Combat Knife] (Sharpened), (Reinforced+4)
[Iron Geargun+4] (Heavy+6), (Quick+2), (Thermal+4), (Expanded+1)
Tools:
[Copper Knife+3]
[Copper Axe+3]
[Copper Hammer+3]
[Copper Pickaxe+3]
[Copper Shovel+3]
[Basic Grappling Hook]
Boons:
[Minor (Speed)] (x3), [Minor (Sanity)]