The days passed in a blur.

After that initial battle at the cave, the Northbounders moved in later that day. I was able to see the effects of the Jergen's [Quick Construction] firsthand. Walls of snow, as there was nothing else to build from, came up in hours with fewer hands than it should've needed. Jergen was an older man but his efforts seemed to triple as he built.

There were others that helped, even a few that had specific [Classes] applicable to the circumstances.

I had been using [Cheat] and [Lottery] daily and haven't hit upon anything. I wondered if [Cheat] was even worth spending with [Lottery] as it didn't seem to net any results. Although, the odds could've been just that bad. I stroked my cloak, the soft fur moving through my fingers like smooth water.

The Northbounders were an efficient sort. With Jergen taking the lead, they had managed something passable in only a few days. The cave entrance was walled off with a wooden scaffolding packed with snow. There was debate about sealing off the cave entirely or leaving some head room to peer outward. Unsure of what other wildlife might be present, they decided to pack it closed.

The door, which was a bundle of wooden branches tied together, was watched at all times. Most of the Northbounders were further in the cave, which was much more spacious than we had initally guessed. They nestled nearby the [Rare Lightwater System Shop] and basked in its glow. There were a few children present, actually, that did nothing but stare at the lights.

In the meantime, I had [Quests].

"You going out again, Vak?" John walked up to me, Gibber on his shoulder. I almost missed his voice among the echoing clamor of the damp cave.

I had been tightening my [Lightwater Backpack] when I looked up. "Just about ready to." I replied. "Something wrong?" I said, standing.

"I'm heading back to my place, actually." John replied. His voice was firm, as it always was. "Though I'll probably end up stopping here once in a while for the [System Shop]." He had his own backpack now after seeing mine, they were nearly identical. I didn't mind too much. "Was hoping you'd join me that way. Unless you've got a specific direction."

"Say no more. I wouldn't mind the company." I put up a hand. "You've got everything?"

"All set." He replied.

We made our way through the entrance. The man and woman let us through and I had to admire the area outside too. There small buildings in the process of being built, slanted on the slop directly outside the cave. They were barely started but I could see the image. Eventually, a good chunk of the area around the cave would be surrounded with living space, and hopefully, defenses.

I slipped into the conduct I now always held myself to when exposed or at risk for danger.

Like John, I went silent. My eyes swept the surroundings, relaxed and prepared. My metaphorical finger rested on my [Powers] and my mind whirled with the possibilities. John wordlessly handed me a sword and shield but kept himself unarmed.

There had been a close call on the first day. A Northbounder was attacked by some type of white leopard bigger than it had any right to be during the initial escort. Luckily all the combatants were there. But it only alluded to all the creatures that we were not yet familiar with in the area. Everyone who had been here a month longer than I have still been reporting new finds.

Eventually, we passed the casino and library, walking through the eerie city wreck. We made it through unbothered, sticking closely to the walls when we could. We tensed unconcsciously as we passed by the library, remembering our scuffle with the white troll. I looked at the casino as we passed it.

We took a break, hours later, when we hit the bell tower ruins. For better or for worse, I wasn't yet able to finish my [Quest] objective.

I asked John if he was working on any of his own.

"Nothing I'm aiming to complete anytime soon." He replied. We were in the lobby of an abandoned apartment, one of the fixed up ones from the Northbounder's time here. We sat in comfy chairs. "You?"

"[Luck of the Draw]." I responded. "Kill something with my [Powers], basically." John had dissipated the violet sword and shield he had given me, leaving my hands free.

Quest: [Luck of the Draw]

Using a combination of [Weapon Roll], [Buff Roll], and [Armor Roll]. Defeat a creature.

Reward: Random Minor Item

"Probably best we didn't get a chance to finish it on the way here." I said. The walk had been uneventful, but there was still a ways to go.

"Better with me than if you were alone." John rose an eyebrow. "How were you planning on finishing that anyway? You can't go around risking your life out here, that's not how I survived the first month."

I exhaled, taking a moment to push my own reflections into reality.

"I don't want to stay with the Northbounders, John." I spoke my thoughts over the last few days. "I don't think I want to go home either, at least not now. It might seem a little random, but I think I know what I want to do in this new world. And I need to be capable of fighting off a monster or two."

John stared at me for a moment. "And what's that, Vak?" He finally asked.

"I think I want to explore."

John looked up at me. I looked out the shattered door of the lobby. Snow fell gently. We lapsed into silence.

Our [Lightwater Backpacks] were actually extremely useful. I wouldn't have thought we'd have much to lug around, and well, initially I was right. All the weapons John and I brought to bear were all conjured on the spot. For his part though, he had packed food and water. Apparently, [Small Rations] from what he told me. Just simple food from the [System Shop] and a small canteen. For my part, I still wasn't experiencing hunger or thirst thanks to the [Exquisite Long Ration] I took that first day. I did, however, have a single container of [Lesser Healing Salve] and of course that [Skillbook] for [Ice Mastery].

Rare Skillbook: [Ice Mastery]

The cold elements bend to your will. Shaping frozen magics become easier, second nature. Magics pertaining to the element of ice become colder and more intense. Your innate understanding of the cold becomes sharper and easier to grasp.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

As John ate, more for nutrition than any joy, I took the [Skillbook] out of my backpack to try to decipher. Again, the swirling ink seemed to slither across the pages, sliding between the pages forming diagrams and notes I could barely discern, in a language my eyes didn't know, in a pattern I couldn't find.

By now, John didn't question my lack of eating, I had already told him about my [Powers] and thus how I got my [Cloak of the Frozen Icicle] and the [Exquisite Long Ration]. Instead, he stared at the book in my lap as I did.

I sighed, closing it. "Still nothing." I said, frustratingly.

"It's only been a few days." John placated. "That thing looks more mystical than anything I've so far come across. I doubt you're just going to up and read it one day." He had taken his backpack off and placed it on his lap. 

"I need it, John." I said. "I've come to realize how unreliable my [Powers] are in the heat of the moment. I can't always rely on them. Don't you think this [Ice Mastery] might round me out?"

John shrugged. "That's up to you to decide, I think." He said contemplatively. "[Powers], in my mind, have become something deeply personal. They're a part of you, as much as your arm or leg. While I don't mind sharing with you, you saved my life after all, we should probably be more careful about it."

The thought had struck me before. It hadn't been long enough for any social norms to form around the [System] but the beginnings were apparent.

I nodded. "Makes sense." John snacked as I talked. "I doubt anyone knows about the existence of [Skillbooks]. And maybe it was that first discovery, this shiny glowing, rustic and mystical book sitting in that shelf that really made me decide." I flipped through it, more feeling the pages than I did actually look at the ink.

"That you want to explore the new world?" He said the last words hesitantly, but with acceptance. As if tasting the food of a rival chef and conceding you were beat.

"Yeah." I chuckled at a thought. "Or maybe it was that near-death experience right after. Maybe I'm a masochist."

John laughed genuinely. "Have you looked into selling the [Skillbook] at all? I know you're trying to read it."

I had, actually. "15,500 [Points]." I said, not bothered to let John know.

He whistled. "It's not a small sum."

"It's telling isn't it?" I said aloud, it wasn't the first time the debate came into my head. "There's something about the fact that I found it that makes me want to try it, rather than selling it."

"Fair enough." John said, packing away his leftover ration. "Well are you up for it now?" He said wiping his hands.

"Up for what?" I said confused.

"Exploring." He gestured around. "I'm not in a rush to get back, it's still the morning after all. I should probably hunt for dinner tonight and lunch too."

"I'm down." I replied. "I was thinking of heading off east. Away from the ruins and what you showed me so far."

John hummed. "East of here?" He rubbed his chin. "I haven't gone that way, mostly because I never saw anything of interest. Of course, after exploring the other direction most of everything interesting is under the canopy."

"Well?"

"Well, if it's forest like I think it is, then I've got a good chance of catching some game." He slung his backpack over his shoulder and stood up. "If not, same goes, be careful."

"Of course." I replied.

We headed through the urban ruins, passing into the forest east. It was similarly coated in snow and in no way indicative of anything but the very same forest we'd been traveling in up to this point. 

There were no signs of anything and I directed my attention to the trees, knowing just as well as GIbber, who was staring upward, that there could be something above us as well as below. The scaled squirrel was wiser than I was sometimes. 

John plodded through the snow like a man who lived here. His footsteps found solid ice strong enough to hold his weight but not slippery enough to slip on. He stuck closer to the tree roots, banking on their stability than the softer snow you could fall in that coated the regular forest floor. I followed him closely, none of these things being particularly new, but nonetheless notable.

I had made it a habit to use my [Powers] often and whenever possible when I knew I was safe. That two minutes might not seem like much but when my waiting revolved around it, I knew more than anyone how long it was. I wouldn't risk that stretch of time outside unless I felt secure enough.

With John, it was just so. And even then I didn't dare to use them all at once. However, because I had his shaped sword and shield I indulged. I had failed [Lottery] today, opting to save [Cheat] this time around. My other [Powers] worked as usual.

Weapon: [Singing Sharp Stick]

A sharp stick of regular wood. There are carved holes along its side that, while indeed, cause the stick to sing, only compromise its integrity.

Armor: [Bronze Heater Shield]

A shield in the classic fashion, forged of bronze. Able to be worn on the arm, this piece of armor is capable of deflecting most weaponry by strength of arm.

Buff: [Resist Disease]

Your body rejects diseases strongly. Any phyiscal or magical disease unaided will only hold with extreme difficulty. 

Both the [Singing Sharp Stick] and [Bronze Heater Shield] appeared at my feet as both my hands held something. It made sense in my mind, and contemplating for a moment, I simply left them there. The [Resist Disease] was nice, no matter if it was relevant, there was always a chance to contract something from anywhere. 

John saw the shamrock light and witnessed me stepping over the items with a raised eyebrow. 

It was then that the snowman came around the nearest trunk. My eyes widened as I locked onto its face over John's shoulder. "John, behind you!" I yelled.

Immediately, my sword and shield disappeared and John was covered in violet light. The large blue humanoid brought a bone knife to John's neck. Shimmering dark violet armor stopped it in its tracks. It was as if my sword and shield appeared in John's hands, as he swung upward-

Something stabbed me in the lower back. I sucked in breath and felt a knife leave my back. I scrambled forward and turned around in fear. My mind went frantic but my eyes locked onto the things I dropped earlier.

Snowman was the worst moniker John could've given them. The large blue humanoids, lanky and muscular, more teeth than face, wearing nothing but loincloths. It looked absolutely vicious and didn't even have a carrot for a nose. It was standing over my items. I backed away.

I could feel blood leak down my pants, it was a deep wound but I felt it was just flesh. Nothing vital. Then something twisted painfully somewhere else and doubled me over, eyes wide. I fell to my knees. I turned around and there was a third one, staring down at me. 

This time he hit something I needed. I screamed, his knife had gone through my backpack. I stared around crawling forward. There were three. John had killed one. He was screaming my name. Pointing at my backpack, yelling something. He saw me cough up blood. I couldn't breathe. He hit a lung.

"Vak!" His voice came to me. Blurry. How was it blurry? "Salve!" A word rang. He yelled then grunted.

I coughed blood unable to breathe. My vision was spotty and I didn't know where anything was. I couldn't see the shapes moving around me. Couldn't gauge if I was safe or not. My view was a pinhole, shrinking.

I opened the bag and reached for the small red container. My fingers fumbled and now I was on my back, operating on feel only. It was easier on my back, less blood more air. I took another bloody breath. My entire back felt warm, I felt weak, cold. My cloak had helped deflect the knives from sinking deeper in sure lethality.

I reached for the thing that wasn't the book, and opened it. My fingers fumbled inside the container getting the [Lesser Healing Salve] on them. I couldn't reach my back. I was going to die. My vision went completely black after a bare breath. It came back in a flash of fading light. I gasped for air, more blood than not.

"Go!" I heard a voice echo in my head.

I knew what two minutes felt like. I desperately focused.

Weapon: [Seven Sided Chakram]

A chakram with seven blades adorning the already sharp circles edge. While combat application of chakrams are largely dependent on size, this one is perfect for throwing.

Armor: [Thick Grain Padding]

Padding made of simple grain applied behind armor to prevent piercing blows or blunt attacks. The grain used in the padding is for no other reason than cost.

Buff: [Forever Breeze]

A constant breeze follows your back as you walk, easing your trek and replenishing your feet.

I moaned in pain, the last sound I would ever make. Instantly, I felt the [Thick Grain Padding] soak through. I could hear the sounds of fighting as if miles away. My hand. They were checking my body, my corpse. Did they really see us as so little a threat that they afforded one to check me? I coughed blood again, feeling the darkness of death settle around me. They were going through my [Lesser Healing Salve]. I saw it move around there. I was powerless to stop them, their furry hands in the container healing what damage we had managed. I flipped over in pathetic retaliation as something poked at my face, letting out some noise. The blood pooled in my chest and I couldn't breathe, gasping like a fish.

Then there was chittering at my ear, and something crawled into my cloak. I felt it pass through my jacket, four tiny feet. Cold. I had to turn over. But I couldn't. It gnawed at my [Thick Grain Padding]. It paused, and between gargling up more blood I managed a last gasping breath. 

Something soft and cold brushed against my wound. Tiny hands. Then I passed out with blood in my chest.