Reid's heart pounded in his chest as he trudged through the dense forest, his search for water becoming increasingly desperate. Despite his thorough efforts, he found himself faced with grim news.

"There's no food," he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice. "The trees are too tall to climb, and there are no fruits in sight. And despite scanning the surroundings with my eyes and ears, the soothing sound of a river or the shimmering surface of a pond eludes me."

"I'm doomed," he exclaimed, the weight of his predicament pressing down on him like a heavy burden.

Amidst his fruitless search, Reid made some intriguing discoveries. Strange creatures darted around him, resembling mushrooms with feet or others that bounded away like agile jumpers. These beings seemed to be mere denizens of this world, living and surviving in their own right, their fear of humans evident in their swift retreats.

Exhausted, Reid settled beside the sturdy roots of a tree, intending to rest. However, his respite was short-lived as a rustling in the nearby bushes caught his attention. Quick to react, he concealed himself behind the tree, seeking cover from whatever approached.

After a tense wait, a creature emerged from the undergrowth. It was small, about the size of a cat, yet distinctly different. Its stone-like shell and elongated snout and tail marked it as a peculiar variant of an armadillo. As it passed by Reid's hiding spot, he couldn't help but marvel at its unique appearance.

"What is that?" he whispered to himself, curiosity piqued. "It resembles an armadillo, but there's something... different about it. Perhaps it's harmless."

Determined to learn more, Reid decided to follow the armadillo-like creature from a safe distance, ensuring it remained unaware of his presence. After a while of stealthy pursuit, the glimmering water of a small pond came into view, drawing Reid's attention.

"A pond!" he exclaimed softly, excitement coursing through him at the sight of the life-giving water. "Now that I have a source of water, I must focus on finding food and shelter. Though there are other animals present, timing is crucial for drinking from the pond. Additionally, building a shelter nearby could attract unwanted attention."

Reid's gaze shifted to the creatures inhabiting the pond's vicinity. Among them, he spotted a formidable boar-like creature, towering at 1.5 meters in size, the massive boar-like creature, with its imposing stature and razor-sharp tusks, stood at one end of the pond, its wary eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of threat. Nearby, the ostrich-like bird observed its surroundings with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, its fangs glinting in the sunlight as it maintained a cautious distance from the other inhabitants.

Meanwhile, the smaller lizard darted about with nimble movements, its agile form navigating the terrain with ease as it searched for sustenance. Despite their differences in size and appearance, each creature seemed to understand the importance of coexistence, refraining from aggression to avoid sparking a potentially deadly confrontation.

"These guys could've become my food if I had a system," he murmured. With one last glance, he walked in the opposite direction to search for a suitable place for shelter before nightfall.

As he ascended an uphill slope, Reid's eyes widened in alarm as he spotted an open expanse of land ahead. Resting in the distance was a pack of massive wolves, their formidable size and predatory aura sending a shiver down Reid's spine. With a quick decision, he turned on his heels and fled in the opposite direction, his heart racing with fear.

After a frantic run, Reid stumbled upon a cluster of large rocks, forming a small cave-like structure. Though crude, it offered some semblance of shelter from the dangers lurking outside. With swift movements, he collected nearby rocks and grass, fashioning a makeshift wall to seal off the cave's entrance.

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"This should be enough," he thought, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Though they might not see me, they'll smell me, but only at the lowest chance."

As darkness enveloped the forest, Reid settled into his makeshift shelter, his mind already racing with plans for the next day. He needs to search for food, and try to take a sip from the pond. If there's no fruits, hunting might be unavoidable. Rest is well needed.

———

The bright sunlight filtered through the makeshift wall that Reid had constructed, waking him from his slumber. It was a new day in a new world, and the sound of falling rocks and rustling grass greeted him as he began to dismantle his makeshift shelter.

"What a perfect morning," he mused, yawning as he stretched his weary muscles. "It would be even more perfect if breakfast were ready."

Surveying his surroundings, Reid noted the open space around him, the two rocks atop a small hill surrounded by grass. With a little bit of fixing up, it would make a decent campsite. As he scanned the area, his eyes fell upon a few sturdy sticks that could be repurposed for various tasks. One, in particular, caught his attention for its thickness and sturdiness, suitable for defense if needed. The others were dry twigs, perfect for starting a fire.

"Maybe I should make a bow," Reid pondered aloud, "but without a string, it's useless. And there are no vines here to use as a rope for a stone hammer. I really regret not learning survival skills back on Earth."

With a sigh, he resigned himself to the limitations of his situation. "Well, at least with my trusty divine sword stick, no one can come near me," he chuckled, a grin spreading across his face.

Stretching his body, Reid made his way back to the pond to quench his thirst, all the while keeping an eye out for any fruits that might sustain him.

...

As he approached the pond, Reid's heart sank at the sight of an increased number of creatures gathered there. "It's disappointing that there's no food, but why are there more monsters now?" he whispered to himself, his gaze fixated on the scene before him.

Among the familiar ostrich-like creatures, Reid noticed a new addition to the group—a monstrous beast unlike anything he had ever seen. Its head resembled that of an elephant, with long tusks and a fierce gaze, while its body stood upright like a gorilla, covered in short, thin fur. Its presence was intimidating, and Reid knew he had to exercise caution.

"I need to wait until it leaves," Reid thought, his heart pounding with apprehension. "That thing could crush me with those hands. I need to wait." And so, he remained hidden behind the bush, biding his time until the coast was clear.

As the minutes stretched into an hour, Reid remained fixated on the two monstrous elephant-like creatures that refused to budge from the pond's edge. His throat grew dry, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he watched intently.

"Those things didn't leave," Reid muttered in frustration, his gaze never wavering from the imposing beasts. "All I can do is stare at these pieces of..."

His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a deer-like creature on the opposite side of the pond. Though seemingly dormant, it regarded Reid with wariness, mirroring his own caution.

With a deep breath, Reid steeled his resolve and approached the pond, his divine sword stick held firmly in his grip. As he drew nearer, the deer's gaze remained fixed on him, its demeanor wary yet seemingly innocent. However, the fear of the unknown sent shivers down Reid's spine, each step forward fraught with tension.

"I need water," he reminded himself, pushing past his apprehension. With each stride, he moved with the poise of a seasoned warrior, his gaze unwavering as he closed the distance between himself and the pond.

Finally reaching the water's edge, Reid cast a cautious glance at the sleeping elephant-like creatures on the far side. With a quick yet deliberate motion, he dipped his hands into the cool, refreshing water, quenching his parched throat before the beasts could stir from their slumber.

As he drank, a sense of triumph washed over him, mingling with the lingering tension of the encounter. "Those guys can't move because of my divine sword," Reid remarked with a hint of pride, casting a glance at the stick in his hand.

With his thirst sated and his status as the forest's ruler asserted, Reid turned away from the pond, striding confidently into the unknown. "There, I've established my standing as the king of the forest," he thought, his steps purposeful as he ventured forth into the wilderness, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

....

As Reid ventured away from the pond, he reminded himself that the dormant animals posed no threat as long as he refrained from provoking them. With his divine stick in hand, he explored the unfamiliar terrain, noting the shorter trees that dotted the landscape.

"It's weird," he mused, marveling at the sudden change in vegetation. "How can trees suddenly become short here and tall on the other side? Is this one of the world's wonders?"

Undeterred by the oddity, Reid pressed on, hoping to find some semblance of sustenance amidst the unfamiliar surroundings. However, his journey was soon met with an unexpected obstacle—a towering vertical wall of dirt blocking his path.

"What the hell is this?" Reid muttered in frustration, perplexed by the seemingly random terrain. Despite his annoyance, he continued his exploration, following the wall's edge deeper into the forest.

As time passed with no sign of food in sight, hunger gnawed at Reid's stomach, his strength waning with each passing moment. Desperate for nourishment, he resorted to eating the grass that carpeted the forest floor.

"This tastes terrible," he grimaced, choking down the bitter vegetation. The grass proved too much for his empty stomach to handle, and he doubled over in agony, retching as the foul taste overwhelmed him.

...

In the depths of the dense forest, Reid sat alone beside a small fire, his eyes devoid of life. Exhausted and defeated, he contemplated his grim circumstances, the flickering flames casting eerie shadows across his haggard face.

....

"I'll just die, yeah. That's right..." he muttered bitterly, a hollow laugh escaping his lips as despair threatened to consume him whole.