"Hank Fowler! Hold up a sec."

Zara Vance's voice rang out, sharp and sudden.

"What now?" Hank asked, pausing mid-stride.

"Did you, uh, happen to see a black wolf last night?" Zara asked directly.

"Sure did," Hank replied casually.

"What if that wolf gets into your shelter? Do you have a plan for that?" Zara's eyes flickered with...was that concern?

"Nope," Hank said, shaking his head. Even though he'd leveled up to 3, giving him a decent boost in strength, he was still clueless when it came to dealing with a ferocious beast.

Zara paused, then said, "How about you move in with us for now? Once we've dealt with the wolf, you can move back."

Initially, she'd thought Hank was nothing but a pretty face. But after he'd so easily saved Willow Frost, she realized he had some useful skills. With Hank around, they wouldn't have to worry about injuries. That was pretty important for a team's survival. So, protecting Hank seemed like a good idea.

Hank's expression turned strange. "Didn't you say it was inconvenient for a guy to live with you? Changed your mind already?"

Zara smiled faintly. "Well, it's a special situation, isn't it? You're too vulnerable on your own. I'm just thinking about your safety."

Luna Lovelace chimed in, "Yeah, Hank, just move in with us. You can ride our coattails. With us protecting you, you won't have to worry about that big bad wolf anymore."

Hank shot Luna a look of disdain. "You think a big, strong man like me needs protection from three women? Who are you looking down on?"

Zara sighed, her tone serious. "Hank, now's not the time to play hero. Don't you know your own situation? Calling you a weakling is an understatement! If that wolf attacks, do you think you can survive?"

"Just worry about yourselves. I don't need you to worry about me!" Hank snorted and walked away without looking back.

"Why is this guy so stubborn?" Willow huffed, annoyed.

Zara sighed again. "Forget it. Let him be."

...

Hank returned to his shelter, dropped the two treasure chests on the ground, and gave them a once-over with a grin. "Hey there, chest buddies, how's it going?" he greeted them cheerfully.

"Do we look like we're friends? Cut the crap," one of the chests retorted, sounding utterly unimpressed.

"What the—! You little—!" Hank sputtered, his temper flaring. He'd tried to be friendly, and this was the thanks he got?

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Oh, getting mad now? What are you gonna do, bite me?" the other chest jeered.

"Just you wait, you two. I'll deal with you later!" Hank growled, his teeth clenched. He grabbed the entrenching tool and stomped over to a corner, where he started digging with a vengeance.

Before long, he had a hole about half a meter deep.

"Boss, what are you digging a hole for? Gonna bury those chests alive?" Digger asked, its voice full of curiosity.

Hank chuckled darkly. "This hole's going to be a toilet. I'm gonna take a big dump, and then I'm throwing those two in there!"

The two chests: "..."

Throwing them into a pit of poop? That was just cruel!

"Human, we apologize for our earlier attitude. Please don't hold it against us," one of the chests pleaded, its tone suddenly meek.

"That's more like it!" Hank snorted, then demanded, "Alright, what goodies do you have inside?"

"I have a bottle of bug spray," the first chest said.

"Bug spray, huh?" Hank muttered, his face falling slightly. Not exactly what he'd been hoping for. But then again, the island did have its fair share of annoying insects. With bug spray, he could at least keep them at bay. It wasn't completely useless.

"I have a pack of sausages," the second chest added.

Hank's eyes lit up. Now that was more like it! Way better than bread. A pack of sausages could easily last him a whole day.

"Not bad," Hank said, a smirk playing on his lips. He opened the two chests.

Two flashes of light later, a bottle of bug spray and a pack of sausages materialized before him. Hank gave them a quick look before stashing them inside Thatchy.

With that done, he grabbed the entrenching tool and left the shelter. He'd originally planned to take a stroll by the sea, but now he had a more pressing matter to attend to: building a proper toilet.

The hole was just the first step. He needed to put up some kind of screen around it, at the very least. Otherwise, anyone could just walk by and see him doing his business, which would be more than a little awkward.

The thickest patch of thatch on the island had already been burned down, so he had to find it elsewhere. Fortunately, there was still plenty of thatch growing around the island.

Hank spent the next two hours gathering eight bundles of thatch. That was more than enough to make a screen, with plenty left over for some furniture. Of course, he'd need Thatchy's help to actually build anything.

By the time he finished collecting the thatch, it was already noon. Time for lunch.

Hank grabbed the roasted locusts and started munching on them one by one. Crunchy, with a chicken-like flavor. Not bad at all. He polished off a dozen or so and then washed them down with some refreshing water.

Belly full and thirst quenched, he lay down on his grass mat for a short nap.

...

An hour later, Hank opened his eyes. He felt refreshed and full of energy. Time to head out and scavenge for more food.

He picked up the entrenching tool and stepped out of Thatchy. Just as he emerged, a loud buzzing sound filled the air above him.

Hank looked up instinctively and saw a giant wasp hovering in mid-air. The wasp was the size of an egg, with a bulky body and wings that flapped incessantly, creating a loud hum. Its eyes, sharp and menacing, were locked onto Hank, sending a clear signal of danger.

"What the—A wasp that big?" Hank exclaimed, startled. One sting from that thing, and he'd be lucky to survive with just his skin peeling off.

But where did it come from? He hadn't seen it during his previous explorations of the island.

Then it hit him. This wasp must have been the one Willow Frost had released from a treasure chest earlier.

Hank eyed the giant wasp and cleared his throat. "Hey, uh, big fella, what brings you to my humble abode?"

"I'm here for revenge!" the wasp declared, its voice dripping with malice.

"Revenge? We don't even know each other. Why would you want revenge on me?" Hank asked, bewildered.

"I stung a woman earlier, and you saved her. You interfered with my business. So, of course, I'm here to take revenge!" The wasp's voice was cold and hard.

"So that's what this is about," Hank muttered, his expression turning disdainful. "Since when do I need your permission to do anything? Who the hell do you think you are?"