Adam now had more stamina and more time than the day before. Having stopped for a mid-morning snack and allowing his stamina regen to return to normal Adam spent the rest of the morning exploring the forest edge and collecting hazel and nuts the same as previously. The discovery that venturing further into the forest caused Inspect to reveal Forest, outer - medium threat, level 2-4 meant he stayed where the tree cover was lighter. A small stream leading into the forest quenched his thirst without the need to return to the river. It was also closer in a straight line to camp according to Person; so Adam made a note on the map.
The rest of the day passed similar to the one before. Adam had planned to make a second layer of fencing to surround the camp in its entirety. Given that this was going to be four to five times the size of his original fence he was under no illusion that it would be completed today. Today was spent collecting the wood and marking out the perimeter. Adam was careful to keep an eye on his stamina and regen; resting when needed to allow it to recover. He was returning from collecting his last pile of wood when the sun began to set.
There was one last task he had set himself before getting back to the tent and securing things for the night. Picking up his staff, just in case, he followed the trail of nut shells left by the vermite the night before. It quickly ended leaving Adam a little disappointed and none the wiser where they had come from. The trail led away from where he had piled the food about thirty paces to the South in the direction of the foothills. Relieved that he could delay finding the vermite for now Adam had an idea. He piled some rocks up to remind him where the trail ended and left all the remaining food by the rocks rather than just outside camp. Not wanting to be outside the tent when it fell fully dark; he returned to camp and remade the gap in the fence before getting into the tent for the night.
It was a much quieter night than before. With nothing to do but sit waiting and knowing if he activated stealth now it would run out before morning Adam explored the menus once more. He lingered over the help menu remembering this was the first one he had found. Visual and audio cues were both still set to the on position. So why did Person hardly ever speak? Adam concentrated on Person with this last thought and waited for a reply.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Person looked thoughtful for a while before starting his elaborate form of sign language that included dance moves and the occasional prop conjured from thin air.
"Wait," interupted Adam "I am the reason you don't talk? I don't want you to?" Person stopped their routine and nodded. Surprised at the volume of his own voice when there was no noise other than the wind outside Adam decided to think at Person rather than speak.
Person elaborated. You are me? Adam interpreted. Person shook their head and mimed on. You are an extension of me? A horizontal wave of the hand pushed Adam to think harder. You are my subconscious? Person shook their head. I created you? Again a gesture indicating this might be true but wasn't really the full answer. Adam thought to himself for a minute. Looking back he had created Person; there was the option to change them into pretty much anything in the system and given the difficulty he had gaining information from all the other functions that was quite advanced for his system understanding on the first day. So he had created Person, interesting. It didn't answer all his questions though.
What is your purpose then? Person took a moment before beginning. It was a complicated routine that followed causing Adam to hold his head in his hands and wave for Person to stop. Can't you just talk? Or write this down? He asked Person in frustration. Person took a moment again and shook their head. But why not? Thought Adam. After a second or two musing Person danced out the answer. I don't want you to? Person nodded and continued to explain. Because I think this is more fun? Adam pointed at himself in disbelief. Me? Another point to his chest. Person nodded I created a frustrating method of communication all because I thought it would be fun? Person shrugged. Adam considered this for a moment. At the beginning he was worried about being watched; so he had presumed not talking would be better. He was the one that had suggested not talking in the first place - hadn't he. Was this the increase in his intellect that was helping him work this out? Either way; this was bloody ridiculous. Especially if he could do things a different way. Right, I want you to just talk to tell me the answers in the future. No more dancing. Person shook their head playfully. Then danced out their full answer.
No way; this is far more fun.
Sighing in disbelief that if this was all true, if it was then he was literally winding himself up. Instead of considering this further; he looked at his watch and decided to just wait for time to pass in silence.