31 – (Season 1) Frozen Tundra

Day 2

As the group entered the portal, the temperature dropped significantly. The wind howled like a wounded beast, whipping snow into stinging darts. The sky was a bleak expanse of gray, and the only sounds were the crunch of snow underfoot and the distant crackle of ice. The tundra stretched out in endless white, punctuated by the jagged silhouettes of snow-covered mountains.

Nobody expected the sudden environmental change. Many were still remembering the warm and sunny tropical weather they were in. Everyone started changing into heavier clothing. The less unfortunate players who did not prepare for winter clothing started noticing their health slowly decrease. It wasn’t noticeable as it didn’t even register at 1%; however, it did have a mental and physical effect. Jake noticed the sluggishness in most players. They were approximately at 95% no 90% of their peak. This wouldn’t bode well for the group. The group had two choices right now. Walk up and down the mountain or walk around the mountain. Jake activated super sight and looked a few miles up the mountain. He spotted white furry monsters with an orge like build. He was able to see a small group of yetis.

Jake corralled the group together and discussed their options. He knew that the way around the mountain would easily waste a day but recommended it anyways as it was not advantageous to fight against monsters if they were at the bottom of the hill vs the top of the hill. Half the group disagreed and wanted to go through the mountain even if they have to walk up a hill. Jake warned them not to go up the hill as the yetis most likely have a trap waiting for them. They underestimated the yetis like the lizardmen. They started marching up the hill.

Meanwhile jake and his leftover group of 50 people started gathering sticks. Jim used his golden hands to make a large hut with walls made of mud and rocks. Using the existing trees, Jake looked for the largest trees and developed a large hut enough to hold 500 people. Each person had space similar to an apartment. The 50 players jaw dropped and vowed to follow Jake forever. However, Jim was not as kind as Jake. He made a proposal to all players to bring in seeds, animals, and wood. Part of this was for their food supply, another was so that Jim could collect samples of this environment. As other players were out searching for food, Jim constructed multiple fire places and started burning the firewood that the explorers brought. He knew that this would take more than 2 days to cross the mountain and get around. Their best chance of survival is to be as well prepared and move slowly. As he finished the fireplaces, the room heated up quickly. Jake instructed the remaining players to find food, animals, plants and start cooking. As they look for food, Jake decided to look for water.

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The mountain air was thin and biting as Jake ventured deeper into the wilderness. By circulating mana around his body, the cold temperature meant nothing to Jake.

The higher he climbed, the more barren the landscape became. Snow-capped peaks glinted in the distance, their icy allure a stark contrast to the pressing thirst gnawing at his insides. He scanned the terrain, his eyes searching for any sign of water: a trickling stream, a hidden spring, or even a patch of melting snow.

Moss, Jake knew, indicated the presence of water. With renewed vigor, he carefully made his way towards the patch. Kneeling down, he began to dig through the snow, summoning golden hands Jake kept digging. After what felt like an eternity, he struck something hard. Water started to fill up the hole that he dug. As Jim used his time ring to suck a large amount of water, he had enough to feed for a couple of months. The well was so large, it was most likely an underground well. After Jake took his fare share, animals started gathering near him. They were still a good distance from him as they were wary of Jake. He didn’t mind this and started praying. The calming aura drew in more animals which started to drink and leave after a couple of sips. Jake saw injured animals and summoned multiple small palms to scoop the water and bring them to the injured does and deers.

Suddenly a voice whispered into Jakes mind.

System Notification: A water elemental is touched by your kindness towards the animal. They have blessed your soul with water affinity. You can sense nearby water and can alter the mineral contents in water.

Jake was surprised and said Amitabha as the voice faded away as if it was never there.

Jake returned back to the camp as nightfall soon approached as the sun was setting. Jake created multiple large buckets with the wood that the players gathered and filled them with water. This didn’t even make a dent in the water left in the time ring. The players started bowing down and chanted “Long live God Jake, Long Live God Jake”. As everyone was eating the roasted animals they brought, jake chose to eat plants. Jim started puking in his mind when there was fresh meat available right there but did not say anything as Jake was in control of the main body. As everyone was eating, the earlier group that set out to climb the mountain came back covered in scars and blood. Jake stood up and greeted them.

“Amithaba, it looks like you had a tough journey. Please join us for food and water” Jake did not hold a grudge. Both sides were crying and they munched on food, water and a place to stay. As everyone was going to sleep, Jake volunteered to keep the night guard watch. Everyone was moved and decided to trust in Jake. Now that Jake had some free time, he wanted to experiment with detection skills.