Excerpt from “A Treatise on the Nature of Levels” by Unknown Author

“There are few things as strangely rigorous as Leveling. While Skills can be improved by continued use, breakthroughs, and previous knowledge, Levels can only be gained through combat that results in the death of another being*. Given the importance of Leveling in gaining Attributes and access to more powerful Classes, it is interesting that Genesis requires us to kill in order to gain experience. Is experience nothing more than the life force we absorb from the killed being? Or is it, as some have insidiously suggested, Genesis’s way of maintaining conflict within the universe?

*Despite legends and rumors of scholars from the 3rd wave discovering a way to Level without combat, they refuse to discuss the subject and this author has been unable to find other evidence that legitimizes these legends.

With my resolve hardened, I look up at the sky and gauge the position of the sun. I’d say I have about 5 hours left before the sun goes down and I need to return to the safety of my branch. I take a quick sip of water, careful not to spill any, and climb down the tree with the dagger placed in my waistband and shovel in hand.

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I simultaneously activate Meditation and Planning, feeling the increased mental acuity. My first goal is to find a supply of water and then a supply a food. The benefit of Planning becomes incredibly relevant as I make a mental leap to realize that the strange man didn’t take the body of the Hunter he killed, leaving me with a source of meat and fur. With that in mind, my second goal becomes figuring out some way to create fire.

Set goals in mind, I deactivate the Skills and begin walking in circles around my tree, increasing the size by a few feet with each rotation. The dagger is held in front of me with the blade facing up. For the first time since having it thrown at the ground in front of me, I get a good look at it. The hilt is simple, consisting of nothing more than wood and a small metal cross guard that can’t be more than two inches in length. The blade itself is only about 6 inches long but curves slightly at the end. It appears to be made out of steel but, to be honest, my understanding of metal is extremely basic and I could be wrong.

I continue my little expedition for another hour before I hit the jackpot. About 500 yards away from my tree is a small river filled with what appears to be extremely clean water. I reach down and cup my hands, filling them up and then taking a few large gulps. I’d been worried about strange bacteria in the water earlier but given that I’d already had some from the man’s canteen I figured that if I was going to get sick it was too late to stop now.

Racing back to the tree, I scamper back up and grab the canteen, ignoring the notification that lets me know Climbing has reached Lvl 7. Returning to the river, I fill the canteen up to the brim, marveling at the luck of having a source of water so close to me. I guess Genesis decided that, after ripping me from my home, planting me on a foreign planet, tasking me with killing 1000 creatures, I deserved to be well hydrated.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I then return to my little safe area and look around it with a critical eye. A relatively flat space in what appears to be a hilly region, my tree is located in the center of a ring of smaller trees. The strange uniformity of the ring, placed about 20 feet away from my larger tree, makes me suspect that this area was planted by an intelligent being. Even if it was, I can’t worry about that now.

I know that my chances of survival are almost nonexistent but I’m determined to improve that and prove that I can rise to the circumstance. With that in mind, I begin clearing up the purple pines that are scattered around my tree into a large pile. I then enter into Meditation and start digging a hole about 8 feet inward from the outer ring.

Performing the repetitive motion of digging while in a Meditation is interesting. Before the extra knowledge I gained at Skill Lvl 10, I never would have considered it possible to maintain a meditative state while performing actions. The new knowledge proved that wrong. By keeping a consistent breathing pattern, maintaining my posture and proper body positioning, and letting my body’s tensions flow through me in a style similar to my emotions, I am able to achieve the perfect balance of action and thought. Time flows around me but I ignore it, only existing in the moment. All that exists is digging.

I finish the hole with about an hour of sunlight left. At around 8 feet deep, I only manage to get out with the help of the two handholds that I’ve dug into the side wall. Finally standing over the fruit of my labor, I wipe away the sweat on my brow and smile as the notifications of my actions wash over me.

You have discovered the Skill Manual Labor Lvl 1. Some say there is not better pleasure in than engaging in satisfying manual labor. Regardless, by setting your body to a task and completing it, you have begun to strengthen your body to complete these tasks. Increased skill level increases Physique and Endurance. Current Lvl: +1 Endurance and Physique.

You have reached Lvl 25 in Meditation. You take yet another step down the way of an enlightened individual. Enlightenment is an elusive but worthwhile pursuit. Meditative state is possible while in combat as long as health remains above 80%. Mana regeneration quadrupled.

My smile only widens as I read over the benefits of Meditation. If Mana based Skills are going to be the basis of my survival then Meditation has the potential to be my most powerful skill. I stretch out my body and look out at the sky above me. Despite its oppressive nature, I feel a rising wave within me, a combination of frustration and determination that will prove this hopeless planet wrong. However, first I need to test one of my theories.

Scampering up my tree, I grab the blanket and come back down to the hole. Spreading it to its max size, I place the blanket on top of the hole and then begin to cover it with the purple pines that I had collected earlier. It takes about 30 minutes to make any trace of the brown blanket disappear but upon my completion a notification appears in my sight and I let out a primal yell of accomplishment. Finally! I’ve discovered a skill on my own, without stumbling onto it or being taught by a book.

You have discovered the Skill Trap Making Lvl 1. You have realized the massive potential of Traps and created one on your own. Ignoring its simplicity, you have gained a basic understanding of traps and their uses. Increased skill level significantly expands knowledge and application.

I climb up onto my tree and stare out into the horizon as the sun slowly sets. A feeling of accomplishment fills me. This was a productive day. And hopefully, if everything goes to plan, it will be an even more productive night.