C3 Chapter 2 – The First Tree
The sun continued to sink toward the horizon.
Orange light covered the small island.
Aiden tightened his grip on the dry branch.
"This won't be enough."
A single branch could not protect him from rain, wind, or whatever creatures might appear after dark.
He needed more.
He walked toward the edge of the forest, moving slowly and watching his surroundings. Every sound made him alert.
A bird flew between the trees.
A squirrel-like animal climbed up a trunk.
For now...
Nothing seemed dangerous.
He picked up every fallen branch he could find.
Ten minutes later, he had gathered a small pile of dry wood.
Ding!
[Wood Branch ×8 obtained.]
[Basic Resource Collection EXP +8]
"So resources are recorded..."
As he continued exploring, another blue screen appeared.
---
Collection Book
Resources
✓ Wood Branch
Completion Reward:
10/100 Entries
Reward: Locked
---
"So the Collection Book really exists."
Aiden smiled.
"If collecting new things gives rewards, then exploring carefully is worth it."
He continued deeper into the forest.
Soon, he found a young tree no thicker than his wrist.
He placed both hands around the trunk and pushed.
Nothing.
He kicked it.
Nothing.
He hit it with the branch.
Crack!
The branch snapped into two pieces.
"..."
Aiden stared at the broken stick before letting out a helpless laugh.
"So this isn't a game where I punch trees."
He looked around carefully.
Near the rocky hill, he noticed a sharp piece of stone lying on the ground.
He picked it up.
It had one pointed edge.
"Not perfect..."
"...but better than my hands."
He returned to the young tree.
Holding the sharp stone tightly, he began striking the trunk again and again.
Tok!
Tok!
Tok!
After dozens of strikes, sweat covered his forehead.
His arms felt sore.
His breathing became heavy.
Finally...
Crack!
The small tree slowly leaned before falling to the ground with a loud thud.
Ding!
Achievement Unlocked!
First Tree Felled
Rewards:
- Survival Points +10
- Basic Blueprint Chest ×1
Aiden froze.
"A blueprint chest?"
A small wooden chest appeared beside him in a flash of light.
It was only the size of a lunch box.
He carefully opened it.
Inside was a single old scroll.
As soon as he touched it, the scroll turned into light.
---
Blueprint Learned
Simple Lean-to Shelter
Rank: F
Requirements:
- Wood ×20
- Fiber ×10
- Stone ×6
Description:
A basic shelter that protects against rain and wind.
---
Aiden's eyes lit up.
"So blueprints are learned instead of carried."
That was much more convenient.
He looked at the sky.
The sun was almost gone.
"I don't have enough materials..."
"But at least now I know what I need."
Just then, another System notification appeared.
---
Daily Mission
Build your first shelter.
Reward:
- Survival Points +20
- Random Basic Tool Blueprint
Time Remaining:
6 Hours
---
"A daily mission..."
His expression became serious.
"Looks like the System is guiding beginners."
He picked up the logs from the fallen tree.
They were much heavier than expected.
"I'll need several trips."
As he carried the first log toward the open grassland near the pond, he suddenly stopped.
There were fresh footprints in the sand near the beach.
They weren't his.
They looked like...
Bare human footprints.
Aiden slowly looked toward the endless ocean.
"...I'm not alone."
The evening wind grew colder.
Someone—or something—had visited the island.
