C4 Chapter 3 – Footprints in the Sand
The evening wind blew across the beach.
Aiden stood completely still.
His eyes remained fixed on the footprints.
One.
Two.
Three...
There were at least ten clear footprints in the wet sand.
"They're fresh..."
He slowly walked closer, careful not to step on them.
The prints were almost the same size as his own.
Human?
Or something that looked human?
He crouched down and touched one with his fingers.
The edge was still sharp.
The tide hadn't washed it away yet.
"Someone came here recently."
His heartbeat quickened.
He looked around the empty beach.
Nothing.
Only the sound of waves.
He followed the footprints for several meters.
Then...
They suddenly stopped.
"What?"
There were no return footprints.
No boat.
No drag marks.
It was as if whoever made them had simply vanished.
A chill ran down his back.
"...This place is stranger than I thought."
Aiden took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
"No."
"I'm wasting daylight."
"Survival comes first."
He memorized the location and walked back toward the grassland.
---
The fallen tree was still lying where he had cut it down.
Using all his strength, he dragged one log after another to the open area beside the freshwater pond.
By the time he finished, sweat soaked his clothes.
His arms trembled from exhaustion.
Ding!
[Stamina: 34/100]
"So stamina really matters..."
He sat on the ground to catch his breath.
After about fifteen minutes, his breathing became steady.
His stamina slowly recovered.
[Stamina: 42/100]
"It recovers with rest."
"Good."
He looked around again.
"I still need fiber and stone."
---
The grass near the pond was taller than his knees.
He grabbed a handful and pulled.
It came out with its roots.
Most of it wasn't useful.
After trying several different plants, he finally found long, tough grass that could be twisted into strong fibers.
Ding!
[New Resource Discovered!]
Plant Fiber
Collection Book Updated.
He smiled.
"So not every plant is useful."
After collecting enough fiber, he searched near the rocky hill.
Loose stones were scattered everywhere.
Some were too large.
Others crumbled apart.
Eventually, he found several palm-sized stones.
Ding!
[Stone ×6 obtained.]
Aiden looked at the pile of materials.
"That should be enough."
---
A transparent screen appeared.
Blueprint Available
Simple Lean-to Shelter
Requirements:
- Wood ×20 ✔
- Plant Fiber ×10 ✔
- Stone ×6 ✔
Build?
YES / NO
Aiden pressed YES.
Nothing happened.
"...?"
Then another message appeared.
[Construction Mode Activated.]
A blue outline of a small shelter appeared on the ground.
It showed exactly where each material needed to be placed.
"So the System doesn't build it for me..."
"It only guides me."
Aiden couldn't help smiling.
"I like that."
For the next hour, he worked without stopping.
He carried logs.
Tied fibers together.
Placed support poles.
Covered the roof with branches and leaves.
It wasn't pretty.
It wasn't comfortable.
But when he finally stepped back...
A small shelter stood before him.
It leaned slightly to one side.
The roof had a few gaps.
Still...
It was his.
Ding!
Daily Mission Completed!
Rewards:
- Survival Points +20
- Basic Stone Axe Blueprint
Achievement Unlocked!
First Shelter Built
Rewards:
- Survival Points +15
- Title Unlocked: Survivor I
Title Effect:
Stamina Recovery +2%
Aiden let out a long breath.
"I actually did it."
For the first time since arriving in this strange world...
He felt a little safer.
Then...
The sky suddenly darkened.
Not because of the setting sun.
Dark clouds gathered over the endless ocean.
A cold wind swept across the island.
A familiar voice echoed inside every player's mind.
[Night has begun.]
[Danger Level Increased.]
[Some creatures become active only after sunset.]
[Please survive until sunrise.]
Aiden slowly turned toward the forest.
Two small pairs of glowing yellow eyes stared back at him from between the trees.
They didn't move.
They simply watched.
Aiden instinctively picked up a thick wooden branch.
"...Looks like my first night won't be peaceful after all."
