C8 Chapter 7 – The Stone Axe
Morning sunlight filtered through the forest.
Aiden walked slowly between the trees, his eyes scanning everything around him.
Every plant.
Every stone.
Every sound.
After yesterday's battle, he had learned one important lesson.
The island was not as peaceful as it looked.
He couldn't afford to lower his guard.
---
About twenty minutes later, he reached the rocky hill again.
This time, he wasn't looking for resources.
He was looking for the right materials to craft his first real tool.
"The blueprint needs wood, stone, and rope."
He already had enough wood and the Plant Fiber Rope from the reward chest.
Only one thing remained.
A suitable stone.
Aiden searched carefully.
Some stones were too small.
Others were too brittle.
Finally, he found a flat, dark gray stone with a naturally sharp edge.
"It should work."
As soon as he picked it up, the System reacted.
Ding!
Suitable Crafting Material Found.
Stone Axe Blueprint Available
Would you like to enter Crafting Mode?
YES / NO
Aiden selected YES.
A transparent blue image of a Stone Axe appeared in front of him.
Unlike the shelter blueprint, this one showed every step.
It even highlighted where the rope should be tied.
"So the System teaches me..."
"It doesn't do the work for me."
He liked this system more and more.
It rewarded effort instead of replacing it.
---
For the next half hour, Aiden worked patiently.
He used another sharp stone to shape the axe head.
The work was much harder than expected.
Several times, the stone slipped from his hands.
Twice, he hit his thumb.
"Ouch..."
By the time he finished, sweat covered his forehead.
His hands had several small cuts.
Finally...
He tied the sharpened stone to a sturdy wooden handle using the Plant Fiber Rope.
He pulled it firmly.
The head didn't move.
"It feels solid."
Ding!
---
Crafting Successful!
Item Created
Stone Axe
Rank: F
Durability: 100/100
Attack: +3
Woodcutting Efficiency: +40%
Craftsmanship: Normal
---
Aiden couldn't hide his smile.
"My first tool."
It wasn't legendary.
It wasn't magical.
But he had made it with his own hands.
That made it special.
---
Achievement Unlocked!
First Crafted Tool
Rewards:
- Survival Points +20
- Profession EXP +30
---
Just then, another System notification appeared.
---
Profession Available
Woodcutter
Description:
A profession focused on gathering wood efficiently and understanding forests.
Requirements:
- Craft a Stone Axe ✔
- Cut 10 Trees (0/10)
Profession Reward:
- Passive Skill: Efficient Swing Lv.1
- Strength +1
- Stamina Consumption -5% while cutting trees
---
"So I don't unlock a profession immediately."
"I have to prove myself first."
That made sense.
Anyone could hold an axe.
Not everyone could be called a woodcutter.
---
Aiden returned to the small tree he had cut yesterday.
Nearby stood another young tree.
"This will be number two."
He gripped the Stone Axe with both hands.
Then...
Thud!
The axe bit deeply into the trunk.
Aiden's eyes widened.
"So much easier!"
Instead of dozens of weak strikes, each swing now left a clear mark.
Thud!
Thud!
Crack!
The tree slowly leaned before falling to the ground.
Tree Progress
2/10
Woodcutter Profession Progress Updated.
Aiden laughed.
"This saves so much time."
For the next hour, he cut three more trees.
His movements gradually became smoother.
He learned where to strike.
How to save energy.
How to control the axe.
Without realizing it...
He was improving.
---
As he prepared to cut the fifth tree...
A soft buzzing sound reached his ears.
"Bzzzz..."
He froze.
The sound was coming from above.
Slowly...
He looked up.
Hanging from a thick branch was a huge beehive.
It was nearly the size of a barrel.
Hundreds of black-and-gold bees flew around it.
Each bee was almost as large as his thumb.
Ding!
---
New Creature Discovered
Iron Stinger Bee
Rank: F
Level: 4
Danger: Medium
Warning:
Do not disturb the hive.
---
Aiden slowly stepped backward.
"I wasn't planning to."
He had no interest in fighting hundreds of angry bees.
He marked the location in his mind.
"Honey could become valuable later."
"But not today."
Knowing when not to fight was also part of surviving.
---
As he walked back toward his shelter carrying fresh logs, something unusual caught his eye.
Half buried beneath a pile of fallen leaves...
Was the corner of a weathered wooden chest.
It looked old.
Very old.
Aiden's heartbeat quickened.
"A treasure chest?"
He carefully cleared away the leaves.
The chest was covered in strange symbols he couldn't read.
There was no lock.
Only a hand-shaped mark carved into the lid.
Just as he reached out...
Ding!
Unknown Object Detected.
Analysis Failed.
Requirement Missing: Basic Appraisal Skill.
Aiden slowly withdrew his hand.
"So I can't even identify it."
He smiled instead of feeling disappointed.
"This island still has many secrets."
He looked toward the hidden chest one last time before memorizing its location.
"I'll come back."
"When I'm ready."
With the Stone Axe resting on his shoulder and fresh wood in his arms, Aiden walked back toward his shelter.
He had completed today's most important goal.
But deep beneath the forest floor...
Hidden under layers of ancient stone...
Something else had sensed his presence.
And after countless years of silence...
It opened one eye.
