44 Settling In [Pt 2]
[00 Months: 00 Days: 03 Hours]
'There are five nearby dungeons in my vicinity, each with its unique features and terrain.'
The information I had provided some insight, but not enough details.
I didn't have a clear plan for any of them, but it was better than going in blindly.
Finally, I decided to use my leftover change on Lucky Draw.
Normally, I'd steer clear of gambling, but a certain idea crossed my mind that convinced me to give it a shot.
What if I could use <Visualize> to glimpse the future and then choose an item based on that foresight? It was a risky gamble, but my desperation had reached its peak.
Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan...
As it turned out, <Visualize> could only show me a future where I didn't interfere.
It made sense, considering I'd only used the skill to predict the moves of Demons in battle, not how they'd react to my actions.
When I used <Visualize> on the 'Lucky Draw,' it was futile; it just displayed the 'Lucky Draw' waiting for my input, not revealing any specific item.
It seemed I couldn't use it as a cheat skill in this situation.
Nonetheless, I decided to try my luck with the change I had left. My heart pounded as I watched the digital wheel spin, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
And then, against all odds, the wheel stopped, and I had won something.
Surprisingly, it wasn't a rock!
[Item Information]
Name: Spatial Pouch (Mid)
Special Effect: Can Store Items within (with limits), and also reduces their weight drastically (though not completely)
Combat Ability: None
Energy Level: None
Durability: Very Sturdy
[End Of Information]
"I can't believe it! I actually got it!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement.
It seemed I was on a streak of good luck, and it had taken only about two dozen tries, but I had finally gotten it.
'My very own portable inventory!' I marveled at the small pouch in my hands.
It could easily attach to my belt or fit in my pocket, looking quite ordinary on the surface.
Yet, I could sense its potential.
"It doesn't mention any weight or size limits," I mused aloud, examining the pouch closely, "but I'll have to figure that out myself."
'Since the Item is <Mid> and not <Low>, it must be pretty good.'
One additional thing I learned about Dungeons in the information was the ranking of Items and Treasure Chests.
For Items, there was the;
Lowest
Low
Mid
High
Higher
Peak
For Treasure Chests, they were classified as;
Common
Rare
Epic
Mythic
Legendary
Transcendent
So far, I hadn't obtained anything higher than 'Mid' or 'Epic,' but that was perfectly fine. Considering I had just begun my journey, this much was already remarkable.
'It seems like all my preparations are already in place.'
Rising to my feet, I absorbed the breathtaking scene unfolding before me once more. A confident and eager smile adorned my face.
Dungeons and demons could wait for now. What mattered most at this moment was securing food and water. That meant heading to the river downstream and then making my way to the hunting grounds.
'Alright! Let's get this done!'
************
[00 Months: 00 Days: 12 Hours]
"Haaa... I'm fucked." I grumbled, feeling the weight of my inexperience pressing down on me.
After spending the entire day hunting, I came to two crucial realizations.
Firstly, it became apparent that I wasn't particularly cut out for outdoor life.
I had managed to take down some wild deer that were grazing nearby.
They didn't seem much different from the ones I had seen in documentaries, and killing them with an Energy Stone was fairly straightforward. However, the real challenge was what came next.
'How do I cook it? Do I cut it open? Do I even have a knife? Oh no... how long will this meat last? Should I smoke it? But won't a fire's smoke attract attention? And won't the scent of roasting meat draw monsters to my location? How do I even start a fire?'
These were the questions that flooded my mind as soon as I made my first kill.
I've never been much of an outdoorsy person. Even in the Tutorial, I mostly ate snacks and such.
I lacked the knowledge to cook, let alone prepare, and roast deer meat. I was a complete novice in this field.
'I'll need to gather wood, acquire a knife, maybe even a lighter, take my time to butcher the meat properly, cook it thoroughly, and then relocate to avoid attracting enemies.'
As I contemplated all these factors, the second realization hit me.
'Using Currency to buy food is a much better option!" I concluded.
A decent meal costs around 1 Currency, and if I managed it wisely, it could sustain me for a day. Why should I go through all the effort and risk of preparing my own meals when I could simply rely on Currency?'
It was a practical solution that would allow me to conserve energy and focus on other aspects of survival in this unforgiving world.
'I see now. This is why Currency is important.' I mused, my focus shifting from the immediate concerns of survival to the bigger picture.
Instead of worrying over securing food and water, my utmost priority was finding ways to grow stronger and survive in this unfamiliar world.
With that in mind, I used my Spatial Pouch to gather as much water as possible, ensuring I wouldn't face dehydration.
A quick visit to the <Shop> allowed me to purchase a meal for a mere 1 Currency, quelling the growling hunger in my stomach. After satisfying my hunger and thirst and reflecting on the day's events, it was already quite late.
'I should sleep. I'll wake up tomorrow and begin my adventures properly.'
Having wasted my first day on unproductive tasks, I needed to use my time more efficiently moving forward.
'Next time, for sure!' I promised myself.
And so, with those thoughts echoing in my mind, I finally fell asleep completely covered by a very warm and insulated blanket.
It felt so comfortable, as it wrapped me up very gently, and I felt myself venturing deep into ecstasy.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
<You Have Encountered A Demon>
'... Wha...?'
I sensed an alert buzzing in my head, but before I could comprehend what was happening, it was already too late.
[You Have Died]
<Dream Sequence Has Ended>
{Based On Exclusive Skill: <Dream>; your recent experiences have been dissolved into a dream}
<You Will Now Be Returned To The Preset Save Point>
[You Will Now Wake Up]
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[A/N]
How did Mikey die? And who was responsible?
Find out in the next chapter!
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