Work Harder, Not Smarter

Since there was time to wait before he could work, Jock decided he might as well start working on creating his own martial art. Not like there was much else to do anyway.

Jock didn't have to think for long about techniques. He already had a few ideas inspired by a popular anime called 'One Pond' in his past life.

'Tekkai could probably be practiced with enough muscle. I could harden my muscles, and coat them with the power of my mantra.

The only problem would be armament haki. I don't currently have a mental mantra, assuming those exist, to help me accelerate the process of learning it.

Not to mention, I want to mix mantra power into the technique as well.' Jock frowned. His biggest problem currently after food, is knowledge.

'I need a teacher. If my assumption of this world is correct, I should be able to get one as well.' To best enjoy his life, Jock decided to find an academy. Naturally, not an 'academy' located in his tribe. An academy located out of the middle of nowhere, which is probably where his tribe is located.

'This will take time though. I at least want to reach 'white pebble' level of strength before I go out. It shouldn't take too long anyway.' Jock strategized.

As for the 'awakening ceremony' at the tribe that he'll miss?

'It'll probably be fine. I think. Maybe?' Jock didn't see missing that as the end of the world. He would prefer not to struggle in the starting village equivalent for any possible stupid reason.

Jock then waited eagerly for the sun to set, as he wanted to start making money to fuel his training as soon as possible.

Eventually, the sun started to set, which was the signal for Jock to start heading out to the mountains.

His walk to the mountains was, unsurprisingly, uneventful. Not to mention the 1 hour walk from his house was really boring.

By this time, the sun had already dipped down, turning day into night. He was late. Unfortunate.

A bright light in the distance made it obvious where he had to go so, even when it was dark, Jock could find his way.

As Jock approached the cave that was brightly lit, he saw two burly, strong-looking men standing at the entrance. As they saw Jock approaching, one of them spoke.

"Just leave your name on the tablet. When your done working, similarly, write your name on the tablet when you finish working to get your pay." One of the guys said, then went silent.

Jock was pretty surprised. This tribe had such advanced technology?

Although Jock was surprised, he played it cool and wrote his name in this worlds' language, Gnatka, that he learned from his memories.

With that, he entered the mine having no idea what to do.

As soon as he entered, a sight defying common sense was seen. A huge table of food extended down, and you could see people repeating the insane action of eating and mining.

"Hey newbie, welcome to the pit of gluttony. My name is Ted. I noticed your confused about this situation, but it's actually a very common mining strategy." Ted commented, while picking up a miner that passed out on the table and handed him to someone else to be put into the resting room.

Jock was more than shocked. He was even a little scared. This place just reeked of masochistic musk. 'Is becoming a masochist the only way?'

Ted noticed the slight fear in his eyes and smiled.

"Don't be afraid, kid. It's not as bad as you think actually. The food on the table is a super food that fills the body full of energy. You won't have to ever be worried about food, and you can earn money. What more could you want?" Ted nonchalantly commented as he picked up a few other people who passed out on the table.

"The only thing to watch out for your first time is the kick that the pickaxe we use gives. It'll suck the life out of you, so be careful. Other than that, your free to start working!" Ted gave a smile, and gestured towards the end of the mine, far away from the table.

"Thanks for the information." Jock gave a weak smile as he said that. He didn't actually want to thank him. He wanted to curse the situation he was in. This seemed way too good to be true, not to mention creepy. Naturally though, he wouldn't question it, just take advantage of it.

As Jock walked past the miners and noticed their expressions, the ominous feeling didn't fade. It only increased.

All the miners that Jock passed had an infatuated look in their eyes. As if they clearly were thinking of who meant the most in their life and working hard to please them. Some guys even had an erection. It was definitely a disturbing work environment.

Soon, Jock arrived at the back of the mine. Honestly, he was surprised that his clan managed to mine this deep into the earth with such a huge area. If it were back in his past life, he would be terrified and just waiting for the cave to collapse inward, burying him alive. In this life though, technology was very mysterious, so he didn't have the same fear.

Looking at the pickaxe in front of him, and hearing the heavy mining sounds around him, Jock mustered some courage and grabbed the pickaxe.

"UH" Jock was surprised by the immediate kick the pickaxe gave. He immediately understood why everyone had such an intoxicated look on their face.

The pickaxe had a strange function that helped people work beyond their limit. The strange function itself, boosted the desires of the wielder, allowing them to distract themselves in fantasy, while their body moved.

Jock at the moment didn't particularly desire strength with all his heart. What he desired more is what any man wants, a nice nut. I mean, his diet with only bread and meat was very unsatisfying.

Jock definitely hated this feeling controlling him, so he tried to focus his thoughts on another desire to bring it out. Wanting to become stronger! It was the only way he will be able to survive in this world. Otherwise, he will just be a pig for slaughter.

Jock artificially raised that desire, leading the pickaxe to react accordingly to it. Now, Jock was seeing illusions of what feats he could do with power. It was very motivating to be honest.

Using the surge of motivation, Jock started to slam the pickaxe on the rock over and over again.

*Ding Ding*

Jock continued to swing.

*Ding Ding*

The sound echoed in his mind. Resonating with the throb of his muscles as they started to get sore.

*Ding DONG*

Suddenly Jock came to his senses. Sweating and aching all over his body. He was disorientated for a moment, forgetting where he was. He heard a loud voice echo through the cavern.

"Night shift is over! Anyone who is only working night shift can head out now. If you want to keep working, ignore what I said."

Jock still had to go try and get that day job cutting wood. That job would give him a chance to learn about the outside world. If he only worked in this cave, there would be no information gained most likely. Jock didn't want to wonder the world blind though. He at least needed a direction.

Jock then started following a few people who walked out in a similarly dazed state. On his way out, Jock grabbed a piece of fruit from the table. After taking a bite, he was instantly refreshed.

'This might not be so bad.' Jock thought as he left the cave and signed out using the special tablet.

Taking a quick moment to observe his body, he realized that he was gaining strength at an unprecedented speed due to the physical stress his body is being put under.

'I can train using the waterfall for my mantra, and mine for physical strength. I wonder what collecting wood is.' Jock was a little amused. Working in the mine is way different than he thought it would be. Naturally, Jock was expecting cutting wood to be no different.

The fact that his clan had such strange practices was definitely creepy, but Jock wouldn't think too much about it. After all, if he did worry about it, what good would it do? He's just small fry in the end anyway…

Jock had a little pep in his step even, as he went towards the market to talk to Greg about the wood cutter job.