Chapter 27: A Week of Growth

A week had passed since Noah first began his survival routine in the alien wilderness. The days blended together, a steady rhythm of hunting aberrations, gathering resources, and refining his skills. The oppressive, foreign atmosphere of the world no longer felt as suffocating as it once did. Instead, Noah had grown used to it—had adapted to it.

His cave had transformed from a bare refuge into something resembling a base of operations. Using the tools he'd crafted from salvaged materials, he had carved grooves into the rock to hold his weapons and created a storage area for items he didn't immediately need. The glowing water plants lit the interior like a dim lantern, giving him just enough light to work without feeling completely enveloped by the dark.

Outside the cave, the zone was no less dangerous, but Noah had learned to navigate it with growing confidence. He mapped the terrain, marking landmarks and danger zones in his mind. The Nutri-Fruits had been a lifesaver, and the water plants kept him hydrated. The aberration cores, meanwhile, had become a daily staple—not just for the stat boosts they offered but as a fuel for his survival.

Noah sat at the entrance of his cave, sharpening his blade with a stone he'd found near the riverbed. His hands worked methodically, the steady scrape of the stone against steel filling the otherwise silent air.

He brought up his grindstone interface, eager to see the results of his hard work.

[Noah Greene – Level 15]

Strength: 41 (+24)

Stamina: 38 (+22)

Agility: 35 (+19)

Intelligence: 7

Skills:

Beginner Combat Proficiency (Lv. 5)Basic Evasion (Lv. 4)Energy Surge (Active)Aberration Slayer (Passive)

His progress had been remarkable. Over the past week, Noah had hunted dozens of aberrations, each encounter pushing him closer to his limits but also honing his instincts. He'd gained a new skill, Aberration Slayer, after defeating a particularly tough pack of aberrations. It granted him a small boost in power against all aberrations, making him slightly more efficient in combat.

"Strength and stamina are getting solid," Noah muttered, scrolling through his stats. "Agility's keeping up, but intelligence is lagging behind."

The disparity bothered him, but there wasn't much he could do about it for now. Most of his experience came from fighting and survival, areas where intelligence wasn't a primary focus.

The week hadn't been without challenges. There were moments of near-death, like when a mid-level aberration had ambushed him while he was collecting water. The fight had been brutal, pushing him to use every skill he'd acquired just to survive.

Then there were the nights. The alien world had no real concept of "night," but the dim light would shift, becoming darker and colder, as if the planet itself were holding its breath. During these times, Noah found himself unable to sleep deeply, constantly waking at the slightest sound.

Still, he endured.

His daily quests had become a vital part of his routine, guiding his actions and ensuring he maintained his discipline.

"Daily Quest completed: Hunt three aberrations. Reward: Strength and Agility experience gained."

"Daily Quest completed: Harvest ten resources. Reward: Stamina experience gained."

The grindstone had also provided him with unexpected rewards, like additional inventory slots for his item box and small stat bonuses for completing multiple daily quests in succession.

Now, sitting at the entrance to his cave, Noah reflected on how far he'd come in just one week. His body was leaner, stronger. His reflexes sharper. He could move through the terrain almost silently, his senses attuned to the smallest shifts in his environment.

But there was still so much to do. His progress was significant, but it wasn't enough. Not when he still had no idea how to get back home—or if it was even possible.

As he gazed out over the desolate landscape, the wind carrying an eerie, hollow whistle, Noah's grip on his blade tightened.

"One step at a time."

End of Chapter 27.