Chapter 3
Adam woke up with a groan, his body aching in places he didn't know existed. Note to self: Sleeping in trees is not a good way to live. He didn't know how elves did it; wait, do elves exist here, he thought, stretching as stiffness rippled through his limbs. At least the Herbalist Robes had kept him warm. The enchanted fabric kept him warm and had staved off the night's chill, making his strange new reality marginally more bearable. He couldn't help but wonder how he ended up in this situation, and a pang of homesickness hit him.
He blinked against the morning light filtering through the canopy, breathing in the crisp, earthy scent of the forest. The leaves above him danced in the gentle breeze, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. It wasn't a dream. The crash, the darkness, the voice of Airmed, and the strange system that governed this world—all of it had been real. Not a game. He sat up slowly, his thoughts racing as he grasped the Herbalist Blade at his side. The tool was light and hummed faintly in his hand, a reminder of his new Legendary-tier equipment.
With a flick of his fingers, he opened his quest log. The message greeted him.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Quest Log
Main Quest: Mastering Herbalism
Objective: Harvest your first batch of herbs and create a healing salve.
New Objective: Venture into the wild and gather herbs for your first crafting attempt.
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The gentle rustling of leaves and distant birdsong filled the air. The forest wasn't silent—it was alive with a thousand tiny movements. Adam adjusted his robes, the soft material shifting like a second skin, and took a deep breath. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since arrival. Buttered bread... he grimaced. Focus.
He picked a random direction, his eyes sharp as he walked. Most of the plants were familiar now—essential herbs and grasses—but they would do little for his needs. His mind wandered as the sun climbed overhead, the light dappling his path. Then he saw it.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Plant Identified: Sustenance Root (Common)
Effect: Provides nourishment, keeping the consumer satiated for 4 hours.
Rarity: Common
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He bent over, the Herbalist Blade slicing smoothly into the earth. The root came free with surprising ease, thick and fibrous, its earthy scent filling his nose. As he pulled it out, a network of similar roots spread before him. His heart leaped—an unexpected bounty. A surge of joy and anticipation filled him as he realized the potential of this discovery. One by one, he severed them, ignoring the notification that flashed in his vision.
Finally, he sat back, wiping his brow and holding up one of the roots. Hunger gnawed at him no longer as he bit into the dirt-covered plant. The taste was rich, almost meaty, with a hint of wood. For the first time since he arrived, he didn't feel hungry. He sighed in satisfaction and finally glanced at the alert he'd ignored.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Tool Triggered: Harvesting Precision Bonus Activated (0.5% Chance)
Plant Identified: Sustenance Root (Common) — Upgraded
New Plant Identified: Nourishment Vine (Rare)
Effect: Provides nourishment for 8 hours, enhances stamina regeneration, and increases resistance to fatigue.
Rarity: Rare
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A grin tugged at his lips. One of my plants upgraded... that's a good start. He stored the roots in his inventory with a practiced swipe and shifted his focus to the task ahead—crafting a salve. He set his tools on a smooth rock near a stream, rinsing the rock and a scrap of cloth salvaged from his torn clothes.
With careful hands, he plucked Twilight Moss and a basic healing herb from his inventory. He sliced them into fine pieces, his blade moving with surprising deftness. Placing the herbs on the stone, he covered them with the cloth and began to grind. The sound of the plants being crushed under the blade was oddly satisfying. Minutes passed as he worked, the plants' natural juices blending into a thick paste. He leaned into the process, letting instinct guide his motions.
When he was done, he peeled the cloth back, pushing the remaining paste from its fibers. A makeshift salve rested before him—crude, but serviceable. A sense of accomplishment and pride swelled within him as he gazed at the result of his first crafting attempt.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Crafting Attempt Complete: Healing Salve (Basic)
Ingredients Used:
Twilight Moss
Basic Healing Herb
Crafting Result:
Item Created: Crude Healing Salve
Effect: Restores minor wounds over 10 minutes, slows bleeding, and reduces pain slightly.
Healing: +2 HP/min for 10 minutes
Quality: Low
Stability: Moderate (Expires in 3 days)
Crafting Experience Gained: +5 XP
Crafting Insight Unlocked:
Twilight Moss enhances healing speed and pain reduction when combined with a suitable binding agent.
Using proper tools will increase quality and effectiveness.
Achievement Unlocked:
First Craft (Healing Salve) — Small steps toward mastery.
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He studied the salve, filled with pride and disappointment. Despite the "basic" designation, it was not bad for a first attempt, he thought. His eyes returned to the notifications, reading with growing excitement.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Quest Completed: Main Quest — Mastering Herbalism
Objective: Harvest your first batch of herbs and create a healing salve.
Reward: +50 XP
New Quest Available:
Main Quest — Path to Mastery
Objective: Improve your herbalism skills by crafting a superior-grade healing item. Learn about proper tools and techniques to enhance your results.
Reward: 150 XP, Crafting Recipe Unlock (Enhanced Healing Salve)
Deciding that his day had been productive enough, Adam carefully stored his harvested herbs and supplies back into his inventory. Feeling ready to press on, he continued walking in the same direction, his eyes scanning the forest floor for anything of use. Hours passed with little to show for his effort—just one more Basic Healing Herb. He chewed on one of his roots as he continued to walk. In the distance, a broad trail cut through the dense trees, the ground packed firm from heavy use. Adam's heart quickened. A trail meant people, and people meant information—or danger. He approached cautiously; the snap of twigs beneath his boots sounded Too loud to his ears. He decided to set up camp and follow the trail first thing in the morning. He gathered a few nearby leaves and layered them beneath him for insulation. The ground was far from comfortable, but it would do. Exhaustion pulled at his mind as he lay back, the sky above a canvas of dark blues and silver stars.