Chapter 2: Forging a Path in a New World

Jin's stomach growled, reminding him of the next fundamental challenge—food. His excitement over his abilities had kept hunger at bay, but now that the initial rush had settled, reality set in. He needed to eat.

With no supplies and no idea what was safe, he turned to his most useful tool: Appraisal (EX).

Looking around, he focused on a nearby bush bearing clusters of small, round berries. As expected, the translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

[Liora Berries]

A common forest fruit. Edible and slightly sweet. Provides mild energy restoration.

Relief washed over him. At least he wouldn't starve immediately. Plucking a handful, he popped one into his mouth. A faint sweetness spread over his tongue, pleasant enough, though not exactly filling.

"This will work for now, but I'll need something more substantial."

His search continued, scanning trees, plants, and fungi. Some were useful for basic sustenance, while others carried warnings of toxicity or magical properties beyond his understanding.

[Bitterroot Herb]

A medicinal plant. Can be brewed into a mild healing tea.

[Nightshade Fungus]

Highly poisonous. Causes paralysis and eventual death if consumed. However, when processed correctly, it can be used in crafting potent poisons or paralysis-inducing concoctions.

 ⁃ "Not touching that one," Jin muttered, stepping away.

The deeper he went into the forest, the more diverse the flora became. With every scan, he found something of value—not just for survival, but also potential future use.

[Frostmint Leaf]

A cooling herb that can soothe burns and minor wounds. When mixed with certain roots, it enhances mana regeneration.

[Crimson Thornberry]

Contains a natural sedative. Can be used to create sleeping potions or mild anesthetics.

[Mirthleaf]

A bitter herb with mild mana-restorative properties. Often used in potion-making.

[Duskwort]

Induces drowsiness when brewed into tea. Can also be used to weaken small creatures.

[Ironvine]

A tough, fibrous plant that can be woven into makeshift rope.

Jin carefully gathered everything he could, separating edibles from potential alchemical ingredients. Who knew when these would come in handy? If he could find a way to process them properly, he could craft healing potions, mana restoratives, or even status-inducing poisons. The possibilities were exciting.

After half a day of foraging, he finally took a break, settling down on a flat rock. He pulled up his status window, curious about his progress.

—

[New Title Acquired: Beginner Gatherer (0/10)]
— A skill that aids in identifying, collecting, and utilizing natural resources. Skill proficiency increases with practice.

—

Jin's eyes widened. "So, my skills can level up just by using them?"

That meant if he kept gathering, Beginner Gatherer would evolve into something even more useful. The thought sent a surge of motivation through him. His abilities weren't just for surviving—they were a means to grow stronger in this unfamiliar world.

This discovery motivated him further. Not only did he now have food to sustain himself, but he had a clear path to growth. However, food alone wasn't enough. He needed fire—for warmth, for cooking, and for survival.

As the sun dipped lower, he turned his attention to the next task: gathering wood.

Jin wandered deeper into the forest, searching for dry branches. At first, he focused on smaller twigs and sticks, but as he moved further, he spotted a fallen tree trunk. Instinctively, he bent down, gripping the rough bark, expecting it to be a struggle.

Then, with almost no effort, he lifted it.

His eyes widened as the massive log came off the ground as if it were nothing more than a bundle of straw.

"…What?"

He glanced down at his arms, then at the tree. Was it adrenaline? No, there was no rush of energy—this felt natural.

A thought struck him. He hadn't truly tested his strength since arriving in this world. Could it be…?

Looking around, he spotted another thick log nearby. He walked over, gripped it with both hands, and lifted again. No resistance. It was as if his body didn't register the weight at all.

"…I've definitely changed."

His mind raced with possibilities. If he was this strong without any effort, what would happen when he trained? When he actively pushed himself?

Excitement stirred in his chest. But first things first—he had firewood.

He gathered a sizable pile and carried it effortlessly back to his clearing. As nightfall approached, he knew the next challenge awaited him.

Fire.

And it was time to see if magic could help.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature in the forest dropped sharply. The warm daylight that had accompanied him through his gathering efforts was replaced by a creeping chill. Jin shivered slightly as he finished stacking a pile of dry wood in front of his newly made shelter.

"Alright… fire." He took a deep breath, staring at the pile of twigs and logs. He had no lighter, no matches—nothing but his own two hands and, hopefully, magic.

He had read enough stories to know that magic required either a chant, an image, or some sort of activation process. The problem was… he had no idea how to actually do it.

"Let's try something simple first." He extended his hand toward the firewood and focused. "Fire."

Nothing happened.

He frowned, adjusting his stance. "Ignite?"

Still nothing.

A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed his temples. He wasn't expecting an instant response, but the lack of any reaction made him question if he even had magic to begin with. Then, he recalled something from the novels he had read—magic often required a clear mental image. The stronger the image, the more precise the result.

Closing his eyes, he pictured fire—not just the word, but the sensation of heat, the flickering of flames, the crackling of burning wood. He imagined the warmth spreading from his fingertips, igniting the pile before him.

A flicker. A tiny spark snapped into existence before fading just as quickly.

Jin's eyes shot open. "It worked… barely."

Encouraged, he focused again, this time pouring his intent into the image. The warmth, the flicker, the steady glow of embers. A small flame ignited at the tip of his finger.

Skill Acquired: Basic Fire (Magic)

Effect: A small flame meant for daily life magic.

A grin spread across his face. He carefully brought his hand to the woodpile and let the tiny flame touch the dry twigs. It sputtered for a moment, then caught, gradually growing into a steady fire.

He leaned back, watching the flames dance. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a sense of control. He had found food, learned new skills, and now… he had fire.

Survival was no longer just a desperate struggle. Now, it was a challenge he was ready to overcome.