Chapter 6: Ore, Salt, and Survival

Jin sat on a sturdy log near his newly built home, turning the horned spear in his hands. It was the only sharp weapon he had, and while it served him well, it wouldn't be enough. The world he was in was filled with unknown dangers, and relying on a single spear felt reckless. He needed real weapons—swords, knives, tools. But to craft them, he needed metal.

The thought made him sigh. Metal wasn't just lying around waiting for him to pick it up. He had a general idea of where ores could be found—mountains, caves, or even riverbanks—but he wasn't sure if this world followed the same rules.

Still, he had to try.

He started by scanning the area around his base, using Appraisal (EX) on scattered rocks and minerals. Most were just common stones, but then he came across something unusual. A dull, dark-colored rock near the colossal tree emitted a faint magical signature.

—

[Unknown Ore] Composition: ??? —

"Figures," Jin muttered.

His Appraisal (EX) skill wasn't strong enough to identify it fully. Still, anything with a magical signature had potential.

But mining with his bare hands was out of the question. He needed tools. Earth magic could help, but it was still too crude for precision work. The best option was finding exposed deposits—something naturally separated from the earth. That's when he thought of the riverbank.

Water had a way of washing things out over time. If metal ores existed nearby, the river would be a prime location to find smaller fragments or even natural nuggets. Plus, he needed a proper water supply for his reservoir, so two birds with one stone.

By midday, he reached the river. Clear water rushed past smooth stones, glistening under the sun. Kneeling, he sifted through the smaller rocks. Most were nothing special—quartz, granite, and regular pebbles. But then…

A dark greenish rock caught his eye. Jin picked it up and used Appraisal.

—

[Copper Ore]

A raw mineral containing traces of copper. Requires refining.

—

His lips curled into a grin. "Finally."

It wasn't iron, but it was a start. Copper was still metal. With enough of it, he could make basic tools and weapons. And if he found tin, he could even make bronze, which was better than nothing.

Excited, he continued his search, grabbing anything that stood out. That's when he stumbled upon something unexpected—white, crystalline formations clinging to a rock. Appraisal activated on instinct.

—

[Natural Rock Salt]

A mineral rich in sodium. Enhances food preservation and body functions.

—

Jin blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Salt? Well, I won't complain."

It was a luxury he hadn't even considered yet. With proper seasoning, his meals would improve drastically. Not to mention, salt was crucial for survival. His body needed it, and now he had a reliable source.

Armed with new discoveries, he returned to his base, his mind already racing with the next steps. Refining copper wouldn't be easy. Charcoal alone might not be enough to melt it properly. He needed to build a forge. Something that could reach high temperatures.

And as he sat by his fire that night, staring at the ores he had gathered, one thought became clear—

Surviving in this world wasn't just about fighting.

It was about building.