The faint glow of dawn slipped through the cracks in the broken hut, painting streaks of soft light over the dirt floor. The night had been quiet—too quiet—but for the first time since awakening in this world, Ren felt a strange sense of peace. The soft breathing of seven sleeping children filled the air, each huddled close to one another under worn cloth and straw bedding.
Ren sat near the small hearth, sharpening a stick into a spear. His hands still trembled from exhaustion, but his eyes carried a firm glint of purpose. The events of yesterday had changed everything—the kill, the food, the tears, the reunion.
He finally had something worth living for.
"Alright…" he muttered softly to himself, watching the sparks from the flint catch on a small pile of dried leaves. "We survived one day. Let's make sure we survive the next."
The BROTHER system glowed faintly in the corner of his vision, showing his meager stats. It didn't talk, didn't guide—just existed. Silent, but there. Like a reminder that even if no one else was watching, he still had to keep moving forward.
Ren looked around the hut—walls leaning, roof half-collapsed, and holes letting the cold wind through. "Forestry," he whispered.
His body responded instinctively, a faint green glow outlining his hands. With the new level of skill, he could sense the strength and type of the nearby trees, even the way the bark could bend for construction. Plans formed in his head like old blueprints. He knew he couldn't fix everything in one day—but he could start.
He turned to the small group sleeping before him.There was Mira, the eldest sister after him—just twelve, but already carrying the look of someone who had seen too much. She had tried to care for the others when he—well, the previous Ren—had gone out to find food. Then the little ones: Toma, Elri, Nia, Finn, Rye, and Lani, the youngest barely three years old. Their faces were thin, but last night they'd eaten for the first time in days.
Ren smiled faintly. "Guess I'll be depending on you too," he whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair from Mira's face.
When the sun began to rise, he called them together."Mira," he said, as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. "I need you to look after everyone today."
Her eyes widened. "You're… going out again, brother?"
Ren nodded. "Yes. But this time I'll be back before nightfall." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I've divided the food. One small portion for morning, one for midday, and another for evening. No one eats more than their share, alright?"
She bit her lip, then nodded, clutching his arm. "Be careful."
He smiled. "Always."
After setting aside the leaf bags and portioning the meat and fruits, Ren took one deep breath and stepped outside. The air was cold but fresh—the scent of morning dew mixing with distant forest mist. He carried his makeshift spear, a small rope made from vines, and a pouch of dried herbs.
The plan was simple but essential:
Reinforce the hut's walls and roof with sturdier wood.
Collect more edible plants and herbs using Forestry.
Hunt smaller creatures for continuous food supply.
He'd use the skill not just for gathering, but also to learn the environment—how the forest worked, where resources were most abundant, and where dangers lurked.
The BROTHER system flickered faintly again, almost like it was acknowledging his resolve.
[System Note: Forestry skill ready. Environmental adaptation improving.]
Ren exhaled and gripped his spear tighter."Let's make this home… a real home."
As he stepped into the forest, rays of sunlight filtered through the tall trees, marking the start of his new daily rhythm. For the first time in his two lives—both the one he lost and the one he gained—Ren had something worth protecting.
And he wouldn't let anything take that away.
The morning mist still clung to the village paths as Ren made his way toward the small farm at the edge of the settlement. A few villagers were already awake, tending to their meager crops. The scent of freshly turned soil mixed with the damp air, and distant roosters echoed faintly through the valley.
Ren stopped before an old wooden fence where a bearded farmer stood, pushing a hoe into the dirt. The man glanced up, eyes narrowing."Ren? You look… different today."
Ren bowed his head slightly, his tone calm but steady. "Good morning, Uncle Ralt. I need to borrow your handcart. Just for the day."
Ralt wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. "Handcart, eh? What for? The forest's been dangerous lately. You planning to get yourself killed again?"
Ren smiled faintly. "Not this time. I plan to bring back enough wood and food to last my family a week." He hesitated, then added, "I'll give you half the meat I hunt today. That's my word."
The farmer studied him for a moment. There was something different in Ren's eyes—resolve where there used to be despair. Finally, Ralt sighed."You're the only fool I know who keeps coming back from that forest. Fine. Take the cart. But I'll be expecting that meat before sundown."
Ren nodded gratefully. "You have my word, Uncle Ralt."
With that, he grabbed the worn wooden cart—its single squeaky wheel wobbling slightly—and made his way toward the forest once more.
The deeper he went, the more alive the forest became. Leaves whispered above, insects hummed in the distance, and shafts of sunlight painted golden lines across moss-covered roots. Ren activated his skill instinctively.
[Skill Activated: Forestry (Lv.3)]
Green lines shimmered faintly across his vision, marking the healthiest trees, edible plants, and usable vines. He began gathering them—cutting down flexible branches, stripping bark for rope, and collecting edible leaves and herbs. Every movement felt more natural than before, as if his body understood the rhythm of the wild.
He worked for hours, sweat glistening on his forehead, until his makeshift cart was half-filled with construction materials. He set aside the straighter branches for reinforcing the hut and the larger ones for the roof supports.
Then, it was time for the hunt.
Ren knelt near a muddy patch where animal prints overlapped—boars, rabbits, and something larger. He dug up a few edible roots he'd found earlier and crushed them with a stone, releasing a sweet scent. It worked as a lure, spreading through the humid air.
He hid behind a thick bush, spear ready. Minutes passed. Then, movement—rustling, low grunts. A large creature stepped into view: a Forest Tusker, a magical variant of a wild boar. Its tusks glowed faintly green, eyes dull with fatigue. It was wounded—claw marks across its back.
Ren's heart raced. Level 8 creatures were dangerous, but not impossible if weakened. He waited until the creature lowered its head to sniff the roots—then struck.
The spear plunged deep, hitting behind the shoulder. The Tusker roared, thrashing violently. Ren gritted his teeth, holding on as it stumbled forward. He pulled the spear free and drove it again into its neck. The struggle lasted seconds before the beast collapsed, shaking the ground beneath him.
[You have slain: Forest Tusker (Lv.8)][EXP gained: 160][Level Up!][Current Level: 4]
A warm surge of strength flooded his limbs. The pain from old wounds faded, muscles tightening, senses sharpening. He exhaled heavily and checked his status window as he skinned and butchered the creature with a sharpened stone.
Name: RenLevel: 4EXP: 0 / 400
Strength: 10 (+2)Endurance: 10 (+1)Agility: 9 (+1)Intelligence: 6Vitality: 11 (+2)
[New Skill Acquired: Skinning (Lv.1)]
"Guess that's new," Ren muttered, carefully removing the usable fur and wrapping it in large leaves. He added the meat to one bag, the tusks and hide to another.
But the forest wasn't done rewarding him. The Forestry skill pulsed suddenly, light flickering brighter than before.
[Skill Level Up: Forestry Lv.5]
Forestry Lv.5 Effect:
Increased efficiency in gathering and identifying resources (+40%)
Ability to sense minor mana fluctuations in natural materials
Unlocks sub-action: Resource Appraisal
A faint blue aura spread from his fingertips, letting him feel the mana running through the plants and trees around him. He could tell which branches held the most resilience, which herbs contained trace magic, even which soil was fertile.
"This… will make everything easier."
He spent the next few hours collecting more edible fruits, herbs, and strong vines, using the upgraded skill to identify the best quality materials. His movements were fluid, his pace sure. By noon, the cart was brimming with resources—more than enough to repair their home and share with the farmer.
The sun had already started sinking behind the tall trees when Ren finally turned back toward the village, the wheel of the cart creaking under the weight of his haul.
The BROTHER system flickered once again—silent, but glowing faintly warmer than before.
Ren smiled faintly. "Looks like we're getting somewhere."
With the forest behind him and the promise of a better home waiting, he began his long walk back to the village, unaware that this steady rhythm of survival was only the beginning of something far greater.