Lying on the grass without a tent was still okay for me. It was better than nothing. Besides, night was coming soon.
I looked up. The afternoon sun was halfway down the sky. This open field was a good place to camp. If a monster came, we could see it from far away and shoot it before it got close.
"Cut some wood and sticks," I ordered. "We'll make a campfire in the middle of the field."
We had the orc meat, so we could cook it. But honestly, I didn't want to eat it. Who knew if it was safe? It might make me really sick. I'd rather eat the soldier food (MREs) we had.
001 and 002 went to the edge of the forest. Since we didn't have an axe, they only gathered thin branches and small sticks. By the time they finished, it was dark. Both soldiers put on their Night Vision Goggles. Their eyes glowed green in the darkness as they looked around.
We walked to the center of the field. I carried the heavy bags while they carried the wood. When we got there, I dropped the bags. My legs and back hurt badly from carrying them all day. I wanted to be tough, so I didn't complain. Sweat covered my face, and my shirt was soaked through. I could smell my own sweat.
I lay down flat on the cool grass, feeling the ache in my muscles. "One of you start the fire," I said, closing my eyes. "The other, watch for monsters."
I heard the click-clack of stones hitting together. 001 was trying to make a spark for the fire. Right then, I missed my air conditioner so much. Back home, after school, I'd sit in the cool air all day until I had to go back. I missed my old life.
"I will make an air conditioner in this world," I whispered to myself. No one should suffer this heat.
Grrr.
My stomach growled loudly. I needed food. I sat up and saw 001 gently blowing on a small flame, making it grow bigger.
"System," I called out.
The blue screen appeared:
[ Military System ]
[Search]
[Soldier]
- Rifleman (20 points)
- Automatic Rifleman (40 points)
[Supplies]
- 5.56mm bullets (1 point)
- 7.62mm bullets (1 point)
- MREs (0.1 point)
I tapped the MRE option without thinking.
[ MRE ]
What's inside:
Main meal: Chili with Beans, Beef Taco, or Spaghetti with Beef (random each time)
Rice
Crackers
Peanut Butter
Cookies
Dried Fruit
Spaghetti with Beef. Even the picture in my mind made me hungry. Right now, even the weird orc meat smelled okay!
[ 3 × MREs purchased. ]
A heavy, plain brown bag appeared in my hands. It just said "MRE" on it. I wanted to open it right away, but then I thought of the soldiers. They fought orcs and gathered wood. Eating together would be better.
"Time to eat!" I said, walking over with the bag. 001 had the campfire burning nicely now. 002 was scanning the dark trees. The fire crackled and felt warm and safe. They looked at the food, then at me.
"Sir, we don't need to eat. Please keep it for yourself," 001 said. 002 nodded slightly.
I was surprised. They don't eat? So they aren't human at all. I thought the system made emotionless people who just followed orders. But they're not even people – they just look like them.
"You don't drink either?" I asked.
"We can eat and drink, sir," 001 explained, "but we don't need it to live."
These guys are like machines. No need for food, water, or sleep. Their aim is perfect. Imagine fighting soldiers like this in a long war – the enemy would be shocked when they found out.
"Anyway, eat it so it doesn't go to waste," I said. "I can't carry extra food. My bag is too heavy already."
Without arguing, they took the MREs and started eating. I opened mine too. I'd never been so hungry. Back home, my mom and dad always gave me food when I was hungry. If I wanted takeout, I just ordered it, even if my parents said no. Right now, I realized how much they did for me. I missed them terribly. It hurt. But these soldiers felt a little like friends, helping to fill that empty feeling – even though we only met today.
I looked at my food. I wouldn't say this MRE tasted better than home cooking, but my mom's food right now would feel like a warm hug.
A few minutes later, I finished eating. My stomach felt full. Both soldiers had already finished and were back on watch. This forest was dangerous, so someone always had to look out.
Yaaawn.
My eyes felt heavy. After all that walking, I needed sleep badly. I stretched my arms up high and heard my back crack.
I looked at 001 and 002. They showed no sign of being tired or sleepy. I guessed they could get tired, but they didn't need sleep like I did.
I lay back down on the grass and looked up. The sky was filled with more stars than I'd ever seen. They were incredibly bright and beautiful. The moon shone clear and white. I'd never seen the night sky so perfectly before.
I closed my eyes after such a hard day. I didn't want to go back to my old world, even though this one was tough. This was my chance to start over.
Without realizing it, I fell asleep under the stars.