Chapter 2: A Five-Star Meal in the Wild
The sun had fully set, and the forest transformed.
During the day, the "Silent Death Forest" was a cathedral of green light and bird songs. At night, it became a symphony of unknown noises. Branches creaked like old bones. Insects buzzed with a sound that resembled electric saws. Far in the distance, a howl echoed—not a wolf, but something deeper, something that made the ground vibrate slightly.
Kael shivered, but not from fear. The temperature had dropped.
"Okay, priorities," Kael muttered to himself, rubbing his hands together. "Shelter is for sleeping. Right now, priority number one is dinner."
He looked at the skinned Horned Rabbit. It was massive, easily ten kilograms of meat. The muscle fibers were dense and dark red, almost purple.
He sat on his Foldable Camping Chair (which he had moved closer to the stream) and brought up the System.
"System, I need to cook. But I don't want to just roast it on a stick. That's uncivilized."
He closed his eyes and visualized. He needed a grill. A simple wire mesh grate to place over a fire.
'Create: Iron Grill Grate.'
[Cost: 2 Mana.]
A square grid of iron appeared in his hand. He placed it over two flat stones he had arranged earlier. Underneath, he piled up dry twigs and leaves.
"Now, fire. I could use a lighter... but let's save gas. I have magic."
He remembered the Fireball Scroll he used earlier. He didn't need an explosion; he needed a spark.
'Create: Fire Starter Tool. Logic: Creates a small spark when pressed.'
[Cost: 1 Mana.]
Click. Flash.
The dry leaves caught fire instantly. The flames licked upward, illuminating Kael's face in a warm orange glow. He felt a profound sense of satisfaction. He had made this fire. He had hunted this food (sort of).
He sliced the rabbit meat into thick steaks using his Chef's Knife.
"Now for the most important part," Kael said solemnly. "Seasoning."
He had eaten enough bland food in his life to know that salt was the difference between surviving and living.
'System, create: Bottle of Sea Salt.'
[Cost: 1 Mana.]
'System, create: Bottle of Black Pepper.'
[Cost: 1 Mana.]
'System, create: Bottle of Olive Oil.'
[Cost: 2 Mana.]
He sprinkled the steaks liberally. The coarse salt clung to the dark meat. He drizzled the oil, watching it glisten in the firelight. When he placed the meat on the iron grate, the sound was heavenly.
Sizzle.
The aroma that wafted up was intense. It didn't smell like normal rabbit or chicken. It smelled rich, gamey, and packed with energy.
Kael waited, flipping the meat carefully. He had no smartphone to scroll through while he waited. No TV noise in the background. Just the popping of the firewood and the smell of cooking meat.
"I don't hate this," he whispered.
When the meat was seared to a perfect medium-rare, he took a bite.
His eyes widened.
It wasn't just tasty. It was explosive. The flavor burst in his mouth—savory, salty, and tender. But more than that, a wave of heat rushed down his throat and into his stomach.
[System Alert: Consumed High-Grade Spirit Beast Meat.]
[Vitality Recovering.]
[Mana Regeneration Speed Increased (Temporary).]
[+1 Strength]
"Whoa," Kael swallowed, feeling his fatigue vanish. "This meat... it's like an energy drink on steroids. Is this what cultivation feels like?"
He finished the first steak and immediately grilled a second. He ate until he was stuffed, the warmth spreading to his fingertips and toes.
With a full belly, he leaned back in his chair. The fire was dying down to glowing embers.
"I can't build the house tonight," he reasoned. "It's too dark to chop wood safely. I need a temporary bed."
He looked at his Mana.
[Current Mana: 65/120] (He had spent some, but the regeneration was keeping up).
He visualized a tent. A modern, high-quality, weather-resistant tent.
'Create: 2-Person Dome Tent. Logic: Waterproof, insect-proof mesh.'
[Cost: 15 Mana.]
The tent popped into existence, already pitched and taut. He crawled inside. It was cozy. He created a Sleeping Bag (5 Mana) and a Pillow (2 Mana).
Lying there, staring up at the nylon ceiling, Kael felt the silence press in again. Usually, this was when he felt lonely in his apartment. But here?
He sat up cross-legged.
"The novels always say you should cultivate before sleep," he mused. "Circulate the Qi. Refine the mana."
He didn't know a real technique. But he remembered The Celestial Dragon's Breath from a manga he read years ago. The concept was simple: Imagine energy entering through your pores, gathering in your dantian (stomach), and spiraling.
"Let's try it."
Kael closed his eyes. He breathed in slowly, counting to five. He breathed out.
Inhale.
He imagined the blue particles of light he saw when using the System floating in the air. He imagined pulling them into his nose, down his throat, and settling them in his gut.
At first, nothing happened.
But after ten minutes, he felt it. A ticklish sensation on his skin. Like static electricity.
The energy from the Horned Rabbit meat in his stomach reacted to his focus. It began to swirl. A warm, golden heat started to spin in his lower abdomen.
[System Alert: User has initiated Cultivation.]
[Skill Created: Basic Breathing Technique (Level 1).]
[XP Gained +10.]
Kael smiled in the dark. He didn't check the notification. He just focused on that warm, spinning sensation, letting it lull him into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Outside the tent, the "Silent Death Forest" watched. A massive, shadowy owl perched on a branch above the tent, sensing the gathering Qi. It tilted its head, confused by the strange canvas bubble, and then flew off, deciding not to disturb the strange creature that hummed with the power of the stars.