Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World! - Chapter 3
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- Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World!
- Chapter 3 - Exploring the Surroundings
Chapter 3: Exploring the Surroundings
After confirming the details on my status screen, I used 『Physical Armor』 to change into a plain-colored shirt, black pants, and brown boots for ease of movement.
I looked like a villager you’d see in a game.
I decided to create a comfortable place to sit. I dug a shallow pit in the softened earth near the wall.
I gathered the excavated soil and some from around it and pressed it against the wall, shaping it into a backrest.
As I continued working, imagining something like a floor cushion, it occurred to me: couldn’t I use magic for this?
Based on my experiments so far, imagination was key to magic and skills.
First things first, secure some light with 『Light Magic』.
Although some light entered from the entrance, it was getting dark as evening approached.
I imagined a light bulb and said, “Light up!” A ball of light appeared.
Perhaps because I had imagined a light bulb in a house, the ball of light stayed near the ceiling of the cave, continuously illuminating the area.
Next, I decided to try making furniture with 『Earth Magic』.
I strongly imagined a floor cushion and shouted, “Create a chair!” Soil gathered from somewhere, forming a lump of earth. Then, the lump gradually changed shape, ultimately taking on the form of the floor cushion I had envisioned. It even had an angled backrest, armrests, and a footrest.
The soil had perfectly replicated the exact shape of the floor cushion I had imagined, the one from my living room back home.
Sitting comfortably on the reasonably well-made cushion, I wondered what else I could create.
Imagination is key! I reminded myself, and tried making a table, shelves, and a bed.
I was also able to create plates, cups, spoons, and forks.
As I played around with magic, the light coming in from the cave entrance almost completely vanished, and the inside of the cave grew dark.
“I’ll stop here for today and get some sleep.”
Muttering to myself, I imagined a pillow and created my bed for the night on top of the bed I had made. Fortunately, I didn’t feel cold, so I decided to sleep here tonight.
♢ ♢ ♢
The next day, I woke up, washed my face with water conjured by magic, and put on a hat using 『Physical Armor』.
Today, I would descend the cliff and venture into the forest before me.
Stepping outside the cave, I was greeted by the same clear, blue sky as yesterday.
I needed to descend the cliff to reach the forest, but I decided to create stairs using 『Earth Magic』.
As I went down the stairs, I made the steps behind me disappear.
It seemed that when I wanted to erase something I created with 『Earth Magic』, it didn’t break apart; rather, the stairs or walls themselves would simply vanish.
I made the stairs disappear to prevent any animals in the forest from climbing up.
For now, this cave was my only safe haven.
Besides, even though I had only spent one night here, I was becoming attached to it. It was strangely comfortable. It had the same cozy feeling as being tucked into bed on a winter night.
I turned my gaze to the forest spread out before me. Honestly, I was scared.
From what I could see from above, the huge animal from yesterday didn’t seem to be around, but this was still a forest where such a massive creature roamed. There was no telling what other animals might be lurking here.
However, I hadn’t eaten anything since waking up yesterday. I needed to find something to eat if I wanted to survive. And I couldn’t just stay cooped up in the cave forever.
With that in mind, I cautiously entered the forest.
I didn’t want to get lost, so I left markers at intervals using 『Earth Magic』 as I went.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, I discovered a tree bearing many red fruits that resembled apples.
My first priority was to obtain those fruits. I used 『Earth Magic』 again to create a set of stairs leading up to them.
“Earth Magic is way too convenient,” I muttered to myself as I collected about ten of the red fruits.
Now, what to do with the fruits I had gathered? I collected them without thinking because they looked edible, but upon reflection, there was a possibility they were poisonous.
They looked like apples, but they were fruits from another world after all.
As I pondered what to do, I remembered my 『Appraisal』 skill.
Looking at the fruit, I chanted,
“Appraisal.”
And was able to access its details.
♢ ♢ ♢
『Amaju Fruit』
A fruit that grows on the Amaju tree. Contains a large amount of mana. Edible.
♢ ♢ ♢
So, these were called 『Amaju Fruits』.
The “~ Fruit” part of the name suggested that the tree they grew on was called “Amaju.” With that in mind, I used 『Appraisal』 on the tree.
♢ ♢ ♢
『Amaju Tree』
Only grows in areas rich in mana. Its leaves and fruit contain large amounts of mana.
♢ ♢ ♢
For now, I had secured some edible fruit. Seeing that there were still plenty more growing on the tree, I felt relieved.
The 『Amaju Fruit』 had a texture similar to an apple but was much sweeter and juicier. Honestly, it was delicious. I had never tasted such a delicious fruit before.
I put the 『Amaju Fruits』 I had picked into a box I made with 『Earth Magic』 and returned to the bottom of the cliff.
I created stairs to climb back up and then erased them again.
Back in the depths of the cave, I set down the box I was carrying. Then, I decided to go on another exploration of the forest.
I started to create stairs to descend but then had an idea.
Imagining the entrance to the cave being sealed, I chanted, “Wall!” Soil gathered at the cave entrance, effectively sealing it off. Now, nothing could get in while I was gone. Unless they broke through the wall, that is.
As I looked out at the forest, I noticed a river flowing on the opposite side of the Amaju tree, to the right of the cave entrance.
Rivers flowing through forests were often the center of animal life.
There might be some animals I could catch, and there might be other fruit trees nearby.
With that in mind, I decided to head towards the river.
I made my way towards the river, leaving markers with 『Earth Magic』 as I went.
After walking for about five minutes, I heard a low growl. “Grrrr.”
Listening closely, it seemed to be coming from the direction of the river. After a moment’s hesitation, I decided to investigate.
After walking cautiously for about five minutes while staying alert to my surroundings, I came to a clearing in the trees.
There, I found two children being threatened by a large tiger.