Atlas decided to have an early start and headed into the forest, using what little light was available to navigate his way through the difficult terrain.
He had his trusty wooden spear with him but hoped he would not have to use it, at least not yet.
Since coming to this world, Atlas had sensed a vast gap between what was normally possible in his last world and in this one.
For example…
He swung his spear forward forcefully, using as much strength as he could at this time. The spear cut through the air creating a sharp whisper and blowing the forest leaves away.
'Why does it feel so weak?'
It was as though he could sense a vast strength gap just waiting to be filled. Thankfully, he had just the perfect person to answer his questions.
"Evangeline, how what is the deal with this strength gap in feeling?"
[Good morning to you as well, Atlas]
Atlas chuckled nervously. "Good morning Eva, if you're okay with me calling you that?"
[Its fine, I guess]
'Is it just me or is she suddenly a bit more expressive than she was yesterday?'
[As for your question. The strength gap you are experiencing is indeed real. Unlike earth, the capability of humans here far surpasses that of those from your planet]
[This is largely due to a special factor present in this realm, Surge Essence]
[The Surge Essence in the atmosphere is slowly seeping into your body and so your capacity to grow stronger has been greatly increased. And not just you, but every single otherworlder]
"Wait, does that mean there are other humans in this world?"
[Indeed]
Atlas nodded just before ducking underneath a long vine and that had been baring his path.
"This surge essence, why can it be used for? Is there magic in this world?"
[•••]
[There is no such thing as magic in this world]
Atlas sighed, it was every man's dream to be able to command the elements one day or at least practice one form of magic.
After seeing the dragon he had assumed it came with the whole fantasy package.
"Oh well—"
[But something very similar to magic does exist, WordCraft]
Atlas froze, taking in her words but tried not to get too excited. He had to confirm if this WordCraft was anything similar to the magic he grew up reading novels about.
"Eva…"
[Yes?]
"Can I for example… summon fire with worldcraft?"
[With the right training, yes, you have a high aptitude for WorldCraft]
"Yessss!" Atlas jumped, lifting both his hands high up.
"What about wind? Summoning? Teleportation?"
[These are all indeed possible through WorldCraft. WorldCraft simply means bending the world to your will after all]
[It is a long held philosophy among scholars that WorldCraft cancels the realm of impossibility]
Every single word Eva was saying was bringing a certain degree of joy to Atlas, but relief also came along with it.
After seeing the dragon, Atlas had wondered what their fate would be if they were to encounter such a creature.
Now that he knew WorldCraft existed, he had basically found the secret to defending his people!
"Eva, can you teach me a spell?!"
[No]
"Heh?"
[The Anti Cheat Protocol will not allow it. You will have to either invent spells yourself, or have someone teach them to you]
The joy that had been brimming in Atlas' heart suddenly deflated. How was he meant to create a spell when he didn't know the first thing about spells?
Find a teacher? That would have been plausible if they weren't in the middle of a darn forest!
He still didn't know if they spoke the same language as the locals here, and the matter of if they would be friendly or violent to aliens such as themselves was still on the table…
"Alright, WorldCraft later."
It was time to focus on the real reason he left camp so early. Crafting stone tools although Archaic still required a certain degree of fineness.
You could not just stumble into the first and pick up any ordinary rock. He needed a rock that would fit his needs perfectly.
The rock had to be strong, hard enough to cut through flesh without breaking to pieces. At the same time, it couldn't be too hard or they would never be able to shape it properly.
He needed something in the middle…
"Eva, are there any rocks that fit this description in the area?"
[•••]
[Indeed! What you're looking for sounds like Atea Crystals. It is known for its durability but at the same time it is not so hard that it becomes impossible to work with!"
"Alright, thanks!"
Evan went on to give him a description of what the rock looked like and Atlas went deeper into the forest, searching minutes before he finally arrived on a sizable deposit of the rock.
"Let's get started!"
***
The first thing Atlas did was sharpen one of the rocks, using a harder rock as grinding stone. It took some time and practice, but by the time the sun had risen, Atlas had finally succeeded in creating a stone Dagger!
Just as he did, a screen flashed in front of his face, startling him.
{Advancement! Stone Dagger!}
"Eva?"
[It is a technology tracking notification, to keep you updated on your advancements]
"Oh, I guess it's alright…"
Atlas stared at the dagger in his hand and traced his finger across its tip.
'It's actually decently sharp!'
Eva was right. Although tough, with enough effort he was able to shape the stone to what he now had in his hands.
But that doesn't mean it was easy, this was actually his third attempt…
He had accidentally shattered the other two while trying to break off pieces of the stone with a harder rock.
Atlas needed the dagger to sharpen work on his wooden spear, but it also served as a prototype since all he had to do was replicate the process, only this time for a spear head.
After another ten minutes, he lifted the white crystal to the sky, watching as the light bounced from its surface.
The spearhead was finally complete. Now all that was left were the finishing touches—
A tough wooden branch that was surprisingly straight and long, and a vine tough enough to keep the stone in place.
Finally, Atlas trails the spear around his body just before pointing its sharp tip forward.
{Advancement! Stone Spear!}
***
There was a bit of a commotion going on back at camp. Everyone bore worried expressions and many people had already proceeded into the forest.
The cause of the commotion was simple, the young lord was missing!
While Akaman looked perfectly calm, Dahlia was packing around occasionally stealing glances at the forest.
"How are you so calm?!" She asked Akaman who only raised a brow. "What if he got eaten b-by some wild animal! L-like a lion!"
"There are no lions in the first…"
"That is besides the point! Besides, who knows what these forests even contain."
"Calm down, maybe he just went to answer nature's call."
Dahlia stopped and gave him an annoyed look.
"You poop for two hours?"
"Depends…"
"Argh!" Dahlia was about to pounce on him when someone suddenly emerged from the forest.
They all surrounded him immediately they laid eyes on him, with Dahlia and Akaman in front.
Dahlia was furious.
"Where were you? How could you sneak off without telling anyone? What are you so dirty?"
Atlas scratched his head nervously with one hand, while the other hand was suspiciously hidden behind him.
"Sorry? I guess I lost track of time, I was actually working on this."
Atlas revealed what he had been hiding.it was a spear, but unlike that they had been using, this one had a crystal embedded at its tip.
'A stone spear…"
Akaman's eyes brightened at the sight of it.
"Tell me you made one for me!"
But Dahlia shook her head before placing her face in her palms.
"We are never beating the caveman allegations!"
.
.
.
[A/N]
I want to say a big thank you for all of you who have read this far!
So far Atlas and the crew been simply advancing and trying to settle down, but I know a lot of you are oat the edge of you seats waiting for some action.
Don't worry, it's coming soon!