Too focused on their own survival, the two companions hadn't noticed that, for several hours, a creature had been following them with exceptional intelligence. The creature, cautious and methodical, advanced at a distance, observing their every movement with almost human attention.
Aaron studied the Zone Expansion card for a few moments. Using it would increase his cultivable area, and selling it could fetch a valuable item. He hesitated for about ten minutes, chewing on a piece of rubbery meat and glancing around, as if afraid something might emerge from the shadows. The problem was that, as a farmer, his land was a critical resource. If he wanted to farm and expand in the future, a card like this was essential, and who knew when he'd get another chance. He finally activated the card: the walls pushed outward, leaving just a single entrance. Earth and lush grass replaced the surrounding rocks. His area now measured 10 m² by 20 m², and the air smelled of fresh grass and damp soil, bringing a reassuring sense of calm.
Aaron had always been a fan of survival and self-sufficiency shows, even if it had never helped him in the real world. He ate his last cooked mushroom and began to think. Mycelium consumes decaying wood, and he currently had a decomposing log, which could prove useful. Sunlight pierced through the trees, casting shifting patterns on the ground, making the place almost magical.
Aaron opened the crafting system and decided to make a shovel. He dug a small plot near one of the walls. Using his flint knife, he made several notches in the log and rubbed the remaining mushrooms to introduce spores.
Patch, sitting beside him, watched with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.
Patch: Wait, you're wasting precious rations there!Aaron: Patch, relax. If it works, we'll have fresh mushrooms nearby…Patch: I really don't get what you're doing, but as long as you feed me, I guess it's fine.
Aaron continued, placing the log in the hole. He covered it with moss to maintain moisture and decomposition, then poured a generous amount of water over it. With luck, it should start producing in a few weeks. It wasn't ideal, but with the materials he had, he had no other option. He looked at Patch, satisfied.
Aaron: And… done! That's better than—
His voice cut off. Something was at the entrance of the base, hiding awkwardly. Only a slightly curved black horn was visible.
Patch: Uh… is that… a monster?
[Analysis in progress…]
Creature: Horned BeetleEstimated Level: 3Special Traits: Powerful horn used for lifting and pushing, shell highly resistant to direct impact, excellent mobility on rough terrain, sensitive to paw manipulation and sudden approach.Status: Severely injured and hungry.
Aaron: A h-h-horned… beetle?!
Aaron's eyes lit up. He had always had a fascination with insects like this, and seeing one as massive as a rhinoceros was impressive. He grabbed his Capture card and cautiously approached the partially hidden insect, holding some mushrooms in his other hand.
Patch: Uh… Aaron, it's not that I don't trust you, but do you really think a few pathetic mushrooms will be enough?Aaron: Trust me, I've got a good feeling about this…
Aaron took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly with excitement. The horned beetle fixed its tiny black eyes on the food, its antennae twitching with every movement. Then the young man tossed the mushrooms behind the beetle. The insect lunged toward the food like a glutton, and Aaron seized the opportunity to touch it and activate the Capture card. The beetle paused, as if judging what was happening.
[Capture Card Activation…] Progress: 35%
The horned beetle made a sudden sidestep, its black horn brushing Aaron's hand. It seemed to want to flee, but the luminous aura of the card still held it.
[Capture in progress…] Progress: 50%
Aaron's stomach knotted. The beetle, though weakened, was still powerful and fast. A quick roll to the side let him dodge another horn strike. After ten minutes of dodging attacks, the beetle collapsed, panting, clearly in pain.
[Capture in progress…] Progress: 85%
Soon, Aaron's fear turned to pity. He circled the insect and knelt beside it. Sunlight gently illuminated its shell, highlighting its dark color and metallic sheen.
Aaron: Hey… I don't mean you any harm… Things will be better soon.
He took out a Healing card and placed it over a gaping wound. The creature's eyes widened, its whole body now bathed in a soft green light.
[Capture Successful…]
The horned beetle remained still, its antennae twitching in response to the green glow. Its black eyes stared as if it understood Aaron was there to help. Then, with a gentle click of its horn against the ground, it expressed its first silent approval.
Patch approached cautiously, wary. Aaron stroked the insect, which now seemed docile.
Patch: A new mouth to feed, and not a small one at that… Well, I hope this "thing" will be useful.Aaron: I'm sure Patapouf will be very helpful, whether for gathering materials or defense.
Patapouf clicked happily, clearly enjoying his new name. The wind rustled his antennae, and the faint scent of moss and moisture hung in the air.
Aaron stepped back a few paces, a mischievous smile on his face, placing a firm hand on Patapouf's back.
Aaron: Alright… let's test your first real job!
Without hesitation, he climbed onto the horned beetle's back, which lowered slightly under his weight, as if welcoming its new rider. Patapouf shook its antennae, ready to move.
Patch: Wait… you're… really going to ride that thing?!Aaron: Of course! And you're coming too. Go on, hop up, you'll see—it's pretty comfortable.
Patch hesitated a moment, then, nudged by his trainer, finally accepted.
Patch: It's… not bad?
As Patapouf moved, the giant insects scattered in fear. Aaron concluded that the beetle was well-placed in the food chain. He felt a certain peace riding on the giant. With it, they could explore farther safely. Unfortunately, the giant was not easy to command: its love of mushrooms made it stop repeatedly, and it rubbed its body against surrounding moss as if savoring the smell and texture.
Aaron: Easy there, big guy… leave some for us too!
Patapouf growled in displeasure and lay down.
Patch: What a touchy beast… I told you it was a bad idea! But as usual, no one listens to the rat.Aaron: It's just a matter of time… Well, while Patapouf naps, I'll do some mining. You, Patch, gather mushrooms and moss around.
Aaron grabbed his pickaxe and began mining where the stones looked slightly different. Bingo! Copper, which would let him craft much better tools. After an hour, he had only five pieces of copper but an abundance of stone. The echo of his strikes rang through the base, mingling with the smell of mineral dust and damp earth.
[System Alert! Someone is approaching your base dangerously.]
Again! thought Aaron. He sighed, wondering who it could be. He put away his cards and went to join his teammates.
Aaron: Good news, we've got another intruder at the base…Patch: It'd be nice to have a real defense system one of these days… Well, better not wait, teleportation I suppose?
[You have received a message. Do you want to read it?]
Max: Aaron, I'm at your base. Remember, we said we'd meet tomorrow.Aaron: Ah great, it's just you… Sorry, I totally forgot…Max: No problem. Did you see the suggestion from that arrogant guy?Aaron: I'm not really following the group chat… Are you talking about Spark?Max: Exactly. He supposedly found a Level 1 dungeon. I'm waiting at your base to discuss it. Hurry up.
[You have left the chat]
Patch: So Aaron??? What are you waiting for? Tell me, who was it?Aaron: Nothing serious, it's Max. We're heading to the base, I'll explain later.
A dungeon… So there were dungeons here too? What kind of place could it be? He had almost died facing a single isopod… Facing a boss seemed nearly impossible. But hiding like a rat wouldn't help, and it was time to make allies.
He took a deep breath and clicked Teleportation, touching both of his companions.