Grumble…
A loud, untimely stomach growl shattered the valley’s tranquility, snatching me away from my deep focus on studying my new powers and planning my pastoral life.
A distinct sense of emptiness in my stomach reminded me of a very real, temporarily ignored problem—I was hungry.
I need to find something to eat.
The moment the thought surfaced, the hunger seemed to intensify.
I subconsciously raised a hand to my forehead, my ice-blue eyes scanning the surroundings.
Lush green mountains, clear flowing water, birds singing, and fragrant flowers—the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, but…
where was anything I could actually eat?
Among the plants I’d just recorded, there was “Buckflower,” but it was listed as medicinal, not edible.
Jade-Needle Rice was a cereal grain, but the few stalks I’d found wouldn’t even fill a small bowl.
Besides, without tools, how would I husk them?
Eating the raw grains probably wouldn’t taste good, and I might not even be able to digest them.
Animals?
Never mind whether I had the skill or tools to hunt them.
Was I supposed to swat them with my dragon tail?
The mental image was too much to bear.
“Am I really going to have to survive on the cold wind?
Sigh…” I sighed and rubbed my protesting stomach, pinning my hopes on that all-powerful (?) entity.
“System, I’m hungry.
Is there anything here that’s safe to eat?
Or…
are there any foods for sale in the Shop?”
[ Scanning environment…
Combining with recorded data.
] The System’s response was always so timely and calm.
[ It is suggested that the Host focus on the following edible resources: ]
[ 1.
Riverside Jade-Needle Rice (immature grains): Currently in the late milk-filling stage, and starch has already initially accumulated in the grains.
Eating a small amount raw can temporarily relieve the feeling of hunger, but the taste is raw and astringent, difficult to digest, and may result in a partial loss of spiritual power.
]
[ 2.
Edible tuberous plants ‘Earth Yam’ discovered at the edge of the downstream wetlands: Similar to sweet potatoes, rich in starch, can be eaten raw (sweet but slightly astringent) or eaten after roasting.
Approximately 300 meters from the current location.
]
[ 3.
There is a wild fruit shrubbery on the east-facing sunny slope: ‘Sourberries’ (rich in vitamins, sweet and sour, can be eaten raw, but too much may cause stomach acid) and ‘Crisp-Shell Nuts’ (need to crack the hard shell, kernels are rich in fats and proteins) have been identified.
Approximately 500 meters away.
]
[ 4.
Small fish (Silverskin Fish) and freshwater shrimp in the river: Can be caught.
Provide high-quality protein.
It is suggested that the Host try using the Water Essence Affinity Ability to guide or calm the local current to assist in capture.
]
[ 5.
System Shop: Currently available for purchase: ‘Marching Rations (Basic)’ (10 System Points/portion, provides basic daily calories for an adult, taste is average), ‘Clear Spring Waterskin’ (5 Points/each, comes with a one-time clear water filling).
Host’s current System Points: 50 (initial gift).
]
The System’s information was very comprehensive, even providing “ability usage suggestions” for catching fish and shrimp.
I looked at my own hands, and then at the Silverskin Fish swimming in the clear river water.
Using my abilities to catch fish?
It sounded quite mystical, but it seemed worth a try.
But before that…
My gaze first fell upon the nearest target: those few Jade-Needle Rice stalks.
Although the System suggested prioritizing planting, with my current hunger, I couldn’t afford to be so particular.
Besides, simply taking a small amount of the not-fully-matured grains shouldn’t affect saving seeds for later.
I walked to the Jade-Needle Rice stalk that I had “ripened” most thoroughly and carefully pinched off a few of the plumper grains with my fingers.
The grains felt slightly cool in my hand, their jade-white husks hard and smooth.
I hesitated for a moment, then placed them in my mouth and gently bit down. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
A soft crack sounded as the husks broke, revealing the slightly moist white endosperm inside.
I chewed them, and the taste…
was indeed very raw and astringent, a bit like raw rolled oats but harder, with a faint, indescribable vegetal freshness.
After swallowing, the hunger remained, the texture was poor, and I felt a bit thirsty after eating just a few grains.
“I still need to find some proper food.” I brushed the crumbs off my hands and decided to follow the System’s second suggestion: look for Earth Yams.
Walking downstream along the river, the System thoughtfully marked the direction with a pale gold arrow at the edge of my vision.
With the Environment Scan active, my perception of the surrounding life seemed to have sharpened, allowing me to vaguely sense which areas were more “vibrant.”
After walking for a few minutes, I arrived at a moist depression formed by a bend in the river.
Here, the soil was softer and muddier, and dense plants with broad leaves grew.
The System’s arrow stopped on an unremarkable vine with slightly heart-shaped leaves.
[ Target discovered: Earth Yam.
]
I squatted down and dug through the loose soil with my hands.
Soon, my fingers felt several tuberous roots.
I pulled one out with some force, shaking off the mud to reveal a rough, reddish-purple skin.
Its size and shape were indeed very similar to a small sweet potato.
“I…
should be able to eat this directly, right?” I picked up a smaller one, washed it slightly in the river nearby, and then took a cautious bite.
“Crunch!” It was much crispier than I expected!
The skin was very thin, the flesh inside was snow-white, and though not very juicy, it had a refreshing sweetness.
Although it did have that slight astringency unique to wild plants, enhanced by my hunger, it tasted exceptionally delicious!
I finished a small Earth Yam in a few bites, and my stomach finally felt a sense of fullness.
The taste was actually quite good.
“Great!” My spirits lifted, and I dug up a few more medium-sized Earth Yams, cradling them in the fold of my shirt.
After a moment’s thought, I followed the System’s prompt and walked toward the eastern hillside.
I picked a few bright red Sourberries that looked like little lanterns (they were indeed very sour, but quite invigorating), and also gathered a few Crisp-Shell Nuts that had fallen to the ground, their husks hard to crack (I didn’t have a tool to break them open, so I decided to save them for later).
Cradling these “spoils,” I went back to the riverbank and sat down beside a relatively dry, large rock.
Looking at the Earth Yam, wild fruit in my hands, and the fish and shrimp swimming in the river, I suddenly felt that surviving in this unfamiliar valley did not seem as hopeless as I had imagined.
“At least, I won’t starve to death for the time being.” I picked up an Earth Yam, took a satisfied big bite, and my ice-blue eyes gazed at the shimmering river surface as I seriously began to consider whether to check out the System Shop first or try to catch a fish to improve my diet using “Water Essence Affinity.”
The first step of survival could be considered as having been taken.