“System, open the Basic Farming Tool Kit,” I said in my mind.
[ Ding~ Basic Farming Tool Kit opened.
]
A soft sound rang in my consciousness, followed by a non-physical, item-bar-like interface unfolding in my mind.
A few items were displayed inside, accompanied by short text descriptions:
-Mountain-Cleaving Yue (Will-Summon Version·Newbie Gift Pack Special): x1.
-Description: A primitive-style short-handled bronze Yue, with simple fertility patterns inscribed on the blade.
It appears heavy, but when the Host summons and uses it, it will automatically adapt into a “Guidance Form” that can be easily swung with current Strength.
Mainly used for clearing small shrubs and weeds, chopping dry branches, or simple land leveling.
Not combat-specialized, please do not use in high-risk situations.
-Stone Sickle (Will-Summon Version·Newbie Gift Pack Special): x1.
-Description: A half-moon-shaped stone sickle, polished smooth and tied with tough plant fiber rope as a handle.
Extremely sharp, suitable for harvesting grains and the stems of herbaceous plants.
Use with caution to avoid cuts.
-Bone/Stone Combination Tool Set: x1 set (Contains: Small Stone Knife for skinning/cutting x1, Bone Awl for drilling x1, Simple Bone Needles x2, Polishing Stone Flake x1).
-Description: Basic processing tools crafted by polishing animal bones and hard stone flakes.
Can be used for processing prey, making simple items, processing plant fibers, etc.
-Burlap Pouch (with rope): x2.
-Description: Small pouches woven from coarse but sturdy plant fibers, equipped with hemp rope for tying the mouth or hanging.
Can be used to hold seeds, small harvests, tools, etc.
-Bamboo Canteen: x1.
-Description: A canteen made from a thick section of bamboo, equipped with a wooden stopper. Get faster updates on g.com.
Capacity is about 1.5 liters.
Clean and durable.
“The tools are actually quite complete…” I looked at the list in my mind, and especially that Bone/Stone Combination Tool Set, which made me feel much more secure.
At least there was a suitable knife for processing fish.
However, that “Mountain-Cleaving Yue” and “Stone Sickle”…
wasn’t the style a bit too “primitive”?
This is way too basic, so stingy.
“Summon, Small Stone Knife from the Bone/Stone Combination Tool Set,” I thought.
A faint light flashed in my palm, and a greyish-black stone knife, about a hand-span long with a fairly sharp polished edge, appeared out of thin air.
The handle was wrapped in some kind of flexible fiber; the grip was actually quite good, more comfortable to hold than I had imagined.
With the tool in hand, the next step was to prepare the materials.
I walked to the bushes by the river, searched carefully, and soon found a relatively straight, suitably thick, and more than half an arm’s length hard shrub branch.
I picked it up, weighed it in my hand, and tried bending it; its toughness was sufficient.
“I’ll use you.” I returned to the fire with the branch and the stone knife.
First, I’d process the fish.
I walked to the edge of the puddle, spotted a silverskin fish, and, with swift eyes and a quick hand (thanks to my body’s excellent reaction speed), I reached out and scooped it up.
The fish struggled violently in my hands, incredibly slippery.
“Forgive me, for the sake of survival…” I murmured, steadying my resolve.
Though I felt a twinge of reluctance, hunger and reason prevailed.
I found a flat stone slab to use as a “cutting board” and pressed the fish down on top of it.
I used the Small Stone Knife to swiftly cut a slit below the fish’s gills to bleed it (trying to let the blood flow into the river), then inserted the knife near the vent and carefully sliced upward along the midline of the belly.
My movements were a bit clumsy at first, but this body seemed to have some innate coordination for “processing” tasks, with a steady wrist and precise control of force. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Soon, the fish’s internal organs were completely removed (carefully avoiding the gallbladder), and the gills were also scraped out.
I threw the organs into the river (considering it a return to the natural cycle?), then repeatedly rinsed the fish’s belly and body surface clean in the flowing river water, scraping the black mucus from the inner wall until it was completely gone.
The processed fish meat appeared translucent white, and the flesh looked firm and tender.
Next, I processed the branch.
I used the stone knife to sharpen one end of the branch and tested its hardness; it was enough to pierce through the fish’s body.
I then used the back of the knife to scrape off the bark (to avoid any strange smell when burning), and a simple grilled fish skewer was completed.
I threaded the cleaned fish from its mouth, along the spine, and out near the tail, securing it on the skewer.
After a moment’s thought, I went and picked a few large, fragrant leaves similar to cattails (the System scan indicated they were non-toxic and had a mild deodorizing effect), washed the leaves, tore them into strips, and simply wrapped them around the fish’s body a few times.
This would both serve as seasoning and prevent the fish skin from scorching too quickly during roasting.
All preparations were complete.
I propped the wooden skewer with the fish over the stone hearth I had built, adjusting the height so that the dancing flames just licked the body of the fish.
Soon, under the roasting flames, the fish meat began to change color and made fine “sizzling” sounds.
The fat was forced out, dripping into the fire, sparking even stronger flames and an inviting aroma.
The scent, a mixture of the charred fragrance of fish protein and the fresh air of plants, spread and made my empty stomach cry out in anticipation once again.
I carefully rotated the wooden skewer to let the fish meat heat evenly.
My ice-blue eyes gazed intently at the fish’s body gradually becoming golden-brown and crispy in the flames, my cheeks flushed red by the firelight.
On this first day in this strange world, on this tranquil riverbank, relying on my own hands (and abilities), I was finally about to eat a mouthful of hot food.
This process, though primitive, was filled with a solid sense of accomplishment.
“I wonder how it tastes…” I swallowed hard, patiently waiting for the moment the grilled fish would be completely cooked through.