NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51: Daily Life Skills
The early morning light filtered through the forest canopy, casting a soft glow over the clearing where Caelum and Aurelia had made their home. The world around them was still dangerous, but after weeks of surviving together, they had learned how to find moments of peace. Their small burrow beneath the glowing tree had become more than just a shelter—it was their sanctuary.
Caelum stretched his small body as he crawled out of the burrow, feeling the cool air against his form. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant chirps of insects. A soft breeze swept through, carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh greenery. It was a calm morning, the kind where he could almost forget about the lurking dangers.
Aurelia soon followed, her movements more precise and careful. Her bright eyes scanned the clearing, always alert but with a noticeable ease to her posture. She had grown, just as he had, and together they had made this place feel a little more like home.
“Today’s a good day to gather some more supplies,” Aurelia said through their telepathic link, her antennae twitching as she inspected the forest around them.
“Agreed,” Caelum replied, feeling a growing sense of responsibility. “We’ve made a lot of progress, but we could definitely improve things around here.”
Their burrow, though comfortable, still needed work. It was safe and functional, but both of them knew that it could be more than just a place to sleep. They could make it feel like a true home—a place that reflected their shared survival and growth.
Caelum decided to start by gathering resources. Over the past few days, he’d noticed that certain types of leaves provided better shelter and comfort than others. He set off toward a patch of trees nearby, his senses keen as he scanned the undergrowth for usable materials.
As he crawled through the forest floor, something clicked within him. His movements became more purposeful, his eyes sharper. He could now identify which leaves were sturdier for bedding and which plants contained more moisture, perfect for storing or even hydrating during dry spells. His mandibles easily clipped through the stems, his focus narrowed as he collected the best of what the forest offered.
Skill Gained: Gathering Lv. 1
Description: The user has learned to gather resources more efficiently from their surroundings. Identifying the best materials for shelter, food, and survival is now much easier.
Caelum paused for a moment, smiling as the notification appeared. He hadn’t even realized it, but in his efforts to make their burrow better, he’d gained a skill that helped him do just that. His instincts were sharper, and his ability to recognize useful materials had grown significantly.
He returned to the burrow with his haul of leaves, branches, and small critters for food, his pride swelling at the neat stack he had gathered.
“Wow, you’ve been busy,” Aurelia said, admiring the pile Caelum had brought back. She then turned her attention to the burrow’s structure, inspecting the entrance they had reinforced earlier. “I think I can improve the entrance a little more, make it sturdier.”
Caelum watched as Aurelia carefully picked up small stones and sticks, weaving them into the entrance to create a more solid barrier. Her movements were precise and focused, and Caelum could see how she had developed a knack for maintaining their little home.
She worked quietly, adjusting the walls with natural debris, making sure no predators could easily slip inside while they slept. As she continued, something similar to what Caelum had felt earlier seemed to happen to her. Her body moved with a growing sense of confidence, and she quickly found better methods to reinforce their burrow.
Skill Gained: Nest Maintenance Lv. 1
Description: The user has learned to maintain and improve their shelter, ensuring safety and comfort. This skill increases the ability to fortify and care for one’s home.
Aurelia blinked at the notification, a small smile appearing as she inspected her work. “I guess I’m getting the hang of this too,” she said, proud of the reinforced entrance she had built.
Caelum crawled over and inspected the improvements, nodding with approval. The entrance was more solid than before, providing extra security against any wandering predators that might try to sneak in. The small sticks and stones Aurelia had used created a natural barrier that blended into the forest floor, almost camouflaged.
“You’ve definitely got a talent for this,” Caelum said with a grin. “I feel safer already.”
Aurelia chuckled. “It’s all about paying attention to the small details. I wouldn’t want anything sneaking up on us while we’re resting.”
With the shelter secured and a fresh pile of leaves and food, they both took a moment to relax. The sense of achievement wasn’t just from the battles they had fought or the levels they had gained—it came from these simple moments of survival, of crafting something from nothing.
Their day continued with more gathering, reinforcing, and eating. Caelum found himself moving through the forest with more ease, his Gathering skill making it clear which plants and critters would provide the most nourishment. Each day in this world was dangerous, but these moments of peace—these small victories—made it all feel worthwhile.
As the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, casting a warm glow over the clearing, Caelum and Aurelia returned to their burrow, now safer and more comfortable than ever before. The improvements they had made gave them both a sense of pride, and as they settled in for the night, they couldn’t help but feel like they were starting to truly live in this world, not just survive.
“We’ve come a long way,” Caelum said softly, his voice full of quiet contentment.
“And we’ve got a long way to go,” Aurelia replied, her eyes gleaming in the dim light of the glowing tree.
But for now, they were safe. Their small home, made with their own hands—or rather, mandibles—felt like a place where they could rest, recover, and grow stronger.