Reborn into a World Without Us

Alex Greid had managed to establish a routine in his new surroundings, though it came with its share of difficulties. The past month had tested him with numerous survival challenges, and the combination of solitude and physical exertion was starting to weigh heavily on him. The days felt interminable and draining, and adapting to this rugged life was proving to be far more demanding than he had ever imagined.

In his previous life, Alex was a night owl with a mostly sedentary lifestyle. He spent countless hours indulging in junk food and television, finding solace in the comfort of his home rather than engaging in physical activities. Being an introvert and a book lover, his interests revolved around reading and intellectual pursuits rather than physical exertion. This background made the shift to hunting and gathering in the wild exceptionally challenging, despite the modern knowledge he had been granted.

"Alright, Alex, time to get moving," he said to himself one morning, grimacing at the soreness in his muscles. "I need to find more food and stay prepared."

With renewed determination, Alex set out with his bow and arrows, which he had meticulously crafted from bamboo and stone. He also placed several traps along his path, hoping to improve his chances of finding food. The bow and arrows marked a significant upgrade from his previous methods, and the traps were designed to catch smaller game.

As he ventured through the dense forest, Alex marveled at the variety of fruits he encountered. He was in the Philippines, discovering a range of exotic fruits. Mangoes, for example, were packed with vitamin C and had a sweet, juicy taste. Bananas were rich in potassium, and jackfruits, though uncommon in many regions, were versatile and could be used in both savory and sweet dishes.

Alex also stumbled upon sweet potatoes and sago palms. Sweet potatoes quickly became a dietary staple due to their high nutritional value. The sago palm, particularly Metroxylon sagu, was a significant find. Native to Northern Mindanao, it had multiple uses, from roofing material to food, including ambuyat—a traditional dish made from sago.

After several successful hunts and a collection of useful plants, Alex shifted his focus to another critical task: finding metallic ores. Metals were essential for upgrading his tools and advancing his survival strategy. His careful search led him to a vein of iron ore.

"Alright, iron ore," Alex said with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "This could be a game-changer, but it's going to require a lot of effort."

Using his stone tools, Alex began the demanding process of extracting the ore. The stone tools, though somewhat effective, were cumbersome and inefficient for mining. Each swing of the stone pickaxe was a test of endurance, and the work was slow and exhausting. Sweat poured down his face as he labored under the scorching sun, but he knew the effort would be worth it.

After hours of hard work, Alex successfully extracted a significant amount of iron ore. Exhausted and covered in grime, he took a moment to rest and plan his next step: smelting the iron. This process required charcoal, which he had not yet produced. Creating charcoal was another challenging task, especially with his stone tools.

Lying on the ground, thoroughly worn out from the day's labor, Alex reflected on his progress. The food he had hunted was cooking over a fire he had managed to start with a bow drill. The meal tasted a bit bitter due to the impurities in the salt he had extracted from seawater.

"The salt's still not perfect," Alex said, grimacing at the taste. "But it'll do."

By following the river to a beach, he had collected saltwater. Boiling it down to extract salt was a tedious process. Historically, people used methods like solar evaporation or evaporation ponds to harvest salt. Solar evaporation relies on the sun's heat to evaporate the water, leaving salt crystals behind, but it's a slow process dependent on weather. Evaporation ponds are shallow pools where seawater is left to evaporate, concentrating the salt. Impurities in salt, such as minerals and dirt, can lead to health issues if consumed in large quantities, making purification essential.

The following day, Alex focused on building a Charcoal pile for smelting iron. I start by constructing a charcoal pile. It only takes 7-8 hours at most. 

Alex knew that making charcoal would be a crucial step in his metalworking endeavors. Charcoal was produced by heating wood in the absence of oxygen, a process known as pyrolysis. This process removes moisture and volatile compounds from the wood, leaving behind a carbon-rich material that burns hotter and more steadily than raw wood. He had learned that charcoal was essential for smelting because it provided the necessary carbon to reduce iron ore into molten iron.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia: the use of charcoal for smelting dates back thousands of years. In ancient civilizations, charcoal was a primary fuel for metalworking, and its production was a sophisticated process. Early methods included building earth-covered pits or mounds of wood, which were then set alight. The smoldering wood would produce charcoal over several days. Charcoal's high carbon content and low ash production made it ideal for producing high temperatures necessary for smelting metals. The process also resulted in a cleaner, more efficient burn compared to raw wood, which was crucial for creating high-quality metal.

The following day, Alex focused on building a furnace for smelting the iron ore. Constructing a functional furnace was crucial for turning raw iron ore into usable metal. He opted for a simple clay furnace, gathering clay, stones, and insulation materials. He shaped the furnace into a cylindrical form, with an open top for feeding in the ore and charcoal, and a base designed to ensure proper airflow.

Traditional furnaces were often built from clay, stones, or bricks, with clay being particularly beneficial due to its ease of shaping and insulating properties. The efficiency of a furnace is greatly influenced by its design; a well-constructed furnace can sustain higher temperatures and improve the quality of the smelted metal.

With the furnace completed, Alex prepared for the smelting process. He placed the iron ore in a bamboo basket and set up the furnace. The smelting procedure involved layering the iron ore with charcoal inside the furnace. Charcoal provided the necessary carbon to reduce the iron ore to molten iron, while flux materials, such as limestone, helped remove impurities.

Alex carefully arranged the layers of iron ore and charcoal in the furnace. The charcoal provided the carbon needed for ore reduction, and the flux assisted in removing impurities. He then lit the furnace and maintained a high temperature, around 1,200°C (2,200°F), to ensure the iron ore melted and separated from the slag. Throughout the smelting process, Alex monitored the furnace to keep it at the correct temperature and ensure proper airflow. after making the iron bar for my new iron tools. I finish my day with this.

As the day progressed, Alex continued his routine of hunting for food and gathering resources. Returning to his makeshift home, he was exhausted but optimistic. The furnace was ready, and the smithing process for new tools was one step closer to completion. He cooked a simple meal from his gathered food and went to sleep, hopeful about the advancements he could achieve after getting his new iron tools tomorrow.

"Tomorrow will be another busy day," Alex thought as he drifted off. "I'm getting closer to making those tools."

With each challenge he overcame, Alex became more adept at surviving in his new world. The days were long, the nights were cold, and the tasks were demanding, but Alex Greid was determined to master the art of survival and make progress in his tough, new environment.