Reborn into a World Without Us

One year had passed since Alex Greid first set foot in this new world, and the transformation of his life was nothing short of remarkable. The once untamed land, filled with dense forest and untapped potential, had been reshaped by his hard work and innovative spirit. His daily routine now revolved around agriculture and hunting. The farm he had created was thriving, and rice farming had become a cornerstone of his efforts. And the meat is abundant.

Rice, specifically the ancient variety *Oryza sativa*, had become a staple in his diet. This variety, smaller and less uniform compared to the modern rice he had known, provided a steady food source. It yielded less produce, but it was the best he could manage given the circumstances. Wheat, a crop native to the Near East, was not present in this world, leaving Alex without a familiar staple. Instead, he had to rely on the resources at hand, and this ancient strain of rice became central to his diet.

The agricultural work was demanding and required significant adaptation. Alex had successfully domesticated the Philippine carabao, a native breed of water buffalo. This resilient animal proved invaluable during the dry season from November to April, helping with plowing and field management. However, the wet season presented its own set of challenges. Without the carabao to assist him, Alex had to manage land preparation manually, which involved clearing tree stumps and preparing the fields by hand.

The physical labor involved was immense. Alex, an introvert with little physical exercise in his previous life, found himself struggling with the demands of his new environment. Bending his back under the scorching sun, with wet feet from the muddy fields, he planted and weeded the rice paddies. Removing large tree stumps was particularly arduous. While he could burn smaller stumps, the larger ones required manual extraction. It took him days of grueling effort to remove just two large stumps, and the process was both physically exhausting and time-consuming. Burning the smaller stumps demanded careful management to prevent forest fires.

Despite the relentless effort, Alex's work began to bear fruit. The rice fields flourished, and the challenges of stump removal and land preparation became less frequent. With the end of the dry season came an opportunity for further innovation. Alex turned his attention to upgrading his tools from iron to steel.

Steel, being stronger and more durable than iron, allowed Alex to create tools that were not only more effective but also lighter and more efficient. Iron tools needed to be thicker to prevent breakage, resulting in heavier implements. In contrast, steel tools could be made thinner while still performing well due to their superior strength. This transition was a game-changer; steel tools made his work easier and more efficient, a significant improvement over the iron ones.

In addition to upgrading his tools, Alex focused on improving his living conditions. He constructed a hybrid house using both wood and concrete. This new home was more robust and weather-resistant, offering greater protection against the elements. Although it lacked modern amenities such as electric lighting, the improvements made his living conditions far more comfortable and secure.

With his home and tools in better shape, Alex embarked on a new project: building a steam engine. The tropical climate had made mining a challenging task, with high rainfall causing water seepage into the mines. This issue forced Alex to find an alternative source of iron ore, as the water problems hampered his mining efforts. A steam engine could address these issues by pumping water out of the mines and aiding in irrigation.

Armed with iron and charcoal, Alex set about constructing the steam engine. The process was intricate and time-consuming, taking nearly a month to complete. The engine's design was relatively simple due to his limited resources and the absence of advanced metals for alloying steel. More complex designs required different steel alloys that were beyond his reach.

As Alex worked, he muttered to himself, "If this steam engine works, it'll make a huge difference. I've got to make do with what I have, but it'll solve the water problems and make irrigation so much easier."

Finally, the steam engine was complete. Alex was eager to test it, using the leftover charcoal to heat the boiler and filling it with water. The engine, standing about 1 to 2 meters tall, roared to life with a cacophony of noise despite his efforts to lubricate all the moving parts. The pistons and gears moved rhythmically, and Alex held a leather hose, directing water from the river to his fields. The test was a success, and he felt a surge of elation as the engine performed its task effectively.

To celebrate his success, Alex decided to roast a pig he had found and domesticated. As the aroma of roasting meat filled the air, he sat back and savored the moment. "If only I had found other people," he sighed, the loneliness of his situation momentarily overshadowing his triumph. "But for now, this will do."

After the celebration, Alex's thoughts turned to more practical matters. The clothes he had worn when he first arrived were beginning to degrade, a consequence of the relentless tropical climate. The constant exposure to moisture and sunlight had taken its toll, and his long pants were particularly worn out. "Looks like I need a new wardrobe," he said, examining the frayed fabric. "Good thing I found abaca."

Abaca, a plant native to the Philippines, had proven to be an excellent source of fiber for making new clothes. Alex had already started weaving the tough, durable fibers into fabric to replace his old garments. The process was time-consuming, but the results were worth it. "Abaca is strong and resistant to the elements," he noted as he worked. "Perfect for this environment."

The next day, Alex planned to start making abaca cloth for himself. The process of creating fabric from abaca would be labor-intensive, but it was a necessary step to ensure he had durable clothing for the future. As he prepared for this new task, he reflected on the progress he had made and the challenges he had overcome.

"I've come a long way from those early days," Alex mused. "From battling with stumps and weeds to building a steam engine. It's been a tough year, but seeing the results of my hard work makes it all worth it."

With his mind focused on the task ahead, Alex went to bed with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. He was eager to see how the steam engine would continue to improve his farming and mining efforts and looked forward to the benefits of using abaca for his clothing.

"Tomorrow's another busy day," Alex thought as he drifted off to sleep. "I've got the steam engine to look forward to, and starting on the abaca cloth will be another step toward making my life more comfortable."

The night was peaceful, with the soft sounds of the jungle surrounding his home. Alex's thoughts turned to the future and the potential for further advancements. The steam engine was a significant achievement, and he hoped it would help him tackle the remaining challenges of his new world with greater ease.

As he lay in bed, Alex felt a deep sense of satisfaction. His journey had been arduous, but he had managed to overcome numerous obstacles and make substantial progress. The steam engine was just one of many innovations he hoped to achieve as he continued to adapt and thrive in his unique environment.

In the quiet of the night, Alex Greid's mind was filled with plans and possibilities. He had come a long way from the early days of struggling with basic survival. With each challenge he overcame, he grew more adept at navigating his new world. The steam engine represented a significant step forward, and with it, he hoped to continue pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve.

As he drifted into a restful sleep, Alex felt a deep sense of accomplishment and anticipation. The future held endless possibilities, and he was determined to continue advancing and mastering the challenges of his new world. His journey was far from over, but with each step forward, he moved closer to realizing his dreams and thriving in the unique environment he now called home.