Chapter 4
One week had passed since Usato's transmigration into this new world. He had spent most of his days exploring the vast jungle, marveling at the incredible sights and sounds that surrounded him. The jungle was teeming with life, and Usato had encountered creatures that defied explanation.
As he trekked through the underbrush, Usato spotted a rabbit-like creature with eyes that glowed like embers. The creature was massive, easily the size of a small deer, and its fur seemed to ripple with an otherworldly energy. Usato's eyes widened as the creature unleashed a blast of flame from its mouth, singeing the surrounding foliage.
Without hesitation, Usato took off after the creature, his heart racing with excitement. The rabbit-like creature led him on a wild chase, darting through the trees with incredible agility. Usato struggled to keep up, his legs pumping furiously as he bounded through the underbrush.
As they ran, the creature unleashed a barrage of elemental attacks, summoning gusts of wind and geysers of water to impede Usato's pursuit. But Usato refused to give up, his determination driving him forward.
Finally, after hours of chasing the creature, Usato stumbled into a clearing and found himself facing an abandoned settlement. The buildings were crumbling, overgrown with vines and moss, and the air was thick with the scent of decay.
Usato's eyes scanned the settlement, taking in the scattered remnants of daily life. There were jars and pots, rusted tools and discarded clothing. It looked as though the inhabitants had fled in a hurry, leaving behind everything they couldn't carry.
As he explored the settlement, Usato stumbled upon a rusted knife, partially buried in the dirt. He picked it up, excitement coursing through his veins. But as he examined the knife more closely, his enthusiasm faltered. The blade was corroded, the metal flaking off in rusted shards.
Usato's face fell, disappointment etched on his features. He had been hoping to find something useful, something that would help him survive in this unforgiving world.
SKY's voice echoed in his mind, "Host, I can try to devour the knife and repair it. According to my system, I can devour anything with a physical body, whether living or non-living."
Usato's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? You can do that?"
SKY replied, "Yes, Host. However, please note that this ability has limitations. I can only devour objects with a physical body. If we encounter an element without a physical body, I won't be able to devour it."
Usato's face fell, his enthusiasm tempered by the realization of SKY's limitations. But SKY sensed his host's disappointment and offered words of reassurance.
"Host, don't be discouraged. As I devour objects and upgrade my system, there's a possibility that my abilities will evolve to meet your needs. We just need to keep exploring and finding new ways to improve."
Usato's spirits lifted, his expectations soaring. He instructed SKY to devour the rusted knife and other metal objects, hoping to craft a new weapon.
SKY set to work, devouring the metal objects and breaking them down into their constituent parts. But as it turned out, there wasn't enough metal to craft a sword or a spear. SKY could only manage to create two daggers, their blades sharp and deadly.
Usato's face fell, his excitement tempered by the realization of SKY's limitations. But he refused to be discouraged, practicing with the daggers for hours until he felt comfortable with their weight and balance.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the settlement, Usato decided to explore the surrounding area. He scavenged what he could from the settlement, gathering jars and pots, rusted tools and discarded clothing.
But as he searched, Usato couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The settlement seemed abandoned, but there was a sense of urgency to the inhabitants' departure. It was as though they had fled in fear of something, leaving behind everything they couldn't carry.
Usato's instincts screamed at him to be cautious, to find a safe place to settle for the night. He decided to find a spot outside the settlement, somewhere he could keep watch and defend himself if necessary.
As he settled in for the night, his back against a tree and his daggers at the ready, Usato couldn't help but wonder what dangers lurked in the darkness. The jungle was full of mysteries, and Usato was determined to uncover them, one step at a time.
The flickering firelight danced on Usato's face as he sat with his back against the rough bark of a massive tree. The image of the ancient treant's grateful gaze still lingered in his mind, a strange and unsettling encounter quickly overshadowed by his panicked flight. He clutched the newly crafted daggers, their sharp edges a small comfort in the vast, unknown wilderness. The jungle held both wonders and unseen sentience, a fact that both intrigued and terrified him. He knew he couldn't dwell on his fear forever; survival demanded adaptation. As the first rays of dawn began to paint the eastern sky, casting long shadows through the trees, Usato rose, a newfound determination hardening his gaze. He needed to find a safer place, learn more about this world, and perhaps, one day, understand the silent plea he thought he heard.