Chapter 13: A Worthy Harvest
The journey back to the village felt completely different from the day before.
Yesterday, the hunters had returned empty-handed. Their shoulders were heavy, and no one had spoken a single word. Today, a large deer rested on two wooden poles carried by four hunters. Although it was only one animal, smiles could be seen on almost every face.
"It worked."
"I still can’t believe it."
"We actually caught it together."
The younger hunters couldn’t stop talking. Even the older hunters, who rarely showed emotion, wore faint smiles.
Chief Rokan quietly walked beside Aren. For a while, neither of them spoke. Finally, the old chief broke the silence. "When I was your age, my father taught me that a hunter survives because of his spear." He glanced at Aren. "But today, you showed me that a hunter also survives because of his mind."
Aren smiled awkwardly. "I only remembered something."
Chief Rokan raised an eyebrow. "Remembered?"
Aren quickly caught himself. "I mean... I remembered an idea."
The old chief laughed softly. "I don’t know where those ideas come from. But our village is fortunate to have you."
Aren didn’t answer. Instead, he looked toward the endless forest. Those ideas weren’t his imagination. Each one felt like a forgotten memory waiting to return.
---
When the hunters entered the village, everyone immediately stopped what they were doing.
"The hunters are back!"
Children ran toward the gate. Women looked up from cleaning hides. Even the elders slowly stood from beneath the large oak tree. The moment they saw the deer, cheers erupted throughout the village.
"They caught one!"
"A full-grown deer!"
"We’ll have meat tonight!"
The excitement quickly spread. Several children gathered around the hunters with sparkling eyes. One little girl carefully touched the deer’s fur. "I’ve never seen one this big."
An elderly woman covered her mouth. "This should feed everyone for several days."
The hunters proudly laid the deer in the center of the village. For the first time in many days, hope filled the air.
---
As everyone celebrated, one person remained quietly observing. An old woman with silver hair slowly approached Aren, carrying a basket filled with dried herbs. Her back was slightly bent with age, but her eyes remained sharp.
"You are Aren."
He nodded politely. "Yes."
"I heard what you did."
"I only helped."
The old woman smiled. "People who truly help others rarely speak proudly about it."
Chief Rokan walked over. "Aren, this is Elder Mira. Our healer."
Elder Mira studied Aren for a few moments. "There is something different about you."
Aren forced a smile. "I’m not sure what you mean."
She chuckled. "Neither am I. But ever since you woke up, the village has begun to change." She looked toward the busy villagers. "They smile more. They work together. They have hope." She turned back to Aren. "Don’t lose that."
Before Aren could reply, she slowly walked away. Her words lingered in his mind.
---
That evening, the entire village gathered around the central fire. The successful hunt became a reason to celebrate. Large pieces of venison roasted above the flames. Children laughed while chasing one another around the open square. Musicians struck hollow logs with carved sticks, creating a slow rhythm that echoed through the night.
Aren quietly watched everything. This was the first time he had seen the villagers smile without fear.
Chief Rokan sat beside him. "In our village, we celebrate every successful hunt." He handed Aren a wooden bowl filled with warm meat stew. "You should eat."
Aren accepted it with both hands. "Thank you."
The soup was simple — just meat, herbs, and clean water. Yet it tasted better than anything he could remember. Maybe because everyone around him was smiling.
---
Suddenly, the familiar blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[Civilization System Activated]
A new panel slowly unfolded.
```text
══════════════════════
Resource Management
Food:
13 Days
Fresh Meat:
+68 kg
Dried Meat:
Low
Water:
Stable
Firewood:
Moderate
Medicine:
Limited
Village Satisfaction:
68%
Recommendation:
Build a Smokehouse.
Expected Benefits:
• Food lasts longer.
• Less waste.
• Better preparation for winter.
══════════════════════
```
Aren’s eyes stopped on one line. Build a Smokehouse.
He had no idea what a smokehouse looked like. But almost immediately, another wave of memories flooded his mind — wooden beams, clay walls, a small fire beneath hanging strips of meat, smoke rising slowly through a narrow opening. The images disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
[Memory Synchronization: 13%]
Recovered Knowledge: Meat Preservation
Aren slowly opened his eyes. "So that’s the next step..."
The village had learned how to hunt together. Now it needed to learn how to prepare for tomorrow.
Far beyond the village walls, hidden within the darkness of the forest, the mysterious figure watched the celebration from a distant hill.
"...They’re changing faster than expected."
The stranger quietly turned away. Without making a sound, the figure disappeared into the ancient forest once more.
End of Chapter 13