Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game-Chapter 35: Berries and Clay

Caelen woke to soft breathing beside him. Zira was still asleep, her head on his shoulder.

He stayed still for a moment, watching the quiet rise and fall of her chest.

Then, slowly, he slipped away and helped her lie on a dry spot. He put a folded cloth under her head.

She didn't wake.

He checked his inventory.

[Inventory Opened]

[Flint ×1 – Firewood ×3 – Cloth ×2 – Chicken ×4 – Bone ×6 – Rock (Phosphorus) ×1 – Ash ×1]

Caelen took out the flint and firewood and made a small campfire near the cave wall.

[System: Campfire Created – Warmth Buff +10%]

As the flames started, he walked around the cave. His boots scraped the dirt.

Then he stopped.

Near the wall, he saw a brown patch. Sticky and soft.

"Clay?" he said.

He touched it. It was thick and wet.

[System: Clay Discovered – Use: Pottery, Cooking, Storage]

He smiled and scooped it into his bag.

[Clay ×10 Added to Inventory]

He sat back near the fire. The cave was quiet. Rain had stopped.

Zira stirred.

She sat up, eyes half-open. She saw Caelen and walked toward him.

Then, without a word, she leaned into him.

Caelen blinked. "Zira? You're close."

She raised a finger to his lips. "Shhh."

He froze.

Did something happen? he thought. Why is she... like this?

She didn't move. Neither did he.

The warmth from the fire wrapped around them.

After a while, they stood and left the cave. The forest was fresh after the rain. Dew clung to the leaves.

They searched around, stepping over roots and wet leaves.

Then Caelen spotted a cluster of red berries hanging from a bush.

"There," he said.

[System: Edible Berries Found – Sweet Berry ×6 – Use: Food, Trade]

Zira helped him pick them. The bush was full.

Once the bag was full, they turned back.

They walked in silence. The sun was going down.

By the time they reached the village, night had come.

Rena and Miko ran to them at once.

"You're back!" Miko said.

"We thought you left forever!" Rena added.

Zira knelt and hugged them. "We're fine. Just got caught in the rain."

Caelen gave a small smile. "We brought food."

He pulled out the berries and held them out.

The kids' eyes lit up.

The fire crackled nearby. The chickens clucked in the pen.

Zira looked at Caelen, a soft smile on her lips.

They were home again.