Completing the Task

The sun had set, and the orange glow that lingered on the horizon slowly faded into the deep blue of twilight. The forest around Vincent grew darker, the sounds of nocturnal creatures coming alive with the fall of night. 

Finding a suitable place to spend the night was his top priority now. He ventured deeper into the forest, using the dwindling light to guide him. His trained eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for a location that offered both visibility and protection. Soon, he stumbled upon a clearing that seemed almost too perfect. It was wide and open, giving him a good view of his surroundings, and there was a river nearby.

Deciding this was the best spot he was going to find, Vincent set about making camp.

He opened his Military Development Tab from the floating interface and accessed the section labeled "Camping Tools." With a few taps, a menu unfolded, displaying a range of equipment designed for survival and comfort in outdoor conditions. He had unlocked this segment of the system as a reward for establishing a basic safe haven, and now it was going to prove its worth.

The list of available tools included:

Compact Modular Tent - A lightweight, waterproof tent that could be assembled in minutes. Its fabric was treated with an insect repellent coating, and it featured a built-in groundsheet to keep the inside dry and comfortable.

Portable Solar Cooker - Using a foldable panel that directed sunlight onto a central cooking pot, this cooker can boil water or cook simple meals without the need for fire, preserving its position by avoiding smoke.

Thermal Sleeping Bag - Rated for temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, it offered substantial insulation, utilizing a synthetic fill that retained heat even in damp conditions.

Water Purification Device - A hand-held pump that could filter and purify up to 750 milliliters of water per minute, removing 99.999% of waterborne bacteria and parasites, crucial for drinking from the nearby river.

LED Camping Lantern - Rechargeable via solar panels or hand crank, this lantern provided up to twelve hours of bright, consistent light, crucial for long nights.

Vincent selected the Compact Modular Tent and the Thermal Sleeping Bag from the list. Instantly, the items materialized beside him, packed in neat, compact cases. He set to work, quickly unfolding the tent and setting it up at a strategic spot within the clearing.

Next, he rolled out the sleeping bag inside the tent. With his shelter secured, he turned his attention to the Water Purification Device, retrieving it from the interface. He walked to the river, testing the device by pumping water into a clear container he found among the supplies. The water came out clean and clear, and after a cautious sip, Vincent felt a bit more settled.

The LED Camping Lantern was the last item he summoned. He hung it on a low branch near the entrance of his tent, bathing the area in a soft, warm light that pushed back against the encroaching darkness of the forest.

With his campsite fully established and equipped with tools from his Military Development System, Vincent felt a degree of safety and comfort amidst the unknown.

Now for the food. 

He had been walking for five hours straight, and there wasn't any food in his immediate surroundings that he could identify as safe to eat.

Vincent accessed the Military Development System interface again, this time navigating to a section labeled "Nutrition and Rations." He hoped the system, which had so far provided for his basic survival needs, included something for sustenance. Sure enough, the interface displayed several options for ready-to-cook meals that were designed to be easy to prepare and nutritionally balanced.

The list included:

High-Energy Meal Packs - These contained freeze-dried meals such as chicken and rice, beef stew, and vegetable pasta. Each pack was designed to be rehydrated with water, providing a substantial amount of calories and nutrients with minimal preparation time.

Instant Energy Bars - Packed with calories and nutrients, these bars were perfect for a quick energy boost. They came in various flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, and mixed berry.

Thermal-Activated Meals - These meals required no cooking and would heat themselves upon removing the packaging, using a special chemical reaction. Options included lasagna, curry chicken, and vegetable stir-fry.

Protein Shakes - Powdered mixes that could be combined with purified water to create a high-protein drink, available in flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Deciding that a more substantial meal was in order, Vincent chose a beef stew High-Energy Meal Pack. He used the water he had purified earlier to rehydrate the meal, pouring the necessary amount into the compact cooking pouch provided. After sealing the pouch and waiting the recommended ten minutes, he opened it to find a warm, hearty stew that smelled surprisingly appetizing.

With his Portable Solar Cooker already set up earlier, he decided to make use of it for future meals, but for now, the quick preparation of the beef stew was perfect. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. 

As he ate, Vincent's head snapped toward the direction of the sound as he heard distinct, heavy footsteps approaching. The LED lantern cast a pool of light that reached the edges of the clearing, and out of the shadows stepped several figures that would have seemed comical if not for the very real danger they presented. Goblins—green-skinned, with wild eyes and jagged teeth—emerged into the light, each clutching ragged, rusty knives. Behind them, a larger figure loomed—a hobgoblin, taller than an average human, wielding a heavy wooden bludgeon that looked like it could crush bone.

Vincent quickly calculated his options. His military training had prepared him for human assailants, not creatures that looked like they had stepped out of a fantasy novel. However, the principles of combat didn't change much—identify threats, evaluate weapons, and control the engagement range.

As the creatures advanced, snarling and growling, Vincent rolled away from his campsite to draw them away from his supplies and tent. He grabbed the M4 Carbine, checked the chamber, and aimed. His first shot was a warning, fired above the heads of the goblins, hoping to scare them off with the noise and power of the weapon. The creatures hesitated, their beady eyes wide, but the hobgoblin roared, a guttural sound that spurred them forward.

Vincent fired again, this time aiming directly at the hobgoblin, the biggest threat. The shot hit its mark, and the creature stumbled back, clutching at its shoulder. The smaller goblins, now frenzied but clearly intimidated, spread out, attempting to flank Vincent.

Using the butt of the rifle, Vincent knocked back the closest goblin, then quickly switched to the M1911 Colt Pistol as the space for using the rifle became too tight. He fired at two more goblins rushing at him, killing them in an instant. 

Amid the chaos, Vincent kept moving, using his agility to stay out of reach of their blades. The hobgoblin swung its bludgeon with brutal force. Vincent ducked under the swing and retaliated with a close-range full-auto shot from his M4 Carbine, hitting the hobgoblin multiple times in the chest. The creature roared in pain and fell to the ground, causing the remaining goblins to pause. 

Vincent didn't hesitate to change his target, he swept his rifle across the remaining goblins, firing controlled bursts and they were neutralized. He checked if there were still enemies but seeing no movement for the next ten to twenty seconds, he relaxed himself.

From this encounter, he learned that this isn't the world he knew, he is in a completely different world.