One step at a time

On the second day, Jacob decided to first learn a bit about flowers, fruits, and, above all, how to identify water that could be consumed directly.

In the Hunger Games arena, every element and situation can become a lethal threat to the tributes. From flora and fauna to weather conditions and other competitors, everything can be potentially deadly.

"[... Potentially deadly: (Dangerous flora and fauna): The arena is filled with plants and animals that pose a danger to the tributes. There may be poisonous plants, like "tracker jackers" that release deadly stings, or genetic mutations of animals that lurk in the darkness and attack mercilessly.

Additional recommendation: (Designed traps and dangers): The Hunger Games are designed to be a fight to the death, so the Capitol creates deadly traps and dangers in the arena. These can include explosive traps, pitfall traps, hidden spears or blades, and many other ingenious and lethal ways to eliminate the tributes.

Additional observation: (Extreme weather elements): Depending on the arena's location, the tributes may face extreme weather conditions. They can encounter strong storms, intense cold, scorching heat, or even sudden floods. These elements can weaken the tributes and put them in life or death situations.

Special care: (Scarcity of food and water): In the arena, basic resources like food and water are limited. Scarcity can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and ultimately, the death of the tributes. The fight for these resources can become fierce and deadly.

Open mind: (Natural dangers): Besides the dangers created by the Capitol, the very nature of the arena can pose deadly threats. There may be treacherous cliffs, unstable caves, or even wild animals that lurk in the darkness...]"

Jacob had learned a lot about all these precautions he needed to consider when the games began. He knew that in the Hunger Games arena, everything is designed to be lethal and test the physical and mental endurance of the tributes. Every decision they make and every move they take can have deadly consequences. It is a constant battle for survival in a hostile and dangerous environment.

...

"First, let's analyze the edible fruits we could find." Jacob, as time passed, increasingly relied on his intelligent assistant, both to store information and keep special records.

"[Special reminder, Master!

In the Hunger Games, a new arena is created each year for the games, and yes, the arenas change from one edition to another. Each arena has unique characteristics that distinguish it from the others, adding variety and challenge to the games. Here are some elements that can differentiate one arena from another...]"

Jacob understood this perfectly, but it was always good to be aware of it, especially when about to participate in the Hunger Games. What comforted him was knowing that he knew the arena, not exactly, but he understood the environment would be practically a forest.

Each arena has a unique terrain that can vary from dense jungle to arid desert, frozen tundra, or even an aquatic landscape. The terrain can influence the strategy and skills needed to survive. But knowing the terrain, Jacob didn't have many problems in this aspect.

What did worry him was the weather and atmospheric conditions. It's true that this aspect wasn't heavily featured in the first installment of this story, but it's known that this aspect is manipulable.

The climate and atmospheric conditions also vary from one arena to another. There may be arenas with extreme climates, such as electric storms, prolonged droughts, or constant snowfall. These conditions can affect the health and well-being of the tributes.

But if there was something that greatly worried Jacob, it was the natural hazards he could encounter in the arena. Each arena can present specific natural dangers, such as treacherous rivers, collapsed caves, active volcanoes, or dangerous mutant creatures. These natural elements add an additional level of danger and challenge for the tributes.

The animals he encounters can end him much faster than a sword from a professional tribute, so it's necessary to be in a group, at least in the early days of the games. These hazards can include electric force fields, areas of poisonous gas, mutant animals, or even structures specifically built to trap or harm the tributes.

In addition to natural dangers, the Capitol can introduce artificial obstacles into the arena. These may include controlled fires, controlled storms, or even changes in gravity. These obstacles are designed to increase the drama and unpredictability of the games.

Approaching a screen, Jacob manipulated the controls with a keyboard that spanned an entire table and began to see all the potentially deadly flowers.

"Analyze and record each of the flower species that may be in the arena. I can't do it alone..." Jacob ordered his intelligent assistant.

"[Understood, master!]"

"[...Recording information, survival folder...

Noxious Serpentaria: A dark purple flower with long, slender petals. Its nectar contains a highly toxic poison that can cause paralysis and suffocation if ingested.

Bloody Belladonna: An intensely red bell-shaped flower. Its berries are extremely poisonous and can cause hallucinations, seizures, and paralysis.

Abyss Lily: A delicately looking flower with white petals, but with a black and sinister center. The spores it releases can cause dizziness, weakness, and loss of consciousness if inhaled.

Deadly Shadow Flower: A black flower that grows in dark areas of the arena. Its nectar is highly poisonous and can cause respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

Viper Rose: A white rose with sharp thorns. Its thorns contain a lethal venom that causes intense pain, weakness, and ultimately, paralysis.

...]"

There were hundreds of flowers in the information system, but Jacob was very patient and observed each one without stopping to read a little about the flower in question. Perhaps many didn't understand, but his intelligent assistant could memorize all this information and serve as a reminder in case he came into contact with any of these flowers.

"We're done with the flowers, now let's move on to poisonous fruits..." Jacob was a bit bored and left this information until the end of day three, as it was the most tedious and time-consuming.

"[Gathering information, poisonous fruits...

Special Note: These fruits are used as lethal tools in the arena and can cause severe toxic effects. Here are some examples of poisonous fruits:

Bloodvenom Berry: Small, intensely red and shiny berries. Consuming them can cause severe stomach pains, vomiting, and severe diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and extreme weakness.

Deep Sleep Fruit: An appetizing-looking fruit with a deep purple hue. When ingested, it causes extreme drowsiness and a sleep so deep that the tribute can become defenseless against other dangers in the arena.

Fruit of Madness: Small, emerald green fruits with a sweet and tempting aroma. However, consuming them causes intense hallucinations, paranoia, and disorientation, which can lead to loss of sanity and dangerous decision-making.

Fruit of Desperation: A dark, wrinkled fruit found in the most inhospitable areas of the arena. Its juice contains a deadly toxin that induces deep despair and hopelessness in those who consume it, weakening their will to live.

Fruit of Agony: A spiky and menacing-looking fruit. Its thorns are loaded with an extremely potent venom that causes intense and prolonged pain, weakening the tribute and hindering their ability to move and act.

...]"

By the time Jacob finished searching through all the inedible fruits, he decided that it was unnecessary to search among the edible ones since he had analyzed everything bad. So, any fruit that is identified as dangerous by his intelligent assistant will alert him, and as long as he is unfamiliar with the fruit, it will be considered at least edible.

"Well, that's enough... It's time to search for allies."