A new beginning?

Once he made up his mind, opening the door became easier for Axel.

What greeted Alex was a large expanse of snow-white landscape, with everything blanketed in snow. He was in a cabin secured up in a large tree. Even though everything is covered in snow, he noticed some green leaves poking out from under his feet. This was an interesting sight for him.

Even though Axel was old, he had never experienced snowfall or seen snow before. The trees around him were unfamiliar, something he had never encountered in his entire life.

Despite watching numerous videos on mobiles or the internet, he couldn't recall ever seeing this type of tree. Before starting his agriculture business, he had done a lot of homework and research on various plants, selling their seeds to a wider audience through the internet.

Nevertheless, Axel felt curious about the tree. As he started to examine the tree and its leaves, astonishment washed over him. The leaves had a luminous effect and seemed to possess some magical ability to produce heat in the cold temperature. Even though he wanted to be cautious while exploring this Unknown world, He unknowingly veered off from his initial thoughts.

Are you done with enjoying the scenery?" A sudden voice came from his left side. The unexpected sound startled Axel, but he kept his composure and turned slowly to his left.

An old man with a burly structure and a long beard stood beside him. His curly long golden-brown hair gave off majestic vibes. Like Axel, he was also wearing animal fur, but on his shoulder, there was a powerful-looking hide, of an unknown animal.

He wore the fur like a cape, displaying his prize to the world. In one hand, he held a sharp sword-like object made from unknown materials, and in the other, he tightly gripped a rope.

Axel knew that any response he makes will reveal flaws. He didn't know who that person was or what relationship they had. At least, he had the common sense not to act like himself.

So, he decided to let everything play out and speak as little as possible. He didn't want the other person to realize that he was someone else—definitely not someone with several scars on his hands and a powerful beast hide on his shoulder. It was clear that the old man was an experienced hunter of beasts.

"Miko, what are you looking around for? I am talking to you. Are you completely healed? Let's move on if you are okay. You, breaking your arm has wasted enough time as it is. We need to go to the hunting ground fast." The kind but bulky looking old man said to Axel.

"Miko is this the name of the body." Axel thought.

As far as he could understand the old man has called him Mikio, a weird word. But he could completely understand what old man meant even though the language is completely foreign to him. Was his biological brain compensating for what he didn't know and providing him with information?

Will he gain more knowledge as he comes across more and more familiar words? A doubt sprouted in his mind. Slowly he formed a mental image of his situation.

As far as he understood, he or Mikio is a hunter from an ancient civilization. Somehow, this unlucky guy broke his hand, and this old, bulky-like guy was waiting for him to heal. That explains the plaster-like bandage on his right hand; broken hands are usually plastered like this in ancient times. Well, if this man is waiting for him to heal, then is he his family member in this world? Axel ponder.

Nevertheless, now Axel needs to move with the bulky old man to go to the hunting ground. After analyzing everything as best as he could, Axel nodded his head in affirmation.

"Okay then, let's get down fast. Your hand should be healed before we reach the hunting ground. The special medicine made by our Mupan is good. I'm impressed by your ability to endure the pain despite this being your first hunt, nephew. It must have felt like your hand was on fire, yet you didn't even make a noise.

Most medicines are like that, so try to not get injured again if you want to avoid the hellish pain.

Thanks to the gift of the Nala, we could heal before other people. If our ancestor in the tribe was not blessed by goddess Nala, we would be like other tribesmen, needing 2 to 3 days to heal."

Seeing the old man looking at him after his explanation, Axel could only nod his head awkwardly. But he is enough pretentious to not be in suspension of the old man.

Looking at Axel, the burly-like old man sighed a little bit and jumped down the 60-foot-tall tree like it was nothing. 

Observing the scene, Axel stood like a statue. But when he looked down, he could see that the man was safe and sound, dusting off the snow from his clothes. Is this world filled with superhumans?

It's really not like my previous world. Axel was full of questions, but as he looked down toward the old man to check if he was really okay, the old man looked in his direction with an expectant gaze.

Fuck! Does this suicidal maniac expect me to jump down like that? No way in hell that I am jumping down like that. Axel thought while grabbing the rope ladder next to him.

He slowly climbed down to ensure his safety. Although the old man looked slightly disappointed as he observed Axel, he still smiled at him and took several bags made with animal hide from under their living tree.

The tree they reside in somewhat looked like a dragon tree, an exotic and rare plant from his home world. Now they are going to some kind of hunting ground. Only after reaching there will he know more.

---------------

Human nature could be simple and linear, but it is unkind. Axel learned this lesson in the hard way in his previous life.

No matter how friendly and kind this man looks, he couldn't fully believe him at all. Even if he is this body's uncle. Anyone would make a mistake once, but making the same mistakes, again and again, is something he detested doing.

So, trusting a person he saw for the first time is impossible. Living in the harsh society, most people's mentality is like this.

"Here, have some water." Looking at the panting Axel, the old man offered a leather bag filled with water, interrupting Axel's thoughts.

Axel had seen the old man keeping the leather water bottle close to his body. It might have been to prevent the water from freezing, but that doesn't mean it was okay for him to drink from it. He felt it would be unhygienic, even though the leather bag cap was tightly closed.

However, now he was quite thirsty after walking with the old man for quite some time. Although he was reluctant, not knowing how safe the water was in this ancient time, he swiftly moved his hand to catch the water bottle and began drinking from it.

"A man must do everything he can to survive," Axel convinced himself, saying that in his mind. "If I could get the chance, I have to tell them how to make purified water and the benefits of drinking purified water."

"Your arm looks like it is fine. Remove the cast and be ready. We are nearing the hunting ground. You are about to be an adult, Mikio. So, take care of Uncle Mani in the future," saying that with a smile, the old man Mani looked at Axel.

Being a loner in his previous life, Axel suddenly felt the warmth of family again. For some reason, the man whom he didn't know before coming to this world felt like family to Axel.

Even with that horrifying majestic appearance, that pure smile revealed his kind intentions toward Axel. Again, after a long time, he felt like he could trust someone.

As a jaded man from a different earth, Alex had seen and heard how cruel humans could be. So, he was a little skeptical at first when he saw someone else so willing to help him. He believed that the other man had some hidden motive in trying to help him.

After all, modern society works on the basis of give and take. Nothing was really free. So, someone helping him would obviously want something in return.

From his own blooded uncle, aunty who wanted to take over his father and mother's inheritance from him, to the office boss who humiliated him because he outshines the boss's performance. Everyone is kind from the outside, but they always have an ulterior motive. Human nature is cruel like this; even he himself has ulterior motives. Who doesn't have it?

Goodwill? Does that even exist? It was this thought that prevented him from trusting that man. But now, seeing the pure smile, he could see the care and support given to him by this man. This body's uncle, "Mani," is really helping him without any hidden agenda. Is this how family is?

A smile formed on his lips. He was so concerned about his survival and began judging this world based on all his previous situations. It was dangerous. He felt like he narrowly avoided a bullet. Right, this is a new beginning for him. It's time for a restart of his life.

Seeing the smile in Miko face. Mani was also happy. After Mikio lost his family, he was always a gloomy kid. He talked less and less after each passing year, that he doesn't even remember the kid's voice. he even stopped came out from his own hut, which made him more worried. But now, seeing him smile pumped Mani with more energy.

"Let's go, Central hill over there is where our hunting party will gather and held the big celebration. Don't delay and come as fast as you can. your uncle has some work in there. I am going on ahead." Pointing to a hill, Mani start to run like as if he is jumping toward the hill. Because of his superhuman physique, he was fast and stable. He left behind deep footprints in the snow.

Looking at the fading back, Alex also ran towards the hill. The cold winter start to pierce every inch in his body. At first, he was feeling sore and weak. But after running for some time, he could feel the strength returning to his body. His injury was long gone.

He felt the warm blood flowing through his body, giving him strength. If someone looked at him, they would be surprised, as he looked like a living lava monster. His body's every muscle fiber turned red like lava. Every step he took, the snow under his feet turned into water. Making use of this strong new body, Axel ran, pushing his body to the limit. 1

For once, he felt free and unfettered. This was his second chance, a new beginning. He would live this life to the best of his ability.

But soon he lost control of the strength, slipped on the ice, and hit the mountain hard.

Suddenly, a burst of energy came from his brain, clearing all his thoughts. His senses expanded, and everything became much clearer and more defined. At that exact moment, an icon popped up near the left bottom of his vision.

It was a familiar icon, reminding him of the farming game he was used to playing.

"Is this my cheat ability?" Axel thought in pure pain as snow covered his entire body.