Chapter 5 - Survival Simulation I

Devin's POV

Today,

… is the day that we have been waiting for.

The first day of the 'Survival Simulation' led by Rico, the Big Strawberry.

Why do I say 'Big Strawberry'?

Because she is bigger than Poppy, Polly, and Olly. It could say Rico is a mature strawberry among them.

The clear morning sky seemed to support our activity today. The morning sun covered by white clouds and pine trees. However, the air is still cool because my current position is in the middle of the forest right now. It is totally different when in big cities like Jakarta.

The two of us were busy preparing the equipment to be brought for hunting around the forest. Starting from two woven basket with a modified rope tied to the back, a double-edged knife, and of course ourselves. Suddenly Rico throw that double-edged knife wrapped in a black sheath at me.

"Sorry, there's only this knife for you."

I get stunned to see the sharp object in my hand. Then, my eyes turned to Rico in front of me. "What do you have if I use this knife?"

Hearing my statement, she show me another double-edged knife from behind the pocket on her belt. "I've prepared this one before."

"Still looks new ...," I said.

Rico smirked. Then said, "Because I keep taking care of it, so it will looks new all the time.

"The knife in your hand I've never used. So, make the best of it."

"Okay," I replied. I put the double-edged knife straight into the pocket on the belt I wear.

"You're already well, aren't you?" she asked me with worry gazes at her eyes.

I nodded. "Of course, I am!"

"Very good!" Rico smiled. "Let's start the first day of Survival Simulation!"

We carry wicker basket on each of our backs immediately. Then, we come out of the cave with full of enthusiasm. We do not need to ride horse because our hunting grounds were only around this pine forest. Moreover, walking in the morning is quite healthy for body, right?

The fresh nature of the forest greeted us upon arrival outside the cave. The rustling sound of the leaves in the breeze could lift my spirits to explore.

Very quiet.

The sounds of our footsteps echoing and infrequently a forest crow singing happily in the sky as if its accompanying our journey. Even so, I was feel horrified by the presence of that forest crow.

"The forest crow often roam here," Rico said.

I do not answer her words. I still focused on following in her footsteps from behind. My eyes turned here and there, observing the beautiful scenery around us. The smell of pine hit my sense of smell.

"We've enter the North Soren Pine area. In this area usually a red-eyed wolf appears," she explained. 

I do not know how many steps we walked until the cave where we lived was no longer visible.

"North Soren Pine?" I asked confused.

Rico looked at me. "Soren Pine is the name of this forest area."

She turned her gazes to the front. "Our residence is on the west side."

"Oh," I said.

"Usually if it's still early, red-eyed wolves will appears with their hungry gazes," she said. "Hopefully they haven't woken up because I am still teaching you how to survive in this world, right?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"Um, by the way, do you know the way back home?" I asked her worried. 

Suddenly Rico laughed. Then said, "Of course I know! I have many experience exploring this forest. Even I've been lost for two days until I was  slept in the middle of this forest.

"Take it easy! I also brought a compass as our helper."

"Alright then," I replied.

"Also, you should observe the direction during this simulation so you will not get lost in the future!" she said.

Her steps suddenly stopped. I almost hit the wicker basket on her back. "We've arrived!

​"Devin, come here!"

I obeyed her order to approaching her. It turns out that we arrive under one of the pine trees that provide a lot of colorful mushrooms. They all towering and have variety shape.

"Whoa!" I exclaimed. My lips parted at the abundance of mushrooms scattered under one of the pine trees.

"Please be careful in choosing the mushrooms here because their appearance is really deceiving," Rico said. "Some of them are poisonous!"

She pointed to a bunch of mushrooms with bright blue hats. "It's a Caeruleam Mushroom. It's poison mushroom. Its pretty blue color is just a trap. If you accidentally eat it, you will die instantly."

"Don't scaring me like that!" I exclaimed.

"I am honest!" Rico said. "Next!"

Then, she pointed to the next batch of mushrooms which their hats are red with tall and thin stems. "Potentia Polus Mushroom. These mushrooms can be eaten, but not often because you will become obese.

"Only once a week of consumption."

After explaining the red hat mushrooms, Rico show me white hat mushrooms with moderately towering stems. However, it is speckled with black around it. "This is the Ghost Mushroom. These mushrooms can be eaten, but the content of this mushroom quickly becomes slimy if you leave it for five hours after removed from the root."

Next, Rico pointed to the transparent clusters of mushrooms. Starting from the hat and the stem are transparent like glass. "This is the most beautiful mushroom, Speculo Mushroom. These mushrooms is can't be eaten and poisonous. Its transparent color is for save themselves from enemies."

"Beautifully colored of mushrooms are always poisonous …," I said.

"Hmm," Rico mumbled. "That's why even though it looks beautiful, doesn't mean it looks beautiful inside."

I silent.

"Well, about yesterday's soup, I added the Potentia Polus Mushroom. That mushroom is effective for curing all diseases, especially spinal pain," she continued. 

After explaining a lot about various mushrooms, Rico continuing her journey. I, who still daydreaming, is instantly dispersed when I see Rico's form move away from me.

"You didn't take the mushrooms??" I asked confused.

"I don't want to eat mushrooms," she answered.

After hear her answer, I half-running after Rico's footsteps. "Wait!"

The two of us returned our journey in North Soren Pine. Suddenly Rico's steps stopped again and crouched. Out of my curiosity, I approaching her and crouching beside her.

"Do you know what kind of leaves is this?" She pointing to a small green bush of leaves.

"Basil leaves?"

"That's right!" she said. "This is basil leaves.

"I usually process it only as a food aromatic."

"My mother, in addition to using this leaves as a food aromatic, she also uses it as fresh vegetables," I added.

"Really?" Her eyes rounded. "I want to try it!"

"I'll try to cook it later," I said.

"You can cook?" she asked again.

I nodded slowly. "A little because when I have free time, I often helped her to cook."

"Whoa!" Rico exclaimed in surprise. "Okay then. Let's pick these basil leaves!"

"Eh?"

Rico looked at me. "Today it's your turn to cook."

"Later," I said simply.

Rico shook her head. Then said, "Don't deny it!"

I sighed.

"I better not tell her about that …," I thought regretfully.

"Such a pushy strawberry!" I grumbled in my heart.

"Fine," I said. "We'd better get lots of bunches of basil leaves."

"Okay," Rico said. 

She plucked the basil leaves one by one with her double-edged knife. Look at it one by one and sort out which ones are ripe or not. If the color has turned yellow, it should not be taken because it is too ripe. Take one that still fresh green color. I helped her to pick it because the thick of basil leaves is very difficult for us to cut.

After pick the stems of the basil leaves, tied with rubber and stored in the basket on Rico's back. Then, we continuing our journey in the middle of this pine forest.

"Oh, do you have salt and pepper?" I asked.

"There's a lot more in kitchen. I bought it in Lucerna a week ago," she replied.

"Come here!" Suddenly Rico told me to go to the leaf bushes, next to basil leaves.

"This is mint leaves. I usually use this leaves as a medicine in the first aid kit. I often to use these as a stomach ache medicine, anyway," she explained. "These leaves can be used as aromatherapy too.

"Now, help me pick as many as possible!" she said. 

We starting to picking as many mint leaves as we could. Then, put it in my basket after being tied with rubber so that it does not fall out.

"It can makes good tea too, especially when the weather is cold," I said, followed by a smile crossing my lips.

"Is it enough?" I asked her. However, she do not answer my question.

Confusion welled up in me, so I turned to look at her. She totally silent as she standing with her back to me. I am starting to standing beside her. Suddenly I know why she silent. Her rosy skin is expose to the morning sun from East.

Some of red-eyed wolves — as she said — appears around the two of us. Their gazes signaling a burning hunger. The long fangs that wet from their dripping drool were hanging down. Their thick black feathers managed to add a frightening level. As a result, all the hairs on my neck are standing up. The atmosphere of this pine forest turns tense immediately.

"Prepare your double-edged knife!" she said without looking at me.

I grab that sharp object immediately from behind my belt pocket. That pointy stuff is ready to stab every scary wolves in front of us right now. However, my words with reality is definitely opposite. Now, my whole body is shaking violently. Cold sweat trickle down.

"Stay with me, don't separate!" Rico said. She panicked as I am. However, she try to not be shown.

Suddenly one of them run towards me, followed by another wolves. I aimed the double-edged knife immediately to stab their body parts like eyes and neck as best I could. Then, his friends looked furious and run at me until I fell. The double-edged knife was thrown quite far from me. I keep holding a wolf's body as hard as I could with bare-handed. Its sharp fangs are ready to tear my face.

"Damn, I can't take it anymore!"

Suddenly the wolf, instantly spit out red blood from its mouth, hitting my face. It turns out that Rico managed to stab the red-eyed wolf in front of me. Finally, I safe because of her. I throw the wolf's body away from me.

Rico hold out her hand to me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you very much!" I answered as I take her hand. After that, I run to reach a double-edged knife that was thrown quite far.

Another red-eyed wolves run in a hurry. They left behind some of their dead friends. Now the tense atmosphere is gradually fading. I am still out of breath because of what happened to both of us. My body limp for a moment with my legs still shaking.

"Good job, Cupcake Head!" Rico smiling at me. She stretch out her hand to do a high-five together.

"You too," I said smiling back at her and give her a high-five. "That was so stressful!

"Are you do this every day?"

"Sometimes," She sighed. "At first, I was as surprised as you are. However, over time it has become my daily life.

"I appreciate your efforts," she continued with a faint smile.

I smiled too. Even though it is already happened, however, my heart still pounding fast. My legs feel weak for a moment. Suddenly my eyes fell on her left shoulder. I realized when I took a closer look at him.

"Your shoulder got bitten!" I exclaimed frantically while pointing at her left shoulder where red blood slowly spill onto the ground.

Rico touch her shoulder. "Don't worry. It will be okay."

I have to take off my brown jacket that was attached to my body, to stop the bleeding on her left shoulder. I wrap the object until it is neatly rolled on her left shoulder as I press a little.  

"We have to get back home before they get to us again."

***

Arriving at the cave house, I clean her wound with boiled water immediately. Then, treat her left shoulder with pine tree sap in the first aid kit. She lean against the pile of pillows. Poppy, Polly, and Olly look at their sister with sad faces.

After all done, I put the pine tree sap back into the first aid kit and I wrap the wound with bandage.

"Take some rest now," I said.

"Thank you, Devin. Sorry for bothering you," she said. "I should have been be more careful of their bites."

"No one knows the disaster around us," I said.

"Wait a minute, I'll wash my jacket first, and then make you fresh basil leaves vegetable," I continued.

"About your jacket, just soak it all day in clean water inside a wooden bucket," she said.

"Where's the wooden bucket?" I asked.

"At horse stable, near my horse. I put it there," she answered. "There's clean water in it. Just use it. Actually it's to bathe my horse. Well, I just haven't had time."

"Okay," I replied.

After I finished treat Rico's wound, I put the first aid kit back in the small cupboard on the side of the wall. Then, I wash my hands with boiled water until the chemical residue disappears. After that, I go to the wooden bucket to soak my jacket. Again, I meet Rico's horse. He seems confused at my presence.

"I just wanted to soak my jacket, dude," I said to him. However, he only snorting softly.

After I finished soak my jacket, I left it there. Then, I go back to doing my next mission which is to cook fresh basil leaves vegetable as per the wishes of the Strawberry Rico. I return to the cave room. With limited tools. I have to rack my brain to make it.

"I keep the spices in the second-upper cupboard," Rico said.

"Okay," I said.

I wash the basil leaves with boiled water. Luckily, Rico still have plenty of boiled water. So, I do not have to look any further.

I take out the spices from the second-upper cupboard. Also, I see a small jar of cooking oil in there. I take everything from there and put them on the wooden table.

I gather a lot of wood as a substitute for the stove. I have never done this myself. However, I have watched documentation about the way to cook with firewood in rural areas. That is where I got the insight, even though this is my first time to do. Like it or not, I have to do it now, on the basis of survive in this world.

After the fire begin to smolder, I put a pot on it. Pour a little bit of cooking oil and all the basil leaves after that. Do not forget to press and stir the basil leaves with a wooden spatula, so they wilt quickly. Next, I add a pinch of salt and pepper. Then, I stir again until the spices are evenly distributed. After that, I cover it with a wooden lid so that it cooks quickly. The aromatic of fresh basil leaves permeated the room. White smoke billowing in the air.

I open the wooden lid again after a few minutes. My instincts told me that the vegetables are already ripe. Finally, I put out the smoldering fire. Then, I take five wooden bowls and serving my homemade vegetables to them and myself too. 

The three tiny strawberries run towards me. They look very happy and cannot wait to taste the fresh basil leaves vegetable. I put their bowls on the dining table. They take their place to sit immediately. In fact, they compete with each other to see how much of basil leaves in each of their bowls.

"Don't worry, it's all the same," I said.

Then, my gazes at Rico who still sitting on the mattress with pillows on her back. Then asked, "Do you want me to feed you or eat it by yourself?"

"I will eat by myself," she answered.

"Okay," I said. I took a portion of fresh vegetables for Rico and serve it on the dining table.

Rico got up from her position and sit down near the dining table.

After that, it is my turn to serving my own bowl. Then, I put it on the dining table with Rico, Poppy, Polly, and Olly. They seems to be waiting for me to eat with them.

"Smells yummy!" said Rico. "No doubt."

"You make me blush!" I said. My cheeks starting to become red.

Rico just smiled. Then said, "Alright everyone, have a good meal!"

Poppy, Polly, and Olly also shouted, 'Happy Eating' in their language. Then, they eat fresh basil leaves, like Rico. Suddenly she silent after a mouthful of fresh vegetables entered her mouth.

"Really delicious!" she praised.

I, who have not eaten — suddenly heard her words made me smile widely. "Is it true?"

Rico nodded. Suddenly she look at me by raise one eyebrow. "Why are you not eat?"

"Err, I want to see your reaction first," I answered.

"Don't worry. You cook well. I like it!" she said with a faint smile. "Look, they like it too!"

I smiled at the reaction of Poppy, Polly, and Olly. They like my first time cooking.

Then, I am starting to eating. I feel the basil leaves melt gently inside my tongue. The spices such as salt and pepper blend into a single unit that is able to provide a delicious taste.

"Thank you for giving me this delicious recipe, Mom!" I said in my heart.

The first day of 'Survival Simulation' is over.