[5] Survive II

The next morning, I woke up very early because the fire had gone out and I was cold. I didn't have proper clothing, and I couldn't understand why Ciel-sensei had suggested I stay in this old hut when all around me was nothing but snow.

"Hey, I'm now a hairless Beastman! I could die of hypothermia if this goes on," I lamented inwardly.

[Heh, you still doubt me,] Ciel's cold, mechanical voice suddenly echoed in my mind, sounding annoyed.

"It's only natural for me to worry. Look around; all we have is snow and this dilapidated hut that's about to collapse. If I don't do something, I might be found frozen in this place," I retorted, scolding Ciel in my mind.

[Oh dear, you really are something. Didn't I tell you before that you have four Miracles? If you don't understand, let me explain.]

Wisdom: Raphael

More Than Just Artificial Intelligence: Raphael is not AI but rather the manifestation of wisdom. He can guide you in difficulties, not just with logic and analysis but also with a deep understanding of situations and a broad knowledge of various aspects of life.

A Wise Advisor: Raphael can be a trusted mentor and advisor, helping you make wise and beneficial decisions in the long term.

Source of Inspiration: The wisdom of Raphael can inspire you to see the world in new ways, find creative solutions, and reach your full potential.

Strength: Uriel

More Than Just Growth Speed: Uriel not only accelerates the growth of your strength but also grants access to hidden potential within you.

Heavenly Fire: Uriel's fire is not an ordinary flame but a manifestation of divine power that can burn through obstacles and purify the soul.

Unyielding Strength: Uriel's strength is not just physical immunity but also mental and spiritual resilience that enables you to face all challenges with courage and determination.

Insight: Gabriel

More Than Just Vision: Gabriel's vision is not just sharp sight but the ability to see the true essence of everything.

Seeing Beyond Appearances: Gabriel allows you to see through deception and illusion, understand hidden motives, and uncover the truth behind every situation.

Deep Understanding: With Gabriel's insight, you can interpret information better, learn from experiences, and make informed decisions based on comprehensive understanding.

Resilience: Michael

More Than Just Physical Toughness: Michael's resilience is not just muscular strength but also mental and spiritual fortitude that allows you to stand firm in the face of adversity.

Unwavering Courage: Michael grants the bravery to confront fears, the steadfastness to uphold your beliefs, and the persistence to never give up.

Indomitable Spirit: Michael's resilience enables you to bounce back from failures, press on despite obstacles, and achieve your goals with unwavering determination.]

Ciel's explanation made my head spin in places. I sat cross-legged on the rotting wooden floor, arms crossed and eyes closed, pondering over his words. Unconsciously, my tail swayed.

"Alright, I get it, but what I can't understand is... YOU DIDN'T TELL ME HOW TO USE THEM!" I yelled in frustration.

[...]

For a moment, Ciel was silent as I shouted at him. Minutes passed, and he remained quiet. I started to feel guilty.

"Okay, I'm sorry for shouting. I should have said it nicely..."

[...]

'Huh? Why is Ciel-sensei silent?' I began to panic.

"Well, haven't you sulked enough? Hey, I really am sorry! If you don't respond, I'm going to struggle to survive! Ciel-sensei!!"

[...]

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ciel's mechanical voice echoed in my mind again.

[Alright, Haah]

Why does he sound like he's sighing?

...

The first thing I needed to do was secure some food. There was water available, and I could drink straight from the river, though I didn't know if it was hygienic. So, I boiled the water until the bacteria accumulated in it died so that I could safely drink it. Luckily, some utensils like a stove and hanging pot in the hut were still usable.

After quenching my thirst, Ciel-sensei suggested that I make a trap. Since I didn't know how, he guided me through the thought process, from digging a hole to setting up a line.

Since it would take a long time, Ciel suggested catching fish from the nearby river. I mean, catching fish? That sounded ridiculous for someone like me who relied on logic, but I trusted Ciel because I had the blessing of Gabriel.

Honestly, wading in the river in this snowy place was freezing. It was like wandering around Hokkaido in summer clothes, but this was worse. Yet, I had to endure it. Despite the biting cold, I could still manage.

After an hour, to my surprise, I caught three fish whose names I didn't know. Let's just say they looked like salmon, but why did these fish have mouths like piranhas? Yes, this is a fantasy world. Creatures here could be different.

"Now, this is definitely edible, right?!" I murmured to myself.

As I grilled the fish, I had to gut them with my bare hands since I didn't have a knife. However, my claw-like nails made it easy to slice open the fish's belly. I was overthinking; I forgot that I was now a Beastman.

After gutting the fish, I skewered them on a stick so they could be roasted over the fire. The dry wood in the hut was running low, so it seemed I'd need to search for more firewood after this. Otherwise, I might get cold.

Having soaked for quite a while in the icy river, I shivered in front of the fire, waiting for the fish to cook. Gazing at the warm flames quickly warmed my body back up.

"Okay, now it's just a matter of filling my stomach," I muttered again, eyeing the grilled fish in my hand with slight hesitation about whether it was edible. However, the hunger in my belly made me indifferent, and I devoured the fish without salt, just grilled.

The taste? As one might imagine. For a modern palate like mine, accustomed to richly seasoned dishes, this fish tasted strange and unpleasant.

But since I was hungry, I ate it heartily without thinking about anything else. After consuming the other two fish, I felt full. The fire was now reduced to embers.