Island King Chapter 2

Hi all,

Here’s the next chapter of my original story. I have removed Risen from the title, so now it’s simply Island King, but it probably won’t be the last time I change it. Honestly, this chapter has a lot of info dumping, as I delve into the mechanics of the system. Hopefully, it will never be this egregious again.

Chapter 2

Myles searched through the backpack that he had used to conceal Baron. He had taken it from his house when he chose to free him from the zoo, without stopping to examine its contents, aside from noticing the presence of a t-shirt for Baron to rest on. It was an old backpack he used to take to work, but he stopped using it a few months ago. As a result, he couldn't recall what was inside it.

A grin spread across his face as he spotted an old can of instant coffee nestled in his bag, a staple he used to always bring to work. Taking off the lid, he peered inside to see that it was clean enough for his purposes. Since it was aluminium, it should withstand the heat from a fire. If he could jury rig a desalinator, then he would have some drinkable water. During his time in prison, he found himself sharing a cell with a seasoned survivalist. He shared a wealth of knowledge with him on the art of surviving in harsh environments with limited resources. He never could have imagined that the knowledge would prove useful one day.

Although water was important, it wasn’t the only thing he needed to survive his first night on the island. He came up with five things he would need. A fire, shelter, water, food, and something to protect himself; the latter being particularly important because, in this world, fish could leap out of the water to attack unsuspecting victims.

He needed a fire to cook any food he caught and use it to produce some water. Furthermore, he was unaware of how cold the nights could become. As the island lacked a tropical climate, he couldn't rely on warm temperatures to sustain him all night.

Shelter was also important, as a storm could arrive at any moment. Wasn’t that what usually happened in the movies? It would solve his water problem, though, as long as he had some containers to collect the rainwater. Food was also crucial to maintaining his energy levels, which he would need if he was going to get off this island.

He needed a weapon just in case any creatures emerged from the sea and tried to attack him. The absence of any living creatures on the island, no matter how small it was, was a cause for concern. Despite not having thoroughly searched the trees and foliage, he was confident that he would have come across any creatures by now. This meant that no creatures had the opportunity to live on the island, which suggested that a natural predator could be lurking nearby.

He placed the can aside and continued to search through the rest of the backpack. The other items he discovered were a packet of barbeque crisps, a pocket knife, an old phone charger, earbuds, tissues, a notebook, and several pens.

“My laziness actually helped me out on this occasion,” Myles murmured.

The only item he found to be truly useful was the pocketknife; everything else had little to no value in this situation. While the crisps would temporarily alleviate his hunger, they would also cause him to dehydrate faster. The phone charge was of no use to him. Even if this world had technology on par with Earth, it would serve no purpose on this island.

Baron ran over and snatched the pocket knife from off the ground.

“Give that back, ” Myles shouted, but Baron paid no attention to him.

Instead of aimlessly chasing after him, Myles watched with curiosity to see what he would do next. Baron approached a flowering plant that looked remarkably similar to a thistle. With great care, he began using his switchblade to delicately remove the stinging hairs that were attached to the plant's stems. Once he had gathered a sufficient amount, he began skillfully twisting the stems together to create cordage.

“Okay, you may keep the switchblade if you keep making more of that,” Myles said.

It appeared as if the Baron was in his element. He had finished grinding a sharp stone, which now resembled a thin wedge with impressive cutting potential. Was Baron making a tool? Curiosity piqued, he decided to check his companion's skills. With a thought, he opened his menu and navigated to the Tamed Creatures tab. It had a portrait of Baron’s face there, and when he focused on it, several options appeared. He brought up Baron’s skills and traits.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Traits

[IV] Accelerated Growth (Temporary)

[III] Crafting Sense

[II] Handicrafts

[I] Tamed Creature

In Progress Skills:

(I) Improvised Tools - 32%

Skills

.⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

When he focused on the new entries, a brief description of each one appeared. Crafting Sense shared a similarity with his Monster Sense, although its focus was on enhancing Baron's abilities in the crafting category. This unique trait boosted his chances of acquiring new crafting skills and improved their overall capabilities. Similarly, Improvised Tools was closely related to Improvised Weapons, with the key distinction that it centred around creating objects meant to assist in the process of making things, as opposed to engaging in combat. He imagined that there must be some overlap between the two.

The Handicrafts trait was self-explanatory. It enhanced Baron's manual dexterity when crafting items, which would enable him to tackle more challenging projects. The Tamed Creature trait didn't offer any visible benefits, at least not for the time being. It was more of a title than anything else.

Myles closed his menu and stood up. If Baron was capable of making cordage, then his plan to produce water had a better chance of success. He needed to start making a fire, so he began gathering loose branches to serve as the base.

“Think you can make me a fire drill with that cordage?”

Baron cocked his head curiously, not recognising the term. Myles thought about it for a moment before he grabbed a stick and tried to scratch out a rough drawing in the dirt. A fire drill was a device to start a fire using the friction generated between a pivoting branch and the stationary wood piece. He would need a tool resembling a bow, with which he could wrap the cordage around the branch.

Baron jumped up and down in excitement, seeming to understand what Myles wanted, and started on his project. Since arriving here and becoming his tamed companion, it seemed as if Baron was able to understand him even more. He seemed to have obtained a complete command of the English language. Undoubtedly, this was quite convenient.

Myles felt useless, as he was being upstaged by a capuchin monkey. Or maybe he was smart by harnessing Baron's natural capabilities. While his companion was busy, he started searching for a wood piece to use as the base of his fire drill. Once he found an appropriate piece, he carved a ‘V’ shape into it where the rod would rest. He collected some rocks to build a firepit and placed some bigger branches there to act as fuel for the fire.

Once Myles had finished his task, he waited while Baron finished his task. To occupy himself in the meantime, he took the opportunity to open his menu and delve deeper into its contents. Choosing the Status tab next, he started browsing through his parameters.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Myles Fisher

Level: 1

Next: (100)

Experience Cache: (10)

Ap: 0

Class(s): --

Resources

Health: 100/100

Mana: 100/100

Stamina: 97/100

Attributes

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 10

Spirit: 10

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Myles frowned. The first thing that struck him was his lack of physical attributes like strength and vitality. Having previously come across similar gaming systems, he would have expected them to be essential components of anyone's build. The voice in his head appeared to grasp his confusion, as it spoke up.

[Everyone that is a part of the System begins its journey on an equal footing. Their resources and attributes are set to one hundred and ten respectively. The difference lies in the type of primary attributes they begin with, which usually is an indication of their natural talents. Everyone has three primary attributes initially, but through effort, anyone can unlock other primary attributes by performing certain actions. As you progress, you also unlock other parameters, but that is beyond the scope of this discussion.]

Myles was relieved when the voice reappeared and expressed a willingness to share information with him. He decided to establish a rapport with it, hoping to gain additional benefits.

"Excuse me, but could you please identify yourself? I'm curious to know how you are able to communicate directly in my thoughts."

[I am the AI companion assigned to you until you have acclimatised to Gaia.]

“How long is that?”

[Three months]

He had the Accelerated Growth trait for the same duration of time. He wondered how long a month lasted in this world. Did it mirror Earth’s calendar, or were there notable differences? Did the day still consist of twenty-four hours? He wanted to ask, but there were other urgent questions that required answers.

“What do I call you? It’s awkward communicating with you without knowing your name.”

[I have not been assigned a name.]

“I will call you Steve. You sound like a Steve.”

Steve, as he was now called, chose not to respond.

"Steve, could you provide me with a general breakdown of the significance of my parameters? I know that I can gain a deeper understanding of them by focusing on them directly, but I decided it would be more advantageous to ask you instead. How about you start by telling me about resources?”

[Resources are crucial for all living things, as they serve as the essential building blocks that sustain their existence. Once you reach level ten, the amount of resources at your disposal is determined by the classes you choose. Health represents the amount of life force you possess. If it reaches zero, you will die. You can be revived within a minute of dying with certain skills and items, but that is reliant on someone assisting you.]

"Is my health reduced solely from taking damage from fighting, or does it involve other factors as well?"

[Anything that has the potential to hurt your physical body affects your Health. Whether it is through environmental factors, disease, debilitating status conditions, physical and magical trauma, or through self-inflicted actions.]

“So, if I don’t drink enough water, it would also reduce my Health?”

[Affirmative.]

So he had been correct to prioritise water. “What about Mana?”

[Mana is a magical resource obtained through the channelling of energy, and it serves as the means to wield magic. Spellcasters were a rarity prior to the introduction of the System, mainly because it required significant time and effort to effectively channel energy. The System has streamlined this process, eliminating the need for such erroneous tasks.]

“This dimension didn’t always have a System?” Myles mused. “It sounds like both a positive and negative change. Although it enables more individuals to become spellcasters, it has also diminished the value and hardships that spellcasters once had to endure in order to attain their powers. Are there ways to develop skills that were similar to those used by spellcasters in the past, in order to enhance my Mana resource?”

Steve remained silent.

"That must be something you cannot reveal. What about stamina?”

[Stamina is a resource that determines the individual's ability to maintain themself through mental and physical exertion. This means that it applies not only to physically demanding tasks and skills, but also to the use of magic. When an individual's stamina reaches zero, they will experience adverse effects that can vary depending on several factors. Similar to how one's health is affected, an individual's stamina also takes a hit when it is deprived of the necessary fuel.]

Myles noted that he had only used up three Stamina so far. The only real physical effort he exerted so far was when he killed the fish. As a result, the resource had no effect on non-strenuous activities like walking leisurely.

Baron ran over with the bow-like tool that Myles had asked him to make and presented it to him.

"That was quick," Myles said, testing its durability by pulling the cord. It was crude, but considering the limited materials available to him, Baron could not be blamed. Besides, it was more than enough to get the job done. “Well, done. This will work just fine.”

Baron squeaked happily and returned to his task of building his tool.

"Wait a moment, Steve. I need to start a fire."

Myles placed a leaf, along with the tinder on the ground. He placed the piece of wood with the V-shaped notch on top and grabbed the rod and bow. He threaded the rod through the cord and set it securely into the notch. Holding the rod at the top, he slowly started moving the bow back and forward in a sawing motion, until he became more proficient with it. As the speed increased, the rod rapidly started rotating and friction caused the first bit of smoke to appear. He continued his efforts until the tinder ignited, and then quickly lifted the leaf and blew on it to supply oxygen and fuel the fire. Next, he carefully arranged the tinder atop the neatly laid wood within the firepit. Watching intently, he witnessed the mesmerising sight of the flames engulfing the wood, until he had a substantial fire.

“Yes!” Myles cheered, pumping a fist. Has there ever been a more satisfying feeling than the act of creating a fire using only natural resources and your wits?

Baron joined him in celebration, doing an impromptu dance.

“I’m going to need more cord, Baron, so I can set up a tripod.”

Baron nodded and began cutting some more thistle plants. Myles took the spare shirt and tore it in half. He would use the old t-shirt to absorb the steam produced by the evaporated water, and then wring out the water from it. The method was time-consuming, but at least he would have water. Despite one side of the shirt being slightly dirty from Baron lying on it, he could still use the other side.

Myles built a crude tripod over the firepit after Baron supplied him with more cordage. He was let down when he didn't acquire a skill like Baron's. Maybe the tripod wasn’t considered good enough to acquire the skill.

The only thing left to do was retrieve some sea water and string the can above the fire.

“Should I make  myself some better weapons first?”

Myles didn't want to risk being attacked while retrieving water. However, they wouldn't be of much help, as he would need to lie down on his belly to scoop water from the sea, at the lowest point of the island. The thought of being ambushed in such a vulnerable position made him rub his hand nervously. He would need Baron’s help if he was going to pull it off.

He didn’t want to interrupt Baron again, so he waited while his companion finished up his tool. While he did, he checked out Baron’s parameters.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Baron

Level: 1

Next: (100)

Experience Cache: (0)

Ap: 0

Class(s): --

Resources

Health: 50/50

Mana: 50/50

Stamina: 50/50

Attributes

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 10

Intelligence: 10

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Baron’s starting attributes were different from his own, with the exception of Intelligence. It wasn’t surprising that he had the attribute, considering how smart he was back on Earth. His resources were half that of his own, and that may be due to his size, or his species.

After finishing his work, Baron proudly displayed his creation—a small hatchet. He had found a sturdy branch that fit his small hands. Using the pocketknife, he carved a notch into it, placing the sharp rock securely in the groove. He completed the task by securely fastening the rock with cordage.

[Baron has gained the ability to learn Improvised Tools. Do you wish for him to learn it? Current skill capacity: 0/10]

Myles ignored Steve for the moment and congratulated his companion. “That is amazing, Baron. Can you demonstrate it for me?”

Baron grabbed a branch from the pile that Myles had collected and started hacking into it. After several swings, the blade cut through the branch. Baron triumphantly raised the hatchet above his head and began jumping up and down. It's not surprising that humans originated from primates. Before him, a primal scene had taken place—a glimpse into the distant past when early humans first unearthed the art of toolmaking.

Myles noticed that the blade had already chipped off in several places. This came as no surprise, considering that the rock he had used was quite brittle, which explained why Baron could shape it so easily. Given its current condition, it was clear that the blade wouldn't last for much longer.

[If Baron acquires the skill, he will be able to craft a more effective hatchet using the same materials.]

“What do you mean?”

[There is a difference between having the potential to acquire a skill and actually possessing the skill. Did you see the percentage number next to your Improvised Weapons skill? Through the act of raising it to one hundred per cent, the skill undergoes a transformation. What was once ordinary now possesses the Spark.]

“The Spark?”

[It is the name by which the inhabitants of this world commonly refer to it. In simple terms, acquiring a skill means that it gains a special characteristic, which leads to exceptional results beyond what is considered normal. Let’s consider Baron's tool as an example. If he were to acquire Improvised Tools, and then create another hatchet, one can expect that it will be sharper and more durable. While the effect is limited to the rank of the skill and some other factors, it is still undeniably a powerful advantage to have. The world is filled with a multitude of dangers. It was only by acquiring the System that humanity managed to carve out their own place in Gaia and survive the hostile environments.]

“Interesting,” Myles said. “What does the skill capacity mean?”

[You will be limited to a certain number of skills at different stages of your progression. Before level ten and obtaining your first class, you may have up to a total of twenty skills. Since Baron is a creature, his skill capacity is reduced to half that number. If you have a specific type of class in mind, it's important to plan ahead and focus on acquiring skills that will help you achieve that goal.]

“What happens if you choose to not learn a skill once you have met the requirements?”

[The skill will be stored in your skill bank, enabling you to acquire it at your convenience.]

That was important information to know. It was fortunate that there was a high degree of flexibility in managing his skills. Even if he did learn an undesired skill, it didn’t mean he was stuck with it, as he could simply choose to not acquire it. But if he realised later that it was more important than it first appeared, then he could still learn it.

“How do the mechanics of learning skills work?”

[The only information I can provide on this topic is that when you acquire a new skill, you will need to exert more effort in acquiring each subsequent one. This includes skills that you store in your skill bank.]

Myles froze. He was grateful to be learning this information now before he started grinding for skills. Here he thought he could accumulate dozens of skills in his skill bank, and then choose the ones he wanted at leisure. Now, he had to choose more carefully, particularly given his current situation. He needed to be able to defend himself. There was Baron, but his companion seemed more interested in creating things rather than fighting as he once did. Due to this, Myles didn't want to pressure him into fighting.

“Baron,” Myles said, catching his companion's attention. “You have the option to learn the skill, Improvised Tools, but it will use up one of your ten available slots. Do you want to learn it?”

Myles shared with Baron all the information he learned on skills, in order to help him make a more informed decision.

Baron nodded his head decisively, choosing to acquire the skill.

“Steve, I want Baron to learn Improvised Tools.”

[You do not need me to complete the prompt. Open your menu and you will see it waiting for you in the notifications tab.]

"Steve, have you not realised that I can be somewhat lazy? It's important for us to get to know each other better if we are going to work together. By the way, do you happen to have a wife? Allow me to take a guess – her name is Sally, isn't it?"

Steve chose not to respond.

Myles opened his menu and completed the prompt, and Baron learned the skill. Baron jumped up and down in excitement, before peering down at his hatchet in consideration. He knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Hold on, buddy. I am going to need your help for a second.”

Myles took the can and led Baron to the lowest elevation on the island, where he could reach down and scoop up some water.

“I am not going to force you to fight, but I need you to keep an eye out for trouble.”

Baron let out a squeal, waving his hatchet above his head in a way that seemed to say, ‘No problem’. He jumped onto Myles's shoulders, who then lay down and used the can to scoop up the water.  After he acquired it, he quickly moved away from the water's edge, feeling relieved as nothing leapt out to attack him.

Returning to the fire, he hung the tin from the tripod and laid the cloth on top of it. After successfully obtaining his first supply of water, he turned his attention to making himself a weapon for himself. In order to catch something, he required a sharp object with sufficient stabbing capability and adequate range to maintain distance and minimise the risk of injury.

A spear immediately came to mind, as it was easy enough to make, and it would give him plenty of range. Prior to doing so, he wanted to acquire the skill in Improvised Weapons, as it would enhance the effectiveness of his spear. Casting his gaze around, his eyes fell on the hatchet that Baron had made. What if he used Baron’s method to create some daggers instead? He would not only gain practical experience but also have an additional weapon to protect himself.

“Baron, I am going to borrow your hatchet,” Myles said.

Baron waved his hand dismissively, already working on another hatchet. Myles began his task by locating a branch of a suitable size that he could comfortably grasp. He then proceeded to measure the necessary length for the hilt. While he was working, he asked Steve for more information on his parameters. During their discussion about skills, the topic of classes arose, so he asked about them next.

[A class not only describes what a character is, but defines what that character does, and suggests a specific style of play and interaction with other characters. It affects your profession, social standing, and affiliations, depending on where you choose to reside. Your parameters will be affected when you choose your first class at level ten, as well as for each subsequent class.]

“How are classes chosen? Are they predetermined like primary attributes?”

[No. There are two main methods to acquire a class. Once you reach level ten, you will have the opportunity to select a class from a provided list, based on the skills you have developed. The second method involves finding a class that the System seeds throughout the world. Unlike the first method, hidden classes can be obtained without the need for specific prerequisites.]

Myles was starting to understand why all the Earth arrivals had been granted the Accelerated Growth trait. They must be far behind where they should be compared to the inhabitants of Gaia.

“Is access to the system available to everyone from birth?”

[No, everyone becomes a part of the System when they reach the age of ten. They must select their first class before they turn thirteen years old, or else it’s randomly chosen for them. The arrivals from Earth have been given the same duration of time to choose a class.]

“Way behind the curveball,” Myles muttered. How many skills could he develop while being stranded on an island? For example, how did he learn magic? Perhaps the other island will offer more favourable opportunities. Based on his current situation, it seemed likely that he would receive some form of survivalist class.

“How many classes are out there?”

[There are too many to count. After obtaining a base class, individuals have the ability to customise it in numerous ways. They can even rename their class. It is not as restricted or limited as it first appears, although most individuals perceive it as such.]

Interesting. There goes his assumption that he would be locked into a certain archetype when he gained a class. He wasn’t completely sure what direction he was going to go in, but he needed to take his starting primary attributes into consideration. They seemed to suggest that he chose some kind of mage build, which wasn’t a bad option to combine with his Tamer skill. He could build a team of frontline tanks while he slung spells from the back. According to the skill description, the number of tamable monsters he could have at any given time was determined by his Spirit attribute.

“Why are Baron’s parameters lower than mine? I thought you said that everyone starts off on equal footing."

[Monsters and creatures are different from the humanoid races. Their parameters at birth are determined by their physiology and genetic heritage. Depending on the specific monster or creature, they could either be far inferior or far superior to humanoids initially. In addition, instead of having classes, they possess a predetermined set of skills that are ingrained within them and progressively unlocked as they advance. There may be exceptions to this rule, as certain monsters and creatures have the ability to become sentient and expand beyond their predetermined boundaries.]

“Is Baron one of those exceptions?”

[Affirmative. When you tamed him, he gained the ability to progress similarly to a humanoid, with the exception of his initial starting point.]

Myles created three crude wooden hilts that were all of the same length. He then proceeded to use a switchblade to cut out a notch at the top of each hilt. Next, he began searching for three flat stones suitable for honing into dagger blades. He used the same rock that Baron had used to painstakingly sharpen each blade, ensuring they were as sharp as possible without risking breakage.

He inserted each blade into the hilt and secured them with cordage he stole from Baron. His crude daggers were now complete, and he swung each one around to see how they felt. Myles grinned in satisfaction. The weight felt just about right, although the hilt was far from ideal. If he were to hit something solid, the impact would be incredibly jarring.

[You have gained the ability to learn Improvised Weapons. Do you wish to learn it? Current skill capacity: 1/20]

Myles immediately chose to learn it, then waited to feel something. He was disappointed when nothing obvious happened. It was kind of anticlimactic. Opening his skills menu, he confirmed that he had acquired the skill, so maybe he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference until he made another weapon.

He quickly realised that finding the perfect piece of wood for his spear was much more challenging than he had initially thought. The shaft had to be not only of the right weight but also perfectly straight and free from any imperfections. Fortunately, he didn't need to concern himself with the specific type of wood, as it was a type of hardwood, even though he couldn't identify the tree.

He started to climb the trees, searching for the ideal branch that would meet his requirements. After climbing the sixth tree, he finally found what he had been searching for. It was a challenge to cut through the branch with the hatchet, and when he finally finished, the tool was next to useless.

“It was good while it lasted,” Myles shrugged.

He stripped the bark of the branch, then started carving out the pointed head of the spear. He had decided against attaching anything sharp to the head. The rocks were too brittle, and they were likely to shatter under the applied forces, and he had no intention of using his switchblade.

While he worked, he realised that the task was easier than he had imagined, albeit only slightly. Was this the Improvised Weapon skill taking effect? Why didn’t it feel more substantial? Then he remembered the description, which explained that the capability of the skill was influenced by the Dexterity attribute, which he currently didn't possess.

After sharpening the point, he planted the spear in the ground and positioned it over the fire. He wanted to try fire-treating the wood, although he wasn't sure how effective it would be.

[New Skill discovered: (I) Water Filtration -  In Progress: 3%]

Steve’s announcement had Myles checking the water in the can, which had completely evaporated. Only the salt residue remained at the bottom. He untied the cord from the top of the tripod and set it on the ground. Cleaning it out as best as he could, he squeezed out all the water that he could from the cloth into the can. It was a pittance, only producing a shallow amount of water, but the process was rather quick.

“Baron, come and drink the water?” Myles called after the can and water had sufficiently cooled.

“Go ahead,” Myles smiled. "I will drink the next batch of water."

Baron squeaked, then gulped the water down. His companion wrinkled his nose at the taste but didn’t complain.

“I know it isn’t the best-tasting water, but it’s all we got for now,” Myles said.

He opened his skill menu to see the new skill he had learned. His eyes widened as he read its description.

"What a nice surprise. I really want to acquire this skill."

So, what do you think? As I said, there is a lot of info dumping in this chapter, so I may return to edit it at some point. In the next chapter, Lucas starts fishing.

Thanks for reading.