A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Humans are both resilient and fragile beings. Like any other animal, but unlike any other, humans are inherently contradictory.

In terms of physical strength, humans are weaker compared to other animals, yet their endurance surpasses many. Along with this endurance and the ability to utilize tools, humans have become the apex predators in the food chain.

However, this achievement is only possible when humans come together as a “collective.” As individuals, humans are feeble. In the wild, there are few animals that can be overcome barehanded. If bitten by a dog, it could be the end.

That’s why hunting alone is incredibly difficult, and it’s challenging to reap the benefits of low calorie consumption. You have to do something, anything, to acquire calories and store energy.

Crunch! 

“Euch…!” 

In that sense, I ate a bug. A white bug found inside a decaying tree. The moment I chewed it, an indescribable disgust filled my mouth, but the scent of soil seemed oddly pleasant.

Gnash- gnash- grind— 

I persisted as much as I could, moving my jaw. I could vividly feel the impression of my face contorting.

In the Soul World, the combat system may be trash, but it boasts high freedom. If there was no food, even bugs could be eaten. However, one must be cautious as some bugs carry poison. Well, being a nerd, I know which ones are poisonous.

If I hadn’t ended up in this forest, this information wouldn’t have been useful. In various ways, it sucks.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

It has such a repugnant taste that it makes me gag. I forced myself to swallow it as bile rose in my throat, barely enduring it. Somehow, even the characters seemed to have a similar reaction when eaten raw. It was an unnecessary dose of reality.

Perhaps it would be better if I grilled it over a fire. However, my left arm was in such a state that I had no choice. At least until my arm recovers, I have no other option but to eat it raw. But I can’t bring myself to eat an animal carcass raw, now can I?

Of course, in the worst-case scenario, I would have to eat it. I just hope it doesn’t come to a situation where I have to suck out the marrow like a primitive person.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

This time, a strange, unpleasant smell filled my nostrils. Every time I breathed through my nose, it felt like I would throw up.

The problem is that one insect is not enough. To endure until my arm heals, I need a few more.

I learned this from Bear Grylls himself. It’s fortunate that I watched his documentaries frequently.

Oh, just in case you’re wondering, I can’t eat the fruit. Most of the time, it could cause diarrhea when consumed.

‘At least there are edible things growing on trees… Sigh.’

The silver lining amidst misfortune is that there is water nearby, a source of sustenance. There is a small stream flowing, and seeing minnows swimming in it indicates that the water is safe to drink.

If a person doesn’t eat for three weeks, they will die, and if they don’t drink water for three days, they will die.

What I desperately needed was water, and now I could finally let out a sigh of relief.

‘The problem is that all sorts of animals will come rushing to drink that water.’

Perhaps Porori might come too. I heard that many stagnant waters went to the riverside to hunt the Porori’s.

If that happens, I plan to run away without looking back. I am at the very bottom of the food chain as a human.

It could be considered lucky that I managed to defeat a starving wolf. If there were no branches or rocks nearby, I would have died right there.

‘I have to hold on until my arm recovers.’

The top priority was the recovery of my arm. My range of activity would expand once my arm recovers.

But even that is not certain, as my arm could deteriorate due to infection before that.

In the meantime, it would be nice if someone luckily found me, but upon further thought, it’s not a very realistic expectation.

If the porori’s are present here, it means this place is deep in the wilderness. It would be a suicidal situation to enter here without any protection.

In other words, the chances of me escaping from here are significantly low. I might have to choose not “living”, but “staying alive”.

‘Oh well, maybe I can leave before that.’

I just need to adapt a little. Even Bear Grylls himself didn’t just survive and escaped without adapting.

Even eating insects now is to meet the minimum requirements for survival. I heard they are rich in protein.

This is only the minimum. Unless I go hunting or fishing, it’s impossible to eat until I’m full.

‘At the very least, if my arm were fine…’

It’s a pity that I can’t even try eating the starved wolf I caught yesterday. Once the smell inside my mouth almost disappeared, I started moving my feet.

For now, I have no choice but to sustain myself with insects. I estimate it will take at least a month for my arm to fully recover. 

‘Can I endure for a month?’

Even a month is an assumption based on finding plants that are good for recovery. Luckily, I found a plant that stops bleeding, but I must also consider that it may be the end of my booty. 

Instead of escaping, I feel that even surviving will be extremely difficult. This forest is a place where only high-level individuals can enter. 

I could only see a gloomy future. I wish someone would reach this far. 

Slither- 

“What…?” 

Suddenly, a chilling sensation ran down my spine. I shuddered and looked back. 

Slither- Hiss- 

It was a creature with a split tongue and a long body, a reptile known for its flexibility and easily climbing trees.

As I looked at it, a creepy snake was staring straight at me. Its constantly flickering tongue suggested that it has detected my presence. Even small snakes are creepy, and this one was not small in size. By the way, when did it approach me from behind?

Shaa!

Just as I had that thought, the snake lunged at me with its mouth wide open. Its two sharp fangs glistened menacingly, as if proving that it’s a venomous snake.

“What the hell!”

Startled, I instinctively moved my upper body. The snake’s head narrowly passed by my cheek.

Since I dodged the attack, it was my turn now. Before the snake could regain its posture, I grabbed its body.

Though I could only grab it with my right hand since my left arm was useless, it was enough.

Shak!

As soon as I held its body, the snake resumed its attack. It lunged towards my right arm, which was holding its body, with its mouth wide open.

If I couldn’t use my right arm anymore, my chances of survival would drop to 0%. Desperately, I released the hand that was holding onto its body.

The snake fell to the ground as soon as I let go. Then, swiftly, it escaped through the thick bushes.

“… …”

It all happened so quickly that my mind felt dazed. If I didn’t feel a shiver down my spine or reacted even slightly slower…

This place wasn’t just dangerous because of big beasts. Snakes, insects, and plants with poison are the most dangerous. And in the worst case, I might have to eat those things. Just the thought of it made me nauseous.

[Quick reflexes! Agility increased!] 

“Damn it…”

I muttered a curse under my breath. As if things weren’t already messed up enough, they got even worse. Why on earth did I end up in this place?

They could have at least sent me to a city, but why did it have to be a forest filled with all sorts of dangers? If there were gods here, I would shower them with curses. 

By the way, there are gods in this world.

If I ever return to the city, I’ll definitely let loose a stream of curses. I made that promise today.

[Faith decreased.]

Get lost. You’re not even helpful, you bastard. So what if my faith decreases? What can you do, you bastard?

‘First, I need to get out of this place. I will definitely find a way out.’

I moved cautiously, keeping a close eye on my surroundings.

If something felt too dangerous, I didn’t even go near it. It seemed like going there would put my life at risk.

Since I’ve gained an ability that seemed utterly useless, I planned to make the most of it.

‘Just endure for one more month. Once my arm is healed, I’ll escape then.’

However, that determination never came to fruition. 

Creak! Clang! Clang! 

“Damn it!” 

I poured all my strength into survival. 

Awooooo!! 

“Damn it!” 

As if it were a lie, I completely adapted to this forest. 

“Damn it(Fucking dick).” 

Losing my language ability was just an additional setback.

******

One can think of the untouched wilderness as a true survival of the fittest. The weak disappear, and only the strong can benefit from the environment. 

However, even that statement is wrong. It is true that the strong prey on the weak. So what is the standard of the strong? Is it the physically strong or the intellectually sharp? 

At least in developed civilizations, it would be like that. If one excels in either aspect, they are likely to stand out. However, the wilderness is different. Just as the environment itself is different, there is only one way to become the strongest in the wilderness. 

Surviving. 

Crack!

Groooowl- Roar! 

A black bear with a massive body collapsed, causing the ground to tremble. A stone axe was firmly lodged in the bear’s jaw, just like a chopping axe for firewood. 

Pluck-

As I retrieved the crude stone axe, a sticky sound could be heard. The sensation transmitted through my hands completely. Now it wasn’t even unpleasant. I was just glad to have enough food to last me a few days. 

Skinning might be a bit bothersome, but it’s a reliable source. Who cares if it stains the cave floor? 

“Hmm. Damn(Good).”

With one hand, I dragged the bear along. There will be traces, but I don’t mind. The stronger the scent of the recent predator that roamed this area, the more advantageous it is for me. 

Ordinary predators didn’t even have a reason to come here, let alone could approach. If they do, then I’ll find somewhere else. 

Sshhk- 

Suddenly, a sound reached my ears. I ignored it and kept dragging the bear. There’s no need to disturb anything if it’s just observing. I’ve already secured an ample food supply. Of course, there are hardly any creatures in the wild that couldn’t make rational judgments. Especially if they perceive me as a threat. 

Shaaah!

Now it’s so familiar that it’s getting boring. I quietly raised my arm. In the past, I would have been scared and cowered. But not anymore.

Grab!

I accurately grabbed the head of the snake that was rushing at me like an arrow from the tree. I paused for a moment and stared at the snake.

The snake wriggled, with its head firmly in my grasp. The fangs inside its wide-open mouth are threatening.

Puck!

Ah, I should have aimed a bit higher. I hastily caught it, and the damn fangs pierced my skin.

However, the snake couldn’t pierce through my skin, and even if it did, I wouldn’t be poisoned. After being poisoned by so many toxins, I’m immune to most of them. In the process, my skin has become tougher too.

Of course, it’s not necessarily a good thing. Poison and medicine are just a thin line apart, and I’m not good at distinguishing herbs either.

I thought the concept of “invulnerability to all poisons” from martial arts s would be great, but that turned out to be false. Maybe there’s something strange about my body.

Crunch!

Well, at least I got a snack. I bit off the snake’s head and spat it out on the ground.

Perhaps due to its unique characteristics, even with its head torn off, the snake’s body writhed and squirmed. It’s truly a disgusting creature, no matter how you see it.

Drip-drip-drip-

However, now it’s snack time for me. I continued on my way, munching on the snake like jelly. Since I also caught a bear, it was a feast.

The truth is, this bear is pitiful. It was a result of foolishly wandering off and meeting an unfortunate end.

But what can I do? It’s his fault for stepping in the wrong place. In the wild, only the strong survive.

In the end, this bear is nothing but the weak.

“Damn(I’m hungry).”

And I survived another day.

Life sucks.