I'm Contaminated With No Hope Of Recovery

Lem checked the simulation percentage.

[Simulation: 3%]

He noticed that there was not much of a difference in recovery time compared to the period after the other simulations. It appeared that a few more days of survival did not make a significant difference.

Perhaps if he survived for several months or a year, he would have to wait longer than an hour for the simulation to recover.

[Simulation: 17%]

The fox continued to watch him.

He wondered if it had noticed anything when he had absorbed the ‘cultivation’ from the simulation.

[Simulation: 25%]

…

[Simulation: 45%]

…

[Simulation: 61%]

…

[Simulation: 72%]

…

[Simulation: 91%]

…

[Simulation: 96%]...[Simulation: 97%]...

[Simulation: 100%]

[Detecting Karma is small enough to extract energy from the environment. Run Simulation?]

Lem closed his eyes. Wait for an hour. Eat the spiritual berry. Travel north.

Yes, he thought.

The breeze passed over him.

[+1 Energy]

[Starting simulation…]

[-1 Energy] [-100% Simulation]

[Simulation begins.]

Lem entered the ethereal state.

[Day 1: You are abandoned in Lang Woods, waiting, while a small fox watches you. You decide to wait for another hour before traveling. You want to eat the faintly spiritual berry in your possession, but you restrain yourself…

You realize that you have waited for an hour, and you eat the berry, ignoring the bitter taste. You feel more spirited. You set off in a northern direction. The fox follows you for a few minutes before running off…]

Goodbye, little friend, Lem thought to himself.

Even if the fox was only around because of the berry, he could not help but feel well disposed towards it.

[After walking for some time, you rest in place for an hour…

Once you recover, you continue traveling, resting intermittently…

Night falls, and you hide in a partially concealed place, behind bushes. You lack the security of the simulation and are scared of the unknown. You fall asleep with some difficulty…]

…

[Day 3: You feel weaker due to the evil power consuming your vitality…

While walking, you notice a rabbit ahead of you. You slow down, preparing to stab it with your spear, but it runs away…

You eat from your rations and fall asleep…]

[Day 4: You feel weaker due to the evil power consuming your vitality…

While walking, you notice a faint pleasant feeling.]

Lem was suddenly shaken from his casual observance.

Could it be?

Was there another spiritual berry?

He paid full attention as his simulated self began looking around him.

In some directions, the feeling disappeared immediately. In others it hung around.

Lem’s excitement grew. The spirituality appeared to be greater than that of the berry!

It grew more and more intense as he approached a log…