With the day's catch secured in my bag, I decided it was time to learn how to create a fire. I had seen smoke rising from the nearby village, and I was eager to learn how to replicate that skill. I started by gathering materials from my surroundings, careful to choose items that were dry and suitable for creating a fire.

  I collected dry leaves, pine needles, and small twigs, ensuring they were as dry as possible to facilitate easy ignition. I found thin, dry branches and sticks, perfect for building upon the initial tinder and helping the fire grow. I gathered larger logs, making sure they were dry and free of any excess moisture that might extinguish the fire. I needed something to create a spark, so I searched for flint or a sharp stone that I could use to strike against my rusty dagger.

  As I gathered, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I was taking steps to improve my survival skills in this world. I also took care to be mindful of my surroundings, ensuring I left no trace of my presence and preserving the natural beauty of the landscape.

  Back at the cave, I arranged the materials I had gathered into a small pile, following the "tinder, kindling, firewood" principle. I started with a small stack of dry leaves and twigs, creating a loose, yet compact structure for my tinder. I then added a few thin branches, gradually building up the size of the kindling as I prepared to introduce the firewood.

  With my fire lay complete, I turned my attention to creating a spark. I held a small, dry piece of bark from one of the larger logs against the edge of my rusty dagger. Using another small, sharp stone I had found, I struck the bark, creating a small, glowing ember. I carefully transferred the ember to my tinder, gently blowing on it to nurture the flame.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  It took several attempts, but eventually, a small flame ignited. I carefully fed the flame, adding more kindling and firewood as it grew stronger. Within minutes, I had a small, but steady fire burning. I continued to feed it, ensuring the fire would last throughout the night.

  With the fire burning steadily, I turned my attention to the day's catch. I had caught a variety of fish, and I was eager to try my hand at cooking them. I started by gutting and cleaning the fish, careful to remove all traces of innards and scales.

  I skewered the fish on a sharp stick I had fashioned earlier, piercing the fish through the mouth and out the tail. This method ensured the fish would cook evenly and remain on the skewer.

  I held the makeshift skewer over the fire, rotating it slowly to ensure the fish cooked evenly on all sides. I kept a careful eye on the fish, making sure it didn't burn or overcook.

  I had discovered a patch of wild herbs earlier in the day, and I decided to use them to season my fish. I crushed a few leaves between my fingers, sprinkling them over the fish as it cooked. The aroma was enticing, and I couldn't wait to taste the result.

  After a few minutes, I removed the skewer from the fire and blew on the fish to cool it down before taking a bite. The fish was tender and flaky, with a subtle, smoky flavor that was surprisingly delicious. The herbs added a depth of flavor, making the meal even more satisfying.

  As the sun began to set, I called out my status window to see if there had been any changes.

  {STATUS}

  ...

  Skills:

  [Passive]:

  [fire crafting]: Have basic knowledge about creating and maintaining fires. Proficiency: [25/100]

  [cooking]: Have basic knowledge about cooking food. Proficiency: [15/100]

  ...

  I was pleased to see that my 'fire crafting' and 'cooking' skills had gained proficiency points, reflecting my newfound knowledge and practice in these areas