Daniel woke without a good morning message. It was sorely missed, especially since he knew he’d need all the stats he could get to pass the test.

  The previous night, he’d stayed up wracking his brain over what he could make. He had so little experience with making things that it wasn’t funny. For God’s sake he worked in an office job coding all day—what did he know about crafting things?

  Trying to clear his mind, he got up and started pacing.

  Okay let’s think about this logically. What would be the best thing to make for the liza- Soven. They’re Soven.

  He paused, realizing that he didn’t have a clue what they’d like. All he knew was that that looked like bipedal lizards and lived in trees.

  He looked at the door.

  He was going to have to go outside and ask around, wasn’t he?

  Taking a deep breath and mentally preparing himself, Daniel stepped to the door. It never became easy, but if he was in a high up place for long enough, he could at least function without collapsing.

  Stepping outside, Daniel’s heart leapt into his throat as a smooth voice greeted him from above. “Greetings, Daniel the human. I am Freyiik.” He flinched, looking up to see a figure hanging upside down from a nearby branch.

  “Ah!” he yelped, stepping back.

  The figure—slender and agile—flipped gracefully to the ground, landing lightly on her feet.

  “I am to guide you around our home,” they continued, a hint of amusement in their tone.

  Daniel exhaled, steadying himself. “Oh, uh, hello. Just Daniel is fine, thanks.”

  “Very well, Daniel,” Freyiik said with a nod. “I was told you have a test to determine if you may remain. Is there anything you’d like to do to prepare?”

  Staying near the wall, Daniel hesitated before speaking. “Yeah, I’ve got a few questions. But first—how should I refer to you? Are you male or female? I’ve been calling everyone ‘they,’ and it’s starting to confuse me.”

  Freyiik’s lips curved upward in a soft laugh. “Ah, I suppose it would be difficult for you to tell us apart. I am female, though I can’t say I can tell what you are either.”

  Daniel smiled awkwardly. “Male, for the record.”

  “Understood.” Freyiik gestured ahead. “Come, walk with me. You may ask your questions as we go.”

  She began walking down one of the bridges, and after a moment of hesitation, Daniel followed, keeping a steady pace beside her. “Thanks. So, what I really need to understand is what the Soven need or use. I’ve noticed you don’t wear much in the way of armor or clothing.”

  The Soven he’d seen so far wore minimal clothing—tight coverings around their waist, a few bracelets and anklets, and some had headdresses. Their anatomy was different from humans', and with their ability to change the color of their skin, Daniel could see why they didn’t need much clothing.

  “No, we have no need for such things,” she replied. “It has been tried before, but our greatest strength is our ability to hide. Covering our skin only hinders that.”

  “That makes sense,” he said. “What about weapons?”

  Freyiik tilted her head slightly, considering. “We use tools when necessary. But our most effective weapon is our claws. They’re capable of paralyzing prey with a single scratch.” She flexed her fingers, the sharp tips glinting in the light.

  He gulped at that. "Noted."

  Before he could continue, he saw a group of Soven climbing down one of the trees. Noticing his gaze, Freyiik turned to see what he was looking at.

  “Ah, one of Thun’s hunting parties,” she said. “They’re sent out every day to secure food for our home. The forest provides, but only to those who know how to take from it without taking too much.”

  Daniel watched as the Soven moved with practiced ease, their bodies fluid as they swung from branches and landed lightly on the ground below.

  “Thun likes to load his hunters with traps for smaller prey,” Freyiik continued. “It helps them secure quick meals while they search for something larger to bring back. If they're fortunate, they might find a creature big enough to feed everyone for a while.”

  She glanced over at Daniel. “It’s not always easy, though. The bigger beasts are always a challenge to hunt.”

  Noticing something in her voice, Daniel turned toward her. “Were you in a hunting party?”

  “Yes, I was,” she said, her tone turning wistful. “I was one of the best.”

  Daniel noticed the shift in her expression but decided not to press. He didn’t know her well enough to ask. However, Freyiik seemed to pick up on his curiosity and gave a light laugh.

  “You’re very polite, Daniel,” she said with a faint smile. “But it’s no secret. There’s a disease that stops Soven skin from shifting—makes it more like yours. I caught it many moons ago. Once I lost my ability to blend in, I wasn’t allowed to hunt anymore.”

  Daniel winced, feeling a pang of sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

  She tilted her head, a puzzled expression crossing her face. “It’s not your fault, Daniel. But thank you.” She smiled at him, a little brighter this time. “Let me show you our home.”

  With that, Freyiik led Daniel through the intricate network of bridges and platforms that made up the Soven’s home. The trees towered above, their massive trunks serving as the foundation for the structures woven into their branches. The Soven had clearly mastered living in harmony with the forest, blending their homes seamlessly into the trees without disturbing the natural surroundings.

  Their first stop was a large open platform connected to several trees, where a group of younger Soven were playing. The sounds of laughter echoed through the air as they climbed and leapt between branches, their skin shifting in vibrant, playful patterns.

  "Here, the young ones learn agility," Freyiik explained, gesturing to the lively scene. "From a young age, they are trained in the arts of concealment and movement."

  Next, she led Daniel to a communal eating area. The large platform was piled high with slabs of raw meat. The Soven were tearing into their meals with sharp teeth and claws.

  Daniel could almost taste the blood in the air, the raw scent of flesh reminding him just how different their world was from his own.

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  “This is where we eat,” Freyiik said casually. “We prefer our food fresh, straight from the hunt. It is how we stay strong.”

  After that, they visited a gathering place where Soven of all ages came together to share stories, discuss matters of importance, or simply relax. Smaller platforms were suspended nearby, clustered together in close proximity. The air buzzed with a quiet hum of conversation as the Soven settled into groups—some speaking in low tones, others laughing together.

  “This is where we come together,” Freyiik explained, “to share knowledge and our experiences.”

  Finally, after showing him around the heart of their home, Freyiik guided him back to the area where he’d been staying.

  “I will leave you to think,” Freyiik said, nodding at him. “The test will be soon, and I trust you will be prepared.”

  Daniel nodded, the weight of the upcoming challenge pressing down on him. “Thank you,” he replied, stepping inside the room.

  Once the door closed behind him, Daniel sat down on the floor, exhaling deeply. He had just an hour before the test, and he needed to clear his mind and focus.

  What did the Soven expect from him? He wasn’t sure what they needed, but whatever he crafted had to show he could contribute.

  His thoughts wandered, trying to piece together everything he had learned about the Soven and their way of life. They were built for agility and stealth. They hunted their own food. They valued utility and survival above all else.

  Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. The System didn’t specify that he could only craft weapons or armor. He double-checked the abilities, just to be sure. They simply said "crafted items."

  He had been so focused on the idea of weapons and armor that he’d overlooked other possibilities, but there was something he had experience with that may work for the Soven.

  That... could work.

  Upon entering the building where his fate would be decided, Daniel was greeted by three Soven. Thun, Freyiik, and another Soven Daniel hadn’t seen before.

  “Welcome, Daniel,” Thun said, his voice steady. “Are you prepared for your test?”

  “Yes, I think so,” Daniel replied. “Before I begin, I know both you and Freyiik, but I have not been introduced to…”

  “Him,” Freyiik provided.

  “Him,” Daniel finished. He wasn’t surprised to see Freyiik here—it made sense that they’d want someone familiar with him involved in the discussion.

  “I am Zir,” he said, simply.

  “Thank you,” Daniel said. “Yes, I’m ready. I’ve thought about it and I know what I should craft.”

  “Very well,” Thun stated, “Then you shall begin your test. Now, what materials and tools do you require?”

  Daniel thought for a moment before speaking. “I’ll need some strong cord or vines, something flexible. A few saplings—springy ones, if you have them—and some flat stones or a heavy object for weight. A small knife for carving would help, just something for shaping. I’ll need a couple of straight sticks for the frame and triggers. And… if you have anything like small pieces of wood or rough branches, those could work for parts of the mechanism. Some extra cord to tie things together would be useful too.” He glanced around briefly. “That should be all I need.”

  Thun blinked at his deluge of words. “That is quite a request, but easy enough. Very well, they will be brought here.”

  With that, he gestured toward a Soven Daniel hadn’t noticed standing off to the side, blending in. The Soven quickly ran off to gather the materials.

  When he was a young boy, Daniel had been in Boy Scouts. While he hadn’t made it to the highest rank due to time constraints, he had learned a few useful things. One of those skills was the creation of different traps—something that might just come in handy now.

  When the Soven returned with the materials, Daniel took a deep breath. It had been years since he’d made stuff like this, but the skills should come back to him.

  He started by gathering the vines and cord, testing their flexibility and strength. He selected the thinner, more pliable strands, laying the thicker ones aside for later. He worked quickly, tying secure knots and wrapping the cord tightly where needed, moving with a steady rhythm as his hands remembered the motions.

  Next, he selected a few saplings, testing their flexibility by bending them gently. He trimmed away the thinner branches, leaving enough length for his purpose.

  Carefully, he bent one into a curved shape, feeling for the right tension. When it bent too easily, he adjusted, bending it just a bit more. Satisfied, he set it down and moved to the next step.

  He reached for a small piece of wood, using his knife to carve a precise notch. The carving was slow at first, but soon his hands found the groove, shaping the piece just right to fit the mechanism. With a sharp snap, it locked into place. He tested it once, twice, adjusting the tension again until it worked just as he remembered.

  He shifted his focus to the frame, using a couple of straight sticks to form a sturdy structure. The weight had to be just right, so he experimented with a few different stones, placing and adjusting until it felt balanced. Once satisfied, he moved on to the final piece.

  The last part was trickier. He carefully positioned another piece of wood, then tied the cord in precise loops. The knots had to be firm but loose enough to unravel quickly. After a few attempts, he tested the release, making sure everything was tight and secure.

  Finally, Daniel was done. Sitting before him were three different traps, compact and ready for use, though a bit rough around the edges. The dings from the System alerts filtered into his awareness, but he ignored them for now, instead focusing on Thun.

  “I’m finished,” Daniel said, looking up. “These should work.”

  “Interesting,” Thun said, turning to Zir. “What do you make of these?”

  “A tension snare, deadfall trap, and net trap,” Zir replied, eyeing the traps closely. “Simple, but competently made. They seem to be transportable.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Thun said, nodding before turning back to Daniel. “I have thoughts about these, but before I continue, why don’t you tell me why you made them and how they’re empowered?”

  Daniel took a breath, collecting his thoughts. “I’m not skilled at making many things, but I do know how to create simple traps. I know your hunters use them, and figured that having them empowered would be best. My goal was to create something practical—something that fits the way you hunt.”

  He pointed to the first trap, the tension snare.

  Tension Snare

  A pre-assembled loop of wire or cord with a spring-loaded mechanism to snap shut when triggered. Designed for small game like rabbits or birds. A versatile trap for the subtle hunter, its taut coil lies in wait, springing into action without a whisper. Enhanced with Silent Coils and Adaptive Trigger, it works tirelessly until the hunt is done.

  Silent Coils – The snare automatically muffles sounds when triggered, preventing prey from alarming others.

  Adaptive Trigger – The snare adjusts its sensitivity based on the size and weight of the target, ensuring it triggers only on viable catches.

  “This one, for example, is enhanced to muffle the sounds of caught prey and ensure it won’t trigger if something too large comes along. That should make it more reliable.”

  He then pointed at the deadfall.

  Collapsible Deadfall Trap

  A small platform-and-weight mechanism with a collapsible frame for easy transport. It’s used to crush small to medium prey when triggered. A hunter’s companion, compact yet deadly. Enhanced with Reinforced Impact and Trap Aura, this tool ensures stealth and power, striking true before the prey even notices.

  Reinforced Impact – Increases the weight’s striking force, making it effective even against tougher prey.

  Trap Aura – The trap camouflages itself, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.

  “This one’s designed to blend into its surroundings more effectively, and it hits harder when triggered.”

  He then turned to the final trap

  Compact Net Trap

  A foldable net made from strong fibers, rigged with a spring mechanism to entangle prey when triggered. A snare of woven ingenuity, folding neatly yet springing wide. Enhanced with Binding Web and Exhaustion Weave, it is a hunter’s swift ally, capturing prey with precision.

  Binding Web – The net tightens automatically, ensuring prey cannot escape.

  Exhaustion Weave– Trapped prey are slowly sapped of energy, making escape increasingly difficult as they struggle.

  “This one tightens automatically once it captures something, and the prey gets weaker the longer they’re trapped, making it harder for them to escape.”

  He glanced around at the group. “I figured that traps like these would fit well with your way of hunting—silent, efficient, and hard to detect.”

  Daniel exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves, and pulled up the final notification in his mind.

  Crafting Complete: Your traps have been made with skill. The tension snare, deadfall, and net are of Reliable quality.

  Stats gained: Dexterity +2, Intelligence +1, Perception +1

  He blinked at the message, a faint sense of satisfaction breaking through his tension. Whatever happened next, he was proud of what he’d crafted.

  Closing the notification, Daniel looked back at the three Soven, their expressions unreadable. Thun’s sharp gaze lingered on the traps, and Freyiik’s tail swished in slow, deliberate arcs. Even Zir, who had barely spoken, seemed to be weighing something in his mind.

  Daniel had done all he could. Now, it was their turn to decide.