Within the camp like structure, Nox remained seated wit the cub resting by his chest. A pop-up message floating in front of him, while he planned his next steps.
(Analyzing current state...)
Infant creature: resting.
Shelter: temporary and exposed.
Resources: insufficient.
Environmental knowledge: limited.
(Conclusion: Relocation and resource expansion required.)
Nox gently adjusted the position of the cub, ensuring its warmth and comfort as he stood.
"I will search for a more secure shelter—ideally near a water source."
(Secondary objectives activated:
Gather edible plants and protein sources.
Collect fibers for insulation and reinforcement.
Locate natural formations suitable for long-term habitation.)
He glanced toward the direction of the rising sun, calculating angles, wind direction, and the slope of the terrain.
"Beginning perimeter survey... expanding radius."
And with the cub secured against his chest in the leaf-wrapped bag, Nox began moving silently through the bushes, every step calculated, every sound logged.
The forest deepened as Nox proceeded forward, its canopy thickening, allowing only narrow streams of light to pierce through. The soundscape shifted with fewer birds, more wind brushing through dense foliage, and the distant echo of water.
(Sound detected: Flowing liquid.
Possibility: Stream or river.
Direction: East, 340 meters.)
He adjusted course.
After minutes of silent travel, stepping over moss-covered roots and ducking under low-hanging vines, he arrived.
Before him, a stream curved gently through a low valley, its water clear and shallow. Smooth stones lined its edges. To the left there was a small overhang of rock draped in vines, partially enclosed, dry within.
(Analysis:
Water access: confirmed.
Shelter viability: 84%
Risk level: moderate.
Proximity to resources: optimal.)
Nox moved toward the rocky alcove and gently laid the cub onto a patch of dry moss. He knelt beside it, scanning its breathing, heartbeat, and warmth.
(Infant status: Stable. Stress levels decreasing.)
He turned his gaze outward, watching as light flickered over the stream.
"This will suffice."
With swift, practiced movements, Nox began to work, shaping a perimeter of sharpened sticks around the alcove, layering large leaves to block wind, and weaving together more fibers for warmth.
Each motion methodical. Calculated. Yet... something about the way he placed the cub's wrap near the driest wall showed a softness not present in his previous behavior.
While Nox was busy enforcing their shelter, the cub woke up from it's sleep. The cub tilted its head and let out a soft, squeaky "nyu~". Somewhere between a meow and a curious squeak, its tiny voice barely louder than the rustle of leaves.
(Stimulus detected: Vocal emission
Tone: High-pitched
Volume: Low
Emotional tag: Curiosity... discomfort
Possible cause: Hunger)
"...Are you hungry?"
Nox stared at the cub. The cub stared back, still tilted sideways. Without receiving an answer, Nox crouched to the cub's level, his eyes turned serious.
"State nutritional requirement. Verbal confirmation requested."
The cub blinked slowly, let out another soft "nyu~", and then proceeded to bite Nox's finger.
[...]
[Dude... It's a baby, not a calculator.]
Nox pulled his hand back, stared at the bite.
"...Input rejected."
Nox stood up and looked around the area, with the goal of finding food for the cub he entered the forest for the second time. Nox moved through the forest with the cub resting atop his shoulder like a tiny, warm scarf. His eyes flicked from plant to plant.
(Scanning flora...Result: 64% of vegetation is unknown.
Toxicity levels: Unverified.
Edibility: Highly discouraged.)
The cub let out another soft "nyu~", its stomach grumbling like distant thunder.
"Affirmative. Search radius expanding."
He continued walking despite feeling slightly light-headed. After walking for a few minutes, he suddenly crouched near a bush where a shiny, plump beetle-like insects were crawling. He picked one up, examined it closely.
(Property: Chitinous shell.
Behavior: Slow movement.
Nutrition potential: Moderate protein.)
He presented it to the cub.
The cub sniffed it... then dramatically stuck out its tongue and collapsed backward as if it died on the spot.
[...]
[Yeah no. It'd rather starve than eat that.]
Nox lifted up the cub with his arms as he prepared to continue his searching. But near the beetle infested rock, he found a tree large bearing-tree with blue glowing fruits.
Since he himself was starting to get hungry, he climbed the tree with the cub nestled on his shoulder.
(Taste: Bitter.Mouth reaction: Numbing.
Side effects: Mild hallucination.
Recommendation: Immediate disposal.)
He looked at the cub. With eyes wide open, it looked forward to tasting the fruit too.
"No."
The cub sighed like it understood. When he was about to climb down, he saw something through the opening of the tree leaves.
In a clearing, under dappled moonlight, stood the creature that vaguely resembled a goat. That is if goats had six legs, spiral horns, and a tail like a lizard.
It was asleep beside a pool of glowing water, its belly plump with milk.
(Subject: Caprine Mutant
Analysis: Lactating.
Approach viability: Medium.
Risk: ...Yes.)
The cub whimpered again. Nox stared at the goat. Then back at the cub. Making up his mind, he hid and placed the cub in a place surrounded by tall grass.
"...Engaging Operation Lactose Retrieval."
Nox crept closer like a thief in the night. He gently nudged the underside of the mutant goat and, with awkward precision, tried to extract milk to a leaf he gathered before.
SQUISH.
He paused. Looked left.
The lion cub, now wide eyed and sitting like royalty, silently judged him.
[Dude are you seriously milking that goat right now?]
Ignoring the judgement he sensed from the two of them, Nox took a cautious sip.
(Property: Warm. Rich. Slightly fizzy?)
(Result: Nutritional. Digestible. Possibly carbonated.)
Suddenly
THWUMP.
The goat's six eyes flew open.
(Warning: Subject awakened.
Emotion: Rage.
Horn angle: Directly at you.)
"Abort mission."
Nox dashed and picked up the cub to place it on his head. The cub clinging to his head like a fuzzy hat, the mutant goat shrieking in a bizarre mix of bleats and roars behind them.
Branches slapped his face. Rocks flew under his foot. The cub let out terrified "nyunyunyu~!"
After several minutes and one very lucky leap across a ravine, the goat gave up, bleating angrily as it vanished back into the woods.
Nox collapsed behind a boulder, chest heaving.
"...Milk: Acquired."
The cub licked his cheek gratefully.
[...]
[That shit was the stupidest and most heroic thing I've seen you do so far.]
...