The warmth of the fire was a profound comfort, a stark contrast to the chilling fear and biting cold that had been Kael's constant companions since his rebirth. With his immediate needs for warmth and food met, the lingering Frightened status began to recede, though it didn't vanish entirely. The forest was still a dangerous place, and he was acutely aware of his solitude.
[Frightened status is lessening.]
He spent some time reinforcing his fire, ensuring it wouldn't die out too quickly. He then turned his attention to his remaining problem: the Minor risk of parasitic infection (Duration: 70 hours remaining. Effect: Occasional nausea, minor CON drain if untreated). The thought of tiny creatures potentially making a home inside him was deeply unsettling, far more so than the external threats he'd faced.
"System," he thought, focusing his intent, "is there any information available on treating 'Minor parasitic infection' or identifying medicinal herbs in this region?"
[System Query: Accessing local flora/fauna database (Limited - User Level 1). Cross-referencing 'Parasitic Infection - Treatment'.]
A moment later, new text appeared.
[Result: One common local herb, Salix Viridis (Green Willow), possesses mild antiparasitic properties. Often found near water sources. Visual identification data available. Caution: May cause mild drowsiness.]
[Alternative: Sustained high body temperature (fever) can sometimes eliminate minor parasites. This method is unreliable and carries its own risks.]
[No active quests currently available for parasite removal.]
Green Willow. That was a lead. He accessed the visual identification data, and an image of a plant with slender, pale green leaves and a slightly drooping habit appeared in his mind's eye, along with details of its preferred growing conditions. It looked somewhat familiar, like willows from his old world.
His new objective was clear: find Green Willow.
Before setting out, Kael took stock of his meager possessions and surroundings. He had his flint and pyrite, his sharpened stick (which felt more like a pointy club than a spear), and the knowledge that he could make fire. His lean-to was still a crude affair, but now that he had fire, he could potentially dry out the moss and improve its insulation significantly for the next night.
The stream was his best bet for finding the Green Willow. He decided to follow it upstream, a direction he hadn't yet explored. He carefully banked his fire, hoping it would last until his return, or that he could easily restart it with his new 'Fire Starting' skill.
With his attributes back to normal and the immediate crises averted, Kael moved with more confidence. His AGI of 4 allowed him to navigate the uneven terrain with relative ease, and his INT and WIS, aided by 'Keen Mind', kept him alert to his surroundings. He paid close attention to the plant life along the stream bank, comparing everything to the system's image of the Green Willow.
The forest was alive with sounds – birdsong, the buzzing of insects, the distant rustle of larger animals. He was still wary, his sharpened stick held ready, but the terror that had gripped him earlier was replaced by a focused caution.
After about an hour of careful searching, his eyes landed on a cluster of familiar-looking shrubs growing right at the water's edge, their branches trailing slightly in the current. The leaves matched the system's image perfectly.
"System, confirm identification: Salix Viridis?"
[System Analysis: Positive identification - Salix Viridis (Green Willow). Properties: Mild antiparasitic, mild analgesic. Recommended preparation for internal use: Chew leaves or create an infusion with hot water.]
Relief and another small surge of accomplishment washed through him. He gathered a handful of the freshest-looking leaves. The system mentioned chewing them or making an infusion. Chewing seemed the most straightforward method for now.
He sat by the stream, the sound of the flowing water calming. He took one of the Green Willow leaves and tentatively began to chew. It had a bitter, slightly astringent taste, not entirely unpleasant. He chewed and swallowed several leaves, hoping it would be enough.
[Salix Viridis consumed. Antiparasitic effect initiated. Duration: 4 hours. Stackable.]
[System Notification: Due to proactive treatment of a negative status effect using gathered resources and system information, you have gained 10 XP.]
[Current XP: 65 / 100 for Level 2.]
More XP, and a potential solution to his parasite problem. Things were definitely looking up. The 'Frightened' status finally flickered and disappeared completely.
[Frightened status resolved.]
With his immediate concerns addressed – warmth, food, water, and now a potential cure for his parasites – Kael felt a sense of control he hadn't experienced since waking up in this strange new world. He wasn't just reacting anymore; he was actively shaping his survival.
He gathered more Green Willow leaves, enough for several more doses. As he stood to head back towards his camp and his precious fire, he noticed something else along the stream bank, partially hidden by a tangle of roots – a glint of something that wasn't stone or wood.