Isekaid into the Wilderness

CH19: Winter's Training

The morning sun cast a soft golden glow across the snow-covered landscape as Kazuki emerged from his shelter. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the crisp chill of the air on his skin. Today was a day for practice – a day to test the newfound tool that he had meticulously crafted. With a sense of anticipation, he retrieved the bow he had made, the wood feeling cool and sturdy in his hands.

"Time to see how effective this bow really is," he muttered to himself, a mixture of excitement and determination in his voice.

His eyes fell upon a nearby tree with a wide, gnarled trunk. It seemed to beckon him, a perfect target for his practice session. Kazuki made his way to the tree, his bow and a bundle of simple wooden arrows in hand. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He had practiced his technique extensively, but this was the first time he would put his skills to the test on a target.

He positioned himself a distance away from the tree, adopting a stance he had practiced countless times. As he pulled back the bowstring, he took a deep breath, steadying his aim. The wooden arrow was no more than a basic tool, its tip shaved to a point and charred in the campfire to give it extra strength. It was a humble creation, but it was his creation, and he hoped it would serve him well.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered, his voice carrying a mixture of determination and hope.

With a controlled release, the arrow sailed through the air, its trajectory guided by Kazuki's practiced hand. It struck the tree with a solid thud, embedding itself into the bark. Kazuki's eyes widened in surprise and satisfaction. It wasn't a perfect shot, but it had hit its mark.

"Not bad for a first attempt," he remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Kazuki retrieved another arrow from his bundle and nocked it onto the bowstring. He took a moment to adjust his stance, correcting his posture based on the previous shot. As he released the arrow, he watched it sail through the air, hitting the tree trunk just a few inches away from the first arrow.

"Getting closer," he noted aloud, his tone a blend of concentration and self-assessment.

Over the course of the next week, Kazuki continued his practice regimen. Each morning, he would wake up early, his breath visible in the frigid air, and make his way to the tree with the large trunk. He shot arrow after arrow, each shot a step toward honing his skills. Gradually, his accuracy improved. The arrows found their marks more consistently, forming a tight cluster around the initial target.

Kazuki's determination was unwavering. He knew that in this harsh wilderness, his ability to effectively use the bow could mean the difference between sustenance and hunger. Each time an arrow found its mark, he spoke words of encouragement to himself.

"Nice shot," he'd say, his voice infused with a sense of pride.

"Keep your focus," he'd remind himself when a shot missed the mark.

As he shot, retrieved, and shot again, Kazuki's thoughts turned to the arrows themselves. He recognized that his current arrows were simple and effective for practice, but he wondered if they would be sufficient for hunting larger game. Their wooden tips were sturdy, and charring them had provided some reinforcement, but he couldn't help but question whether they would penetrate the thick hides of creatures like deer or boars.

"The wood's holding up, but will it be enough?" he mused aloud one particularly cold morning.

He glanced at the tree trunk, the arrows embedded in the bark serving as a testament to his progress. But he knew that hunting required more than accuracy – it required the right tools. He had dabbled in knapping, attempting to shape stones into sharp arrowheads or knives, but his efforts had thus far yielded imperfect results.