Chapter 21: Being Industrious
I didn't want to just jump in and start trying to skin this monstrosity, considering it ruined my shirt and almost killed me I wanted to make a new shirt out of its hide. A little dark, but I can't go around shirtless or wearing rags forever. Looking over the size of the creature again, even if I messed up I should still end up with enough for a shirt and maybe more.
I started to mentally think about the anatomy of the wolf and the places where I should begin the cuts for skinning. I spent some time logically thinking about how best to proceed. Five minutes later I received two new notifications.
<Carcass of a Lone Grey Wolf (lvl 6): In life this creature for unknown reasons was left alone without a pack; altering the creatures personality, increasing its strength, and lust for blood. Note: By intense study you have gained a basic understanding of the creatures outward anatomical structure, increase chance to successfully harvest materials from all canine type beasts.>
*Ding* <Anatomy (Beast) Skill has leveled>
<Anatomy (Beast) has reached level 8>
With the new information I had gained from studying the best; I clinched my fist around my dagger and started my work.
After an hour of sweaty and bloody work went passed I finally removed the pelt and was rewarded with the following notifications.
<You receive a Grey Wolf pelt x1>
*Ding* <Skinning Skill has leveled>
*Ding* <Skinning Skill has leveled>
<Skinning has reached level 4>
Two levels in skinning, and I didn't ruin the pelt. Elated by my success I started in on butchering the wolf.
I was meticulous in every cut and slice I made. I tried to cut the large muscles into smaller; more manageable portions.
Another two hours flew by. At this point I was drenched in sweat and covered in the beast's blood. But I was proud of my work looking at the notification.
<You receive Grey Wolf meat x224>
I wouldn't be going hungry any time soon. I took the wolf pelt and made sure no meat was left on the pelt and laid it out to start drying.
With the pelt drying and the meat safely in my inventory I quickly made my way over to pond. Reminding myself of my past mistakes; I took off my boots and washed them off. Making sure no water made its way inside them. Dealing with soggy boots wasn't fun.
With the boots safely off to the side I made my way into the water. I washed and scrubbed myself as well as I could with my hands. The soreness in my muscles was being washed away as I scrubbed the grime and gore from my body. By the time I was clean and climbed out of the water I felt completely renewed. My body was filled with energy, it was like I just woke up after a long sleep. It was already sometime in the afternoon but with the amount of energy I now had a plan started to form.
Making sure I was dry enough not to soak my boots I put them back on and made my way over to the drying wolf pelt. It looked like it would take days or longer for it to fully dry. I vaguely remembered reading how skins were stretched across a rack to dry on Earth. I had wood in my inventory; and I could cut strips off the ruined parts of my tunic that could be used to bind the wood together.
Excited by the idea I got straight to work. Using my dagger, I was able to cut plenty of strips off the ruined tunic, and I was able to salvage a vest out of the ruined garment. I donned the vest and started constructing the frame to stretch the skin over.
The first several attempts all collapsed, but I didn't let this deter me and kept trying. I was eventually able to construct something that would work. By no means was it pretty but it functioned so I considered it a job well done. I cut small holes in the skin and using extra strips tied it to the frame. I then placed the frame as close to the fire as I felt comfortable; I was still scared that it might fall into the fire or the pelt would catch on fire. Satisfied with what I had accomplished so far I stood back and admired my work.
There were still a few hours of daylight left so I made my way into the woods and started to cut smaller saplings and gathered as many small branches with leaves as I could. I also managed to harvest plenty of soft grass that would make sleeping on the ground more comfortable. I had spent way too many days in this world sleeping on a hard ground.
Making my way back I started working on making a wooden tent like structure. After some more trial and error, I was able to get a small shelter made in the clearing. I layered the leafy branches on top of the wood, hoping to make it as waterproof as possible. I ended up with just enough room to crawl inside and lay down. Inside I then took out the rest of the leafy branches and laid them down, then on top of them I put down a layer of the grass.
I was becoming a regular survivalist. I then took out the fox and rabbit furs I had collected so far, made sure they were as clean as I could make them, and laid them fur side up on top of the grass. I tried out my new makeshift bed, it was actually super comfortable. 'I've out done myself' I thought to myself as I savored the comfortable bed.
*Ding* <You have created Makeshift Bed and Shelter (Poor)>
*Ding* <Survivalist Skill has leveled>
<Survivalist has reached level 3: +15% more likely to find water and food while in the wilderness, +25% chance of successfully lighting a fire. -10% of creatures disturbing you at night when you are in a campsite you have created.>
Survivalist level 3, nice! It did irk me that the system considered my shelter and comfy bed to be poor in quality though. I worked hard on them and they were pretty comfortable, but I had to admit to myself I wasn't the best craftsman or survivalist. 'It's still a lot better than having to sleep on a hard ground,' I thought to myself.
I now had a shelter to sleep in; the wolf pelt drying on my makeshift wrack. Overall not a bad days work, it helped ease the stress from yesterdays close call. It was still bothering me how close to dying I had come.
"But I survived in the end, and I will continue to survive." I stated firmly, resolving my will to continue growing stronger. Tomorrow I will go hunting again and put my new spells to the test, I had to see how much my strength had increased.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ariauth
Ariauth Sorry for the delayed release, life got in the way. I know it's a bit of a short chapter, but I will post the next chapter as soon as it is finished. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! More action coming in the next chapter! The story will start to pickup a bit from here. Thanks again for reading and all the support!
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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stone