After a few swings of his shovel, Ace earned a new passive skill.
[You have obtained a new passive skill—Excavator (I)]
[Excavator (I)—Passively improves digging speed and efficiency, allowing you to move earth and excavate materials with less effort.]
The dirt seemed to melt under Ace’s boots. In no time he was so deep his crew had to lean over the edge to spot him. Using the packed walls for footholds, he climbed out and looked around.
"Not bad," he said. "We’ll carve out enough room for all of us to crash underground. While I keep digging, a few of you grab thick branches and leaves."
Ace thought about building a ladder but ditched the idea. A simple dirt staircase would do and cost everyone less sweat.
Branches and leaves soon piled up beside the pit. Ace vaulted out and waved the crew closer.
"To hide our scent and stay outta sight, we need a solid roof. We’ll weave the branches, smear wet dirt over the gaps, then cover everything with leaves. One hole in, one hole out—simple."
None of the guys knew knots, so Ace gave a quick lesson. They lashed the branches into a rough lid full of gaps. Ace grinned, scooped a shovel of soil, and splashed some drinking water on it.
"Stream water’d be better, but the other team’s still out," he said, kneeling to mix the mud.
The others followed his lead, slapping mud over the lid until it blended with the forest floor.
Alex chuckled. "This is fun."
"It’s hella fun, Don Capo!" another guy yelled.
They’d trained together, but building something side‑by‑side forged a bond that booze behind the apartment block never could.
Ace smiled. "Good to hear."
Chaewon’s group came back later, packs bulging with herbs and berries. At first they couldn’t find the others—only Ace’s bike leaning against a tree. Then a hatch popped up, and one of the boys waved.
"We’re still working, but check it out!"
Chaewon laughed. "You really pushed stealth camping to the limit!"
She slid through the narrow entrance. The shelter was huge. Ace, still digging, carved sleeping alcoves in minutes. By nightfall there’d be room for everyone—and maybe a fire.
"There’s no vent for a bonfire unless we crack the door," she muttered.
Ace turned. "Finally back. Took you long enough."
"I had to brief the guys," Chaewon said.
"Thanks. How’s the haul?"
"Wait till you see this—truffles!" She dumped her pack and held one up, beaming.
Ace squatted to inspect the find. "Those grow underground near tree roots. You must’ve ranged farther than I thought. Showing off, huh?"
Chaewon grinned. "Yep."
"You know how to cook ’em? I’m teaching everyone to cook tonight. Mercer’s in, the rest are whining, but nobody leaves till they can fry an egg."
"I can handle truffles, but I’m betting you’ve got a trick lined up. So I’m leaving the stash with you." Her bright, hungry look caught Ace off guard.
"Fine," he said, smiling back. "We’ve got plenty of dry wood, so let’s get the fire going."
"What about ventilation?" Chaewon asked.
"We’ll keep the blaze small. Afterward, we’ll air out the shelter so no one breathes smoke," Ace said.
They gathered the wood and filled a bowl with water. Ace spun the wooden drill against the fireboard until a tiny ember glowed. He coaxed it into flame, drawing wide‑eyed cheers from the crew. Chaewon knew the trick but just smiled.
Instead of setting the bowl on the fire, Ace used the water to rinse the truffles and other mushrooms while he explained each step. He dumped the rinse water, filled the bowl with fresh water, and set the clean pieces to a slow simmer for mushroom stew.
As the aroma thickened, the boys swallowed hard. Stomachs grumbled like distant thunder; someone guessed one rumble came from Chaewon. She blushed and kept quiet, and the others did the same.
At last Ace ladled out the stew and handed the bowls around.
"Don Capo’s cooking is perfect."
"Big bro’s a genius!"
"When our allowance dries up, we’ll just live in the woods with Don Capo!"
Ace shook his head with a crooked smile. He knew what lay ahead, but he let them enjoy this easy night. Tomorrow he’d test what they’d learned.
Chaewon murmured, "It’s a nice break from reality."
Ace felt a pinch in his chest. He shut his eyes and let the ache settle.
Later the crew roamed the moonlit forest. Even these street‑tough kids flinched at every crack of a twig. Mercer stuck to Chaewon; Chaewon stayed close to Ace. They found a clearing and stared up at the stars—the perfect end to day one.
Over the next week Ace taught, trained, and foraged.
[You have obtained a new passive skill—The Forest Forager (I)]
[You have obtained a new passive skill—The Chef (I)]
[Your Sprinter’s Stride (I) has leveled up to Sprinter’s Stride (II)]
[A new node for Sprinter’s Stride has been unlocked and learned—Forest’s Whisper]
[Forest’s Whisper—Your steps and sprint make no sound in the forest despite all potential obstacles.]
Each ding of a new skill made Ace grin, first life or second. He was still smiling when a shout cut through the trees.
"Don Capo! Chaewon sunbae‑nim’s collapsed! It’s bad!"
"What? Where is she?!" Ace jumped off the tree stump and tore after his friend.