NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Planning
At dawn, I wake up with a strange feeling. The meat I hunted last night is fine for now, but it won't last long. If I don't find a way to preserve it, it will rot quickly. The hide of the kill seems to be in good condition, and I might be able to get some use out of it later, but the meat is my priority.
I sit there for a moment, thinking. How to preserve it? In my past life, I knew that the best way to preserve meat was with salt. Sure, I could try drying it, but in this damp forest climate I'm not sure that would work that well. The most practical thing would be to salt the meat, but… where do I get salt here?
As I go through the options, I realize something. I'm on a mountain. And if I remember correctly, some animals look for rocks with natural salt to lick off of. Maybe that could be the key. If I see any animals licking rocks, it could mean there's rock salt nearby.
The plan for the day is clear: find salt. If I find a good spot, refining it will be easy with some time and patience. It shouldn't be that complicated, and if I manage it, I'll be able to salt all the meat and ensure I have food for several days.
I pick up my makeshift spear and prepare to head out into the forest. The sun is just peeking through the trees, and the fresh air fills my lungs. It's time to find what I need to survive.
In addition to looking for salt, I also realize that this could be a good opportunity to collect magnesite. During my first explorations, I found some exposed ore on the mountain, and although I didn't have the means to take it with me then, today I can take advantage of the outing to look for more.
If I can collect magnesite, it could be useful for later, perhaps for some metal- or tool-related project. I'm not entirely sure yet, but it's always better to have resources on hand. So, in addition to salt, I'll also be on the lookout for any trace of that rock.
Today will be a productive day, that's for sure. With spear in hand, I set out, ready to find what I need.