Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game-Chapter 29: Silkworm

Morning light peeked through the wooden slits of Caelen's house. He stretched, yawned, and walked outside.

The corn was almost ready.

[Farm Status: Corn - 80%]

He nodded. "Almost there," he said, then rubbed his eyes. "Still not enough to make noodles, though."

He went to the drill. Steam hissed softly. The coal-powered machine was still chipping away at the ground.

[Drilling Progress: 30m completed | 70m left to reach Mythril]

Caelen wiped sweat from his forehead. "Still got a long way. Maybe I should work on something else while it digs."

He called out, "Zira! You around?"

"Over here!" she replied from the edge of the woods, gathering firewood. She had a bunch of small logs under her arms and a leaf stuck to her head. "These better be good logs. You said no soft ones."

"Those are fine," Caelen said, chuckling. "Hey, quick question—do you know anything about silkworms?"

She blinked. "Silk... worms? You mean thread bugs?"

"Sort of. I'll check something."

He tapped his temple and whispered, "Google, how to find mulberry leaves and silkworms?"

[Google Search Results: Silkworms and mulberry trees not native to this world.]

[Similar Detected: Threadcrawlers + Vineleaf Trees (70% match)]

"Threadcrawlers?" Caelen muttered.

[Location Nearby: Small cluster of Vineleaf Trees detected 200m northeast]

He turned to Zira. "Wanna come look for weird worms and strange trees with me?"

"That's the weirdest invitation I've ever gotten," she grinned. "Let's go."

They set off toward the northeast woods. After a short walk, they found tall trees with wide, soft leaves. Small white creatures slowly wriggled on the branches.

[Threadcrawler: Passive creature | Produces strong silk-like thread]

"Bingo," Caelen said. He collected some leaves and carefully scooped a few threadcrawlers into a wooden container. "You guys are my future pillow factory."

Zira leaned close. "They're kinda cute. In a squishy way."

After returning, Caelen placed the bugs in a shaded corner of his house and fed them leaves.

Now that the silk plan was in motion, he turned to something else—his front door. The old one creaked and didn't even close properly.

He removed it and started crafting a better one with thick planks and a sturdy hinge.

[Crafting: Reinforced Wooden Door - Complete]

He installed the door, and it gave a satisfying thump when shut. "That's better."

Zira peeked in. "Feels safer already."

Next, he opened his furnace. The heat was uneven, and he'd been thinking of upgrading it for better metal work.

[Search: Furnace upgrade for metal melting]

[Result: Stone-lined forge with air channel recommended]

He set to work, placing flat stones around the furnace, digging a narrow tunnel underneath, and making a bellows out of leather and sticks.

[Furnace Upgrade Complete: Can now melt stronger metals]

Satisfied, he sat back and caught his breath.

He then pulled out the smooth stone ring he found earlier—the one that unlocked Earth Magic.

He focused and practiced again.

He raised a hand. "Earth Bullet," he muttered.

A small rock shot out, hitting a tree. He grinned.

[Earth Bullet | ★☆☆☆☆ | Accuracy + Slightly improved]

"Still weak, but getting better."

He tried "Earth Shard," forming sharp stones in midair. "Stone Shield," creating a wall-like barrier. His control was rough, but the spells were real.

He paused and looked at his house. "Still feels too plain."

Using the new earth magic, he raised flat stone slabs and shaped a more solid roof frame. No more water leaks when it rained.

[System: Home Upgrade Complete]

He checked the drill again before sunset.

[Drilling Progress: 40m done | 60m left to Mythril]

He crossed his arms. "Slow... but it's getting there."

Zira brought over a bowl of simple stew. "You forgot to eat again."

He took it. "Thanks."

They sat on a log outside, watching the smoke rise from the upgraded furnace.

Zira asked, "Do you think you'll ever leave this place?"

Caelen stared at the drill. "Dunno. Maybe after I get that mythril."

She smiled. "I like it here. It's quiet. Weird, but quiet."

Caelen didn't reply, but he smiled a little.

The threadcrawlers wiggled in their box. The upgraded door stayed shut. And deep underground, the drill kept working.