After that failed hunting attempt, I stood up and wiped the mud off my face. Hunger was killing me and frustration was eating me alive; I wanted to catch that animal no matter what. I decided to calm my wild instincts and force myself to think like a rational human.

  If I still hadn't gotten used to my new physical capabilities, my mind still had options. The most logical thing was to build a rudimentary trap using these hands which, even if they didn't have the best thumbs in the world, had to be useful for something.

  In my spare time, back when I was human, I used to watch videos on Lootube from channels like Trinity Technology and documentaries about prehistory. I specifically remembered an episode where they taught how to make ancient traps, so I got to work building a deadfall trap.

  I started looking for branches, sticks, and any kind of natural rope. I spotted some vines under a tree and approached them; I grabbed a small one and tried to tie a knot, but it was incredibly complicated. My hands wouldn't cooperate—the damn knot kept slipping. Or did I just not know how to tie them anymore? I definitely have to get used to this body.

  I found a flat stone about 20 inches long by 20 inches wide. I went back to the tree and pulled on the largest vine; its length surprised me—it was partially buried and, by the time I realized it, I had about 22 feet of natural rope in my hands. I set it aside and used several small vines to wrap around the bottom of the stone to create a support. It took quite an effort, as the rock was heavy enough to make me sweat. Now came the real challenge: the knots.

  My plan was to pass several vines under the stone and tie them all at the top center. Thank goodness my mom forced me to go to that camp when I was a kid; they taught me how to tie knots there. Just remembering it brought a small tear to my eye.

  I worked quickly and, before I knew it, I was finishing up. The knots were firm, or so I thought. I tied the long vine to the stone's anchor and threw it over a tree branch, improvising a rudimentary pulley.

  Let me explain how a deadfall trap works: the trick is to suspend a weight in the air using a rope that passes over a branch and goes down to a sensitive trigger on the ground. Right underneath, you place the bait. When the animal pulls on the food, it releases the mechanism and... BOOM! The weight drops instantly, finishing off the prey.

  Before hoisting the stone, I prepared the trigger. Then, I pulled the rope with all my strength. It had been a long time since I used my muscles this way; it cost me the world, but I managed to hook it. The trap was ready.

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  I placed the mint-smelling leaves as bait—betting that those rodents would like them—and settled in to wait. What felt like an eternity passed until the elusive animal appeared. It must have been famished because as soon as it saw the leaves, it pounced on them.

  CLICK-SNAP! THUMP!

  The trap triggered! But as the stone came down, I realized my boy scout skills were rusty. The stone slipped halfway down and didn't crush the animal; it only managed to pin one of its ears.

  The rodent tried to escape, but my craving for food and the adrenaline exploded. I ran desperately. Just as I was about to catch it, it broke free and a frantic chase began. I managed to grab it by the tail and it ended in a "legendary" fight, worthy of the gods: the animal, a ball of fur, teeth, and claws, twisted with amazing strength. It started scratching my hands, opening thin gashes that stung like fire. I managed to wrap my hands around its torso, but the bastard spun around and sank its teeth into the base of my thumb.

  "Ah, damn you!" I roared, ignoring the pain.

  Finally, I grabbed it by the neck and snapped it. The sound was satisfying. I stayed there, panting, with the rodent's carcass in my hands. It was the first time in my two lives that I had hunted something on my own. A sensation of electric euphoria ran down my spine.

  "See, you stupid animal?" I said, pointing to the remains of my trap with a triumphant gesture. "Humans always win... well, Viktors always win. And just so you know, the trap didn't fail—it was a tactical move to distract you!" I exclaimed, laughing like a madman from the pure euphoria of the moment.

  My mouth was watering. My stomach roared with renewed intensity and, after hours of work and struggle, this was my glorious prize. I sat on the ground and began to eat. There was no elegance in the act; there were no utensils, no fire, no spices. Just my teeth and my hands tearing through the warm meat. I had no mercy and no disgust. The raw meat, which in my other life would have made me gag, now tasted like heaven. I was ecstatic, devouring every fiber, feeling the energy return to my body.

  "See, stupid voice? I can survive on my own!" I spat at the air, defiantly.

  After the feast, I looked at my hands. They were covered in blood, as were my mouth and part of my chest. I must have looked like a schizophrenic madman straight out of a nightmare. I walked to the creek to wash the carnage off my skin and took long gulps of fresh water. The metallic taste of blood disappeared, replaced by the purity of the spring.

  I returned to the tree where I had spent the previous night. I climbed with an agility I didn't have before and settled on my branch, feeling, for the first time, like the master of my own destiny. Satisfied and with a full stomach, my eyelids began to feel heavy. Just before sleep claimed me, those letters from before appeared in my field of vision:

  [Requirements for Evolution (1/2)]

  [Basic Survival: Hunt to survive (Completed)]

  [Advanced Survival: Create a decent shelter (Pending)]

  I closed my eyes with a mocking smile. "A shelter, huh? That'll be a piece of cake compared to that damn rodent."