Island Survival: Starts by chopping a tree-Chapter 29

This novel is a slow pace because island survival requires detailed explanations and clarifications of the characters’ actions. If I were to skip over these explanations, the story would become harder to follow and less immersive. I hope you understand this approach! :D

...

Jeff, Layla, and Emma walked away from the camp, heading toward the familiar coconut tree just a short distance away.

Layla, walking beside Jeff, glanced at his arm, her eyes fluttering with uncertainty. "Captain, aren’t you going to clean and reapply some medicine to your wounded arm? What if it gets infected?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Emma, overhearing the conversation from Jeff’s other side, moved closer to Layla and inspected the bandaged wound.

Noticing how dirty the bandage clothe had become, she furrowed her brows and scolded him, "You need to change that bandage immediately! Look at it—it’s filthy. You know how dangerous getting a fever from the results of infection can be out here."

Seeing the concern on their faces warmed Jeff’s heart. As he gave them a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry," he said gently.

"After we gather some coconuts, I’ll clean the wound and reapply fresh medicinal plants to make a new bandage."

The two women exchanged doubtful glances but chose not to argue further, trusting his promise.

Hearing Jeff’s response, both Layla and Emma felt a wave of relief wash over them, trusting his words without hesitation.

After a short walk, the group arrived at the coconut tree, its towering form swaying gently in the breeze.

Emma glanced up at the tree and then turned to Jeff, concern evident on her face. "Are you sure you’re okay to climb with your injured arm?" she asked.

"Yeah, Captain," Layla chimed in, her voice filled with worry. "What if your wound opens up again?"

Hearing the two mumbling again, he couldn’t help but sigh. "Well, do you two know how to climb a coconut tree?" he muttered inwardly, afraid of saying it out loud.

Also, he wasn’t really that badly hurt, that rendered his arm useless for a few days.

Even though the gash was long and deep, it wasn’t really fatal, so he didn’t have to avoid using it.

"Don’t worry, okay. I’m strong as a bull and fast as a cheetah. This wound can’t stop me," he reassured the two again.

Nodding their heads, as he approached the coconut tree. With practiced movements, he began to climb, gripping the rough bark firmly with his legs and his good arm.

Once he reached a sturdy cluster of coconuts, Jeff skillfully cut the stalk holding them together.

Before letting them drop, he moved down the tree slightly to reduce the impact of the fall. The heavy coconuts hit the ground with a dull thud, rolling a bit before settling.

Jeff repeated the process, climbing up again to cut another stalk, then carefully descending.

When he finally reached the ground, he wiped the sweat from his brow and picked up one of the stalks in his right hand, careful not to strain his injured arm.

Meanwhile, Emma and Layla worked together to lift the second stalk. Despite its weight, they managed to hold it between them, walking carefully to maintain balance.

As they arrived back, all three didn’t start yet as they waited for them. When they arrived, they helped the two and placed it close to fireplace.

Jeff then splits open the coconuts, giving each one of it to them, "The flesh of the coconut, you can eat it together with the cooked bamboo stalk to add more flavor. If we had time to grind it, it’s a great way to be used for spice and seasonings," he muttered to the group.

"Also, I will be back in the river for a while. You can start now, and I’ll be right back," he added.

Listening to his words, Charlotte inquired. "Why are you not eating with us? Are you going to hunt more food?" she asked.

"No, I’m going to clean my wounded arm, so no need to wait for me," he responded.

They all nodded their heads as they began to sit still. Jeff then stood up and walked away, going to the river.

As he arrived, he removed the cloth that was used to hold his wound. Then he saw the wound that was still open; he could even see his flesh inside.

So, he cleaned his wounds. He then took the medicinal plant in his pocket, rinsing it, chewing it, then applying it to his arms.

[You just made a medicine, You have gained 10 experience points]

[20/300 exp. Remains to unlock a skill.]

He also washed and cleaned the cloth that was used to cover his wounds. After that was done, he walked back to the camp.

As he arrived back, he saw that they didn’t start, making him confused.

"Did you wait for me? Didn’t I say to eat without me," Jeff asked the group of girls who were sitting in a circle around the food in the center.

"We know, Captain. If we did start, aren’t you going to eat all by yourself?" Ariana exclaimed with a smile.

"She’s right. Even if I don’t want to admit it, but I have to. Eating alone will make you feel lonely," Charlotte added, as she felt her stomach grumble from hunger but steeled herself.

"Yes, yes, young captain. Sit now so we can start," Emma muttered, calling him over from the empty seat, which he sat on.

Besides him is Jessica, and to the left side is Emma. They then started to fill their stomachs.

Charlotte, who was the most hungry among the group, took the last arm of the coconut crab, which she had eaten earlier, and broke it open with a knife. She then began to devour its meat.

As she tasted the meat of the coconut crab again, a rich and sweet flavor burst in her mouth, mingled with the smoky essence from the open fire.

The tender, succulent texture made each bite immensely satisfying to her and also to the others.

They savored the unique taste as they each took a sumptuous bite of the coconut crab.

Just feeling the aroma of the grilled crab was already mouth-watering, with its smoky scent from the fire mingling with the sweet, oceanic smell of the crab meat.

Nonetheless, taking some bit of it. Even cracking open the shell was already a pleasure. Jeff also nodded his head in appreciation as he took a bite, of course.

He then took some bamboo shoots and scraped some coconut flesh, using the inner shell as a makeshift spoon.

The inner flesh was soft, making it easy to scoop. He also used it as a spice for the bamboo shoots.

Taking a bite, it tasted surprisingly delicious, with the tender bamboo shoots absorbing the rich, creamy flavor of the coconut.

The subtle sweetness of the coconut perfectly enhanced the earthy taste of the cooked bamboo shoots, creating a unique and satisfying blend.

Jeff savored the bite, appreciating its improved taste. It was somewhat bland when he tried only the bamboo shoots, but when it was added with some coconut flesh, the taste somewhat improved.

Seeing what he did, the girls also decided to take a bite from the bamboo shoots, since their focus was only on the coconut crab.

As they took a bite from the bamboo shoots, with some coconut flesh, it was actually not bad. All of them had their hearty meal as they stopped when all of it was finished.

"Another good meal, thank you very much, captain. If it isn’t for you, I don’t really know how we would live on this island," Ariana said, holding her stomach while lying on the ground with closed eyes.

The others heard this and also expressed their thanks one by one.

"If it really wasn’t for you, living here would have been a disaster, but luckily we have you," Jessica added with a red face. Her words were a bit ambiguous.

But no one found any problem since she was just saying her thanks. "We would have starved to death, and my figure would have gone bad from being malnourished. Luckily, we have you, young captain. You’re like a fucking Tarzan in the jungle," Emma cursed with a praise.

"Emma, language!" Charlotte exclaimed, glaring at her.

Emma was stunned at first from getting shouted at, but apologized since there were kids in the group.

"Alright, alright, I’m sorry. I just blurted it out, okay," Emma replied, waving her hands with a wry smile.

Layla ignored the two as she expressed her heartfelt thanks as well. "Thank you very much, captain. Our life has become so easygoing on this island if it wasn’t for you," she said, her cheeks tinted red.

Jeff, hearing their praises and thanks, didn’t know what to say or even feel about it. He just scratched his nose, feeling lighthearted.

"No need to thank me. All of you helped as well and it’s a teamwork, so giving me all the credit isn’t good," he replied to the group.

"No need to be so humble, young man. Just take the credit. What we said is the absolute truth. We only helped with some easy stuff, while everything was left to you," Charlotte reprimanded him, to stop being so humble.

She could see that, after observing this young man more deeply, he was the kind of kid who is very helpful, caring, and also humble.

Not like the men she had met with, who always showed off after achieving something good.

Showing off is normal, but doing something like rubbing your achievement in someone’s face made her disgusted, remembering it.

"The blessing that we got isn’t this food and shelter, but it’s you. Since if we don’t have you in the first place, there will be no such thing as food and shelter," she finished.

Emma was surprised that this cold woman knew how to praise a man this deeply. Jeff, hearing this, was, of course, embarrassed.

This was the first time he’d been thanked in this way. Emma then closed the gap between her and Charlotte as she whispered in her ears.

"Don’t tell me the famous CEO with lots of suitors is starting to fall in love with a young man~." Her hot breath made Charlotte tremble.