Episode 2: My Teacher is Bear Grylls

Staring at the Old Mage rambling nonstop, my life felt utterly bleak. Why? Other transmigrators got cheat packages—centuries of cultivation, ancient artifacts. At worst, they had an all-knowing old man by their side.

Me? Yeah, I got an old man too. Seriously, he’s directionless! Can you believe it? The bar for adventurers is way too low. How did he survive decades in this job to retire?

True. When he saw me in weird clothes, appearing deep in the forest, he only casually asked about my origins and believed me. I really shouldn’t have had high hopes for this old man.

Watching the setting sun, I stopped Master Joseph just as he was about to throw his shoe to pick a path. "Master, wait! Which way is Crescent Town from this forest?"

"Oh~ young man, this dense forest is the Forest of Dread. I told you—it’s the outskirts of the Blackrock Mountains, separated from Crescent Town by a lake. Roughly southeast. Crescent Town is truly beautiful, with a long history and simple, honest folks..."

The old man slipped back into rambling mode, ready to lecture from the town’s founding to its hundred-year plan. Since earlier, this world’s language automatically translated in my mind. My words came out in their tongue too. I didn’t care if this skill was a gift from another dimension. At least, directions wouldn’t get mixed up. I could try figuring it out.

As a die-hard fan of Man vs. Wild, I once dreamed of surviving like Bear Grylls—days in the wild with no food. Back then, I browsed survival tips and bought outdoor gear. But I was lazy. After a brief burst of enthusiasm, I forgot it all. Truly, "full of ambition at the time, but back home lying in bed." Still, thanks to that phase, I recalled basic wilderness skills.

From the sun’s setting, I could roughly tell east and west. This seemed universal here. Also, sunlight direction affected plant growth—I could pinpoint directions from that.

"Master, winters in Crescent Town must be cold. Around which month does winter start?"

"Oh? Why the sudden interest?"

"Ah, well, Crescent Town sounds so wonderful from your description. I’m thinking of settling there. Just asking about seasons."

"Haha! You’ve got good taste. Crescent Town has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, but lighting a stove indoors helps. It’s cold from November to January. Then comes beautiful spring—with all kinds of flowers blooming..."

Watching Master Joseph chatter on, I fell into thought: Winter starts in November, just like my past-life homeland. Plus, tree and moss growth revealed the four cardinal directions fairly accurately. From his words, Crescent Town seemed sizable, with a distinct Crescent Lake as a landmark. Finding the right way back was possible. Next, I needed to convince this old man to follow me.

"...And in autumn, chrysanthemums cover the hills, truly beautiful. I love admiring them..."

"Old man, I think I’ve found the way back," I quickly interrupted. Good grief—he’d rambled through all four seasons while I figured directions. This old man really loved to chatter.

"The way back? You found it?"

"Yeah. I mean, the general direction. We can try..." Uh-oh. He didn’t seem to believe me. Right—I was suspicious to begin with. Claiming to find a town I’d never seen? Even someone clueless should sense something off.

"Alright, you lead the way!"

"...Uh, let’s go then." Overthinking it. Rude of me to expect suspicion-detection. I sincerely apologize.

"Young man, what are you doing? Why stop to dig in the dirt? Hungry?"

"...No. Not for food. Checking plant roots."

"What a strange quirk. Aren’t we in a hurry? Do this back in town. Look—it’s getting dark."

Bold words, Master. If not for your staff’s "guidance" making us circle endlessly, would we be in this mess? If I hadn’t stopped you, we’d have earned the "Jungle King" achievement by now! Sigh... He was my savior. I patiently answered. "Plant roots grow toward water. Since earlier, plants got lusher—flowers thriving, short shrubs appearing. Without plenty of water, they couldn’t grow. When water’s scarce, tall trees absorb it all. Small plants struggle. So we’re nearing Crescent Lake. Root growth direction will pinpoint it."

"I see! I understand now!"

Seeing the still-confused Old Mage, I couldn’t help but facepalm. Wilderness survival is basic for adventurers. How can you know nothing? Honestly, that you survived as one till now is a miracle.

From the roots, the town seemed a bit more westward. I brushed dirt off my hands, stood up, and beckoned the Old Mage slightly southwest. As night fell, we sped up. Moisture in the air grew heavier—a sign of nearing a large body of water. If Master Joseph was right, and Crescent Town was separated from the Forest of Dread only by Crescent Lake, we’d finally exit this dense forest.

Master Joseph sensed the destination near. His mood lifted. "Young man, I didn’t expect it! You really found the way. Those skills are useful!"

"Master, it’s nothing special. Any adventurer should know this. (Why don’t you?)"

"No. I’ve traveled years, met many companions. They handle this differently. Rangers talk to plants for the true path. Druids command animals to scout. Mechanics use clever devices. Warriors blessed by the War God throw weapons to find the way."

I see. Everyone has their own tricks... But why, as a mage, do you use a warrior’s method? At least they’re blessed. You just casually throw things to find home? Disrespecting warriors?

"Speaking of which, we mages sense paths with mental power. But I tried—this forest feels all the same everywhere. Ahaha, quite troublesome."

This ability is like a holographic map forcing "escape the maze," ending in "spot the difference." I apologize for my internal rant: expecting much from someone with a terminal sense of direction was rude. Sorry.

"Young man, who taught you these skills?"

"Oh, an adventurous gourmet back home. He’s an expert in wilderness survival."

"I see. But most gourmets I’ve met are big-bellied and live in luxury. They don’t mix with the wild. Your acquaintance is odd."

"Probably because Mr. Bear Grylls prefers... wilder cuisine."

"Hmm, some have unique tastes. Bear Grylls... just the name brings a wild wind. He must be powerful."

More than powerful? I silently scoffed. He’s the man at the top of the food chain. He’d eat even gods for you.