They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 315: THEY’RE HERE!!”

First, she selected two strong, straight logs and began shaping the keel, the backbone of the boat. Using the hand saw and drawknife, she smoothed and narrowed them down, creating a gentle V shape underneath to better cut through the current.

Ekene crouched beside her, pretending to tie his shoelace, but really just observing.

“You’re not even hesitating,” he said, amazed.

“It’s not that hard when you understand balance and flow,” she replied without looking up, carving the inner seating frame with a carpenter’s chisel. “Water moves like air, just heavier.”

After constructing the keel, she began attaching the ribs, arched wooden slats that would form the frame. She steamed them briefly using a wrapped tarp and heated stones, bending them gently without cracking. The hull began to take shape.

“She even knows steaming wood?” Ekene thought, stunned. He had seen engineers do less.

She lined the inside with cross beams for stability and used resin to seal the joints. Next came the outer planks, carefully carved, fitted tight, and sealed. She even added hooks for securing packs and a small drainage plug at the base.

The entire frame was lightweight but solid. A functional, open deck riverboat. Nothing fancy, just smart.

As the sun dipped lower, the others helped her lift and set it by the riverbank. The finish glowed faintly from the resin coating, still curing in the warm air.

Ekene stood there with his mouth slightly open.

“You’re… kind of amazing,” he finally said, half-sincere, half stunned.

“Only kind of?” Nnenna teased, wiping her brow. She did not wait for a reply, already walking back to grab the paddles she carved while waiting for the glue to dry.

John leaned over to Ekene.

“Bro… I think she’s half genius, half action movie protagonist.”

“And maybe a little

back from the boat, the others stared

was the first to speak. “You made this…

shrug, brushing sawdust from her clothes. “More like guided the

solid. “This isn’t just thrown together. The weight is balanced. The hull is shallow enough for fast current but deep enough for five people. You even sealed the joints.” He looked at her, impressed. “Who are you really,

gave him a small

grown from the earth. “You were out there, what… an hour? I

“She builds boats, shoots arrows, outruns guards,

an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like

was an underlying respect now. A shift in how they

never imagined this would be how we’d cross… but I feel safer

it floats,” John

nodded at the river. “Only one way

the group prepared to push off,

muttered, clutching his stomach. “Be right back,” he said to no one in particular, disappearing into the small forest behind the station, the same one the

when he heard a crack. Pausing, he

widened. “No…

Then he saw them.

the boat. The

forgot his

voice shrill, pants half unzipped. “THE ESCAPEES,

but he clenched every muscle, determined not to miss this chance. “BACKUP! IN

the riverbank, Abuchi’s head snapped toward the

“Move! Now!” he ordered.

waste a

pushed it into the current. The