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.”

nodded slowly. “And

Nnenna finally stepped back from the boat, the others stared at

was the first to speak. “You made this…

from her clothes.

knuckles. The echo came back 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

him a small

earth. “You were out there, what… an hour? I can’t even set up a

“She builds boats, shoots arrows, outruns guards, speaks in riddles… any

only raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you

was an underlying respect now. A shift in how

her hand along the wooden side. “I never imagined

floats,” John

river. “Only one way

rope down and the group prepared to push off, fate decided

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

he squinted ahead.

“No… it can’t

Then he saw them.

the boat. The man leading them… was that the Third

his bladder

HERE!” he shouted, voice shrill, pants half unzipped. “THE ESCAPEES, THEY’RE

but he clenched every muscle, determined

Abuchi’s head

“Move! Now!” he ordered.

didn’t waste a

Abuchi grabbed the boat’s edge and pushed it into the current. The water splashed violently, the current stronger than