Chapter 39 - 39 36 The Work of a Hunter

39: Chapter 36 The Work of a Hunter 39: Chapter 36 The Work of a Hunter [Bow Weapon Mastery (Entry-Level) Passive Effect: When using bow weapons, the aiming reticle shrink speed increases by 10%, the spread range of the reticle decreases by 10%, and the lethality of arrows increases by 10%. Skill Introduction: With guidance from an expert, you have gained some insight into using bow weapons, making combat with these weapons feel intuitive. This skill is also a prerequisite for learning bow and arrow combat skills.] As expected of a high-level task with a fee of 100,000, you even receive a weapon skill upon entry. Xiao Jie equipped the bow and arrow, and when he aimed at a distant target, an aiming reticle that gradually shrank appeared in the center of the screen. It took nearly two seconds to shrink from full circle to the smallest circle, meaning that if you wanted to ensure a high hit rate, you’d have to aim for two seconds before releasing an arrow. Adding on the action of drawing and nocking an arrow, it would take about three to four seconds to shoot an arrow. If you don’t release the arrow when the reticle has shrunk to the smallest circle, the reticle will begin to spread again after about two seconds, so timing your shots becomes crucial. For the game’s archery, Xiao Jie found it quite familiar, reminding him of the bow and arrow from playing cavalry charges. The effect of this Bow Weapon Specialization was akin to the “Strong Bow” skill in cavalry charges. After getting used to the feel, Xiao Jie took aim at the target and released an arrow. Whoosh—thud! An arrow struck the target. “Not bad, hitting the target with the first arrow is pretty good,” Yang Baichuan praised from the side. “I Want to Be Immortal” also released an arrow. He hadn’t played cavalry charges, but he had spent a day in the wild before and had shot a few arrows. Shooting a stationary target wasn’t a problem for him. His arrow hit the target just the same. The two of them, one arrow after another, quickly filled the target with arrows. After all, it’s a game, and archery is definitely much simpler than in reality. As long as you have the right rhythm for the reticle shrink, shooting such a fixed target is very easy. Yang Baichuan continued with praise, “I truly gained two good apprentices today, very good, very good. Your archery is sufficient for hunting. As a hunter, you are to provide game for the village and also eliminate the fierce wild animals that threaten the villagers. Since you’ve mastered beginner bow skills, it’s time to start hunting. Go hunt the wild animals outside the village, and I will provide rewards based on the game you bring back. Here are two sets of bows and arrows for you to start with.” System Notification: You’ve obtained the temporary profession “Hunter Apprentice” and weapons “Hunting Bow”, “Rough Feathered Arrows × 20”. Xiao Jie thought to himself that he finally got a task. This hunter role truly lived up to being the hardest to unlock, worth 10 silver coins. But the perks were really nice, even giving away weapons. He checked the properties of the bow and arrow. [Hunting Bow (Bow and Arrow)] Attack Power: 15 stabbing. Weapon Effect: Beast Slayer. Inflicts 30% enhanced damage to beast-type enemies. Item Introduction: A bow and arrow used by hunters, suitable for long-range shooting of wild beasts. It is said that the initial purpose of inventing the bow and arrow was hunting, and thus it became the slayer of beasts, the truest form of this weapon.] [Rough Feathered Arrow (Ammunition)] Attack Power: +1 stabbing. Item Introduction: Rough arrows made of bamboo, iron, and goose feathers, barely suitable for hunting, but probably not effective against large wild animals.] Well, free stuff is never of good quality, indeed. I’ll have to buy better bows and arrows later. This hunter task is not only difficult to obtain but also more dangerous to undertake. Unlike other tasks that can be completed within the village, hunters must venture into the wild to get game, which also means—combat. However, at this moment, Xiao Jie was not nearly as nervous as before. Although he was still only level 2, through the accumulation and improvement over the past few days in the village, his strength had utterly transformed. He could shoot arrows from afar, draw the sword up close, and had an exorcism skill for encountering ghosts. It was time to go out and fight monsters to level up! No, there’s also the Dog Training Skill. “Master, hunters should be able to learn the Dog Training Skill, right? When will we learn that?” asked Xiao Jie. “I Want to Be Immortal” perked up as well. But Yang Baichuan shook his head and said, “Dog training is not taught, it is comprehended. To train dogs, you must first learn to feed them. Once you’ve fed the dog enough, it will naturally listen to you. The game you bring back, apart from selling it to me for money, can also be used to feed the dogs. Feed them several times, and you will naturally master the Dog Training Skill.” [System Notification: Special task “Dog Feeder” unlocked. This task does not provide direct profit but can increase your “Feeding Dogs” skill experience.] Xiao Jie had a blank look, wondering when feeding dogs had become a skill? And even increasing skill experience… However, he understood that feeding dogs, just like shepherding, might lead to the comprehension of Dog Training Skill. Well, that made sense, lesson learned… Yet, Yang Baichuan added, “Oh right, Hidden Moon Following Wind, about that treasure I promised earlier, come with me.” This Yang Baichuan sure knew how to separate tasks, keeping everything straight. Although the ghost was killed by Ye Luo and the exorcism task was accepted by me, only I Want to Be Immortal and I received the rewards, resulting in only the two of us getting a share. The special reward was exclusively Xiao Jie’s. Xiao Jie followed Yang Baichuan into a cellar, where the walls were covered with animal fur. On a table, three fur products were lined up. Yang Baichuan looked proudly at the three items, “I have hunted countless game in my life, but I am most proud of only three creatures: a brown-haired bear, a Ghostly Shadow Mountain Cat, and a White Wolf with a silver mane. I made three pieces of equipment from the fur of these three beasts. They’ve always been my treasures. Since you’ve helped me so much today, I’ll gift you one piece. Go ahead and choose.” It’s a blue equipment reward. Although it’s not a magic artifact, it’s still pretty good for a newbie. The first piece was a bear skin armor, exceptionally thick. [Resilient Bear Skin Armor (Chest Armor) Body Defense +18. Weight: 8 Equipment Effect: Bear’s Tenacity. Resilience value increased by 10 points. Item Introduction: A chest armor made from giant bear fur, tough and heavy, that can reduce damage and resist the impact of weapons, making it harder for you to be staggered.] The second piece [Cat’s Agility Mountain Cat Boots (Boots) Leg Defense +4. Weight: 1. Equipment Effect: Cat’s Agility. Agility +3, slightly increases your running speed. Item Introduction: Boots made of Ghostly Shadow Mountain Cat fur, exceptionally light, reducing recoil from running and thereby increasing your running speed.] The third piece was a white cloak. [Cold Resistance White Wolf Cloak (Cloak) Body Defense +6. Equipment Effect: Frost Resistance. Frost resistance +20. Item Introduction: A cloak made from the fur of a silver-maned white wolf, offering great warmth and cold resistance, allowing you to be immune to environmental damage in frigid conditions and providing certain resistance to frost spells.] After a moment of consideration, Xiao Jie decisively chose the Mountain Cat Boots. He planned to follow an agility-based route in the early stages, so the equipment that added agility was especially precious. Besides, one could never have too much movement speed, handy for escaping and saving one’s life. “Ah, you chose this one. Good choice, you have an eye for quality. That Ghostly Shadow Mountain Cat was a cunning prey; I only managed to kill one in my whole life. They’re a rare find. Let’s go back upstairs.” Xiao Jie put on the boots, quite satisfied. When the two emerged from the cellar, Ye Luo and I Want to Be Immortal were outside talking about something. “Sui Feng, Ye Luo was just telling me about the game’s professions. Why don’t you listen in too? Ye Luo, you don’t mind one more listener, right?” “Whatever,” Ye Luo replied indifferently while continuing her explanation. Xiao Jie immediately started to listen in. This kind of in-game information was very valuable. Understanding more would be extremely helpful for his future profession planning.