NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 16
The sound that rings out when releasing an arrow from the bowstring feels like the sound of a life disappearing.
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The composite shortbow, made of yew wood and reinforced with animal sinew, requires considerable strength to draw, but its short stroke allows it to deliver powerful shots, making it extremely useful for hunting.
“How splendid.”
Margit, who had lent me her bow and arrows, whispered this small compliment while clinging tightly to the tree trunk I used to conceal myself. Watching her stick to the tree with only the strength of her legs, moving about as effortlessly as walking on the ground, I couldn’t help but reaffirm just how different she is from a regular Human.
“You’ve gotten quite accustomed to it. Hitting a target at this distance deserves praise; you should be proud.”
Margit silently leaped down from a height surpassing my own and approached at an unsettling speed, retrieving the prey. The arrow I had fired pierced through a rabbit about twenty meters away. It was a Brownhair, a large species of rabbit far less cute and more rat-like in appearance compared to the pet rabbits I remembered from my past life.
This was a large and impressive specimen about seventy centimeters long. Its naturally camouflaged chestnut fur, ideal for blending into the forests here where it never snowed even in winter, was now soaked in blood.
The arrow had struck the eye. Though I had aimed for the head, it was impressive just how cleanly it struck.
All this was thanks to my Short Bow Proficiency skill reaching the level of “Proficient.” The steady improvement of my “Dexterity” had culminated in the complementary skill “Graceful Precision,” resulting in nearly flawless behavior evaluations based on “Dexterity.” Truly, having a single defining characteristic you can rely on is invaluable in all aspects.
“That’s one big and delicious-looking rabbit.”
“Indeed, this will be a fine meal.”
I was currently in the forest near the manor where I played as a child. Margit was teaching me archery here. Learning from a mentor was certainly more efficient for leveling up my skills. This was my way of earning the funds to live independently.
“Shall we dismantle it first?”
“Hmm, yes.”
We were preparing to dismantle this rabbit as part of our evening meal, but in truth, it also carried a bounty. While the reward was only 25 Asts per rabbit—barely enough for a child’s allowance—it was officially declared by the administrative office of Heidelberg as part of an initiative to control the population of rabbits and deer that caused crop damage by eating new shoots and saplings during the winter. The disruption caused by such animals endangered the development and maintenance of the forests vital to urban growth by depleting the timber supply.
Therefore, the administration had incentivized hunters to hunt these animals with prize money. And I, eyeing this bounty, had decided to join Margit in hunting.
All for the sake of securing the budget for my independent life.
Leaving home might sound easy, but putting it into practice is no simple task.
The day after the festival, I announced to my parents that I wanted to become an adventurer, and with the help of my brother’s enthusiastic support, I managed to get their approval. Hmm, even without him, I believe I could have succeeded.
However, I learned at that moment that my parents had been quietly preparing for my coming of age. They had found several families within the manor who wished to take me as a prospective son-in-law, sent costly letters to distant relatives regarding adoption, and even arranged for recommendations to the deputy official.
Despite proposing to nullify all these preparations, my parents accepted my decision. Even choosing such a precarious path as becoming an adventurer, they told me, “If it’s what you want, go ahead and do it.”
This was not a careless “do as you please.” Their acceptance filled me with joy, though it also brought tears, a feeling I’ll never forget.
However, my parents, unlike those who indulgently pampered children who wished to become musicians without seeking employment, set a task for me.
If I chose the vital and energetic path of an adventurer, I was to properly secure the budget for living independently. Without meeting this requirement, it would be impossible to manage as an adventurer.
This budget included various costs—travel expenses and road money go without saying, but there were many additional necessary pieces of equipment beyond the armor I already had. If I could gather enough of these resources by the time I came of age, I could officially set out as an adventurer.
What a fortunate situation. They established achievable tasks and even let me keep my part-time earnings instead of contributing them to the household.
So, my job is to give my all to these tasks. This is why I’m here earning skill levels, gaining experience, earning pocket money, and securing dinner during my spare winter time.
“But, Erich, you’ve truly improved.”
“Hmm?”
As I was stowing the rabbit meat into a bag and received praise from Margit, who was removing the excess fat from the pelt, I appreciated that this fur, worth about 15 Asts per piece, was a precious income source. Considering that 10 Asts could get you a decent inn, the price seemed somewhat reasonable.
“Considering speed in targeting and managing one’s intent to kill, you still have many areas to work on… but in precision, I can’t find fault with you anymore.”
She shrugged her shoulders as if to say there was no teaching satisfaction left and put the cured hide into her bag.
“Still, the distance and all…”
“At that range, it’s not meant for aiming, you know?”
As she said that, she casually achieved a headshot on a deer twice as far away as what I had done.
“Covert approach and finishing it off in one hit without giving it a chance to escape. That’s the key. Even with this strong bow, it’s common to require several shots on larger boars.”
Indeed, it’s a mistake to underestimate an animal’s hide. If hit at a bad angle, the arrow may not properly pierce. Animals with habits like fighting over territory during mating season develop hardened layers of fat beneath the skin that act like armor. Even with the general adoption of hunting rifles, it’s no surprise that accidents lead to hunters dying since these animals naturally possess formidable combat capabilities.
And the hunters who charge head-on with nothing but a bow and a knife… yeah, they’re truly impressive.
“Anyway, I’ll try my best so you don’t abandon me, Sensei.”
“Oh my, such a commendable attitude? Then, shall we look for the next prey?”
We finished the blood and internal organs’ treatment and wandered the forest, searching for the next target. While I’m the one practicing with the bow, in terms of spotting prey—”Keen Eyesight”—even if I improved my skills like “Beast Knowledge” and “Beast Tracking,” reaching Margit’s level of perhaps “Masterful” required an investment that could amount to one-fifth of my savings, so I accepted my limitations. Mistakenly insisting on doing everything myself has the potential for failure. I had realized this during the initial phases.
So, I’ll focus on reconnaissance skills better suited for human targets. Considering their size and carelessness compared to beasts, tracking bandits lurking in the mountains will align better with an adventurer’s typical duties.
Thanks to Margit—whose Spider-People traits made her exceptionally skilled in finding prey—we managed to capture three rabbits from morning until late afternoon. Additionally, the highlight of today was her silently climbing a branch and swiftly grabbing a mountain bird perched on it. Given my ability to somewhat evade such sneak attacks despite dealing with such small prey, I couldn’t help but feel confident that I might be pretty strong.
“Well, it’s about that time.”
As the sun tilted and the forest began to darken, it was time to camp here. Even though the reserve isn’t overly dense, the tall trees mean that winter sunlight diminishes quickly, soon leaving behind a faint crimson glow before darkness sets in.
“I suppose we’ll prepare a camp.”
This too is training to become an adventurer. It’s not uncommon for adventurers to work beyond their borders, and camping while traveling is typical unless they can ride with a merchant caravan. Therefore, I’m getting used to camping in a safe forest with mentor support.
I took out a rope and tarp from my backpack and set up a simple shelter between the trees to prepare for sudden rain.
While I was doing this, Margit collected dry branches and started a fire using a flint. Her species naturally bestowed the ability “Darkvision,” and my “Cat’s Eye” trait helped me see well in the dark, but not even close to her level of perception under a new moon.
The nighttime forest is extraordinarily dark—too much for darkvision techniques normally achievable by the Human Race.
She told me she had camped outdoors since childhood, accompanying her hunter family, with her sisters, and even solo before coming of age. Without Margit’s expertise, I might very well have perished in such darkness and cold.
This darkness and chilling winter night that loom as major threats to the fragile Human Race weren’t easily surmountable.
The first time I prepared a campsite, it was quite the ordeal. Part of the problem was Margit’s initial lack of understanding of how dim Human vision can get, and we began after the sun had completely set.
Without even the faint moonlight penetrating through the trees, aided by “Cat’s Eye,” I could barely see anything. There was a lot of confusion trying to light the fire—shaving wood for tinder and cutting my fingers, and hitting my fingers with the flint. I can only imagine what might have happened if I was alone.
Margit later apologized, but I see this experience of a “mistakenly late start” as a safe learning opportunity, so I didn’t mind.
If anything, considering how they can sleep soundly perched on trees, making me sleep flat on the ground felt a bit selfish.
We sat around the crackling campfire preparing a simple dinner. Without proper equipment, it involved nothing more than rubbing the meat with salt and herbs and roasting it carefully. Still, don’t underestimate it; this straightforward cooking yields a delicious, rustic flavor.
“By the way, did you know?”
As I adjusted the meat to avoid burning it, Margit spoke up suddenly.
“Apparently, something called ‘pepper’ is very popular in the cities?”
“Hmm, pepper, huh…”
Pepper is available in the cities now. Indeed, considering the current state of livestock technology, it’s essential for masking the scent of the meat. Though I’m used to it, I imagine if someone from another life were to suddenly eat our food, they might lose all strength from the gamey taste.
“It gets transported across the sea, and I heard some kids at the private school boasting about dishes made with it.”
“Sea? That must be expensive, huh?”
“One pepper apparently costs one Libra.”
The sea freight costs are jaw-dropping. Well, considering it gets transported over the sea for months, expensive is understandable. If it’s coming from a New World-like place, it sure is a laborious task.
“Wouldn’t you find the merchants who transport such goods intriguing?”
“Yeah.”
As we engaged in trivial conversation, we indulged in the thoroughly roasted, juicy meat. This season’s animals, storing food for the harsher conditions ahead, had fattened up, making their fat particularly flavorful.
After the meal, Margit prepared a post-dinner brew using finely crushed black tea leaves. Meanwhile, I readied for sleep.
Preparing for sleep involved little more than laying out a thick groundsheet stuffed with cotton and setting out a large blanket. Piling up logs to ensure the fire lasts for as long as possible concluded the preparation.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah, done.”
With a cup of black tea in hand, Margit came to check, and I placed the blanket over my shoulder as I sat leaning against the tree.
“Then, good night.”
I took Margit into my lap as she naturally climbed onto my knees. It was like being wrapped in a tent of blankets with me as the pole.
“Phew… Warm.”
Though watchfulness is standard when camping, this area is safe. The only human visitors are hunters, and the wild animals nearby pose no real danger. With my “Perception Alertness” skill at the “Master” level, I’d sense anyone approaching, and Margit as a Spider-People can also detect threats, plus her short-sleeping nature means she prioritizes rest.
We sipped tea and engaged in light conversation. Our talks were casual and nonsensical, meandering from dreams like becoming merchants someday, seeing the sea, and possibly visiting foreign lands beyond it.
Our casual banter gradually turned into wordplay. It was a singing game meant to learn the intonations of courtly language, where participants spontaneously sang rhymes and replied with connected lyrics. It may seem complicated, but because there are no strict rules, the activity remains playful and spontaneous.
“Two lamps, encircle me with their glow. Sheltering my quiet slumber, embrace me.”
Gently singing, she responded after a moment of contemplation.
“The fragrance of Japanese incense spreads. Driving away frost, soothing the chill.”
Without rigid rules, these songs can express feelings directly. Were the two lamps the circle of my arms? What does she think about receiving warmth from me?
No, no, it’s uncouth to think that deeply here. She’s helping me with my preparations for independence without obligation. If she’s sharing her family’s sacred skills, this must mean something beyond the ordinary.
“The fire, come warm my home. Before the crescent moon finds me.”
Singing this, Margit grabbed my clothes.
“An unseen shadow, clinging close. Even unseen behind me or beside, I am at peace.”
Indeed, she felt like the gentle flame burning within me without casting a shadow. Even her naturally cold Spider-People body felt like a warm hand warmer against the outer cold.
Drinking tea, fragrant like coffee, and holding the soft echoes of our words, we drifted off to sleep…
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【TIP】In the Threefold Empire, a profession called “Navigational Mage” exists. By creating water or otherwise enhancing navigation safety, this role ensures much safer sea voyages compared to what we know from the early to late medieval periods.
Yesterday, many typo reports were received, and I am very grateful. Mistakes like “children” for “child” can easily slip by unnoticed.
Continuing with the goal of meeting your expectations, I will keep working hard.
Tomorrow, on February 2, 2019, will be a rest day, so there will be two updates—at 12:00 and 19:00.