The Hunter's Work

Bow Weapon Mastery (Novice)

Passive Effect: When using bow-type weapons, the reticle shrinkage speed increases by 10%, reticle spread decreases by 10%, and the damage of arrows increases by 10%.

Skill Description: Through an expert's guidance, you have gained some insight into using bow-type weapons. You have become proficient in using such weapons in combat. This skill is also a necessary prerequisite for learning archery-based combat techniques.

It was truly worthy of being a high-level errand with a ten-tael apprenticeship fee; it even granted a weapon skill right at the novice level.

Xiao Jie equipped the bow and arrow and drew the string toward a distant target. A reticle that gradually shrank appeared in the center of the screen. It took nearly two seconds to shrink from full size to the smallest circle, meaning that to ensure accuracy, one had to aim for two seconds before firing. Adding in the time to retrieve and nock an arrow, it would take about three to four seconds to fire a single shot.

If one didn't fire after the reticle shrank to its smallest, it would begin to expand again after about two seconds, so mastering the timing of the shot became the key.

Xiao Jie was quite accustomed to the archery in this game; it reminded him of the archery in Mount & Blade. The effect of this Bow Weapon Mastery was roughly similar to the [Power Draw] skill in that game.

After getting a feel for it, Xiao Jie fired an arrow at the target.

Whoosh—thud!

The arrow struck the target.

"Not bad. Hitting the target on your first try is acceptable," Yang Baichuan praised from the side.

I Want to Become Immortal also fired an arrow. He hadn't played Mount & Blade, but he had spent a day out in the wild and had fired bows before, so hitting a static target wasn't a problem for him.

His arrow also hit the target.

The two of them took turns firing, and before long, the target was bristling with arrows.

At the end of the day, it was a game; archery was certainly much simpler than in reality. As long as one mastered the rhythm of the reticle shrinkage, hitting fixed targets like this was very easy.

Yang Baichuan sighed in admiration, "I have truly taken on two good apprentices today. Good, good, good. Your archery is sufficient for hunting."

"As a hunter, one must provide game for the village while also clearing out the fierce beasts that threaten the villagers."

"Since your archery has reached the novice level, go and begin hunting."

"Go and hunt the beasts outside the village. I will provide rewards based on the game you bring back. Here are two sets of bows and arrows; you may use them for now."

System Prompt: Obtained temporary profession [Hunter Apprentice], obtained weapon [Hunting Bow], [Rough Feathered Arrow × 20].

Xiao Jie thought to himself that he had finally obtained an errand. This hunter profession was truly worthy of being the hardest to unlock, a top-tier errand worth ten taels of silver.

However, the perks were quite good; it even came with free weapons.

He checked the attributes of the bow and arrow.

[Hunting Bow (Bow)]

Attack Power: 15 Pierce.

Weapon Effect: Beast Bane. Deals 30% increased damage to beast-type enemies.

Item Description: A bow used by hunters, suitable for shooting beasts from a distance. It is said that the original purpose of humans inventing the bow and arrow was for hunting, thus making it the bane of beasts. This is the most authentic form of the bow and arrow as a weapon.

[Rough Feathered Arrow (Ammo)]

Attack Power: +1 Pierce.

Item Description: A crude arrow made of bamboo, pig iron, and goose feathers. It can barely be used for hunting, but it is likely inadequate for dealing with large beasts.

Well, as expected, there are no good deals when it comes to freebies.

He would have to spend money to buy a better bow later.

This hunter errand was not only difficult to obtain but also more dangerous to perform. Unlike other errands that could be completed within the village, a hunter had to go into the wild to find game, which meant—combat.

However, Xiao Jie didn't feel as nervous as he had before. Although he was still only level 2, through the accumulation and improvements of the past few days in the village, his strength was now completely different from before.

He could shoot from afar, draw his blade up close, and use the Evil Purging Art against ghosts. It was time to kill monsters and level up!

Wait, there was also Dog Training.

"Master, a hunter should be able to learn Dog Training, right? When will you teach us that?" Xiao Jie asked.

I Want to Become Immortal also perked up immediately.

Yang Baichuan shook his head and said, "Dog training isn't taught; it must be realized. To train a dog, you must first learn to feed it. Once you have fed the dog until it is familiar with you, it will naturally listen to you."

"The game you bring back, besides selling it to me for money, can also be used to feed the dogs. Feed them enough times, and you will naturally master Dog Training."

[System Prompt: Unlocked special errand [Dog Feeder]. This errand provides no direct profit, but it can increase your [Dog Feeding] skill experience.]

Xiao Jie had black lines running down his forehead, thinking to himself, when did feeding a dog become a skill?

And it even required skill experience...

However, he understood now. This dog feeding was likely the same as herding sheep; herding sheep could lead to the realization of Beast Lore, while feeding dogs would likely lead to the realization of Dog Training.

Well, it was reasonable enough. He had learned his lesson.

Yang Baichuan then added, "Oh, right, Hidden Moon Follows Wind. As promised, there is a treasure to be gifted. Come with me."

This Yang Baichuan kept the objects of his tasks clearly separated. One thing at a time. Although the ghost was killed by Ye Luo and the ghost-repelling task was accepted by Xiao Jie, it was only shared with I Want to Become Immortal, resulting in the task rewards only being for the two of them.

And the special reward was only for Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie followed Yang Baichuan into a cellar, where he saw the walls covered in animal furs.

On a table, three fur products were laid out side by side.

Yang Baichuan looked at the three pieces of equipment with a face full of pride. "In my life, I have hunted countless prey, but the three I am most proud of are a large brown bear, a Ghost Shadow Lynx, and a Silver Mane White Wolf."

"I crafted three pieces of equipment using the pelts of these beasts and have always treasured them as if they were my own life. Since you have helped me so much, I will gift you one today. Go ahead and choose."

It was actually a Blue Equipment reward; although not as good as a magical artifact, it was quite decent for a beginner.

The first piece was a chest armor made of bear skin, exceptionally thick.

[Resilient Bear Skin Chest Armor (Chest Armor)

Body Defense +18.

Weight: 8.

Equipment Effect: Bear's Resilience. Increases Toughness by 10 points.

Item Description: A chest armor made from the pelt of a giant bear. It is resilient and heavy, capable of reducing damage while resisting the impact of weapons, making it harder for you to be staggered.]

The second piece:

[Agile Lynx Skin Boots (Boots)

Leg Defense +4.

Weight: 1.

Equipment Effect: Lynx's Agility. Agility +3, slightly increases your running speed.

Item Description: Boots made from the pelt of a Ghost Shadow Lynx. They are exceptionally lightweight and can reduce the recoil generated while running, thereby increasing running speed.]

The third piece was a white cloak.

[Cold Resistant White Wolf Cloak (Cloak)

Body Defense +6.

Equipment Effect: Cold Resistance. Frost Resistance +20.

Item Description: A cloak made from the pelt of a Silver Mane White Wolf. It has excellent warmth and cold-resistant properties, not only allowing you to be immune to environmental damage in freezing conditions but also providing a certain degree of resistance against frost spells.]

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jie decisively chose the Lynx Skin Boots.

He planned to follow an agility-based build in the early stages, so equipment that added Agility was exceptionally precious. Besides, one could never have too much movement speed; it was convenient for running away and saving one's life.

"Ah, you chose this one. Not bad, you have a good eye. This Ghost Shadow Lynx was a cunning prey; I only ever managed to kill one in my entire life. It was a rare find indeed. Come, let us head up."

Xiao Jie put on the boots, feeling quite satisfied.

When the two walked out of the cellar, Ye Luo and I Want to Become Immortal were chatting about something outside.

"Brother Following Wind, Sister Ye Luo is telling me about game classes. You should come and listen too. Sister Ye Luo, you don't mind an extra listener, do you?"

"Whatever." Ye Luo replied in her usual cold tone and continued her explanation.

Xiao Jie immediately began to listen intently; this kind of game intelligence was extremely valuable.

Learning more about it would be of great help to his future career planning.