A Bountiful Harvest

Trace Tracking: The various traces left by prey would be made visible, allowing the hunter to judge them and track their target accordingly.

Note: A skilled hunter could naturally spot the traces left by prey! Go on, don't let it get away!

Habit Survey: Conduct designated tracking and investigation on a certain prey. As progress increased, relevant information about that prey would be locked in and recorded in the Hunting Notes.

Note: Age, sex, mating status, injuries? Prey would never imagine it.

How much information could a hunter pursuing it uncover just by seeing the footprints it left on the ground?

On the way back to town.

Linsey carried the massive Wild Boar over his shoulder.

The hunters around him cast furtive, awestruck glances his way, occasionally whispering among themselves.

But Linsey did not care. He was examining his abilities.

Although he had not chosen the techniques of several instructors.

Thanks to the bonuses from his attribute panel, his skills had also displayed special effects.

For example, the archery techniques Dan had taught him.

The Female Hunter's rapid fire was second to none, so when Linsey's skill rose to the (Mastery) level, it gained the suffix (Quick Shot).

With this trait, even without relying on his superior physique.

In the time it took an ordinary hunter to fire two arrows, he could fire a full three, far faster than before! It was perfect for hunting.

After all, if he moved just a little faster, he might catch his prey before it escaped.

At the same time, the Game Module had brought Linsey many conveniences.

Trace Tracking helped him display the traces left behind by prey.

Normally, once such traces were discovered, they would permanently disappear before long.

But the Hunting Notes formed a chain with this ability.

Take rabbits, for example.

In the Hunting Notes, the first-level achievement for this small, common prey required 50 kills. Linsey had already completed it, earning the title Rabbit Killer.

From then on, whenever he attacked a Wild Rabbit.

Linsey would find his attacks more natural and precise, making it easier to strike the opponent's vital spots.

If he tracked the footprints left by rabbits, then focused intently on his surroundings, even vanished traces would reappear.

The next achievement level required killing 150 prey.

Among all of Linsey's current achievements, only his grouse and Wild Rabbit kill counts had exceeded 150, earning him the titles Rabbit Bane and Grouse Bane.

The effects of titles at this level were even stronger.

Linsey could imitate and understand the sounds of rabbits and grouse.

Whether mating calls or warnings to their own kind, he could distinguish them perfectly—or thoroughly confuse the corresponding species.

For a hunter, the usefulness of such an ability went without saying.

"Linsey, you've been carrying that Wild Boar the whole way. Are you sure you don't need me to take over?"

At that moment, Dan walked over to Linsey.

As the Female Hunter looked at her student, a trace of concern lingered in her eyes.

When Linsey had joined the Hunting Team that morning, the gloom in his mood had been genuine. Whether as his teacher or the captain of the Hunting Team, she wanted to talk him through it. Naturally, she struck up a conversation now. "This thing is pretty heavy. Are you really okay?"

Linsey shook his head and declined Dan's offer.

"My Life Source Material has already undergone its initial cultivation. Carrying a Wild Boar is no problem."

Linsey exchanged a few polite words with Dan.

But the Female Hunter immediately seized the opportunity. She threw an arm around Linsey and squeezed the muscles on his shoulder. "Heh, you're quite sturdy now, kid."

"But speaking of which, Linsey, you're sixteen this year. Have you taken a fancy to any girl in town?"

"..."

Linsey's face immediately darkened.

The question felt both familiar and utterly speechless.

"I'm still young. There's no rush to get married."

Dan saw Linsey's exasperation.

But she did not give up. Instead, she took the Wild Boar's hind legs onto her shoulder, bringing her head almost level with Linsey's, and murmured enticingly, "I understand. I thought the same way when I was young!"

"But think about our little town. This damn place is cut off from the world, and there are only so many girls. If you don't make a move early, there won't be any left for you."

Linsey could hear the goodwill in Dan's words.

He did not want her worrying about this, so he rolled his eyes at the Female Hunter.

"Did you say the same thing to Ju?"

Caught by the retort, Dan's lips drooped, and her tone became complicated.

"That boy Ju has the same temperament as his father."

"A year ago, he told me that he wanted to try breaking through Black Mountain someday, to see the more wonderful world outside."

The Female Hunter's emotions were quite complicated at that moment.

She did not want her child to take such risks, yet the spirit of adventure that had once burned in her heart also made her feel a touch of pride in Ju.

But in the end, her maternal instincts won out, leaving worry as the dominant expression on her face.

Linsey was usually both student and friend to Dan. Seeing her expression now, he could not help voicing what was on his mind. "Don't worry. Black Mountain will definitely be broken through."

Dan immediately understood Linsey's implication.

Her eyes curved into crescents as she encouraged him without hesitation. "Just as expected of my student!"

"When you really prepare to leave, I'll give you my bow. It's a fine piece made by a master craftsman!"

After saying that, Dan released the pig's legs and returned the Wild Boar's weight to Linsey's shoulder.

But the figure walking ahead of him looked somewhat lonely.

Linsey understood Dan's feelings.

If not for the accident thirteen years ago, Dan, who had admired the exploits of great explorers, would surely have embarked on the path to becoming an explorer.

Instead of being trapped in Border Town as she was now.

Only able to lead the town's hunters and make a living through hunting for the sake of her child.

"Black Mountain... dragon beasts..."

Linsey muttered softly.

Three years had passed, and many things had changed for him.

Now, it was no longer just about returning to his hometown.

Even for the sake of helping the people in Border Town who had taught him, breaking through Black Mountain had become Linsey's most unwavering goal! Before the sun set.

The Hunting Team returned safely to town.

There was nowhere to process prey at Graveyard Church, so Linsey did not carry it back. Instead, he left the Wild Boar's corpse at Dan's house for her to skin, cook, and process the Raw Meat.

Dan had always done well in this regard.

According to the Hunting Team's method of distribution, she would first divide one portion of the proceeds equally, then give the remaining portion entirely to the one who had caught the prey.

After saying goodbye to his acquaintances in the Hunting Team.

Linsey checked his equipment and headed into town.

It was already late by then, but Linsey did not return directly to the church.

With a clear purpose, he came to the home of a young craftsman in town and knocked on the door.

"Qiao Er, it's Linsey!"

"Is the backpack I ordered from you last time ready?"

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