"You're using a dagger as a throwing knife? That aim... damn, you're good."
Ling Chu was genuinely impressed. No wonder Huang Xiaowen's character information listed Knife Mastery. A professional really was different.
"Of course. I learned in my dad's casino when I was little. Nobody could beat me at knife roulette. When I first started practicing, I put an apple on a dummy's head. Then I switched to oranges, then cherries. The targets kept getting smaller."
Huang Xiaowen spoke proudly as she bent down to pick up the dead seagull.
"How many do you want to eat? Is one enough? The meat's not very good. It has a weird taste."
During her first two days in the survival game, she hadn't caught any fish, so she'd killed two seagulls with throwing knives and eaten them. The meat was tough and had a rank, fishy smell.
"Who said I wanted to eat it?"
Ling Chu scratched her cheek. "I just wanted to practice on moving targets. My aim's decent when the target stays still, but the moment it moves, I can't hit it."
"That's because we're at sea. Your target moves, your boat moves, and the sea breeze affects your arrow's path. You have to learn to account for all of it. Keep practicing and you'll get there," Huang Xiaowen said.
Hitting a stationary target was a basic archery skill, while hitting a moving target was intermediate. Add the wind and waves, though, and it became an advanced skill. Only diligent practice would let her master it.
Ling Chu drew her bow again, the power of the storm gathering at her fingertips.
Beside her, Huang Xiaowen coached her. "Keep your eyes on the target, but use your peripheral vision—even your whole body—to feel the boat rocking and track where the target's