The butchering of the adult Forest Buck was an even more arduous task than the juvenile. It took Kael the rest of the day, his newly upgraded 'Axe Proficiency (Rank E)' and the 'Power Strike' ability (though he didn't use it for butchering) providing little comfort against the sheer scale of the job. His STR of 5 was still barely adequate. He salvaged a large quantity of venison, a much bigger and tougher hide than the last, and more sinew.
[System Notification: You have successfully butchered 1x Forest Buck (Adult). Obtained: Venison (Very Large Quantity), Heavy Deer Hide (Medium Quality, 1x), Deer Sinew (10x).]
[Due to extensive and skillful butchering of a large animal, 'Basic Survival (Rank F)' proficiency significantly increased. 'Axe Proficiency (Rank E)' proficiency increased.]
[XP Gained: 15 / 250 for Level 4.]
[Current XP: 115 / 250 for Level 4.]
Exhausted but satisfied with his haul, Kael spent the evening by his fire, slowly roasting a thick steak of fresh venison. The Well-Fed buff was a welcome companion. He thought about the fight. It had been close, too close. His new 'Power Strike' ability for the axe might have ended it sooner, but he hadn't had the presence of mind or the stamina to spare for an active skill during the chaotic melee.
The need for a ranged weapon was no longer a vague idea; it was a pressing necessity. Stalking prey with 'Stealth' and 'Silent Step' was effective for getting close, but that final, dangerous confrontation was a huge risk, especially if he encountered something faster, stronger, or with natural ranged attacks of its own.
A bow. That was the obvious answer. He had seen bows in his past life, in movies, in games. A simple longbow. He had wood. He had sinew for a bowstring. He had the Sylphwing Quill, which the System had said could be used for "fletching."
The next morning, after checking his rabbit traps (one more caught, adding to his larder), Kael began his research.
"System," he queried, "are there any 'Basic Crafting (Rank E)' recipes for a simple bow and arrows?"
[System Query: Accessing 'Basic Crafting (Rank E)' recipe list for 'Ranged Weapons - Bows/Arrows'.]
[Recipe Found: Crude Shortbow. Materials: 1x Suitable Flexible Wood (e.g., Ash, Yew - local equivalent: Ironwood Sapling), 1x Bowstring Material (e.g., Sinew, Strongvine). Crafting Time: Approx. 3-4 hours. Difficulty: Moderate for Rank E. Effective Range: Short. Accuracy: Low. Chance of 'Minor Positive Quirk': Low.]
[Recipe Found: Basic Arrows (x5). Materials: 5x Straight Wooden Shafts, 5x Flint Arrowheads (Small, Sharp), Fletching Material (e.g., Feathers). Crafting Time: Approx. 2-3 hours (for 5). Difficulty: Moderate for Rank E. Accuracy: Low to Moderate (depends on fletching and arrowhead quality).]
A Crude Shortbow. "Ironwood Sapling" was listed as a local equivalent for bow wood. He'd seen slender, remarkably straight saplings in the forest that might fit the description. The Sylphwing Quill was perfect for fletching.
He spent the day searching for a suitable Ironwood sapling, his new axe making the task of felling it much easier. He selected a piece about four feet long, straight-grained and free of knots. Shaping the bowstave was a slow process of shaving down the wood with his flint knife, trying to achieve the right taper and flexibility. His 'Basic Crafting' skill guided his hands, but it was still challenging work, requiring patience and a good eye.
While the bowstave was slowly being worked, he also began crafting arrow shafts from straight, seasoned branches, and carefully knapped small, sharp flint arrowheads. The arrowheads were the most difficult part, requiring a delicate touch to avoid shattering the flint.
The Sylphwing Quill felt different when he thought about using it for fletching. There was a faint hum, an eagerness. He carefully split tiny slivers from its barbs – the material was incredibly light yet surprisingly tough. Attaching these to his crude arrow shafts with thin strips of sinew and a sticky tree sap the System identified as 'Pine Resin Adhesive' was a delicate operation.
[System Notification: You have successfully crafted 3x Basic Arrow (Sylphwing Fletched).]
[Item: Basic Arrow (Sylphwing Fletched). Quality: Uncommon. Durability: 5/5. Damage: Low. Special Properties: Increased Accuracy (Minor), Increased Range (Minor) due to Sylphwing fletching.]
Uncommon quality! And special properties! The Sylphwing Quill was indeed magical. This was a significant improvement over standard fletching. He carefully crafted two more, making a set of five.
By the end of the next day, his Crude Shortbow was finally taking shape. He had carefully tillered the limbs, strung it with a tightly twisted length of Deer Sinew, and tested its draw. It was stiff, and his STR of 5 struggled to pull it to a full draw, but it felt like a weapon.
[System Notification: You have successfully crafted 1x Crude Shortbow.]
[Item: Crude Shortbow. Quality: Common. Durability: 40/40. Damage: Low. Effective Range: Short. Special Properties: None.]
[Due to successful crafting of multiple complex items (bow, fletched arrows), 'Basic Crafting (Rank E)' proficiency significantly increased. You are very close to the requirements for Rank D.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Bow Proficiency (Rank F). Effect: Slightly increased accuracy and reload speed when wielding bows. Small chance to recover arrows after firing.]
[XP Gained: 25 / 250 for Level 4.]
[Current XP: 140 / 250 for Level 4.]
Another new proficiency, and more XP. Kael held the bow and the five Sylphwing-fletched arrows. He was no archer, but he had the tools. He had a ranged weapon.
He stepped outside his hut, nocked an arrow, and aimed at a large, soft tree trunk about twenty paces away. He drew the string back, his muscles straining. He released.
The arrow flew, wobbly and uncertain, and thudded into the bark several feet wide of his intended target.
Kael sighed. He had the weapon. Now, he needed the skill to use it. The path to becoming a true hunter, capable of facing the Whisperwood, was still long.