After I finished the process of carefully skinning the boar, removing every bit of usable hide and meat, I reached over and grabbed the already cooked rabbit that had been resting by the fire. I then took the fresh boar meat and positioned it carefully over the flames, ensuring it would cook evenly.
I took the time to bury all the internal organs that couldn't be used, making sure to cover them properly. Then I gathered up the skin and hide, tucking them under my arm as I began making my way toward a water source I had spotted earlier. By the time I would return from washing up, the boar meat would be finished cooking and ready to eat.
It didn't take long before I discovered a clear stream running through the forest. I carefully removed my tattered and worn clothes, which were barely holding together anymore, and stepped into the cool water to bathe myself. I brought the boar hide along with me into the stream so I could clean it thoroughly, washing away any blood and dirt. After my bath was complete and I felt refreshed, I used my basic crafting knowledge to fashion the cleaned hide into a pair of makeshift pants that would at least provide some coverage and warmth.
Now wearing my newly crafted garment, I made the decision to leave my old tattered clothes behind at the stream - they were beyond repair anyway. I picked up my pace and ran back toward the forest where I had set up my temporary camp. The nights in this wilderness would grow increasingly cold as darkness fell, and I knew that this single small hide wouldn't provide nearly enough protection against the chill. Simple leaves scattered on the ground would certainly not be sufficient either.
I began the task of actively searching through the forest for more boars, keeping my eyes peeled and my ears alert. Upon finding another one in a small clearing, I quickly ducked down and concealed myself behind the trunk of a large tree. The boar was peacefully grazing on the grass below, completely unaware of my presence. I could launch an attack at this very moment, but if I did so from this position, it would have enough time to notice me and react defensively.
I glanced upward at the tree I was hiding behind, and suddenly an idea formed in my mind. I tightened my grip on my spearhead, making sure I had a firm hold on it, and began to climb up the tree slowly and methodically, taking great care not to make even the slightest noise that might alert the boar below.
Moving as silently as a shadow, I carefully repositioned myself along the branches until I was situated directly above where the boar was grazing. Those sharp tusks protruding from its mouth looked extremely dangerous and capable of inflicting serious wounds. I needed to ensure a quick and clean kill, and I knew that the fastest and most efficient way to accomplish this would be to strike through its eye, where my spearhead could penetrate directly into its brain.
The timing of my attack was absolutely crucial to its success. I shifted my position one more time, adjusting my stance carefully on the branch, and then I dropped silently through the air. Just before my feet would have hit the ground below, I swung my spearhead downward with all the force and precision I could muster.
Shik
The sharp point of my attack pierced straight through the boar's eye socket and drove deep into its brain, killing it almost instantly.
"I'm pretty good at this. Did I have some kind of prior experience with hunting?"
-…-
I carefully pulled my spearhead out from the boar's skull and immediately began the process of skinning it right there on the spot where it had fallen. After I had finished removing all the usable materials, I dug a hole and buried the internal organs that I couldn't use or preserve. I stored all the rest of the valuable materials in my inventory for later use.
I made my way back to the river once again and took the time to clean myself thoroughly, washing away the blood and grime from the hunt. Using the fresh hide from this second boar, I carefully crafted a small cloak that I could wear over my shoulders for additional warmth and protection.
I retrieved the tusks from the boar and began the process of sharpening them methodically against the smooth rocks near the riverbank. I continued working on them diligently, refining their edges, for another solid hour until they finally met the standards I had set in my mind.
-Crafted Throwing knife-
I now had a total of four throwing knives in my possession. It was time to start practicing my aim and technique with these new weapons. I stood up from my spot by the river, dusted myself off, and made my way back to my camp. Once there, I sat down and ate some of the cooked boar meat that had been waiting for me.
The meat was quite dry and lacked moisture, but it wasn't terrible by any means. Some proper seasoning with herbs or salt would have greatly improved the flavor. After I had finished eating my fill, I carefully stored the leftover meat in my inventory for future meals and buried the bones to avoid attracting predators to my camp.
I took my knife and carved a circular target into the bark of a nearby tree, making sure the markings were clear and visible. Then I moved back several paces to create some distance, and I began practicing my throwing technique with the knives I had crafted.
Knife proficiency +2
proficiency +2
proficiency +2
My improvement rate was still too slow for my liking. I wanted to progress faster. As I looked around the area, I noticed some thick vines hanging from the trees, and suddenly I had another idea forming. I cut down several of these vines and used them to tie together some tree branches in a specific configuration. Then I attached various fruits to the hanging vines. When I pushed them, the fruits would swing back and forth and move through the air in unpredictable patterns. I began practicing my knife throwing by trying to hit these moving targets, which was considerably more challenging.
proficiency +3
proficiency +3
proficiency +3
And when I actually managed to successfully hit one of the moving targets:
proficiency +5
proficiency +5
I continued this intensive training routine like this, throwing knife after knife, until the sun finally began to set on the horizon and darkness started creeping in.
Ding
-Knife Master has leveled up-
Ding
-Quick throw has been acquired-
Quick Throw: throw an object swiftly and accurately.
Things were progressing smoothly and according to plan. Maybe I would manage to find some form of civilization or other people soon. Looking up at the darkening sky, I saw that the moon had already risen and was casting its pale light across the forest. I found a comfortable spot, sat down on the ground, and made the decision to get some sleep and figure out the rest of my plans tomorrow when I had a fresh mind.
Chirp chirp
My eyes slowly blinked open as consciousness returned to me. The sun hadn't fully risen yet above the horizon and it was still early morning, with mist clinging to the ground. I gradually got up from where I had been sleeping and let out a long yawn, stretching my stiff muscles. I did some basic stretches to loosen up my body before heading over to the nearby river to freshen up.
I splashed the cool water on my face to wake myself up fully and drank some of the clean water to quench my thirst. After I felt properly refreshed and ready, I gathered my weapons and equipment and started actively searching through the forest for some monsters that I could hunt and kill to continue improving my skills.
After wandering for a while, I came across a group of slimes moving slowly across the forest floor. I decided to test out my newly acquired skill on them. I drew back my arm and threw one of my knives using the Quick Throw skill, and the blade flew through the air and hit the slime right at its center core. The slime immediately dissolved and died on impact.
I pulled out another knife and threw it at a different slime, but this time the throw wasn't quite as accurate and it didn't manage to hit the center of the creature.
"I guess that first successful throw was just beginner's luck," I muttered to myself.
I didn't let it bother me too much and simply kept practicing by throwing my knives at the remaining slimes. After I had finished killing all the slimes in the area, I noticed something unusual - there was smoke rising up into the sky in the distance, suggesting some kind of fire or campsite.
"Could that be other people?"
I honestly didn't think I would manage to find other people or signs of civilization so quickly after starting my journey. Excited by the possibility, I immediately started running in the direction where the smoke was coming from. But I came to an abrupt pause and stopped in my tracks when I finally reached the location and could see what was there.
"What is that?" I whispered quietly to myself, making sure to hide my body behind the trunk of a large tree so I wouldn't be spotted.
-hillichural-
There were approximately seven of these creatures gathered around what appeared to be their camp, and every single one of them seemed to be wielding different types of weapons. Their arsenal ranged from heavy wooden clubs, large shields, curved bows with arrows, and long pointed spears.
"Are they friendly creatures, or are they hostile?"
-No, creatures or people with a red outline displayed on their names are considered enemies-
"That means, according to this system, I must kill them if I want to proceed safely."
I paused for a moment after hearing my own words out loud. Why did I automatically say that, and why did I immediately assume that I needed to kill them? What was driving this instinct?
-Don't think too much about the moral implications, these creatures are naturally aggressive and will attack you on sight. Killing them is for the better and for your own survival-
I nodded in understanding, accepting the explanation.
"Would I actually be able to defeat all of them in combat?"
-the chances of your victory are 70 percent-
That percentage is still relatively high and gives me a reasonable chance. I carefully surveyed their entire camp, taking in every detail. They all appeared to be quite primitive in their equipment and behavior. But despite their primitive nature, they seemed to have some level of organization in how they operated. As I continued observing, I stopped and focused my attention on two specific targets. The archers positioned in the towers - they were going to be the biggest problem and threat. I would need to take them out first before dealing with the others.
I carefully scanned the entire area and watched their movement patterns slowly and methodically over time. There appeared to be some kind of rotation system for guard watch duty. Occasionally, two of the hilichurals would leave the main camp and scout the surrounding area, which would leave only five creatures remaining to take care of. I could potentially take out those two scouts while they were away from the group. But the problem was that I didn't know for certain if I could eliminate them without making any sound that would alert the others back at camp.
I waited patiently and quietly for just the right moment - specifically when the scouts would return to camp and report, and then the next pair of guards would leave to begin their patrol. I saw my opportunity and silently snuck into the camp when the returning scouts entered their tent to rest. I carefully climbed up one of the wooden archer towers, making absolutely sure to make as little noise as physically possible with each movement. Once I had successfully reached the top of the tower, I grabbed one of my knives firmly and plunged it swiftly into the archer's throat before it could make a sound. I covered its mouth tightly with my other hand to muffle any noise and then silently dropped back down to the ground level below.
I quickly dragged and hid the archer's body behind some large wooden barrels that were stacked near the tower, and then I began sneaking carefully toward the second tower on the other side of camp. But as I was making my way there, I stopped suddenly when I passed near one of the tents. I cautiously looked around in all directions. I could see that only a single hilichural was inside this particular tent, and it appeared to be alone and resting. I realized I could eliminate it without making a sound and without the others noticing. I looked around one more time very carefully to make absolutely certain that no one else was nearby or watching, and when I confirmed the coast was clear, I slipped inside and did the same thing I had done before - quickly and silently killed the creature.
After I was done disposing of that target, I carefully peeked my head out of the tent entrance, and seeing that there was no one around in the immediate vicinity, I left the tent behind and continued sneaking toward my original destination - the second archer tower. Finally reaching the base of the tower, I once again began the careful process of climbing it, moving slowly and deliberately. Once I reached the top platform, I silently eliminated the second archer using the same method as before, and then I silently dropped back down to the ground before any of the other hilichurals could notice what had happened. I made sure to hide this body as well.
I peeked out carefully from behind the barrel where I was concealing myself and observed that the last two remaining hilichurals in the immediate area were dancing around a fire in the center of camp, completely oblivious to what had happened to their companions. I used this distraction to my advantage and silently snuck up directly behind one of them. With a quick motion, I cut its neck deeply and it fell. The other one finally noticed what was happening and immediately prepared to attack me in retaliation, but it was already far too late for it to mount an effective defense - I quickly cut its neck as well and it died before it could raise an alarm.
I stopped moving and paused right where I was standing, and I looked down at my own hands, which were now covered in blood.
Just as I was standing there contemplating what I had done and the ease with which I had killed these creatures, I suddenly heard sounds of laughter and snickering coming from nearby. The last two hilichurals - the scouts who had been out on patrol - were now returning to their camp. Thinking quickly, I turned and ran toward the camp's gate entrance. I grabbed one of the large barrels that was sitting near the gate and positioned it carefully. I used my knife to poke a small hole in the side of the barrel so I could see out, and then I climbed inside the barrel and put the lid on top to conceal myself completely.
From the small peephole I had created, I watched everything that unfolded next. The two returning hilichurals discovered their dead comrades scattered around the camp. They flew into a rage, roaring and growling with anger, and began looking around frantically with their weapons gripped tightly in their hands, searching for whoever had done this.
I observed carefully and noticed that after their initial rage, they had decided to split up to search the camp more thoroughly - one going in each direction. Seeing this as my opportunity, I quietly lifted the lid and got out of the barrel as silently as I could. I snuck up carefully behind one of them while its back was turned. With a swift motion, I slit its throat deeply and it collapsed. Then I began silently walking toward where the other one had gone. Just as I was positioning myself to launch an attack on it from behind, the creature suddenly turned around as if sensing danger, and it immediately swung its spear at me in a wide arc. I jumped backward to avoid the full force of the blow, but the hilichural still managed to cut me across the arm, drawing blood.
It growled menacingly at me, showing its teeth. I quickly began running in a circle around it, trying to create distance and find an opening. As I moved, I threw my knives one after another at the creature. The hilichural was surprisingly agile and managed to dodge most of them by moving and weaving, but some of my knives still found their mark and hit it, causing wounds.
Finding myself running dangerously low on throwing knives, I quickly reached into my inventory and took out a stone spear that I had looted from one of the hilichurals I had killed earlier. I gripped it firmly and then dashed forward, closing the distance rapidly. I used my Quick Jab skill and struck it powerfully right in the stomach area, driving the spear point deep into its body.
The creature winced in obvious pain from the wound and immediately retaliated by swinging its own spear at my head in a horizontal slash, trying to decapitate me. I ducked down low just in time to avoid having my head taken off. While I was crouched low, I spotted one of my throwing knives lying on the ground nearby. I quickly grabbed it with my hand and then lunged upward, slitting the hilichural's throat in one clean motion.
I stood there and watched as the creature grabbed desperately at its bleeding neck with both hands, trying frantically to stop the blood from gushing out between its fingers. I took a cautious step backward, maintaining my distance, and continued watching as its body slowly slumped forward and it finally died. Its physical body immediately began turning to dust and disappearing, leaving nothing behind.