Surpassing the old me
"Alright, keep it steady." I watched as Koro stiffly kept the bow drawn, looking straight ahead. "Okay, now line up the target to match the X-shaped lens on the bow. The female kobold narrowed her eyes, lining up the shot before releasing.
The arrow shot forward hitting the target dead-on.
"Sky sap X really useful." Koro murmured, shock in her voice. "Marek really smart."
Heh, it feels pretty good to be praised. "That's right, this is a lot more efficient huh?" She nodded, passing the bow to a kobold behind her. The kobold mimicked Koro's stance drawing back the bow and squinting with one eye as she did. Behind him was a long line of other kobold waiting their turn to shoot the bow.
"Whoever can hit all five targets in nine seconds gets their own bow! No pushing! You each get three tries, and then it's back in line." I made sure to scold them every now and again before putting the final touches on my work.
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Reinforced Kobold Shortbow: Attack: 0
Durability 7/7 Quality: Good
+1 Arrow damage
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Stacking the finished product next to the other five bows, quietly watching the kobold shoot their targets. "Ugaaah! Shoot bow hard!" I chuckled, watching the frustrated kobold angrily stomp to the back of the line.
Hitting the target perfectly wasn't TOO hard for them with the bow sights. However quickly moving to their new target, and lining it up without delay was something they all seemed to have trouble with. If I had to guess, I'd say low Dexterity is probably the reason they're having so much trouble. Eventually, they should obtain a high enough level with "Archery" to get it done. Surprisingly though, Koro is doing a lot better than expected.
THWAK!
"YES!" The female Kobold pumped her fist in victory after just barely hitting all 5 targets in the allotted time. She ran up to me excitedly. "Marek see?!"
"Yep, you did well." I grabbed one of the bows in the pile, and handing it to her. The female kobold firmly hugged the bow tightly to her chest as if it were her own child.
"Koro did well!" The other kobold in line cast looks of envy at her, each of them trying to hurry up and win one themselves.
Why am I doing this you might ask? A few reasons. The first reason is that they wouldn't stop asking for their own bow, or wanting to touch or play with mine. The second is there's really only so much a single kobold can do on their own. Instead of solely focusing on myself, building a reliable group of allies is far more favorable. The last reason is that, well, I'm also a kobold. Sure I definitely don't feel like I fit in but I'm honestly feeling bad with these guys struggling just to live day to day. And to that end, they need to learn to use the bow. Why?
I glanced over to Rakuta who had just made it to the front of the line. Around his stomach were crudely wrapped bandages that were a faded brown color.
Injuries are a big problem, so kobold die pretty easily. But even if they're only injured, they need a long time to recover before they can go back out and fight. It'd been nearly a week and while Rakuta could walk around a bit, running was out of the question. I really had the right idea of picking a bow. We're honestly so weak we can barely manage much else.
A few kobold had stolen some of my bows when I wasn't looking and gotten several bruises from their trouble. After that, they were too scared to cause me any real problems. "See this is exactly why power is so convenient. Sometimes diplomacy is the answer, other times knocking some heads together is exactly what's needed." Not gonna lie, it was a real confidence booster seeing how easily I could beat the other kobold. Especially since many monsters in this forest could tear me apart in moments if given the chance. If I can get them to learn archery and gain some levels, they might end up being a half-decent fighting force.
I stood up, packing away some arrows for later. "I'm going hunting. You can use these bows while I'm gone, but return them when I come back. Or else." at my words, the next five kobold in line eagerly ran over, grabbing the bows, and forming new lines to practice.
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Normally I would head up to the tree by the stream in order to hunt. But I can't get too used to that or I'll get soft. Eventually, I will have to gain REAL battle experience, or I'll get slaughtered the moment I can't have an advantage.
Walking low to the ground, I kept my bow on hand and ready for anything. Keeping my ears open, I quickly and quietly moved through the forest. Progress was slow, but finding the enemy before they find you is far more important.
As time passed I found a few creatures, mostly only birds and rabbits. They barely gave any experience but were decent practice for sneaking around. Eventually, after sniping a couple of them, I obtained "Stealth Lv. 1"
Peeking around a tree, I spotted a large Bristleback Boar standing over a dead badger. It messily chewed at the body crunching some of the bones. A few scratches could be found on the boar's face. Seems the Sickle Badger managed to get a few parting shots in.
Bristleback Boar: Lv. 12
Hp: 50/55
"While I'd like to level up Stealth a bit more, this is a good opportunity for some real experience."
Pushing my way through the bushes, I caught the creature's attention.
*WHEEEEEEEEE!*
The boar angrily let out a cry upon spotting me. Lowering it's head, it pawed the ground before sprinting at me.
I remember this very same situation...a Bristleback was the first time my life was in danger after coming to this world. Last time I had to rely on others to save me. "This time..."
I pulled an arrow with a cube-shaped arrowhead out of the rags quiver on my back.
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Impact Arrow: Attack: 4
Durability 4/4 Quality: Good
+ May stun target upon a blow to the head
- Reduced range
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"I'll take care of it on my own..."
Drawing back the arrow, I didn't fire immediately. Instead, waiting as the boar charged in. Thirty feet, twenty-five, twenty! I released the shot as soon as the monster had entered fifteen feet.
The arrow smashed into the boar's forehead, catching it right between the eyes. The impact of the shot was far more powerful adding the Bristleback's own force as it charged into it.
*GWWEEEEEEEEE!*
It let out a pitiful cry, legs collapsing underneath it as it skid to a halt, blood pouring out of the wound on it's forehead.
Bristleback Boar: Lv. 12
Hp: 15/55
While it lay there stunned, I put my bow away, taking out the club. I could have easily finished it off in it's current state, but allowed it to recover. Eventually picking itself up, the Bristleback glared at me, it's eyes having lost none of their fire despite it's previous injury. I have to give credit where credit is due, boars are tenacious. High health, and massive attack, they don't know the meaning of the word quit.
The beast grunted before charging at me head-on, kicking up dirt behind it as it ran. Standing there holding the club, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. I've gone through a lot since coming to this world and nearly died a few times because of it. I've changed over this course of time. I'm by no means fearless, but I'd like to think I've become more hardened.
Taking a solid stance with my feet and readying the club, I put my back into the swing. The club smashing into the side of the boar's head moments before it hit me. This redirected the boar's force to the side, narrowly missing me by a few inches.
There was no final cry. The Bristleback Boar silently collapsed to the ground, blood pouring out of its head.
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You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
No longer possible to level up!
Blunt Weapons Lv. 1 acquired
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As I thought, level 20 is the limit. After that, it seems any experience I acquire is pointless. Still...
I glanced at the bloody club in my hands before putting it away. This was a great amount of battle experience I gained today. Boars move in a predictable way, so fighting against them is somewhat easier. I doubt it'll be the same for other monsters, so it's good to start off easy.
I moved to grab the boar when I heard another notification in my head, much to my surprise.
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You have reached the maximum level for your species!
The limit has been filled!
Would you like to evolve?
Yes ---> No
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