Hunting

Ryu left the sect city, heading to a forest distant around 15 kilometers away. He chose this place because it should be suitable for hunting rank 0 beasts, according to the teachings of senior Jin Baek.

The beasts are divided into ranks: a rank 0 beast is comparable to a cultivator from level 1 to 9, a rank 1 beast to a cultivator from level 10 to 19, and so on.

Of course that things are not always that simple, as beasts have their own special traits and fighting styles, sometimes they can threaten cultivators at a higher rank than expected; an example is a poisonous frog, a rank 0 beast with a poisonous attack that can possibly kill a high-level cultivator, if not treated in time.

According to teacher Baek, the place he is heading should not contain any particularly dangerous rank 0 beast. Besides, he had the equipment he got from his parents, which gave him confidence that even if he stumbled upon a beast at the peak rank 0, he would still manage to escape safely.

Two hours later, a forest appeared in his sight, finally the designed spot to hunt, a densely packed forest with many bushes covering the ground, an environment completely different from the pine tree forest near the sect, yet so similar.

In this forest, even walking can be a hard task, the bushes offer spots to hide that may contain hidden threats such as beasts and poisonous plants. It was Ryu's first time venturing into a forest, and this place was not something he would do carelessly.

Still, he decided to go in, not without first extracting a sword from his spatial ring.

In his hand, a long gleaming silver sword materialized, on its surface many inscriptions covering the length of the blade, but for him most of these inscriptions were useless, as he did not have the power to extract the full power of these formations.

Step by step, he entered deep within the forest, looking everywhere for some beast lurking, and as he walked between the bushes, small branches sharply passed, touching his skin, making small scratches. The ground had dead trunks and bulging roots, making this terrain have different levels and unstable spots.

Ignoring his lack of experience, he went bravely deeper and deeper into the forest, but no matter what, he couldn't find a single beast. That until he decided to go to a higher place and wait.

After a few minutes of wait, he heard a distant sound of a beast sneaking between the trees. Then he walked in a crouch, trying to make as little noise as possible so as not to startle the beast as he closed the distance.

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Quest: Hunt a Black Fox.

Reward: 200 exp

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A screen appeared in his eyes, he hadn't seen the fox yet, but it was there, just a few meters ahead. He recollected all the information his teacher provided about the black fox: it was a beast extremely fast and cautious.

Thus, he made a plan to jump and attack the beast taking it down in one strike, not giving a chance for the swift fox to run.

Tightening the grip on the sword hilt, he lowered his posture, preparing to leap forward, and next, he rotated his left foot, pressing it against the ground, preparing to push the ground with full force for a better boost.

*plack*

A branch under his left foot broke, emitting a loud sound.

In the bush where the black fox was, the bush trembled, and a beast went out running at such speed that it disappeared from the spot almost instantly, so thanks to his mistake, the swift fox made its escape successfully.

Ryu wasn't even able to react, but the running fox was already gone.

<>

Frustrated with the loss of his prey, he went deeper to the forest, but this time he had the understanding that the lack of beasts in the area was not due to the actual lack o beasts but to the fact that they were somehow sensing his presence and leaving before he could see them.

A rank 0 beast is not much different from a regular animal, it is stronger and faster, but they act on the same basics instincts. It is only on the higher rank that beasts attain intelligence and start making plans and traps.

However, a beast that acts on sheer animal instinct is not something to take lightly.

'At least if I could acquire a skill to hunt, It would be much easier. This stupid sect system. C'mom, do something to help.'.

It is only on level 10 that the system would unlock a shop that sells skills until this time comes, he would have to rely on his own ability. There is also the possibility of getting a skill with practice, but this is not an easy feat.

After a couple of failed attempts to reach a beast, he decided to change tactics.

He decided to use bait and wait for beasts to come, hidden in a bush. It may not be the most brilliant and ingenious plan, but it was an efficient one, and sometimes, doing things the simple way is also the best way.

Ryu got some ration from his spatial ring and placed it in the middle of a glade, and he hid in a bush near, from a distance that an animal will not smell him, still not so far that he would not be able to react in time.

With his sword ready to strike at any moment, he waited. Time continued to pass... pass very slowly.

Hunt is not fun all the time. Actually, most of the time are wasted on tedious waiting, a time that can not be used for other tasks because one has to keep full attention.

An hour passed, he was thinking about giving up for the day. 'Maybe I will have to ask some tips about hunting and come here later.'.

His attention was slowly drifting away.

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Quest: Kill a Berserker Hound Dog.

Reward: 700 exp

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Brought back to reality, he saw the screen quest 'Berserker Hound Dog? I think it is best to let this one go.'

Teacher Baek's lesson included this beast: it is a rank 0 but a strong one. It is ferocious, fast, and strong, despite it being at rank 0 it can threaten a cultivator at the 10 range level. A cultivator below level 10 must be very skilled to deal with this berserk creature's incessant and reckless attack pattern.

He decided to just let the beast eat the bait and go, after that, he will also leave. Another day ended badly.

But there was one problem.

'Where is the dog? Why am I not seeing it near the bait?' the beast should be close, otherwise, the system would not trigger the quest.

'Wait, the quest is not to hunt but to kill. This means that I am not the hunter here, but...'

He gave a quick leap out of the bush he was hiding, but the moment he made the first move, just 2 meters distant on his left side, an 80 centimeters tall dog with brown messy fur and disturbing yellow eyes staring at him.

The dog jumped in his direction with its jaw wide open, saliva dripping everywhere, and a row of sharp teeth dangerously approaching his face.