Jayven got outside and made his first move. "Now, let's run." Which is to run.
He ran fast and moved in zigzag, confusing patterns in the forest. The reason for this is simple. Which is no one can be trusted while hunting in the forest.
It might sound crazy, but hunters killing fellow hunters is actually a well-known and open secret to all. Although not all hunters are bad people, it doesn't hurt much to be extra careful.
This kind of situation of hunters hunting other hunters is an open subject that not many can control, although those hunters do get bounty on their heads and become criminals when they did a crime.
But that can only happen when there is solid evidence and clear witnesses. This was also a clear survival reminder to every hunter who wants to live long.
Monsters are not our only enemies; humans can also be our most dangerous adversaries.
~~~~~~~~~~
"That kid sure ran fast."
"I was also surprised. Are his stats over thirty?"
"Must be. After all, he is hunting by himself."
"Maybe not, it might be just his agility that is already at thirty, his other stats might be lower."
"That makes sense, after all, we are already in our twenties, and our stats aren't even at the threshold of 25."
"Either way, that kid might be rich since he can raise his agility that far."
"Yeah, so remember everyone, when you meet him in the forest, we will just teach him a lesson. And take some lesson fee afterwards."
"Of course, aren't we such good people? Hahaha"
"""Ahahahaha."""
As the group was laughing, other groups not far from them spoke.
"They're at it again."
"For the sake of education, they say. Bah, what a bunch of lunatics!"
"Hey, be quiet; they might hear you."
"But I'm not wrong, right? They kept on bullying those weaker than them because they don't go over the top; they weren't arrested."
"True. As much as we want to help, we can't do anything because there is no solid evidence against them."
"Yeah, the last time they targeted someone, they destroyed everything, including their devices that could record what had happened."
"Because of that, no one wants to deal with them. Plus, the guy that they are working for is bad news."
"Eh, is the guy they are working for really that scary?" Then a girl with Bright Red hair asked, not knowing the reason for their fears.
"Of course, after all, he is in the Mana User Stage."
"But I can also use mana."
"Oh, no, not that kind of mana user. Let us explain for a bit."
Noticing she didn't get what they were saying, they started to teach her about those in the Mana User stage.
"There are ranges and ranks of mana mastery. The First is the Mana Bearer Stage, which is what we can currently do."
And the second is the Mana user; the third is Mana intent; and lastly, Mana manifestation.
"I didn't know about that."
"Well, that's to be expected. This thing is thought of once you join a hunter institute or, like us, who are recruited to a guild."
"But there is only one difference; why is that a big deal?"
"Although it may sound like it is nothing since there is only one gray area difference, you are solely mistaken."
"What do you mean?"
"What he means is that, that gray area of difference is like leaping over a city wall."
"And you do know about the basic mana guidance manual, right?"
"Yes, I practiced it and mastered the first two. After the third one, I can apply for the next three Mana Guidance Manual stages."
"That's right, there are twelve stages in that manual. The first three stages are full mastery of the mana-bearing stage. The next three stages are for the mana, and following that are the last two stages."
"No wonder it is strange that there don't seem to be that many of those Mana User stage here at the outer field."
"That's right, those who are at the Mana Bearer stage like us can only hunt in the outer area of the forest, while those who are at the Mana User's Stage and stronger can enter beyond the outer layer of the forest."
"Can I ask another more question?"
"Sure."
"So what is it that differentiates us from non-hunters and hunters?"
"There is, and it is something that many want to argue about."
"Really? Wait, is it Skill ranks?"
"No, It is status attribute points."
"Eh, why?"
"The common citizen has at least 5 to 15 points in their attributes in each category. and that is a hard, unsurpassable amount for them."
"That is also the reason why there are training tests after the coming-of-age ceremony. Testing if the new batch of seedlings can adapt properly and have a chance to become hunters or not."
"And once proven, they will give them support depending on their performance."
"Oh, I see, so that's why I was recruited quickly. I have potential, not just because my Skill being B rank."
"Well, you do have the qualification since you have that skill."
"And for those at the Mana Bearer Stage and Mana User Stage, what else can determine their status other than the three stages of the Mana Guidance Stage? Is it also by attributes?"
"The difference is not in attribute points but in mastery of mana."
"Mastery of mana?"
"Yes, we bearers can only use mana in basic applications, for example, your skill Fire Casting. What can you currently do?"
"I can see a great force of flame burning my targets."
"Then can you use it to change it into any shape you want?"
"I'll try."
She then tried releasing her flame and changing the shape to the way she wanted. But it ended in failure and burned her surroundings.
"Uwahh! What should I do?"
"See." As he made his point, her groupmates then extinguished the fire with a water skill.
"This is the reason why there is a difference between a mana user and a mana bearer. Think about what you could do if you could control your flames freely."
When she heard this, she was stunned and thought of many possibilities.
"I see. I'm sorry for my hindsight, senior. I'll do better next time."
"It's good that you understand well because when you reach the third stage of the mana guidance stage, you can naturally raise your mastery of mana."
"That's enough for now; we first need to go start hunting."
"Yes."
With that, the group left the place as they entered the forest.
The girl then stopped to turn and look at where Jayven had just left, and she said. "I hope you'll be safe, fellow hunter."
---------Outer part of the North Forest----------
After arriving at the forest and dashing around like a madman, Jayven then climbs on top of a tree to rest.
"Hhhuuuu. How much stamina do I have? If I have less, then I should wait to recover some and hunt later."
Knowing the serious consequences of lowered stamina, Jayven took a peak.
"Oh, the training wasn't for nothing, huh? I barely consume anything."
After having peace of mind, he then started his next move. "Well, then let's get our first target."
He jumped down, looking for a target to hunt. And along the way, he saw many green blobs on top of a monster carcass.
And upon seeing it, he noticed what kind of monsters they were, but not the monster corpse they were on top of.
"That's an acid slime. And there are many of them; to think there would be someone leaving a monster carcass in that state makes me wonder why."
Jayven's question is not unfounded, for monster carcasses can be worth a lot of money, so someone leaving this will either be stupid or just spoiled and rich.
Looking around, he didn't see anyone, nor did he feel the presence of any living creatures. So with careful preparation, Jayven was determined.
"Seeing as there are no threats, don't mind if I do; that monster carcass is mine."
With tons of stone in hand, he threw it at the slime far away. And with a splash, all the slime was defeated in a matter of seconds.
"Phew, okay, slimes are dangerous at close range, but long-range attacks can definitely do the trick. Now let's go collect our loot."
He then slowly walked towards the monster carcass. But although he made it sound easy, killing a slime in one hit is quite a feat.
Because the only strength the slimes have is their vitality, which can regenerate fast, and their liquefied form, which makes them resistant to blunt force.
But he can, thanks to his high stats. The VIT of the slime is around 15-20, so Jayven throwing a rock shows how strong it is.
So him one-shotting a slime with a stone is definitely something else. Not to mention that the strength of the stone thrown does not equal the strength of one's own fist.
"Well, then let's take a look at what it is." He then examined the copse, getting close enough to inspect it. And upon seeing it, he was surprised.