Chapter 18: The Boy Chasing The Otter
The wind howled through the wheat field and wilderness, with fallen leaves drifting down from the forest in the mountains.
Mike ran hard through the dead leaves and gravel, gripping his sword in one hand, eyes locked on the figure darting and running sideways, herding it toward a certain direction.
Almost there, almost there, just a little more.
He chanted silently in his heart, then leaped again, kicking off a tree trunk, shaking off dust, and charging toward the running figure.
The longsword cleaved through obstacles along the way, allowing his line of sight to pierce through shrubs and thick leaves, revealing the true face of that figure.
It was an otter that had come ashore, its size like that of a small calf, with black, glossy fur that let it glide smoothly through thorns and shrubs without losing speed.
Compared to ordinary wild beasts, its size was noticeably larger, and its speed and power were not to be underestimated; its sharp claws could casually split small trees along the way, clearing a path.
Such a wild beast was just one step away from advancing to First Order, and its strength was beyond what ordinary adventurers could handle; Mike could only keep harassing and herding it at this point.
“Ahhhh—”
He let out a loud shout from his mouth, then swung his sword blade at the otter; before he could even touch it, he startled it, forcing it to abruptly change direction and flee to the right.
“Brother Jieluo, it’s coming your way!”
Seeing the direction the otter was fleeing, Mike shouted loudly, then continued chasing after it.
A few seconds later, the otter ahead burst out of the forest, only to find a large upright net waiting in front of it.
The otter tumbled into the net, tearing and charging forward until the rope net wrapped around its entire body, finally causing it to crash to the ground.
Seeing it start to tear and struggle with its claws, several adventurers who had been lying in ambush rushed over, hammering and stabbing with spears; soon, the otter was dead.
“Phew, finally got the last one.” One adventurer wiped the soil and blood from his face.
“This one was too cunning; when we poisoned the water earlier, it immediately escaped.”
“We’ve been chasing it for almost a week, and only caught it today.”
“This one’s the biggest; if it were another year or two, it might have become a Fang Beast of First Order.”
“If it really were a Fang Beast, these traps wouldn’t hold it; we’d have to call in professional hunters.”
“Jieluo’s coming.”
The man carrying a greatsword walked out from the forest; it was he who had been covering the rear, making the otter run blindly in panic.
“Got it done?” He said casually, walking to the side of the dead otter to inspect it.
“Not bad, this guy’s fur is high quality too; should fetch a good price.”
“23 otters in total, 2 silver per bounty, 46 silver in rewards, but this one’s special; the fur alone should sell for 20-30 silver.”
“Costs: 3 silver for poison from the Apothecary Guild, 5 silver for ropes and nets and such, 2 silver for meals and lodging with villagers over a few days; we should net about 50-60 silver this time.” In the team, a member skilled at calculation quickly analyzed.
“Now we’ve got money again; I haven’t even spent the last haul.”
“That doesn’t sound like your usual style, hahaha~” With that, several people laughed; clearly, everyone was in a good mood.
“Let’s go, drag this otter back to the village, let the village butcher and villagers handle it; tonight we’ll have another good meat feast.”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
Several people started moving.
While the others were busy, Jieluo came to Mike’s side and patted his shoulder with a big hand.
“You did well today.”
“Thanks, Brother Jieluo.” The boy responded excitedly.
“Heh heh heh, you’ve got talent, kid.” Jieluo grinned.
“Alright, we should earn a nice sum this time; any plans for how to spend it?”
“I want to buy some good equipment, like a suit of chainmail, or a better weapon.”
“No no no, with your build, chainmail would waste your stamina and kill that agility you’ve got.” Jieluo, rich in experience, shook his head.
“Weapons? Make do with what you’ve got for now; good ones cost a fortune to repair.” He pulled Mike to sit down.
“Actually, what you need most right now is a good mentor to learn some things from.” He laid his greatsword across his knees and wiped it with a cloth he carried.
“Learn what, awesome sword techniques or combat techniques?” Mike asked expectantly.
“Hahaha, sure, those too, but haven’t you thought about learning to read? With some clerk skills plus decent moves, you could easily find work in Jiaoshi City.”
“You mean like those guards or Merchant Guild escorts?” Mike made a disdainful pout.
“Those guys’ moves are probably as stiff as an old lady’s, and the life is boring as hell.”
“I’m going to become someone really amazing in the future, like a great adventurer or from legends or something.”
“Those…” Jieluo seemed to recall something, then lowered his head and shook slightly.
“It’s great to have that ambition, but you need the strength to back it up.” He stood the sword upright, then got to his feet.
“You’re still far off; come on, let’s spar.” He set the greatsword aside and casually picked up a wooden stick.
“Alright~”
Mike jumped down from the rock he was squatting on, gripped his sword hilt, and charged forward to challenge.
Soon, crisp clashing sounds rang through the forest as the two traded blows back and forth.
It was clear Jieluo was deliberately holding back; otherwise, even a wooden stick swung with full force could send Mike flying and badly injured.
A few minutes later, Mike was exhausted, his body steaming with heat and sweat, face flushed red.
“Stop.” Jieluo swept away Mike’s attack, then stuck the wooden stick into the ground.
“No more breathing technique for you today.”
“Yes, big bro.”
“Let’s head back to the village too, enjoy tonight’s victory feast.”
“Good, hehe.”
With that, Mike picked up his sword with his sore arms and hurried to catch up.
……
After a night of revelry, the next day they took proof of their successful hunt back to Jiaoshi City.
“Verified complete; congratulations, Mountain Beast Adventurer Team, you’ve successfully completed the bounty task again.” Mailin finished filling the table, then had someone bring out a bag of silver coins.
After distributing silver coins to each team member, Jieluo took one out, flicked it into the air with his finger, caught it, and placed it on the table.
“Beautiful miss, I’d like to inquire about some intel.” He pushed the silver coin over.
“Tell me what you want to know first.” Mailin didn’t take it right away.
“This famous young promising team member of mine wants to learn something; see any good teachers for him?” He pulled Mike over for Mailin to size up.
“How old now, what’s his situation?”
“Almost seventeen, but not quite; knows breathing technique, and his sword technique is pretty good too.” Mike introduced proudly.
“Seventeen and already knows breathing technique; that’s some real talent.” Mailin thought for a moment.
“Do you want to learn combat skills and abilities, or something else?”
“I want to learn combat…” Before Mike could finish, Jieluo cut him off.
“No, he wants to learn knowledge stuff.”
Jieluo corrected for him, then pressed a thick finger on Mike’s shoulder to shut him up.
“Knowledge stuff; that’s a bit unexpected.” Mailin glanced at the two.
“Basic enlightenment; I know a good teacher, she was a student of Scholar Heide.”
“Just enlightenment?” Jieluo seemed unsatisfied.
“So what do you want him to learn?” Mailin asked again.
“I hope something more advanced, for better prospects later.”
“In that case…” Mailin thought of something, but then shook her head.
“That lord is recruiting new students too, but may not take him.”
“Which one?” Jieluo got curious.
“Exactly the Scholar Heide I just mentioned; that lord is starting lessons again now.”
Scholar Heide’s reputation rang loud in Jiaoshi City; after all, of the three scholars total, two were his students, making him a symbol of learning and wisdom in Jiaoshi City.
“That lord; perfect.” Jieluo slapped Mike’s shoulder repeatedly, making it hurt.
“Don’t celebrate too soon; that one has standards for students.” Mailin rubbed her forehead.
“No problem; with Mike’s talent, that lord will see it for sure. Decided, then.”
After that, Jieluo dragged the reluctant Mike away from the counter, and another cheer rose from the team.
“That’s Lord Scholar Heide.” Someone said excitedly and expectantly.
“Mike, kid, if you become Scholar Heide’s student, you’ll be set.”
“Maybe even get knighted by Viscount Xue Feng someday.”
“That’s a stretch; if you could become magistrate, I’d latch onto that thigh.”
“Hahaha~”
Mike, who had been reluctant at first, turned excited upon hearing so much praise from his teammates.
Can I really catch that lord’s eye? The boy felt nervous yet expectant in his heart.
Thank Amnesiac Swordsman Te
uYexiuu, Pitch-Black Universe, Casual No Separation, Salty Fish Cuisine, Flowers Bloom Clouds Smoke, thanks to the book friends for the rewards~
