Wind howled across the wheat fields and wilderness, and leaves fell from the mountain forests.
Mike ran with all his might through dry leaves and loose stones, a sword clutched in one hand, his gaze fixed on the constantly darting figure beside him, herding it in a specific direction.
Almost there, almost there, just a little more.
He muttered to himself, then leaped again, pushing off a tree trunk, sending dust showering down, and charging towards the running figure.
His longsword cut through obstacles in his path, allowing his sight to penetrate the bushes and thick leaves, revealing the true identity of the figure.
It was an otter that had come ashore, as large as a small calf, with dark, oily, and sleek fur that allowed it to glide effortlessly through thorns and bushes without losing speed.
Compared to ordinary wild beasts, its size was noticeably larger, and its speed and strength were not to be underestimated; its sharp claws could easily cut through small trees and clear a path.
Such a beast was only a step away from advancing to a First-Order beast, and its strength was not something an ordinary Adventurer could handle. Mike could only continuously harass and drive it.
"Ah ah ah—"
He let out a loud shout, then swung his blade at the otter. Before he even touched it, he startled it, forcing it to change direction and flee to the right.
"Brother Jello, it went that way!"
Seeing the direction the otter fled, Mike shouted loudly, then continued his pursuit.
A few seconds later, the otter suddenly burst out of the woods, where a large net stood upright, waiting for it.
The otter tumbled into the net, tearing and running until the netting completely enveloped its body, finally making it fall to the ground.
As it began to tear and struggle with its claws, several Adventurers who had been lying in ambush rushed over. With various hammer blows and spear thrusts, the otter was soon killed.
"Phew, finally got the last one."
An Adventurer wiped the dirt and blood from his face.
"This one was too cunning; when we poisoned the water earlier, it immediately fled."
"We chased it for almost a week and only caught it today."
"This one is the biggest. If it were another year or two, it might have become a First-Order Fanged Beast."
"If it were really a Fanged Beast, these traps wouldn't hold it. We'd have to hire professional hunters to deal with it."
"Jello's coming."
A man carrying a greatsword emerged from the woods. It was he who had been pressing from behind, causing the otter to run in a panic.
"Is it done?" he casually asked, walking over to the dead otter and inspecting it.
"Not bad, this fellow's fur quality is quite high. It should sell for a good price."
"In total, 23 otters, each with a bounty of 2 silver, making the reward 46 silver. But this one is special; its fur alone could probably sell for another 20-30 silver."
"In terms of costs, buying poison from the Apothecary Guild cost 3 silver, ropes and nets cost 5 silver, a few days' food and accommodation for the villagers cost 2 silver. This time, we should make about 50-60 silver."
A member of the team, skilled in calculations, quickly analyzed.
"We have money again. I haven't even spent all of last time's."
"That's not like your usual style, hahaha~" With that, a few people laughed, clearly in good spirits.
"Let's go, drag this otter back to the village. Let the village butcher and villagers process it. We'll have good meat tonight."
"Let's go, let's go!"
The group began to move.
While the others were busy, Jello approached Mike and clapped a large hand on his shoulder.
"You did well today."
"Thank you, Brother Jello."
The youth responded excitedly.
"Hehehe, you're a talented kid too."
Jello grinned.
"Alright, we should make some money on this trip back. Do you have any plans, how to spend this money?"
"I want to buy some good equipment, like an iron chainmail, or a better weapon."
"No, no, with your build, wearing chainmail would be a waste of stamina and would take away your usual agility."
Jello, experienced, shook his head.
"As for weapons, just make do for now. Good weapons are expensive to repair, it's heartbreaking."
He pulled Mike down to sit.
"Actually, the best thing for you right now is to find a good mentor and learn something."
He rested his greatsword across his knees and wiped it with the oilcloth he carried.
"Learn what? Powerful swordsmanship or combat techniques?" Mike asked expectantly.
"Ah hahaha, those indeed, but haven't you thought about learning to read and write? If you have some literacy and good combat skills, it'll be easy to find a job in Cinderstone City."
"You mean like those guards or merchant guild escorts?" Mike pouted slightly, somewhat disdainfully.
"Those guys' skills are probably like stiff old ladies, and their lives are incredibly boring."
"I'm going to become a very remarkable person in the future, like a powerful Adventurer, a legend or something."
"Those..." Jello seemed to recall something, then lowered his head and shook it slightly.
"Having such ambition is good, but you also need the strength to match it."
He stood his sword upright, then stood up.
"You're still far from it. Come, let's practice."
He placed his greatsword aside, then casually picked up a wooden stick.
"Alrighty~"
Mike jumped down from the stone he was squatting on, gripped the hilt of his sword, and charged forward to challenge.
Soon, crisp clashing sounds echoed in the forest as the two exchanged blows.
It was evident that Jello was intentionally holding back his strength, otherwise, a forceful strike from him, even with a wooden stick, could send Mike flying and severely injure him.
Minutes later, Mike was exhausted, steaming and sweating all over, his face flushed red.
"Stop."
Jello swept away Mike's attack, then plunged the wooden stick into the ground.
"Don't use the Breathing Technique anymore today."
"Yes, Brother."
"Let's go, we'll head back to the village together and enjoy tonight's celebration feast."
"Okay, hehe."
Saying that, Mike picked up his sword with his sore arms and quickly followed...
After a night of revelry, the next day they returned to Cinderstone City with proof of their successful hunt.
"Verification complete. Congratulations to the Mountain Beast Adventurer Team; you have successfully completed another bounty mission."
Mairin filled out the form, then had someone bring out a bag of silver coins.
After distributing the silver coins to the team members, Jello also took one, flicked it with his finger, caught it in the air, and placed it on the table.
"Beautiful lady, I'd like to inquire about some information."
He pushed the silver coin over.
"Tell me what you want to know first."
Mairin did not immediately accept it.
"I have a promising young team member here, and I want him to learn something. Do you know of any teachers who could teach him?"
He pulled Mike over, letting Mairin examine him.
"How old is he now, and what's his situation?"
"He's almost seventeen, but not quite. He knows the Breathing Technique, and his swordsmanship is also very good."
Mike introduced himself proudly.
"Seventeen and already knows the Breathing Technique? That certainly shows some talent."
Mairin thought for a moment.
"Do you want to learn combat skills or something else?"
"I want to learn combat..." Before Mike could finish, Jello interrupted him.
"No, he wants to learn academic knowledge."
Jello corrected him, then pressed his large finger on Mike's shoulder, telling him not to interrupt.
"Academic knowledge, that's somewhat unexpected."
Mairin looked at the two of them.
"For basic knowledge, I know a good teacher. She used to be Scholar Hyde's student."
"Only basic?" Jello was a bit unsatisfied.
"Then what do you want him to learn?" Mairin asked again.
"I hope it's something more advanced, so he can have better prospects in the future."
"In that case..." Mairin thought of something, but then shook her head.
"That esteemed person is also recruiting new students, but it's not guaranteed he will accept him."
"Who?" Jello became curious now.
"It's precisely Scholar Hyde whom I just mentioned. That esteemed person is about to start teaching again."
Scholar Hyde's reputation was very prominent in Cinderstone City. After all, out of a total of three Scholars, two of them were his students, making him a symbol of Cinderstone City's erudition and wisdom.
"That esteemed person, this is truly wonderful!" Jello repeatedly patted Mike's shoulder, causing him pain.
"Don't get too excited yet. That esteemed person has thresholds for accepting students."
Mairin rubbed her forehead.
"No problem. I think that esteemed person will definitely see Mike's talent. It's decided then."
Afterward, Jello, dragging a reluctant Mike, left the counter, and another round of cheers erupted from the team.
"That's Scholar Hyde, sir!" Someone said excitedly and expectantly.
"Mike, you kid, if you become Scholar Hyde's student someday, you'll be set for life!"
"Maybe he'll even become Viscount Snow's knight!"
"That's a bit far-fetched. If I could be a peacekeeper, I'd cling to him!"
"Hahaha~"
Mike, who had initially been somewhat reluctant, now changed his mind and became excited after hearing so much praise from his teammates.
Can I really be noticed by that esteemed person? The youth felt both nervous and expectant.
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