Chapter 23: Wild Bear Hearts (2/2)
System Notice: Congratulations, your talent skill Undead Energy has reached Rank 2. You now deal additional 10% damage to all living targets!
Ha, another one!
I looked at the proficiencies of the two skills: Slayer Slash (0/2000), Undead Energy (0/2000). It appeared that I could no longer raise its proficiency. A Level 20 player could only grind skills to Rank 2. In order to reach skills' Rank 10, I would need to be at least Level 100!
The higher the skill's rank, the stronger its effects. This increase provided substantial advantage. It was especially so for offensive skills such as Slayer Slash. At Rank 10, it would increase my damage by 55%. It would be extremely powerful!
As the wild bear fell down, I sank down, spreading my fingers to use Death Plunder. In the next moment—
Ding~!
System Notice: You have plundered Bear Skin (Quality 7)!
Bear Skin (Quality 7): Rank 2 material. Requires Rank 2 Tailoring.
A thick furry skin appeared in my hand. This was something tailor players would need. It was a high-level material, so I stored it away. I'll go to Floating Ice City and sell it when I have the time.
Usually, monsters would drop materials, but the drop rate was not high, about 2% or so. My Death Plunder skill was extremely powerful. If the monster didn't drop me something, I could just plunder it. It was a huge advantage in the early stage of the game!
I continued to walk forward. More wild bears appeared in the forest ahead. This was an unpopulated part of the forest. Floating Ice City players would need to travel at least an hour to get here, and ordinary players were not willing to spend so much time running to a grinding spot. It was just not worth it.
I looked at the map and understood—Wild Forest. This was the gathering place of wild bears.
After a few steps, a low groan suddenly sounded by my ear. Found it!
I took a few quick steps and found an old person leaning against a tree, his chest injured and his clothing stained with blood. He had clearly been attacked by a wild beast. Lying next to him were a bow, a bamboo basket and a spear. From his attire and equipment, he was clearly a hunter.
”These d.a.m.ned bears, cursed...”
The old man groaned. I went forward and said seriously, ”Senior, is there something I can help you with?”
My appearance gave the old man a fright. He said in a panic, ”You... are you a Night Creature?”
My heart jumped. Night Creatures and humans belonged to different factions. After learning that I was a Night Creature, would he still give me a quest?
Therefore, I steeled my heart and started to talk relentlessly as I complained, ”Oh, don't even get me started. I originally lived around Floating Ice City, my family had a house and their own fields, but the n.o.bility was so unreasonable and drove me from my home. I wandered to the graveyard and was bitten by a Night Creature. In reality, I am still an innocent youth...”
My exaggerated sorrowful story turned the old man teary-eyed. He patted my shoulder and said sincerely, ”Good child, no matter if you are a Night Creature or a human, as long as you have a conscience, you are a good person. Do not worry, the Silver Moon Alliance will save you!”
I nodded and said, ”Old man, what happened to you?”
”Oh, don't even get me started!” The old man sighed and lamented, ”I am the only hunter of the village. Originally, I wanted to come here and hunt some mountain pheasants to make some dried meat for the village to pa.s.s the winter. I had not expected so many wild bears to be gathered here. You've also seen them. I've been fighting them for three days, I'm afraid I'm going to die.”
I shook my head and smiled. ”Old man, you don't need to worry. I will help you out of this forest!”
”Really?” The old man's eyes lit up and he said, ”Good, young one. If you help me out of here, I will give you a reward beyond your imagination!”
”Ah, you are too polite, we are... did you say reward?”
The old man stopped and said, ”I am the best hunter within a hundred miles here, and also the best chef. Any food in my hands will become the most delicious thing in the world. If you help me out of here, I will pa.s.s two skills on to you—foraging and cooking!”
……
In a flash, my heart burst with joy!
Before Heavenblessed was formally open, I had studied all the secondary professions. Foraging allowed one to gather all kinds of ingredients, and cooking could turn them into food. Both of these professions were perfectly synergized. However, the game only allowed players to study one secondary profession. This quest really was the greatest of dogs.h.i.+t luck!
Alright, I don't have Thirteen's luck with women, but I at least have this dogs.h.i.+t luck.
I smiled and said, ”Old man, how can I help you?”
The old man nodded. ”My stamina is too low, and I need an exquisite meal to recover. Go kill those bears and gather 20 Wild Bear Hearts for me!”
Ding~!
System Notice: You've received the quest [Wild Bear Heart]! (Quest Rank: E)
Description: Help the Hunter Yellowfire recover from his injuries. Kill 200 Wild Bears and gather 20 Wild Bear Hearts to give Yellowfire. You will be handsomely rewarded!
……
Standing up, I turned to walk into the forest and started killing monsters.
While the Forest Wild Bear had formidable attack power, I had huge advantage in both speed and maneuverability. Players' turn rate came 50% from Agility stat and 50% from their own skill and mechanics. My Agility wasn't high, but my combat experience was top-tier.
After killing seven bears in a row, I finally got one of the Wild Bear Hearts needed for the quest. It was crimson-red and seemed to be beating still. On top of that, I found five Rank 2 Bear Skins. They seemed to have a high drop rate. I was getting one with almost each Death Plunder.
I wandered through the forest alone. These days, I've grown accustomed to leveling up alone, so I felt quite good.
In the blink of an eye, more than three hours had pa.s.sed. I had killed over 300 Forest Wild Bears and gathered 250 Bear Skins. However, I still lacked one Wild Bear Heart.
Pfft!
The blood red hue of Undead Energy enveloped the green gleam of Slayer Slash as my sharp sword cut into Forest Wild Bear's neck!
327!
An attack enhanced with two skills was really strong to have killed this bear in a single attack. With a plop, bright red Wild Bear Heart fell to the ground, along with yet another Bear Skin. Done!
I inspected my individual situation. I was just a thread away from Level 25. I had used up nearly all my potions, and my equipment was terribly worn. My Forest Green Blade was about to break. However, I had made fat gains. The Forest Wild Bears had dropped 3 Big Magic Stones and 9 Small Magic Stones. They almost filled my 40-slot bag. This drop rate really was high.
1. Xiaolongnü