The wind howled across the wheat fields and open plains, scattering fallen leaves through the mountain woods.
Mick sprinted with all his might through the dry leaves and gravel. With his sword gripped in one hand, his eyes stayed locked onto the figure darting along his flank as he herded it toward a chosen path.
*Almost there. Just a little more.*
Reciting the words silently, he leapt again, kicked off a tree trunk to shower dust down, and surged toward the fleeing shadow.
His longsword hacked through the brush along the way, opening his view through the thick canopy of leaves to reveal the creature’s true form.
It was an otter that had come ashore. The beast was the size of a young calf, its glossy black coat allowing it to slip effortlessly through the briars and brush without losing speed.
Compared to ordinary wild beasts, it was conspicuously large, and its strength and speed were not to be underestimated. Its razor-sharp claws severed small trees with casual ease, carving out an escape path.
A creature like this was merely a hair's breadth away from advancing into a first-order beast, and its might was beyond what an ordinary adventurer could handle alone. For now, all Mick could do was harass and steer it.
"Aaaah—!"
He let out a fierce shout and slashed down with his blade. Even before the edge reached the otter, the beast was startled enough to veer off course and dart to the right.
"Brother Jieluo, it's heading your way!"
Seeing the creature's direction of flight, Mick shouted at the top of his lungs and gave chase.
Seconds later, the otter burst from the tree line, only to be met by a massive, upright net.
It tumbled into the mesh, thrashing and lunging forward until the cords wrapped tightly around its entire body, sending it crashing to the ground.
Seeing it claw and struggle to break free, several adventurers who had been lying in wait rushed out. With a barrage of hammers and spear thrusts, they quickly put an end to the beast's life.
"Phew, that's finally the last one." One adventurer wiped mud and blood from his face.
"This one was far too cunning. The moment we poisoned the stream earlier, it took off."
"We tracked it for nearly a week before finally bagging it today."
"It's the largest of the bunch. Give it another year or two, and it might well have turned into a first-order Fang Beast."
"If it were truly a Fang Beast, traps like these wouldn't hold it. We'd have had to call in professional hunters."
"Jieluo's coming over."
The man carrying a greatsword walked out from the woods. It was his presence holding the rear that had kept the beast fleeing in panic.
"All done?" he asked casually, stepping up to the dead otter to inspect it.
"Not bad. The pelt is high quality too; should fetch a good sum."
"Twenty-three otters in total. At two silver coins per bounty, that's forty-six silver. But this one is special—its pelt alone could fetch another twenty to thirty silver."
"As for costs, we spent three silver on poison from the Apothecary Guild, five silver on nets and gear, and two silver on meals and lodging from the villagers. That leaves us with around fifty to sixty silver in profit this time," a member with a sharp head for numbers quickly calculated.
"Back in the money again! I haven't even burned through my share from the last run."
"Now that doesn't sound like your usual style, haha!" The men laughed, everyone clearly in high spirits.
"Come on, let's haul this otter back to the village. Have the butcher and villagers dress it, and we can enjoy a good meal of meat tonight."
"Let's move, let's move!"
The group got to work.
While the others bustled about, Jieluo walked over to Mick and clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"You did well today."
"Thanks, Brother Jieluo!" the boy answered excitedly.
"Heh, you've got real talent, kid," Jieluo grinned.
"Well then, we should make a tidy profit once we head back. Got any plans for how to spend it?"
"I want to buy some decent gear—maybe a suit of chainmail, or a better weapon."
"No, no, no. With your build, wearing mail would just waste your stamina and rob you of your natural agility," Jieluo said, shaking his head with the voice of experience.
"As for weapons, just make do with what you have for now. The repair costs on good weapons will break your heart." He pulled Mick down to sit beside him.
"Truth is, your best bet right now is to find a good tutor and learn something." He laid his greatsword across his knees and wiped it down with an oily rag from his belt.
"Learn what? Advanced swordsmanship or combat techniques?" Mick asked eagerly.
"Hahaha, those too, of course. But haven't you ever thought about learning to read and write? If you have some clerical skills to go with your martial ability, it'll be easy to land a steady job in Burnt Stone City."
"You mean like the city guards, or escorts for a merchant association?" Mick curled his lip in mild disdain.
"Those guys move as stiffly as old grannies, and their lives are boring as dust.
"I'm going to be someone truly remarkable one day—a legendary adventurer or something out of a saga!"
"Ah, those..." Jieluo seemed to recall something, lowering his head with a faint shake.
"It's good to have ambition, but you need the strength to back it up." He stood his sword upright and rose to his feet.
"You're still a long way off. Come on, let's spar."
Setting his greatsword aside, Jieluo picked up a wooden stick from the ground.
"You got it!"
Mick hopped down from the boulder, gripped his hilt, and charged forward to challenge him.
Soon, crisp clattering echoed through the woods as the two exchanged blows.
It was clear that Jieluo held back his strength; otherwise, a single full-force swing of that stick would have sent Mick flying with severe injuries.
Several minutes later, Mick was utterly spent, steam rising from his sweat-soaked body, his face flushed red.
"Hold." Jieluo swept Mick's attack aside and planted the stick into the earth.
"Don't use the Breathing Method anymore today."
"Yes, Brother Jieluo."
"Let's head back to the village together and enjoy tonight's celebratory feast."
"Right! Heheh."
Lifting his sword with aching arms, Mick hurried to catch up.
***
After a night of revelry, they took the proof of their hunt and returned to Burnt Stone City the following day.
"Verification complete. Congratulations to the Mountain Beast Adventurer Team on another successfully completed bounty mission." Mailin finished filling out the forms, then had someone bring out a pouch of silver coins.
After dividing the silver among the team members, Jieluo took one of his coins, flipped it into the air with a flick of his finger, caught it, and set it on the counter.
"Beautiful lady, I'd like to ask for some information." He slid the coin forward.
"Tell me what you want to know first." Mailin made no move to take it.
"I have a promising young member here. I'd like him to study under someone. Do you know of any teachers who might instruct him?" He pulled Mick forward for Mailin to look over.
"How old is he, and what's his background?"
"Almost seventeen, not quite there yet. I know the Breathing Method, and my swordsmanship is great!" Mick proclaimed with pride.
"Knowing the Breathing Method before turning seventeen—that is indeed talented," Mailin remarked thoughtfully.
"Do you want him to learn combat skills and techniques, or something else?"
"I want to learn combat—" Before Mick could finish, Jieluo cut him off.
"No, he needs to learn academic subjects."
Jieluo corrected him, pressing a thick finger down onto Mick's shoulder to keep him quiet.
"Academic subjects? That's somewhat unexpected." Mailin looked between the two.
"For basic education, I know a good teacher. She was once a student of Scholar Haide."
"Just the basics?" Jieluo seemed unsatisfied.
"What level of instruction are you looking for, then?" Mailin asked.
"I'd prefer something more advanced, so he'll have better prospects down the road."
"In that case..." Something crossed Mailin's mind, but she promptly shook her head. "That person is taking on new students as well, but there's no guarantee he'll accept him."
"Who?" Jieluo's curiosity was piqued.
"The very one I just mentioned—Scholar Haide. He's starting up lectures again."
Scholar Haide had a resounding reputation throughout Burnt Stone City. Out of the city's three scholars, two were his former students; he was practically the symbol of erudition and wisdom in the city.
"That esteemed gentleman? That's wonderful!" Jieluo slapped Mick's shoulder repeatedly, making the boy wince in pain.
"Don't celebrate too early. He has high standards for his students," Mailin said, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"It'll be fine. With Mick's talent, the scholar is sure to see his potential. That settles it!"
Afterward, Jieluo dragged a reluctant Mick away from the front counter, met by a burst of cheers from the rest of the team.
"That's Scholar Haide we're talking about!" someone said with excitement and awe.
"Mick, you little brat, if you actually become Scholar Haide's student, you'll be set for life!"
"Who knows, maybe you'll even become an ennobled knight under Viscount Xuefeng one day."
"That's reaching a bit far. If he makes sheriff, I'm clinging straight to his coattails!"
"Hahaha!"
Hearing so much praise from his teammates, Mick's reluctance dissolved, giving way to mounting excitement.
*Could a great figure like that really take an interest in me?* The youth felt a surge of nervous anticipation.
Chapter 18