I found myself in the wasteland again, but this time, I was not there for scraps or loot. Another set of Advance Tutorial Tasks made me do something for the first time.
[Tranquilizer Gun
Metal Scrap x2 + Metal Pipe x1= Tranquilizer Gun x1]
[Craft]
[Tranquilizer Gun x1 Crafted]
[Acquired 50 XP]
[Tranquilizer Dart
Rat Poison x1 + Metal Scrap x1]
[Craft]
[Tranquilizer Dart x2 Crafted]
[Acquired 20xp]
A newly crafted Tranquilizer gun in hand, I prowled the level one area, searching for rats. While they were annoyingly numerous during the first day, their numbers have significantly declined in the area. The search took nearly an hour before I found a pack.
Six common rats were rummaging through the trash together, oblivious of my presence. Since I only needed one of the rodents for the task, I summoned a pistol alongside the tranquilizer gun, to deal with the rest of the pack.
More confident with my shooting skills, I started shooting out in the open.
Bam!
The first rodent was shot down, right where it was grazing, and all heads pivoted towards me. I rapidly fired another three shots from the pistol, killing another three without giving them the chance to get near me.
Then I switched to the single-shot tranquilizer. Pulling the trigger, a whistling sound and a dart, instead of a gunshot and a bullet, came out of the barrel. The first of the charging rats met the tranquilizer head on, and was hit on chest. The burly beast persisted on but could only take a few more steps before collapsing on the ground.
[Rat Knocked Out]
There remained another rat, charging full speed from about twenty meters. I hastily reloaded the tranquilizer gun, and composed I did not fumble. The rat would fail to reach me, falling unconscious only five meters away.
[Rat Knocked Out]
The tranquilizer dart had a fifty percent death rate to level one mobs, and so I tried my chance with two targets. But I ended up with two living knocked rats.
[Pick Up]
Not wanting to waste any product of my hardwork, I picked up both rats. This in turn, filled up my inventory.
[Encumbered]
For the first time, I felt added weight. The feeling was similar to carrying a heavy backpack. But it was far from unbearable, so I proceeded with it.
I summoned the window to track my progress, and was pleased to find that the last of the tasks can be done in the shelter.
[Advanced Tutorial Tasks (Beast Taming I)
✓ Collect Low-Grade Metal Scraps x50
✓ Collect Metal String x2
✓ Collect Rat Fur x1
✓ Collect Rat Poison x1
✓ Craft Tranquilizer Gun
✓ Craft Tranquilizer Dart x1
✓ Capture Knocked Out Rat x1
* Craft Metal Cage
* Tame Rat x1
* Craft Saddle
Rewards: Random Blueprint x1]
I headed right out of the area and towards home. Everything was peaceful as it was when I went in. Having already spent three days, I was able to confirm something. The mobs and resources do not respawn, at least daily. If it continues that way, then I will be eventually force to enter more high-leveled areas. Perhaps, it was all part of the progression.
The metal cages turned out be capable of only containing one rat each, so I crafted two. To spare the rat from being under Thyra all day, I placed them on the right side of the shelter where they'll be afforded shade in the afternoon.
Soon enough, I was on the second to the last task, but with no idea how to proceed. The tasks did not come with instructions.
To further put pressure on me, the effects of the tranquilizer did not wait long to fade.. Finding themselves inside the cage, the rodents chose violence as soon as they woke up. They aggressively hissed at me and began to chew on the metal cage.
I started to brainstorm as I observed them, and as I did I saw one bite a small chunk from a bar then proceeded to chew on it then swallowed. Then it struck me.
I remembered playing a couple video games that involved beast taming. And the simple taming technique was feeding the animal multiple times until they become docile.
From the inventory, I summoned a metal scrap in my hands. To my delight, a small window appeared when I closed in to one of the cages. At the sight of the scraps, the rats tuned down their aggressiveness.
[Feed]
When I selected it the option, a unit of metal scrap disappeared and I saw it again being held by both hands of the rat. Without much thought, it started feasting on it.
There was no result, other than the rat seemingly asking for more. So I fed it another unit. It ate the offering just as warmly as the first. And still no result.
But believing it might take a few more units, I continued feeding it. And my patience soon paid off, a ring sounded after the rat consumed the eight unit.
[Beast Tamed]
[Acquired 100xp]
The beast became noticeably meek, and the eyes turned from red to blue. A pistol in hand, just in case, I opened the cage. I watched the rat closely as it slowly crawled out.
It sniffed the air, looked me in the eye and then without any hint of aggression, casually came close and rubbed its body against mine.
I laughed and petted the rodent, surprised at the sudden change of attitude that would be impossible in real life. As large as a wild wolf, the rat would be capable of carrying more than my weight and as I have seen with my own eyes, have great speed and agility. Not to mention, some combat capabilities.
And I have two of them.
Excitedly, I proceed to the last tasks, which was to turn it into a mount.
[Saddle
Crafting Material:
Metal String x2 + Rat Fur = Saddle x1]
[Craft]
[Saddle x1 Crafted]
[Equip]
[Advanced Toturial Tasks (Beast Taming I) Completed]
[Acquired 500xp]
[Obtained TR-18 Electronic Helmet Blueprint]