The next morning, William woke to the sound of roosters crowing and the smell of sizzling bacon. He felt a thrill of anticipation. Today was his first day as a hunter. He quickly dressed and joined Gorn and Elara for a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and freshly baked bread.
"Ready for your first hunt, lad?" Gorn asked, a twinkle in his eye.
William nodded eagerly, trying to mask his nervousness. He had practiced with the bow and arrow, but he had never actually hunted a live animal before.
"Don't worry," Elara said, sensing his apprehension. "Gorn will guide you. You'll do fine."
After breakfast, they gathered their gear. Gorn handed William a sturdy bow and a quiver filled with arrows. He also gave him a hunting knife, its blade gleaming sharply in the morning light.
"Remember what I taught you," Gorn said. "Stay alert, be patient, and respect the creatures of the forest."
William followed Gorn out of the cottage, the crisp morning air invigorating his senses. A few villagers, already busy with their daily chores, waved to them as they passed. A young boy, no older than ten, looked at William with wide eyes, a hint of hero-worship in his gaze. William couldn't help but smile.
The forest welcomed them with its familiar embrace. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of leaves, dappling the forest floor in shades of green and gold. Gorn led the way, his senses alert, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of their prey.
"Look here," Gorn said, pointing to a set of tracks in the soft earth. "See how these prints are heart-shaped, with two toes? That's a deer. And judging by the depth of the tracks, it's a buck, and a large one at that."
He pointed to another set of prints, smaller and more rounded. "These are rabbit tracks. Plenty of them around, but we're after bigger game today."
William followed closely, trying to absorb every detail. He had always been a quick learner, and he was determined to prove himself worthy of Gorn's trust.
"The deer are plentiful this time of year," Gorn explained. "They come to the valley to graze on the tender grasses. But they're also wary, with keen senses. We'll need to be stealthy if we want to get close."
He led William deeper into the forest, following the deer tracks with the practiced ease of a seasoned hunter. William felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a healthy dose of apprehension.
As they walked, William's curiosity bubbled to the surface. "Gorn," he began, trying to sound casual, "I've heard stories about people gaining incredible powers in this world. Is it true that everyone has a... a system, like the one you showed me?"
Gorn nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so you've heard of the System. Aye, lad, it's as real as the air we breathe. Everyone in Aethel has one, though its secrets are not fully understood."
William pressed on, "And people gain levels by doing... different things? Like fighting monsters, or even just practicing skills?"
"That's right," Gorn confirmed. "The more you push yourself, the stronger you become. It's the way of our world."
William paused, feigning a thoughtful expression. "So, someone who spends all their time reading books... could they gain levels that way too?"
Gorn chuckled. "Indeed they could. Though they might not be much use in a fight." He winked at William. "Not everyone is cut out to be a warrior, eh?"
William felt a surge of excitement. His SSS-Rank skill, Chrono Shift... could he use it to travel to the past, learn from ancient masters, and gain levels that way? The possibilities seemed endless.
He continued to pepper Gorn with questions, carefully gauging his reactions. He learned about the different classes people could acquire, the varying levels of skills, and the dangers of the Corrupted creatures that roamed the land.
Gorn, sensing William's thirst for knowledge, patiently answered his questions, though he occasionally shot him a curious glance. William knew he had to be careful not to reveal too much, not to arouse suspicion. He was still an outsider, a stranger in this world, and he couldn't afford to jeopardize the trust he had earned.
They walked for what seemed like hours, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Finally, Gorn stopped, his hand raised in a signal for William to remain silent. He pointed towards a clearing ahead, where a small stream meandered through the trees. A deer, its coat the color of autumn leaves, grazed peacefully by the water's edge.
"Remember what I taught you," Gorn whispered, handing William an arrow. "Draw back slowly, aim for the heart, and release with a steady hand."
William's heart pounded in his chest. This was it. His first hunt. He nocked the arrow, his fingers trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He drew back the bowstring, his muscles straining with the effort. He focused on the deer, its movements, its vulnerability.
Gorn placed a steadying hand on William's shoulder. "Easy now, lad. Focus. You can do this."
William held his breath, his gaze fixed on the deer. He released the arrow. It flew through the air, a silent whisper of death. The deer startled, but it was too late. The arrow found its mark, piercing the animal's heart. The deer stumbled, its legs collapsing beneath it. It let out a soft cry, then lay still.
William lowered the bow, his body trembling with a mixture of adrenaline and awe. He had done it. He had taken a life.
Gorn clapped him on the back. "Well done, lad! A clean shot. You've got a hunter's eye."
They approached the deer, its body still warm. Gorn showed William how to field dress the animal, his movements quick and efficient. William felt a pang of sadness for the creature, but he knew this was the way of life in Aethel. He had taken a life to sustain his own.
As they worked, a sudden scream pierced the peaceful silence of the forest. It was a high-pitched wail, filled with terror and desperation.
"HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE!"
Gorn froze, his eyes widening in alarm. "That came from the north," he said, his voice grim. "Something's wrong."
William felt a chill run down his spine. The scream had been filled with a raw fear. Was it a villager in trouble? Or something far more sinister?