Serena, still smiling at my attempt, handed me the bow. "Here," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Let me show you how to hold it properly."
She guided my hands with a patient touch, positioning my fingers on the bowstring and the grip. The bow felt heavy in my hands, but the way she adjusted my stance made it feel more natural. I could sense the fluidity in her movements, and I mimicked them, trying to get a feel for the weapon.
"Now, aim carefully," Serena instructed. "Focus on the target, and don't rush."
I nodded, my eyes locking onto the deer in the distance. The wind rustled through the trees, and the forest felt quiet except for the soft beat of my heart. My fingers tightened on the string, but the bow felt awkward still.
Suddenly, Nyx's voice echoed in my mind. "Try putting some qi in your hands and the bow. It will increase your accuracy and power."
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I concentrated, feeling the qi within me, and slowly I pushed it into my hands, letting it flow into the bowstring and the arrow. There was a faint hum in the air as I felt the energy flow into the weapon.
Serena's voice broke my concentration. "That's it. Focus and release."
I pulled back the string, feeling the tension, and then I let go. The arrow flew through the air, faster than I expected. It seemed to tear through the space between us with unimaginable speed. It struck the deer with a sickening thud, and the creature collapsed immediately.
A loud ding echoed in my mind, and a notification screen appeared in front of me.
Ding!
Killed a deer
Reward: 500 XP. 100 NC.
Before I could process what happened, another screen popped up.
Ding!
First Kill
Reward: Bow Mastery (1 Star)
And then, a final notification appeared.
Ding!
Congratulations on reaching level 4!
Reward: 15 Stat Points
The air went still. Everyone, from the guards to Kyra and Serena, stood frozen in shock. It felt like the world had paused, and their eyes were wide with disbelief.
Kyra, her voice filled with awe, stepped forward. "Young Master... you are amazing!" She bowed slightly, clearly impressed. "You killed it in one shot, and it was your first try!"
Serena's expression was one of complete astonishment. "How... how did you do that?" she asked, her voice shaky with disbelief. "You hit it perfectly on your first try!"
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to play it off. "I just did as you told me."
Serena's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she tilted her head. "No... but... how did you kill it with such precision and power? It was your first try!"
I smiled, giving her a playful grin. "Maybe you're just a great teacher. It was thanks to you."
She blushed, but it was clear she didn't fully buy my explanation. "Maybe it was just a fluke," she muttered, trying to brush it off. "Why don't you try that rabbit over there?"
Without a second thought, I turned and aimed at the rabbit, still with the qi flowing through me. I took careful aim and shot. The arrow flew true, striking the rabbit dead center. It didn't even twitch.
The notification flooded my vision once again.
Ding!
Killed a rabbit
Reward: 200 XP 50 NC
Kyra gasped. "Young Master, you're a natural hunter!" She looked at me with wide eyes, clearly impressed. "This is incredible!"
Serena stood, her mouth agape, unable to comprehend what just happened. "How did you do that? It took me three days to get my first kill, and you did it on your first try?"
I gave her a playful smile. "You're a great teacher, and maybe I'm just a natural."
Serena blinked, her face flushed. "Yes, that must be it," she said, her tone taking on a playful arrogance. "Maybe I am a great teacher after all."
I couldn't help but smile at her as she started to flaunt her success. "Yes, you are," I agreed. "The best teacher I could ask for."
Serena beamed, her pride evident in the way she held her head high. "Of course! I always knew I had the skills to teach you."
The hunt continued, but something had shifted. The forest no longer felt as daunting, and I knew, with each shot, I was getting closer to my goal. Not just for my quests, but for something deeper—the strength I needed to face what lay ahead.
With Serena by my side, I felt invincible.