Kael took a deep breath as the system screen faded.

  

  [New Sub-Quest Unlocked!]

  Title: Learn the Ways of the Hunt

  Objective: Train with your father and learn basic survival skills.

  Rewards: Skill Unlock – [Hunting Instinct (Passive)]

  "Hunting, huh?"

  Kael wasn’t surprised. From what he’d gathered earlier, his host family lived in a rural village where hunting was a primary source of food and trade.

  If he was going to blend in and get stronger, this was the perfect excuse to start training.

  Plus, he wasn’t about to pass up a free skill unlock.

  "Alright then. Time to go find my new ‘dad’ and get this quest rolling."

  ---

  Kael found his "father" just outside their home, checking over a set of bows and hunting spears.

  The man, Garrin Strider, was a rugged-looking hunter with sharp amber eyes, short graying hair, and a scar over his left eyebrow.

  As soon as Kael approached, Garrin gave him a glance and grunted.

  "Finally up, huh?"

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Kael scratched his cheek. "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that."

  Garrin exhaled and crossed his arms. "Boy, if you’re old enough to start wandering outside, you’re old enough to start pulling your weight."

  Kael stiffened. NPC-like dialogue detected.

  "Yup. Classic 'strict but caring father figure' vibes."

  Garrin pointed to a nearby wooden bow.

  "You’re coming with me today."

  ---

  Following his father into the dense forest, Kael took in the surroundings.

  Towering evergreen trees, the scent of damp earth, and the distant calls of wild animals filled the air.

  He could already tell.

  This was nothing like the tutorial cave.

  His father walked silently, each step calculated and purposeful.

  Kael, on the other hand?

  Crunch

  A twig snapped under his foot.

  Garrin’s head snapped toward him.

  Kael instantly froze.

  "...You step like a dying ox."

  "Bruh."

  "Try again. Less weight on your heel."

  Kael adjusted his footing and followed more carefully.

  After about an hour of walking, Garrin raised a hand.

  "Stop."

  Kael obeyed, standing perfectly still.

  Garrin pointed ahead, where a wild hare was cautiously nibbling on some grass.

  "This is your first lesson—patience."

  Kael watched as his father drew an arrow and aimed.

  A slow inhale. A steady draw.

  Then—

  Thwip—!

  The arrow pierced the hare’s neck cleanly, dropping it instantly.

  Kael whistled. "Damn, nice shot."

  Garrin frowned. "Watch your mouth, boy. Hunting isn’t a game."

  "Actually, if you look at it from a system perspective—"

  He wisely chose to keep that thought to himself.

  ---

  After retrieving the hare, Garrin handed Kael a hunting knife.

  "Your turn."

  Kael blinked. "Wait, already?"

  Garrin nodded toward a nearby tree, where another hare was cautiously watching them.

  "Draw the bow. Aim carefully."

  Kael hesitated, then raised the bow.

  His hands were slightly shaky.

  Even though he’d fought monsters in the tutorial, taking the life of an actual living creature felt... different.

  But he wasn’t the type to hesitate for long.

  "Alright. Deep breath. Steady..."

  Kael adjusted his aim and released the arrow.

  Thwip—!

  The shot missed, striking the dirt beside the hare.

  It immediately bolted into the underbrush.

  Kael groaned.

  "Of course, I don’t get a clean first shot."

  Garrin simply snorted. "You’ll get better. Now, let’s move."

  

  [Skill Acquired!]

  [Hunting Instinct (Passive)]

  - A hunter’s natural awareness. Enhances tracking, patience, and precision over time.*

  Kael grinned. "Nice, free skill."

  This was just the first step.

  Now, he just needed to grind it.

  And knowing himself?

  "Yeah... I'm about to go full gamer mode on this."

  [End of Chapter]