The coming days were filled with Ian waking up, eating with Ron, helping with chores around the house, and going out to that training ground. Every spare chance he got Ian was shooting arrows working on his skills.
After 4 days of practice Ian had gotten pretty decent. He could now hit bullseyes pretty consistently and his proficiency with [Hawk Eyes] was improving. Now his head didn't throb as much when using it and he could use it for longer than before.
At that point he decided to up the difficulty a bit. Seeing as he got quite used to the training ground and had pretty much conquered it. Ian decided to move on to live targets.
"Hey Ron, You mind if I join you?"
He approached as Ron was heading out to hunt for the day.
"Ya want to hunt kid? Sure, some along. Just don't get in the way or I'll send ya back."
"Alright! Thanks, I promise I won't be in the way. If anything I'll be helping you out"
Ian smiled as he headed out after him.
Walking through the forest Ron and Ian moved slowly. Ron led him through the canopy carefully. They were both on high alert, ready for any beast ir animal to come out of the woods.
This continued for around 40 minutes. They just continued into the forest walking with upmost caution.
RUSTLE
Something moved in the trees. Ron's hand shot up, signaling Ian to stop moving. They waited and prepared for whatever was coming.
More sounds rang through the forest and from the bushes they saw it. A wild deer appeared. Raising their bows Ron and Ian both locked onto the target. Before the deer noticed its death looming over it, both fored their arrows.
The arrows flew through the forest both striking true. One struck its head, the other its leg.
"Not bad kid. Ya actually hit it and it wasn't a bad shot. Mine was just better."
Ron seemed genuinely surprised, as if he wasn't expecting much from him. He was away hunting whenever Ian trained so he hadn't seen his progress as of late.
"Ha! Of course I hit it. Didn't I say I was a good archer."
Ian boasted clearly happy at the mans surprise.
"Well, this should be enough for dinner huh. Let's head back and skin it. Oooh I'm already hungry just thinking about it."
Ron excitedly picked up the deer. Hurrying back they made it home in 25 minutes instead of the 40 it took to find the deer.
Reaching their destination Ron grabbed his skinning knife and handed it to Ian.
"This is an important skill to have if you want to survive out there. Ya oughta be able to hunt and skin game to live. Unless ya want to become a vegetarian like your relatives."
'Relatives?.. Oh the elves. I guess elves here are vegetarian'
Ian thought to himself before taking the knife. Crouching he said.
"Alright, how do I get started?"
Ron then taught him how to properly skin his game. Ian began skinning the deer with his instructions eventually setting aside the deerskin and chopped the edible parts into chunks thay could easily store and cook.
After finishing he saw a window appear.
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Through tutoring from an expert you have gained the [Skinning] skill. You can know process animal and monster leather to some extent.
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'Insteresting.. I gained a skill. I guess this is the benefit of mentors.'
"Thanks Ron. I appreciate you teaching me all this. I'm sure it will come in handy."
Ian smiled at the man genuinely grateful for his teachings.
"No problem kid. Your not so bad, teaching ya is worth it. Your still getting tested though."
"Ahahah I wouldn't have it any other way Ron!"
Ian laughed fully intending to take the test regardless of Ron acknowledging him a little.
The next couple days went the same way. Ian would help around the house then go hunting with Ron in the afternoon. He got a few kills during there hunts. Mostly stray rabbits and a couple deer. Because of these kills he leveled up twice, rising to level 3.
From these levels he got 6 stat points. Ian chise to invest 3 into DEX, 1 into STR, and the other 2 into VIT and INT.
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Stats:
STR-11
DEX-15
INT-9
CHA-8
VIT-11
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Then finally the time came. The test was today. Ron had told Ian that they weren't hunting today at all. After breakfast He said one thing.
"Ya ready kid?"
"Let's do it Ron!"
Ian was confident in his ability. The last week was very successful he raised his proficiency in both of his skills and he leveled up two times. Now all he had to do was prove his progress to Ron and from there it would be smooth sailing.
Ron led him outside past the training ground.
"Allright, go agead and leave son!"
He looked back at him.
"Leave? What do you mean Ron?"
"Go and hunt me an Iron-Skin Bear."
A window appeared in front of Ian's eyes.
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Hidden Quest Triggered!!
Congratulations Ian! Your skills have impressed Ron to the point that he's upped the difficulty of his test. Pass the new, difficult test and claim your enhanced reward
[Reward] ????
[Penalty] Possible death
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'Holy shit! A hidden quest. I have to do it.'
"Allright Ron. Where can I find this Iron-Skin Bear? I'll get one and bring it back right now."
"That's the spirit boy!! Hahahaha"
Ron laughed as he handed Ian a map.
"I marked its territory on this map. Go and bring me back it's skin."
Looking down at the map Ian saw a change happen to his mini-map. There was now an area not far from here marked as the Iron-Skin Bear's territory.
Ian looked up and met Ron's gaze.
"I'll be back soon Ron."
He said as he moved past him. Putting his hood up Ian ran into the forest. Ron looked on as he disappeared into the forest eventually turning around.
"I hope he's ready. If I'm right about him he should be alright."
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Chapter 3!! Do we think Ian will win? Whats the mustery reward for the hidden quest? Find out on the mext episode of Dragon Ball Z!