Chapter 19: Wanna Take a Shot at It?
"Let me try," Chen Fan said, pulling an arrow from his quiver.
He wanted to confirm once more how experience points were earned. This was a perfect opportunity he couldn’t pass up—provided he could land the shot.
Luckily, drawing from his last attempt, his movements remained steady. As he nocked the arrow, his mind settled into a state of calm focus.
Whoosh!
The arrow sliced through the air. The black rat had no time to react before the projectile drilled through its skull, pinning it to the ground. It twitched weakly before falling still—another clean, instant kill.
"Amazing!" the group erupted in awe.
EXP +1.
The notification flashed in his mind. Chen Fan exhaled, relieved. His earlier theory had been right: killing beasts granted experience, though the amount was disappointingly small.
He checked his [Basic Archery] proficiency, now risen from 4% to 6%. Not bad. Hunting not only provided food but also accelerated his skill growth.
Someone retrieved the rat, grinning. "Look at that glossy fur! This’ll make a fine meal. Xiao Fan, your aim’s dead-on!"
"No kidding—another headshot! Even the Wei brothers couldn’t match that!"
"True enough," others agreed.
Chen Fan smiled politely, brushing off the praise.
"Let’s keep moving," Chen Guodong called, his voice tinged with pride and relief. Bringing Chen Fan today had been the right call. In under an hour, they’d bagged two kills—something the group alone would’ve struggled to achieve.
The team pressed on, encountering more low-level beasts. Some fled at the first sign of movement, while others, slower or less alert, were spotted by the hunters and signaled to Chen Fan. True to form, he didn’t miss. Within another hour, three more creatures—two rats and a desert hare—joined their haul.
The men grinned like children. "That’s nearly 200 pounds! When was the last time we had a haul this big?"
"Must’ve been when we caught that antelope—300 pounds! Fed the village for days."
"Damn Li Village thieves… If they hadn’t stolen our kill yesterday, we’d have brought back an antelope then too."
The mood chilled instantly.
"Enough," the bald man cut in. "No use dwelling on the past. Today’s haul’s just as good."
"Right! And it’s all thanks to Xiao Fan."
The group swiftly changed the subject, but Chen Fan noticed the unease in their eyes. If they crossed paths with Li Village again, their hard-won prey would likely be targeted once more. They’ll try.
I need to grow stronger, Chen Fan thought, his earlier satisfaction fading. If confronted now, they’d have no choice but to surrender the spoils or fight desperately.
"Time to head back," Chen Guodong announced. "Any more blood scent’ll draw desert wolves. Nasty things to deal with—fast and numerous."
"Agreed. Never thought we’d finish this quick. Feels like a dream!"
Laughter followed, though Chen Fan still felt a flicker of restlessness. His physique surpassed ordinary villagers, but only marginally. Survival came first—strength could wait. Besides, this haul would grant plenty of potential points. Once enhanced, he’d hunt even more efficiently.
As they trekked homeward, the bald man clapped Chen Fan’s shoulder. "Fine work today. We’d have returned empty-handed without you."
"Uncle Liu, you’re too kind. I’d have missed the prey without your sharp eyes."
The bald man chuckled. "Always the diplomat, eh?"
The others joined in, relieved Chen Fan hadn’t let success inflate his ego.
Half an hour later, a figure emerged in the distance.
"Antelope!" someone shouted.
Chen Fan squinted. Thirty meters away stood a tall, one-horned horse, its gaze fixed on them.
"It’s watching us," a hunter muttered.
"Bold thing, knowing we can’t catch it. Just you wait—it’ll bolt the moment we step closer."
Chen Fan’s fingers twitched. "Mind if I try a shot?"
The group brightened. "Go for it!"
He nocked an arrow, aimed, and released.
Whoosh!
The antelope pivoted at the last second, evading the shot.
"Almost!"
"Damn thing’s quick—fastest beast out here."
Chen Guodong clicked his tongue. A hair slower, and the arrow would’ve struck true. Now the antelope was accelerating, seconds from vanishing—
Whoosh!
A second arrow whistled. The antelope stumbled, then crashed to the ground with a shriek.
"What the—!" the bald man gasped.
A third arrow thudded into its belly, silencing the creature.
Chen Fan panted, heart racing. Three shots in rapid succession had drained him, but triumph surged through his veins.
Success.
