Oliver wiped the bloodstains off a silver coin with a cloth, revealing the exquisite engraving of a queen’s profile.
He ran his fingers over the coin’s raised surface, his mood lifting slightly.
His greatest reward for slaying the rogue Grik was those thirty silver coins.
They would hasten his journey into the academy to study magic.
Adding the four coins already in his possession, he now had a total of thirty-four silver coins. Of course, he planned to spend one coin on a small gift for little Isabella, who lived next door.
Yet, he still faced an old dilemma: he needed a piece of land to hand over to the lord to acquire official hunter status.
“I should take some time to stroll through the village; perhaps I can come up with a solution.”
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Time flew by, and in the bustling marketplace of Eccleston,
vendors shouted their wares—fishmongers calling out their catches, grain merchants trading in crops, and hunters peddling wild game. A medley of small nobles and townsfolk mingled, creating a lively scene.
At that moment, a youth clad in a cotton tunic strode in, a linen bag slung over his shoulder.
“Oliver, you really have become a hunter! Did you bring back some game?”
A familiar voice rang out, causing a stir among the crowd.
The son of a farmer, bold enough to turn in his fields for the identity of a hunter—this had ignited quite a discussion in the small town of Eccleston.
Though Oliver had lost his own fields , during his aimless wandering in the village, he stumbled upon a new opportunity.
There was a gambler named Cody Gambler who owned a patch of barren land, of little value, and he was desperate for money to pay off his debts.
Eventually, Oliver managed to buy the land from him for twenty-five silver coins.
Thus, Oliver secured his hunter status.
Many found it puzzling.
Why would a perfectly good farmer choose to become a hunter?
The woods were filled with ferocious beasts, even magical ones. In a town like theirs, very few hunters lived past thirty! Had the boy lost his senses?
But anyone who inquired would learn that Oliver had been forced into this path by the likes of Grik.
Strangely enough, it had been some time since Grik was last seen.
People speculated he was hiding from Eirik, another villain, one with a small gang that had a hint of organized crime—someone Grik wouldn’t dare cross.
In the market, Oliver displayed his meager haul for the day: rabbits and foxes, common small game.
His luck hadn’t been great; he hadn’t caught any valuable creatures like the weasel. But the rabbits and foxes he had captured were of fine quality.
Even so, Oliver kept a low profile. Having just killed a man, he didn’t want to attract too much attention. Grik was a drifter without ties, logically no one would defend him. Yet Oliver had no allies either. If he were caught for murder, he would be in serious trouble.
Thus, half a month passed, and it seemed the entire town had forgotten Grik. “It appears I can breathe easy for the time being.”
During this time, he hadn’t squandered his days. Although he hadn’t made much silver, he had ventured into the forest, tirelessly searching with his pig companion and discovered a magical plant!
Moonflower!
While the life essence provided by Moonflower was far less than Mandragora—only three points—it had the advantage of being non-toxic.
Mandragora required an antidote to consume safely. Although Oliver had acquired Mandragora, he had yet to dare ingest it, lacking the antidote’s formula.
Perhaps only once he gathered enough silver and entered Oakridge Academy would he find a chance to learn how to create the antidote.
The life essence from the Moonflower had been wholly used to enhance his fusion level with the wild boar form.
Originally, the magic core of the wild boar form granted him an increase of around thirty kilograms of strength; now that number had risen to forty kilograms!
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Oliver Stark
[Mana Core 1 – Elysian Nexus Core – Red – Current Form: Wild Boar Form.]
[Life Essence: 0]
[Forest Favorability: 0]
[Captured Creatures: Silver-Maned Wild Boar (Red), Fusion Level: 21%]
[Captured Creatures: Unknown Hound (Red), Fusion Level: 10%]
[Silver-Maned Wild Boar (Red): Current fusion level low; can significantly enhance strength (40kg).]
[Special Skill: Super Adrenaline, which triples strength for a short duration and allows one to ignore pain!]
Switching to the wild boar’s magic core would grant him a boost of forty kilograms. If he activated his special skill, Super Adrenaline, that figure could triple for a brief period!
This skill was incredibly powerful!
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Over the past month, he had eaten well and his physique had strengthened significantly—he was no longer the gaunt figure he had been upon arriving in this world.
“Perhaps I can capture another beast to develop some new abilities…” Oliver pondered.
A large wild boar wasn’t the fastest when it came to finding magical plants. If he could capture another one, that would be splendid. Winter was approaching, and soon food and game would become scarce. He needed to prepare.
Clutching his newly purchased wooden bow, Oliver ventured into the forest.
Before long, he approached the woods where the wild boar roamed.
A single whistle from him sent tremors through the ground as the boar charged over, enthusiastically greeting its master.
The creature even attempted to kneel, rubbing its head against Oliver’s face.
He swatted it away with a hand, preferring to keep his distance. Its coarse bristles could inflict nasty scratches.
“Come on, let’s see if we can find any magical treasures…” After giving the boar a pat on its neck, Oliver vanished into the shadows of the woods.
The pair began their patrol. Oliver remained cautious of their path, avoiding overly dangerous areas. With a wild boar at his side, even wolves would steer clear.
After searching for an hour or so, Oliver had made only meager catches—insignificant prey. He wasn’t anxious, though. Magical plants were rare, and good quarry even more so. To find valuable items, patience was essential!
A good hunter never lacked in patience.
“This area has almost been thoroughly explored by me and the boar; perhaps it’s time to consider new locations.”
Oliver contemplated, pulling out a map he had drawn.
After hesitating over several circled spots, he finally decided on the northwest berry thicket, feeling it posed the least danger.
With the boar as his capable companion, perhaps a little adventure awaited him.
A little over ten minutes later, he found himself within the thicket. Yet, after just a few steps, an earth-shattering roar echoed through the air—a warning cry.
“Is that a tiger’s roar?” Oliver gasped, inhaling sharply. To his astonishment, the area he had thought least dangerous turned out to be a tiger’s territory!
Suppressing a flicker of fear, he quickly climbed a sturdy tree to get a better view of the source of the roar. In the distance, near a small river, a massive tiger, nearly five meters long, crouched low, alert and watching them.
In Oliver’s previous life, a typical adult tiger measured about three to four meters in length. This one, however, was an immense creature, its size resembling a small mountain—a truly terrifying sight.
“I’ve heard tales of tigers prowling these woods, even venturing into the village during winter to snatch lone farmers. It seems those tales hold some truth…”
Oliver mused, remembering how, in similar situations, they would typically seek out the noble lords and their knights for assistance.
Of course, compared to a tiger, a pack of wolves was far more frightening. While the tiger might take only one or two victims, a wolf pack could decimate half a village in a single night.
“Could I capture this massive tiger? If I succeeded, what rewards would it bring me?” Oliver’s heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation!
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With a loud grunt, Oliver's pet wild boar let out a roar that shook the forest, sending leaves and branches tumbling down from the surrounding underbrush. It was a bold response to the menacing growl of the massive tiger.
"It seems my little pig isn't afraid of that big cat at all," Oliver thought, his confidence swelling. He whistled sharply.
The wild boar charged at the tiger, its hulking form crashing through the underbrush with terrifying speed, making the very ground tremble beneath it.
The tiger, caught off guard, nimbly leapt aside, its enormous body surprisingly agile.
No creature would willingly face the onslaught of such a rampaging boar head-on.
But this wild boar was not only fast; it could change direction in an instant.
As the tiger dodged to the left, the boar pivoted and continued its relentless charge.
Though the tiger possessed razor-sharp claws and teeth, the boar’s thick hide offered it no target.
The so-called king of the forest found itself in an unexpectedly dire situation, forced into a defensive retreat.
Meanwhile, Oliver was not idle. He crouched in the bushes, muscles taut, eyes locked on the tiger, waiting for the perfect moment.
Finally, it arrived!
With a powerful kick, he aimed at the tiger, using the strength granted by his boar form's magic core. His kick struck the tiger just right, knocking it off balance and sending it sprawling.
The tiger stumbled backward, only to be met by the charging boar, which collided with it. The impact sent the tiger crashing into a thicket, creating a long trench in the ground before it finally slammed into a sturdy pine tree.
It let out a pitiful howl as it hit the tree, the trunk shaking violently, leaves falling like rain, and dust swirling in the air.
"Now's my chance!" Oliver sprinted forward, leaping onto the downed tiger's back, pressing his forehead against its body.
His magic core activated, summoning his innate ability: Capture!
A blinding light erupted from the boar form's magic core. Emanating from Oliver's forehead as immense mental energy surged forth like a tidal wave.
The tiger's body stiffened as if struck by lightning.
However, the tiger's mental fortitude was far greater than the boar's. A fierce backlash surged through Oliver, leaving him momentarily dazed. Warmth filled his nostrils as blood trickled from them.
In a battle of pure mental strength, it was hard to predict who would emerge victorious. Ultimately, after several intense minutes of conflict, the tiger’s mental energy began to wane. Oliver's power had the upper hand!
An invisible bridge of spiritual connection began to form between their souls. The king of beasts in the forest was successfully captured!
Gasping for breath, Oliver sank to the ground, elation coursing through him.
[Captured: Striped Giant Tiger, can evolve]
[New form of magic core unlocked]
Eager to learn more, Oliver opened his information panel.
[Striped Giant Tiger (Red): Current Fusion Level low, can slightly enhance perception.]
[Special Skill: Bloodlust Tracking. You can detect the scent of blood within a certain range and lock onto its source for continued tracking.]
[Consume 50 Life Essence to upgrade this form and the captured creature simultaneously.]
Bloodlust Tracking? As a hunter, this skill could bring him unexpected advantages in the future!
Yet, beyond the tracking ability, the greatest prize was the tiger itself.
In the midst of a chaotic thicket, Oliver lay on the ground, flanked by his two pets—a wild boar on one side and a giant tiger on the other.
Their imposing figures almost blocked out the sun, providing him with an overwhelming sense of security.
"From now on, I'll call you Little Cat," he said, scratching the tiger’s lowered head. The once fearsome beast now seemed as docile as a housecat, purring contentedly under his touch.
"You’ll help me catch prey," Oliver added with a grin.
With their newfound mental link, these beasts had become quite intelligent, able to comprehend human language.
That was one of the perks of their bond.
After instructing his new “Little Cat,” Oliver succumbed to the fatigue of mental exertion and dozed off against a great oak, comforted by the knowledge that the wild boar would alert him to any dangers nearby.
He slept soundly until dusk fell.
Awoken by a faint scent of blood, Oliver jolted upright. Something was amiss. Why hadn't the boar roused him?
He quickly opened his eyes, tension coiling in his muscles, only to breathe a sigh of relief. There was no imminent danger.
Before him lay a heap of various prey—a deer, a goat, and five rabbits piled together like a small mountain. One rabbit, quaking in fear, was frozen in a corner, deterred by a single glance from the tiger.
"With this many animals, even the most ordinary would be worth several silver coins!" Oliver exclaimed, astonished. Today had been a windfall!
Seeing his delight, the tiger nuzzled against him, its massive head brushing against his chest in affection.
Truly, the king of beasts excelled in hunting; its prowess in the forest was unmatched. While the wild boar was formidable, it was an omnivore and not quite as skilled as the tiger when it came to hunting.
Noticing the tiger's eager expression, Oliver reached into his pack and produced a sprig of Mandrake root, tearing off a small piece and tossing it to the tiger. Its eyes lit up, and it quickly took it in its mouth, chewing with glee.
Mandrake contained magical properties, and the tiger instinctively recognized its value. Although it carried some toxicity, a beast of its size could handle it without issue.
The wild boar, witnessing this, salivated. Sensing its role as guardian, Oliver rewarded it with a chunk of the root as well.
After feasting on the Mandrake, the two creatures rolled playfully on the ground, causing the forest floor to tremble slightly under their weight. Oliver instructed them to coexist peacefully in the woods, suggesting they search for magical plants during their time together.
With the deer, goat, and other prey secured on a small cart, Oliver set off toward the town.
By the time he reached the town, darkness had fully descended. Aside from the flickering candles in the taverns, everything else was eerily quiet.
Oliver's arrival turned heads in the tavern, where hunters, farmers, and townsfolk paused their revelry to gawk at him, astonished by his unexpected entrance.