Jason woke up and had his day just like usual. Except he wasn't going hunting today, but was taking some more mundane jobs to ease himself back into things. He was looking forward to tomorrow's training session.
World: 36 days.
Clarksons: 31 days.
The big day came around, and as the residents of the Clarkson home finished breakfast, there was a knock on the door which Samantha answered .
"Why, hello Sam! Please come in. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit this morning? "
"A good day to you too, Miss Clarkson. I trust Sammy is recovering quite well after his little incident?"
"Oh yes, of course. He's still a little sore, but he's more or less right as rain now. Thanks for asking."
"My pleasure. You see, my business is with the lad over there. I'd love to stop and chat for a time, but I'm quite busy and can only spare this hour to train him."
"OH! I see. I won't delay you any further then. Go do what you must." With that, Samantha led Sam in. And Sam went straight to business with Jason.
After explaining that they would be practicing near the forest behind their land, Sam made his way there as he gestured for Jason to follow.
As they both walked in silence, Jason took the time to fully appreciate the elf's very being. Short blond hair reaching the shoulders. Blue eyes on a face no different from a woman's. A body more curvy than a man's but less than that of a bikini model, all wrapped by a Green Outfit which fit like a glove. He was a very appealing sight, and Jason believed he could stare at him all day without getting board.
They eventually got to their destination, where Sam turned to face Jason before revealing he was going to train him in 4 aspects: Shooting while running, Headshots, Sniping, and Close quarters archery.
He also explained that the first week will be dedicated to Sniping, before firing off an arrow at a far off tree and instructing Jason to hit as close to the arrow as possible. To that, Jason requested to see a few more demonstrations, to which Sam obliged and fired off 3 more arrows which land centimeters from the first arrow.
Memorizing it all, Jason got into position, took aim, and began firing arrows. Unsurprisingly, a number of said arrows flew wide while another portion struck the trunk but weren't that close to the target.
Sam was surprised when he noticed that not only did Jason copy his stance perfectly, but also that he was getting closer to target with every arrow fired. He would give Jason tips and guidance from the side, and this accelerated his improvement speed. Therefore, 5 dozen arrows in and Jason had matched his accuracy.
"Impressive. Very impressive, lad. Let's up the difficulty shall we?" With that said, Sam shot 3 arrows in a single spot on a tree trunk 50% further away, and Jason matched him 25% faster than in the last time.
Sam kept increasing the range, and Jason kept matching his accuracy. At the end of the hour, Jason was equal to him in terms of Sniping ability. In fact, Sam believes he would surpass him if they continued training.
"You are truly a monster, Jason. I feel like a should hang up my boots as an adventurer."
"What?! From bows to boots? Why are you escalating? Plus, stop calling me a monster. It's unsettling." Jason whined.
"It's either I hang my boots, or call you monster. You pick your poison, lad. You have surpassed my decades of training in an hour. Do consider my feelings on the matter."
"Fine. Monster it is." Jason stops fighting.
"Very good. With my hour up, I shall be returning. And since you ruined the timetable I had drawn up with your overachievement, I feel it best to cancel any training for the next few days. We shall resume training in 4 days: until then, feel free to do as you like."
"Did you really have to cancel?"
"Yes. Four days from now is when I usually go hunting. You shall accompany me then as it is the most ideal way to train in the other 3 ways I wish to teach you."
"Right! That makes sense. Allow me to see you off, then."
"Very well, do as you wish."
After Sam's departure, Jason finished his chores by the usual time and prepared to go hunting. He was keen on using his Sniping skill on living targets.
Getting to the usual kill zone, Jason laid the bait, however this time he went much further away. The first victim was a giant grey squirrel the size of a dog. It has a oneshot. The next was a black bear that went down after 2 shots. Then the third was a goblin scout who took an arrow to the back of the head as it attempted to return.
This continued like clockwork, and Jason returned home before dark with cart and Mindscape full to the brim. Just an hour of training turned him into an efficient killing machine. And he couldn't wait for the next hour.
World: 37 days.
Clarksons: 32 days.
Today Jason decided to switch things up a bit by attempting to headshot his kills. It was difficult at the beginning, and he was missing a decent chunk of his shots, but towards the end of the day he was landing headshot half the time.
World: 38 days.
Clarksons: 33 days.
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Today, instead of staying stationary to shoot, the attempted to snipe his prey while running. His accuracy was terrible at the beginning, it began improving faster when he stopped firing from Sniping range and got closer. At the end of the day, Jason did improve by leaps and bounds, but returned with only 70% his usual haul.
World: 39 days.
Clarksons: 34 days.
Today, Jason got more daring as he would engage the beasts within their attack range. He would duck behind trees and other obstacles as he took down the attacking Hazard Beasts with precision shots that were mostly lethal.
In addition to his hunts, Jason also trained in his Mindscape all this time: Recreating the forest with everything he's killed. He was more than prepared for his session with Sam.
World: 40 days.
Clarksons: 35 days.
"So how are we doing this?" Asks Jason.
Sam explains that there's a cave he knows about which is frequently occupied by goblins. They'll use them as target practice and simultaneously eradicate them.
This is enough to sate Jason's curiosity as he follows Sam's lead. Along the way they would encounter the odd beast, but Jason would dispatch it without issue. In time, they made it to their destination.
They hid behind the treeline as they spied a bunch of goblins milling about in a clearing infront of a cave entrance. Sam proceeded to explain what Jason would be doing:
Headshot everything in the clearing. After that, make his way into the clearing where he will fight any goblin that exits the cave to attack him.
Sam commenses with a demonstration by taking out a couple goblins in the blindspot of the others so as not to alert them. An arrow to each head and they dropped like logs.
Then he stepped aside and let Jason take the wheels. Headshot. Headshot. Headshot. Headshot. He tried to copy Sam's tactic of going for the ones outside everyone's else's field of view, but he eventually had to merc goblins in broad daylight.
There was a panic among the little green terrors but Jason just kept popping heads at a leasurely pace. Eventually, the goblins got their wits about them an scurried off into the cave to hide.
"Hmmm. Interesting. They skipped fight and went straight to flight. No matter. Come along lad; I shall flush them out and you shall finish them off in close quarters."
"Sounds good. By the way, how did I do so far?"
"An excellent performance, lad. I do fear praising you will soon feel redundant at the pace you are going."
As they both got to the cave entrance, Sam whipped out a palm sized ball of different dried and fresh leaves woven together before turning to Jason and asking for fire.
In response, Jason used a domestic spell to create a small fireball in the palm of his hand which Sam used to light the ball on fire before tossing it into the depths of the cave.
"What was that ball?" Asked Jason curious.
"An irritant. Eyes, noses and throat. They should come running out soon. I shall leave the rest to you, lad." And with that, Sam turned and left the clearing.
Not long after, Jason could hear screams coming from the cave before goblins started rushing out holding their faces as they coughed. That was the prelude to their decimation as Jason jumped right into the fray; dodging attacks and responding with lethal arrow strikes. In no time at all, the remaining goblin lay dead in the clearing.
Satisfied with his performance, Jason turned towards Sam to receive his review, but Sam has something different to say.
"We have company, lad. I suggest we depart. Do come this way."
Surprised by the statement, Jason nonetheless obeyed swiftly as they both left the clearing back-first. It was then he realised what Sam was talking about. In the treeline on the other side of the clearing stood dozens of figures eying both them and the goblin bodies.
"Chimpanzees? No, wait. Chimpanzeds!"
"Good observation, lad. We're quite fortunate to have provided them such a bounty in goblin bodies to occupy them. It would have been quite the arduous task for us both to fight them off."
"True. So I'm guessing you'll be putting together an expedition to wipe them out?"
"Obviously. They are too dangerous to be left alone, especially this close to town. Do you by chance wish to be added to said expedition, lad."
"Can I?"
"We both know you are more than qualified. Worry not of your chances. On a different note, I would like to offer you a proposition."
Jason quirked a brow at the unexpected turn in the conversation. "I'm all ears?"
"What do you say to forming a party with me?"
"Woah! Oh wow. OK, before I say anything, may I ask why me?"
The question made Sam look at him like he grew a second head. "Do you jest, lad?"
"I know, I could more or less guess why, but maybe there's more to it than that, so I'd rather hear it directly from you."
"Hmmm. A wise approach. Very well, my reasons are as follows: firstly is because you are a prodigy which many factions would vie for. I found you first so I'm throwing in my lot with you before any others have the opportunity."
"Striking while the iron is hot, eh? At least you're honest. I respect that."
"Glad you approve, lad. Secondly, allying with you will help accelerate my cultivation speed as you are quite the speedy hunter and I have been stagnant for some time now."
"Fair. Now that you mention it, what level of strength are you?"
"I recently broke through to the 2nd Stage of the Mortal Realm."
"You talked about training for decades before. Is getting to 2nd stage in that amount of time considered a good speed?"
"Ahhh. I'd say mildly above mediocre. I don't hunt beasts on my level often, and responsibilities here and there hinder that further still. However, that will all change once a vacate my position as acting Guild Master in this town."
"I see. Well I have to play devil's advocate here, so what's in it for me?"
"Good question, lad. You must admit you are quite new to the adventuring business, plus if your claims of amnesia are to be believed, new to life in general. I can offer you guidance, experience and connections as I am quite well traveled and knowledgeable. Plus my influence in the Guild will be quite beneficial down the line. Traveling with me will be more efficient than going about things blind. You can get a lot more done with a lot less effort with me on your side."
"You make a great point there."
"Indeed. This partnership would be mutually beneficial to the nth degree. Of course you don't have to make a decision right away, take your time to carefully consider."
"What is there to consider? I'm in, partner."
"While I'm flattered by your decisiveness, I still do insist you think it through. Besides the Guild master won't be returning for another 2 months, so take your time."
"My mind is already made up, but I'll pretend to do as you say, if that'll make you happy."
"Pfft! Amusing as always, huh, lad?"
In no time, both archers exited to forest and made their way back to town in the middle of the afternoon.
"We finished up well ahead of schedule it seemed. I shall use this free time to relax. You are free to do as you wish. We shall speak again sometime in the future."
"Hold on a minute. I haven't treated you to lunch yet."
"Hmmm?"
"I figured we'd celebrate today a little. Come on. Tell me where your favourite place to eat is, and we'll dine there: you and me."
"Huuuu? Are you asking me on a date, lad? I didn't believe Alexis when he suggested you might lean that way, but maybe he was speaking truth."
"OK, first off, I'm as straight as a ruler: The feminine form is what brings my passion to bare. Going on a date with someone like you doesn't make me any less straight because I'm still consistent."
"... I do not know what to say to that." Sam truly didn't know.
"You don't have to. Now drop a location so I can spend some money on you."
"That last part sounded so wrong... Very well, I accept your hospitality; follow me. And instead of coin bring some smoked meat instead."
"You got it!"
Both archers made their way into town and soon reached a familiar building.
"It's been so long since I was last here. Regardless, why are we here?"
"I rent a room with Alexis upstairs. His cooking is the best in town, so I usually eat what he makes. Hand him the meat and he'll make magic happen."
"Oh cool! What are we waiting for? Lead the way already."
They finally made it to the upper floor where Sam unlocked the door and announced their presence. Shortly after, Alexis would exit a side room into the living room to greet them.
He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts which revealed more of his gorgeous figure than ever before. Jason had to keep actively reminding himself that this was a man which was hard to do when he looked like a tall, flat supermodel.
"Ah! Fallen Lad. It has been ages since we last met. What brings you to my home?"
"Hunh?! I got a nickname now?"
"Fear not, lad. He's bad with names and likes using nicknames. Alexis, I invited him over. We have ingredients, so do make us all something nice to eat as usual. Monster Lad, please place the meat on the counter. As for me, I'll be taking a bath." Said Sam as he made his way passed a side door and left the two alone."
The room was silent for a short moment before the two left in the living room turned to one another.
"Monster Lad?" Asked Alexis as he tilted his head to one side in confusion. Jason could only shrug in defeat before telling Alexis that he's not the only one who likes nicknames, apparently.
Giggling at his antics, Alexis properly welcomes Jason into his home before getting busy preparing lunch. Alexis was curious about what Jason had been up to this past month so the two killed time with smalltalk for the next few minutes.
Soon enough, Sam returns wearing a t-shirt and shorts just like Alexis. This has Jason wondering for a split second if the two shared clothes, as he drinks in Sam's alluring figure.
"You're staring, lad."
"I can see that, Sam."
"Gufaw!" Alexis couldn't help laugh at the pun.
"The bath is ready. It's your turn to clean up, lad."
"Sure. Thanks. I'll do that. Be back in a bit." Said Jason as he went and did just that. By the time he returned, the meal was ready and both elves were setting the table.
Jason would have never dreamed he'd be sharing a meal with 2 very attractive elves, and here he is doing just that. All three enjoyed each other's company as they ate with Jason and Alexis doing most of the talking.
After they were done, Jason bid his farewell and left. He dropped by the bookshop to spend time with Quinn for the rest of the afternoon before returning to the Clarksons just in time for dinner and went to bed after that.
Zzzzzz.
Tatter Town, Dakota Dukedom.
World: 40 days.
Clarksons: 35 days.