Chapter 12: The Frenzied Hunt-Holographic Pirate Era(Luo Qin)

This modest goal did not conflict with Tang Shen’s own ambitions. After all, he sought to grow stronger, and having a companion—a point of comparison—was a welcome benefit. Now that the objective was set, Tang Shen had to fulfill it.

“Here, Kuina, cook this piece of meat first,” Tang Shen said, sitting up. He could still move, though his entire body felt sore and uncomfortable.

“Yes, Teacher,” Kuina replied earnestly, tending the fire and roasting the meat. She was no stranger to such tasks; from childhood, she had practiced these skills often. Whenever they ventured into the forest to hunt fierce beasts, their meals were prepared on the spot.

Tang Shen reached out and touched the corpse of the fang rabbit again, activating his gathering skill. He discovered that the body did not disappear after death.

[Collected a piece of ordinary fang rabbit meat]

Hearing the system prompt, Tang Shen was momentarily surprised. This seemed different from the previous piece of fang rabbit meat; the first was exquisite, while this was merely ordinary. So even the meat varied in quality. The more he explored, the more he understood the mechanics of this game.

Kuina’s craftsmanship was excellent. Soon, the aroma began to waft through the air. Though there were no seasonings, the natural fragrance of beast meat was potent—a wild, earthy scent that stirred the appetite intensely.

Especially since Tang Shen’s stomach was completely empty.

During the wait, his physical condition improved slightly, suggesting that rest could restore stamina, albeit slowly.

Unable to wait any longer, Tang Shen took the roast from Kuina’s hand and bit into it.

Juicy, oily, and delicious—the taste was so marvelous, his tongue nearly curled into his stomach. This meat was entirely different from domestic livestock, lacking even a trace of gaminess.

At that moment, Tang Shen understood why, in the Pirate King anime, Monkey D. Luffy and his companions so adored meat. Even without seasoning, it was this delectable.

He could only imagine how extraordinary meat dishes would taste if expertly prepared and cooked.

[Consumed exquisite fang rabbit roast, restore constitution +1]

...

Tang Shen ignored the system notifications, devouring the piece of fang rabbit meat in ravenous bites.

Kuina quietly handed him another piece of roast. Someone appreciating her culinary skill—especially her teacher—filled her heart with joy.

Without a word, Tang Shen shoved it into his mouth, but immediately noticed that its texture was inferior to the previous roast.

He realized then the difference between exquisite and ordinary fang rabbit meat.

Nevertheless, he finished it, licking his lips in lingering satisfaction.

He then opened his personal system interface.

Player: Monkey D. Roger
Age: 18
Starting Location: Frost Moon Novice Village

Level: 0, 20%
Achievement Points: 1
Swordsmanship Talent: +20
Health: 100
Constitution: 10
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Spirit: 1
Skills: Intermediate Draw Sword Technique (Beginner), Scouting, Basic Gathering
System Backpack: Novice Wooden Sword*1, Adjustable Arm and Leg Weights

His constitution was fully restored. Checking the system notifications, he found that a piece of exquisite fang rabbit meat restored 6 points, while ordinary fang rabbit meat restored only 3—half the effect.

The quality of the meat made a significant difference.

He also gained one achievement point, though the system provided no explanation. He would have to investigate on his own, perhaps consult the official website after logging out to see if he could glean any information.

Since it was a system reward, stingy as the system was, it surely served some purpose.

With his constitution back to full, the soreness vanished completely—he was revived.

Tang Shen immediately noticed a great benefit to players: as long as they had stamina-restoring food, they could maintain peak physical condition.

Of course, one’s safety still had to be ensured, but for now, Kuina was there to protect him.

Otherwise, if his stamina depleted entirely, he would have fallen victim to the fang rabbit, helpless.

He would have been a hapless, powerless victim.

With his constitution fully restored, Tang Shen unhesitatingly picked up the refined steel sword, accompanied by his bodyguard—no, his young disciple—and strode back into the forest.

Clang!

With every draw of his sword, a fang rabbit met its end.

His movements, footwork, and sword-drawing technique were all executed with such flair, everything seemed natural.

Yet Tang Shen could distinctly sense his own progress.

Because he had taken Kuina as his disciple, he had learned the Draw Sword Technique, and immediately mastered its basics. Later, he advanced further by using an intermediate skill book.

However, he truly had no foundation. Other than the Draw Sword Slash, he did not know even the basic sword moves.

The knowledge of Draw Sword Slash now filling his mind enriched his understanding, but he was still far from Kuina, who had trained from childhood.

At first, Tang Shen’s hunting of the fang rabbits seemed smooth, as if he could split them in two with a single stroke.

But this was not entirely under his control.

Posture, movement, angle, drawing and sheathing the sword—all these he could follow according to the virtual experience imprinted in his mind. Yet mastering the power of the Draw Sword Technique was impossible at this stage.

But with each hunt, his experience with the Draw Sword Slash increased rapidly.

All experience was born of practice—real combat.

At one point, a fang rabbit nearly escaped the predicted attack zone. Its neck was only half severed, and it continued to hop about before succumbing to blood loss.

After all, beasts did not stand still to be killed. Even with a finishing move, one had to strike the target.

After each hunt, he performed the gathering skill.

Two strikes would drain his stamina, so Kuina would roast meat to replenish it.

Swing! Gather! Roast! Swing again!

Though each fang rabbit yielded only one experience point, the ongoing cycle of hunting meant he grew steadily stronger. Even when his stamina hit zero, he no longer collapsed to the ground.

Clang!

“Draw Sword Slash!”

A flash of the blade, Tang Shen’s figure intersected with the fang rabbit’s.

Squelch!

The fang rabbit’s neck was almost entirely severed; its head dangled from the neck, and it staggered a few steps before collapsing.

Immediately, the system notification sounded—it was the tenth fang rabbit he had slain, meeting the requirement for a level-up.

[Ding~ Slain Level 1 Beast, gained 1 experience point]

[Ding~ Player leveled up to Level 1, gained four free attribute points]

Tang Shen now had no strength left in his body, but without hesitation, he allocated all four free points to constitution.

Player: Monkey D. Roger
Age: 18
Starting Location: Frost Moon Novice Village

Level: 1, 0%
Achievement Points: 1
Swordsmanship Talent: +20
Health: 100
Constitution: 14
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Spirit: 1
Skills: Intermediate Draw Sword Technique (Beginner), Scouting, Basic Gathering
System Backpack: Novice Wooden Sword*1, Adjustable Arm and Leg Weights