Chapter 70: The Imperial Mage (1)

"Oh, this one should have been poisoned," Jake pointed at the fallen Leavie Bear.

If he would leave it alone for a little more, the carcass would turn into particles. It'd disappear into oblivion, taking with itself the precious resources and even drop!

Jake searched for any item around the bear's towering frame before cracking his neck.

"I'll teach you how to start a fire and make a tanning solution. It's gonna be fun," Jake said to his second summon, Wukong, who hung on his left arm.

Ender was back to his nest on Jake's right shoulder.

Wukong nodded a few times, excited.

Jake knelt beside the corpse and took a few dry leaves from his inventory. He told Wukong to hoard a handful of them when the number of Leavie Bears had significantly decreased.

With the power of friction and dry leaves, Jake conjured flames!

Wukong's eyes twinkled.

Jake chuckled, "Your turn."

The baby monkey mimicked Jake and successfully brought flames to the world! He didn't let any screeches that other monkeys would have already done, but his eyes were so precious that Jake could tell how excited Wukong was.

Jake patted him before taking out a bucket of water.

The bucket and water were items he had crafted and gathered before. Making a bucket with his experience wasn't difficult, and water was free in the capital.

"We need wooden ashes to make a primitive and simple tanning solution. We'll combine them in this bucket... it's like crafting a special recipe for the hide that I'll soon skin from this bear," Jake spoke with extravagant words that should have stirred Wukong's young heart.

Indeed, he did.

Wukong's eyes were now filled with stars, and he even wanted to try skinning!

He was so endearing and adorable.

Jake smiled, "Alright, I can teach you that as well. You've grown bigger and stronger, after all."

Wukong nodded and clenched his little hands.

Those lessons were possible because Jake had tinkered with the carcass, meaning it'd no longer disappear into particles and stay with him. The tanning solution was required to keep the carcass' resources usable. Of course, if Jake were to have the title of a hunter, he would have turned the dead body into resources already.

He was doing things his way, however.

"It'll get really bloody now, but we aren't scared of blood, are we?" Jake smiled.

Wukong nodded.

Ender looked at them with a prideful face.

After that, Jake drew incisions on the skin and fur and carefully started the process of extracting flesh from the carcass. His system helped him by pointing out the perfect spots for that based on Richard's experience.

He couldn't show those spots to Wukong, but Jake could tell him where to cut like a good teacher.

Fifteen minutes later, Jake and Wukong halted.

[You have taught Wukong Richard's Three Survival Kit.]

[You have learned Richard's Three Survival Kit from your master, Archer.]

That Violette Black is probably acting like a protector of judgment and representative of low-level players' feelings to undermine your reputation."

Robert's face and neck had become drained of blood, ashen. Sweat tumbled down his back. Indeed, their usual third team member wasn't here—Mary's best friend wasn't here to keep a strict eye on them!

Love also had pulled a few strings on Robert's common sense. He was blindfolded!

He coughed, "The milk has been spilled... we will accept the consequences tomorrow."

"Take it like a man," Jake sneered, "I must say, though... that Violette Black is hot when she's mad."

"Yeah, she is," Robert sincerely replied.

Jake faked a reaction, "I will tell Mary."

"Come on!" Robert rolled his eyes at him, "Don't betray the fellowship of men!"

"I want to hear you saying she's sexy," Jake continued teasing his fellow friend.

Robert sighed, "She's sexy."

"How sexy?"

"You're crossing the line, Jake."

"Haha! My bad, my bad," Jake chuckled. "All that has been said here shall remain in the hearts of men."

"Amen."

"Amen."

"I can't see any Leavie Bear... you must have taken down all that was taunted by me," Robert switched the topic now that Jake had given him leeway. "Honestly, that's impressive. Your stats and style are crazily good!"

"Thank you, brother-in-law," Jake smiled.

Robert grinned. "You won't accept any present from Mary, will you?"

"Yeah, I don't want that advantage. I doubt she can give any valuable experience like you... it's been fun despite a few stupid actions of hers. And I can die in this world with her around, right?" Jake sighed.

"So what or who is the challenge you baited her into?" Robert asked, his curiosity high.

Jake sneered, "The Imperial Mage."

"Huh? You're lying, right?" Robert couldn't believe his ears.

Jake shook his head, "I'm honest. Mary will deal with The Imperial Mage, which should translate into me becoming better friends with Viktor. I've learned the woodman subclass from him, and I want to focus on fletcher now. I might get a lot of nice tricks from him."

Jake couldn't hide his excitement.

Robert, however, was stupefied to hear that. "You know about the guilds having the most reputation points in the Warmonger Empire?"

"Yeah," Jake nodded.

"None of them really can have many conversations with the imperial families and are forced to build their connections from the lowest branches. Only a few can talk with the important NPCs... and because of them, those guilds have privileges in The Warmonger Empire's lands. You're telling me that Mary will have a talk or even a fight with The Imperial Mage? The Imperial Mage?"

"Knowing her, it'll be a fight... and Viktor said The Imperial Mage. She's a grandma as far as I know." Jake recalled his conversation with Viktor.

"Wow... a real deal... this isn't really an occasion Mary can waste. I should speak with Monica."

Jake said, "Fine." And then thought, 'So long as Viktor's workplace remains untouched, everything should be fine. I'll tell Mary not to burn his house. She'll deal with the mage, then I will get better treatment from Viktor. I won't even be involved in that dispute.'