Vol. 1 - Ch. 52 - Runesheep

It had been two weeks since the battle with the bunch from Gold Rat.

For the last two weeks, I had been having my fill of doing the standard work of a low-rank explorer like delivery, clean-up, or the odd tasks at the construction sites during the free time I had after school and on the weekends.

In between, there was also no lack of idiots who didn't know the greatness of the <Apple Familia>, so I made sure to teach them that very carefully and gently.

Today, Boss had taken me, and eight other relatively older members of <Apple House> to the grassy fields quite a distance away from the Royal Capital. Our agenda for today was to secure the meat for <Apple House>.

With a prominent city like the Royal Capital that had a high cost of living, it was quite unrealistic to keep the stomachs of kids full when we were running low on funds. It had been especially challenging for <Apple House>, which was also an orphanage, particularly after the members responsible for securing food left together around two months ago.

So once a month, the Boss would make time out of his busy schedule and bring along the other kids who were lacking combat skills for a hunt. It was quite an important event for them since not only did they secure the necessary food supply, but it also served as training for the other kids.

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"Woah, a bow! Can you use it, brother Ren?! Cool~!"

"Teach me how to use it~!"

I had been embraced as one of the true members of the <Apple House> ever since the incident with the Gold Rat. The explorer society worked on the rule of whose fist was bigger, after all.

The two voices that chimed in were from Po and Rina. They were the same kids that Roye-aniki was bringing along that day when he was thrashed by that disgusting fatty. These two in particular came to adore me very much after directly watching the violence I let loose on them when we were facing that grim situation.

Speaking of that fatty, he was apparently a notorious fella in this turf. He swore on his pride that he would surely teach me a lesson and came to fight me many times. Of course, I also made sure to give him a polite reception.

However, he started to become a pain in the ass later. I did think of running away but I feared that it might be taken as a sign of cowardice which in turn would be seen as a weakness of the <Apple House>. It was one of these days when I was thoroughly fed up with the fatty's persistence that I noticed a salve made of Yuk grass that the fatty carried with him. An idea suddenly came to me and I decided to give him a good thrashing, apply the salve, and then thrash him again. Basically, fulfilling two days’ worth of quota in one.

Well, he didn't show up the next day. We did chance upon each other once at the east branch, though he left a tasteless 'What shit luck to see your sorry face, Ren-kun' greeting.

In any case, perhaps it was the impact of this or maybe instilling some politeness in those fools in public was starting to bear fruit, the harassment towards the <Apple House> members noticeably decreased at the work site. Consequently, I, a newcomer, was warmly welcomed by the Familia members.

"Fuhaha. You have a discerning eye if you can tell how cool it is. Unfortunately, I’m still in the learning phase. I only bought it just the other day so today is the first time I’m going to use it practically."

"Boo~ So it was just to show off~!"

"But teach me when you get better, Ren!"

"Why did you choose a short bow though? It's not a problem but Lygo of all things... You really have some strange preferences. Anyway, be careful where you shoot if you haven't used it before. Other brats are loitering around so that may pose a problem... Though you're also a brat."

The one to see the strangeness was of course the Boss. But he was right. It wouldn't be a laughing matter if any of my comrades got caught in the crossfire. Besides, I was only carrying 20 arrows in my quiver today, in contrast to the inexhaustible supply in the Academy's training ground, so I couldn't just go around taking every shot as practice.

Upon reaching the rocky mountain, we spotted many Runesheep grazing on the grass here and there.

The two relatively weaker ones were taken down by Amur-aniki and Roye-aniki’s teams respectively. I didn't get a chance to make a move.

When I was watching them drain the Runesheeps’ blood as they hung them on a short tree nearby, the Boss called out to me.

"There's a monster Runesheep over there, take a look at it. I want to see your skill with a bow."

I looked in the direction he pointed out. Certainly, there was one Runeheep with a fur glossier than the others and looked quite strong. Though I don't know if it was because the Runesheep was in the shade, I felt like its fur was actually shining much more than I imagined it to be. I guess I just lack enough experience, huh?

"It seems to be on guard."

That Runesheep was facing us, occasionally sending glances our way while grazing on the grass.

"Anyone will when they see two of their brethren killed before their eyes. It might be a stretch to hit it, so take it easy. I only want to see your aim."

I nodded hearing his words.

The monster Runesheep was around 70m away from where we were, but considering the elevation difference, I think it was barely within my effective shooting range.

I swiftly nocked a wooden arrow, took my aim, and released it in that split second.

The monster Runesheep, however, dodged it by turning its body sideways and immediately made its escape toward the cliff top after seeing the arrow wedging itself into the rock.

I glanced at the Boss and saw him making a subtle expression with his arms crossed.

"I apologize for letting it escape... I didn't know that's how they dodge or I would have adjusted the impact timing and followed up with a second arrow."

"...Is this really your first time? Where were you aiming?"

"Huh? Well, it's forehead... I thought if I wanted to keep its mana organ intact and avoid damaging its fur, the forehead was the spot to aim for. Should I have not done that?"

"...I knew it, it really felt like you were aiming at that 'spot' in that instant... And did you just say you would have made a follow-up attack? Haa, I don't even feel like commenting on your lack of common sense."

Err, so was he angry? Or is he praising me?

"...I will do my best in my next shot."

I couldn't understand it so I just replied with what I thought to be a safe reply.