Chapter 57 Traveling Merchant Caravan
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〖Prison Star Calendar〗
〖Year 187, May 15〗
〖12:13 AM〗
〖Countdown to Confession Death: 25 days〗
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Two days have passed since the separation in the Luca Forest with Viviana.
Tyler occasionally recalls the image of the silver-haired girl.
However, what captures his attention is not merely the girl's exquisite beauty, but the secrets concealed within her.
(Silly Nissen: You can't seem to forget-o about her. Why didn't-o you go with her to Gudetown?)
(Tyler: To walk into death's embrace?)
(Silly Nissen: Since you've already buried the Pigeon Blood Ruby, why be afraid now?)
(Tyler: Viviana, being born into such a noble lineage, surely has numerous powerful individuals by her side. If someone were to detect traces of Pigeon Blood on me, it would be my certain demise.)
(Silly Nissen: True, you've been surviving in this world-o for so many days, but it seems luck isn't your only ally.)
Two days ago, Tyler managed to shorten the distance between him and Viviana by unveiling her face. However, to be honest, it only reduced the hundred-meter gap by a mere meter.
As long as the disparity in strength and status between them exists, the remaining 99 meters will remain an insurmountable chasm.
At this stage, all Tyler needs is to plant a small seed.
·
In these past two days, Tyler has ventured out of the Luca Forest and arrived at the foothills of the Sandrift Mountains.
Excluding species he had already hunted before, the only notable gain in these two days was a gazelle.
The gazelle brought Tyler 50 points of occupation experience, bringing him on the verge of leveling up.
Furthermore, after these days of continuous hunting, the skill 'Heart of Focus' is also on the brink of leveling up.
Although the level 51 Magic Swordsman, Viviana Scarlet, has given Tyler quite a psychological impact, when the focus returns to himself, Tyler remains able to calm his mind and earnestly seek improvement.
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[Tyler]:
Life Energy 38/40
Endurance 25/31
Magic Energy 70/90
[Basic Information]:
Male, 18 years old, Villager of Ira Village
[Production Occupation]:
Hunter - Lv1 Experience: 350/400
*Heart of Focus - Lv1 Proficiency: 71/100
[Manufacturing Occupation] -
[Combat Occupation]:
Junior Assassin - Lv4 Experience: 100/1000
*Deceiver:Lv1 Proficiency: 56/100
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Just as Tyler was about to find a cool place to get something to eat, he noticed two carriages parked by the roadside about two hundred meters ahead. The inscription "Traveling Merchant Caravan" on the carriages caught Tyler's attention.
Encountering people in such a remote wilderness was a rare occurrence, and the inscription on the carriages suggested the presence of valuable "intelligence."
Tyler gathered his belongings and walked towards the caravan, intending to first gather basic information about its members from a distance before deciding whether to approach and interact.
As he walked, a ball of yarn suddenly rolled out from one of the carriage compartments. Upon closer inspection, Tyler realized that it was not a ball of yarn but a small girl curled up into a ball.
"Oh dear, I nearly killed myself!" she exclaimed.
It turned out that the girl had stepped into empty space when she got off the carriage, and to protect herself, she curled up to soften the impact when landing.
Unaware of the presence of a stranger (Tyler) in the distance, the girl patted her bottom, stood up, and happily skipped towards the bushes by the roadside.
The bushes were adorned with many red berries, indicating that she was heading there for the berries.
Tyler observed the girl's basic information from afar and felt somewhat surprised.
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Tocchini
Rabbitkin(rabbit-human), Female, 8 years old
Member of the Traveling Merchant Caravan
Production Occupation: Gatherer - Level 1
Manufacturing Occupation: Pharmacist - Level 1
Combat Occupation: Rabbitkin Shaman - Level 1
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(Rabbitkin? Rabbitkin Shaman? Such a young child in a caravan?)
As Tyler pondered, he, as a hunter, suddenly noticed a steppe wolf lurking in the bushes.
At the same time, two other wolves were silently approaching, seemingly planning to ambush the little girl together!
Tyler quickly surveyed his surroundings. The others in the caravan hadn't come out of the carriages yet. If he were to shout loudly now, he might startle the wolf pack. If the wolves attacked first, it would put the little girl in danger.
-"Production Occupation skill 'Heart of Focus - Lv1' has been activated and remains in effect..."
Without much hesitation, Tyler immediately strung his bow, took quick steps to find a suitable angle, and swiftly shot three arrows, each aimed at one of the wolves. He then heard the wolves whimper and retreat.
Now, with urgency in his voice, Tyler hurriedly ran towards the little girl.
-"Production occupation skill 'Heart of Focus - Lv1' has been deactivated."
"Young lady! There are wolves in the grass! Quickly retreat!!"
Upon hearing Tyler's cry, the adults in the car all rushed out.
The bewildered little girl, unaware of what was happening, was soon lifted up by the adults.
The crisis was averted.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm -"Successfully killed 'Grassland Wolf,' Occupation Experience +100, current experience 450/400."
-"Level up conditions met, 'Hunter - Lv1' automatically upgraded to 'Hunter - Lv2.'"
(Hmm? I actually managed to shoot down a wolf too? It seems like I hit a vital spot by chance.)
Tyler immediately glanced at his own status information, but only his endurance had increased slightly.
The benefits of leveling up as a 'Hunter' were similar to those of a 'Junior Assassin.'
At this rate of growth, even if he reached level 50, his strength wouldn't improve significantly... However, Viviana Scarlet was undoubtedly stronger than him in more than one aspect.
Tyler didn't have time to ponder as the members of the caravan had already come over to express their gratitude.
"Thank you, young man!"
"You're welcome! I just happened to see it!"
Tyler was indeed not being polite and immediately scanned the basic information of everyone.
Leading the group was a middle-aged man, responsible for driving the first carriage.
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Mark
Male, 36 years old
Leader of the traveling merchant caravan
Production Occupation: Gatherer - Lv4
Manufacturing Occupation: None
Combat Occupation: None
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Beside Mark stood an elder named Lawrence, whose information was similar to Mark's. He was responsible for driving the second carriage.
Next, the charming little girl named Tocchini, whose information Tyler had just reviewed.
Tocchini, wearing a fluffy dress, looked incredibly adorable, particularly with the prominent high hat she wore. Tyler speculated that it was meant to conceal her bunny ears, as it was a definite characteristic of the rabbitfolk.
"Big brother, thank you so much!"
At close range, Tocchini's plump little face was fair and tender. If not for propriety, Tyler truly wished to pinch and caress it.
"You're welcome. I'm glad you're okay."
Using this incident as an opportunity, Tyler smoothly engaged in conversation with the caravan.
Tyler learned that the merchant caravan consisted of four individuals. Aside from the three he had met, there was also an elderly lady named Granny Kasi, who had some difficulty with her mobility and had yet to disembark from the carriage.
Coincidentally, the caravan had recently visited Ira Village and was now en route to Sunnytown.
"Why didn't you take the Sandrift Gorge route?" Tyler inquired.
"The Sandrift Gorge is infested with demons. It's im~pass~able~"
At that moment, a frail voice emanated from the carriage, followed by an elderly lady tremblingly making her way down.
Initially, Tyler hadn't paid much attention, but upon seeing the elderly lady's basic information, he nearly lost control of his expression.
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Kasi
Female, 68 years old
Member of the Traveling Merchant Caravan
Production Occupation: Gatherer - Level 12
Manufacturing Occupation: Pharmacist - Level 14
Combat Occupation: Mercenary Sage - Level 67
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No way!
"Mercenary Elder - Level 67" ?!
Is that what you call an "elderly granny with mobility issues"?!