Daily Rewards! Transmigrating into a novel as a side-character!

Soon enough, I encountered my first target, a Lazarus Sloth, the same type of creature I had faced when I first arrived in this world.

I retrieved my crossbow from the storage ring, immediately noticing my guards studying the weapon with curious expressions. They had clearly never seen anything quite like it before, with its Orichalcum inlays and unconventional design.

Whilst it looked like a bow, it certainly wasn't a conventional one.

Taking aim at the Lazarus Sloth from approximately 50 meters away, I prepared to test one of the key variables I wanted to examine, effective range at different distances.

I channelled a minuscule portion of mana into the weapon, equivalent to what a Noble-rank awakener would typically invest in a basic attack. The Orichalcum wires glowed faintly as energy flowed through the conductive channels.

The bolt flew with remarkable speed, far exceeding what a conventional crossbow or bow could achieve. The mana amplification system was clearly working as designed, converting my magical energy into additional kinetic force.

The projectile struck the Lazarus Sloth torso with the combo of precision and power. The creature, which would normally require multiple arrows to bring down, collapsed immediately. The bolt had punched clean through its defences.

A smile formed on my face at the effects of the crossbow which certainly met my expectations. "Bingo."

"That was impressive, Young Master," one of the guards commented, his eyes on the crossbow.

The guard wasn't impressed by my power, he was impressed by the weapon. It's design was foreign and certainly spectacular, I can see it in his eyes.

The test had exceeded my expectations. At 50 meters with minimal mana input, the crossbow had delivered lethal force against a Noble-rank target. This performance suggested that with higher mana investment or against closer targets, the current weapon I had designed could potentially threaten even Elite-rank opponents.

I needed to test different ranges and mana input levels to fully understand the crossbow's capabilities and limitations.

After my testing for another thirty minutes, carefully different ranges, mana outputs, and the weapon's limitations through encounters with various Noble-rank beasts.

The crossbow's optimal range proved to be 40 meters, where it delivered maximum impact with minimal mana investment. At 80 meters - the weapon's maximum effective range - it still dealt significant damage to Noble-rank enemies, though accuracy became more challenging.

After completing tests against Noble-rank creatures, I decided it was time to evaluate performance against Elite-rank beasts.

My guards immediately looked reluctant.

"Young Master," the senior guard said with obvious concern, "engaging Elite-rank beasts would require moving deeper into the forest, further from the city's safety. Given the recent attacks on our family's interests..."

"It's fine. We won't take long," I replied firmly.

"Perhaps we could conduct those tests ourselves and report the results to you? This would ensure your safety while still gathering the data you need." The second guard suggested with a troubled look.

I shook my head. "I just created this weapon. I need to understand its capabilities first-hand, not through second-hand reports."

The guards exchanged resigned glances. They couldn't directly refuse, but their discomfort was evident. After a moment of silent communication, they sighed and decided to simply increase their vigilance.

"Very well, Young Master. But we remain alert for any signs of danger."

We began walking deeper into the forest where Elite-rank creatures made their territory. The guards maintained heightened awareness of our surroundings.

As we walked, one guard's curiosity got the best of him. "Young Master, what exactly is this weapon? It resembles a bow but operates differently."

"It's called a crossbow," I explained. "It functions similarly to a bow but delivers superior power, speed, and accuracy through mechanical advantage and mana amplification."

Their interest in the weapon's design helped ease the tension as we ventured into more dangerous territory.

I tested the crossbow against Elite-rank monsters, but the results revealed significant limitations. Even with increased mana input, the weapon wasn't as effective as I'd hoped against these stronger opponents.

The primary issue appeared to be the arrows themselves, they simply weren't durable enough to maintain their effectiveness against Elite-rank defences. The standard bolts I was using would deform or shatter on impact with tougher hide and resistance, reducing their penetrating power substantially.

I couldn't solve this problem by simply crafting superior arrows either. The crossbow's current construction wouldn't be able to handle the stress of launching heavier, more durable projectiles at the velocities needed for Elite-rank combat. The weapon's frame and string system would likely fail under that kind of strain.

The arrows did inflict damage, each shot carved through the beast's defences and drew blood, but the wounds weren't deep enough to be decisive. It took approximately thirty shots to finally bring down a single Elite-rank creature, which was decent, but now what I wanted.

My guards watched with interest as I tested different mana input levels and firing angles. They provided tactical support by keeping other creatures at bay while I conducted my extended field test.

Despite the weapon's limitations against Elite-rank opponents, I was satisfied with the overall performance. Against Noble-rank targets, the crossbow had performed admirably with excellent range and stopping power. For my intended market, Elite-rank awakeners with weaker bloodlines, this weapon would still provide significant advantages against appropriate opponents.

The testing had also revealed clear upgrade paths for future iterations. I would need to strengthen the crossbow's frame using better materials, possibly incorporating more Mithril into the construction. The string system would require reinforcement to handle more powerful ammunition. Additionally, I'd be cool to develop specialized bolts designed specifically for Elite-rank combat.

"We should head back, Young Master," one guard suggested as I finished documenting the weapon's performance. "We've been in Elite territory for some time. The beasts themselves wouldn't be an issue, but if our enemies are lurking nearby, it would be troublesome."

I nodded, storing the crossbow and remaining ammunition. The field test had provided valuable data, and I was eager to begin designing improvements for the next prototype.

"Hehe, where do you think you're going?" A voice suddenly echoed through the clearing.