I Don't Agree to the Terms

"Have you heard? There's a hunter around this area who is rumored to hit every shot, no animal can escape his arrow."

"Ah? Just that, are you out of your mind? I hit every shot too."

"That's because you smash them into pulp with big rocks. It's not the same at all."

"Is that so? That does sound quite special."

As the two individuals drifted farther apart, a brawny man with a carrying basket on his back passed by them. Hearing their conversation made the corners of his eyes crinkle with a smile.

"I never thought I'd see the day when I became famous." His carrying basket was brimming with dismembered pieces of wild beast meat.

From afar, he spotted a middle-aged man whose clothes were different from his own—could that be silk? Compared to silk, though, he preferred the look of animal skins to showcase his strength. After all, each piece of skin was crafted from the prey he had hunted himself.

However, he held no disdain for silk. Only the sages of the village wore such garments.

Ever since the seven tribes had been transformed into villages, he had been one of those relocated. Therefore, he lived independently outside the village.

As for his parents, they had died young due to an existence known as the "great void." He had been raised by the larger tribe, all thanks to the Great Chief, known as the Emperor. Though he'd never met him, he was grateful.

"Xia Zhang, have I heard right that you're skilled in archery?" The middle-aged man spoke suddenly as they crossed paths, startling Xia Zhang.

"Not at all, I only know a little," Xia Zhang replied modestly, even though he was proud of his archery skills. Still, he couldn't hide his joy when complimented on his talent.

"I'd like to hunt an anomaly and I'm asking for your help," the middle-aged man seemed to have come prepared.

Hearing the talk of hunting an anomaly, Xia Zhang appeared to be in difficulty, "I'm sorry, sir, my abilities are limited. I could help you hunt wild beasts, but as for an anomaly, please forgive my inability."

He had hunted anomalies in the past to protect the village but not with bow and arrow—instead with traps and brute strength. Everyone knew that anomalies were unkillable.

The man seemed not to hear his refusal and continued, "My payment to you is a bow and arrows that will make every shot hit and can kill anything."

Xia Zhang, who was ready to leave, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this statement. He quickly responded, "Using anomalies blatantly is against the laws issued by the Emperor and will be severely punished."

"I am here on the Emperor's orders to find a warrior capable of hunting this particular anomaly," the middle-aged man said, preparing a scroll of orders.

Xia Zhang could, of course, read: everyone was taught literacy.

He carefully read each word and saw the eight characters for "with mandate from heaven, you shall enjoy a long and prosperous life," along with the Emperor's seal, verifying the document's authenticity.

"Are you here to draft me?" Xia Zhang asked, puzzled. He had heard that among the twelve bureaus there were many skilled individuals—how could there be no one adept at archery?

"No, I am merely asking for your assistance."

"Would you be willing to take on this commission?" the middle-aged man put away the document and asked another question.

"I would certainly be willing to alleviate the Emperor's concerns, but I fear I may not be up for the task," Xia Zhang hesitated. It was just an anomaly, right? With his archery skill, it should be no problem, yet this was the first time he was undertaking such a weighty task.

"That's excellent. Here is your payment." The middle-aged man seemed pleased to have found someone to take on the mission and then produced a large bow. It wasn't a wooden bow but was cast in bronze, with ends resembling bull horns, which was novel to Xia Zhang since most bows were made of wood.

Bronze was not suited for bow-making.

What intrigued him even more was the quiver of arrows the man handed him next. Inside were nine sticks that hardly qualified as arrows, rudimentarily sharpened at one end.

This only increased his confusion—could such a bow and arrow guarantee hits and kill enemies?

Xia Zhang could also tell that this bow and arrows were nothing out of the ordinary—just plain and hardly up to standard.

"Are you giving me the payment now?" Despite his doubts, Xia Zhang still accepted the bow and arrows and asked, somewhat curiously.

"Yes, because the anomaly you must hunt can only be dealt with using this bow and these arrows."

"You only have one chance; each mulberry arrow must hit one of its minions. Only then can you hunt it successfully," the middle-aged man elaborated.

This left Xia Zhang somewhat at a loss. He hurriedly inquired, "May I ask what anomaly I need to hunt, where do I need to assemble, and when?"

"The time is in the future, and as for the place, well, anywhere you can see the Sun will do," the middle-aged man seemed to create an air of mystery.

However, just the mention that wherever the Sun could be seen was enough, it made Xia Zhang's expression falter.

Before he could further question, the middle-aged man continued, "The anomaly you need to hunt is called the Sun."

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhang's mind went blank. He never expected the man to refer to the Sun, let alone consider the Sun an anomaly.

He hurriedly looked up; the Sun was still the Sun, showing no unusual changes.