Chapter 20: Such Meat Exists?
Item: Crude Composite Bow (Level 3).
Additional Attack Power: 15~20.
Effects: Archery Level +1, Increased Accuracy.
◈ Additional Attack Power: 15~20
◈ Effects: Archery Level +1, Increased Accuracy
◈ A bow made from materials found on the island. Though crudely made, its excellent design as a composite bow offsets some of the roughness.
The bow I made with woodworking turned into a genuine item. And as a reward for crafting an item, my Woodworking skill shot up to level 4.
"So this is what an active skill feels like."
I pondered for a moment, then decided to pour about 90% of my mana into it, just like when I made the mana wood practice sword last time.
With the mindset of slamming mana into it, I crafted another composite bow. Ah, the reason it's a composite bow is probably because that's the type of bow I researched the most.
It took nearly ten hours of intense effort to make it. It always feels like things take this much time here.
"Ta-da!"
The new composite bow was a huge step up from the crude one I'd made earlier.
◈ Additional Attack Power: 40~75
◈ Effects: Archery Level +2, Greatly Increased Accuracy, Increased Rate of Fire
◈ A bow made from materials found on the island. Lacking water buffalo horns for the core composite structure, it's not perfect, but crafted by a craftsman who's found his footing. High mana conductivity.
This time, it wasn't a crude composite bow—it was a full-fledged mana wood composite bow. A whopping level 7 item.
"I'll give the crude one to that guy Seon-woo."
I magnanimously decided to bestow the crude composite bow on Seon-woo. It didn't really use any special materials, but I still felt a sense of pride since I'd made it myself. Plus, with "crude" in the name, he probably wouldn't overvalue it.
"Now that I have this, I should go hunting, right? Baekya, go fetch one. Something a bit weaker than you."
Grrrrowl!
Baekya immediately dashed into the forest at my command and returned shortly after. But something was off. Baekya wasn't herding prey—it was being chased out.
I nocked an arrow in the composite bow and focused on the creature pursuing Baekya. Then I released the string.
Twang!
What Baekya had drawn out was a classic minotaur from fantasy novels. Right in the center of its forehead was a hole the size of a 500-won coin.
And then I blacked out.
***
Meow meow meow!
Grrrrowl!
Grrrrowl!
I came to at the noisy sounds. I started piecing together what had happened. I'd made the bow, Baekya seemed in danger, so I fired an arrow with everything I had.
And what happened? My mana hit zero. I figured MP at zero wouldn't be a big deal, but it knocked me out cold.
After regaining consciousness, I checked everything. My Archery skill had reached level 6, and I'd leveled up to 23. I dumped all 15 remaining points into Spirit. Now my Spirit was 45, and my max MP was 450.
"But what about that thing."
Minotaur (Level 29)
Edible monster. First consumption generates a random skill.
"Whoa, a real cow-head you can eat?"
And that's not all. Eating it doesn't grant stats—first consumption creates a skill. But it's random.
"So I have to eat it, huh?"
It was pretty off-putting. But it generates a skill. What to do? Eat it.
"Grill it normally?"
I debated which part of the minotaur to eat. Since it resembled a cow, maybe the head? Ribs? Leg? In the end, I chose the tail. It felt the least burdensome.
But there was something interesting.
"Baekya, you leveled up?"
Baekya, the island white tiger, had been level 25. Killing the minotaur bumped her to 26.
"Hoya, do you like oxtail soup?"
I'd never fed her any, so who knows. But I'd heard it's a tonic food. Good for cats or dogs low on energy. No salt, so maybe. It's good for humans too.
I scrapped the grilling idea and switched to oxtail soup. After butchering the tail, I told Baekya to drag the body into the forest but hesitated.
"If other creatures eat it, do they get a skill too?"
The thought crossed my mind. Dumping it in the forest would just strengthen enemies. Would Hoya and Baekya get skills too? Curiosity won—I'd test it. Deal with the body later.
I poured 90% mana into all my cooking skills and got to work. Mana was full from leveling up anyway. Level-up full recovery is standard.
I boiled the oxtail soup hard for five hours. The tail lost its shape, turning into a milky-white broth.
"This actually looks appetizing."
I smacked my lips at the oxtail soup, picked some chives and veggies, and made a side salad. Not kimchi time yet, so I skipped that.
"Hoya, if the world ends, we can just live here, right?"
Meow?
"Why would the world end? Yeah, fair point. It's been years since gates appeared, and nothing's really changed. Gates and monsters..."
Whap!
Hoya suddenly smacked my mouth.
"What the—!"
Meow meow!
Meow meow meow!
"Don't spout nonsense? Don't hit your dad! You could've just said it."
True, words don't work. And smacking the mouth is quickest in a pinch.
"Fine, no more loose lips."
You shouldn't spout nonsense. Like saying "Is he dead?" or "Did I get him?"—99.999% chance the enemy revives. Loose lips are bad. I knew better, but slipped up.
"Good job. But that really hurt."
Meow?
Playing innocent. I'll let it slide this time. Not like I could beat Hoya anyway.
"Let's eat!"
I set the table. Special cooled portions for Hoya and Baekya. Unlike humans, felines can't handle hot food. Probably most non-humans.
"Dig in."
Seeing them eat heartily, I soaked rice in the broth and took a bite.
"Whoa, ingredients from this world are no joke."
Minotaur or mino-dog, doesn't matter if it tastes good. It looks human-ish but isn't human.
After devouring the meal, a notification popped up.
Skill Fear (Active) Level 1 created.
A Fear active skill. The description said it instills fear in enemies. Newbies might not get it, but I do—from games, Fear is super useful. I was thrilled.
I checked Hoya and Baekya. They got skills too.
Hoya's new one: Heavy Strike. Delivers a powerful blow. Probably combos great with her meow-punch.
"Not that she needs it—she's plenty strong."
If top hunters are around level 20, I'm already stronger than most. Hoya? No contest. Her stats are insane.
Baekya's turn. She'd gone from temporary taming to full, updating her status.
Baekya (Level 26)
Owner: Choi Si-woo
Skills: Ferocity (Passive) Lv.8, Leap (Active) Lv.4, Claw (Active) Lv.6, Fear (Active) Lv.5, Charge (Active) Lv.1
The new one seemed to be that level 1 Charge. Baekya's stats were combat-oriented: high Strength, Agility, Stamina; lower Intelligence and Spirit. Still way above average humans.
"Our Baekya's a beast, huh? But no Charge until now?"
It was odd, but the system says so, so whatever.
"Now we know eating this creates skills. Bury this one."
I'd been dumping bodies in the forest. Hoya had Baekya handle it early on, so I stopped worrying. But not this time.
One more test: Feed the leftover oxtail soup to the family tomorrow. Will non-status family get skills? Or not?
"No harm either way. Right, Hoya?"
Meow?
What nonsense face. I hadn't explained, so fair.
The rest of the time, I farmed, checked the apiary, and rested. Still ten hours till morning.
"Fishing time?"
Hadn't fished since first arriving. Dad loves fish—should catch some.
"Fishing today!"
True urban angler, fishing from home in Seoul? Unthinkable without gates.
"Gates forever!"
Gates have massively improved my life quality. Satisfaction level: max.
I fished up various catches. One rainbow fish, others that restore stamina or health. Basically nutritious. Packed them in the icebox with pineapples, watermelons, then headed to the black beans.
They weren't ready last time—now they were. But...
Observation skill used.
Name: Island Black Bean.
Black beans grown on the island. Extremely high in protein and nutrients. Strengthens hair.
I wanted hair growth, but not quite.
"Kinda meh?"
I pondered how to use them.