7 Chapter 7: Level Up
The Treasure-Seeking Raven Insignia represented the identity of Treasure Hoarder members. Besides them, no one else would carry this on them, lest they get reported to the Knights of Favonius for questioning if discovered.
The Treasure Hoarders scoured all over trying various means to uncover hidden stashes of treasure unknown to others. On top of stealing and robbery, their villainous reputation was extremely notorious.
They practically ranked as public enemies that everyone in Teyvat reviled.
It wasn't hard to deduce why this insignia appeared here. Treasure Hoarders passing by likely noticed some rare, valuable fish gotten caught in his net by chance.
With their philosophy of doing anything for Mora, they certainly wouldn't let such easily obtained wealth slip by.
Tsk... Who knew the casually made-up story of getting robbed by Treasure Hoarders would become true now!
While other possibilities existed, discovering this dropped insignia here made that the greatest possibility.
As such, he definitely wouldn't swallow this loss. Sooner or later they would have to spit out everything taken from him doubled!
Nolan swore internally.
More than just the Mora, this also represented precious Adventure EXP losses! He didn't obtain much daily, how could it be easy to bear!
Standing on the verdant grass pondering for a while, Nolan decided to shelve this matter first. Aside from needing time to locate them, whether he could even beat the Treasure Hoarders still posed an issue.
His current Level 2 self might not necessarily triumph against them. He should keep focusing on ways of gaining Adventure EXP and improving himself first.
Though asking around for Treasure Hoarder intel as preliminary steps didn't hurt.
When afternoon came, Nolan still refrained from buying fish for EXP and then reselling method. Aside from wasting effort, no profits either.
At the city gates, while waiting for Draff, Nolan asked two gatekeeping Knights dressed in silver-gold armor about the news.
"Say, Sir Swan and Sir Lawrence, has the Knights of Favonius obtained any recent Treasure Hoarder news?"
Nolan, carrying the wooden hunting bow given by Durav, leaned against the side of the city gate and asked.
"Treasure Hoarders? Doesn't seem so."
Swan shrugged, metal pauldrons clinking against the cuirass. They were familiar with this Liyue youth rescued and brought back by Outrider Amber. Also knew he fell into dire straits after getting robbed. So it wasn't odd he asked about this.
"No news huh? Bit of a pity." Nolan didn't feel too letdown. Nothing could be rushed regarding these matters.
"Though I did hear Captain Kaeya mention some suspicious fellows he ran into by the beach days ago. But occupied by other duties then, by the time he returned they had vanished. And that's the end of that I suppose. Hopefully, this bit can aid you somehow."
Dressed in the same Favonius armor, Lawrence stroked his chin trying to recall the details to relay.
"Stormterror's Lair beach?"
Nolan pondered a bit. Since it already happened days prior, likely not much viability for follow-ups anymore. Though that area by the seaside held abundant Hydro Elements, frequently spawning Hydro Slimes. He could search there later when monster hunting.
"Much appreciated Sir Lawrence. It's still a lead of sorts I guess. Maybe some harvests if I trace things from there." Nolan smiled and said.
"Perhaps so." Lawrence scratched his head. "But if you do want to investigate, best to bring Miss Amber along. She is our reconnaissance expert, most suited for such tasks."
"Yes, And if you really do encounter Treasure Hoarders, Miss Amber can protect you as well," Swan added solemnly.
After all in their eyes, this Liyue youth wasn't some Vision wielder. He only started learning hunting from Springvale's hunting chief Draff these couple days. Surely not that capable yet.
Seeing their worried expressions, Nolan earnestly said:
"Don't worry, I won't go without certainty and preparations. Of course, if Miss Amber has time I'll also invite her to assist."
"It's good that you understand yourself."
The two knights didn't elaborate further.
Right then, Nolan spotted Draff waving at him from afar by the Mondstadt bridge, signaling their hunting departure time. He bid the knights farewell for now.
Carefully dodging pedestrians on the bridge, Nolan jogged to meet up with Draff.
"Seeing you chat so merrily with Swan and Lawrence, I didn't come over. But we gotta hurry now, other hunters from our village already gone ahead into the woods. Latecomers like us get nothing if we delay more."
Draff said with a smile as he looked out over the Whispering Woods.
"How can that be, Sir Draff's hunting skills are so formidable after all." Nolan performed an astonished reaction cooperatively.
"This has nothing to do with good or bad. Us Springvale hunters around the same generation, our hunting skills tempered over decades generally differ little. For a bountiful harvest, the key is to 'go first'."
Like conversing with a junior, Draff shared his experience. "Arrive before others, gain the spoils first."
"It does make sense."
Draff's words reminded Nolan of the early bird gets the worm. Prey and opportunities are often singular. Slower by a step meant eternally slower by that step.
Perhaps the analogy wasn't too accurate, but the meaning got across.
What followed was similar to yesterday. Draff coached Nolan on using Hunter's Archery while hunting. Upon discovering prey he injured them first, leaving the finishing blow for Nolan's practice.
Through such practical battles, Nolan progressed swiftly, just as Draff said—hunting itself was the best way to train Hunter's Archery while gaining deeper comprehension and experience.
Hunter's Archery emphasized steady, precise, agile, unexpected shots, finally integrating with body maneuvers to conceal yourself so prey discovered you first. Grasping these basics meant entry-level.
For the next month, Nolan thus followed Draff in and out of Whispering Woods and Stormbearer Mountains. He made plentiful harvests daily, directly selling the spoils to various merchants back in Mondstadt.
He averaged around 10,000 Mora income daily. After a month passed his savings reached 355,600 Mora, roughly equalling 3,000+ USD. Not huge but ample to escape poverty.
More importantly, Draff discovering most prey first before letting him practice granted considerable Adventure EXP gains that he always invested first thing upon reaching the threshold for level ups.
Presently he reached Level 6, Hunter's Archery relying on diligent practice also hit Level 2. Several hundred Adventure EXP still remained that would let him rise further soon.
Now Nolan's character panel became like this:
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv.6 (0/600)
Race: Human
Title: None
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills: Hunter's Archery Lv.2 (122/200)
Specialty: [Descender]
Adventure EXP: 512
His comprehensive abilities like strength and speed at Level 6 could thrash his former self. By Draff's judgment, Nolan could hunt independently now.
Draff also felt exceptionally astonished at Nolan's growth speed. While marksmanship still needed improvements, his physical qualities already compensated well enough for those flaws.
Of course, Nolan understood that presently he only exceeded ordinary folks by a fair margin. Still a bit away from veterans like Draff or the Favonius Knights after years of specialized training.
Teyvat continent and the reality are fundamentally different. The Energy Level is much higher than the Earth, so the spirit that nurtures it is also much stronger than the Earth.
Each other can not be generalized.
(End of Chapter)
To be continued...
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