NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 7: Hunting in the Forest
The next morning, Ed decided to go hunting. Why so soon? The reason was simple: after a dinner of cheap food the night before and an equally modest breakfast, he realized he urgently needed meat. Additionally, he planned to gather wild berries, vegetables, and fruits that grew in the forest. Fortunately, he had wisely purchased a bow and five iron arrows beforehand.
While preparing, he once again felt someone's gaze on him. Without realizing it, he infused his bow with magic, charging it not with an iron arrow but with a projectile made entirely of mana. Tensing up, he suddenly turned and aimed in the direction of his supposed observer. But silence filled the air, and nothing seemed out of place.
After a few seconds, he lowered his bow and finally grasped what had just happened:
"Did I just create a magic arrow? But this is my first time using magic in this world…" he muttered in surprise, staring at the glowing projectile.
A moment later, the arrow dissolved into thin air. Deciding not to dwell on it, Ed grabbed his iron arrows and set off deeper into the forest.
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As he moved through the dense undergrowth, Ed carefully searched for any signs of animals. Before long, he spotted fresh hoofprints on the ground. They belonged to an adult deer, and judging by their depth, the creature was quite large.
Moving cautiously, he soon laid eyes on his target—a majestic stag, peacefully nibbling leaves from a low bush. Ed slowly pulled an arrow from his quiver, smoothly drew the bowstring, and held his breath. He was an expert archer, practically flawless in his skill, so he was confident in his shot.
The deer tensed, lifted its head, and sniffed the air, but it was already too late. Ed released the arrow, and it whistled through the air before striking its mark—piercing the animal's neck and severing an artery. The stag jerked, took a few unsteady steps, and then collapsed onto the ground.
Approaching his prey, Ed confirmed that the animal was dead. He grabbed it by the legs and began dragging it back toward his camp. Along the way, he found some mushrooms and plants that could enhance the meat's flavor.
By now, Ed had realized that he possessed knowledge he should have only acquired in the future. He decided to stop questioning why he knew things he had never encountered before.
Upon reaching the camp, the first thing he did was remove his academy uniform—it was his only clothing, and he didn't want to stain it with blood. He then carefully hung the deer's carcass on a sturdy tree to make the butchering process easier.
Taking out a ceremonial knife, Ed carefully skinned the animal, ensuring the hide remained intact. He also cut off the antlers with precision, knowing they could be useful later. Once this was done, he moved on to carving the meat, neatly stacking each cut into a basket he had woven from available materials.
Besides the meat, he collected the animal's fat, storing it in a separate container. Fat had many uses—from cooking to making soap and candles.
When it came time to remove the internal organs, Ed discarded most of them without hesitation. However, he made sure to keep the liver, kidneys, and tongue. He had eaten beef tongue in his past life, so he felt no disgust at the thought of trying venison tongue—though it would need to be cleaned thoroughly first.
With the butchering complete, Ed pondered how to make the most of his resources. His first idea was to make soap. Using a portion of the deer fat, he quickly crafted a simple soap that allowed him to wash the blood off his hands.
Next, he prepared a meal. Lighting a fire, he started roasting the liver. He knew it was rich in vitamin A and nutrients, making it an ideal first dish. But while the liver cooked, he also started a second fire to begin curing the meat.
Using salt and herbs he had found in the forest, he began the drying process. Hours passed, and in the end, he had several bags full of preserved meat. Staring at the unexpected abundance of food, he couldn't help but wonder:
"I didn't plan to make this much jerky… Why? Or rather, for whom did I do this?"
He stood there, holding a large piece of the dried meat, searching for an answer.
But at that moment, something completely unexpected happened.
Suddenly, Ed felt a sharp bite on the hand holding the jerky. He flinched in surprise and looked down.
Standing before him was a small girl.
"Wow! What an unusual taste!" she exclaimed excitedly, chewing on the piece she had just taken a bite from, her eyes sparkling with delight.