Free Web NovelChapter 35: Chapter 35: Two New Skills in a Row
Duane’s Strength Attribute had reached 6.3.
If he hadn’t been delayed at sea for so many days, his power would definitely be greater.
The boost in Strength restored some of his stamina, so he bent down and went back to work for a bit.
He could clearly feel the rate of Skill Level gain from this basic labor slowing down. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
It took several minutes just to gain a single point.
Seeing that it was almost noon, Duane put down his hoe and headed into the kitchen.
His Skill Level for Fire Source Beast Bone Soup was only (Skilled 13/300), making a breakthrough unlikely anytime soon.
However, his Basic Cooking Skill Level had already reached (Skilled 265/300), putting him very close to the Mastery level.
’Today I need to make four servings of Fire Source Beast Bone Soup.’
The moment Duane entered the kitchen, he got busy.
Since Jack had already broken through to become a Basic-level Warrior, the benefits he received from the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup had diminished, so Duane had stopped making it for him.
Today’s four servings were for John, as well as the three captains, Michele and the others.
It was a big investment of resources, which made Duane even busier.
Fortunately, his higher Skill Level meant his movements were quite skilled, and he rarely made mistakes while preparing the ingredients.
While the soup simmered, he started preparing various other dishes.
After this burst of activity, his Fire Source Beast Bone Soup skill reached (Skilled 51/300), and his Basic Cooking skill broke through to the next level!
Duane checked his attribute panel: Basic Cooking (Mastery 17/400).
’Making Fire Source Beast Bone Soup also increases my Basic Cooking Skill Level. With the two combined, I gained 52 Skill Level points this time, which is what pushed me over the edge for the breakthrough.’
Reaching Mastery awarded him 0.3 attribute points, giving his Strength another significant boost!
’The four bowls of Fire Source Beast Bone Soup yielded 38 Skill Level points. If I want to reach Mastery quickly, I’ll probably need to make about ten more bowls.’
’Ten bowls... I can get that done by tomorrow night.’
Duane walked out of the kitchen to find John, Michele, and the others already waiting outside.
"The soup’s ready. Serve yourselves." With that, he walked away.
The four men had varying expressions.
The three captains—Michele, Evans, and Willie—excitedly thanked their Lord and hurried into the kitchen.
John, though also happy and grateful to his Lord, felt a heaviness in his heart.
Jack, who had been drinking the soup with him, had already broken through, but he hadn’t.
’If I had broken through too, the Lord wouldn’t have had to waste this bowl of soup on me!’
Thinking this, John followed them into the kitchen, brought out his soup, and sat down on the steps outside to drink.
Whether it was the billowing steam stinging his eyes or something else, John’s eyes grew red, and tears began to well up.
"The Lord is so kind! He didn’t blame me at all!"
Hearing the sentiment in his words, Michele and the others all nodded.
"That’s right! I’ve never heard of a lord treating his Guards this well!"
"They say a single bowl of this soup costs ten Silver Coins. Most people could never afford it!"
"Ten Silver Coins..."
John’s hands trembled slightly. "I owe the Lord too much!"
「Forest Village.」
Bard’s manor had it all: towers, high walls, even a drawbridge.
It looked more like a baron’s castle than Duane’s little courtyard ever did.
"Hahaha! What did you just say?"
Bard’s boisterous laughter echoed freely as he asked in disbelief, "That Little Baron is personally tilling the fields?"
"Yes, sir. It’s said that many people saw him. The young Lord was swinging a hoe all morning without a single break."
Hearing the report from his scout, Bard couldn’t help but roar with laughter.
"A lord, working the fields himself... I’ve never heard of such a thing! What’s he trying to do? Make up for a labor shortage on his own?"
The Vice Leader, Gaius, said mockingly, "You think this Lord is just a farmer’s son who likes tilling the soil?"
Bard slapped the arm of his chair. "It’s good that he likes farming! People like that have no ambition and probably no worldly experience. He’ll be easy to deal with! How are the preparations I asked for coming along?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"They’re ready."
Gaius crooked a finger. A nearby subordinate stepped forward and opened a box, revealing several pieces of Beast Hide.
"Three mountain Wolf Hides, plus some fruit and a few sets of furniture."
Bard nodded and added, "And prepare a few hoes to send over tomorrow. Let our Lord enjoy his farming."
Gaius burst out laughing. "Excellent. I’ll go pick out some sturdy ones for him right away!"
These were all common tools, of course. Sending them would signal their intent to de-escalate the conflict without increasing their enemy’s combat strength. It was much better than sending Shields or Longswords.
Bard looked at a subordinate standing on the other side. "Kubatu, take a few men and these gifts. Meet up with Daniels’ people by the bridge, and go see that Baron together."
"Remember, your main objective is to sound out his attitude. Your other goal is to find out what it will take for them to release Hardy."
"I understand!"
Bard thought for a moment, feeling it was a bit risky to let Kubatu meet with Daniels’ people alone.
"On second thought, I’ll go with you to meet Daniels’ people. It’ll be a good chance to discuss with them how to negotiate with our farming-loving Little Baron."
After lunch, Duane didn’t waste any time on a nap.
Considering that raising his Basic Planting Skill Level had become more complex since it reached the Entry level, he started making a fishing rod and line. At the same time, he had Owington make some targets in preparation for practicing Archery.
He’d gone fishing a few times before he was transported to this world.
Unfortunately, he’d been poor back then, with no money for a good rod, line, or bait.
Now he had a bit of money, but there was nowhere to buy a rod and line.
Following the principle of keeping things simple, he cut down a thin bamboo stalk for a rod, used white silk thread for a line, heated a needle over a candle flame and bent it into a hook, and finally cut a hollow reed into small pieces to serve as a bobber.
He assembled the pieces, and just like that, he had a simple set of fishing tackle.
Just as he put down the rod to go dig for some earthworms to use as bait, a line of text appeared in his vision:
[You have successfully crafted a set of fishing tackle. Basic Manufacturing Skill Level +35]
’This works too?’
He hadn’t expected it—he truly hadn’t—that making a fishing rod would unexpectedly activate a new skill.
’Basic Manufacturing...’
Duane looked at the new skill on his attribute panel, a smile creeping onto his face. It was a pleasant surprise.
He deftly dug up an earthworm, threaded it onto the hook, and walked expectantly to the water’s edge to start fishing.
He was hoping to activate a new skill, but at the same time, he seemed even more eager for a fish to bite.
Whether it was beginner’s luck or just that the fish in this pond were particularly greedy, he hadn’t even chummed the water, yet less than ten seconds after his hook hit the water, a fish bit. The bobber plunged violently.
’A big one!’
Duane focused his Spiritual Power and sharply lifted the fishing rod.
SWISH—
The hook quickly broke the surface, revealing a tiny, two-centimeter-long Malt Fish flailing wildly on the end.
Duane’s excitement instantly deflated. He had really thought it was a big one.
Fortunately, the notification he’d been hoping for appeared.
[You have completed a successful fishing attempt. Basic Fishing Skill Level +3]
A faint smile touched Duane’s lips. Another new skill activated.
He unhooked the Malt Fish, tossed it back into the pond, and looked at his hook. It was bare.
’No fish, and the bait’s gone!’
He could only crouch down, thread the other half of the earthworm onto the hook, and continue fishing.
"Lord!"
The shout was accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Duane looked over and saw it was one of the squad leaders from the second team.
"What is it?"
"Lord, representatives from the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association have arrived. They wish to have an audience with you. Captain Raymond sent me to ask if you will see them."
"Oh?"
Duane’s eyes lit up. He’d thought it would take those two groups a couple of days to respond.
"How many of them are there?"
"Eight in total. Three from the Holy Hand Association and five from the Broken Wave Gang. They’re carrying tables and chairs... it looks like they’ve come bearing gifts?"
The squad leader elaborated, "The Captain made inquiries. The man from the Broken Wave Gang is named Kubatu, supposedly a minor chief. The Holy Hand Association sent a Female Mage named Kalina. She’s their Vice Leader."
Duane chuckled to himself.
’Bard and Daniels really are cautious, sending only their subordinates instead of coming themselves.’
’It seems they’re quite wary of me, too.’
’Makes sense. Why else would they be bringing gifts?’
Duane said, "Go tell Raymond to have them wait in the main hall. I’ll see them."
