The week had been grueling. Each day, Chen Mo rose before dawn, prepared his gear, and ventured into the forest. By the end of the day’s hunt, the panel read 199/200. He had pushed his limits, training and hunting tirelessly, each successful arrow adding +1. This was the culmination of three full weeks of disciplined effort.

  Before resting, he prepared the pelts collected that week and headed to the clan chief. The chief and a few adults were inspecting the weekly goods.

  “Chen Mo, your diligence is remarkable,” the chief said, eyes reflecting satisfaction. “Even the smallest prey becomes valuable in your hands. This will fetch a good price at the county market.”

  Chen Mo counted the coins he received: roughly 350 coins for this week. Adding the ~510 coins from the previous two weeks, he now held ~860 coins, steadily approaching the 1 tael (1000 coins) bandit toll. The chief continued, “Keep up the effort. You may not owe the toll as an orphan, but saving like this ensures you’re safe and prepared. I’m very pleased with your performance.”

  Returning home, Chen Mo stored his coins and meat carefully, then ate a modest dinner. Exhausted, he allowed himself a brief rest, reflecting on his week: the hunting, the disciplined training, and careful resource management. His body was stronger, his diet had improved, and his skill was on the edge of something extraordinary.

  After dinner, feeling rested and alert, Chen Mo stepped back into the forest one last time before the week ended. His hands steady, his mind focused, he nocked the arrow, aimed, and released. The panel flashed: Archery Minor Achievement – 200/200.

  The breakthrough was unlike anything before. Memories from his previous life, the inherited knowledge of the orphan whose body he now inhabited, and the weeks of grueling practice fused together in a sudden, overwhelming clarity. Every movement felt precise, every shot instinctive. Confidence surged through him like fire—he could feel his body and mind finally in harmony, ready to take on challenges that had once seemed impossible.

  Chen Mo exhaled, absorbing the sensation. He had reached minor achievement, but more than that, he now understood the depth of his potential. The culmination of discipline, strategy, and perseverance had arrived, and the path ahead—joining the clan hunting team or venturing deeper into the mountains—had never been clearer.

  Chen Mo returned to his hut, muscles still humming with the surge of his breakthrough. He ate a simple meal, but each bite tasted sharper, richer, as if his body now demanded recognition for what it had endured.

  Finally, he lay down on his bed. Sleep claimed him quickly, deeper than any before, carrying the fusion of weeks of training, inherited memories, and the clarity of Minor Achievement.

  When he woke the next morning, he checked the panel:

  Archery 1/300 – Minor Achievement unlocked

  A small grin crossed his face. The number was humble, but the potential was vast. He could feel every shot now more natural, every movement more instinctive. The breakthrough wasn’t just a number—it was the integration of everything he had learned, every memory, every repetition, every success and failure compressed into instinct.

  Today would be his first test of this new strength. He gathered his bow, ten precious arrows, water gourd, and bag, packing carefully. Every item was essential—losing even one arrow now would be costly. His body was stronger, his aim steadier, and his mind sharper.

  Stepping outside, he noticed the village stirring. Children hurried past on their way to gather herbs, including Chen Shun, who waved and called a cheerful, “Good luck, Chen Mo!” Chen Mo inclined his head politely. Courtesy and warmth were small but meaningful gestures in a life built on survival and discipline.

  At the same time, the clan chief and adult hunters were preparing the donkey carriage for the weekly trip to the county. Pelts, salted meat, and supplies were being carefully loaded. Chen Mo observed the procedure closely—he knew that beyond skill, organization and reliability were what truly made a hunter respected in the clan.

  With Minor Achievement fresh in his veins and his new potential just beginning, Chen Mo set off toward the outskirts of the forest. Today he would test his skills against larger prey, see whether he could step closer to joining the clan hunting team, and begin pushing the limits of this next stage of training.

  After breakfast, Chen Mo packed carefully: bow, ten precious arrows, water gourd, and a small bag. Today, he had ventured deeper into the mountains, aiming for larger prey, hoping to gather enough meat and pelts for himself and the clan chief.

  The forest seemed sharper now, every sound and movement clearer than before. Hours of careful tracking led him to a large deer grazing near a stream, along with a few hares and pheasants nearby. He drew his bow with confidence, releasing arrows with precision.

  +1 Archery

  +1 Archery

  By the end of the hunt, he had brought down the deer, along with several smaller animals. His panel now showed Archery 20/300, the accelerated gains from Minor Achievement evident in every precise shot. He processed the deer, keeping enough meat for himself and salting and drying the rest for the weekly delivery to the chief.

  Returning to the village, he arrived at the entrance, where the hunting team was already back from their trip. Hunters carried their own catches, resting briefly before heading home. Children paused in awe as Chen Mo appeared, balancing the deer along with hares and pheasants.

  Uncle Tie noticed him immediately. “Chen Mo… a deer, by yourself?” His eyes widened with genuine respect.

  Chen Mo inclined his head slightly, speaking clearly and confidently, “Yes, Uncle Tie. I was lucky today, and careful.”

  Other hunters nodded in approval. “Well done,” one said. “You’ve clearly learned from your discipline and training.” Another added, “Shows remarkable focus for your age.”

  Chen Gou, who had been hunting with Uncle Tie that day and had bagged a few pheasants, was initially smiling, proud of his own progress. That smile vanished instantly when his eyes landed on the deer in Chen Mo’s hands. A wave of shock and unease washed over him; the gap between his skill and Chen Mo’s was undeniable.

  Children nearby, including Chen Shun, whispered excitedly, watching Chen Mo with amazement. “Wow… he’s incredible,” Shun said softly, eyes wide.

  Uncle Tie turned to Chen Mo. “Tomorrow, join us on the hunt. Chen Gou will watch and learn from you.”

  Chen Mo inclined his head politely, modest yet confident, acknowledging the praise. He then continued toward his hut, planning how to store the deer and smaller game, ensuring nothing would spoil before the weekly delivery.

  After the initial greetings, the hunters gathered near the village center, spreading out their catches for inspection. Deer, hares, and pheasants were arranged carefully, each bag counted and weighed. Among them were Chen Tie, Chen Bo, Chen Lei, and Chen Kang, all seasoned hunters from the Chen clan.

  Chen Tie broke the silence first. “Today’s haul is solid. We need to keep this pace tomorrow—target the deeper parts of the mountain. There’s more game there, and the deer population seems steady this season.”

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  Chen Bo nodded, pointing to the smaller hares and pheasants. “Agreed. We also need to track which areas yield more game without attracting bandits. Safety first.”

  Chen Lei added, “We should also prepare our packs carefully—more water and storage for meat. Any waste now will cost us.”

  Then the conversation shifted to Chen Mo. Chen Kang spoke thoughtfully, “I noticed something different about Chen Mo. Since his recovery, he’s… sharper. He’s still unpolished, but the boy has potential. With proper guidance, he could be a remarkable hunter.”

  Chen Bo chuckled lightly. “Yes, he’s like a raw gem. His aim is improving every day, and he handles the forest carefully. With a little discipline, he could even surpass some of us in time.”

  Chen Tie nodded in agreement, his gaze steady. “We can’t rush him, but we should offer pointers when he joins the team. He’s earned our respect, but he still has much to learn.”

  From nearby, Chen Gou listened quietly, a tightening in his chest. His father’s words echoed in his mind—he had struggled to bag just a few pheasants today, and now Chen Mo had caught a deer alone. Even if Chen Mo didn’t look down on him now, he could feel the unspoken truth: if he didn’t improve, his father would continue to scold him relentlessly, and Chen Mo would soon make him feel small in comparison.

  The unease hardened into resolve. Chen Gou straightened, clenching his fists. “Tomorrow,” he whispered to himself, “I will do better. I can’t let him—or myself—look weak.”

  The hunters continued planning, mapping routes and discussing tomorrow’s goals, while Chen Gou lingered, caught between admiration, jealousy, and determination. Chen Mo remained in the background modestly observing, yet the subtle confidence from his Minor Achievement radiated, making the others notice how far he had come since his recovery.

  The morning mist still clung to the village as Chen Mo and Chen Gou arrived at the entrance, where the hunting team had already gathered. Uncle Tie stood with his usual steady gaze, accompanied by Chen Bo, Chen Lei, and Chen Kang, checking gear and distributing supplies for the day.

  “Today’s goal is deeper into the mountains,” Uncle Tie said firmly. “We need to track the game carefully and avoid bandit routes. Follow instructions precisely, both of you. One misstep could be costly.”

  Chen Mo nodded calmly, his posture relaxed yet confident. “Understood, Uncle Tie,” he said. No stammering, no overconfidence—just quiet readiness.

  Chen Gou squared his shoulders, trying to match his father’s authority. “I’ll keep up,” he said, though a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. Deep down, he felt the weight of Chen Mo’s skill pressing on him.

  The team set off along the forest path. Birds flitted overhead, the first light filtering through the dense canopy. Hunters moved meticulously, smelling the wind, listening for subtle signs of wildlife. Small snares and traps dotted the underbrush, laid with precision to guide animals toward the hunters. Every movement was calculated; every sound noticed.

  After hours of tracking, a massive wild boar appeared ahead. Its tusks gleamed, and its sheer bulk—around 600 jin—made the team tense instantly. The boar’s nostrils flared, and a deep grunt echoed through the trees.

  “Flank left and right! Don’t let it escape!” Uncle Tie commanded, his hand signaling the hunters into position. Chen Bo and Chen Lei moved swiftly to control the animal’s flanks, while Chen Kang set a small trap to limit its path.

  Chen Mo’s heart beat steadily. This was the first time he had joined a full team hunt, but the Minor Achievement sharpened his reflexes and focus. He nocked an arrow, aiming at the boar’s eyes with calm precision.

  Thwip! The first arrow struck. The boar staggered.

  +1 Archery

  A second arrow followed instantly, hitting the other eye. The boar froze, blind and furious, its charge halted just in time by the hunters’ coordinated efforts.

  +1 Archery

  The team worked seamlessly, using ropes, traps, and careful positioning to subdue the animal. Chen Mo contributed exactly when needed, accurate and unflinching, drawing quiet nods of approval from Uncle Tie and the others.

  Chen Gou watched, awe and unease battling inside him. His small success earlier with a few pheasants seemed meaningless now. The sight of Chen Mo taking control, remaining calm under pressure, sparked something sharp and resentful in the boy—a determination to surpass him, but mixed with jealousy he didn’t yet understand.

  When the boar was finally secured, the hunters congratulated Chen Mo. “Well done,” Chen Bo said, clapping him on the shoulder. Chen Lei nodded. “Precision under pressure. You’ve proven yourself today.”

  Uncle Tie gave a firm nod. “You’ve done well, Chen Mo. Keep this up, and you may soon become one of our best hunters.”

  The team began estimating the boar’s value: its meat would feed several families, the pelt salted and dried for delivery to the chief, and tusks sold in the county could fetch a substantial sum of coins, enough to cover weekly needs and a little extra.

  The boar was just the beginning. As the team pressed deeper into the forest, Chen Mo’s Minor Achievement sharpened every shot. He tracked hares, pheasants, and even a lone deer, striking with precision and care. Every arrow that hit its mark earned him another +1 Archery, the points accumulating steadily, reflecting not just skill but intuition honed from countless solo hunts.

  The hunters moved with seamless coordination, flanking animals, setting traps, and communicating silently. Chen Mo’s calm efficiency drew quiet nods from Uncle Tie and the others each time he delivered a perfect shot. Even Chen Gou, who had started the day proud of his small success, found himself pale with awe—and a twinge of frustration—as he watched Chen Mo take down targets others would have struggled to hit.

  By afternoon, the team had secured a remarkable haul: several hares, pheasants, a deer, and the massive wild boar. The unexpected boar was the highlight, but the sheer amount of game—more than a usual day’s hunt—was a testament to both the team’s expertise and Chen Mo’s growing mastery.

  As they retraced their steps toward the village, Uncle Tie called out, “Today’s haul is impressive, thanks to everyone, but especially Chen Mo! Your aim and timing were flawless!”

  Chen Bo and Chen Lei echoed the praise. “Every arrow counted.” “You handled yourself like a seasoned hunter, not a novice.”

  Even Chen Kang smiled, nodding toward Chen Mo. “You’re a valuable addition. Keep this up, and the forest will feel different with you around.”

  Chen Mo inclined his head modestly, accepting the recognition with calm confidence. The team returned to the village with a bounty that would feed many families, and Chen Mo’s amazing archery skills had earned endless praise, both from his peers and the elders watching from afar.

  Chen Gou trailed slightly behind, a mixture of admiration and unease stirring within him, realizing that catching up to Chen Mo would be far more difficult than he had imagined.