Looking back, I realized I had zoned out again. Six months’ worth of notifications had piled up, and I’d missed most of them.

  Ding.

  Class (Archer) reached stage 0.3. Stats allocated. +1 free stat point.

  Archer class skill available…

  I wasn’t sure why, but the system felt almost offended that I’d left it on read. Weird. Still, I acknowledged the notification and prepared to choose a class skill. A short list appeared:

  Basic Stealth (Inferior)

  A skill that dampens the user’s presence, allowing an archer to move quietly and blend into natural surroundings. Slightly reduces detection range, making it easier to line up ambush shots or reposition without alerting enemies.

  Basic Trapping (Inferior)

  A skill that lets the archer create simple snares and ground traps from natural materials. Useful for slowing enemies, guiding their movement, or quietly preparing hunting spots.

  Basic Tracking (Inferior)

  A skill that sharpens the archer’s ability to read subtle signs in the environment. Helps identify footprints, disturbed foliage, and other clues to follow targets or anticipate their movements.

  Huh. That’s it? I thought there’d be more. A bit of a disappointment. Well… I didn’t really know what I wanted anyway. I’m not as good at tracking as I am with stealth or traps, and while I do enjoy setting clever traps—especially when we spar—it didn’t feel right to lock in an important skill just for fun.

  I decided to go with Basic Stealth. Let’s see how high I can level this skill, and maybe the system will reveal something more interesting than the boring description. Even as I mentally selected the skill, it still felt strange.

  The system was… normal now. Too normal. I could see my entire being reduced to lines of text and numbers, and it wasn’t unsettling. Was it because the world had already gone this way? Dad said privacy disappeared about fifty years ago, after a series of government reforms. He remembered the protests. Weird. But I was drifting again. Right—my profession.

  Successful item crafted. Profession detected… Bowyer.

  I acknowledged the message.

  Bowyer

  A craftsperson skilled in shaping wood, sinew, and string into reliable bows. Bowyers understand the balance between flexibility and strength, allowing them to create bows, crossbows, and maintain an archer’s weapons with precision.

  Stat bonuses per level: +1 Strength, +2 Wisdom, +2 Intelligence, +1 Willpower, +2 free points.

  Well, that’s… a lot more than a class. Maybe it’s because it improves your soul with every stage you gain. Still… why include crossbows? Ugh. Crossbows. They’re the reason the world’s messed up. Governments even supplied them to registered archers. In our first month, we got a whole crate with ammunition. A joke, really. We burned everything. The fire was spectacular. Weapons forged afterward actually performed better.

  Of course, the bureaucracy freaked out, accusing us of destroying government property. They wanted us to pay. In the end, the army had to step in. We promised to stop burning their property —they promised no more crossbows .

  Okay, focus. Skills.

  Arboreal Lore (Common)

  The study of trees and their properties, allowing the bowyer to understand which species yield strong, flexible, or magically attuned wood. By observing bark patterns, leaf shapes, and growth habits, a bowyer can determine a tree’s suitability for crafting bows or other wooden tools. A blend of careful observation, natural intuition, and hands-on experience with the forest.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Handy. This included species I was sure had never existed on Earth, along with an array of new information scientists would go nuts over. I wasn’t about to share it—I enjoyed my free time too much. Some entries were bizarre: one oak needed to grow near an active volcano, and its acorns exploded on impact. Scary, but most of the information would settle in my memory until needed.

  Stringcraft (Common)

  The art of creating resilient bowstrings from natural fibers, sinew, or rare magical materials. A skilled bowyer can twist, braid, and treat fibers to achieve the perfect balance of strength, elasticity, and smooth draw, ensuring arrows fly true. Knowledge of materials allows adaptation to different bows and conditions.

  More obscure info appeared—animals and materials that didn’t exist here yet. Useful someday, maybe.

  Limb Shaping (Common)

  Careful carving and shaping of bow limbs to precise tension and curvature. Different woods respond in unique ways, and subtle adjustments affect performance. With this skill, bows store energy efficiently and release it smoothly, giving consistent, powerful shots. Finally—information I could immediately use. I couldn’t wait to try this on my new bow.

  Bowcraft (Inferior)

  Combines stringcraft, limb shaping, and material knowledge to create a complete bow. This skill allows fine-tuning of balance and performance for the intended user. Adds minor effectiveness based on wisdom.

  Mostly… boring. But it’s necessary: it locks in soul residue, identifying the bow and preventing mass-produced failures. I suspected improper soul flow caused most bows to break.

  Identify (Common)

  An identification skill known to all races. Focus on an object or person to attempt to identify.

  Honestly, this is exciting. Finally, a way to see info about people and objects instead of guessing.

  Status

  Race: Human

  Stage: Mortal (0.2)

  Class: Archer (0.3)

  Profession: Bowyer (0.1)

  HP: 120/120

  MP: 120/120

  Stamina 120/120

  Stats

  Strength: 14

  Agility: 12

  Endurance: 12

  Vitality: 12

  Toughness: 12

  Wisdom: 12

  Intelligence: 12

  Perception: 19

  Willpower: 9

  Free Points: 7

  Breathing Technique: Archer Breathing Technique (Inferior)

  Physique: Son of the Forest

  Class Skills: Ancient War Archery (Rare), Basic One-Handed Weapons (Inferior), Archer’s Eye (Common), Basic Stealth (Inferior)

  Professional Skills: Arboreal Lore (Common), Stringcraft (Common), Limb Shaping (Common), Identify (Common)

  I have a lot of free points… better put them into Willpower. Still… why do the stats look so weird? Did I miscalculate?

  Mortal Human stage gained (0.2): +1 to all stats, +1 free stat point.

  A there it is, free stats are always welcome. Now back to my Family