For Vili, this [Junior Hunter] Title had come at the perfect time.
The hunting knowledge would help him face the dangers deep within Morse Forest with greater ease, and the 0.3 attribute points would further enhance his physical constitution. Morse Forest, which had once seemed like a gaping abyss, suddenly looked a little less menacing in Vili’s eyes.
Vili calmly walked over to the sparrow and pulled the Crossbow Arrow from its body.
He plucked a thick leaf from the base of a tree, wiped the bloodstained arrowhead clean, and returned it along with the Crossbow to Vincent.
"A truly fine weapon."
Vili said with a smile.
"It’s saved my life before."
Vincent took the Crossbow and Crossbow Arrow, sighing with emotion.
By now, Vilin and the other two were on their feet, having packed their belongings.
"Time to move out."
Vincent gave the order to advance once more.
As they rode through the dense woods, Vili sat behind Vilin. He felt the horse’s bumpy gait, his body brushing against hers with the movement.
However, since Vilin was wearing Light Armor, Vili didn’t feel anything particularly pleasant.
’I’ll put all 0.3 of these attribute points into Constitution.’
Vili opened his Title Attribute Panel again and allocated the points with a thought.
[Vili Ferren—Constitution: 1.3; Intelligence: 1.2; Remaining Attribute Points: 0]
The Intelligence attribute wasn’t very useful in the early stages, so considering his current circumstances, Vili put all the points into Constitution.
In an instant, Vili’s Constitution, which was already comparable to that of a grown man, increased by another thirty percent.
Vili wanted to let out a huge roar to vent the explosive sensation of power surging through his muscles. However, considering that a roar in Morse Forest might attract terrifying creatures, he forced himself to suppress it.
"Are you alright?"
Vilin suddenly felt Vili’s breathing grow ragged behind her. His hot breath on her neck was a little ticklish.
Vili realized it too, feeling a bit awkward. "It’s nothing. I’m probably just a little nervous since we’re about to go deeper into the forest."
Vilin gave a teasing smile, seemingly unconvinced by Vili’s explanation. However, she didn’t press the issue. After all, danger and accidents could occur at any time here; she had to focus all her attention on whatever might happen.
「Meanwhile.」
Diamond Town, at the noble estate of Baron Kels.
During a change of the patrol shifts, Sopps trotted toward the manor’s exit.
Just a moment ago, he had been notified that his father, Lake, had arrived unexpectedly and was waiting for him outside the estate.
Sopps had a good idea why his father was here. It was probably related to the message he had Kuer deliver before.
At this thought, Sopps’s heart filled with guilt. In fact, he had started to regret it right after sending Kuer with the message last time.
He was well aware of his family’s financial situation. While they managed to get by in the countryside, coming up with five Gold Rums all at once to help him pass the Junior Knight’s Squire exam was practically impossible.
This selfish and foolish decision would place an enormous financial and psychological burden on his parents. It would also mean his two well-behaved younger siblings wouldn’t eat white bread for a long time to come. ’As the eldest son, as their big brother, I’ve been so irresponsible.’
’Perhaps Father has come to give me the family’s last two or three Gold Rums, after which they’ll have to survive on pickled vegetables every day.’
Sopps had already made up his mind. He would give up this chance to take the Junior Knight’s Squire exam.
Soon enough, Sopps arrived outside Baron Kels’s estate.
Under a nearby tree, he saw Lake, who wore an uneasy expression.
"Father!"
Sopps hurried over to him.
Upon seeing Sopps, Lake breathed a sigh of relief, and his hand, which had been tightly clutching the cloth pouch at his waist, relaxed slightly.
"Father, I..."
Sopps was just about to tell his father what he was thinking when he saw Lake pull seven gleaming gold coins from the cloth pouch at his waist.
Gold Rums! Seven whole Gold Rums!
Sopps’s eyes widened in disbelief. He knew his family’s finances all too well; there was absolutely no way they could produce seven Gold Rums at once.
’What in the world happened?!’
"This money should be enough to help you pass the Junior Knight’s Squire exam."
Lake looked at his strapping eldest son, a proud smile on his face.
"Father, where did this money come from?"
Sopps’s hands trembled slightly as he took the seven Gold Rums.
’These Gold Rums are my ticket to a new life.’
Faced with Sopps’s question, Lake frowned and sighed. "Two of these Gold Rums are what your mother and I have saved up over the years. As for the other five... your younger brother, Vili, earned them for you."
"Vili?"
Sopps couldn’t believe it. How could his quiet, introverted younger brother possibly have gotten so much money?
Lake could see Sopps’s disbelief and explained in a heavy tone, "This morning, a few outsiders came to the village. They wanted to enter the depths of Morse Forest, so they came looking for a guide, and..."
"So Vili became their guide and entered Morse Forest?"
Sopps’s eyes widened, and his right hand, which was holding the seven Gold Rums, clenched so tightly that his veins bulged.
"Yes."
A look of shame appeared on Lake’s face. "Your mother and I... we shouldn’t have told him about your situation."
Sopps froze, his heart instantly overwhelmed by a profound sense of guilt and emotion.
His timid, quiet, and seemingly cowardly little brother had earned these seven Gold Rums for him by risking his life.
His lips trembled. After a long moment, he spoke slowly but firmly, "Father, Vili will definitely come back safely."
Lake nodded and said no more.
"It’s about time. I have to get back on duty, Father."
Sopps struggled to compose himself. "I will pass the Junior Knight’s Squire exam. I definitely will."
He had never felt so determined.
「Morse Forest.」
The sun had set, and the densely wooded forest was already quite dark.
Somewhere in a thicket, several figures were cautiously parting the dense undergrowth, apparently searching for something.
It was none other than Vincent’s mercenary squad.
Half a day had passed since they had entered the depths of Morse Forest.
During that time, Vili had used his hunting and gathering knowledge, along with the lingering memories in his mind, to help Vincent’s squad avoid several dangerous areas. After an arduous journey, they had reached their current location.
As their guide into Morse Forest, Vili’s outstanding performance earned him endless praise from Vincent’s entire mercenary squad. Even the ever-silent Kariel thought that the five Gold Rums had been more than worth it.