CHAPTER 42: SPIKEBACK BOAR

"What? Why’re you all lookin’ at me like that?" Alex asked, not waiting for an answer. "Whatever. Let’s just get some food. I want barbecue!"

He left the Bank Grotto first. Chuckling, Ace picked up his backpack with his essentials and slung it over his shoulder. He fell in behind Alex.

The others followed them out of the cave and to the nearby camp. Here, many rankers had picked up archery and were steadily improving. With the passive skills they’d obtained, people didn’t need much talent, just hard work. It was finally paying off.

As for the bows, they’d taken them from the Black Umi and the Hollow Woods. Even Ace had upgraded to a Silverwood Bow, something that could finally help against tougher threats.

[Overdraw (Silverwood Bow)(Durability: 100/100)(Requirement: Bow Proficiency(III))]

[Skills: Release (Active) — For 30 seconds, each arrow loosed grows stronger than the last, stacking power with every shot until the final release strikes with unmatched force.]

Looks fun to use.

Ace could mask the ramping power by drawing with less force while the effect stacked, then fire the final arrow with all the buildup. Because he’d absorbed Fang and Claw’s active skill during the fight with the Silvervest Bear, he believed he had a knack for passive skills and would soon absorb another.

If not, I’ll leverage Flawless Exploiter. Why hasn’t this title activated to aid my growth? Probably because I’m not in imminent danger. I can train and absorb the skill on my own.

"It’s about time we hunted," Ace said to the group of rankers whose shooting had improved a lot this week.

There were ten of them: seven men and three women. Their ages and personalities varied, but each had bonded over how fast their archery improved.

All were confident they could do significant damage, more than ever before. Ace kept that confidence in check. Shooting was one thing; holding a safe position was another. That reminder was enough to humble them.

"Understood, Mr. Ace! We’re in your care."

Ace nodded.

He knew the area where living monsters hunted rankers. Still, it had been years since his first Gate in his previous life, and he’d taken a different path in this one.

He needed a moment to recall the route. That was fine; the goal was to scout and find monsters anyway.

Soon, everyone from Ace’s core team plus a few rankers from Don Capo Gang and the Camp headed out on a short run. In total, there were eighteen of them, ready to hunt and bring back spoils.

They fanned out across the forest but kept within sight and earshot. Ace moved with Alex and Mercer.

Chaewon had Marko and a newbie archer from the camp. The rest paired up until all spots were taken.

Ace looked around the forest.

Back in my first life, there were man‑made signs on the trees warning about hunting grounds. It’s tough without ’em, but I have a minimap. Once I find a spot, I won’t lose track of it.

A few minutes later, Cherry bobbed on Ace’s head.

"What’s up?" Ace asked, looking up.

Blood!

"Can you tell if it’s a human or a monster?"

No.

Cherry looked down, dejected. He couldn’t do more, but Ace was quick to comfort him. He told Cherry sensing blood was enough and it was time he saw what Ace and his friends could do in a real fight. Hearing that, Cherry laughed and swayed, eager to watch Ace.

Ace let out a low whistle, calling the closest team to him. The nearest pair echoed the call. Soon, everyone was close, set to adjust the plan.

"Cherry smelled blood. We’ll follow his lead. Prepare," Ace said.

He tightened his grip on the bow and took a few steps. Ahead, a massive tree shook.

A low human cry came from behind it. Ace surged forward, taking the lead and running with silent steps.

[Sprinter’s Stride IV

Node – Building Momentum: Each second of sprinting slightly increases speed until stopping.

Node – Forest’s Whisper: Your steps and sprint make no sound in forests.

Node – Steady Pace: Reduces stamina drain while sprinting by a small amount.

Node – Quick Start: Slightly boosts your acceleration in the first few seconds of a sprint.]

In a blink, he was past the tree. A man lay sprawled with his back against the trunk, blood smeared on the bark and pooling beneath him. A monster stood across from him, so the ranker hadn’t chosen to rest here. He’d been thrown into the tree.

A Spikeback Boar faced Ace, eyes gleaming. The creature was a large boar with long quills running across its back. Those quills and two long tusks, dripping blood, were its main weapons.

A hidden ability made those weapons truly dangerous: Tremor Sense. Even with silent steps, it must have sensed him already. It had turned slightly toward him, ready to charge.

Ace grinned.

Brings back memories. I practiced a lot and had perfect execution on Spikeback Boars.

Spikeback Boars were his first prey, and he killed them flawlessly.

The boar didn’t like Ace’s smirk.

Soon enough, Alex, Mercer, Chaewon, and the others caught up to him.

Alex took point as soon as he saw the monster. Chaewon and the other women ran to the wounded ranker.

"Tough one, huh?" Alex asked.

"Yeah. Anything that lives out here with undead everywhere is tough as hell," Ace said. "You might not hold it long. Trick’s simple: don’t provoke it. Save your taunt for the second rush. First, avoid."

"Avoid?" Alex narrowed his eyes. "I don’t like that."

"’Kay. Take the first rush head-on, then."

Ace nodded. Alex raised his shield and edged closer to the monster. The boar dug in its front hooves, then burst forward straight at Alex. He triggered his skills, raised his guard, and planted his feet.

Even with all those buffs, the boar blew through his guard.

Alex flew and landed hard on his back.

He blinked and turned his head. "Don’t tell anyone about this."

"You’re worried your three girls will hear about your screwup? Come on," Ace said, chuckling as he raised his bow and drew the bowstring tight. "You just miss being spoiled."