C30 Chapter 29 – The Hunter's Trap
The hunt...
Had moved one step closer.
Aiden remained awake long after the wolf's howl faded into the distance.
The Forest Hopper stayed on the windowsill, staring into the darkness.
Neither of them slept peacefully that night.
---
The first rays of sunlight finally appeared.
Aiden opened the wooden door carefully.
Fresh air rushed inside.
The camp was quiet.
Too quiet.
He immediately walked toward the tree near the wooden fence.
Three deep claw marks covered its trunk.
Each groove was nearly as long as his forearm.
He slowly ran his fingers across them.
The edges were still fresh.
"It really came here..."
The Shadow Wolf King had stood only a few meters from his camp.
If it had attacked...
The wooden fence wouldn't have lasted even a minute.
---
Ding!
A System notification appeared.
Daily Mission
Prepare for the Hunt
Objectives:
- Build 3 Wooden Spike Traps (0/3)
- Hunt 2 Monsters (0/2)
Rewards:
- Survival Points ×50
- Trap Crafting EXP
- Random Common Material Chest
---
Aiden smiled.
"Looks like the System agrees with me."
"My defenses are still too weak."
He opened the crafting menu.
---
Wooden Spike Trap
Grade: Common
Materials Required:
- Wood ×8
- Stone ×4
- Plant Fiber ×5
Effect:
Deals damage and briefly slows enemies.
---
"I already have enough materials."
By noon, Aiden had finished crafting all three traps.
Instead of placing them randomly, he studied the area around the camp.
"If I were a predator..."
"Which route would I choose?"
After observing the terrain, he noticed a narrow path between two large rocks.
It was the easiest route into the camp.
He buried two spike traps beneath leaves along the path.
The third trap was hidden near the wooden gate as a final line of defense.
---
Mission Progress Updated
Build 3 Wooden Spike Traps
Completed!
Rewards:
- Survival Points ×50
- Builder EXP +20
- Trap Crafting EXP +15
---
Builder Profession
EXP: 85 / 100
---
"Only a little more until Builder Level 4."
Aiden nodded with satisfaction.
---
After a quick meal, he headed toward the western hunting grounds.
Today's goal wasn't exploration.
It was gaining experience.
The Blood Moon was getting closer.
He couldn't afford to waste time.
---
About thirty minutes later...
He heard desperate bleating.
"Mehhh!"
Aiden hurried toward the sound.
A young Wild Horn Goat had become trapped between two fallen trees.
It struggled desperately.
Its hind leg was pinned.
Nearby...
Fresh wolf footprints covered the muddy ground.
"They were hunting it."
Aiden quickly looked around.
No wolves.
Not yet.
He made a decision.
Using his Stone Axe, he chopped away the branches trapping the goat.
A few minutes later...
The animal pulled itself free.
Instead of running immediately, it looked at Aiden for several seconds.
Then it lowered its head slightly.
Almost like a bow.
Before disappearing into the forest.
The System responded.
---
Hidden Choice Completed
Mercy Over Greed
You chose to save an injured creature instead of killing it.
Rewards:
- Bonus Stat Point ×1
- Reputation +5
---
Aiden blinked.
"A Bonus Stat Point?"
"So these really exist."
Unlike Free Stat Points...
Bonus Stat Points permanently strengthened the body without leveling up.
He immediately used it.
Luck +1
---
Updated Attribute
Luck: 2
---
"If Luck affects treasure and rare events..."
"It'll be useful in the long run."
---
As he continued walking...
The Forest Hopper suddenly gave a warning.
"CHI!!"
A shadow leaped from a bush.
A Fang Rabbit.
Before it landed...
Aiden activated his new skill.
---
Active Skill
Power Strike!
Mana -10
---
Blue light gathered around the Bone Spear.
Aiden thrust forward.
BOOM!
The rabbit was thrown backward several meters.
It didn't even have a chance to attack.
---
Monster Defeated!
Fang Rabbit (Lv.2)
Rewards:
- Rabbit Meat ×2
- Rabbit Fur ×1
- Sharp Fang ×2
EXP +15
Current EXP:
15 / 450
Mana:
50 / 60
---
"So that's the power of an active skill..."
The damage was far greater than a normal attack.
But it consumed Mana.
He couldn't use it carelessly.
---
While collecting the loot, something shiny caught his eye beneath the rabbit's body.
It wasn't meat.
Or fur.
It was a small green crystal.
The System immediately identified it.
---
Rare Drop Obtained
Skill Memory Crystal (Fragment)
Grade: Uncommon
Collect 10 fragments to create:
Skill Memory Crystal
Effect:
Permanently unlocks one additional Skill Memory Slot.
---
Aiden's eyes widened.
"So even rare drops exist."
His increased Luck had already shown a result.
Or...
Perhaps fate was finally smiling on him.
He carefully stored the crystal inside a small wooden box.
"This is too valuable to lose."
---
The sun slowly began to set.
As Aiden prepared to head home...
A deep roar echoed from the northern forest.
Not one.
Not two.
But dozens.
Awooooo!
Awooooo!
Awooooo!
Every beast on Hope Island seemed to answer at once.
The Forest Hopper froze.
Its body trembled uncontrollably.
Aiden looked toward the crimson sky.
A System notification suddenly appeared.
---
World Event Notice
Blood Moon Countdown
48 Days Remaining
Monster activity has increased by 5%.
Night exploration is now significantly more dangerous.
Prepare accordingly.
---
Aiden silently tightened his grip on the Bone Spear.
He had become stronger.
But the island...
Was evolving even faster.
