Rebirth of Calamity

Chapter 2: Rabbit Hunting

What happened to him? What was happening on the Euten? Did a hero summon happen?

Sai had more questions than answers as the two arrived at his humble home.

Out of all the things that troubled him, Sai only asked this question:

"What country was this again?"

Rei felt pity towards this youth. He even forgot what country this was.

"It's Ryosei."

The girl said as if he was telling the obvious.

"Hey Sai I'm really glad you're back but I gotta go to train with my mom. If I get any later than I am now, I'm sure you know what kind of scolding I'd get. "

Rei scratched her head. She was hesitant to leave his friend who had just risen from his long coma but she still had stuff to take care of.

Unable to let his question go past another day, Sai called Rei as she turned to make her leave.

"Wait!"

"Hm?"

"Do you know anything about the middle continent?"

Rei was confused as to why he would ask that but gave an honest reply anyway.

"Uhm. It's the biggest continent?"

Sai bit his lip. That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear. According to his judgement, Ryosei is a pretty far country from Euten. Information from other nations rarely reach, but he asked one last question as a longshot.

"Were there any news about summoning a hero?"

"Sorry, I don't know. Why you ask?"

'I expected as much.'

"No worries, just a random thought haha!"

He replied with an awkward smile and said his thanks before Rei left apologetically. Although, she also looked quite puzzled from this boy's odd questions.

'Ryosei huh'

As far as Surdeis' memory goes, this was the eastern most country just beside the vast Algorean Ocean. This was also one of the countries that were first to be devastated by the Demon army.

'She's right. As of now this body-'

It wasn't just physical strength either. Wealth, influence, level, equipment. These were all the things he needs within 2 years to make a difference against the Demon invasion.

He observed his stick thin body.

'This is going to be hard.'

….

Unsightly food was prepared on their small dining table. Sol came in and stopped Sai as he was about to reach the nasty bowl then prepared food for him instead.

Sai was surprised that Sol was actually a decent cook. Finally, he ate something decent and felt some life return to his body.

Without wasting time, Sai went outside to practice with a pole he found lying around.

'If what my theory is correct then,'

Memory.

If he could still remember his past memories, maybe he could trigger his Abilities into activating. With that thought, he focused on the pole and remembered how he held it in his previous life. Sai inhaled cold air.

Exhale-

Thrust!

Ping

[You now have the ability -Staff Novice-]

[Staff Novice]

---

You can wield the Staff and Staff-like weapons proficiently. +5% on all attacks using Staff type weapons

---

Sai was surprised. It seems his [Photographic Reflex] can still remember the muscle memory of his past life. As long as he performs it once the skill or ability will instantly be learned. Sadly, he was still at Level 1 and the limits still applied.

Sai went around and grabbed whatever 'weapon' he found. He did experiments, practicing hits one after another hoping he would find some random gem.

Ping

[You now have the ability -Scythe Novice-]

'Guh!'

After trying out some bow and arrows, swords, and other farm tools turned into makeshift weapons, it was only [Scythe Novice] he learned.

'Maybe because the Staff and the Scythe are the closest weapons to the spear.'

He thought to himself, and after doing some contemplation, he figured that would be the case. If he wanted to earn other Skills and Abilities, maybe he needed more stimulus that would trigger his [Photographic Reflex].

'Let's try magic.'

While the man previously called [The Walking Calamity] was busy focusing on relearning his skills, the husband and wife duo saw their boy.

"Hey Sol, what's our son doing?"

Julie asked as he inspected Sai who had his eyes closed, frowning, and eyebrows crunched.

"I think he's just constipated."

Sol did a quick glance and shrugged. He continued -

"Maybe it's something he ate."

"What do you mean by that? I made sure the breakfast I prepared was good for his body."

"N-No! Uhm. I mean, he's been out from a long coma. Maybe his stomach can't handle hard food yet? *cough* *cough*"

Sol tried to save himself, thankfully Julie bought it and just said 'Then, I'll just prepare him some soup or gruel later.'

Meanwhile, the boy who the two were talking about remained focused.

Sai concentrated on the mana circulating on his body as he gripped the pole. He was surprised once more as he felt the mana coming from the demon blood within his body. It was wild but held strong power that couldn't be underestimated.

He guided this energy, flowing it into the hand holding the pole. He then visualized the image and motion of flames.

He felt his mana creating heat… and then…

Nothing.

He tried a couple more times but they all ended the same.

'Argh! I thought I had it!'

Visibly frustrated, Sai threw his pole to the ground.

'How the hell am I going to fight against the demon army in just 2 years!'

Inhale, exhale. He tried to calm himself down. What can he do? He needed to strengthen himself up quickly and the best way to do that was through exercising, training, and meditation.

Thankfully, in this world where mana was present, he can become more powerful through leveling up and increasing his stats. The problem was he is way too weak to battle even the lowest level creatures.

'How can I hunt without being in danger? …wait, that's it!"

With a quick realization, Sai knew what he had to do. He picked up his pole and went rummaging around his home again.

…

'These are good enough.'

With a satisfied look, Sai went to the grasslands to hunt. With him was a pole, a kitchen knife, and some other items in his make-shift pouch constructed from his blanket.

'This looks like a good place.'

After walking and doing some inspections, Sai found a suitable location. He took out the contents of his pouch.

'Ok, so I put these here and tie a knot there...'

He took out the pole and used it to test his creation.

Pa-Chik!

Two sounds came out. One was a loud clap from something violently clamping, and the other one was-

Ping!

[You now have the ability -Trapping Novice-]

[ Trapping Novice]  

---

You can now create Poor to Low Rank -Traps-

+10% Trap Making Efficiency.

The -Traps- you have created have +5% Effectivity when used by you.

---

…

Trap making is a basic ability for hunters. The great news was, to do it, all he needed were components and the know-how in assembling and setting up effective traps. Plus, with all the experience he had in his previous life, he's more than qualified to become a -Trap Master-.

He headed straight to the grasslands near the rice paddies. This is the most ideal location for hunting Horned Rabbits, low-leveled creatures which are suitable for beginners. He proceeded to lay down a couple of traps around and then waited from afar.

It wasn't long since he had heard the sound of a trap being triggered. With a smile, he went to the location. There he saw a horned rabbit with its foot stuck between a claw trap. It violently struggled to let loose, but the more it moved, the deeper the teeth sunk.

Sai raised the pole he has in his hand and

Smash!

Ping!

[You Have Killed -Lvl 1 Horned Rabbit-]

[You Have Earned 12 Exp Points]

'Easy as pie.'

He had hit two birds with one stone. He can level up without being harmed and he can increase the proficiency of his Skills and Abilities indirectly.

Sai was happy for a moment, but he realized another problem. The experience he earned moved his Exp Required by a comparatively small margin.

Before, killing 3 or 4 Lvl 1 Creatures was enough to Level Up. But seeing his Experience points now, it seemed like the amount he needed increased. It looks like this body's handicap was worse than he imagined and it's going to be more difficult as he further grows in the future.

But that didn't stop him. Now that he now had a means to attain his goal, all he had to do was grind for it.

….

After a day of setting up traps and killing, Sai wiped the sweat off his forehead. He had successfully hunted 4 Horned Rabbits through trap-making and all that's left were 2 more to level up.

While waiting for the next sucker, Sai gathered the Rabbits and observed them. Although he had killed them easily through trap making, these creatures were actually really dangerous, especially to him and his piss-poor physique.

A single Lvl 1 Horned Rabbit is as big as a domestic cat. It had powerful hind legs, making them agile during combat. Plus, it's main weapon, the horn, is about 1/3 of its total length. If that thing pierced him, he would surely be mortally wounded. Sai knew this, that's why trap making was the method he chose to hunt.

Also, with the body of the Horned Rabbit in mind, Sai had another idea to increase his combat prowess.

He took out the kitchen knife. He planned to cut the horn of the rabbit and attach it to his pole, creating his beloved weapon: the spear.

Sai started to slice the horn but the material was tougher than he had expected.

As he was focused on the horn -

Pa-Chik!

He heard the sound of a trap being triggered. This time, it was close to him.

Pa-Chik!

Then another one.

Sai was surprised. Two was exactly what he needed to level up. It seemed like the heavens was giving him a hand.

He stopped what he was doing and dug a hole to hide the rabbits. This would prevent other wild creatures from smelling his prey which would attract danger to himself.

Seeing the knife and pole in his hands, he felt a little stupid.

'Why didn't I just do this before.'

Since he was planning to make a spear, why not use the items he already had in his hands. He took a rope and tied the knife at the end of the pole.

Ping

[You Have Successfully Created -Cheap Spear-]

[Cheap Spear]

---

Rank: Poor

Dmg: 5

---

'Well, it's better than nothing.'

Sai said that but smiled regardless. There was no lying that holding his favorite weapon made him happy. With the cheap spear in hand, he headed straight to the nearest trap. There he saw the familiar sight of a horned rabbit trying to flee but was restricted by the trap.

Sai went closer and with a thrust, he had accurately striked the horned rabbit's weak spot, the ears.

Ping

[You have now learned the ability -Spear Novice-]

[You can wield the Spear more proficiently. +5% on all attacks using the Spear]

With that he had easily gained 4 abilities in one day, a feat that's impossible for the ordinary Antalunan citizen.

Rustle

While appreciating his gains, he heard something rustling from the location of the next trap. Coincidently, the sound came from the direction of the trap that was triggered. He did a defensive stance and became more cautious.

Sai used his spear to clear the tall grass that was blocking his view. There, he didn't see any horned rabbits trapped just like earlier. Instead, what he saw were bloodstains and a claw trap that was roughly destroyed.

'Did it escape? Guess I better leave soon.'

Sai turned back and dug out the rabbits he had killed earlier. He knew that these creatures will flee without looking back once they escape from danger. As long as he leaves, he would be safe from predators who would hunt the wounded rabbit.

Also, the risk of fighting the escaped horned rabbit is extremely low. After all, the only time an injured rabbit would ever fight back is if their offspring is in danger.

He looked at the rabbit he had just killed.

'Wait, don't tell me.'

Rustle rustle

Sai looked over his shoulder.

There he saw a horned rabbit peeking at the grass. It had the same fur pattern as the one in his hands.

"Ah fuck."

….

Rebirth of Calamity Chapter 2 End