31: Forest Power

"Drop... Detecting host awakening Hunter spell system, system activating Mage / Hunter dual-class mode interface..."

The icons on the system interface in my mind quietly changed, condensing from the original five to seven. They were:

A light gold human figure representing [Attributes];

A bronze scroll representing [Quests];

A brownish-yellow backpack representing [system space];

A sky-blue spellbook projecting information representing [Mage Skills and Spells];

A vibrant green sprout projecting information representing [Hunter Skills and Spells];

A crystal-like polyhedron representing [Talents];

And a pure white quill representing [System Information].

I focused my consciousness on the vibrant green sprout icon, and the system immediately displayed the panel representing Hunter skills and spell information—

The host has learned how to harness the power of nature and transform it into powerful spells.

When the host concentrates, closes their eyes, and breathes deeply, these nature spells will flow out naturally.

This information panel condensed by the system merely reflects the host's inherent abilities.

The host, currently a Level 2 Hunter, possesses the following abilities:

• Proficient in exploration and combat in woodlands.

• Proficient in archery, spears, daggers, and dual-blade weapon combat.

Archery: ** Proficient

Spears, Daggers, and Dual Blades (Short Hunting Knives): * Novice

• Possesses 2 1st-level Hunter spell slots

• Known Hunter Spells:

1st-level Spells: Animal Communication, Hunter's Mark.

• Hunter Skills:

Shadow Hide: 90%

Silent Movement: 80%

Find Traps: 15%

Set Traps: 25%

• Special Skill: Flame Arrow

...

[Animal Communication]

Spell Level: 1st Ring

Spell School: Divination

Casting Time: 1 Action

Casting Range: Self

Spell Components: Verbal, Somatic

Duration: 10 minutes

The caster gains the ability to understand and communicate with beasts for the duration of the spell. Many beasts have low intelligence, so their cognitive level is quite limited, but they can at least provide you with information about the surrounding area and monsters, including anything they perceive now and within the previous day. You might be able to persuade a beast to help you with small tasks.

[Hunter's Mark]

Spell Level: 1st Ring

Spell School: Divination

Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action

Casting Range: 90 feet

Spell Components: Somatic

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

The caster designates a creature within range that they can see and magically marks it as their prey.

Until the spell ends, each time you hit the target with a weapon attack, you deal an extra 1d6 damage, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check you make to find the target creature.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a 3rd or 4th-level spell slot, the spell's concentration can last up to 8 hours. When you cast this spell using a 5th-level or higher spell slot, the spell's concentration can last up to 24 hours.

[Flame Arrow]

Through long-term study and wilderness training, the host, facing a shortage of materials, developed a skill to modify arrows by combining them with the 0-level cantrip "Create Bonfire" to instantly create "Flame Arrow."

The host can use self-made arrows with oiled or unoiled dry grass, cloth strips, hemp rope, or other materials tied below the arrowhead, and insert them into a bonfire created by the host to ignite them.

When hitting a target with these fiery arrows in a ranged weapon attack, the target takes an additional 1d4 to 2d8 fire damage.

The specific damage value is highly dependent on the quality of the arrow.

The damage of this spell increases with the host's level.

...

I then shifted my consciousness to the sky-blue spellbook icon, and the system immediately displayed the panel representing Mage skills and spells—

The host's spells and related skills originate from the host's unremitting study, practice, and comprehension.

When the host concentrates, closes their eyes, and breathes deeply, the knowledge accumulated through long-term study and thorough understanding, and the spells practiced countless times, will naturally be cast.

This information panel condensed by the system merely reflects the host's inherent abilities.

The host, currently a Mage Apprentice, possesses the following abilities:

• Proficient in learning spells from all schools.

• Proficient in using daggers, quarterstaffs, staves, and slings in combat.

Daggers, Quarterstaffs, Staves, and Slings: * Novice

• Known Mage Spells:

0-level (Cantrips): Create Bonfire, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, and Thunderclap

• Mage Skill: Lightning Element Affinity

Learning lightning spells is smoother, and there is a greater chance of causing more damage or effects when using lightning spells.

• Special Skill: Dual Wielding

There is a high chance of casting two concentration-type spells at the same time.

...

The Mage's skill panel helped me clarify my learning achievements during this period, while the Hunter's spell-type skills were acquired quite fantastically.

And all of this was related to the black panther in front of me.

The howling of the Dire Wolf pack was already echoing from outside the mist; this time, there were over a dozen wolves.

This included the three Dire Wolves that attacked me last time, as well as their companions they later brought for revenge, though at the time they were blocked by the mist and dared not enter.

I had seen the entire wolf pack fighting the black panther from afar more than once.

Three months of hunting life had gradually made me familiar with this forest.

The most common monsters near the lean-to were Rampage Apes; this was originally their breeding ground.

However, because I had mastered their weaknesses, Mad Apess became the least threatening monsters to me. Instead, I had hunted them to near extinction.

After using up Explosive Arrow and Flame Arrow, I learned to make various simple arrows, such as branch arrows, sharp stone arrows, beast-tooth arrows, and Flame Arrow.

I always tied dry grass to the branch arrowheads, then used "Create Bonfire" to ignite them, which became "Flame Arrow."

Using these low-cost "Flame Arrow" was very effective against Mad Apess.

To the east was the territory of Wild Dogs, to the north was the Dire Wolf pack, and to the south were several fierce wildcats.

Further north was the southern foot of the mountains I had visited with the adventure team, which was the territory of Goblins, carrion worms, and Sirens.

The roaming Tass Creature packs had a wide range of activity, but since the lean-to was protected by the mist, they rarely appeared nearby anymore.

As for places further away, I had not yet ventured.

Besides herbivores and the large aggressive group animals mentioned above, there were also some scattered beasts and monsters distributed throughout the forest.

For example, near the small river further south, there were two large black bears; this black panther was the one that appeared and disappeared mysteriously everywhere.

Half a month ago, the Dragon King and I had even seen from afar the black panther fighting several Dire Wolves, and then disappearing by becoming invisible to escape when surrounded by the wolf pack.

Now, behind the black panther, there was a long trail of intermittent bloodstains, dripping all the way from afar to right before my eyes.

The Dire Wolf pack was clearly tracking its bloodstains.

Two tall Dire Wolves crashed into the mist, and after a few low growls, the rest of the Dire Wolves began to sit around outside the mist.

The alpha wolf was a male Dire Wolf, a head taller than the other Dire Wolves, with stronger muscles and dark red fur.

Its red pupils gleamed terrifyingly in the night, revealing both wisdom and wildness.

Its sharp, thick fangs protruded from its lips, and the dripping saliva reflected silver light under the moonlight.

The two Dire Wolves that entered the mist initially lost their way, but soon, relying on their keen sense of smell, they caught the scent of blood and quickly ran towards our location.