Matthew hadn't had time to reply when Aidan, the boy he had just saved, ran over with red-rimmed eyes, supported by Delank.
He broke free from Delank's support and rushed up to Matthew, his voice trembling with a choke and lingering fear. “Matthew... thank you! If it weren't for your arrow just now, I... I definitely would have...”
Delank also stepped forward and clapped Matthew heavily on the shoulder, his face filled with excitement and admiration. “Good lad! Truly well done! Today, I, Delank, have truly had my eyes opened! In such an emergency, not only did you not panic, but you even dared to climb the tree to lure it away. And those last few arrows... My god, you're practically a sharpshooter!”
“Oh, no! It was a throat-piercing shot from the tree! A true hunter has emerged from our Stone Mill Village!”
Matthew remained composed and said politely to Aidan and Delank, “It was only what I should do. I'm just glad everyone is safe.”
Instructor Calm's steady voice then rang out, silencing the clamor of the crowd. “I have already grasped the situation. Today, Matthew fulfilled his lookout duties. Remaining calm in the face of danger, he successfully lured away and single-handedly killed the frenzied wild boar that threatened the lives of the villagers, ensuring everyone's safety. He performed outstandingly.”
“According to the village rules, prey killed alone belongs entirely to the slayer. This wild boar, including its meat, hide, bones, and tusks, belongs entirely to Matthew.”
He paused, then continued, “Furthermore, to commend his bravery and contribution, the village will reward Matthew with an additional 10 silver coins, and allocate a week's worth of dried meat and black bread from the public reserves as supplies.”
“Delank, you are in charge of organizing hands to help Matthew process and transport the wild boar back. Skin it carefully; do not damage its value.”
Delank immediately replied, “Yes, Instructor! Leave it to me, I'll make sure it's done properly!”
The other teenage boys also eagerly volunteered to help.
Instructor Calm nodded, then looked at Matthew with appreciation. “Well done. Once you're finished cleaning up, get some good rest. Training tomorrow as usual.”
Hearing this, Matthew was delighted. After a brief moment of deliberation, as Instructor Calm finished announcing the arrangements and everyone prepared to disperse to get to work, he took a step forward and said respectfully to Instructor Calm, “Instructor, I have a request.”
Instructor Calm stopped and looked at him.
Matthew continued sincerely, “Could the extra 10 silver coins rewarded by the village be exchanged for a better-quality one-handed sword?”
“The price difference can be made up using the materials from the wild boar.”
Calm was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't ask why. He slowly spoke, “A one-handed sword is no problem. Forget about making up the difference; keep the wild boar for yourself.”
Matthew was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly thanked him.
“A Green weapon is mine! What a massive profit!”
“After all, even a White bow costs 1 silver coin. A Green one-handed sword must be worth far more than that!”
Instructor Calm nodded slightly. Saying no more, he turned and led Fabian, Reynard, and the others back to the village first to organize patrol duties, leaving only Delank and a few warm-hearted boys to help process the wild boar.
On the way back to the village, Matthew was in an excellent mood.
Not only did he secure an opportunity to get a more suitable weapon, but he also got to keep the entirety of the wild boar's harvest.
The meat could serve as a long-lasting food supply, while the hide and tusks could be exchanged for a decent amount of copper coins.
...
By evening, under Delank's direction, the wild boar had been properly processed and transported to Matthew's home.
Matthew carved out some meat and distributed it to the boys.
Although it wasn't a large amount of meat, it was still a rare delicacy in Stone Mill Village.
The boys had originally intended to help out to repay his favor, but they hadn't expected Matthew to be so generous. At this moment, Matthew was the most noble person in their hearts.
Watching the joyful backs of the boys as they left, Matthew had no other thoughts.
Protecting everyone was his duty, and Instructor Calm had already rewarded him on behalf of the village, which was recognition of his actions.
The boys had worked hard to help transport and process the wild boar, so giving them some meat as a reward was only natural.
One thing at a time; this was his principle of conduct.
After seeing everyone off, dusk was already drawing near. Looking at the neatly stacked chunks of wild boar meat in the yard, the thick and intact wild boar hide, and the heavy pair of tusks, Matthew began to calculate.
“There is too much meat. If I can't finish it all at once, it will easily spoil. I should smoke it.”
He first selected a few of the best-quality ribs and leg meat with a good balance of fat and lean, preparing to enjoy them tonight.
As for the rest, he planned to smoke most of it into long-lasting smoked meat, and cut a small portion into strips to air-dry into jerky.
This would make it easy to preserve and convenient to exchange for copper coins.
No sooner said than done.
He started a bonfire in the open space outside his house and built a simple smoking rack using stones and branches. He skewered the large chunks of wild boar meat with sharpened wooden sticks and hung them over the fire, using the smoke from the burning hardwood to cure them.
At the same time, he lightly seasoned the ribs and leg meat for tonight with coarse salt, skewered them on a thinner wooden stick, and roasted them by the bonfire.
After finishing these tasks, Matthew sat down by the fire, flipping the roasting meat while feeling the fatigue and satisfaction deep within his body.
“I probably won't be able to make it to tonight's sparring session, but that's fine. Proper rest is always a good thing.”
He glanced at the sky, then at the tasks before him. Smoked meat required keeping an eye on the heat and adding damp wood at the right time to maintain the smoke; he couldn't leave.
He tore off a piece of wild boar meat that was roasted crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, dripping with grease, and stuffed it into his mouth.
“Now this is living...” Matthew sighed in satisfaction, washing it down with clean water as he heartily enjoyed this rare, sumptuous dinner.
Just as Matthew finished dinner and was about to get up to check on the smoked meat, steady footsteps echoed from outside the yard gate.
It was Instructor Calm.
His tall figure appeared at the gate, holding a long object wrapped in thick burlap.
“Instructor,” Matthew quickly stood up.
Instructor Calm walked into the yard, his gaze sweeping over the curing meat and the roasting rack by the fire before landing back on Matthew. His face remained expressionless as he handed over the cloth bundle.
“For you.”
Matthew's heart stirred. He received it with both hands. A line of small text flashed before his eyes, causing his pupils to shrink sharply, though he quickly returned to normal.
The sword felt heavy in his hands; even through the burlap, he could feel the coldness of the metal and a certain... more solid sensation.
A one-handed sword was revealed.
Its blade was slightly longer than the village's standard iron swords, with smooth lines, gleaming with a deeper luster than ordinary ironware under the firelight.
The hilt was wrapped in non-slip leather, and the guard was simple and practical.
Overall, it didn't look flashy.
“This is a Finely Forged One-Handed Sword I used before. The quality is decent.”
“Use this for now. If you're not satisfied or feel it doesn't suit you, when I go to town in a few days, I'll take you to the blacksmith's shop to choose a new one of similar quality.”
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