The Witcher: Grinding Proficiency Starting with the Witcher

Li Wei's gaze was fixed on the sky above Eagle Gorge.

A humanoid creature with outstretched wings is flying into the air, circling gracefully.

But upon closer inspection, one would find that the creature had no intact skin on its entire body; it was like a flying mass of rotten flesh, utterly hideous.

Bird-bodied female demon.

Eagle Gorge is famous because its cliffs are home to a large number of bird-bodied ghoul nests.

Li Wei glanced at the sky again; the thick clouds were now ablaze with the red glow of the setting sun.

Before long, night will fall, and that will be the time for the harpies to come out in droves to hunt and forage for food.

At that time, it would have been virtually impossible to cross the chain that spanned the canyon in front of them.

The safest time is when the sun rises and the harpies return to their nests to sleep.

To be on the safe side, we can wait until noon tomorrow, when the weather will be warmer.

Li Wei frowned.

He could wait, but Brand's critical injuries couldn't wait a moment longer.

I glanced at the panel.

Endurance: 0.8/1.6

[Status: You feel tired...]

He lowered his head, looked at the statue of the goddess Marina in his hand, and whispered in a devout tone.

"By the goddess Marina, we are counting on you."

After speaking, he stood up, rested for a moment, and resolutely walked towards the cold iron chain.

……

The Demon Hunters' temporary camp is located on the north side of Eagle Gorge.

A cold wind blew through the pine, yew, and maple trees behind the camp, and the dry, fallen leaves rose and fell like waves.

The harpy's sharp cry echoed across the canyon.

Turka's golden cat-like eyes gazed at the last rays of the setting sun, his figure like a silent statue.

The crackling sound of burning firewood came from behind, along with Aite's lazy voice.

"Turka, come and sit down. In all these years, no apprentice has ever been able to come here on the first day."

Turka frowned and turned around.

Aite sat on a rock, holding a sharpened pine branch with a piece of bloody chicken skewered on the end, which he rolled over in the campfire.

The chicken skin tightened under the heat of the flames, sizzling and dripping oil.

A clay pot sat on the campfire, its lid vibrating constantly, releasing a rich and fragrant aroma of meat broth.

Aite reached out and touched the chicken, then gasped as it was burned. He then held up the roasted chicken and gestured to Mavis, who was sitting not far away.

Mavis glanced at it and then silently shook her head.

Aite pursed his lips, put the chicken to his mouth, and began to enjoy it.

Seeing this, Mavis's tone revealed concern.

"That dense fog this morning was very unusual. Aren't you worried at all about the apprentices?"

Turka sat back down by the campfire, warming his rough hands to ward off the chill, remaining silent.

Aite laughed and said, "What's there to worry about? We've already taught them how to deal with water ghosts."

"If all goes well, they will have plenty of time to reach the Apprentice Cave at the foot of the mountain, where they can rest and escape the fog."

"As for crossing the Eagle Gorge, the windmill training also helped them overcome their fear of heights."

"Just hide quietly on the other side and listen to the harpy sing all night long, it's that simple."

Mavis frowned even more. "Ait, you make it sound so easy! There are little mist sprites active in the fog, and those monsters are among the top-tier ghouls."

"Even you wouldn't be able to deal with them easily, let alone Li Wei and his group!"

Aite continued eating his chicken, mumbling, "They were just unlucky; they weren't skilled enough and died at the hands of the little mist demon."

"Beautiful and kind Mavis, being a Witcher isn't so easy."

"If everyone could pass the test, the Witcher's Castle would be overflowing with people long ago."

Seeing Ete's nonchalant expression, Mavis glanced at Turka, whose cold, golden eyes made her infuriate and take a deep breath.

"This is absolutely absurd!"

Turka lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "I'm sorry, Sorceress Mavis, according to the Witcher Code, this is the only way to become a Witcher, and it is their destiny."

Mavis snorted coldly, raised her head, and looked up at the sky above the canyon.

The harpies had already taken to the air in droves, circling around as if observing something.

Mavis was puzzled.

Why are these ugly creatures hovering over the canyon instead of flying deep into the canyon to find food?

What else could be there besides empty iron chains?

Her emerald green eyes looked toward the iron chains, then suddenly widened, and she abruptly stood up!

In the middle of the chains, a wriggling black shadow appeared out of nowhere!

Aite noticed something was wrong, his gaze swept over the area, and the action of chewing chicken in his mouth instantly froze.

He quickly swallowed the chicken. "My God! Turka, look!"

Turka frowned and turned around, his golden cat eyes instantly shrinking to pinpoints, his face filled with undisguised astonishment.

"It's Li Wei!"

Mavis walked quickly to the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping her wizard robes.

Looking at the harpies in the sky, constantly emitting eagle cries, baring their sharp claws and fangs, and beginning to probe in Li Wei's direction.

She decisively raised her hands and softly chanted a spell.

The wizard's robes fluttered violently as magic gathered, and a few strands of wine-red hair fell out from under the hood.

Suddenly, a sturdy figure blocked her way.

"Zzzzt!"

The jet-black two-handed knight's sword was drawn from its sheath with a fierce thrust.

"Turka, get out of the way!"

Turka's gaze was as cold as ice.

"Mavis, please stop your magic. This is the final test for the Witcher."

"All I saw was you watching helplessly as an apprentice was sent to his death! To die in the mouth of the bird-bodied succubus in Eagle's Gorge!"

Mavis's tone was full of anger.

The two faced off, the atmosphere tense and ready to clash.

Aite quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Gentlemen, please don't be angry. Li Wei is still perfectly fine, isn't he?"

As he spoke, he gestured with his chin.

Upon hearing this, the two looked over and were surprised to find that the harpy hovering above Li Wei had indeed not launched an attack.

Turka's golden cat eyes instantly caught sight of the object tightly held in Levi's hand.

"A statue of the goddess Marina?"

Mavis also dispersed the magic she had gathered, and exclaimed in surprise, "Marina, the great and merciful goddess, is a statue made by the Papal States Temple to reward meritorious knights, and has the effect of dispelling evil."

"I remember... this should be something belonging to Lauvin Ferguson, right?"

Turka silently lowered his sword, but did not sheath it.

His gaze was fixed on Li Wei on the chains and the harpy serpent circling in the sky.

The sky gradually brightened with stars.

The biting wind was as cold as a knife, almost numbing Li Wei's body, and he felt his body getting heavier and heavier.

There was a voice constantly tempting me.

"Let go, Li Wei."

"it's all over."

"As soon as you let go, you will be free."