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Arthur hesitated, his expression thoughtful. He scratched his beard, clearly weighing his options. "Well, if I'm being honest," he said slowly, "I probably wouldn't return it if you weren't here. But since you are, I reckon I'll take it back. Guess some of your goody two shoes behavior is rubbing off a little on me."
Caleb chuckled, though inwardly he felt a sense of satisfaction. His plan to subtly influence Arthur's moral compass was working, even if only in small ways. "Glad to hear it," Caleb said. "Wouldn't want to start a feud with some poor soul over a borrowed horse."
Arthur snorted. "You sound like a close friend of mine, always preaching about honor and doing the right thing. But I suppose there's some sense in it."
The two men rode back toward Valentine, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon and casting long shadows across the landscape. As they approached the town, Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
He had not only helped Karen and Tilly but also earned Arthur's respect. The Van der Linde gang was beginning to see him in a much better light, but Caleb knew that this was just the beginning as having the gang welcome him with open arms was very hard, especially with them being hunted by bounty hunters and Pinkertons.
When they reached the outskirts of Valentine's, they found the owner of the horse waiting there, and when he saw his horse he was happy, "Hey you returned back partner! You were really just borrowing it!"
Arthur dismounted and handed the reins of the borrowed horse to the owner of the horse. "Of course, I'm a man of my word, thank you for letting me borrow it, partner," he said to the owner of the horse, as the man patted the face of his horse.
Caleb smiled as he saw this, and offered Arthur a ride to the saloon to which Arthur reluctantly took, and when they arrived at the saloon, both of them dismounted Morgan and tied her to the hitching post outside the saloon.
He turned to Arthur, who was stretching his arms and looking around the bustling town. "So, about that drink," Caleb said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Arthur grinned. "Right. Let's get to it."
The two men entered the saloon, the familiar sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the piano's lively tune greeting them. The place was packed, with townsfolk and travelers alike enjoying the evening. Caleb and Arthur found a spot at the bar, and Arthur ordered two glasses of whiskey.
As they sipped their drinks, Arthur turned to Caleb, his expression thoughtful. "You're an interesting fella, Caleb. Most folks around here wouldn't have stepped in to help like you did. Especially not with someone like me."
Caleb shrugged, his tone casual. "I've always believed in doing what's right. Doesn't matter who's involved. Besides, you and your friends seem like good people, despite… well, whatever your line of work was."
Arthur chuckled, though there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Good people, huh? That's a stretch. But I appreciate the sentiment."
The conversation continued, with Caleb carefully steering it toward topics that would further endear him to Arthur. He shared stories of his time in Valentine's, subtly highlighting his skills and values without coming across as boastful.
Arthur, in turn, opened up a bit more, sharing anecdotes about his life of course not so open as to talk about the gang, but he opened up a bit more compared to before.
By the time they finished their drinks, Caleb felt that he had made significant progress in building a rapport with Arthur. The man was still guarded, but there was an increased respect in the way he looked at Caleb.
Caleb paid for the drinks, to which Arthur at first declined but Caleb insisted, causing Arthur to relent as Calen paid their tab 3 dollars. As they stepped outside, Arthur clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "You're alright, Caleb. If you ever need anything, you can send an mail to me here in Valentine by the name of Tacitus Kilgore, that's my business name. I sometimes come up to check if there was a mail for me."
Caleb nodded, his expression sincere. "Thanks, Arthur. I'll keep that in mind."
After their conversation at the saloon, Caleb and Arthur stepped out into the cool evening air. The streets of Valentine were quieter now, with only a few townsfolk milling about. Caleb turned to Arthur, his tone casual but thoughtful. "You need a ride back to your place? Looks like your only ride was taken back by Uncle and the ladies."
Arthur hesitated, his expression thoughtful. He scratched his beard, clearly weighing his options. Caleb could see the gears turning in Arthur's mind. The man was still cautious, still trying to gauge whether Caleb could be fully trusted. After a moment, Arthur shook his head. "Nah, I'll manage. Thanks for the offer, though."
Caleb nodded, not pressing the issue. He had expected Arthur to decline, given the man's guarded nature. But the fact that Arthur had taken a moment to consider the offer was a sign of progress.
Caleb's actions, helping Karen and Tilly, intervening with Jimmy Brooks, and even returning the borrowed horse, had clearly made an impression. Arthur wasn't ready to fully trust him yet, but the foundation was being laid.
"Alright," Caleb said, his tone easy. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
Arthur gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "I'll keep that in mind. Take care, Caleb."
With that, Arthur turned and walked toward the stables. Caleb watched him go, noting how Arthur paused briefly before turning left and disappearing into the shadows.
Caleb could only speculate whether Arthur was walking back to Horseshoe Overlook or planning to "borrow" another horse for the journey. Either way, Caleb knew better than to follow. Pushing too hard would only raise suspicions.
Instead, Caleb turned his attention to Morgan, who was still tied to the hitching post outside the saloon. As he approached her, a sudden flicker in his vision caught his attention. A system window appeared before his eyes, its text glowing faintly in the dim light.
New Skills and Function Acquired Due to Meeting Arthur Morgan and The Members of Van der Linde Gang!
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1: Elementary - Basic)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1: Elementary - Basic)
- Map Function Unlocked!
Caleb blinked, surprised but quickly thrilled. He hadn't expected to gain these skills, especially since he doesn't know how to get them, unlike practical skills. Eagle Eye and Dead Eye were both incredibly powerful abilities, each with its own unique applications. The Map function, meanwhile, would be an invaluable tool for navigation and exploration.
He focused on the descriptions, eager to understand what these new skills entailed.
Eagle Eye (Lvl 1: Elementary - Basic)
Description: Eagle Eye allows you to perceive the world with heightened clarity and precision. When activated, time slows slightly, and your senses sharpen, enabling you to track trails, spot clues, and identify important details in your surroundings. This skill is particularly useful for hunting, tracking, and investigating. As you level up, the duration and effectiveness of Eagle Eye will increase, allowing you to uncover even the most subtle traces and patterns. At this level, you can enter Eagle Eye for a duration of 5 seconds.
Dead Eye (Lvl 1: Elementary - Basic)
Description: Dead Eye is a combat focuses skill that enhances your accuracy and precision. When activated, time slows considerably, allowing you to mark multiple targets and execute precise shots with ease. This skill is invaluable in gunfights, enabling you to take down enemies quickly and efficiently. As you level up, the number of targets you can mark and the duration of Dead Eye will increase and the cooldown will decrease, making you a formidable opponent in any battle. At this level, the longest time you can use your dead eye is 7 seconds and the cooldown needed is 3 minutes.
Map Function
Description: The Map function automatically records and updates your exploration progress. As you travel, the map will fill in with details of the areas you've visited, including landmarks, roads, and points of interest. Unlike the game's map, this function is not limited to a specific region, it will continue to expand as you explore new territories, even outside of America. This makes it an essential tool for navigation and planning your journeys.
Caleb couldn't help but smile as he read through the descriptions. These skills would give him a significant advantage, both in combat and in his day to day activities. The Map function, in particular, would be incredibly useful for keeping track of his travels and planning his next moves.
He glanced at Morgan, who was patiently waiting by the hitching post. "Looks like we've got some new tricks up our sleeves, girl," he said, patting her neck. Morgan snorted softly, as if in agreement.
Caleb untied Morgan and mounted her, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With these new skills, he was better equipped to handle whatever challenges lay ahead. Whether it was helping the Van der Linde gang, dealing with outlaws, or simply surviving in this harsh world, Caleb knew he had the tools to succeed.
As he rode through the quiet streets of Valentine, Caleb decided to test out his new abilities. He activated Eagle Eye, and the world around him seemed to slow down slightly.
The faint tracks left by horses and wagons became more visible, and he could even spot the subtle movements of a rat scurrying across the road. The skill was as impressive as he had hoped.
Next, he tried Dead Eye. Drawing his Schofield revolver, he focused on a distant rat he had seen scurrying across the street. Time slowed to a crawl, and he felt a strange sense of calm as he marked the rat with a glowing X.
When he pulled the trigger, the shot was perfectly accurate, hitting the rat with a loud squeak coming out. Caleb quickly holstered his revolver, hoping no one had noticed.
Finally, he opened the Map function. A detailed map of Valentine and its surrounding area appeared in his mind's eye, complete with markers for the saloon, stables, and other key locations across Valentine.
The map even showed the path he had taken to and from Twin Stack Pass with Citadel Rock in the middle, though the area beyond was still blank. Caleb made a mental note to explore more in the coming days.
Caleb closed the map window, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he returned to the main system interface. The new map section was a welcome addition, and he marveled at how intuitive it was.
All he had to do was think about opening the map, and it appeared before his eyes, displaying his current location and the areas he had explored. The ability to zoom in and out was particularly useful, and Caleb knew it would be invaluable for navigating the vast and often treacherous landscapes of this world.
As he rode Morgan toward the hitching post outside the hotel, Caleb couldn't help but reflect on how much his situation had improved in such a short time.
Meeting Arthur and the Van der Linde gang had been a stroke of luck, but the unexpected acquisition of Eagle Eye, Dead Eye, and the Map function felt like a reward for his efforts.
These skills would give him a significant edge, both in combat and in his day to day activities. Combined with his Past Life Memory skills, Caleb felt he could use the knowledge he had much more efficiently. He could enrich himself with some of the knowledge he has about the treasures, as he has done a bit before when he plays the game.
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Name:Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 6/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 6/10
- Charm: 4/10
- Luck: 5/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 1)
- Rifle (Lvl 1)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 1)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 1)
- Poker (Lvl 1)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 0)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1) - New
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1) - New
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