Chapter 93 – Worry (2)

Saturday’s class competition began with archery as a large crowd gathered at the range. Many people wanted to watch because they considered archery an extreme sport in this world. Archers didn’t just shoot targets in the distance that ordinary people couldn’t even see. Instead, they included all sorts of magic effects and summoned monsters that hindered the archers. These effects made it more thrilling for audiences. Naturally, a professional archer received great wealth and honor.

“Mm.”

I sat in the waiting room and watched the match outside. The rules sounded simple. Two archers stood in a 75 meter-wide lane with only one life to score the farthest distance. However, they didn’t use a tournament format since each match cost a surprising amount of money. Archers would only participate in one match, but their scores would determine the first to twelfth place rankings.

— The match between Acceptance class and Cultivation class has ended. Currently, Eustass Haim holds the first place record at 320 meters.

The fifth match finally ended. However, the first place record only remained at 320 meters for several reasons.

“The last match will take place between Veritas class and Virtue class. Archers, please come out.”

A staff called for me and a French cadet named Baire Moren. I knew Moren since he was one of the top sharpshooters in Cube and would later join Creator’s Sacred Grace. He constantly opposed Kim Suho, but they would work together in the end. He surpassed Chae Nayun in terms of pure archery skill. I glanced at Moren and checked my gift’s proficiency.

[Master Sharpshooter] [Intermediate rank] [Spirit attribute] [Evolving — Grade 6] [Proficiency EXP 27%]

Its growth stagnated at grade 6 and hadn’t progressed much. I slightly worried, but felt confident enough.

“Yes, the representatives are now appearing. Cadet Kim Hajin and cadet Moren, please head to the field.”

I left the waiting room with a bow on my back.

***

The sunlight shone with no shade at noon. Chae Nayun sat with a bag of popcorn and a can of Coke.

“Why are there so many magicians?”

Chae Nayun murmured as she looked around the archery range. She spent most of her morning loitering around until Kim Hajin’s competition. The robed magicians surprised her.

“They’re probably here to see the 8 star magician today.”

Yoo Yeonha pointed at the VIP observatory.

“Oh, magician Ah Hae-In?”

Ah Hae-In was a French 8 star magician who became a naturalized Korean citizen at the age of 11. Only 300 magicians at the 8 star level existed in the world, and she was quite young and beautiful. Every magician admired her like an idol although her personality was a bit strange.

“I heard she was visiting. No wonder I felt the earthquake from so far away.”

Competitive archery commonly featured earthquakes. Chae Nayun also looked forward to the summoned monsters and traps. She couldn’t wait to see Kim Hajin suffer.

— Next is Veritas class’ Kim Hajin v.s. Virtue class’ Baire Moren.

“Oh, it’s our class now.”

Chae Nayun looked at the archery range with popcorn in her hand as Kim Hajin and Baire Moren came out side by side. They shook hands before heading towards their respective lanes.

“Hmm…”

Yoo Yeonha observed Kim Hajin’s movements with a hand on her chin. Kim Hajin walked up to the archery plate full of confidence.

“Looks like we have nothing to worry about.”

Cadets took a lot of pride in the class competitions. Veritas class felt bitter every time they lost because everyone expected them to win. It felt like an international competition between nations instead of classes.

“By the way, what’s he mumbling?”

Chae Nayun frowned as Yoo Yeonha looked at the two competitors. Indeed, Baire Moren had said something to Kim Hajin.

“Trash talk, I guess? Baire Moren is known for being sly and ill-tempered.”

“Oh really?”

Yoo Yeonha rarely gave false information, so Chae Nayun fully believed her.

It does seem like he’s provoking Kim Hajin. I see, Moren is a piece of shit.

***

Ah Hae-In sat in the VIP observatory adorned with all sorts of decoration and food.

“Grand Duchess Ah Hae-In, is that child your nephew?”

A 5 star magician who volunteered as her attendant carefully asked.

“Unofficially, yes. Officially, I’m the founder of the Ah clan, so I have no relatives.”

Ah Hae-In grinned as she looked down at the archery range. She came to see her nephew who grew up well. He stood out next to some average-looking guy. The 5 star magician admired Ah Hae-In and spoke in a trembling voice.

“Ah, it’s starting.”

“Is it?”

Ah Hae-In placed her hand on an orb.

“I just need to continue what I did before, right?”

“Yes, you can start with a light earthquake.”

“I can do whatever I want after 350 meters, right? Since no one has managed past that yet.”

“Yes, but the obstacles have to be the same for both lanes.”

Ah Hae-In laughed at the 5 star magician’s admonishment. Then she shot back at him.

“Would I be able to do that? Don’t you know how much I cherish my nephew?”

“Ah… ahaha…. Well, it’s not a test, but a small festival for cadets. Do as you wish, Grand Duchess. Cadets will feel honored by just your presence.”

The subordinate magician showed excessive loyalty since 8 star magicians could be considered nobles among nobles. Only 87 of them existed in Korea. A single archery event as a bribe wouldn’t cause any problems. It would be a huge boon if the Grand Duchess became a guest lecturer.

“If you say so.”

Ah Hae-In smiled in satisfaction.

***

“Damn.”

The first place cadet only reached 320 meters for a reason. I passed 250 meters just now, but my legs already felt sore because of the earthquakes.

“Wow, you’re pretty good. I guess it’s true you have a specialized gift.”

Moren relaxingly spoke from next to me. Naturally, I grew suspicious of the competition. The magic effects and obstacles looked completely different in my lane compared to his lane.

“Tsk, you sure are relaxed.”

“Are you sure you don’t just lack training?”

“Sigh.”

He provoked me with an irritating smile. I stared at the observatory with the magician in charge of the magic effects and spotted a western woman. Her red hair perfectly suited her fair skin as eight golden stars shone on her black cape. Another magician flattered her from the side.

“Hm…”

I only knew one such person with those features. The 8 star magician named Ah Hae-In. I tried recalling if she knew Moren and stealthily turned on my smartwatch. Aha!

“Hey, your aunt is over there. Are you gonna go say hi after?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Moren tried to act oblivious, but the corner of his mouth slightly curled up. That son of a bitch definitely knew.

“Your aunt keeps harassing me.”

“What do you mean? Are you making excuses since you’re going to miss? Just hurry up and shoot, please.”

“Tsk.”

I raised my bow at the 300 meter mark as an earthquake shook beneath me. Suddenly, hail also hammered down from the sky.

The hail blocked my vision and struck my hands and shoulders. It felt cold and painful, but my desire to win grew stronger. I focused all my senses on the bow and target. TANG! The arrow shot forward and hit its mark.

“Huu.”

“Wow, congrats.”

Moren went next. However, only soft and small hail fell on him. He hit his mark without difficulty.

“It’s your turn.”

“…”

The favoritism continued to escalate. I forcefully smiled and pushed forward to 350 meters.

— Both sides have surpassed the first place record! The target will move 50% faster and the participants will switch turns! Baire Moren will now go first!

Moren looked nervous as he raised his bow. Huge vines suddenly shot up from the ground as I wondered about the next obstacle.

“Whoa! What’s this?”

Moren shouted in surprise. The 10 meter vines swallowed the entire lane. A few swirled around Moren and slammed the ground next to him. KWANG! However, Moren remained poised since all archers cultivated patience and calm. The vines wouldn’t attack unless he stepped off the archery plate. Not to mention, they acted almost kindly towards him as they swayed back and forth like reeds to cool him off.

“Ah!”

Moren still failed. He couldn’t hit the target that suddenly moved 50% faster under the constant earthquake and hail. He had reached his limit.

— Ah! Moren regrettably misses!

Honestly, I also felt worried as I raised my bow. As expected, the damned vines grew even fiercer. They freely swayed during Moren’s turn, but now they violently whipped about.

“…”

I stopped thinking. Anyone could see the favoritism, but I could just tear through it. I also had an incredible backer called Lady Luck.

I nocked an arrow and pulled the bowstring. The vines angrily lashed out like a girl dumped by her lover. I could feel the rage behind them. I should get serious now too.

I activated bullet time and the world instantly slowed. The target shot up from 350 meters away. I couldn’t hit that target no matter how I thought about it. The angle simply made it impossible. The target flew through the air as the monster vines completely blocked the path. Time was running out. The target would disappear at any moment.

I tightened my grip and bit my lips. Would I be able to precisely shoot an arrow through those vines without magic power? I thought about giving up, but a thought suddenly flashed in my mind.

“Scan.”

I murmured. The numbers 40 and 41 flashed on my bow and arrow. Everything about the two objects strengthened including the bowstring’s elasticity and the arrow’s flexibility. I widened my eyes and peered through the vines to the target. I accurately traced the trajectory and leaned my arrow slightly to the right. Then I released the bowstring.

Shwiiik—!

The arrow flew forward and bent in a strange manner. It flew right and dodged all the obstacles before curling left and flying straight like a bullet towards the target.

— Veritas class’ Kim Hajin! He succeeds on the 350 meter mark!

“The hell, how did that arrow bend?”

Moren uttered in complete shock at my arrow.

“Did you use magic power?”

“You think your aunt wouldn’t have noticed if I did?”

“Then what…”

I chucked my bow in front of me. I wanted to make things clear after winning through such blatant favoritism.

“This is the difference between us.”

I turned around and checked my smartwatch. I felt something just now. I had to have received a gift.

“I knew it.”

Several alerts popped up on the smartwatch.

[You performed a curving arrow. Master Sharpshooter’s proficiency has increased by 15%.] [Low rank gift, Curve Shot, has been added to Master Sharpshooter.]

Curve Shot — Long ranged attacks may curve according to the shooter’s will. (The extent of the curve will change depending on the gift’s grade and the weapon.)

“…”

The corner of my mouth twitched. My gift’s greatest strength was its scope. The proficiency earned from a gun also applied to a bow. Likewise, a gift obtained from a bow could also be used with a gun. Now I could also shoot curving bullets.