Time Limit: 18 Hours, 51 Minutes, 47 Seconds
Done worrying about the time, I closed the Menu and asked Odelia “So this is the place?” standing beside her on a small hill.
“Indeed it is, my Lord.” She replied, “Welcome to the Archer’s Playground!” presenting the place to me.
From the top of the hill, I had the perfect view of an extremely long and wide grass clearing, with several dozens of different arranged targets placed throughout the open field. However, bordering the entire clearing was a rectangular makeshift wall made completely out of the huge fallen trees in the area—stacked up to be about 4 storeys high. And even though the trees in the area were nowhere near the heights of the ones in Ven’Thyl—being less than 100ft tall—they did on the other hand have much more branches and foliage around them. So much so that there seemed to be some type of archery obstacle course built around the outside of the field clearing—noticing the multiple different elves currently maneuvering through the treetops shooting swinging or stationary targets.
“You know Odelia, the shopkeeper yesterday told me quite the rumour about this place. Wanna hear it?” I asked, taking a second to enjoy the sights.
“Whatever she said, do not believe a single word of it, my Lord.” Odelia immediately shut down my offer.
But I just continued anyway, “She said that this place wasn’t always a clearing. That it once was like every other part of the forest; filled with strong tall trees and beautiful overgrown foliage.” Odelia nervously hummed, “Then one day, a very young but very angry girl came out here in the middle of nowhere to settle a score with another. Now at first I thought she was talking about you and Zebey, but when I heard only one person came back that day, only leaving an unspeakable disaster in the aftermath, I thought otherwise.”
Odelia let out a sadden sigh, admitting “Yes...the story is about me, Lord Eyes, but I promise there was a good reason I killed that man.”
“Oh, I think you're mistaken, Odelia.” Telling her, “I didn’t bring up the story because you killed someone—I’m sure they got what they deserved—I brought it up because I now see the amazing disaster you caused, and I want to know how you did it.”
“Excuse me? You want me to tell you how I destroyed the forest?” Odelia was baffled, trying to understand.
“Hell yeah, I do!” Pointing out some of the old remnants of the battle in the area still remaining; from the large trees bordering the clearing that were obviously unnaturally destroyed by something, to the decades old holes and chunks missing from the still standing trees all around. “Was it like some sort of super powerful ultimate attack that did this much?” Imagining a huge charged arrow that exploded into a beam of light destroying everything, “Or was it more like several smaller powerful attacks that caused all this?” Genuinely curious about how Odelia cleared out such a massive area. “But either way, mind teaching me exactly how you did it?”
Odelia suddenly bursted out in laughter, saying “Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight. You only brought up a story where I killed someone in cold blood because you wanted me to teach you the Skill I used to destroy an entire section of the forest?”
“So it was just one powerful Skill, I knew!” Getting excited at the thought of learning it for myself, “And yes I did do that.”
Odelia continued to laugh as she began walking down the hill, “Hahaha...I cannot tell if you are just greedy for more power, my Lord, or if you are just plain crazy about learning everything you can about the powers of a Trinity Archer!”
“What’s wrong with being both?” I asked, following right behind her.
When we reached the bottom of the hill, we found the closest gap in the tree border and entered inside. Passing through, I noted how there seemed to be more than a few shops inside these hollowed out tree trunks, selling mostly different kinds of archery supplies, but a few that sold basic provisions and needs. We received a few curious gazes from what looked to be the regulars, but seeing how we simply moved along, they ignored us as we exited out the other side.
We then arrived at the open field clearing I viewed from above, where there were several numbered sections painted in white on grass—all in ascending order from left to right, and starting at the number 20 all the way up to 500. Knowing where we needed to go, Odelia began heading straight for the farthest section to the right, and I realized the numbers represented the distance as we came here to complete the Required Feat of shooting 500m for the Range Style.
I also noticed that although it was still very early in the morning, there were still plenty of people here practicing their archery in the different sections we passed by. It very much reminded me of all the very dedicated young archers during the day of a tournament; though not so different from when they all watched me shoot perfectly during those times, everyone in the area began watching in interest as we entered the 500m section—the only one that was currently empty.
“Now that we are here, Eyes,” Changing how she addressed me in public, “take your time, and try to ignore their gazes.” informing me, “This always happens when it looks like someone is trying to complete the 500m shot.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, Odelia. I'm more than used to people watching me shoot. Because I always win.” I arrogantly stated, taking out Infinity from my Inventory and strapping it to my waist this time to simulate how quivers were worn during competitions.
“Eyes, there is no need to rush things...” Odelia tried to convince me as she massaged my shoulders, “Let us just stay here all day and practice shooting…Forget all about the other test…”
“Hah! In your dreams, Odelia!” Laughing at her useless effort to deter me, I shrugged off her hands and took out Shame from my Inventory as well. “This will only take me 5 minutes, and then we’re going straight there next.” I drew my bow, aimed the arrow, and fired at the target 500m away.
30 minutes later…
“Remember when you said ‘this will only take me 5 minutes’? Can you tell how long it’s been since then again?” Odelia teased, amused by me missing another shot—100m short.
“That joke is getting old, Odelia.” Feeling slightly frustrated as I drew another arrow from Infinity and began to nock it.
She chuckled in amusement, “Sorry, Eyes, but it is hard to come up with new ones after spending 30 minutes making jokes already.”
“Well don’t worry, this one is for sure it.” When I fired my next arrow, I immediately knew I aimed it too high, and watched the wind blow it way off target. “That doesn’t count.”
Odelia laughed at me again, though after she finally calmed herself down, she said “I know I could spend all day being thoroughly amused by your failure, but I also know you really wish to at least try your hand at my test and not fail my challenge just yet.” She then grabbed Shame from me, saying “You clearly do not know about this, so let me show you a little trick Shame can do.”
“A trick?” Confused by what she meant.
“Well as I have been telling you the last few days, Shame is not powerful enough to make the 500m shot, which is why I told you to buy a stronger bow yesterday.” Odelia reminded me again, “Too bad your needless affection for that shameful bow of mine, and your stubbornness to buy any of the bows I suggested yesterday, are all combining to continually add to your current failure to make the shot.”
“Hey, you saw the bows at the shop you showed me yesterday; all the ones better than Shame were too high a level for me, and the ones you did suggest didn't feel right when I tried them out and compared them to Shame.” Justifying and standing by my decision.
“Ooor, you are just too picky, Eyes.” Calling me out while she rummaged through the satchel she brought along with her.
“Hmmm...so I’ve heard.” Knowing I have a very particular taste about my bows
“Though luckily for you, I knew this would happen, and came prepared as such.” She pulled out 4 medium-sized vials of red liquids from her satchel.
“What’s that? A healing potion?” I asked enthusiastically, somehow not seeing one in the world yet.
Odelia chuckled and began unstringing Shame, “It really impresses me how little you know of the world, Eyes.” When she finished removing the bowstring, she lightly dug one end of the bow into the ground and made it stand on its own. “And no, these are not healing potions.” Uncorking all 4 vials with her mouth, “Have a smell. Take a guess what it is?” she put a vial in front of my nose.
Taking a whiff, I immediately identified the slightly metallic smell of the red liquid. “It’s blood. But what are you doing with it?” I asked, curiously.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I asked Shurtyrr to procure some knowing that you would most likely be failing with Shame today.”
“Hey!” But I let it slide, “So what’s it for then?”
“For Shame of course.” Stating “It will allow you to temporarily increase its overall strength, making it just about powerful enough to land the shot.” Odelia then poured each vial of blood, one after another onto the standing unstrung bow, and we watched as the blood slowly dripped down the grains of the black wood.
Watching closely, the wood began to move and creak on its own; shortly after, the blood strangely seeped into the grains it dropped down, and caused the bow to unexpectedly grow in size. “Woah, what just happened? What kind of blood was that?” I questioned, continuing to watch all the blood seep into the bow.
“The blood was ordinary. What you are really asking about is the wood.” Explaining “Specifically Blood Wood—or Vampire Wood for you younger generations—and it’s completely unique property of drinking any blood it touches to temporarily grow in size and strengthen itself.” When Odelia saw all the blood gone, she quickly strung the bow again, “Now this should give you about 5 minutes before it reverts back to its dried out state, so I suggest you make your shots count—unless you wish to feed some of your own blood to it.” Presenting the bow back to me.
“If it needed that much blood for just 5 minutes, I don’t think I want to be feeding it my own blood.” As soon as I grabbed the now noticeably larger and heavier bow, the new Stats for it appeared.
Bloody Shame (4 Minutes, 27 Seconds)
Rare
Attack: 375
+25 Strength
Effect: Increases damage by 1% the closer you are to the target, up to 30%.
Requirement: Lv.20, Str 150
“Woah, besides changing the name and showing a timer, I think it’s attack increased by 50%! But this is like the time with the crown, an item having a hidden effect not written in the Stats.” Noting to myself, “I’ll have to remember to ask Odelia later if there’s a way to find out if an item has hidden effects.”
Then not wanting to waste the 4 minutes I was given, I drew an arrow from my quiver, positioned myself back in front of the target, nocked the arrow, pulled the bowstring back, took a deep breath, and aimed carefully. When I finished taking account of the minor wind, I released the arrow to my liking, and the loud echoing sound of Shame firing was the loudest I’ve ever heard it. And with the sound being so surprisingly loud, I noticed a few people in the area amusingly jump and flinch out of caution, as they all turned their attention back to me.
“Oh how I loathe the sound of that bow.” Odelia commented, her disdain clearly showing on her face. Regardless of how she felt, we watched the arrow fly 100m, then 200m, 300m, 400m, and then just barely hit the bottom of the target 500m away.
Archery proficiency increased by 1 Level.
“Damn! So close. I should’ve aimed higher.” Already preparing and aiming another shot.
However Odelia suddenly applauded, complementing me “Eyes, you are amazing! I thought you may have been able to do it if you had the time and a powerful enough bow, but to think you are doing so with only using that shameful bow is truly something else!”
“I told you Shame was good enough, but just give me 3 more minutes, and I’ll hit a perfect bullseye.” I confidently proclaimed.
“I now do not doubt you will, though once you have learned Sniper Shot Skill, demonstrate it to me and I will acknowledge you reaching the level of a Long-Range Archer.”
“You got it!” And only taking 9 more shots and less than 3 minutes, with each shot increasingly closer to the bullseyes, the arrow finally landed perfectly in the dead center of the target.
Archery proficiency increased by 1 Level. You have learned the Skill: [Sniper Shot].
Sniper Shot: A long distance shot that deals more damage the further it has traveled. Cost 150 Stamina. Damage based on Distance Traveled, Skill Level, and Strength.
Smirking widely, I immediately used Sniper Shot; and without even needing to account for the great distance and arrow drop, I watched the arrow fly straight and true, piercing more than halfway through the target. "What'd you think? That was it, right?” I asked, finally noticing that more people were arriving in the area and being drawn in by my extremely loud bow—bringing a lot of attention to my display of archery.
“Eyes...you are something else.” Odelia smiled proudly at me, but expression quickly changed when she saw something in another section, and said “Though before I congratulate you properly, let us leave Archer’s Playground first, alright?”
“Uh, I guess if we’re done here, then yeah.” But with Odelia oddly pushing me to move already, I questioned “Hey, what’s with rush, Odelia? Aren’t I supposed to be the one rushing you?”
Odelia nervously laughed and explained herself, “Aside from many curious eyes currently watching us, I just noticed two very unsavoury individuals arriving here—ones I particularly want to avoid ever meeting again.”
“Like a Myeyl-way where you actually secretly like them? Or another way where you don’t?”
“The latter. Now let us—”
“Well, well, well!” Hearing the man’s loud voice caused Odelia to click her tongue in annoyance, “If it isn’t Odelia Ven’Thyl, the Murderous Dwarf Fucker!”
“She’s here? Where?” A woman asked.
“Ignore them.” Odelia whispered, quickly pushing me forward towards the exit. However, two hooded individuals suddenly moved with incredible speed and stood directly in our way.
“Leaving so soon without even greeting me?" The hooded woman asked, "That's not like you, Master Odelia. Why don’t we at least catch up first?” Removing her hood, a young woman with long golden blonde hair and sapphire-coloured eyes made herself known.
“Sorry Minra, but we’ve little time to catch up.” Odelia coldly responded, grabbing me by the arm and trying to move past them.
But putting a hand on Odelia’s shoulder, the hooded man asked “Who said you could go, murderer?”
Odelia sighed, “What do you want, Sol? Still angry I killed your father here?”
“You even openly admit it?! You little whoreson bitch!” The man angrily removed his hood and thrusted forwards to stare directly into Odelia’s cold unflinching eyes.
I expected someone was about to throw a punch, but cutting all the tension completely was an exhausted voice running towards us, “Milady! Sir Sol! Please stop leaving me behind!” It was a brown-haired elven woman wearing very similar robes to Jhan, and even had a very similar crescent shape staff on her back.
At that moment everyone got distracted by her, and I took that split second to check their names; the exhaust woman was Lv.72 Ker Ilzt, the angry man was Lv.70 Sol Alea’Tlar, and the one who called Odelia Master was Lv.65 Minra Helvi’Ett. “Woah, these are some high levels.” I thought to myself, pulling my hood down a little more.
“Oh, Lady Odelia! I didn’t expect to be seeing you here, it’s been a long time hasn’t it?” Ker greeted Odelia politely.
“Indeed it has, Ker.” Odelia smiled nicely towards her.
“So what brings you here? Is Lady Myeyl and my little brother coming here to practice today too?” She asked, already looking around to see if they were here.
Though before Odelia could answer her, Minra said “I think he’s what brings her here.” pointing directly at me trying my best to hide from their attention.
“Oh, I did not see you there. Please excuse my rudeness.” Ker then formally introduced herself, “My name is Ker Ilzt, from the Noble Protectors of House Ilzt, and currently a vassal in the Noble House of Helvi’Ett, but you may simply call me Ker. Nice to meet you.” She then held her hand out for a handshake.
Not wanting to make this awkward, I shook her hand and introduced myself, “Nice to you, Ker. My name’s Eyes...newly joined member of House Ven’Thyl.”
“Someone actually joined that pathetic excuse for a House? How laughable!” While Sol forced himself to laugh, Odelia and I both held ourselves back from doing something rash.
“I hear you’ve finally taken up teaching again, Master Odelia.” Minra spoke with an annoying condescending arrogance to her voice, “And here I thought I would’ve gotten the honour of being your last student.”
“So Odelia killed that guy’s father, and this girl was the reason Odelia quit teaching? No wonder she wanted to avoid them.” Understanding why she rushed me to leave.
“Like I told you before, Minra, we’ve little time to catch up.” Odelia repeated herself, grabbing me by the arm again and trying to move past them again.
But putting a hand back on her shoulder again, Sol said “I’ll say it again too. Who said you could go, murderous bitch?”
Odelia loudly exhaled, clearly being frustrated by Minra and Sol’s presence alone, so I decided to step in and say to Sol “Hey, I know you obviously have a problem with Odelia, but are you sure this is the place to settle it?”
“I don’t know who the fuck you are kid, but I’ve been dying to meet Odelia outside the city like this—where we are doesn’t matter.” Sol tightened and squeezed his grip on Odelia’s shoulder, but she didn’t seem bothered by it at all.
“What about you then?” I asked Minra, “Are you sure your Noble House will be okay hearing that you’re gonna be involved in this?”
“Did he just refer to me as ‘you’?” Minra laughingly scoffed, “How can a mere commoner refer to a noble as ‘you’?” She asked Ker, not even acknowledging me directly.
“I'm sorry, but maybe if you introduced yourself I wouldn’t need to call you that, Lady…?” Still trying to act cordial towards her.
Ker nervously interjected, “Milady. Sir Sol. Please. You both know how much trouble we’ll all be in if you cause a scene here with everyone watching.” pointing out all the eyes currently watching us. She then spoke to Sol with a more serious tone, “And Sir Sol, I shouldn’t have to remind you of the last time a battle was fought here.” coldly telling him, “No matter how great the delusion you tell yourself to think you can take revenge on Lady Odelia, know that you will never be in her league.” Sol angrily growled at Ker’s words, but ultimately decided to remove his hand from Odelia’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Ker. We’ll be on our way now.” Odelia said, bringing me along as we finally walked past them.
“It was nice seeing you again, Master Odelia!” Minra shouted and waved. “I hope we can meet again soon!” The more she spoke, the more I felt Odelia’s anger. “And send your husband my regards!” With those last words, I saw the scariest expression I have ever seen, all appearing on Odelia’s infuriated face.