“Haa.. haaa.. Haa.”

I hear the frantic sounds of my breath while running with all my strength away from death that’s coming towards me; focusing my limp eyes ahead, I desperately hold unto my drifting consciousness.

*dopan!* *dopan!* *dopan!*

Several gunshots rung behind me, at the same time: streaks of light rushed beside me. A hit from that will be fatal to me, so I frantically run in zigzag motion hoping to evade the bullets shot.

“Damn it! Unbelievable, how can he run that fast with those wounds!?”

I hear the distant complaint of my pursuers. The sounds of the trampled grass and smell of smoke filled the air. My right arm filled with my own blood is now numb. I ignored the screams of my muscles as I run faster towards a small forest in front of me. Right now, my mind is filled with the desire to escape no matter what.

“Bravo Squad use the right path--Charlie Squad, to the left--  Alpha will pursue him directly--both of you cut off those paths!”

I heard someone issuing orders to the other groups. Cutting off my escape paths is enough to drive me in despair. I need to live! I need to live! I repeated the mantra, almost like a prayer as I will myself to run, the strong desire to live is etched within me. For the sake of my friends who sacrificed their lives for me; for my lover who sacrificed herself for me. I will not fall here!

“Bullet Shower!!”

Series of rapid bullets showered at me from behind. I instinctively jumped behind a nearby tree to avoid the rain of bullets unfortunately, my legs got caught up. Blood sprayed on the ground and the severe pain was enough to drive me crazy but agonizing about it will do no good, so I summoned all my strength to hurriedly stand up and start moving my heavy body.

“Haaa.. Haaa.. Haaa..!!”

I could hear my heart beating loudly; the scream of my lungs begging for air; my vision is getting blurry; in the corner of my eyes, I saw several people in black trenchcoats with guns in their hands coming to me on both sides. . I should be feeling the hopelessness now but I have no time for that. As if answering to my will, I heard the sounds the violent raging of water just ahead. The feeling of hope is welling within me, I ignored the howling pain and run faster.

“Faster! Surround him before he gets to the river!”

The orders of the squad leader reverberated throughout, racing against time in order to subdue me.

*dopan!* *dopan!* …. *dopan!*

The trenchcoat buddies fired at me desperately, aiming at my legs, feet and head however, I reflexively evaded them but not enough. Several bullets grazed my skin but still, I kept running.

“Tch! Alpha Squad! Prepare the grenade launchers!”

A few more meters before I reach the water, I hear the sounds of sizzling behind me. I know without looking back, those were the grenade launchers charging up and locked at me. 10 more meters, just a little bit more!

“Fire!!!!”

Squadrons hurriedly scrammed away  as they heard the voice of the commander. Like an emissary of death, a hot presence is looming behind me. 1 more meter! The scythe of death god that is looming closer behind me, ignoring the pain I stumped hard on the ground and jumped towards the river..

*ZZZZBBBBOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!*

I could hear the violent explosion as my vision starts to vanish. I feel the coldness of water eating my body as I swam downstream. Several trench coat buddies lined up towards the place of explosion, watching me with irritating gaze. I couldn’t fathom what they are saying, maybe they are cursing me either way, my consciousness is slowly disappearing. The water was dyed red, and the temperature, cold, as I reached my hands out attempting to lift myself.

“Aughhh Ahh!

Arughhblobloblob Ahhh!!”

I felt a sensation of wood in hands, and frantically grabbed it. I muster all my strength and grasped the only salvation I had reached and lean my body to this part of log. And as if was my string has been cutted, my consciousness drifted away.

“Ah… Finally...finallyyyy…”

Muttering these words, my mind suddenly become blank….

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Kuueee!! Kuueee!! Kuee!!*

Something sharp is lightly prickling my arm. Together with an annoying sound of a bird, I gently open my eyes as I woke up. That dream again huh.. It is weird but I always have that dream. Even if I always have that dream, it is strange that I barely remember it fully. It will always have a gap or something missing but that part of dream where I am being chased is something I couldn’t forget. What is a dream anyways? I heard many theories about what dream is specially to old people however up until now it still remains a mystery. It is such an inconvenience that you can’t remember it fully. I realize that maybe if I could recall the whole dream, maybe I could figure it out and will put a closure for it.

*Caaww!! Kuuee!! Caaww!!*

I shift my eyes and look at the huge bird pecking on my arm. Compare to a normal bird, this fellow here is twice as big as a regular one. The form of a predator with menacing eyes and sharp talons flying in the sky to attack its prey is staring straight into my eyes.

“You sure is early. Nice hobby of yours to shamelessly wake up someone who is taking a nice long nap. You and grandfather really a perfect match.”

I sluggishly stretch my arms towards this fellow’s head and pat it. The bird tries to shake off my hand and open its beak.

*KKUUUUWWAAAA!!*

“Yup..both are annoying”

The bird or should I say the Falcon, after shaking its head had stretched out its wings and flies off. I watched the falcon as it quickly flew away towards its owner, my grandfather. Yes, that’s right, that was my grandfather’s beloved Falcon whom he always sent to call me. It sure is convenient to have your own falcon. I stretch my arms and lift myself, dusting off my clothes and stretch my left hand towards the sunlight as to block it.

“A clear day again. So how should I make money today?”

I looked around my surroundings and stretch my limbs. If you ask what the hell am I doing and why I am sleeping, well..the only answer I could give is that I am sleepy. Yes, I am sleepy. I breathed deeply, savoring the pleasant feeling as the air pass through my lungs. The sound of the birds, the rustling of leaves, the warm of morning sun and the gentle breeze. I looked around and saw a thick greenery. Some animals loiter around but luckily there are no monsters.

“Looking at the sun, it was more or less 10am. Likely two hours of napping.”

For starters let me tell you where I am. Around me is a sea of trees of varying species. Sounds of different animals and insects are all around the place. I am in a middle of forest, Payon Forest. Now the next question, who am I? Well let’s make that simple, I am the strongest archer in this whole continent, Kavach Icarus. 18 years old, a 100% genuine male, with a slender charming body and face which can put Odin’s face to shame. Giving a yawn, I stretched my arms once more and shake my head swaying my short chestnut colored hair and hang my bow on my shoulders.

“Well then, it will be a pain in the ass if I keep that old man waiting. This is quite a harvest today, as expected of me.”

I looked beside me, heap of trunks of varying sizes and types. Judging by the color of the grains, these trunks are all different. I usually go out every early morning to get some trunks by hunting the tree monster called Willows which is abundant in this forest. This old man of mine keeps nagging me every morning so to keep him shut up, I took the initiative to wake up a bit earlier and hunt. Honestly it is a pain in the ass, I don’t like waking up early. I believe I am more suited for night. There is also an option to cut down the trees as their trunk could useful too, but it will take time and it’s a hassle so I guess getting them by killing off the walking piece of crap like willows is easier: Survival of the fittest, sucks to be you guys.

“So..5 Fine Grained Trunks, 5 Trunks, 5 Barren Trunks and 5 Tree Roots. Okay it’s a lucky 5 today! Now let’s go to our home sweet home my beloved babies and let’s passionately shred your body to pieces with my good ol’ buddy named Axe and be a good arrow~”

I tied tightly the trunks using a rope, sorting them in a way that will give convenience while being carried. The hardest part of gathering materials is wrapping up. Carrying bundles of materials while being vigilant to your surroundings is a challenge. I mean, what will you do if you got ganged up by several wolves while carrying these trunks right? Fighting and killing are simple words to say, but doing it takes a shit ton of effort especially if you are carrying heavy items and equipment with you. Usually amateurs overlook these kind of factors only to be found out later that they can’t breath or concentrate well because of the pressure their body is having due to the weight of what they are carrying, worst is it hinders them to fight. Now where are they? They are now dead. A few days ago, a party of amateurs had been brutally hunted by wolves around this area while in their way to deliver the materials they were asked to gather. Sucks to be them, too bad wolves, I am not just an amateur.

Let’s talk about me. I am originally not from the village and unfortunately I couldn’t remember anything aside from after I woke up in the village. It’s been five years, I can talk but whenever I am trying to remember stuffs about myself or where I come from, nothing comes to my head except for one, my name. Yes, that’s right name only. It is weird, a name is something that embodies your being but on my case it is the opposite, it only serves as a label to my existence with no other things that can be called an essential for being who I am. The one who took me in at the village was an old man who is a veteran Hunter. Since then, I called him as my grandfather.

“Come to think of it, it's been five years and my old man tried many things for me to remember but nothing works. The only thing that probably relevant is archery.”

Archery, it is the only thing I think is relevant. The first time I glanced at the bow, I knew I can shoot an arrow. It was strange, I couldn’t remember anything except for my name but my body had known how to use bow and arrow. The old man give me a bow and trained me to become an archer saying something like:

“A bow is a crystallization of human soul that uses an arrow to speak what lies deep within him”

I honestly have no idea what the hell it means and it didn’t help me even once to remember anything about myself. Not to boast, but despite my condition, I am blessed with tremendous talent in archery that can put anyone to shame. As to prove it, my bow is different amongst the normies. It’s appearance is a bit grandiose and has a weird shape and it packs quite a punch. It has many enchantments and one of those is that it easily kills an insect type monsters. It is my old man’s bow, Eden Bow 3. I don’t know what the 3 on that name meant but it  sure is a powerful bow, however it takes a talent like me to be able to use it.

“Ha!! Hyaa! Hiyyaaa!!!”

“Don’t get too close! I can’t shoot!!”

“I am wounded! Heal me quick!!

As I walk nearer to the gates, I pass through the several adventurers who are currently hunting as a party.

How nostalgic, before, my old man used to take me in different places to hunt. Since then, I steadily grown and improved

Now, I am eligible to become a Hunter however the Hunter’s Guildsman is somewhere in Hugel which is very far from here. Going there is a pain so I guess I will take it if I am in a mood and besides my ambition is not to be just a Hunter. My ambition is to become the greatest and richest bowman in the whole continent. I will erase the notion that archers are nothing but just a support personnel shooting twigs from behind. Why I have this kind of ambition? Because it is cool and being a man and alive equals being cool anyways. While walking nearly at the gate, the guard had noticed me and waved.

“You seemed late today lad.”

“I fell asleep.” I replied simply.

The guard lightly laughed and watch me pass the gates.

As I went inside, I look at the short bridge leading inside the village itself and starts walking ahead. Beneath this bridge is a small ridge with a stream and when you look around, the trees here are thinner compared to the forest outside.

Houses majorly made of timber can be seen throughout the city, it gives you an oriental feeling.  As I pass through the 2nd gate, several stalls are scattered here and there. Most merchants that come here are from the port city of Alberta at east and from the Sograt Desert who is far west. There are those that came from the capital city of Prontera but they are just a minority compared to porters and desert travellers.

The bustling stalls are as lively as ever. Several items are spreaded here and there. Curious, I walk slower as I pass through this street. I look around trying to find something interesting, and at this exact moment, I heard something behind me.

“MOVE JACKASS!!!!”

Whoaa!!!!!!

I was about to turn around when all of a sudden, my body flew forward. My face hitting first the ground, my vision flickers and I could feel sharp pain behind me. What in the hell!?? I tried to lift up but I couldn’t. Something was pinning me from behind. What the hell is this thing!? It is damn heavy!!. My eyes feels prickly due to debris but still I forced myself to focus around me. Several trunks that I had gathered and tied behind me are now in tatters and scattered here and there. Great!!! Whoever piece of shit did this, I’ll make sure to turn your body into a sponge. As I about to lift my head…

*PAW!!*

Ouuuccchhh!!!!!,  My face was forcefully pinned down again. The thing behind me suddenly move. I could feel the heel of the shoes stomping on my back and at my head and as if in hurry, had run away. I gritted my teeth due to severe pain and hurriedly look at the thing that make me like a rug. Black straight long hair, slender body, wearing light leather armor with a long leather skirt obviously designed for moving easily, a pair of greaves and gauntlets and lastly a sword hanging on its side and a buckler behind her. Looking at that thing’s body, I could only assume it was a female swordsman. The only distinct feature I could see on her is her sword, since she has a buckler, I could tell that is a one handed sword with a wide blade curved a bit on its end and topped with several extra edges that is obviously designed to inflict unsightly wounds on the target. It looks heavy for a one handed sword. I engraved her image to my head as she runs away.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

That bitch!!!, I lift my body and was about to pick my bow that is scattered on the ground when I heard something again from behind. What is it this time!!!? I hurriedly turned my head and saw three soldiers in their light armor and spear running towards me, no, towards the swords woman who went ahead. The three soldiers passed by me and there is one male archer trailed behind. He slowed his pace and looks at me and said:

“Are you alright?”

….seriously? I looked at him and said:

“Oh yes!! I am “ALRIGHT!”. If being pushed behind, stomped on and forced to eat dirt is your definition of alright then yes I am alright!! No problem!! I only sustain severe wounds thanks to that jackass!!”

The archer smiled wryly and went ahead, following the soldiers chasing the sword woman. Put my bow behind me, dusted myself and gather again the now broken trunks one by one. Damn it!! That bitch!! Thanks to her I will be scolded again by my old man!! I’ll make her pay if I see her!! I can still feel a bit pain here and there, I flex my muscles a bit and started to walk again towards my destination. The people around me go back to their own businesses like nothing happened. How heartless…

After walking for a bit longer, I could now see the gate going to the Archer’s Village. Archer’s Village is a detachment camp of Payon in the outskirts that serve as a watch for the notorious Payon Cave which is located nearby. The Archer Guildsman is located at this village and serves as a headquarters of Archers and also me and my old man’s home. My old man, who is the head of Archer’s Guild is the one who administers this place as a representative of the current Payon Village Chief, Isolte Irine.

As I pass the gate and greet the guard nearby, I am trying to think about the events earlier. Who is that sword woman? Why is she being chased by the soldiers? Is there something happening? These past few days, I heard a major incident had happened however because I don’t care about a thing, I don’t have a slight idea of what is happening. As I walked towards the elevated slope going to the guildhouse, I could hear a rustling sound nearby. Are there monsters here? That is rare.. Curious, I walk towards the greenery and there I saw it. Someone is there, someone is hiding. A person with a black long hair sitting  behind the shrubs and obviously pressing her body beneath the trunk of the tree. Noticing me, the thing slowly turned its head towards me and recognized it as a girl. She has a beautiful face, her eyes were sharp and you can see a glint of fierceness behind it. I looked closer and noticed she is wearing a light leather armor with a long skirt, her body is slender despite being covered by that armor and has a snow white complexion. Her appearance is very noblelike even though she is hiding. I could see a glint of her buckler behind and of course the sword that I recognized well. In other words, this fellow is the same person who stomped me behind earlier.

“Sssshhhhh….”

The swords woman put a quiet gesture and tries to shoo me away. I am just looking at her, stunned. I don’t expect that I will meet her again and in all places it would be here. Why is this fellow here?. I heard sounds of incoming footsteps going towards here and turned my head on that direction. I looked back again to her and gave me again a quiet gesture and starts climbing the tree quickly, attempting to hide on top in a guise of the leaves, I watched her as she climb nimbly like a monkey. How could she climb that fast wearing those heavy looking stuff? And then something came to my mind. After a while, I heard the footsteps behind me.

“Excuse me.. Have you seen a sword woman around here? She has a long black hair with sharp eyes and has a buckler on her back with a sword on her side.”

I look at the soldier asking me and then took a peek on the sword woman hiding at the tree. She waves her hand frantically as she was trying to say not to disclose her whereabouts. I grinned to myself and put my cargo at the ground. Taking out my bow from behind, the soldiers got cautious and step back, trying to draw there spears. I looked at them with a grin and tell them:

“If you are looking for a sword woman with an ugly face and with a stupid looking eyes and with an overall look like a bitch, then she is there!! Hiding at that tree!!”

I pointed out at the tree behind me, on where the sword woman is hiding. I took a glance to it and saw the frantic face of the sword woman, however as to not be intimidated, she compose herself and remain in hide. The soldiers look up and said:

“I dont see anyone there”

I quickly draw an arrow and shoot at the tree, towards the sword woman. The sword woman quickly jumped away however her footing messed up and end up slipped. The soldiers looking what happened were astonished but immediately composed themselves as they scramble towards the tree. The sword woman, fell down with a bam on the ground. The soldiers surround her with their spears pointing towards her. Wearing an anguish expression, she looks up towards the soldiers and shoot me a glare. As if she is about to cry, she raise her hand and let herself be caught by the soldiers. I watched the group as they tied the poor girl with a rope. The male archer I met earlier came towards me and said:

“Thank you for your cooperation. You must be Kavach isn’t it?”

I looked at him and answered:

“Yes I am. I am not surprised, but it seems I am pretty popular without me knowing it.”

The male archer chuckled and bow his head. He walked towards the group and as if he remember something, he turn his head towards me. With a smiling face,

“Nice to meet you then. My name is Chris. Chris Milshion. My rank is below you, so you will be my senior. Please take care of me here and on.”

The male archer, with a slender body and has a same clothing as me gives me a beaming smile. With a neck leveled purple hair and wearing a light leather garments that allows quick movement, together with boots and an armguard, this archer is a bit younger than me probably by a year in my estimate. However despite his young appearance, I could sense that he is skilled specially on a way how he handles himself.

“Can I ask something? Where will you take that girl?”

I ask just in case.

“This girl had committed a crime. We will take her to the Archer’s Guildsman and present him to the head for further judgement.”

Right, let me explain to you the security measures for this village. Payon Village soldiers are composed of spearmans and archers, where is the majority of these force are archers and hunters. The village was a home for two prominent guild houses at whole Midgard, Archer’s Guild and Hunter’s Guild. However, because of various reasons, Hunter’s Guild has been relocated to Hugel therefore only the Archer’s Guild remain. The Archer’s Guild who was directly under the jurisdiction of the Village Chief was headed by his representative, my Grandfather Isolte Irine, who is a direct relative of the Village Chief himself. These guild house serve as the headquarters of the Archers on the whole village and Midgard and was given power to secure the perimeters and uphold the law of Payon Village. While the Archers dwelled at the Archer’s Village, the Spearmans was directly reporting at the palace. If there is any major crime that happened, the one who judge these criminals was the Archer’s Guild while minor crimes was being handled by the palace. These cases will then be reported back to the Village Chief to inform him of the situation.

“Ehhh… If she will be taken to the guild, then it means, this bitch really messed up big time eh.”

“Yes Kavach, she is. She was suspected as one of the accomplices who kidnaps the Princess.”

My eyes open wide after hearing this. Just what is this? The Princess has been kidnapped? She is missing? This is the first I heard this.

“The princess was missing?”

“Yes.. I thought you know about it Kavach, considering you are directly under the guild master. Could it be, I am wrong perhaps?”

Chris stold me provokingly, his lips grinning unpleasantly as if to mock me for my ignorance. I haven’t heard this from old man, I should complain about this. For all the people that he will not tell it, why he didn’t tell it to me first? Now I look like an idiot in front of these kid!

“Well then.. Let’s get going.. I believe you are also on your way to the guild house right?”

Chris walk towards the group. Dragging the swords woman with them, the group move towards the guild house that lies ahead. I followed them quietly while checking for my cargo behind me. This narrow solitary path was being roasted by sunlight. As the sun take its peak, I could hear the cicadas crying and the sound of different animals nearby. I could feel the refreshing air coming from the forest around us and a faint sound of splashing of water nearby. However, despite these pleasant day, seeing the group in a few steps in front of me dragging a helpless girl with them spoils it.

“We apprehend the suspect, take us to the head.”

Chris told the guard in front of the guild house. Nodding his head, the other guard  beside him hurriedly went inside. I looked at the sword woman whose face was covered by her long black hair. I couldn’t tell her expression however I could see her shaking. Is she shaking from anger? Or is she shaking because of humiliation? Well, you reap what you saw bitch. After a few moments, the guard went out and open the door. We went inside and the guard had told us that the head will meet us to his office. Nodding in confirmation, we do as he said and went upstairs. The archer’s guildsman is a big two storey building with several rooms inside. Outside of the guild house, there is an open archery range where several young archers are training. The inside of the building is bustling where several archers just like me and some bureaucrats are going left and right with papers and equipment on their hand. I could even hear the shouting of several people on the training room far ahead and rough sounds of metal beating at the equipment room. The guild itself is lively just like every normal day however today is specially different, it is more than the usual. I could see several people bringing in crates towards the supplies room and several people with a serious look on their face.

*Knock knock*

“Chris Milshion here, reporting.”

“Come in”

A deep voice came from inside telling us to come in. Chris opens the door and lead the group inside. I went inside too to report my quest was done and to talk to my old man. The old man looks at me and asks:

“Kavach, have you get the materials?”

“Yeah I did old man. I’ll take it later at the supplies room. I would like to ask something it is in regard---”

“Excuse me sir, but this is an urgent matter. We apprehend the criminal who was suspected as an accomplice of the people who kidnap the princess. We present to you these swords woman who was seen lurking around the palace and village a few days back. We asks for your judgement in regards with these matter.”

This brat!! How dare he cuts on me!! Chris stares seriously to my old man, ignoring me. I could feel the irritation building up inside me.

“HOW MANY TIMES I TOLD YOU.. I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!!”

The swords woman suddenly stands up as she shouts and look fiercely to my old man. In contrast, the old man just look straight at her smiling provokingly, not even intimidated slightest. He remains compose and exudes an aura of a veteran as he leans on his chair and place his head on his fist, looking at the sword woman.

“I like your eyes lass, what is your name?”

The soldiers quickly point there spear towards the sword woman while Chris draw his bow. As if ignoring the people around her, the sword woman just fiercely stare at my old man. Her hands, still tied was shaking but her composure was within her control. Ohhh… Not bad.. Not being intimidated by the spears pointing against her, the sword woman answered:

“Yoona.. Cha Eun Yoona..”

The old man raises his eyebrows and ask again..

“Cha Eun Yoona?.. What a strange name. Where did you came from Cha?”

“My first name is Yoona, well.. It is just arrange that way.. Uhm.. I came from the far East..”

“Far east you say? There are several countries across the far east.. Are you perhaps you came from one of those isles at the far east?”

“Does it matter? I apologize but let me clear you one thing. I don’t know anything about what you accusing me and I don’t give a damn about the princess. I even don’t know her.”

My old man, took out a cigarette from his drawer and light it up. As he inhales the cigarette, he puffs the smoke towards Yoona and lean his body forward, holding his now lit cigarette with his right. The old man then open his mouth and said:

“Then why are you with the princess the last night?”

“Ha!? What do you mean? I said I don’t know who is the princess!”

“Last night at around 8pm, someone from the inn saw you taking glances at the princess. The princess was wearing the ceremonial attire of a Soul Linker, there attire should stand out. Everyone at this village knows that the princess is a Soul Linker. The inn keeper reported that time that you are sitting at the tables near her.”

“Eh!?”

The sword woman’s eyes wide open. Judging from her expression, she is trying to remember something. I look at Chris and afterwards, Chris looks at me too, grinning. This brat..  

“If you are referring to the girl wearing a long brown robe with ornaments, yes that is true that I had seen her at the inn. But because I am new and just arrived at this Village a few days ago, I am just curious on her looks. It is just happens that I came to that inn to eat and just happen to saw her.”

Yoona said as she looks straight back to my old man.

“Then why did you follow her?”

“I follow her because she acts strange. Her movements are hazy and her expression was blank. I thought she will collapse anytime so I was keeping an eye on her. When I was about to approach her, she stands up and walks towards the gates at the north. I tried following her but I lost her when she went outside the gate”

The old man puffs again with an another smoke and push the lit of the cigarette at the ashtray. He looks again to Yoona still wearing his provoking smile.

“The princess was vanished at around that time. Several villagers saw her in a daze. Are you perhaps did something to her that force her to walk by herself outside, like magic?”

The old man lean forward further, placing both of his elbow on the table and lean his face on his entwined hands. Yoona moves forward and tries to shake off her rope wearing a furious expression. Ehh.. only fools will believe this. There is no way a muscle head like a swords woman can do that kind of magic.

“RIDICULOUS!! I CAN’T DO THAT KIND OF MAGIC!! MY INTELLIGENCE IS TOO LOW TO EVEN USE ONE!!”

Yoona glares furiously the old man. Watching her exchange with my old man, I couldn’t help but mockingly laugh internally. Of course dumbass.. You just purposely declared how stupid you are.. Your intelligence is too low!? Pfftt…..

“Pffttt… Hahahahahaha!!”

Oh crap! I couldn’t hold it and laughed hard. Everyone at the room look at me surprisingly. Yoona’s face was beaming in anger as she looks on me.

“What is funny you walking stick!”

Yoona angrily shouts at me, but I looked at her mockingly.

“Oh I am sorry, I couldn’t help but laugh with what you said, “My intelligence is too low!” hahahaha. You just one sidedly admitted that you are an idiot!! Hahaha”

Yoona rush towards me and gives me a headbutt!. My vision flickers and I fell down on my butt. I looked at her annoyingly and said:

“You bitch! What was that for!!”

“I am not an idiot!! I just admitted that I can’t use that kind of magic!!”

“That’s why your an idiot!! Of course swordsmans are not fit to use that kind of magic in the first place! You people are just nothing but muscle head anyways!!”

“What did you say!!!”

Yoona rushed towards me but was stopped by the nearby soldier. She was thrown at the ground and when she was about to lift her head, the soldier point the tip of spear in her face. Her expression is very furious and her glare is fierce enough to kill someone but she didn’t move from her spot.

“Eh hehehe, you guys are funny.”

Chris gives a chuckle while watching us. He gives me a mocking smile and said:

“As expected from someone who self acclaimed the strongest archer! Your ability to rile people up is outstanding!”

Yoona and I watch Chris irritatingly. Chris still wearing a mocking grin looks at us provingkingly. Honestly dude, I hate your guts.

“You have a nice personality there buddy”

I said straight as I stare irritatingly to Chris. He shrugged his shoulders and looks to my old man. My old man then said:

“You guys finished?”

Everyone at the room except to the soldier with his spear to Yoona’s face looked towards the old man. The old man gives a sigh and leans back to his chair, seemingly lose his interest.

“Haaa.. Its nice to be young eh.. It is just what Kavach had said, a swordsman isn’t capable of doing such magic. If you are a sage, that would be a different story.”

“Then! I--”

“However, it doesn’t mean your innocent. The suspicion for you to be one of the accomplices will not dropped off just like that. Just because you can’t use that kind of magic, doesn’t mean you are not involved.”

Yoona sways her head angrily, pushing away the tip of spear from her and stands up. Her sharp eyes glares at the old man and said:

“Then let me prove it to you! I will save the princess and prove to you that I am not the one who did it!”

For a moment there, I saw my old man grin a little but it lasts only for an instant. He stares to Yoona straight to her eyes and with a serious expression.

“Then, I will take up on your offer. Save the princess, and you will leave this village with your head and honor attached.”

The old man looks at the nearby soldier and with a commanding tone:

“Release her rope”

The soldier unties her immediately and returns back to his post, guarding Yoona’s confiscated equipment. Yoona shakes her hand without taking away her eyes to the old man.

“Remember, if ever you escape. Your name will be all around the Midgard as a wanted woman. You don’t want to be pursue endlessly by some bounty hunters or soldiers right? It would be too inconvenient for you if you cannot also stay in the cities right?”

“I am not stupid, I am a swordsman! I uphold what I said!”

“Good. However, before I gave you the details of your quest. I am curious how capable of you. I don’t want to waste any resources to someone I don’t know well, moreover, a criminal.”

“Good, then let’s fight here!”

As Yoona take her stance, the old man push her hand upfront and snickers.

“Let’s not be violent shall we? I want you to get 100 Raccoon Leaves and 1 Kitty Band from the Smokies at the Payon Forest.”

“Is that all? Sounds easy old man!”

Yoona folds her hands as she looks intensely at the old man. Wearing a proudful face, she smile fearlessly.

“Yes that is all. If you can bring those to me within 3 days, then I will acknowledge you. I will let someone to watch you. Kavach!”

I had a bad feeling about this. Immediately stand up after being called by the old man. I look towards him wearing a tired face.

“Kavach, you will watch Yoona. You will be the one to verify if she did her quest right. I forbid her to buy any of these leaves and Kitty Band to the merchants and will only strictly take those only from the Smokies. You will watch her progress and report it to me afterwards. You know where are those right?”

How troublesome, why in all people should be the one to do this?

“Old man, it is exhausting to watch this idiot. Can you just let Chris do the job?”

Chris put his hand on his mouth and chuckled a little. Damn this little shit, he pisses me off.

“The self acclaimed strongest archer is refusing a trivial job and push it to his junior? This is surprising”

Oh right, I am surprised to myself that I haven’t punch you yet dumbass. I annoyingly look at Chris who is still chuckling. Yoona glares at me while her hands are fold. She snorts and said:

“Hmpf. Okay old man, it seems you want me to take care of this piece of baggage. Very well, I will accept it.”

The old man laughs heartily and clap his hands. We looked towards him and the old man stands up. Looking at the soldier and nods. The soldier nods back and brought back the confiscated equipment to Yoona. She happily takes it and check for her equipments. Her shiny buckler that is a bit dented in some edges and her one handed sword that looks odd. After nodding to herself, she equips her equipment and look at the old man. Now with a face full of pride, as if what happened earlier didn’t exist, she said pridefully:

“I Cha Eun Yoona, will do this quest and prove to you that I am capable to save the princess and to prove that I am innocent. I swear this in the honor of my title as a swordsman of midgard!”

The old man smile gently and nods.

“Well said. Now go, may the blessing of Odin be with you.”

For a moment there, I was enthralled by Yoona. Her noble demure and that confidence she is exuding. What happened earlier is like an imagination from the past, the Yoona in front of me now is beaming with confidence full of pride. As she walk towards me, I stared at her seemingly lost in a daze. I could feel something tugging within my heart. After a few steps, Yoona is in front of me, wearing a confident smile. She holds my hand and with a radiant smile she said:

“Die!!”

She holds my hands very tightly that I could hear my bones slowly creaking. I tried to broke away from her strong grip but I couldn’t shake her off.

“Let’s go now, baggage!!”

And with that, Yoona starts to dash out of the room forcefully dragging me with her.

“Hey wait! What about my opinion!! I am not agreeing to this yet!!”

I frantically shout as she drags me outside. Still wearing that radiant smile, she faces me while not stopping and said:

“Shut up you baggage and follow me!!”

“Is this what you call following!?”

Yoona just ignored my plea and just continue to rush out of the building while being pitifully dragged on my hand. Damn it at least loosen your grip you damn brute!!!!

I looked at Yoona’s face and I could see her smiling radiantly. It feels odd seeing her like that after the ordeal but looking at her like that,.. It is not bad. I look at the clear blue sky, as I feel the gentle sunlight streaming on my face, I realize that I got involved into something troublesome. Now will thing be interesting from now on? I would like to see. I am interested on what this Yoona could do. What could she do to me? Will thing be interesting. As we run away a further down the road from the guild house, the girl in question suddenly stop and turns around to me in a half spin and give me a warm and gentle smile.

“I will look forward working with you trash. Again, I am Cha Eun Yoona, a Swordsman. Nice to meet you!”

Stunned by her smile, I feel my face blushing a little. Ignoring the word “trash”, I look at the side to hide my embarrassment and respond curtly,

“Nice to meet you too. My name is Kavach Icarus, and it is not trash”

I looked at her straight and pointed my finger on her, Yoona bewildered on what I am doing, I declare:

“Kavach Icarus, strongest and greatest archer of whole Midgard! Remember that name pleab and be honored!!”

I give her a grin and with a proud expression, look straight at her full of confidence. Yoona still bewildered then composed herself and grinned in returned, her sharp eyes looking straight at me and said:

“Not bad trash!”

And this how Me the Strongest Archer and Yoona the Bitch-ass swords woman met.