Chapter 3: A Challenge That Could Be Avoided
From the Bluespirit District viewed the Carus River and beside that river located an Archer Training Ground. All the users who desire to learn the Archery would be able to receive it there.
In the center of the training ground, a beautiful Elf Archer stood still with a bow grasped by her left hand, as her skin radiated from the sunlight’s ray, outlining her curves with brilliance. Her glowing blonde hair reached her waist, and the ruby eyes she possessed surveyed around. She saw some trainees had left after they’ve hit their target successfully.
“They are all simple-minded. After they received the skill, they’ll go right away to the outside world without enhancing it further…” She worriedly commented.
While watching the adventurers trying to hit the target practice on the other side of Carus River, the beautiful Elf Archer Trainer sighed as her trainees were lacking with talents and willingness to learn her skill.
Elves are masters of Bows and Magics, that’s their forte any race wouldn’t be able to defeat. However the adventurers disgraced this fact by letting the numerical value(stats) take over their skills.
To change one’s profession, they have to reach certain stats, so they have to train under the trainer to raise their fundamentals before they could become an Archer. But the training would take a while and painstaking, that’s why in their’ perspective it’s better to hunt monsters than to stay and let themselves undertake a laborious session.
“I could raise the requirements to get the skill.” It was a solution she came up to, but a problem would arise such as losing more players willing to begin their journey in their city, or more works for other training ground. They were in that bad situation especially the Warrior Trainer isn’t present.
“Alrunor…”As she remembered the missing trainer, her facial expression grimmed, “where are you? I hope you are safe…,” and she wished his good condition.
The Archer Trainer and Warrior Trainer knew each other ever since they were young. They’d played together, grew up together, and ventured together. Their relationship was as close as being called a couple, which quite true because she’s in love with him. However Alrunor had no such feelings towards her. He only cared about swordsmanship and ways to improve himself. Even so she’s still love him to the bottom of her heart.
As she was in the middle of worrying about her beloved man, an Elf with red hair and small ears entered her training ground. He quickly moved to the racks of bow and arrows and took the shares of a trainee. Any trainees would be able to touch those supplies but they needed permission from a trainer.
“What’s up with that guy?” She noticed him and immediately went to him. She was a bit surprised with his appearance. Because of his short ears and dark expression, he looked like from the demon race. She doubted his existence for a second, but it wasn’t the time to do that.
“Young elf, you are not supposed to take those without--”
“Quiet. I have no time with you. I need to learn a skill before sunset. I’m way behind my schedule you know!” He angrily said without batting an eye to her while examining the quality of the arrows.
She was flabbergasted. She never encountered an adventurer bad-mouthing a trainer. Usually, the adventurers were really polite and respectful since they knew how terrifying to madden a combat npc because of their level.
However the Red Elf wasn’t showing any fear nor backing out when he saw her and identified she’s in charge of the place. He was lucky that the trainer before him is the most forgiving and understandable to all npcs of Carus Karn.
“Everyone are in a hurry, I understand that fact, but you need my permission to use those.”
“Now that you know, then it’s okay right?” He said while checking the strength of the string.
“You don’t under--”
“Just go away, okay? Like I said, I have no time to spare just to chit-chat. I have a quota to catch up.”
He wasn’t listening to her at all! She’s being polite but the Red Elf was shooing her away. Because of his behavior, her blood flowed into her head and pulsating heavily because of anger!
“Whoah! He’s so brave but he’s dead now.”
“He won’t be able set his foot here.”
“Only idiots would be able to talk back like that.”
All of the listening trainees were also surprised, and thinking he would die in an instant and wouldn’t be able to come back anymore!
She sighed and said as her voice was covered with freezing breeze: “I’m Elfina, the Archer Trainer. You shouldn’t talk to me like that. You should respect--”
“So? If you are a trainer then you’re not supposed to waste my time with chattery.”
“What…? You disrespectful fool! A young one like you should respect us trainers!”
It’s on! Her anger reached its limit and was about to burst out. She was going to kick him out but she changed her mind because of his next line.
“Respect? Including the goddamn Warrior Trainer? Tellme-tellme, should I respect that guy? Why is he in vacation anyway? What about guys like me who wants to learn the swordsmanship? He’s so carefree! Leaving his work just to go in an adventure… Did he know how hard to find a job?! He’s the most disrespectful fool I encountered, you know. Now I’m behind my plan because of that guy!”
Ever since the Red Elf discovered the reason of the Warrior Trainer’s disappearance, he held a deep grudge against the guy. He neglected his work just to find something for two months, when there’s many users who needed him. This incident reminded him of the government official in his world. The people needed help but the mayor wasn’t present and having a playful vacation somewhere else with his mistress!
And his second reason was because of the hellish job-searching planted itself to his memory. He couldn’t forgive fools who resigned or left their work because of personal reason. That’s the most disrespectful thing for someone like him that almost died from heat and hunger to find a job. He wouldn’t forgive those insolent fools even they died and went to hell!
‘So it’s because of Alrunor…’
Elfina knew about the adventurers that wanted to learn the swordsmanship. They were all devastated and regretting they’d start in Carus Karn. Every time she hear the same stories from her new trainees, she felt bad about them. She was thinking if she abled to stop Alrunor back then, then they wouldn’t need to force themselves to learn another skill, which like their parents told them to stop dreaming and pick another course in college.
“I’m sorry. I--”
“What are you still doing here? Just go. You’re annoying.”
Even so, she’s still hate the Red Elf! Although he’s one of the victims of Alrunor’s selfish adventure, she couldn’t take his disrespectful tone. She was already trying to understand him, but he’s still refusing her kindness.
‘A person like him should be punished once in a while!’
She pointed her fingers at the target practice, and looking down on the Red Elf.
“Well then, for you to get the Archery Skill, you have to hit the red mark five times and continuously.”
DING!
Trial: Learning the Archery SkillArcher Trainer Elfina gave you the first trial to become an Archer.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Upon successfully completing the challenge, you’ll be able to learn the Archery Skill.
Objective: Fire five perfect marks continuously
“Oh shit… she’s really angry…”
“Isn’t the requirement difficulty too high?”
“Shhh. Just don’t mind him. She might bring up yours too. And besides it’s his fault why he received a punishment.”
All of the onlookers that overheard them had the same opinion about the Red Elf’s punishment, but the Red Elf didn’t care about it. Instead, he was fired up to complete it right away.
‘Let’s get started.’
+++
In HRF Philippine branch office, Yoshida was on the phone, talking to his superior. He was reporting about the new applicants progress, as the scenes of the surveillance program installed in their players’ game capsules were airing in his computer screen; the view changing every minute.
“Sir, all of the applicants are doing great.”
“That’s good, that’s good. Can you make some brief reports about their adventure?”
“Yes sir.” Yoshida browsed the reports he typed and printed out just a moments ago. “Applicant #24 has been exploring the Valley of Raptorus. He found some mining spots and good hunting grounds there. Written in his report that he will search further there. Then Applicant #05 discovered a quest that might lead to a special class. I went to his room and told him to finish the quest and make a report how to unlock and get it.”
“Does he know he have to decline the class?”
“Yes, I told him that, but I think he’s dishearten because of the restriction we gave him.”
“If he steal the profession, fire him right away. We don’t need someone stealing our profitable product.”
“I understand sir. I’m monitoring him 24/7 right now, to make sure he won’t secretly take it and make a lie in his report.”
It was a hard choice for gamers to give away their secrets and discoveries but that’s the company policy of HRF. Just one wrong move and they will be kicked out. That’s why they had no choice but to do their orders, even it’s painful at their side.
“Now I think about it, Sir Halls, I received a report about the missing Warrior Trainer in Carus Karn.”
“What about it?”
“Our applicants assume it could be a special quest. It might lead to a special profession. Don’t you think it’s a good idea to send our players to search for--”
“No need. We are not going to participate in an event we don’t know if it will give a benefit of our time. And besides, Sigmaline and RRC are already looking for that quest. They might be already killing each other to get their hands on it. So just focus on improving our applicants’ level and numbers. Don’t meddle on things that are useless and waste of energy.”
“Will do, sir!”
“I’m expecting more good reports from you, Yoshida.”
As the line was cut, Yoshida leaned on his chair and continued to observe the applicants. Among them was the Red Elf named Preach.
+++
Preach’s left hand held the wooden bow tightly. His right stretched the string, while his three fingers were grasping the arrow vanes; focusing his eyes on the red mark as though he’s a bull that hates the color. With a breath in and breathe out, easing his posture, and steadying his arms, the wooden arrow left his grasp.
Swish!
The arrow flew fiercely towards the other side of the river, cutting the gentle wind it passed through. Preach’s lips curved upward, expecting that it would finally hit the bulls-eye he longed for.
Stab! Crack!
Just as he expected the arrow struck the perfect spot. It was a clean hit that made a crack on the target practice. Everyone around were astonished. They couldn’t believe someone can pull off an amazing arrow shot.
“That’s his third.”
“I think he can defeat the challenge.”
“Damn, this is so exciting.”
Upon the successful aiming, the trainees watching him had an excited face. Ever since Preach accepted the challenge from Archer Trainer Elfina, everyone were looking closely to him. At the beginning, they doubted he could do the trial, but then he hit the red spot twice consecutively. They couldn’t help but observe if he can overcome it or not, especially now he got his third. That meant he need two more to succeed.
“This is a crucial part.”
“I know. If he miss this one then he have to start over again.”
“I think the crucial part is after this though.”
“He will miss this, i’m sure of it.”
“Dont jinx it dude. Have mercy on him. He’s been there for three hours.”
“Well it’s his fault why he’s in that situation anyway.”
Even though their comments raised the atmosphere’s tension, Preach didn’t react nor stiffen. He actually couldn’t hear them anymore, because he’s completely immersed in his training. Even the time disappeared in his thought.
Preach readied another arrow. Once again, he’s focusing his eyes on the target practice, magnifying his sight on the red mark. It would be harder since there were already three arrows dug on it, but he didn’t care because there was still space between.
Pulling the bowstring harder than his previous attempt brought overwhelming strength to him. It was the fourth. After that, it’s the last one. He was excited, he couldn’t help but dream the event after the arrow lands.
Swish!
With the confidence in his eyes, he let out the accurate shot. The arrow flew in its maximum velocity and spined like a drill digging through the air pressure. It gradually decreased the distance as the time stopped for a moment to everyone. Their eyes were fixated to the dashing wooden arrow.
Stab!
For a moment their hearts stopped. They all looked at the target practice, and saw there were four arrows stucked on the same spot. Their mouths gaped open when they confirmed the successful aim.
“Holy shit!”
“That’s his fourth! The fourth!”
“It went in... Last one and it’s done!”
“I can’t believe it...”
“Now it’s really the crucial part.”
They were more excited than Preach. But for some reason, Preach grimmed because of his shot.
‘Argh! Wrong place! It should be a little bit on the left! Now there’s no space; this is bad...’
The arrows filled up the red mark. Because of that, the fifth shot was impossible. He could ask the trainer to call the wind spirits and take them off, but it was not an option because of the attitude he showed. Preach regretted he let his anger overshadowed his voice.
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