Chapter 52: Arc Training Center (1/2)
Arc Training Center, Leafway city;
Two young men are competing against each other in an indoor setup.
Scoring another ten, Wan Xue smirked at the other guy, ”There's no way you can beat me, Shiwon.”
Han Shiwon scoffed, ”you are only ahead of me by a score of 3. There are still 6 rounds left.”
5 minutes later, after winning by 7 points, Wan Xue grinned, ”Told you. I'll win easily.”
Suddenly, he was slapped in the back of his head and heard a voice, ”Hey, what are you showing off your skills for. You learned Archery from your childhood while he just started 1 year ago. Not to mention, you are 3 years older than him. If you want to compete against someone, go and defeat Hyori, instead.”
Wan Xue laughed embarrassedly while rubbing the back of his head, ”c'mon, uncle. You know that I can't. She's on an entirely different level.”
The middle-aged man who was standing behind is Ma Ling, the Master Archer who is considered as one of the best in the eastern continent back when he was in prime and currently, he is the boss of ATC.
Just then, 16-year-old Shiwon spoke, ”Hyori-Noona is here. Hmm, who is that?”
Upon hearing her name, Wan Xue turned his head to see Hyori and Wil entered together.
A frown appeared on his face as he saw both are talking to each other with all smiles.
Looking at them, she waved her hand and then bowed to the boss as they stopped before them.
Before anyone else asked, Hyori introduced Wil, ”this is my friend, Williard. He wants to learn Archery. I thought since Master is here, why I should recommend someone else to him.”
While Wan Xue eyed him suspiciously, Ma Ling asked Wil, ”Did you ever practice Archery before?”
Wil asked in return, ”Does it count if I say I'm a strong Archer in War Online?”
”War Online?” All four of them wondered out loud together at the same time.
Upon seeing their response, Wil fell silent and stared at them for a while before opening his mouth, ”It's a virtual reality game.”
”Oh, so, it's just a game, huh. C'mon, bro. How does shooting an arrow in-game is the same as the real world,” as Shiwon commented, the other three nodded in agreement.
Wil tried to explain, ”It's virtual reality. Not a game you can play on television or a computer. The feeling is completely different. It's like… forget it. Can I just get a membership?”
Giving up lecturing these archery enthusiasts, Wil paid 3000 credits joining membership fee and was given a membership card like others after paying another 6000 credits annual fee.
”Hyori, since he is your friend, I'll put him under your care.”
Then, he looked at Wil and said, ”If there's some doubt even she was unable to answer it, then, you can ask me directly.
For now, you can practice in the beginners' section. After you get a hang of it, then, you can practice in advance section. If you like long-distance targets, you can enter the training field.”
***
As Hyori and Wil standing in the beginners' section where the target is just 15 meters away, Wil sighed as he spoke, ”I expected that boss to not know about it but seriously, you four too? You go to college. How can you not know anything about it? War Online has more than 50 million player population, you know.”
Hyori bitterly smiled, ”I'm in the science department and I spent most of my time either studying in the library, class or at the lab at our university. In my free time, I practice Archery. So, I rarely had the time to care about such things as games.”
Two hours later, in the advanced section;
Wil shot the arrow at the dead center of the target, which is 30 meters away.
Looking at it, he mumbled, ”Hmm, looks like my skills returned. No, my precision is even better than the past. I guess playing in the game really improved my skill a little. But, this isn't enough. Anyway, I'm practicing for two hours already. It's enough for today.”
”Hyori-ssi, I'm going back.”
As he turned, Wil saw Hyori stayed still like a statue.
”Hello?”
He stood before her and waved his hand.
”kyaa... Yes?” As she came off her senses and was startled to see him up close.