Volume 1 Chapter 15 (1/2)

I’ll like to see it. The ability to hit any target within 200 metres.

In reality, the biggest hurdle for every archer would be to accurately hit a target. The status may increase, and the equipment may become increasingly effective, raising the power of each shot. However, all of these are redundant if the arrow doesn’t land. Unlike the sword and the spear, the bow user requires practice and accuracy for the bow to be effective. It would be impossible for a new archer to accurately hit a target at 200 metres away unless it was a massive monster.

It takes a new bow user at least five years minimum before he can become a first-class archer. There are several first-class bow users that are well-known through the world, however almost all of them specialize in the crossbow. There aren’t many people who would spend years of their life to master a bow when they could simply use a crossbow which was easier to use. Even if the crossbow sacrifices power and range, it was still effective as a range weapon.

Mastering the bow was avoided mainly due to the commitment required to merely utilise effectively. However, once mastered, it is one of the most powerful weapons. Bowmen could easily let loose waves of arrows down upon swordsmen and spearmen with a force close to a sword strike. It is a weapon that can be the strongest if mastered, and the weakest when unprepared.

[Luna, can you search for enemies nearby?] (Youya)

[Uhn. I’ll try to.] (Luna)

Luna began to search for enemies using Presence Detection. Presence Detection is a convenient ability to have as it allows us to search in a radius of 150 metres around us, increasing our hunting efficiency as well as preventing surprise attacks.

[Found it. Youya. Til. In this direction, there is a rabbit monster hiding in the grass 140 metres away.] (Luna)

In the direction that Luna pointed, the grass that grew to knee level, could be seen moving unnaturally as if there was something inside. It would have easily been dismissed as the wind if we didn’t have Luna’s Presence Detection. After listening to Luna’s directions, Til’s expression changed. The atmosphere around her changed from an energetic young girl to a seasoned hunter as she generated an arrow.

[Til. Can you see it?] (Youya)

[Yeah. The eyes of an elf is special. Especially the eyes that belong to an Ether Lance. I can see the rabbit in the grass as clear as day.] (Til)

Looking closely, her jade-coloured eyes were shining with a jade glow.

Thinking back, I’ve heard about the eyes inherited by her family. Among the elves, there are families who have a stronger connection to their ancestor’s blood as compared to a normal elf. This gave them the ability to see long distances, fluoroscopic ability, dynamic vision that far surpasses a human’s ability and even the ability to predict several seconds into the future. This was an ability that every bowmen desperately wanted as it was an ability that raises their combat effectiveness beyond their status.

Til released her hand and arrows flew through the air. It wasn’t just one arrow but three arrows. She released three arrows in a single breath with such refined movement that even an amateur could understand. The arrows weren’t flying directly at the target, but rather drawing a huge arc as it rode the strong winds blowing in the plains. When shooting a target a hundred metres away, even without exposure to strong winds, it would be impossible to predict where the arrows would land. However, the arrows that Til released flew through the plains as if it was one with the wind.

[PII GYUUU]

The scream of the monster could be heard in the distance, and the sensation of power welling up from within could be felt. It is the sensation a person feels when they are gaining experience points.

[Uhn. That was amazing. All three shots landed.] (Luna)

[Your aim is as good as Phil’s.] (Youya)

[Because we have the same teacher. After she left, I was always the best in the competition! I can hit my target about 200 metres away with about 70% accuracy! If it’s three hundred.. Maa I’ll manage somehow!] (Til)

That is a reliable accuracy. With this range, we can perform a one-sided hunt with arrows form a distance. There is no safer way to hunt monsters than to hunt a monster even further than the range of Presence Detection. In addition, it can be used for luring.

[I understand that your archery skills are top-notch now. Did you allocate all of your skill points properly?] (Youya)

[Yeah. I did as you told me to and put three points into Arrow generation.] (Til)

[Good. It will be an important skill for you in the future. As it is now, a quiver of arrows won’t last very long in the dungeon. Using the skill will allow you to produce arrows using your mana. In addition, the quality of the arrows corresponds with your status, meaning that the arrows will become stronger as you level up. Eventually, it will be stronger than any commercially available arrows sold in stores everywhere.] (Youya)

[hee. That sounds pretty amazing. I did feel that the arrows I made earlier was pretty bad, so they will become better in the future.] (Til)

[I guarantee it. What about the other two points?] (Youya)

[I properly placed them in the other skill.] (Til)

[Good girl.] (Youya)

That skill was necessary to unlock the strongest benefit of a Spirit Archer.

Well then, time to continue the hunt.

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Afterwards, the hunt progressed smoothly. Til was able to spot enemies from a distance thanks to her superior vision. That vision itself was a powerful weapon for battles. Monsters that were hidden from her vision was revealed by Luna’s Presence Detection. If there were any monsters who were approaching us, we would defeat them with ranged attacks. From this, I could tell that Til’s accuracy wasn’t the only thing noteworthy. Her rate of fire and power were exceptional as well.

Til’s level is raising steadily as well. She is currently level 3, and the skill points were immediately used. At the moment, her skills were sufficient. It’s about time for us to venture deeper into the plains. Generally, the deeper you enter in a dungeon, the stronger the monsters.