Chapter 174
Making a direct deal with a Guardian was always dangerous. If you asked a Guardian for sothing, you could be setting yourself up to have no choice but to comply with a corresponding demand of theirs. That was the risk I faced. But right now, the situation was a little different.
This request isnt being made because I need it.
Granted, if you were to look at it technically, it was sothing I was requesting because I needed it. But the job of a Player was to artfully conceal that, to package it like it was a very reasonable and worthwhile deal in the [Night of Shooting Star]s eyes.
The Night of Shooting Stars said he would like to see the qualifications of an outstanding bowman from .
They needed it, not . All I had to do was show them that I was doing my best to fulfill that need.
However, I lack a weapon capable of reflecting my qualifications and competencies.
The only bow I had right now was the crude bow dropped by an Orc Archer. Even if I were to go into the Item Shop right now and buy one, I wouldnt be able to get that great of a bow.
Please give
the opportunity to show what the Night of Shooting Stars wants to see.
The Night of Shooting Stars wanted
to show my qualifications. To that end, he possessed a generous hand that did not skimp on investnt.
[The Night of Shooting Stars sympathizes with your words.]
[The rchant of Venice is watching the situation with interest.]
If I am unable to prove my own worth, I am prepared to accept whatever consequences necessary, I said firmly.
How would the [Night of Shooting Stars], our resident big investor and generous Guardian, respond? Because I had made such a big declaration, the Night of Shooting Stars would surely show
even greater magnanimity.
[The Night of Shooting Stars temporarily lends the Blackfire Bow.]
[The Blackfire Bow will be lent out for the duration of Player Kim Hyukjins quest.]
[The fee for borrowing the Blackfire Bow is sufficient qualifications as a bowman.]
[If Player Kim Hyukjin fails to prove sufficient qualifications as a bowman, he will incur a penalty.]
I imdiately read the Blackfire Bows description.
[Blackfire Bow]
Of the types of flas, there is redfire, which is consud by bluefire, which is in turn consud by blackfire. The Blackfire Bow bears the authority of blackfire. It can only be wielded by soone who has the highest grade of affinity for the fire attribute in addition to an innate talent for the archer class.
*The Blackfire Bow will decide for itself whether soone is qualified to wield it.
The test began even before I started fighting the Black Troll.
Ive never heard of the Blackfire Bow.
Interestingly, its grade was not indicated. That ant this bow was no ordinary item.
A fixed item a Guardian made on the spot for a quest.
In other words, it was like a quest prop. I could clearly see the words.
*The Blackfire Bow will decide for itself whether soone is qualified to wield it.
That was telling
the first step was to try earning the permission of this bow that imbued a Guardians authority, the Blackfire Bow.
Lets see here.
I raised the bow. My arm tingled. It felt as if heat were radiating from the bow and threatening to swallow
and my body alive.
This feeling
I was sure of it.
This energy is of a higher grade than the fire ki I possess.
There was no doubt about that. This energy was fundantally more outstanding than mine.
However
I had already experienced the flow and sll of fire. I ca into contact with flas of a higher grade than the ones inside
while fighting the Fire Giants, and from that experience, I learned the movent, flow, and nature of flas of a higher grade.
Like this.
I controlled the fire ki billowing from the bow with natural ease. This energy was not one that aid to swallow , but one that aid to help . I drew a concrete image in my mind of black flas wrapping around , and those flas becoming a part of my strength.
I raised the bow again. There was no real reason to. I just did it because I felt I had to.
[Observing with Observers Eye.]
This was the 2nd floor of the D-Tower. The knights of Wingswho werent Playerswere fighting the Orc Warriors.
The strongest of them.
I focused on the strongest Orc Warrior. Everything else faded away like smoke, leaving just
and the Orc.
An Orc Warrior swung its axe, striking one of the Wings guild mbers in the chest. That mont, I clearly saw an opening.
I see it.
Clear as day.
Fire.
My body moved naturally. My thoughts flowed naturally.
Submit.
[The Blackfire Bow acknowledges Player Kim Hyukjin.]
It was almost like I was soone who had trained with the bow many tis.
[The Blackfire Bow responds to the wielders will.]
[The Blackfire Bows fla is coming alight.]
This artifact required no arrows to be notched. An arrow of rippling black fla was ford.
My target is the middle of the Orcs forehead.
I released the bowstring. The result was very satisfying.
[Orc Warrior has been killed.]
[EXP acquired.]
No items were dropped.
Ive already tipped the battlefield in their favor.
They would likely have no trouble surviving the 2nd floor. I felt one of the two real Players of the Wings guild, the young boy Kim Donghyun, stare at , astonishnt bare on his face.
It was understandable. I also hadnt expected to be able to annihilate an Orc Warrior with a single arrow. I was surprised, so that boy was probably even more surprised.
Huh, that was easy.
I learned the act of shooting a bow just like that. It was only one session, but it felt like I had gotten all the practice I needed. The Blackfire Bow almost felt like a weapon I had been using for a long ti; it felt all too familiar in my hand, kind of like when I threw a dagger for the first ti.
Here I go.
An Orc Warrior was not enough to prove my qualifications as a bowman. Only sothing like a
Black Troll, a Grade 4 Exotic, was a suitable foe for that.
I activated the escalator with the mana crystal I got from Darongi.
[Move to the D-Towers hidden field, the 3rd Floor?]
I ported.
* * *
* * *
On the D-Tower, 3rd floor, a fairly large clearing appeared. The floor was cent. Eerie red lights were burning nearby, casting their dim light on the surroundings.
Its dark.
It wasnt all that bright. A dark environnt like this one was extrely favorable for the Black Troll, as the black spots that were its weakness would be even harder to spot.
[The hidden field, the 3rd Floor, has been unlocked.]
[The hidden scenario of the 3rd Floor, Appearance of the Mutated Troll, has been triggered.]
That mont, I could feel it.
Those fires lighting up this place.
I would shoot them. I pulled the bowstring, firing seven arrows made of blackfire that precisely hit the seven flas.
[The condition to spawn the mutated Troll has been fulfilled.]
This feeling was truly fascinating. I didnt know the strategy for this floorit wasnt a field that had ever been publicized. I wouldnt have been able to co here had I not acquired the scenario outline.
But I can see the path.
What I needed to do was clear to , as though soone had inserted it into my head. It was like I knew as soon as I saw it. But this feeling wasnt unfamiliar to . It was a bit embarrassing for
to say, but I suspected this was the feeling of being a genius, sothing like reading the textbook once and scoring a perfect 100% on the exam.
The seven flas began to change color, going from red to black. The field definitely beca darker, but I could see much better than before. I guessed that was because I had been chosen, though temporarily, as the master of the Blackfire Bow.
[The mutated Troll, the Black Troll, is being spawned.]
The monster that would serve as a testant to my value was spawned.
[The boss monster Black Troll declares a boss monster zone.]
Kuoooo!
The Black Troll appeared in its entirety. Black skin, red saliva dripping from its mouth, overwhelming muscles that made the massive Yoohyun look like a child.
I see them.
They were there, between those bulging muscles.
The spots.
With the combined effect of the now-black fires and the observation power of my Observers Eye, I could see them.
Kind of looks like the Big Dipper.
Overall, the spots were arranged like the Big Dipper. However, there were a lot more points than in the constellation.
Exactly 22.
The Black Trolls overall appearance was imprinted in my head like a picture, a picture where the black spots on the monsters body were enlarged.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Black Troll walked forward, approaching .
It was going to attack. The Troll picked up sothing from the ground, even though there was definitely nothing there.
A boulder.
A boulder automatically ford out of nothingness.
Its also skilled at long-range attacks.
The Black Troll hurled the boulder at , the projective flying towards
far faster than the arrows of the Orc Archers. However
I can see the trajectory.
Even before the Black Troll hurled the boulder, I had already seen its trajectory.
[The power of Future Sight is active.]
Future Sight made that possible. I was safe even before I dodged.
I can definitely overwhelm it.
The Black Troll was certainly a strong creature, but even so, it was like a child compared to a Fire Giant.
I fired my bow.
Maintain a good distance.
I had an overwhelming upper hand in a ranged fight. I was faster, my eyes sharper, and my ability to judge the situation was far superior.
That spot
I aid precisely for it.
Ill shoot it.
And I fired. The blackfire arrow struck it, dead center.
Kuooooo!
The Black Troll scread. Lodged in the black spot, the arrow burned black. Sothing that shouldnt have been possible considering the incredible regeneration power of the Black Troll happenedinstead of disappearing, the arrow continued to burn, dealing continuous damage.
Another one.
I imdiately followed up with another arrow.
Twang!
I accurately hit another black spot.
Twang!
And another one.
The Troll rushed at
in a panic. I didnt allow it to co closer.
I will show my audience a complete thrashing.
Ti was on my side. I struck spot after spot.
If I connect the 22 spots in a line in order
This last arrow would destroy it. I needed 21 arrows to set 21 spots ablaze.
Last one.
I set my sights on the last spot. Once the spot was hit, the Black Troll would completely lose its regen ability and incredible physical strength, rendering it no different from a regular Troll.
Focus.
I focused on the final spot. The mont my concentration broke, my 100% bullseye hit rate would shatter.
Wait.
I had done the sa thing a whopping 21 tis. In the middle of the repetition, I saw a new path. Back when I first picked up a dagger and first held a bow, I could use them naturally, like a person who had learned how.
But right now, it was different.
21 tis of training.
If you counted my attack on the Orc Warrior on the 2nd floor, it was a total of 22 tis. In all truth, it was far too little practice to learn one technique. That was how it should beit wasnt that much practice.
But after practicing 21 tis, I could see sothing new. By now, I knew what this feeling was. I couldnt miss this chance, this strange feeling of almost being able to grasp sothing.
This feeling is
It was the feeling of reaching the wall of new enlightennt. Such an opportunity was rare. If I successfully grasped it, I could break down the wall and forge on into a new realm. I could tell.
Lets put the kill on hold for a mont.
The Black Troll charged towards , but I read its movents and dodged it with ease.
I will keep observing the last spot.
I observed, and observed again. The final spot, the spot that would render the Black Troll powerless.
A little ti passed, maybe three minutes. After those three minutes passed, I was able to grasp a new clue.
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