Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Super Rookie Tournament (1)
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After logging out, Hyun-soo stepped out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel.
“Ah… so refreshing.”
He had spent sixteen hours in the real world—two full days in-game—crafting arrows.
Fresh from his shower, Hyun-soo checked the time and saw he had a short break before the tournament.
He sat down at his computer and logged onto the Ares homepage.
There, he could review notifications and check on his artifacts.
He pulled up the alerts he had received after crafting the arrow.
[An artifact imbued with God's Custom Production has been completed.]
[The experience and knowledge of a Master Craftsman blacksmith have been infused, dramatically increasing the effect application rate.]
[Effect application rate is 94%.]
[Orichalcum has been utilized to its maximum efficiency, creating a superior arrow.]
[It is of Unique grade.]
[You have crafted an artifact closest to Legendary grade.]
[You have named it Hyeon's Third Custom-Made Arrow.]
[The ‘God of Blacksmiths’ title shines.]
[You have chosen to apply the ‘All Stats Increase’ bonus from crafting an artifact, which can only be activated once a week.]
[You have gained 4 to all stats.]
[You have gained 50 Dexterity.]
[You have gained 100 Fame.]
[Proficiency for [Beginner Bow Mastery Lv.1] has increased by 54%.]
After reviewing the notifications, Hyun-soo inspected the Orichalcum baby arrow—Hyeon's Third Custom-Made Arrow.
(Hyeon's Third Custom-Made Arrow)
Grade: Unique
Durability: Infinite
Attack Power: 321
Restrictions: None for the creator, Level 300+ Archers
Special Abilities
· Agility +1%
· Penetration +130%
· Arrow Speed +120%
· Accuracy +35%
· Active Skill: Recall
· Active Skill: Piercing Arrow
· Passive Skill: Piercing Arrow
Description: The ultimate arrow, born from a minuscule amount of Orichalcum. No other arrow in existence can surpass it.
“Whoa…”
He couldn't help but be impressed. The best way to grasp just how exceptional this arrow was, was to compare it to the original baby arrow.
The original’s durability was 100, a perfect example of how easily arrows could break.
But this one had infinite durability. In other words, it couldn't be broken.
Its attack power was especially outstanding.
‘The attack power is more than three times higher.’
It was three times stronger than the original, with a dramatic increase in penetration and speed. He had also managed to add the recall feature he wanted.
Hyun-soo suddenly understood why the description called it "closest to Legendary."
‘No other arrow in existence can surpass it.’
This was the strongest arrow in the world.
‘It’s almost time.’
Glancing at the clock, Hyun-soo stood up and logged back into Ares.
[You have logged in.]
When he arrived at the registration area for the Super Rookie Tournament, he found well over a thousand participants already gathered.
Some seemed to be there just for fun, while others radiated a grim determination to win.
Soon, the time came.
[You will participate in the Super Rookie Tournament in 10 seconds.]
Hyun-soo took a deep breath. He had already familiarized himself with the tournament’s format.
[Warping to the Super Rookie Tournament.]
A brilliant light enveloped all the participants.
When he opened his eyes, Hyun-soo found himself standing on a vast plain.
“Whoa, this is insane!”
“Haha, yours truly is about to become the Super Rookie!”
The players were all psyching themselves up in their own ways.
*Screeeech—!*
Hyun-soo spotted a wyvern descending from the sky.
Riding it was the man he had seen not long ago, Bekel.
“You may not see them, but His Majesty is watching. And that’s not all. Remember that though they may be hidden, a great many spectators are watching as well.”
At those words, Hyun-soo glanced around.
Though they were on a vast plain, there had to be spectator stands somewhere, and the Sword King Barad would be seated among them.
“You will be given three sets of instructions. Be sure to follow them precisely. You will soon understand.”
Bekel offered a small smile.
“Why there were no preliminaries here.”
Contrary to his expectations, most of the players had already figured out the reason.
*Screeeech—!*
The wyvern soared back into the sky.
The players began to look around, their faces tense with anticipation.
The Super Rookie Tournament.
The reason a tournament to determine the strongest had no preliminaries.
*Ting!*
[The first stage will now begin.]
Every player gripped their weapons tightly.
[Please force log out at least 3 users.]
[A contribution system will be implemented.]
[Contribution: 0%]
There was no need for preliminaries.
The weak would be culled during the first and second stages, right from the start.
Those who had joined for fun would be eliminated on the spot.
They couldn't hope to outwit those who truly dreamed of becoming a Super Rookie.
Then, Hyun-soo heard an additional notification.
[The participant who defeats the most users will be awarded a 10% contribution bonus.]
“…?”
Hyun-soo hadn't been aware of this particular detail.
Immediately, a barrage of magic and arrows flew through the air.
And Hyun-soo grew curious.
After crafting Hyeon's Third Custom-Made Arrow, he had only tested it on a practice target.
The result had been shocking—it had pierced straight through the trees.
But the more important question was whether it would be as effective against players or monsters.
‘Are there any average-looking players around?’
The easiest way to test the arrow’s power was to shoot it at an ordinary player of a similar level.
That would give him a good idea of how much power he could exert for his level.
As he scanned his surroundings, someone began to approach him.
***
“I’m counting on that steel shield you bought.”
“Yeah, of course~”
Kol, a swordsman, had entered the Super Rookie Tournament with his friend.
He figured that while it might be impossible alone, it could be doable with a partner.
“So, who should we wreck first?”
“Isn’t it standard procedure to pick off the clueless ones first?”
His friend was an assassin—not exceptional, but not incompetent either.
Just then, Kol’s eyes landed on a player. He had a sword at his hip and a bow in his hand.
‘…A swordsman or an archer?’
Kol could tell right away.
“Hey, that guy’s a hybrid build.”
“Oh, you’re right. Looks like a real hybrid. Everyone knows you should never go for a hybrid build in Ares.”
A hybrid build made it difficult to level up other masteries.
In a game where swordsmen learned sword skills and archers learned archery skills, a hybrid build offered no advantages.
It was proof that the player had made a foolish choice.
And the way he was looking around after being told to log out other players made him seem completely clueless.
“Let’s go for him. Stay right behind me.”
Kol raised the new square shield he had recently purchased.
The shield was enormous, large enough to completely cover his body.
“Once we’re close, we’ll rush him together.”
Kol was looking out for his friend. This was their plan.
Block any attacks with the shield, then strike simultaneously.
There was another reason Kol had chosen this player.
A shield user had a natural advantage against a bow user.
What was an arrow, really?
Aside from its tip, it was a fairly unremarkable weapon.
It had neither destructive power nor force, so most arrows couldn't penetrate a shield.
“Let’s go.”
Worried someone might snatch his prey, Kol called out to the player who was still looking around.
“Hey.”
But then Kol’s expression turned puzzled.
‘What’s this?’
Why is he smiling at me?
With a confused look, Kol hid his face behind the steel shield and slowly advanced.
*Click—*
An unfamiliar sound reached his ears.
‘What does a click have to do with an arrow?’
Puzzled, he cautiously peeked over his shield.
‘Bamboo?’
The player he had called out to.
He was fitting a strange arrow into a bamboo shaft.
‘What is that?’
Kol had never seen an arrow like it.
From arrowhead to shaft, the entire arrow was an inky black.
At a glance, it was so mesmerizing it was breathtaking.
But Kol quickly smirked.
‘Still, an arrow is an arrow.’
*Twang—*
The player before him drew his bowstring. Kol remained unconcerned. He continued to advance, step by step, keeping his friend hidden behind him.
As he walked, his gaze fixed on the man over his shield, he saw the bowstring snap forward.
‘Alright, let’s see how this new shield holds up…’
Just then.
*Shweeeek—!*
Kol frowned in confusion.
‘*Shweeeek*…? Can an arrow really make a sound like that?’
In that instant.
*Krrrrrunch—!*
The moment the strange black arrow struck his shield, a powerful shockwave slammed into him.
“Wha-what the hell!?”
Stunned by the impact, Kol felt himself being pushed back, still clutching the shield.
For a moment, he thought the pressure had vanished.
*Craaaack—!*
The shield was pierced, and the arrow tore through Kol’s heart.
“Kughaaak!”
Sent flying back about four meters, Kol couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.
‘What… what just hit me?’
A gun?
No, he felt that even a gun couldn’t produce this much power.
Worried about his friend behind him, he turned his head.
“Hey, Tae-sung. You okay… huh?”
When Kol turned, he couldn't hide his shock.
“No way…!”
His friend was disintegrating into a pile of ash.
A single arrow had pierced his shield, his own body, and then his friend, killing him instantly.
He had likely survived only because he had more HP.
‘I told him to buy some armor instead of dumping everything into his sword…!’
One of the reasons was that his friend was an assassin who had invested everything into his weapon.
Kol couldn’t contain his rage.
“You… you son of a bitch!”
He charged at the man. Kol had figured it out. That arrow must have been his ultimate skill.
Which meant he couldn’t possibly fire it again…
“Recall.”
The man muttered a single word.
Kol’s expression was one of confusion.
‘Recall?’
The word “recall.”
Kol knew it meant for something to return.
What was returning?
With an uneasy feeling, he turned his head and saw it.
*Shwiiiiing—!*
The arrow, embedded in the ground, pulled itself free and shot back toward its owner at incredible speed.
And on its way, it pierced him through the back once more.
*Thwump—!*
[Recall.]
[The arrow will now return to the user.]
[If monsters or enemies are in its path, it will inflict 50% of the original damage as it returns.]
Stabbed through the back a second time, Kol looked at the man.
*Thwip—*
The strange arrow settled smoothly into the man’s hand.
“Ugh… Sir, what skill is that?”
Kol asked, slumping to his knees.
He had never heard of a low-level archer having a skill like this…
“It’s a basic attack.”
“…What?”
Kol’s face was a mask of disbelief. The man then drew the black arrow across his throat.
*Thrust—*
Kol’s vision faded to black.
***
[You have forcibly logged out two users.]
[The stage will end in 5 minutes. Those who have not forcibly logged out 3 users will be eliminated from the Super Rookie Tournament.]
‘This is insane…’
Having tested the power of Hyeon's Custom-Made Arrow, Hyun-soo was utterly amazed.
It had pierced a player’s shield and proceeded to log out the player behind him?
Of course, those two were likely among the weaker participants in this tournament.
Just then, a fireball flew from nearby and struck Hyun-soo.
*Booooom—!*
[HP has fallen below 91%.]
He gave a bitter smile.
He had barely felt the impact.
It was thanks to his ridiculously high stats and the effect of the Mad Lord’s Armor.
‘Even if they are aspiring Super Rookies…’
It seemed they were no match for him.
And Hyun-soo suddenly grew curious.
‘I’ve only used one skill so far.’
The Orichalcum baby arrow had a total of three skills.
One was Recall, and the other two shared the same name.
Piercing Arrow.
The reason there were two was that it existed as both a passive and an active skill.
‘Where should I test it?’
His plan was not yet in motion.
But he was confident that even if he used the skill now, the cooldown would be over long before he needed it again.
Soon, Hyun-soo spotted a place where players were densely packed, engaged in a chaotic brawl.
‘Logging out the most players grants a 10% contribution bonus.’
*Twang—*
Hyun-soo aimed at them and drew his bowstring.
[Piercing Arrow]
Then, he activated the skill.
***
Sword King Barad.
Though the tournament was being displayed on a screen projected from a crystal sphere, he showed not a hint of interest.
“How tedious.”
This tournament was created to find strong warriors.
But such warriors were proving hard to find.
“It is only natural for Your Majesty to feel that way.”
Barad didn’t reply to his vassal, simply turning a page in his book.
*Flip—*
Just then.
—*Shweeeek—!*
*Halt.*
For a brief moment, Barad’s hand paused.
With his unnaturally sharp senses, he recognized the sound.
‘An archer, it seems.’
That was all. He went back to turning the pages.
*Flip—*
*Flip—*
Then, Barad’s expression turned to one of puzzlement.
—*Krrrrrunch—!*
*Halt.*
He stopped again, his brow furrowed.
‘What is that sound?’
His senses were telling him this was not the sound of a swinging sword.
Nor was it the sound of magic being cast.
It was the sound of something piercing through the air at incredible speed.
Barad lifted his head and focused on the screen. A shocking scene unfolded before his eyes.
An arrow, letting out a sound that tore through the air, flew into a dense cluster of brawling otherworlders.
*Krr-crack—!*
The chest of the first otherworlder it struck was ripped to shreds.
The arrow passed through him and hit a second, then a third.
After piercing a total of five people, they all began to turn to ash.
The king’s next action left the vassal standing beside him in shock.
*Thud—*
The first reason was that His Majesty, Barad, had closed his book. The second was that he spoke with a look of genuine curiosity.
“An interesting one.”
And he began to watch the screen intently.