Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Purple Lightning
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Purple.
Volkan stared sullenly at the straw scarecrow.
I'd smashed it because I wasn't great at controlling my strength, but to look at it so glumly...
'Is it rotten or something?'
He let out a sigh as he gazed at what had now become a complete pile of scrap metal.
Still, we're all part of the same Adventurer's Guild family, so maybe he'll let it slide.
'A guy like Volkan doesn't seem petty enough to make a fuss.'
That thing was pretty expensive, though.
More importantly, this whole mess happened because Volkan suddenly wanted to test me out.
I didn't do anything wrong...!
"Haa... I'm gonna catch hell from the guild master again."
"Well, can't be helped."
"The one who broke it talking so shamelessly... No, it's my fault, so I'll let it go this time."
Volkan said that and heaved a deep sigh.
Then, as if he'd shaken it all off, he turned to look at me.
"But you, you're damn good even as a proper archer."
"You think so?"
"Only issue is, that purple lightning you got from your level-up is way too flashy."
I nodded quietly at Volkan's words. Not suited for stealth attacks. But for intercepting from a distance, nothing beats it.
"Try attacking me this time."
"You mean go all out?"
"...Your face lighting up like that is ridiculous. No using that last attack."
"Tch."
"Did you just click your tongue?"
"No, I didn't. Alright, stealth attack it is."
I suppressed my presence and melted into the shadows. Volkan's face lit up with admiration.
'Daylight isn't ideal for this.'
Still, Rogue Mastery concealed my position. Volkan closed his eyes and waited.
'Whew.'
I hid in the darkness. Honestly, I had no confidence in landing a hit on Volkan.
'My archery skills aren't there yet.'
I focused.
Rogue Mastery granted me magic-like sleight of hand.
I drew the bowstring so quietly even that faint twang was silenced.
Aimed at the target.
Shh!
A tiny whistle cutting through the air. The arrow flying straight for Volkan's head...
"Not bad, kid."
As expected, useless.
Tch, total miss.
"No, 'not bad' doesn't do it justice. Ermé said you were at least a level 3 specialist archer, so I had high hopes."
"And?"
"You're beyond expectations. Makes me think I could entrust my back to you once you grow up."
"Not really into that."
"Figures. You don't strike me as the sociable type."
This old man?
I shot him a cold glare, and Volkan grinned.
"Anyway, let's look at bows first. I'll hook you up with one you'll like."
"What kind?"
"A longbow."
"Longbow, huh."
"Felt it during the stealth shot. Unlike your purple arrows, it's stealthy but lacks punch. No twang on the draw, so better for landing a second shot quietly."
Ermé was nodding along to Volkan's reasoning.
Seemed she agreed a longbow was best for me too.
'Gotta go with the experts' recommendation.'
Rogue Mastery was telling me the same.
A longbow felt like the right answer for me.
Time to check some out, then.
"Hold on a sec."
"Hm? Spit it out if you've got business."
At Volkan's words, Ermé pulled out a cloth bundle.
It looked like a plain bundle at first glance.
'Something special about it.'
My instincts screamed it was no ordinary cloth. Sure enough, Volkan narrowed his eyes at it.
"This is...?"
"Yuseong and I found it in the Cradle when we were ambushed by those Sprout Gatherers."
"...Hah, those bastards are still around?"
Volkan scowled in irritation.
Oh yeah, she said she'd tell me about the nails when the time was right.
'Is Volkan the guy?'
Makes sense. From what I've seen, he's one of the most trustworthy people around here.
"So, what is it?"
"Better to show you."
Ermé unfolded the cloth.
What emerged was a nail of unknown origin.
Just looking at it sent chills down my spine.
Volkan stared at it expressionlessly.
"Sprout Gatherers, you said?"
"A guild tied to Skebinzer. A level 2 mage named Hanul."
Ermé's voice trembled as she spoke.
Why's she shaking? Volkan's just frowning a bit.
He's emitting killing intent. 'Killing intent?'
I don't see any movement. Even if so, why can't I sense it...?
'No, I can sense it.'
Without realizing, my own killing intent was pushing back against Volkan's.
Ermé had shivered at first, but now she seemed fine.
So Ermé could use killing intent too.
'...Isn't killing intent super common?'
What nonsense! Only a tiny fraction can wield killing intent. The fact that you can right now is the real abnormality! Rishiel shrieked.
Well, she might have a point.
On one side, a top-tier adventurer with the Sword King title.
On the other, a monster who could challenge the elites.
And me, the guy cheating with the system.
'From that angle, having killing intent doesn't seem off.'
As I mulled that over, Volkan closed his eyes.
Then he looked at me and Ermé.
"First off, as a fellow Adventurer's Guild member, thanks. Can't believe those scum are still lurking."
A chilling smile crept across his face.
Volkan extended his hand to me.
"Show this to the forge master. He'll recommend a good bow and arrows."
"..."
So he's pointing me there.
Given the situation, I decided to take it without protest.
"Bill him for arrows too. Up to 100."
Tap tap.
Ermé signaled me to nod furiously. I did.
"And take this."
"...Jackpot."
Volkan handed something over, and Ermé dropped the formal speech, eyes sparkling.
Her going casual is a rare sight.
"Ahem, thank you. I wasn't expecting a reward, but..."
"Want me to take it back?"
"Whoa! A gift from the Sword King himself—I'll treasure it!"
"Honest kid."
Volkan said that and vanished in a blur.
No other way to put it.
'I blinked once.'
The Sword King was gone. No mana residue or traces—he'd really dashed off.
'That old man's a real monster.'
Short impression aside, I checked what Volkan had left me.
'Up to 100 arrows.'
That's about three quivers.
'If the old man set a limit, the arrows must be pricey.'
Modifying something as small as arrows takes work, so yeah, expensive.
Feeling giddy, I headed off to shop.
*
Back at the forge, plenty of adventurers milled about.
I pulled my hood low and approached the clerk.
"What can I help you with?"
"Said to show you this."
I flashed the token from Volkan. The clerk's eyes widened, and they bowed politely.
"1st-grade referral confirmed. What would you like to browse?"
"Heard I can get a bow and 100 arrows."
"100 arrows?"
As the clerk's eyes bugged out, Ermé hurried over and showed them Volkan's gift.
"Ah, from the Sword King's group. Confirmed. I'll assist with one sword, one bow, and 100 arrows."
The clerk led us to the second floor.
Unlike the bustling first floor, it was quiet up here. But the adventurers there were decked in seriously expensive gear.
Maybe I stared too much. Ermé grinned and whispered.
"Second floor's only for real adventurers."
"Real ones?"
"Yeah, the guild's true heavy hitters, building their strength. Not like those Skebinzer flip-floppers who could turn traitor anytime. Folks up here get the VIP treatment. And now we do too."
Ermé beamed.
"Hey, that one looks cool. Wanna check it out?"
She grabbed my arm and dragged me along. She pointed to a sleek black longbow.
"What level 3 specialist archers use. Strong draw weight, so you need solid strength, but..."
She glanced at me.
Meaning my strength could handle it.
"Mind if I draw it?"
"Go ahead."
The clerk nodded with a friendly smile. I drew the string.
Kreeeak.
A bit tough, but drawable.
'Maybe twice as hard.'
Tough to silence completely.
But I could muffle it some.
Nice bow. I nodded, and the clerk grinned wide.
"Shall we look at arrows?"
"What kind are you after?"
"Anything suited for a longbow?"
"We have enchanted ones."
"Enchanted arrows... Hm, probably not for Yuseong. Better metal ones with good quality."
"How about moon silver arrows?"
"Whoa, you have that rare stuff?"
"Ten in stock. And glowstone arrows too..."
"Any starsteel arrows? Even partial?"
"Yes. Then..."
Ermé and the clerk dove into shop talk.
I didn't follow it all, but Rogue Mastery filled me in.
Glowstone absorbed light, perfect for assassinations. Moon silver purified evil. Starsteel—iron exposed to starlight—was rare here, ten times stronger than regular iron with high elasticity.
'But costs over a hundred times more.'
Due to its rarity.
Anyway, I scored those arrows by selling out Volkan the old man.
"70 glowstone, 10 moon silver, 20 starsteel. 30 gold total."
I groaned inwardly at the clerk's words.
'That's a massive spend.'
Just for arrows, separately priced. Asking about the bow, the clerk smiled sweetly.
"50 gold."
"...Adventurer gear is insane."
"Still, that's Champion Sword tier."
In other words, 50 gold down the drain.
'Almost wiped out my Labyrinth earnings.'
Thank goodness for Volkan.
We bought the bow and arrows, and Ermé got a spare sword—elegant and ornate.
"It's a spare, but the best I can wield."
She said it suited her better than a Champion Sword.
Shopping done, we headed to the inn.
*
I lounged leisurely on the inn bed.
Maybe 'cause it had been ages, but...
Honey-sweet rest.
Slept in till morning.
Yummy breakfast, then wandered with Ermé for lunch.
'...Come to think, she paid for everything.'
Do I look like a kept man from outside?
'...Is this the kept man life?'
Realizing it pricked my conscience, but...
Surprisingly...
Really...
'Kinda great?'
Wished I could play house husband for 10 years straight.
Of course, not really.
Ermé was investing in me too.
After a full day of fun, Sunday rolled around.
Day our party—with Rozenta—would hit the Labyrinth again.
But.
"Labyrinth entry banned?"
Something had gone down.