Chapter 24
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Bow Circle Archmage
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Slice.
Every time Ruyan's hand swept by, a thick tree branch was severed clean.
It was a branch from the Divine Tree.
'Is this your final gift?'
The moment Ruyan resolved to venture out into the world, a hefty branch from the Divine Tree had dropped right down.
Ruyan accepted the gesture without refusal, gratefully taking it into his hands.
Truly befitting a Divine Tree.
A mere branch, yet its toughness surpassed steel itself.
And the elasticity? Even bent nearly in half, it refused to snap, springing back to its straight form in an instant.
No special treatments or chemicals needed—this wood was perfect for crafting an exceptional bow as is.
Ruyan meticulously carved the branch into a graceful curve, fashioning a massive bowstave over two meters long.
Lacking proper bowstring, he strung it with the rope he'd used for training.
And just like that, a remarkably fine bow was complete.
'Never imagined a wood like this existed. Perfect.'
The only flaw was that ordinary strength couldn't even draw it—but that posed no issue for Ruyan.
'Compared to the bows I used in the Central Plains, this is practically lightweight.'
He was no novice struggling with a mere wooden bow. Back in the Central Plains, bows were forged from alloys blended with eternal cold iron.
Once strung, the branch curved gently, shrinking a bit, but still formed a longbow exceeding 150 cm.
'Size is just right too. Got myself a fine bow.'
Ruyan tested the draw a few times, then broke into a satisfied smile.
"Thanks for everything."
He gently stroked the Divine Tree's trunk in gratitude.
Suddenly, a fierce gust whipped up, blurring his vision.
Whoooosh.
When Ruyan blinked against the wind, the Divine Tree had vanished without a trace.
'It was never one to show itself casually anyway.'
No regrets lingered. He'd received more than enough already—anything more would be greed.
Ruyan offered a respectful clasped-hands salute to the spot where the tree had stood.
Now it was truly time to depart.
'Gers is running late, though.'
He'd left a note, and given Gers's personality, he'd come rushing at once.
Until now, Ruyan had always slipped into the village discreetly, but this time he'd deliberately summoned him.
He wanted their final farewell to feel comfortable.
Not rushed under the burden of prying eyes from the village.
'Can't just wait around forever. Better go meet him halfway.'
The mountain path was treacherous—might be tough even for Gers.
As Ruyan took a light step, his body shot forward in a blur.
Fwoosh.
Tremendous speed.
A world apart from his clumsy old Return Divine Step.
Yet no footprints marred the ground, no blade of grass or twig brushed his form.
Less than a minute into his movement technique, Ruyan picked up a familiar presence.
'Good call coming out to meet him. Might've waited till tomorrow otherwise.'
Gers was trudging slowly up near the mountain's base.
Ruyan chuckled dryly and sped toward him.
But as the distance closed, a new presence snagged on his senses.
'So a shadow was tailing him after all.'
Someone was following Gers.
They were hiding their presence decently, but not from Ruyan's perception.
'Probably that woodcutter from before.'
Five years on, and still unrelenting. Ruyan had to admire the persistence.
'This could put Gers in danger.'
He'd ignored it as a nuisance till now, but circumstances had changed.
Since he was leaving anyway, better to clear out anything harmful to the village.
'Handle it quietly. No need for Gers to know.'
Ruyan swiftly concealed his own presence and slipped toward the shadow.
Then, unexpectedly, things took a turn.
Even Ruyan was mildly surprised.
'Not just one?'
A subtler presence, shadowing the first shadow, registered late.
'Unfamiliar aura. Who is it?'
Definitely not someone active near Hatchling Village—Ruyan's senses would've caught them otherwise.
'Two shadows...'
Complications arose.
Ruyan shelved his quick-elimination plan and opted to observe.
'No rush. Gauge the situation first.'
Closing in stealthily, three figures soon entered his view.
Gers, climbing diligently without a suspicion.
His pursuer was, as expected, Gawain in woodcutter guise.
'But who's that woman?'
A woman was creeping up behind Gawain—then absurdly tapped his shoulder.
A stark contrast to her prior stealth.
"Even black bastards get lost sometimes, huh?"
A tiny voice, but clear to Ruyan.
'She knows the shadow's identity.'
Quite the twist.
Even Ruyan, stalked for five years, hadn't pierced the shadow's veil.
He'd observed closely, yet Gawain revealed no clues.
No pushovers.
How had this young woman figured them out?
'This might get interesting.'
Ruyan held back, watching with intrigue.
Soon, combat erupted between the shadows.
Or rather, a one-sided assault.
The woman drew a massive greatsword as tall as herself and hammered Gawain.
Whoosh.
The blade didn't just cut air—it threatened to explode it.
Even Ruyan, observing, was impressed by the raw power.
'Not a bad brute sword wielder.'
Rare even in the Central Plains to wield one that size.
Panicked, Gawain thrust out his battered axe without time to draw his sword.
Futile resistance.
'It's over.'
Ruyan knew the outcome without watching.
Boom.
The greatsword cleaved the old axe in two. And it didn't stop there.
Slash.
Unabated, it bisected Gawain at the waist.
Instant death.
No scream—just collapse. A pathetic end for a peak martial artist.
'Didn't even need to lift a finger. Like picking my nose.'
Not bad for Ruyan. One less chore, since he'd planned to eliminate him anyway.
Just curious about the mystery woman's identity and motives.
'What to do with her?'
As Ruyan pondered, Gers halted abruptly and glanced back.
"Who's there?"
The fierce clash had reached even his dull ears.
'Damn. Now Gers is at risk.'
She was a seasoned assassin.
No leaving witnesses—if that was her plan, Gers was next.
Ruyan whipped up his bow, nocking an arrow.
Creak.
Aimed dead at her forehead.
'Any hint of danger, and she's gone first.'
Woman or not, no hesitation.
But oddly...
She flinched at Gers's voice, turned tail, and bolted.
'Target was just the shadow, after all.'
Clearly never intended harm to Gers.
More precisely, doing this boldly right beside him meant he wasn't even on her radar.
'Leaving a witness? Not a professional assassin.'
Ruyan considered intercepting but lowered his bow smoothly.
'Let it be. Got enough on my plate.'
No point stirring trouble. Strictly speaking, not his business.
'A warning should suffice.'
Revealing himself casually, Ruyan strode toward Gers.
"Gers, you've only made it this far?"
His teasing words startled Gers, who gaped at him wide-eyed.
Then grinned broadly, arms wide for a hug.
"Brat, came down 'cause you were worried about me?"
"Nah. You were too late."
Ruyan grinned back playfully, hugging him tight.
But his gaze pierced sharply into the brush beyond.
Where his eyes fell.
The woman at the edge, mid-escape, froze in shock.
'When did he get here?'
No presence detected.
To her, he seemed to sprout from the earth.
'No way I missed him by mistake...'
Despite the shock, she judged swiftly.
'No ordinary guy. Assume I'm made.'
Caught eliminating the Black Lion.
Who was he? What now?
Instinct urged a glance, but she snapped to and froze.
'Don't turn around.'
Can't see his face—or she might not leave alive.
'Showed himself before I left. Means he's letting me go despite seeing everything?'
A clear warning.
Don't set foot here again.
Lips clenched, she kicked off with all her might and fled.
Rustle.
Bushes thrashed wildly as she vanished.
Gers tilted his head, peering that way. But nothing remained.
"Ruyan, thought I heard someone."
"Nah, must've been your imagination."
Ruyan chuckled, taking the load from Gers's back.
"No need to head up now. Dinner at home?"
"Brat, if that's the case, why not just come down yourself?"
Ruyan shrugged it off and led the way down the mountain.
"This really premium stuff?"
"Of course. Cost me a whole six silvers."
"Whew, wasted money."
Ruyan sighed deeply, shaking his head.
Six silvers was no small sum for Gers.
But Ruyan, tasting wine for the first time, couldn't see the appeal.
'Tried every booze in the Central Plains...'
What hero shunned drink?
Ruyan enjoyed it now and then, sampling rarities aplenty.
But wine's bitter tang never sat right.
"You stuffed or something? There's ignoring goodwill, and then there's this."
"I'm good—drink it all yourself if it's that great."
Grumbling playfully, they sat knee-to-knee and polished off the bottle.
Last supper done, silence fell, awkwardness thick.
Finally, Gers gazed skyward and tossed out,
"Where you headed?"
"Thinking a big city with a Mages' Guild first."
No fixed destination. Just wherever his feet took him.
"Mason Village has one too... but you ain't going there."
"Yeah. Probably farther out."
Ruyan's easy reply made Gers lower his head heavily, eyes locking.
"You coming back?"
That simple question so hard to voice.
Ruyan swallowed a laugh and nodded readily.
"Obviously. This is home."
Gers smiled softly, nodding back.
"Right. I'll keep your father's grave as is. Go on."
No more words needed.
This sufficed.
Ruyan bowed ninety degrees behind Gers, then turned crisply.
Gers didn't watch him leave.
How much time passed?
In the quiet night, cricket chirps the only sound, Gers glanced back.
"Your second's off. Sharp kid like you said—no need to worry."
Gers's calm voice faded into emptiness.