Chapter 34
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Perfect Shot
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It didn't miss. Ruyan was certain his arrow had struck true perfectly.
He had pierced it right between the eyes. But he hadn't killed it.
Even though he'd poured plenty of power into the arrow, the enemy seemed utterly unscathed.
What the hell is this thing?
Its appearance had been inexplicable from the start.
It had shown up out of nowhere, like it had dropped straight from the sky—utterly impossible.
Not an ambush or stealth approach.
No matter how stealthily it approached, nothing could fool Ruyan's senses.
The unidentified thing had appeared suddenly and pulled some kind of trick on Cloyang.
Ruyan couldn't tell exactly what it had done.
But he had clearly sensed the natural energies surging wildly for an instant, all converging on Cloyang.
In his panic, Ruyan had yanked Cloyang out of there first and loosed an arrow right away.
Yet the thing had vanished like a ghost, arrow embedded in its brow. It had sunk into the ground just as abruptly as it appeared.
How is that even possible?
No matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't figure it out. Unless it was a real ghost, it was impossible.
As Ruyan's thoughts deepened, Alize at the front raised her hand, halting the group once more.
"It's getting too dark to keep going. We'll camp here for the night."
The twins, who had been keeping their mouths shut until now, reacted first.
"Yes! Been waiting for you to say that. I'm starving!"
"Me too! Screw the watch—food first!"
Eric and Eddie immediately rummaged through their packs, pulling out jerked meat and hunks of dry bread.
Gerard, silent again now that the fight was over, quietly set about building a fire beside them.
"Haa. I can't go any farther."
Cloyang groaned as he dropped his pack and flopped onto the ground, rubbing his limbs.
No one said it, but the grueling march had worn everyone down.
Alize watched them for a moment before ordering the twins to handle cooking and approaching Ruyan.
He was the only one still standing there blankly, doing nothing.
"Ruyan. Aren't you tired?"
"I'm fine. Need help with anything?"
"Yeah. You're making me uncomfortable just watching. Drop the pack and rest, please?"
At Alize's chiding, Ruyan gave an awkward smile and set his pack down.
She promptly plopped onto it and eyed his waist with a peculiar gaze.
"Looks like you put a lot of work into that. Must suck to waste it."
Alize's eyes were fixed on the quiver tied to Ruyan's waist.
But Ruyan didn't flinch, calmly shaking his head.
"Made it to use."
"Really? Then can you finally tell me what you used it for?"
"Wasn't hiding it. I just don't know much myself."
Alize let out a light sigh and shook her head at his straightforward answer.
"It is weird, though. Orcs can pop up anytime, sure, but a group that size should've been reported."
"No reports?"
"Nope. Nine orcs appearing out of thin air overnight? Too suspicious."
Hearing that, Ruyan silently tilted his head back to gaze at the night sky. He said nothing for a long while.
Finally, fed up with the silence, Alize ventured a question.
"Tell me one thing."
"What?"
Ruyan snapped back curtly without lowering his gaze. Alize mumbled in a deflated tone.
"Are we in danger?"
"Why ask me?"
"Just... no one else to ask right now?"
At her weary voice, Ruyan finally met her eyes squarely.
"No. We're safe."
No lie, no empty words.
Where the Divine Bow's gaze fell—that was the safest place in the world.
They'd faced an unexpected monster ambush on the first day, but the rest of the journey was smooth.
The only issue was the rugged mountain paths slowing them down.
Of course, alone, Ruyan could've reached the destination in a day, but he had no complaints.
This was the life of a wandering mercenary.
He owed his gig to Alize in the first place, so he just followed quietly.
On the third day out, the mercenary band arrived at the targeted goblin nest.
"Rest here for now."
Alize halted them on a hill overlooking the goblin outpost.
Full preparation before the big fight.
At her command, the group dropped their packs and checked their weapons.
"I see about twenty right now, but brace for up to fifty."
"That many?"
"That's why it's a subjugation request."
Cloyang's eyes widened in surprise, and Alize chuckled teasingly.
Then she turned to Gerard more seriously.
"You all know, but goblins excel in group fights. Don't underestimate them as the weakest monsters."
Everyone except Ruyan knew that. So why repeat it...?
"Gerard. You listening? If you go berserk and charge too deep again, I won't hold back."
It was because of Gerard.
He sat meek as a lamb now, but battle would change that.
"I'll be careful."
Gerard answered with a resolute expression, but his voice was barely a whisper.
A mosquito's wingbeat would sound louder.
"Sigh, why don't any of you know the meaning of 'moderation'? Always so extreme!"
Alize pounded her chest in frustration, and the sheepish twins and Gerard edged away.
Then the sparks flew at innocent Ruyan.
Alize glared around with narrowed eyes, smirked crookedly when she met his gaze.
"Ruyan, how long you gonna freeload?"
"Never have."
"Liar! You just stood there last fight too. Think I didn't notice?"
Half-true.
Before the mystery foe appeared, Ruyan had been hands-off.
Nothing to say to that.
As Ruyan shut his mouth, Alize strode up and jabbed a hand toward his waist.
"What're you—"
Ruyan flinched back, but she pursued relentlessly and grabbed his quiver.
She plucked out an arrow.
"Time to show your stuff. Perfect chance."
Alize shoved the arrow into his hand and nodded toward the hill below.
Caught off-guard by her sudden move, Ruyan paused—but got it quick.
Their spot was ideal for an archer sniping the goblin camp below.
Geography meant nothing to him, of course.
"Ooh, finally see Ruyan's skills?"
Alize hyped it up, and the resting crew's eyes lit up toward him.
They'd hidden it well, but they'd been curious all along.
The twins stared openly, no pretense.
From the vibe, he's no amateur...
To carry himself so boldly at that age meant he had backing.
And a mage toting a massive bow for 'self-defense'? Weird.
Archer mage.
Prime chance to peek behind the veil.
What would he show? Magic? Archery?
Not just the twins—Gerard and Cloyang's eyes held subtle anticipation too.
Ruyan sensed it all clearly.
All the same look.
He nodded without hesitation.
"Fine. I'll step up this time."
He'd never planned to hide his skill—just not flaunt it.
Confirming his okay, Alize stepped back.
"No pressure. Just thin 'em out till the goblins climb up. That's plenty."
She downplayed it, but she expected the most.
He's no slouch... Nineteen arrows, so maybe that many?
That'd be ideal.
Sniping to seize momentum was huge.
"Yeah. Leave the rest to us."
"Ignore Eric—trust me. I'll crush whatever's left."
The twins chimed in, taking positions behind Ruyan.
Silent Gerard and Cloyang drew shield and dagger, readying for battle.
Ruyan eyed them blankly, then chuckled dryly and stepped forward slowly.
Range: about 300 meters.
Crude plank shacks clustered below, goblins scurrying in the gaps.
Opposite of orcs: scrawny builds, barely a meter tall.
Mobile little bastards.
Even pros wouldn't find small, darting targets easy at this distance.
But Ruyan nocked an arrow without pause. The puny goblins loomed like city gates in his sight.
Creak.
The massive bow bent like it might snap.
Ruyan's gripping forearm bulged with power.
The over-50kg beast didn't quiver in his steady hands.
And he loosed.
Pew.
A faint whoosh, and the arrow streaked dead-straight.
Screeek.
Heads whipped to follow—but too slow.
Impossible to track with eyes. Alize barely caught half the path.
The arrow vanished midway, but the result was crystal clear.
One goblin toppled silently. Its head was gone.
Like hit by a siege ballista.
Thwack.
The delayed impact echoed up the hill.
Overwhelming power!
Flawless accuracy!
Ruyan's serious shot held no mercy.
"What the...?"
Alize gaped at him, words failing.
She was the only quick reactor.
The others stared blankly, uncomprehending.
The goblins were the same. One dropped beside them, yet they just cocked heads.
One second, two, three.
Then screams erupted from the camp.
Kieeek!
The late-to-catch-on goblins howled and rampaged.
Some hid behind shacks; others whipped heads searching for the sniper.
Right here.
Ruyan helpfully marked his spot. With another arrow.
Shwee.
The dumbfounded mercenaries didn't even try tracking, just blinked.
They couldn't imagine what came next.
Ruyan's real fight was just beginning.