Chapter 174

Making a direct deal with a Guardian was always dangerous. If you asked a Guardian for something, 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 isn't being made because I need it.'

Granted, if you were to look at it technically, it was something 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 me."

They needed it, not me. 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 wouldn't be able to get that great of a bow.

"Please give me the opportunity to show what the Night of Shooting Stars wants to see."

The Night of Shooting Stars wanted me to show my 'qualifications'. To that end, he possessed a generous hand that did not skimp on investment.

[The 'Night of Shooting Stars' sympathizes with your words.]

[The 'Merchant 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 me 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 Hyukjin's 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 immediately read the Blackfire Bow's description.

[Blackfire Bow]

Of the types of flames, there is redfire, which is consumed by bluefire, which is in turn consumed by blackfire. The Blackfire Bow bears the authority of blackfire. It can only be wielded by someone 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 someone is qualified to wield it.

The test began even before I started fighting the Black Troll.

'I've never heard of the Blackfire Bow.'

Interestingly, its 'grade' was not indicated. That meant 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 someone is qualified to wield it.

That was telling me the first step was to try earning the permission of this bow that imbued a Guardian's authority, the Blackfire Bow.

'Let's see here.'

I raised the bow. My arm tingled. It felt as if heat were radiating from the bow and threatening to swallow me 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 fundamentally more outstanding than mine.

'However…'

I had already experienced the flow and smell of fire. I came into contact with flames of a higher grade than the ones inside me while fighting the Fire Giants, and from that experience, I learned the movement, flow, and nature of flames of a higher grade.

'Like this.'

I controlled the fire ki billowing from the bow with natural ease. This energy was not one that aimed to swallow me, but one that aimed to help me. I drew a concrete image in my mind of black flames wrapping around me, and those flames 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 Observer's Eye.]

This was the 2nd floor of the D-Tower. The knights of Wings—who weren't Players—were fighting the Orc Warriors.

'The strongest of them.'

I focused on the strongest Orc Warrior. Everything else faded away like smoke, leaving just me and the Orc.

An Orc Warrior swung its axe, striking one of the Wings guild members in the chest. That moment, 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 someone who had trained with the bow many times.

[The Blackfire Bow responds to the wielder's will.]

[The Blackfire Bow's flame is coming alight.]

This artifact required no arrows to be notched. An arrow of rippling black flame was formed.

'My target is the middle of the Orc's forehead.'

I released the bowstring. The result was very satisfying.

['Orc Warrior' has been killed.]

[EXP acquired.]

No items were dropped.

'I've 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 me, astonishment bare on his face.

It was understandable. I also hadn't 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 time; it felt all too familiar in my hand, kind of like when I threw a dagger for the first time.

'Here I go.'

An Orc Warrior was not enough to prove my 'qualifications as a bowman'. Only something 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-Tower's hidden field, the 3rd Floor?]

I ported.

* * *

On the D-Tower, 3rd floor, a fairly large clearing appeared. The floor was cement. Eerie red lights were burning nearby, casting their dim light on the surroundings.

'It's dark.'

It wasn't all that bright. A dark environment like this one was extremely 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 moment, 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 flames.

[The condition to spawn the mutated Troll has been fulfilled.]

This feeling was truly fascinating. I didn't know the strategy for this floor—it wasn't a field that had ever been publicized. I wouldn't have been able to come here had I not acquired the scenario outline.

'But I can see the path.'

What I needed to do was clear to me, as though someone had inserted it into my head. It was like I knew as soon as I saw it. But this feeling wasn't unfamiliar to me. It was a bit embarrassing for me to say, but I suspected this was the feeling of being a genius, something like reading the textbook once and scoring a perfect 100% on the exam.

The seven flames began to change color, going from red to black. The field definitely became 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 testament 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 Observer's 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 Troll's overall appearance was imprinted in my head like a picture, a picture where the black spots on the monster's body were enlarged.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Black Troll walked forward, approaching me.

It was going to attack. The Troll picked up something from the ground, even though there was definitely nothing there.

'A boulder.'

A boulder automatically formed out of nothingness.

'It's also skilled at long-range attacks.'

The Black Troll hurled the boulder at me, the projective flying towards me 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 aimed precisely for it.

'I'll shoot it.'

And I fired. The blackfire arrow struck it, dead center.

Kuooooo!

The Black Troll screamed. Lodged in the black spot, the arrow burned black. Something that shouldn't have been possible considering the incredible regeneration power of the Black Troll happened—instead of disappearing, the arrow continued to burn, dealing continuous damage.

'Another one.'

I immediately followed up with another arrow.

Twang!

I accurately hit another black spot.

Twang!

And another one.

The Troll rushed at me in a panic. I didn't allow it to come closer.

'I will show my audience a complete thrashing.'

Time 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 moment my concentration broke, my 100% bullseye hit rate would shatter.

'Wait.'

I had done the same thing a whopping 21 times. 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 times of training.'

If you counted my attack on the Orc Warrior on the 2nd floor, it was a total of 22 times. In all truth, it was far too little practice to learn one technique. That was how it should be—it wasn't that much practice.

But after practicing 21 times, I could see something new. By now, I knew what this feeling was. I couldn't miss this chance, this strange feeling of almost being able to grasp something.

'This feeling is…'

It was the feeling of reaching the wall of new enlightenment. 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.

'Let's put the kill on hold for a moment.'

The Black Troll charged towards me, but I read its movements 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 time passed, maybe three minutes. After those three minutes passed, I was able to grasp a new clue.

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