My Isekai Life in Hard Mode

Archery

Indeed, there are many challenges in this world, each requiring its own level of dedication. Achieving all Core Stats with at least an F- grade is one of those challenges. It's a lengthy process, but I have some ideas to speed it up.

Once the planning was done, Ryoshu conjured forth a bow from his garments, its pale white hue contrasting with the swirling sand around him, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Ryoshu couldn't help but feel drawn to its innocence, patting it gently.

"At least... I still have you... thank you."

Whether the weapon could comprehend his gratitude was uncertain, but Ryoshu felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he shared his thoughts. In response, the weapon seemed to cling even tighter to him.

"Alright, now it's time to train..." Ryoshu paused, contemplating what to call it. As he hesitated, the pile of sand took on a quizzical expression, forming a question mark.

"Hmm... Fumei?"

The sand shook, or so Ryoshu perceived.

"Difficult, isn't it? Then... I'll call you... Fumiya, alright? Because my family name is also Amemiya..." Ryoshu's explanation might have been futile, given Fumiya's childlike nature and potential non-Japanese origin.

Upon hearing his name, Fumiya rushed towards Ryoshu, embracing him tightly.

"So, Fumiya, I'll learn to wield the bow properly before we venture into that Temple..." Ryoshu gestured towards the distant temple at his campsite, continuing, "Can you lend me a hand? After training, we can play again... but I need to focus now. A single mistake could be fatal."

Communicating with the childlike soul of his weapon proved challenging for Ryoshu, yet Fumiya obediently transformed into a bow, nestling into Ryoshu's grip.

Examining the bow from various angles, Ryoshu couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. "Maybe I should explore the Archer profession?"

However, survival in this game world demanded more than just archery skills. Ryoshu contemplated a profession that offered power and agility, enabling him to survive and escape.

"Or... perhaps... a rogue?"

Though not the most formidable profession, rogue skills such as stealth and backstabbing could prove invaluable. Yet, Enomoto's mask granting stealth abilities made the rogue profession less essential.

Cloak: When infused with Mana, the mask partially erases the wearer's presence.

With this newfound stealth ability, Ryoshu could survive longer, particularly in the game's early stages. Thus, the rogue profession seemed unnecessary.

"Now, choosing a profession seems too daunting... I'll ponder it later."

With combat prowess now his primary focus, Ryoshu smiled at Fumiya, feeling a sense of support from the bow.

About 7 meters away stood an oak tree with a crooked heart drawn in red, Ryoshu's target for the day.

First, he consulted online tutorials, humbling himself as he learned the basics of bowmanship.

After about 10 minutes, Ryoshu felt somewhat confident, benefiting from the detailed explanations provided in the tutorials.

"Surely, they can't read minds, can they?"

Positioning himself correctly, Ryoshu carefully adjusted his stance as instructed. Gripping the bow with his non-dominant hand, he precisely positioned the arrow.

Pulling the bowstring taut, Ryoshu marveled at the effort required. "They make it look so easy on TV... My arm is already weary."

Though seemingly straightforward, Ryoshu encountered challenges in maintaining the bowstring's tension. Nevertheless, he persisted, recognizing the importance of this skill in his survival.

Next, he focused on aiming, which demanded his full attention and steady posture. Drawing from his strength in focus, Ryoshu carefully aligned his shot, making minor adjustments to match the tutorial's video

"Remembering the advice from the video, Ryoshu muttered, 'Expanding during the draw is crucial as it allows the archer to shoot better by keeping the string smooth and fluid.'"

Releasing the arrow, Ryoshu accidentally loosened his grip, causing the bow to drop immediately after the shot. As a result, the arrow veered off straight into the ground.

"Oh. I released the bow too early, didn't I? That's why my arrow lost so much power," he realized with a tinge of disappointment.

The process repeated itself as Ryoshu shot 12 arrows, picked them up and started over.

"I hope the arrows won't break too quickly... because I'll need them for the Temple challenge," Ryoshu mused, concerned about the durability of his ammunition.

It took Ryoshu quite sometime before he could even hit the tree, let alone the bullseye. Most of his struggles stemmed from beginner mistakes in archery.

However, his learning process accelerated significantly thanks to the SS+ grade and skills like Super Memory and Lightning Reflexes. Each mistake served as a lesson, imprinting clear adjustments to his shooting posture in his mind.

In just over an hour, the familiar announcement from the System sounded cold and indifferent, yet it confirmed the effectiveness of the skills he had invested in and upgraded.

"Unlocking the potential of 'Archery' (F-)," the System declared.

"We did it, Fumiya!" Ryoshu cheered, feeling a sense of accomplishment alongside his beloved bow.

As Ryoshu infused Mana into it, the sand pile swirled around his hair, almost as if expressing joy.

"Perhaps it's even happier than I am... Haha," Ryoshu chuckled, feeling a bond with the weapon.

Unable to physically embrace it, Ryoshu expressed his appreciation verbally, saying, "You did great, Fumiya."

The acquisition of new potential filled Ryoshu with excitement. Witnessing progress and increasing numbers was what he enjoyed most in games, akin to the satisfaction players find in idle or clicker games and RPGs.

"It really wasn't a waste buying these two skills," Ryoshu thought to himself, contemplating the value of his investment as he gazed at the bow.

"Just from the first two basic skills, I've unlocked three more, or rather two new skills. Investment pays off, doesn't it? System, show me my potential in Magic."

The System promptly responded, revealing Ryoshu's potential in Magic.

"Everything is heading in the right direction," Ryoshu noted with satisfaction.

Ryoshu released his hand with a whoosh, sending the arrow slicing through the air sweetly. It struck the tree trunk below the bullseye with a satisfying thud, marking the first time he had shot so accurately.

The potential of "Archery" upgraded to F!.