Ryoshu's fingers tightened around the bowstring, a palpable tension coursing through his muscles as he prepared to unleash his devastating attack, "Impact." The weight of his impending action hung heavy in the air, his resolve unyielding despite the exhaustion gnawing at his being. Yet, after 14 seconds, a sense of urgency clawed into his consciousness as he felt his mana reserves dwindling rapidly, like sand slipping through his fingers. With a decisive flick of his wrist, he deactivated the invisibility mode of his mask, a practical concession to conserve his waning energy."Perhaps the invisibility feature saps more energy than I initially anticipated," he mused aloud, furrowing his brows in contemplation. Determined not to squander even a fraction of a second, he extended the charge time by six seconds, channeling Fire mana into the final arrow with practiced precision.As he released the arrow, a dazzling blaze of orange-red light erupted from its tip, flooding the cavern with it
At 21:06 on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Ryoshu gradually regained consciousness, his mind still foggy from the ordeal he had just endured. With a groan, he instinctively reached for his watch, the glow of its display piercing through the dimness of his surroundings. "Have I been out for long... well, at least I'm not late..." he muttered to himself, attempting to gauge the passage of time.Awareness flooded back into his battered body, and Ryoshu was met with a symphony of pain. Every nerve screamed in protest as he attempted to shift his position, the slightest movement sending jolts of agony coursing through his limbs. He fought against the waves of discomfort with gritted teeth, determined to reclaim control over his body. Each attempt to sit up felt like a monumental task, his muscles straining against the weight of his injuries.With trembling hands, Ryoshu gingerly explored the extent of the damage. Severe burns marred his skin, the angry red welts a stark reminder of the fier
After overcoming the trials of the Courage Challenge with a moderate difficulty rating of C, you've proven your mettle. As a token of recognition for your endeavors, you're rewarded with 10 Silver Coins and the coveted Book of Lightning Magic (C)."Finally, the missing piece of my collection," Ryoshu exclaimed with palpable excitement as he held up the ancient tome. Its cover bore an intricate design featuring a vibrant green lightning bolt, symbolizing the powerful magic within it.But your achievements don't stop there. Having conquered 91% of the Temple, you're entitled to additional rewards befitting your exceptional performance. Your impressive A+ evaluation underscores not only your extraordinary fortune but also your unparalleled skill and strategic acumen.Among the supplementary rewards lies the enigmatic Black Dragon Pill (S-), igniting Ryoshu's curiosity. "Could this be a treasure?" he mused aloud, eager to unravel its mysteries and discern its true worth.The Black Dragon
Perched atop the familiar rock, worn smooth by countless moments of contemplation and rest, Ryoshu allowed the weariness of his journey to settle upon his shoulders like a heavy cloak. The once vibrant flames of the campfire, now reduced to mere glowing embers, danced erratically, casting ephemeral shadows that played across the rugged terrain. With a sense of urgency gnawing at his insides, Ryoshu reached for his Travel Scroll, its weathered parchment a tangible link to the unknown destinations that awaited him. With practiced precision, he dipped his quill into the inkwell and began to inscribe the coordinates of his next destination onto the scroll."The alley next to Angels' Whiskey," he wrote, his strokes purposeful and resolute, the ink flowing smoothly across the parchment as if guided by an unseen hand.He finished, Ryoshu's gaze drifting beyond the confines of the scroll, his eyes alighting upon the distant horizon. There, amidst the vast expanse of the unknown, lay the haun
"Out of nowhere, you're suddenly standing there, clasping your hands together in prayer. What's that all about?" The man's voice thundered with authority, sending ripples of unease through the air. His mere presence seemed to exude a powerful aura of Mana, casting a dark shadow over the surrounding landscape.In an instant, the once serene forest was shrouded in darkness, the thick canopy overhead blocking out the faintest glimmer of light. Only the imposing figure of the man remained visible, a stark contrast against the backdrop of the abyssal gloom.Ryoshu turned slowly, his movements deliberate as he faced the enigmatic stranger. He couldn't help but be struck by the man's commanding presence, from his towering stature to the regal air that seemed to cloak him like a mantle. The distinct hue of his purple hair added to his imposing demeanor, while his English, though spoken with confidence, betrayed hints of uncertainty, echoing through the stillness with an almost palpable weig
With a nonchalant flick, Ryoshu bade the prince farewell, tearing the scroll containing their intended destination into shreds. As he glanced at the torn pieces fluttering to the ground, a sly smirk curled the corners of his lips, imbuing his departing words with a mocking edge."Your graciousness knows no bounds! Farewell, and fear not, dear prince, for I shan't trouble you again any time soon," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.In response, the prince's rejoinder was swift and cutting, his words laced with a venomous determination that sent a shiver down Ryoshu's spine. "By the honor of the Volkov family, I vow to pursue you... you despicable thief," he spat, his grip tightening around the book he wielded like a weapon as he advanced menacingly.Caught in the throes of his deception, Ryoshu watched as the prince lunged forward with a ferocity that bordered on primal rage, accusing him of treachery. "You deceitful scoundrel!"And then, with a resounding boom, darkness engul
Ryoshu delved into the depths of his thoughts. He meticulously sifted through the newly acquired information, methodically rearranging it in his mind. Despite the situation's complexity, his primary objective remained clear: deciphering and making sense of everything."It is highly likely... that this is the latest update from the game developers," he concluded, drawing upon his extensive knowledge of the game's mechanics to form his assessment.Once again, the resonant voice reverberated from the vast expanse of white."I am nearing the threshold of my capacity to endure Karmic repercussions... I must inform you that in the foreseeable future... the authority I granted you, the System, will temporarily cease to exist. To safeguard you, I had to intervene directly in the human realm. This intervention depleted a significant portion of my power... Along with it come severe penalties... the details of which are of no concern to you."With each passing moment, the resonance of the voice
Ryoshu's eyes met those of the person he had collided with, and he was captivated by her appearance. Her hair, as white as freshly fallen snow, cascaded around her face, framing rosy cheeks and delicate dimples. Yet, her eyes held his attention—bright crimson orbs that seemed to flicker like embers, casting a mesmerizing glow upon her features.Standing beside her was a boy with hair as blue as the sky on a clear summer's day. His eyes mirrored the transparency of calm waters, and despite his slender frame, there was an ethereal quality about him that surpassed mere physical beauty.Instantly recognizing the pair, Ryoshu realized he had encountered them countless times over the past six years."H-Haruki... thank you," the girl's voice trembled slightly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the unexpected gesture of kindness from the blue-haired boy.In contrast to her visible fluster, Haruki remained composed, turning his attention to his friend with genuine concern."Don't menti
Charlotte's sigh was heavy with the weight of her disappointment. Her eyes locked onto the paper she held, searching for hidden meaning in the inked numbers. The quiet room seemed to echo with her despondence. Her brows knitted together, and her lips pursed in a faint frown. "I only got 200 points... so I'm ranked 13th," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, each word laced with a palpable sense of frustration and regret. "Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th."Ever attentive to his friend's emotions, Haruki moved closer, his expression softening with empathy. His blue hair fell into his eyes as he leaned in, a small, comforting smile on his lips. "You both were so close, weren't you?" he said, his tone gentle and encouraging. "If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers at the end, our whole group would have made it into the top 10.Charlotte's gaze shifted from the paper to Haruki, her mind replaying the chaotic events of the competition's final moments. Her brow f
"What on earth is going on?" he muttered, utterly bewildered by the sight before him. The scene was so unexpected that it left him momentarily stunned. Although he lacked the courage to step inside, his curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously peered in. Just at the entrance of the dormitory, Haruki and Charlotte were deeply engrossed in an unusually intimate conversation, their heads close together, sharing words he couldn't quite hear."They look so close... why does this scene seem so familiar?" he thought, a profound sense of déjà vu washing over him. The familiarity was unsettling. "This is the scene right after that cold, unfeeling guy Midnight—supposed to be a Star student—challenges the academy."Reflecting further, he realized, "Because I've temporarily taken his place, now everything is unfolding as it should... according to the script of the game Rainfall Disorder."As he stood there, lost in his thoughts and trying to piece everything together, a group of other
"See you later... but... next time, please don't pull on someone else's shirt like that..."At that precise moment, it seemed that the petite angelic girl had just realized she was clutching the hem of Ryoshu's shirt. Her eyes widened in sudden awareness, and she quickly let go as if the fabric had burned her fingers. What stood out most in this scene was the incredible proximity of their heads. Their faces were so close that even the slightest movement could have resulted in an undeniably awkward situation, almost as if the air between them had thickened with tension.Ryoshu's mind raced, struggling to process the sudden nearness. The image of a tomato was the only thing he could conjure to describe Luna's face, which had flushed a vibrant, almost luminous shade of red. Her cheeks seemed to glow with embarrassment, and he could practically feel the heat radiating from her skin.This moment was incredibly challenging for someone like Ryoshu, who was acutely sensitive and easily flust
"Instead of paying for tuition right away, I'll invest in the shares of potential guilds with promising futures," he mused aloud, his eyes shimmering with a glint of ambition. Securing financial growth through guild investments excited him; it seemed a wise move in a world where connections and wealth often determined one's success. "And if I gather enough goods, I might even consider starting a small business in the Trading Guild."The thought filled him with a sense of purpose and hope. He could already see the possibilities unfold before him—ventures that would bring wealth and establish his reputation in the bustling city. Money, he understood, was not merely a tool for survival but a powerful key to opening doors to numerous opportunities and connections.In the quieter corners of his mind, the stark reality of his ambitions loomed large. "In the future, the amount of money I'll need is no small sum," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of sober reflection. Supporting the ta
Upon hearing the alarming beep of the error sound, the saleswoman immediately hurried over. Her steps were quick and purposeful, a clear indication of her concern. As she approached, she leaned closer to the counter, her eyes searching for the source of the problem, and asked, "Are you out of money, dear?"The young man, visibly flustered, responded with a slight tremble, "No... please wait a moment. It seems there might be an error." His fingers moved swiftly over the device, trying to troubleshoot the issue with an almost palpable urgency. Sweat began to form on his brow as he frantically tried to resolve the situation.Standing right beside Ryoshu, the saleswoman scrutinized him with a look that betrayed her suspicion. Her eyebrows knitted together, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to decipher what was going wrong. Her eyes darted between Ryoshu and the device, seeking any clue that might explain the unexpected error.Ryoshu felt the weight of her gaze bearing do
"Ryoshu... What are you looking at out there?" Charlotte called out to him, her voice tinged with concern after he had been silent for an unusually long time.Startled from his thoughts, Ryoshu turned towards them, his face pale and eyes wide as if he had just seen a ghost. The unsettling expression made both Charlotte and Haruki exchange worried glances.'Could it be... these two?' Ryoshu wondered internally, his mind racing. 'Is it because they know me or because they are actively engaging with me? If that's the case... I need to come up with a plan quickly. These scenes are making me sick!!!'Desperately trying to compose himself, Ryoshu quickly blurted out, "Oh, um... I saw a white cat passing by, but it's nothing special." He cringed inwardly, realizing it was one of the lamest excuses he had ever concocted.Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued but not fully satisfied. "A white cat, you say?""Yeah," Ryoshu stammered, nodding a bit too vigorously. "It just caught my
"Wow, looking over this list again, it's clear just how impressive Amemura is. He scored an incredible 600 points, outpacing Midnight by a substantial margin of 100 points!"Ryoshu'sRyoshu's friend exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement as they reviewed the freshly printed results. The numbers were still crisp on the page, highlighting Amemura's name at the top with a bold score beside it. Ryoshu, however, seemed preoccupied as he fumbled with a newspaper he had just picked up."This... just came out... I didn't have a chance to hear the scores earlier, but... it doesn't," Ryoshu muttered, his voice trailing off as he opened the newspaper. He was soon engrossed, his eyes moving methodically across the columns of text. Despite his initial nonchalance, he found himself compelled to read each word meticulously. A sense of helplessness washed over him as he realized he had no choice but to absorb every detail. The weight of the information bore down on him, making him feel like he was being
"Well, I only got 200 points, so I'm ranked 13th. But Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th," Charlotte sighed, her eyes scanning the paper in her hand with a mix of disappointment and resignation.Seeing the sadness on his friend's face, Haruki felt a pang of empathy and immediately sought to comfort her. His voice was gentle yet filled with a determination to lift her spirits."Both of you were so close, weren't you? If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers causing trouble at the end, our whole group might have made it into the top 10," he said, trying to inject positivity into the situation.Charlotte nodded slightly, appreciating his effort but still feeling the sting of their narrow miss. "I'm not so sure about that... but we should still celebrate the 2... no, now 3 of us who made it into the top 10! Maybe we could go out for dinner tonight... have a little party or something?"As she spoke, Charlotte absentmindedly twirled a lock of her shiny golden hair around her finge
They walked through it unharmed, and not only that, they managed to carry on a lively conversation, smiling as if they were taking a casual stroll. The air was filled with their laughter and light-hearted banter, starkly contrasting the tense situation at hand. "Do you think we'll be alright?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Ryoshu's mind was racing. He vividly remembered the second scene, every detail etched into his memory, and knew he had to act swiftly. The weight of urgency pressed down on him, his thoughts a chaotic whirl as he considered the implications. "I hope the scene hasn't progressed too far… I need to hurry…" he muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mount. Without wasting another moment, he took a deep breath and plunged into the invisible curtain that separated him from his goal.The instant he entered, an eerie sensation washed over him. Once responsive and under his control, his body began to betray him. It was as if an u