"Is this just a random coincidence or something more... suspicious?" Ryoshu pondered, his eyes fixed on the ominous path ahead. The darkness emanating from the cave's depths felt like it was piercing his soul. An eerie sensation crept through the cavern, causing a chill to run down his spine."Now, it's all about survival," he muttered, his throat tense.Attempting to steady his nerves, Ryoshu reevaluated his strategy for navigating the Hidden Temple. He contemplated launching a long-range sneak attack to assess his proficiency with the bow. It was a skill that the Spiral Academy would undoubtedly scrutinize.He wanted to gauge the effectiveness of this stealthy approach. However, he knew it would require a significant investment of time, potentially diminishing his chances of uncovering additional rewards. Yet, speed and efficiency weren't the sole criteria for success in these trials.Each challenge within the Hidden Temple assessed the Awakened on diverse skills and attributes. Whi
As the creature pivoted towards the source of the arrow, it charged straight at Ryoshu, prompting him to steady himself for another shot."Keep calm... I've got another chance," Ryoshu murmured, though his heart raced with the creature's approach.With each passing moment, the creature accelerated, intensifying the pressure on Ryoshu. Despite the mounting tension, he focused on regulating his breath and readied himself for another shot.With a swift motion, the arrow streaked through the air, finding its mark at the slime's core.In an instant, the slime burst into a watery puddle, a glimmering object tumbling out of its remnants, resembling a radiant stone.Ryoshu's hands glistened with sweat, not from fear but from the adrenaline rush. The stone held a significant amount of pure Mana, known as a Magic Crystal.Though highly sought after, Magic Crystals fetched a modest price at the F-tier level, selling for only 1 RC each."These are more common within the Temple than outside," Ryos
"This potion couldn't be more fitting... Maybe it'll help me avoid some discrimination! Even if it feels like the potion is mocking me directly..." Ryoshu grumbled sourly as he pored over the potion's description.Despite the bitter undertone of his thoughts, he pushed them aside and hoisted the vial towards the heavens, as if presenting it to an unseen audience."I've always wanted to flaunt my newfound treasures like this... But it's a bit more awkward than I imagined..."Thankfully, there was only one observer in the vicinity: Fumiya, who had stealthily slipped out at some point."How did you manage to sneak out? I don't recall summoning you yet," Ryoshu queried, puzzled by Fumiya's sudden appearance.But Fumiya seemed oblivious to Ryoshu's inquiry, its gaze fixed solely on the vial in Ryoshu's grasp, brimming with anticipation."Perhaps it's pondering why I'm so thrilled about discovering this potion."This potion was a rarity, challenging to come by. In the market, its value coul
The potential consequences loomed large in Ryoshu's mind. "If I miss my shot," he mused, "that Thunder Slime boss will come after me relentlessly until I'm dead. And with the odds stacked against me like this, I might bite the dust before it even gets to me. And that's not even considering the other Slimes that would probably join the chase to aid their leader."His hand shook with apprehension, contrasting sharply with the oblivious bouncing of the other Slimes around him.The linear path ahead offered no hidden escapes, making survival seem like a distant dream if they decided to pursue him.From behind, Fumiya emerged, offering a comforting pat on Ryoshu's head. Only then did Ryoshu notice the beads of sweat on his forehead."Fumiya... seems to be more unique than I originally thought," he murmured, turning his gaze towards the hovering sandpile.As Ryoshu opened his arms wide, Fumiya eagerly leaped into his embrace."Its spirit still holds a childlike innocence," he observed. "Tha
As Ryoshu triggered his skill, time seemed to stretch out, almost freezing in place. However, the effect wasn't as drastic as the instant-death skill, only slowing down time by about three times. "Maybe it's related to the Intuition stat, while the other skill pushes the brain to work three times faster... That's my theory," Ryoshu mused, his gaze still fixed on the Slime.The flames on the arrow continued to burn steadily, spreading rapidly. Ryoshu knew he had to act quickly, or the arrow would turn to ash before reaching the Slimes."I really hope I don't miss," Ryoshu whispered, his confidence shaky but his trust in Fumiya unwavering.The usual fear on Ryoshu's face vanished, replaced by absolute calmness. Before releasing the arrow, he waited until his mind was as tranquil as a still pond, disturbed only by a single drop.The arrow shot out, but due to the Time Bullet effect, it moved slowly, like a scene in slow motion."I've put everything into this... now it's time to see what
Half a day had passed since Ryoshu had ventured into the cave's depths. His body now screamed for rest, utterly depleted of energy. A proper rest day seemed like a distant dream, out of reach for now.With a heavy sigh, Ryoshu pondered the tasks left undone. Pushing them aside, he reached into his ring and retrieved a plastic bottle, its contents relieving his parched throat."Ahh, nothing beats the real thing," he murmured, indulging in the refreshing liquid."Let's go find some food, Fumiya," Ryoshu declared, summoning the sand form of his beloved bow. Fumiya appeared, albeit looking weary from their recent endeavors.Observing his tired companion, Ryoshu couldn't help but smile in sympathy."Feeling hungry, Fumiya? Alright then, let's find some food first, and then you can rest," he suggested, leading Fumiya through the cave in search of sustenance. Fortunately, Ryoshu had acquired valuable knowledge about foraging for food in the previous version of the game."What in the world...
Ryoshu's consciousness surged back into existence like a sudden spark in the darkness of his mind.Reality greeted him with an alarming suspension; he was neither floating nor anchored. The void around him lacked defining traits. It held no temperature, yet his skin prickled with an unsettling sensation.He felt himself not aimlessly descending into what resembled the unfathomable depths of a desolate, silent ocean floor.Time lost its grasp on Ryoshu. Was it moments, days, or years that had slipped by unnoticed?The concept of time seemed elusive, its flow uncertain. Yet, amidst this temporal ambiguity, Ryoshu's consciousness persisted, a faint beacon in the vast expanse.He attempted to exert control over his body, only to confront his complete helplessness. Not a limb, not a finger, nor even an eyelid obeyed his will. His physical form had been stripped away, leaving only fleeting thoughts and distant sensations behind.Then, from above, a brilliant light pierced the murky depths,
With precision akin to a master archer, the arrow sliced through the air, finding its mark with flawless accuracy. It cut through the gelatinous barrier of the Slime without a moment's hesitation, embedding itself directly into the core. A satisfying explosion followed, marking Ryoshu's victory with ease. As he surveyed the aftermath, a sense of accomplishment washed over him, impossible to ignore."Looking on the bright side, if I manage to escape from here, I'll emerge stronger than ever," Ryoshu mused aloud, his thoughts drifting toward the potential outcomes of his endeavors. Despite the unexpected turns of events, he couldn't deny the allure of the challenges that lay ahead.From the depths of the void, the cold, mechanical voice of the System reverberated, fulfilling Ryoshu's anticipation. The Archery potential had ascended to the coveted E-rank! Waves of power and knowledge surged through him, akin to a performance-enhancing drug, propelling him towards new heights of capabilit