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
As the dimly lit cave scene gradually dissolved, it gave way to a sprawling expanse bathed in radiant light, casting its glow into every crevice and corner. The source of this illumination seemed to emanate from somewhere within the vast emptiness, a space within what could only be described as a colossal and towering chamber."Maybe the light here comes from outside," Ryoshu speculated, standing atop a considerably spacious rock ledge compared to the cramped confines of the cave he had just left. Traversing from one end of this ledge to the other would take ten minutes.The grandeur of this cavern couldn't escape his notice, even surpassing its in-game counterpart in expansiveness.However, amidst the awe-inspiring sight, one aspect remained unchanged as Ryoshu peered down the cliffside. It starkly contrasted with the vastness of the cavern, being relatively modest in size. It could accommodate only about ten adult-sized persons stacked atop one another in height."But even a fall fr
Ryoshu grappled with an inner turmoil threatening to erupt like a Category 8 hurricane. The anguish of the electric shock, the impact of his fall, and the resurgence of previous injuries brewed within him, seeking retribution. Each ache and throb served as a grim reminder of the perilous battle ahead.Sensing his escalating agitation, Ryoshu took the preemptive step of deactivating his Mana core to evade detection. Beads of sweat cascaded from beneath his mask, reminiscent of someone on the brink of vomiting... or perhaps he indeed was. The weight of impending danger hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension that seemed to suffocate him.His mind whirled like a spinning top, flipping his perception of reality inside out and upside down. Every direction seemed to interchange, leaving him disoriented amidst the chaos around him. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a steely resolve burned within him, driving him forward despite the odds stacked against him.Ryoshu strained to focus through his ling
"Moving to the right..."Ryoshu's mind swiftly translated the command into action, though his movements were deliberate, almost cautious. Each step was measured as a calculated response to the impending threat."Shift left and advance ten steps..." Over ten minutes of relentless sprinting had left Ryoshu's stamina teetering on the edge of exhaustion. It felt like an unseen specter was chasing him down, urging him to push beyond his limits. In this virtual realm, the sensation was akin to being pursued by a Grade C Slime, relentless and unforgiving.Despite the mounting fatigue, Ryoshu's sharp memory served him well, enabling him to deftly evade the boss's attacks. However, the exertion had taken its toll, and he had exhausted all charges of the Time Bullet skill, leaving him with no recourse but to grant himself a fleeting moment of respite. It was a calculated risk, allowing his mind to recover even as his body begged for rest.Thankfully, the boss's combat patterns remained unchang