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
"Damm it... Why does it have to be this mistake out of all the foolish ones...? It feels like everything is crumbling, like it's all over now," despair seeped into the already darkened atmosphere, weighing heavily on Ryoshu's chest.But then, amidst the suffocating darkness, a glimmer of hope pierced through his despair like a ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. An idea ignited in his mind with the ferocity of an instinctive battle cry."Oh no, I still have this skill... If I'm in free fall, this skill will work!"As the Time Bullet's influence faded, he wasted no time activating the last skill he could recall."PIERCE!"A surge of crimson light enveloped the arrow, its brilliance a stark contrast against the shadowy backdrop. It was the first time he had seen this skill's effect manifest with such breathtaking power.For a brief moment, it felt like his spirit and Fumiya's became one, their energies merging seamlessly. The arrow streaked towards the Slime's surface with un
While the rough estimation might not offer pinpoint accuracy, if we assume Grade E to be approximately twice as formidable as Grade F, then Grade D should theoretically possess a strength 4-5 times greater than Grade E. Yet, here stood Ryoshu, pitted against a Grade C behemoth, while still lacking any official rank. This stark contrast implied that the monster must wield a power at least ten times greater than his own.Despite the daunting odds, Ryoshu clung to a single advantage: the creature's Defense had been halved, significantly tipping the scales in his favor. Therefore, fleeing was out of the question. Even if he entertained the notion of escape, the labyrinthine depths of the abyss rendered it nearly impossible.Fleeing had never crossed Ryoshu's mind, even in his darkest moments. "What reason do I have to fear a boss whose every move and technique I've already committed to memory?" he defiantly pondered.He engaged the Slime creature with unwavering resolve, patiently biding
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
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