Chapter 169

British Server.

William Smith was currently leading his guild members on a raid.

The monster they had to defeat was the Lv.420 Ruin Giant Soldier, Talos.

A monster in the form of a giant golem.

It was a monster with powerful destructive power, immune to magic, and had the special ability to draw energy from the earth, making it a very tricky boss monster.

So far, it had only been defeated twice.

Moreover, the number of clears on the British server was zero.

"Guild Leader! It's regenerating its health!"

The monster, whose health they had managed to reduce, had completely recovered by drawing energy from the earth.

Due to its powerful recovery ability, the party, consisting of users ranging from level 350 to 440, led by Lv. 489 William Smith, was still struggling.

"Uwaaaaah!"

Talos slammed its fist into the ground.

The earth's energy erupted like a volcanic explosion.

Rumble.

The ground shook, and cracks appeared in the ground where William Smith and his party members were standing.

"Jimmy!"

"Yes!"

The healer called Jimmy cast a protective barrier of light.

A protective barrier enveloped everyone, including William.

This barrier absorbed attacks from the outside and converted them into health for recovery.

"Everyone to your positions!"

At William's command, the party members moved swiftly.

The attack on Talos resumed.

19 hours passed like that.

"Krrr..."

Cracks appeared on Talos's incredibly tenacious body, and it crumbled in an instant.

It was because all 15 of Talos's cores had been destroyed.

"We did it!"

"We're the third in the world to clear it!"

The party members rejoiced.

It was a raid they had been preparing for for a whole year.

They couldn't help but be happy that they were able to successfully complete such a raid.

"Let's collect the rewards first."

While the party members were busy collecting the rewards, William approached the remnants of Talos.

He had seen a tombstone sparkling.

The party members were too busy collecting the rewards dropped on the ground.

'What's this?'

The tombstone was densely engraved with some kind of writing.

At first, it was unreadable, but as he got closer, it transformed into his native language.

[Congratulations. You are the third to clear the Ruin Giant Soldier Talos.]

- Your class is 'Archer'.

Accordingly, I would like to give you a small reward.

Go to the archer's city training hall.

The conditions for obtaining the opportunity are as follows.

...

'This is insane!'

It was none other than a hidden piece offering an opportunity.

William's eyes trembled as he carefully read the tombstone.

He turned his head, wondering if anyone else had seen it.

Fortunately, no one was approaching him.

'Destroy it.'

William smashed the tombstone so that no one could see it.

* * *

"Are you leaving already?"

Kyle's face was full of disappointment.

Someone had completely cleared the Ultimate Training Ground for the first time in 600 years.

He wanted to share a drink with him, but Jeong-hoon declined, citing a busy schedule.

"Yes. I've finished my training, so I should go back now."

"...I guess there won't be a chance to see you again?"

"It seems so."

"That's a shame... Then take this at least."

An exclamation mark blinked above Kyle's head.

[Acquired additional reward.]

[Acquired '[Title] Successor of the Divine Archer Richard'.]

The additional reward was none other than a title.

"This is...?"

"The name is grand, isn't it? This is a reward I made to give to those who endure that Ultimate Training Ground."

Successor of the Divine Archer Richard.

[Successor of the Divine Archer Richard]

- Type: Unique Title

- Grade: Unique

- Arrow attack power increased by 5%.

- Archery skill damage increased by 5%.

- Critical hit chance increased by 5%.

- Critical hit damage increased by 3%.

A unique title of Unique grade.

It was a title with quite fraudulent options.

A title that any archer would envy.

He had acquired that title.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I'm more grateful that I could give this to you."

Kyle let Jeong-hoon go without any regrets.

Jeong-hoon, who left the training hall, immediately contacted Michael.

'What's the current situation?'

'...Master, this is too difficult.'

Michael replied in a dying voice.

'What are you doing now?'

'I have to make a bow... but this crazy person keeps rejecting everything...'

'So you haven't made a single one?'

'...Yes.'

It hadn't been long since Michael left, so he had expected that he wouldn't have completed even one quest.

But he hadn't imagined that the progress would be zero.

Jeong-hoon suppressed his anger and spoke.

'You have to do it no matter what.'

'But... I keep getting rejected!'

'Then it's a matter of doing well enough not to get rejected.

'

'...'

'Did you forget that I promised you a reward? Do it properly.'

'...Sniff, sniff, an upgrade?'

'I'll upgrade your reward.'

'The Coffin of Death. I'll get you that coffin.'

'The Coffin of Death?! ...But does that even exist? I've only heard of it, never actually seen it.'

'Have you ever seen me lie? Do it right. Then I'll get it for you somehow.'

'Really? You won't go back on your word later?'

'Yes.'

'Yes! Please wait a little bit! I'll finish it somehow and come back!'

Michael's voice became much more lively.

Only then did Jeong-hoon head towards the City of Archers.

Like the City of Warriors, it was a place where the ruler and his close associates resided.

"Hold on. Who are you?"

However, he had to go through five checkpoints before reaching the sanctuary.

The security was incredibly tight.

"I'm an archer."

"I see. Archers may pass."

This was the place Michael had visited earlier.

He must have also gone through these checkpoints.

Upon arriving at the sanctuary, Jeong-hoon immediately sought out the NPC named Roscantor.

[NPC Information]

- Nickname: Roscantor

- Level: 275

- Occupation: Temporary Commander

He was the temporary commander leading the archers residing in the Archer's City.

He was acting as the commander in place of the city's leader because they were preparing for war.

As a result, the quests they offered were mainly focused on strengthening their forces.

The reason they were thoroughly blocking users of other classes was to hide this fact.

'That's why there's manual labor, including making bows.'

By making as many bows as possible, they were supplementing the weapons to be used in the war.

Since Jeong-hoon was disguised as an archer, a question mark was blinking above Roscantor's head.

[Normal Quest: If You're a True Archer]

- Restriction: Archer user level 201 or higher

- Reward: ?

- Description: Recently, a worry has arisen in the City of Archers. Please help us eliminate that worry.

Jeong-hoon accepted the quest.

"Hmm? Who are you?"

Roscantor tilted his head as he accepted the quest.

"I came here looking for something to help with."

"Oh! Really?"

Roscantor's face brightened.

Recently, there had been a cause for concern in the City of Archers.

A few days ago, monsters had swarmed right up to the city's west gate.

Because of that, they had to dispatch 10% of their forces as an extermination team.

But the results were disastrous.

'W-we failed...'

'Failed? You mean you failed even with that many people?'

'Yes... there were too many monsters. Their level was 250.'

'...250?! What about the casualties?'

'Nearly half of them died... The rest barely made it back alive, but many are severely injured.'

The messenger delivering the report also had one arm torn off, wrapped tightly in bandages.

'Damn it... At a time when the leader hasn't even woken up...'

The ruler of the City of Archers.

Altair von Arkenstone.

He was the current leader and the absolute powerhouse of the city.

But he had been asleep for over three months and hadn't woken up.

The leader had been fine until just before he fell asleep...

The problem was that no one residing in the City of Archers could figure out the cause.

In the end, the City of Archers paid a hefty sum of gold and requested help from the Holy City.

But the Holy City made it clear that they would only provide a diagnosis.

If they wanted treatment as well, they had to pay an additional fee after the diagnosis.

It was quite unpleasant, but the situation was urgent, so they accepted their offer.

'It seems to be a curse.'

The priest who visited the City of Archers examined Altair von Arkenstone and mentioned a curse.

'A curse?'

'Yes. Among curses, there are some that induce a deep sleep, preventing the victim from ever waking up.'

'...Huh, who on earth would do such a thing?'

'Well, perhaps someone with a deep grudge against the leader of the City of Archers?'

'Then is there a way to break the curse?'

'There is, but... such a curse is beyond our power. It would probably require someone of the leader's caliber to do it.'

'...How much would it cost?'

'1 million gold. That's the minimum we would need.'

'That's insane...!'

It was the same as saying they wouldn't lift the curse.

Where on earth could they get 1 million gold?

As promised, the priest left as soon as the diagnosis was over, and Roscantor couldn't help but worry.

It was Altair von Arkenstone who had ordered them to prepare for war in the first place.

The fact that he was suddenly cursed was undoubtedly the work of the City of Warriors.

There were bound to be dark magicians in the City of Mages, which was allied with the City of Warriors, so it was a reasonable guess.

That's why he had taken on the role of temporary commander to continue the preparations, following the leader's will, but he never dreamed that monsters would interfere.

"So, if we wipe out those monsters, the problem will be solved?"

"That's right."

"Alright. I'll go and wipe out the monsters."

At Jeong-hoon's bold claim, Roscantor let out a hollow laugh with an absurd expression.

"Your spirit is admirable, but it's impossible for you alone. How can a mere level 201 Ranger handle those monsters?"

The corners of Jeong-hoon's mouth subtly rose.

"We'll see about that."

Roscantor, judging that he was being brash, went straight to the point.

"...Anyway, what I'm asking for is support."

"Support?"

"Yes. We'll be dispatching a second wave of troops to exterminate the monsters. You just need to join that extermination team and lend your strength."

"Understood."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

* * *

West Gate of the City of Archers.

In front of the tightly closed west gate, countless archers were lined up.

These were archers who were considered relatively skilled in close combat, while archers specializing in long-range combat were positioned on the city walls.

"We must stop them."

"I will kill them with my own hands."

Monsters that should have been lurking in the field had invaded near the city.

To drive them away, the first wave of archers had gone out to exterminate them, but the result was a crushing defeat.

Comrades who had laughed and chatted over meals had returned as cold corpses overnight.

They had somehow managed to barely drive the monsters away, but it was clear that they would attack again.

"Alright, is everyone gathered?"

The one leading them was a level 260 Ranger named Cedric.

"Yes!"

The archers, with their discipline tightened, answered loudly.

Satisfied with their response, Cedric nodded and continued.

"You all know why we're gathered here, right?"

"Yes!"

"We don't know when the monsters will attack again, but we must exterminate them. Do you understand?"

"Gulp...!"

The archers gulped nervously.

"Those who are afraid can step back now."

It was sure to be a battle with many casualties.

So Cedric wanted to give them a choice.

Everyone wanted to preserve their lives.

"..."

But no one said they would withdraw.

"Good. Then let's go."

The west gate opened wide.

As Cedric and the archers passed through the gate and exited the city, a vast plain greeted them.

Normally, it would have been a quiet place where only border guards would come and go, but the plain was currently in ruins.

It was because of the monster invasion.

The archers gritted their teeth as they saw the bloodstains on the ground.

Rumble.

At that moment, the plain began to shake.

"The monsters are coming!"

At Cedric's shout, the archers felt the hairs on their bodies stand on end.

They formed a battle line and drew their bowstrings.

Finally, they appeared.

[Lv.275 Titan Rhinoceros]

They were monsters in the form of giant rhinoceroses.

"What the... what are those?"

Cedric muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

The monsters the first wave encountered were level 250 Black King Ogres.

But the ones that appeared now were Titan Rhinoceroses, 25 levels higher.

"Uwaaaaah!"

They roared and charged towards the archers.

"...Damn it, shoot!"

At Cedric's command, the archers released their drawn bowstrings.

At the same time, arrows were also fired from the city walls.

Whoosh!

Countless arrows rained down on the Titan Rhinoceroses.

[Titan Rhinoceros uses 'Hardened Body'.]

[Titan Rhinoceros uses 'Strengthen: Physical Attack'.]

But as they activated their special abilities, the arrows bounced right off.

They couldn't inflict a single wound.

"This is crazy!"

"Block them!"

The archers, their faces pale, drew their bowstrings again.

But the Titan Rhinoceroses pushed forward relentlessly.

"It's dangerous!"

"Retreat!"

The archers hurriedly retreated.

It was then.

Whoosh!

An arrow shot from the direction of the city wall, piercing the head of the leading Titan Rhinoceros.

Its body went limp, and a shockwave erupted around it.

"Uh...?"

Cedric's eyes widened in surprise.