Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 78: Variety

"Ooh, sorry to hear that. Where's Ol' Wally?"

"He's outside forging," Razul answers. "But I thought most of [Archery] users only have wooden bows as their weapons."

"True, but there are rumors that metallic versions of bows exist. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Besides, I think it's the perfect time for me to share something that we've cooked up in our guild. Don't worry, info is free of charge, but it's up to you whether if you can risk your materials for it."

Risk, huh. Since we're practically in a partnership together, I'm guessing it won't hurt to listen.

"What do you want to give me? Info on a new [Mastery]?" I asked.

"Even better. Hey, you! The knight guy! Can you grab that armored target at the testing area?"

I quickly snort at that nickname, knowing who is she talking to.

"Hey, the name's Arthur and I'm not just a knight guy! I'm a knight apprentice."

"Yeah, yeah. Just put in there, please."

I hear Arthur groan again before he relents and drags some sort of a chest plate stand towards another room. We then enter it and watch Ellie take out her bow and arrow as she walks to the black dot.

"Alright. Don't turn away just for a second, folks. Cause I'm going to show you my special feat that got us a win from our first dungeon raid!" I'm a bit skeptical at her claims, but I decide to stay silent and watch this strange demonstration occurs. From what I can tell so far, her weapon is just a normal [Composite Bow], but I can't see what's different about...

CRRRAAAAACCCKKK!!!

H-Huh? I wasn't hallucinating, right? That arrow didn't just break through the iron chest plate, it completely pierced through it! But that's impossible. My arrows can't even put a dent on the ants' shells no matter how hard I pull its bowstring! What's even more shocking is that she didn't use any skill for it. Regardless, I am way impressed.

"Hehe... Looks like your face says it all. I know, I'm awesome."

"Awesome is a slight overstatement. How in the world did you do that?" Razul ass, who seems to be similarly shocked as me.

"Yeah, you barely invoke a skill or anything!" Arthur adds.

"Great questions. Hey, newbie. Catch!" Before I know it, she tosses something to me and quickly grabs it as soon as I see it. "Tell me, can you tell what's different about that arrow?"

Different? Now that she mentions it, the arrow she gave me does feel a bit heavy. When I do take a closer look, I gasp at what I see.

"No way. The arrowhead somehow flattened!" I wasn't exaggerating. Instead of a usual V-shaped arrowhead, it's somewhat rectangular with its tip blunt to the point of no sharp edges around it. This can't be a real item in the game, but I open up its description window just in case.

[Mace Arrow]

[A special arrow made to break through the toughest armor and shell. Due to its weight, a special bow is required to fire it without any issues.

Effects: Armor Pierce

Quality: 12]

"But I don't understand," I say, still in disbelief at this revelation. "There should be some sort of physics in here or else, it wouldn't pierce through that armor with a skill."

"You're right about that. But that's why I have this custom bow to compensate for it. If you use those bad boys, you might able to get through those [Link Ants] no problem. Plus, you have a [Blacksmithing Mastery], right? If you try making your own arrowheads, you may able to conquer all sorts of monsters along the way."

So I can make this, too, huh? Now that's another info I can get by!

"That's cool. You did show me something great! Thanks, Ellie!"

But just as I can try to do anything else, Ellie quickly stops me and says, "Hold it, newbie. I understand your excitement over our new invention, but there are some caveats when you try to use one of these. As I said, I had to use a customized bow to have better aim and trajectory with those arrows. You know how heavy one arrow is and there is a low chance you can use skills like [Arrow Shower]."

"But I have [Physical Enhancement]. Isn't that enough to compensate?" I ask in concern.

"It will take more than a [Mastery] to use those arrows." Hearing that familiar voice, I turn to see Wallaby enter the hall as I notice some soot on his face. "Every arrow needs a perfect match. It took me nearly a week to finish those arrowheads and collaboration with the guild woodcrafters to build Ellie's bow and trust me, it was no easy feat. If you really want to master using a variety of types of arrows, I suggest you should reconsider some types of bows in your arsenal, Windy. Otherwise, you may set yourself up for failure once more."

Is that so? I guess it may take more than a day to complete my preparations. If I truly want to get stronger, I might as well start practicing.

"Then will you teach me how to make them, Master? I know I'm only here to keep an eye on Kazu, but I want to get stronger. Enough to protect him long enough until his birthday."

"His birthday? Don't tell me..."

I nod at him. "Yeah. Until that day of his independence, I'm going to protect him no matter what! I don't care if it's days or weeks as long we managed to get past our first obstacle together."

Okay, that's a bit overboard, but I know where I'm getting at. To be honest, I'm a bit invested in the virtual world and I want to discover more of it alongside my brother together until my graduation.

"Then I have to warn you that my training is more strict than usual. Luckily, I don't have work tomorrow, so you can come to the forge once you're ready."

"Right, Master!" At least that's one problem down. All that's left is to get to Kazu next and...

"Are you Wallaby?"

Huh? That wasn't one of the members just now. I turn and see an [Elf] man wearing some kind of magician's robe who seems to be about my age. Yeah, he doesn't look like one of the guild members.

"Oh, yes, young man. You're one of the new magic members, correct?"

"Yeah. I was hoping I can use one of your facilities here."

"Right. The [Magecrafting] stations are upstairs. It's pretty barren right now, so you can use any one of them you like."

"Okay." That is supposed to end their short conversation, but he then suddenly stares at me with his unusually neutral expression. "And you're Wind, correct? I heard you're one of the players who beat the [Hidden Quest], right?"

"U-Uh, yeah..." Why did he have to mention that to me of all days?! "Is there something on my face?"

"Nothing. I'm just checking to see if your partner is also here."

"You mean Kazu? Well, he's..." Before I can finish, he suddenly goes upstairs without looking back. "...upstairs..." I sigh in frustration as he leaves. "Just who the hell is he?"

"Yeah, he acted like we're nobodies here!" Arthur says in an equally irritated tone as me.

"He's just recently joined the guild a week ago, but he's actually very talented with the magic [Masteries] during their test raids," Ellie explains. "As far as we know about him, he's practically a stranger to us."

"Do you have a name for him?" Star asks, which now that I think about it, he didn't introduce himself before he left.

"Yeah, it's <Zale> and he said he came from outside <Initio>."

Outside... <Initio>?

"Hang on, that doesn't make sense. The game doesn't let us move to another city until the expansion releases in a few weeks."

Razul's right. Could he be an NPC or something else? But then again, can an NPC even join a player guild?