Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 103: Eagle of Perception

I glare at Acutus as soon as they mention my brother. Looks like this will be similar to Veritates after all. "So are you saying you're the one who's going to test me? I'm surprised they allow a living person to be the next b- I mean, test keeper for my second trial."

[Flattery will get you nowhere, kid. I may not look much, but if you chose this door first, I may not be as forgiving as Veritates. This trial will focus more on your eyes than strength alone.] Acutus brings out a bow and a quiver of arrows that they wear on their back. [If you managed to pierce through the obstacles obscuring your target, then you will pass the test. Although, you only need to hit me with one arrow as it is considered a pass. Consider it as a mercy from the Sages, I guess.]

"And if I lose or die?"

Acutus simply gives me a smirk. [Then try again until your spirit gives up. At that point, you will fail the test.]

Is that their way to mock me? Compared to Veritates, their insults feel a little weak compared to how he called me out on being an overprotective brother with no goals in life.

"As if I'm going to give up." I quickly take out my bow and arrows as my response to their threats. "If you want me to fail, then try killing me first."

[Hmph... Guess Veritates really worked you out, huh? Let's put it to the test, shall we?]

They snap their fingers and suddenly, white light flashes before my eyes. I am quickly blinded before I can cover my eyes. But when my sight recovers after a while, I gasp to see that Acutus is gone.

[One tip for you, kid. Nature can be very deceiving,] Acutus's voice echoed through the forest. [Good luck.]

[NOTICE]

[You are only allowed to use [Archery] weapons for this battle. You are also allowed to use your [Hunting], but it has been adjusted to Level 5. Any other weapons and [Masteries] are restricted until the end of the battle.]

[NOTICE]

[Due to the nature of this battle, you cannot check the [HP] on both combatants, including the current stats on yourself.]

[As a result of this, the [Stat] window is now disabled for this battle.]

Here we go again. This time, I'm also allowed to use the [Hunting Mastery] for this battle alongside my [Archery], albeit with a few caveats such as its level being temporarily lowered to 5. I'm guessing this is their way to make this test more manageable for me. Though it's not like they made it too easy compared to the last one. I'm also concerned about their advice before they disappeared into the woods. "Nature can be deceiving"... I'm guessing I have to rely more on my other senses than my eyes if I want to pass this trial. Maybe if I close my eyes and hear some rustling from the leaves, I might...

SWOOP!

...What the hell?! I barely got hit by an arrow that came from above me! The problem is that I didn't see where it was fired from. Maybe that's what I get for being savvy with those "feel, don't see" tropes.

[You can't stand around if you don't want to get hit with my arrows, kid!]

Okay, this guy or gal is starting to get on my nerves. Still, I have to take something from Veritates's battle and not let them get to me mentally. I quickly take out my bow and arrows before I jump from branch to branch in my attempt to get away from wherever they fired their arrows. I have to play smart unless they keep toying with me with their taunts.