Chapter 15: Perfect Shot (3)

Kingdom Age

included a co-op mode as well, but most players didn’t use it because it increased the game’s difficulty.

Players only used co-op mode to casually play with friends. It satisfied the craving of defeating enemies with teamwork. The game also planned a future DLC with five player teams, so that would be exciting.

“Alright, I had to go back to match Almond’s storyline. Technically, I’m the one who’s here to help out.”

— You’re just tagging along, relax.

— Just get on the Almond bus.

— Almond bus LOL

— Passenger Jelly.

Acorn Jelly could be considered fairly skilled, but they didn’t even see him as a player next to Almond. They had already been awed by Almond’s teaser video.

— The montage brought me here. He’s actually insane.

— How’s he human?

— And that’s without optimization?

— The only person who can complete the bow challenge.

The viewers gave Acorn Jelly a hard time because he gave up the bow challenge after three attempts.

“Hey, I’ll stay in front as a tank and won’t even touch a bow.”

Acorn Jelly had a little spat with the viewers before turning to Almond.

“Almond, I’ll explain the criteria for a perfect shot.”

“Sure.”

Acorn Jelly pointed at the center of his forehead.

“In this damn game, there’s a point system even on the vitals. Imagine a circle on the forehead with smaller ones surrounding the middle like an archery target.”

— Here we go again.

— The start of a legend.

— How many times do we have to listen to this LOL

— Oh man.

The viewers complained, but Acorn Jelly ignored them like usual and continued.

“So the most important thing is to hit the center of the forehead.”

“Okay.”

“This is already hard, right? What makes it even harder is that you have to succeed on the first attempt.”

“Oh, I see.”

Acorn Jelly explained it like a horror story, but Almond seemed unfazed.

— Oh, I see.

— Oh, really?

– Oh… okay.

— ??? Is that supposed to be hard?

The viewers made fun of Acorn Jelly’s dumbfounded expression.

‘I guess the criteria doesn’t surprise him since he constantly hits perfect shots.’

Not only did Acorn Jelly expect this, but he wanted this reaction.

‘We can really make him into something with a little more work.’

Almond’s actions, speech, and abilities all synergized well. He could become something big if he had the spotlight.

‘I wonder if this is why he already has such an amazing manager.’

Acorn Jelly recalled Ju-Hyeok’s impressive resume.

Thud.

Someone suddenly struck the back of his head.

“New guy, pay attention.”

It turned out to be Commander Roman.

‘Oh, right. The game started.’

— LOL

— Roman, ON

— Hahaha

— Special melee training!

Roman’s fierce gaze made Acorn Jelly’s heart shrivel.

“Don’t even glance in my direction.”

“Ye… yes sir…”

Thud.

Roman bumped his shoulder as he walked past to the other soldiers.

“I will explain today’s mission.”

They defeated the bandits and moved on to a different mission. Emilia, who they successfully escorted, assigned the mercenaries another mission.

“The noble lady Emilia has assigned us another task thanks to our previous success. There is a goblin cave nearby that is giving the farmers a hard time.”

Their enemies would be monsters instead of humans this time.

“We will find the cave and eliminate them. It’s been a while since we’ve received a nice mission like this, so let’s get good results. Be like Almond over there, alright?”

“Yes!”

A cutscene appeared where they rode on carriages. Acorn Jelly expressed his astonishment.

“Can you believe this guy?”

He felt baffled.

— Almond gets a compliment while Acorn Jelly gets shoulder checked LOL

— The difference in how they’re treated is hilarious.

— Haha for real.

— LMAO

The carriage arrived in front of the goblin cave. Night had fallen, so the soldiers lit up the path with torches. Roman led the way.

“We’ll quietly infiltrate.”

At Roman's command, the elite soldiers who led the charge crouched into position. This included Acorn Jelly and Almond.

“Let’s go!”

Acorn Jelly shouted for the viewers and slowly moved forward.

Thud!

Roman whacked him again.

“I said

quietly.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Don’t even respond or I’ll cut you in half.”

“...”

— LOL

— LMAO

— Roman carrying the show.

— Roman knows what’s up.

Roman, who became the star of the show, pointed at Almond and whispered.

“Almond, stay in front and show this newcomer what a surprise attack looks like.”

Almond nodded and moved forward. He reached the entrance first without making a sound.

‘Moving is a lot easier.’

After the optimization, Almond took advantage of the game to its full extent. He always felt some limitations when he moved in the past, but that had disappeared now. He wouldn't be able to return to his pre-optimization settings anymore.

‘There’s a goblin.’

He could see a few goblins on guard duty.

Creak…

He crouched as low as he could and pulled his bowstring. This position looked unusual, but the bowstring perfectly reached the center of his lips and his hold remained perfect.

Sang-Hyeon released the arrow.

Swoosh!

The air whistled and a goblin fell.

— Wow!

— Shit…

— Insane.

— The way he shoots is completely different.

Watching it on video and seeing it LIVE couldn’t be compared. Moreover, Acorn Jelly witnessed it from right beside him.

“Eek!”

Thankfully, Roman didn’t hear him this time.

‘This is no joke.’

Acorn Jelly noticed it with his attention to detail.

‘I think he’s improved.’

Sang-Hyeon’s shooting looked even more natural than before. That didn’t seem possible, but it just happened.

‘And he even adjusted his shot to be quieter for a surprise attack.’

Almond always used a full draw and even adjusted into a hunting mode.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

He shot one after another with just the right amount of strength and hardly any noise.

Swoosh!

The goblins fell every time a slight whistle could be heard until none remained in sight.

“Incredible, Almond.”

“

Woah…

”

“That’s our Almond…”

Not just Roman, but the other soldiers admired Almond too. Acorn Jelly found himself applauding.

“Did all of you see that? That was actually insane. That’s the perfect shot. An instant death that’s different from just dying.”

Normally, this stage level required teamwork from all the mercenaries to beat, but it became a one man show.

— Is it normally supposed to be like this?

— It’s normally a bloodbath LOL

— I bet he’s good at sniping too.

— But idk if it’s a perfect shot or not.

— I think it’s just a headshot.

“Light the fire and smoke them out.”

The mercenaries lit the entrance on fire and barricaded it with stacks of hay.

Fwoosh!

They filled the cave with smoke to suffocate the remaining goblins.

Regular goblins would’ve all died in panic, but these ones had a boss who commanded them.

“Kiyaaaaaaak!”

Glowing red eyes emerged from the smoke.

[Champion Goblin]

This goblin looked as huge as an orc, wore a mask, and held a blade in each hand.

“Kiyaaaaak!”

“A variant?!”

Even Roman felt taken aback by that goblin’s size.

The giant pointed at the mercenaries and commanded the other goblins. More goblins popped out from the smoke and an army of glowing red eyes suddenly swarmed them.

“Defences!!!”

Roman shouted and Acorn Jelly rushed to the front with his shield.

Creak…?

‘Center of the vital. First try.’

Sang-Hyeon repeated Acorn Jelly’s instructions and aimed at the champion goblin.

— Is a perfect shot really possible?

— Now we’ll know since it’s a boss.

— Oh shit, he’s aiming straight for the boss.

— Holy shit.

However, Sang-Hyeon hesitated.

‘Oh?’

He loosened his tightly drawn bowstring.

‘What’s that mask?’

A mask covered the center of the boss’ forehead where he would normally aim. It seemed to be made of steel and not even wood. An arrow wouldn’t be able to pierce through.

— Why’s he stopping?

— Is he nervous cause it has to be on the first try?

— Is Almond human after all?

It had to be the first shot, so he couldn’t test if the mask would break. After briefly thinking, Sang-Hyeon aimed high up into the sky.

— Up high?!

— Did someone donate 100,000 won? That’s the reaction to it!

— LOL what is going on?

— Is he trolling?

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Sang-Hyeon closed his eyes and felt the wind against his skin.

Swish—

A moment of silence passed.

Swoosh!

The shot sounded different from before as the arrow flew into the sky.