Chapter 7

A week had passed.

My experience grinding was going smoothly, and I had become proficient enough with the Diagonal Quest strategy to chat with the potion shop clerk. If I could finish the remaining 500, it would amount to having thrown 10,000 arrows.

My skill level-ups were also progressing well. I hadn't managed to learn *Flying Chariot Archery* yet, but my other *Archery* skills had improved significantly. I had stopped *Incense Chariot Archery*, *Knight Archery*, and *Silver General Archery* at level 5, with effects of "110% piercing attack," "90% sniping success rate," and "200% single-target attack," respectively. *Gold General Archery* and *Rook Archery* were stopped at level 3, with effects of "80% area attack + knockback" and "180% piercing attack," respectively.

Even after leveling up this much, I still had a considerable amount of experience points left, which shows just how overpowered the Diagonal Quest strategy is. It also demonstrates how high the average level of *Mevius Online* players is.

By significantly leveling up my archery skills, my DEX (Dexterity) had become quite prominent among my stats. AGI (Agility) had also increased considerably.

DEX is the stat that governs dexterity, but in *Archery*, it directly affects damage output. It also influences production success rates, so the higher it is, the better. AGI governs speed and, the higher it is, the more advantageous it is in combat.

"Maybe it's time to work on sword skills."

While thinking about this, I headed to the Great Cave as usual today.

Sevenstayer also agreed with my mutterings with a "Bhuin!" So, I decided to put learning *Flying Chariot Archery* on hold and focus on leveling up my *Sword Skills* once the Diagonal Quest strategy was complete.

"Ugh!"

As I approached the mine, a desperate voice came from the other side of the forest.

Could it be?

With a slight hope in my heart, I dismounted Sevenstayer, drew my longbow, and rushed into the forest.

"Damn it, retreat! Clear a path to retreat—gah!?"

... Humans and monsters.

Ragged breathing.

The sound of metal clashing.

The smell of blood.

Screams.

This was not a scene from the *Mevius Online* I knew.

About 20 meters ahead, knights, presumably from the Third Knight Order, were surrounded by monsters.

The monsters were called Scarlet Mantises—giant mantises with a poisonous red color. There were six of them.

The Third Knight Order was struggling. Five knights lay motionless on the ground, and five others were forming a circle with their swords drawn. It was clear to anyone that they would be toyed with and killed if this continued.

"..."

At that moment, I was enraged.

I was angry at myself for feeling a moment of joy at the thought that I might learn *Flying Chariot Archery*.

I was angry at myself for even considering waiting for the remaining five knights' HP to drop to increase the certainty of success.

No, that's not right.

People are dying. They're not just players. They're people.

They're just like me.

Those people had their lives, which they had bet everything on, taken away before they could achieve their goals.

And now, they were about to be taken away again.

... I realized I had snapped.

But I couldn't stop now.

This wasn't something to be forgiven.

That despair is unbearable.

"Get down!!"

I shouted with all my might.

The five knights of the Third Knight Order immediately crouched down as soon as they saw me with my bow drawn.

*Swish!* — The *Incense Chariot Archery* arrow, colored with a burst of deep red aura, pierced through three of the Scarlet Mantises in a straight line.

The Scarlet Mantises, with large holes in their bodies, fell dead.

It was then that I first realized the incredible piercing power of *Incense Chariot Archery* at level 5.

"Skreeee"

The remaining three Scarlet Mantises, making threatening sounds, targeted me.

The distance was 20 meters. With the enemies' attention on me, it seemed the knights were out of immediate danger.

...

...

... Wait a minute.

Was this a result of good fortune?

Perhaps because it went so smoothly, my head suddenly cooled down.

If so, there was no better opportunity. I regained my composure and, seizing the moment, combined *Knight Archery* with *Silver General Archery* and drew my bow.

With a heavy thud, a large arrow enveloped in a bright silver aura was fired.

The moment it hit the leading Scarlet Mantis, a burst of silver light exploded, and 80% of its massive body was shattered into pieces. *Silver General Archery* at level 5 seemed to be a significant overkill for the Scarlet Mantis.

Without a moment's delay, the second shot. The second Scarlet Mantis met the same fate.

And the last one. This one took a critical hit, and its entire body was blown away. A rainbow effect flashed for a moment. The damage dealt was "1566." It was pretty low... but given this weapon, these stats, and this rank, maybe that's to be expected. I felt there was still a long way to go.

Now, for the main event...

"Alright!"

I remembered! I got *Flying Chariot Archery*!

I had almost given up, but it worked out! I made a perfect judgment. This is what they mean by "killing two birds with one stone."

... Then I suddenly came to my senses. What about the knights?

"Thank you, I'm sorry. We were saved—ah."

The five knights of the Third Knight Order approached me, alerting the surroundings. The knight who thanked me had a familiar, stern voice.

"Second... Lord. I cannot express my gratitude for your timely assistance."

Lady Sylva, the female knight, removed her helmet to reveal her face and bowed her head.

She seemed a bit down. Of course, her comrades had been killed.

"Don't worry about it. Let's take them back."

When I said this, Sylva and the other four knights gave a sharp salute and headed towards their fallen comrades.

... I shouldn't be celebrating either.

I slapped my face with both hands to compose myself and followed them to help.

Thank you for reading.

<Status Details>

HP: Hit Points

MP: Magic Points

SP: Stamina Points

STR: Close-range attack skill power, strength

DEX: Long-range attack skill power, dexterity, accuracy

AGI: Speed, evasion rate

INT: Attack magic skill power

LUK: Luck, critical hit rate

VIT: Simple defense

MGR: Magic defense