Chapter 41

"Still, I heard from Mew that you're a production worker, but you can fight pretty well, huh."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed, you're Mew's older sister. You must be quite a gamer, huh."

Ah, I need to correct Luke's statement. I'm her brother, and to be honest, I don't play games much.

I suppress the words that almost slip out and say something more plausible.

"Well, you see. The bow can attack from quite a distance, so you win with speed."

"Interesting. Hey, can I try using the bow?"

Hino, who has distinctive front teeth, asks me this. Hino is currently using a massive hammer that exudes a sense of weight. Any goblin that took a hit from it would have its body bent in an unnatural direction and disappear instantly.

"I'm a multi-weapon user. I'm currently training my hammer sense, but I usually use a spear. Close range with a hammer, mid-range with a spear. I also want to do long-range attacks, but I don't know which one to choose. So, I thought I might learn the bow from Yun-san?"

"Ah, I see. That's fine, but can you use it without the sense?"

"Onee-chan, that's okay. Weapon sense just means you get an attack bonus when using that weapon. There's no problem using it."

Is that so? Indeed, you can kick or punch, but there's no damage. It just causes pain.

"Then, Hino, can you aim at that tree with this bow?"

"I'll try! Teacher!"

Hino salutes energetically. I chuckle at his enthusiasm. I hand the bow and arrow to Hino. He imitates my previous movements, nocks the arrow, and draws the string.

He closes one eye and aims. The distance to the tree is about ten meters. I judge that with the arrow's ATK bonus and Hino's hammer ATK, it should be enough.

He releases the string fully. It makes a different, unpleasant sound compared to when I did it, and the arrow flies off in the wrong direction, disappearing into the forest.

"Ow! My hand hurts!"

"Oh, no."

Hino holds his right hand, which he used to draw the bow. Everyone around is surprised, but I calmly take out a potion and sprinkle it on his right hand.

"Are you okay? Sorry, I forgot about the negative bonus."

"Negative bonus? That pain was from that?"

Hino asks with teary eyes. My conscience stings, feeling guilty.

The people around us listen to the conversation with interest.

"The bow depends on ATK for range and DEX for accuracy. So, if you use a bow that's too powerful for you without enough DEX, you'll take a small amount of recoil damage."

"Small? I can't take that many hits. Besides, the feel of the weapon is so different, I can't do it."

He seems a bit dejected. I set the bar a bit too high.

"I shouldn't have given you my bow right away. Do you want to try with the starting equipment bow? It's fine, really."

I suggest this, thinking that the starting equipment should be usable by anyone. Hino hesitantly touches the new bow he takes out, still scared from the previous failure.

He nocks the arrow, draws the string, and releases it.

The arrow flies past the target tree with a different sound, but this time there's no recoil damage.

"Good job."

"Ah, yes! Thank you!"

Hino looks up at me, his cheeks slightly flushed. Hmm, he's a cute kid.

"But, I realized I can't use the bow, so I'll give up."

"Is that so..."

I had a faint hope that I might gain a valuable bow companion, but it didn't work out.

"...I want to try too."

"Me too. I want to try something other than magic for long-range."

"I want you to teach me step by step. Close up, hehehe."

Tou, Kohaku, and Rerei also say they want to try the bow. They're curious about a weapon that's usually considered trash.

I hand the bow and arrows to each of them in turn. The distance is sufficient, but none of them hit the target tree.

"Ugh, this is no good. It's not like an RPG; it's more like an FPS, and the attack is a point, so it's hard."

"...That's true. With magic, you can spread it over an explosion range and get an attack bonus, but not with this. I don't think I'll actively try to get it."

"Hehehe, even if the bow is trash, I'll be an angel with a bow. Who would 'stop it' hehehe."

None of the three seem to have a positive reaction to the bow. Also, why are Rerei and Kohaku doing a comedy routine?

I feel a strong gaze on my back.

It's from Mew and Luke.

Mew's gaze is intense, like she really wants to use the bow. It's the same look she had when she was a child and wanted to touch my things. She hasn't grown up at all.

Luke's gaze is a bit different. I can't quite tell, but he seems to have a question. There's a slight wrinkle between his eyebrows.

"Um, Yun-san, one question. How far can a bow shoot?"

That's a good question. Honestly, I don't know. I checked on the way here, but with just a basic shooting attack, I can aim at least fifteen meters.

With the weapon's ATK bonus and using Arts for long-range shooting and enchants, I might be able to hit up to sixty meters, which is the current limit of my hawk eye vision.

However, that's without considering accuracy. I don't know how far I can hit accurately.

"I don't know, I haven't tried."

"...I see."

Luke seems a bit disappointed by my lack of knowledge.

"Want to try aiming from this position? At that thing?"

"Huh, that thing?"

I can see it clearly. It's probably a Blade Lizard.

The distance is about thirty meters. The two-meter-long reptile, curled up and sleeping, has scales as sharp as swords. The gaps between the scales are wide, but they look tough to penetrate.

But I can aim for those gaps from this distance.

"Let me draw its attention, so get ready for battle."

"Wait, from here?"

I aim the arrow at a diagonal angle above. The arrow, released in that position, draws a bow-shaped arc and pierces the Blade Lizard's back.

The advantage of this shooting method is that it extends the time from shooting to hitting, allowing time to prepare Arts before engaging the enemy.

"It's facing this way! It's coming!"

When the Blade Lizard turns to face us, I release the second shot, which pierces the gap in the shoulder scales.

As I predicted, the large lizard comes running with its limbs flailing. I continue shooting mechanically.

"---Rapid Fire Bow, Style 2."

The Arts cooldown ends, and I activate a new Arts.

I take two arrows in my hand, and in an instant, both arrows fly simultaneously. This fantasy action surprises even me. One arrow bounces off the scales, and the other hits the neck. This Arts seems to have a slightly lower accuracy.

When the Blade Lizard enters the range of my magic, I lower my bow and leave it to Luke and the others.

"Phew, it took more damage than I thought."

Ten arrows from a distance have probably reduced the Blade Lizard's HP by about ten percent.

"Hehehe, that was wonderful, Yun-san. You looked like a warrior from a fairy tale."

"Thank you."

"Yes, it was so 'humiliating' 'stop it, Rerei!' ...Kohaku, you're always like this. You're still guarding, right?"

Rerei, with a smug smile, is interrupted by Kohaku during the battle. Rerei and Kohaku's comedy routine seems to be a regular thing. Even during the battle, Hino has the presence of mind to calm Kohaku down.

Rerei, who is running wild, Kohaku, who is the straight man, and Hino, who is the mediator. This trio might be a good combination.

However, it's a bit uncomfortable that Rerei is looking at me with such a passionate gaze.

I ignore it and observe the battle with the Blade Lizard.

The four front-line fighters coordinate their attacks, dealing precise damage to the Blade Lizard. They've learned to dodge the dangerous tail attacks from close range, and Kohaku casts fire magic at the right moment.

Luke draws the Blade Lizard's attention, Hino's massive hammer pierces the side, and Mew eagerly cuts into the exposed flesh. Tou aims for the weak spots for critical hits. When everyone pulls back, Kohaku's staff spouts fire.

They steadily chip away at the HP, reducing it to half. I thought it would end just by watching.

"Rerei! What are you looking at! Guard properly!"

"No, it's not that. Something is coming from far away."

Rerei, who was looking in the opposite direction of the Blade Lizard, is now serious.

I look in the same direction. It's still small, but I can tell it's a player. As it gets closer, I can see it's leading a large group of monsters.

"That guy is leading monsters."

"What? What are his clothes like?"

"Um... red."

Rerei, standing next to me, asks, so I answer briefly.

"!? The Trainman is here!"

Rerei shouts loudly enough for everyone to hear. The Trainman, a title from a controversial romance novel that was popular for a while, comes to mind.

"That's not the Train from that! It's a PK who does MPK!"

Ha, Kohaku just read my mind!

"Reorganize the party! Rerei and I will draw attention! Tou will reduce the number of minions. Kohaku and Rerei will use magic to eliminate them! Mew, keep drawing attention!"

"I can reduce the number from a distance with my ranged attacks!"

I suggest this to Luke, who is giving precise orders.

"No, if we attack now, we'll trigger the co-op penalty."

"Then what do we do?"

"Please, Mew and I will handle the Blade Lizard! Ignore the Trainman and the minions."

Seriously? A Big Boar with five others, a large rat, and a bunch of birds. Can we handle that?

"Luke, what do we do? I can win alone."

She plans to take on the boss with half its HP alone. Got it, I'll support her and we'll take it down together.

The party is just me and Mew.

"Mew, we'll take it down together. I won't hold back. Use items freely."

I cast enchants on myself: attack, defense, and speed boosts. Then I drink two MP potions to fully restore my MP.

"Alright, lizard guy. You're mine! [Curse]---Defense."

I engage the Blade Lizard while moving.

If the target shifts to Mew, I quickly move to the opposite side to change the target back to me. Mew does the same, changing the target to me.

At the edge of my vision, Luke and the others clash with the mob of monsters. The Trainman, who was leading them, passes by Luke and the others, and a black aura appears.

That's the evidence of the co-op penalty. It's a disadvantage for the MPK side. It also slows them down. I thought the Trainman might get caught in the chaos.

But---

"Mew, watch out!"

My body moves instinctively. Mew, who was the Blade Lizard's target, had no time to notice anything else. I step between Mew and the Trainman, taking the incoming attack.

"Ugh..."

"Onee-chan!?"

A throwing knife pierces my stomach. It's not a fatal blow.

"Damn... you're playing a dangerous game."

I pour all my anger into my words. I understand why he did it when I see the aura around the Trainman disappear.

The co-op penalty occurs when players work together. To avoid it, you need to be hostile, a simple theory.

So, in this situation, it's a three-way battle.

The Trainman, regaining speed, pushes all the monsters toward us and disappears into the forest.

"Onee-chan, I'm... fine."

"Don't worry about it. Let's focus on the Blade Lizard."

AI-controlled mobs don't wait; they charge at us with all their might. And we're bunched up.

Mew and I use our speed to dodge. But Mew misjudges the timing and trips.

"Damn, Mew, are you okay!"

"I can heal, I'm fine! [Heal]."

My enchantments are about to wear off. Luke and the others are holding their ground, but the sheer number of minions is dangerous. Right now, the targets are concentrated on them, but if they shift to us, we'll be at a disadvantage.

"Mew, can you lure it somewhere?"

"Let's try that tree!"

Mew points to the base of a tree.

"I need a moment to prepare. Can you hold it off?"

"Leave it to me. I have this from Onee-chan."

She activates a yellow enchantment stone in her hand. With increased speed, Mew moves around, distracting the Blade Lizard. Its HP is below thirty percent, and its scales are raised, making it harder to hit.

I scatter magic gems at the designated spot. I hope it works.

"Mew, I'm ready!"

"Got it! Come over here!"

Mew runs full speed toward the tree. I stand at a distance, nocking an arrow and waiting.

Mew jumps and kicks the tree, using it as a springboard to fly over the Blade Lizard's head. It's a triangle jump.

I'm amazed by her skill, but I focus on my task.

"Explode, lizard guy. [Bomb]!"

The Blade Lizard, looking for Mew after hitting its head on the tree, takes multiple explosions under its belly. Each explosion is weak, but the chain attack at the same spot and time is effective.

Its HP drops sharply, but I don't think it's enough to finish it.

"[Enhance]---Attack, [Curse]---Defense"

"[Fifth Breaker]!"

I cast enchants on Mew and curses on the Blade Lizard, creating a significant physical advantage. Mew's five-hit Arts shatters the tough scales and takes its life.

We defeated the Blade Lizard.