Chapter 14

In the center of the narrowed area stood a stone tower.

Unlike wooden structures, it was sturdy and not easily destroyed by skills.

I, a long-range archer, monopolized such a place all by myself.

"Hmm, I must be really hated. If I were in their shoes, I'd hate me too."

However, there was no option to change my position.

There were no other buildings in the area except for the tower.

If I descended, I would only allow them to get closer.

Even if I stood out, I would defend this place to the death.

Uh, the area is getting narrower again.

Is this tower lucky or unlucky? It's in the safe zone again this time.

More players will aim for the tower at the cost of everything.

Kiri, Kiri, Kiri... Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu!

I will shoot everything that moves in my field of vision.

If it's too hard to take down, I'll shoot again. If I miss, I'll shoot again.

I will use all kinds of arrows: Infight, Bound, Clear, Web...

--Pikon! Skill [Archery I] has evolved to Skill [Archery II].

◆Reason for Acquisition

'Beginner in the Way of the Bow'

Further mastery of the bow.

[Archery II]

When equipped with a bow, increases attack and range by +20.

I thought there would be a next stage since the skill had a number... but it came now.

Perfect timing.

With this, I can take down even more enemies.

Kiri, Kiri, Kiri... Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu!

The number of players is definitely decreasing!

This battle is coming to an end...

However, I must not let my guard down.

It's a rare feature, but in this game, the number of remaining players is not displayed.

Until the victory announcement, I must not let my guard down for even a second.

--Pikon! I have acquired a new skill [Multi-Shot].

◆Reason for Acquisition

'Those arrows hit countless enemies'

Defeated many enemies with a ranged weapon in a short time.

[Multi-Shot]

Able to shoot multiple targets simultaneously.

Can target up to 10 enemies within the field of vision.

A powerful new skill at this point...!

The game is telling me to win!

"Lock!"

The color of the players in my field of vision turns red.

So these are the targets for Multi-Shot.

"Multi-Shot! Take this!"

Kiri, Kiri, Kiri... Shu!

The arrows were released simultaneously, so there was only one sound.

Ten arrows hit and defeated the players.

The MP consumption is not significant, and there is no decay in power.

I can still use it!

"Multi-Shot!"

Kiri, Kiri, Kiri... Shu!

This time, I defeated 9 enemies.

While aiming at the one I missed, I will use Multi-Shot again...

No, they're gone.

Looking around, there are no players left.

If I defeat this green-clad man I missed, I win!

"Focus... Focus..."

I shoot an arrow at the man's head.

However, it was easily deflected by his whip.

That slime-like green whip is quite effective.

But more than that, the man is different from the others.

I'm a beginner, but his movements are familiar with VR games.

He might be a beginner in NSO, but he has played other games extensively.

To be honest, he has no openings.

I don't know how to defeat him.

So, I have no choice but to shoot arrows!

Even if the damage is light, I will keep shooting from a distance. This is my way of fighting!

"Uooooooooo!!!"

I can't create a rain of arrows with human power, but I will keep shooting a bothersome number of arrows. It's a test of endurance.

If I can get one hit through his flexible slime whip, this stalemate will break and other arrows will also hit.

On the other hand, if he pushes me off the tower, I lose.

Even if I mix in skills to change the trajectory of the arrows, they are deflected.

Even the invisible [Clear Arrow] was knocked down by the whip.

They say that when someone excels in something, whether it's academics, sports, or games, their intuition works. Is this man that kind of person?

But it doesn't matter.

I must shoot arrows!

Kiri, Kiri, Kiri... Shu! Zak!

I could faintly hear the sound of the arrow hitting from a distance.

With that sound, more and more arrows started to hit the man.

"This is the end!"

The last arrow hit the man's head.

He disappeared in a flash of light, shouting in frustration.

You were strong...

As a player, you were definitely better than me.

But this time, positioning and area luck decided the battle.

"I... win!"

Zak! Zak!

"Eh?"

The sound of something being cut.

And it's quite close.

No, was my neck cut?

My head didn't roll off, but I feel a slight sensation around my neck.

I was attacked.

My body is breaking down into light.

I was killed...?

But where is the enemy?

Is the enemy also using a long-range attack?

No, the cut is from a blade that was swung down.

He must be nearby.

But how did he get up here?

I set up Magic Mines at the entrance to the tower.

Even if I was focused on shooting, the explosion would have made a loud noise, and I would have noticed...

"Ah! I did it!"

Suddenly, a small girl with cat ears appeared from nowhere.

It was as if she had been invisible until just now...

"...Ah!?"

It's the special action chip 'Invisibility'!

I know the effect myself.

Among the enemies I was shooting at, there were people who tried to escape by becoming invisible.

However, the effect time was too short for them to escape.

But this girl slipped through my sniper fire.

The only possible explanation is that she used the chip multiple times in a row.

Or she had an extreme focus on speed stats.

She must have slipped into my blind spot right under the tower.

However, she should not have been able to avoid the Magic Mines at the entrance.

Invisibility only makes you invisible; it doesn't remove your hitbox.

If she stepped on it, it would explode with a loud noise.

...It's simple when I look at her weapon.

Claws equipped on both hands.

She climbed the wall without traps using these!

I was overconfident...!

At first, I was aware that I was fighting a person, but halfway through, I mistook it for a target practice.

If she climbed the stone wall with metal claws, there should have been some noise.

But I was so focused on killing that I didn't hear it.

Most importantly, even if I had noticed, I couldn't have escaped due to the disadvantage effect of [Immobile Sniper Stance].

I couldn't move for 30 seconds, and there's no way I could have survived a fight with a melee class.

I was completely caught off guard.

I... lost completely!

◆ ◆ ◆

In the end, I placed third.

It seems there was another person who had hidden and survived.

Well, in a battle royale game, the goal is not to get kills but to survive.

I won't call it cheating. It's the correct way to play.

But, I'm a bit disappointed that the cat girl in first place had 5 kills and the potato player in second place had 0 kills.

Is it really correct to survive stealthily...?

But then, I received some good news.

The prize for this event is a small medal called an 'NSO Medal,' which can be exchanged for various items when collected in large quantities.

First place gets 100 medals, second place gets 50, and third place gets 30.

In addition, medals are awarded to those who win in several categories.

In my case, I won the 'Most Kills Award' and the 'First Kill Award.'

The Most Kills Award gives you a medal for each kill.

I achieved 158 kills, so I got 158 medals.

The First Kill Award is given to the player who gets the first kill during the event.

This is 20 medals.

In total, I received 208 NSO Medals.

This is more than twice the number of medals given to the first place winner in the overall ranking.

In a sense, I might be the biggest winner.

However, third place is still third place.

As a man, I shouldn't be satisfied with anything but first place.

If I get another chance, I will be the one to take first place!

For that, I need to learn the theories of VR battle royale, improve my playing, skills, and equipment.

I lost, but my motivation is at its peak.

I have a reason to get stronger...!

I will still enjoy 'Next Stage Online'!

I've broken 10,000 points in overall evaluation! I'm overwhelmed!

There will be another update today, not just for the commemoration!

I'm encouraged by the many comments I've received!

I read them all, even though I can't reply to each one individually!

I will continue to use onomatopoeia as I have been, inserting them moderately in the future!