Chapter 8

To activate the "Immovable Sniper Stance," I first need to remain still for 30 seconds.

After 30 seconds of standing still, the words "Skill Activation OK" appear in my field of vision.

This skill seems to be activated at will, and it doesn't consume any MP.

Well, it would be problematic if a skill with disadvantages activated on its own.

"Immovable Sniper Stance!"

My body is enveloped in a calm blue aura.

So, in this state, my attack range triples.

My current maximum range is 50 meters, combining my status of 35 and the bow's 15.

Adding the 10 from "Archery I" brings it to 60 meters.

Tripling that would make it 180 meters, but will it really work...

*Whirr... Thud!*

The sound of the arrow hitting the tree trunk is no longer audible to my ears.

It hit a tree so far away.

And for the next 30 seconds, I can't move from this spot, but that doesn't mean I can't move at all.

To put it another way, it feels like I'm confined within a circle just wide enough to fit my body.

I can't move my entire body out of this circle, but I can extend my torso or arms, and I can move my legs.

However, I can't fall to the ground and crawl.

If I miss my attack and the enemy figures out my position, it could be dangerous.

Thirty seconds is a short time in everyday life, but in combat, it's too long.

If I try to aim at a moving monster and wait 30 seconds, it will likely be gone by then.

Conversely, waiting 30 seconds in a situation where I need to escape is almost certain death.

Conclusion!

It's incredibly powerful, but if used carelessly, it can lead to self-destruction!

It's difficult to handle, but without this skill, there would definitely be situations where my attacks wouldn't reach.

Just having the option to attack in such situations, despite the disadvantages, is a significant enhancement.

"Still, my skills are starting to come together."

◆ Status

Name: Kyuji

Job: Archer

Lv: 7/20

HP: 50/50

MP: 50/50

Attack: 15 Defense: 8

Magic Attack: 10 Magic Defense: 6

Speed: 11 Range: 35

Skills: [Archery I]

[Infight Arrow][Bounce Arrow]

[Immovable Sniper Stance]

The status screen with four skills lined up looks quite impressive.

"Hmm? There's an exclamation mark on the item page."

In addition to the status, there's a page that displays the items and money I have.

There's an exclamation mark attached to the tab for that page.

I touch it to check the details.

"What's this... I've obtained a weapon that can be equipped with my current job!?"

There's indeed an unfamiliar bow in the weapon section.

Its name is "Spider Shooter."

Judging from the name, it must have been dropped by the spider-type monster that surprised me earlier.

I should check its performance as well.

◆ Spider Shooter

Type: Bow Attack: 20 Range: 30

Weapon Skill: [Web Arrow]

[Web Arrow]

Fires an arrow that deploys a sticky web.

Can be activated up to 8 times a day without consuming MP.

This thing is pretty strong, isn't it?

As expected, it has superior performance compared to the "Beginner's Bow."

The attack power of the latter is only 7.

And the range is twice as long.

The "Weapon Skill" that can only be activated while the weapon is equipped is quite unique.

With the addition of a skill that focuses on disruption rather than power, my combat options have expanded.

The only thing that bothers me is the design.

It has fur sprouting from it, reminiscent of a spider's legs.

It's a bit creepy...

The string looks like spider silk and seems quite durable.

Overall, it's quite reliable.

This game doesn't have numerical durability for weapons, but they do have durability.

If I handle it carelessly, it might break, so I need to use it carefully.

And I should choose the sturdiest ones whenever possible.

"Well, as I keep getting stronger, I start to feel a bit overconfident..."

I mutter to myself, feeling a bit overconfident.

In short, I want to challenge a boss.

I don't know if there's a boss in the field, but I want to fight an enemy that's supposed to be unbeatable at this stage.

To reiterate, there's still no death penalty.

I should venture deeper into the forest.

◆ ◆ ◆

Deep in the forest, where I've been advancing on a whim.

Amid the dense, dark trees, the spot where "it" is located is brightly lit by the sun.

The surrounding trees are either not there to begin with or have been knocked down.

The flat ground is either naturally flat or has been flattened by "it."

It's a gorilla.

A supermassive gorilla.

It's lying down, looking like the boss of this forest.

Come on, even at normal size, a gorilla has enough power to kill a human, but how many times my height is it?

I might be blown away by its pinky finger.

And its black fur looks far more durable than a bear's.

Will my arrows even penetrate?

Should I run away?

Even in a game, being attacked by it would be a shock.

I've heard that when VR games first came out, there were many accidents like this.

They say it's been addressed now, but will I be okay...

No, no, why am I only thinking about losing?

My strategy is based on not taking any counterattacks from the enemy.

So, it doesn't matter how much power the enemy has.

I climb a tree where I can see the gorilla's back and keep an eye out for any monsters that might interfere.

I've encountered quite a few monsters on the way here, but there are none around now.

The gorilla might be so intimidating that even monsters are afraid to approach.

But, this gorilla will be defeated by me without resistance.

It will be attacked while still half-asleep, without even realizing what's hitting it...

...Please, let it be that way.