Absolute Craft

Chapter 16: Versus The Gatekeepers (3)

Before the second arrow whistled toward him, Blake weighed his next move. Those who excelled in ranged weaponry and sharpshooting skills were often vulnerable up close, yet Blake refused to underestimate this foe.

The feminine voice behind it all—The Supreme Archer—hid her arrows within a crimson haze, using it to her advantage. Moreover, her arrows could pierce his armor, even though it mitigated more than half of all incoming damage. It would be foolish for Blake to look down on her.

Considering the circumstances and that single devastating shot, he now viewed her as the final boss of the third objective—the last gatekeeper barring his path to the precious fragment of The Lost King's crown. Certain of her prowess, Blake felt a thrill at the thought of fighting her in close combat.

That, however, would come later, and only if he could pinpoint her location. For now, the archer concealed not only her arrows but also herself within the red zone. When Blake stood there, he couldn't see her or her attacks. Retreating to the blue zone would partially solve the issue, but it would feel like running away—something he wanted to avoid.

Not out of pride, but because handing the archer more distance was the worst possible move at this moment.

[HP: 1021/1125]

'I can take about four arrows before it gets really dangerous. During that time, I just need to adapt to her hidden volleys and pinpoint her location. Totally doable,' Blake thought.

To anyone unfamiliar with this immersive game, his reasoning might seem insane. How could someone adapt to invisible attacks and locate their source without a special ability? Even most NPCs would think Blake was overconfident, given his low level and unimpressive stats.

But he was simply built differently.

By the end of the beta era, Blake had mastered a vast range of passive and active sensory skills—abilities one only encountered in a fantasy realm. His mind still remembered the strain of those unusual techniques, and he knew their core principle: the so-called sixth sense, which could be awakened by anyone, even in the real world.

Everyone has felt a sudden insight or flash of intuition—a sixth sense. In this game world, one could consciously harness such instincts.

Lowering his blade, Blake assumed a defensive stance. Shutting his eyes, he sharpened his remaining senses, focusing intently on the faintest sounds. When a soft whistle sliced through the silence, he squeezed his eyes shut tighter.

The second arrow struck directly in the middle of his chest plate, punching through his armor. Fortunately, his high-grade steel and armor attributes prevented any bleeding—an affliction that would've burdened him severely in this situation.

The third arrow followed swiftly, again targeting his chest and aiming for the weak spot created by the previous shot… 

…which Blake sensed just in time, shifting his posture to keep the damage from compounding.

The fourth arrow came too quickly, rocketing toward his helmet. Yet behind that demonic mask lay a calm, unwavering expression. He stayed perfectly still, resolute in his guard.

As the arrow entered striking range, he whipped his katana upward, slicing off its tip and letting the momentum flow into his blade. Blake tensed every muscle and deftly deflected the projectile to one side.

His eyes snapped open.

Like a hound freed from its leash, he lunged toward the final gatekeeper hiding in the red zone. Having gauged the arrows' velocity, he'd deduced her position.

Meanwhile, the archer revealed no reaction. She drew her bowstring again and unleashed a spinning arrow at Blake. To her shock, his katana was already raised before she fully finished drawing. He paused just long enough to intercept the arrow—repeating his earlier maneuver—then powered forward.

The arrow clattered across the floor, much like the severed heads of the countless gatekeepers Blake had defeated. He pressed his advantage, slicing through the space where she concealed herself.

What he cut through, however, was her cover, which split like a parting curtain to unveil her.

[The 12th Lost King's First Forged Soldier Lv. 1 HP: 800/800 MP: 278/455]

Forged from metal more radiant than her predecessors, The Supreme Archer was clearly a woman. A small helmet revealed a long blonde ponytail, and though she was petite, her curves and short skirt made her femininity undeniable. Through her carved eye slits, emerald, bestial eyes glared back, reflecting the image of Blake's demonic mask.

He tilted his hilt and lunged forward.

In response, her bow snapped with a metallic clang, lengthening into a long spear she raised to block his attack.

BANG!

Blake smirked. "You're in my domain now."