Seeker 119

Test

Chapter 119. Ice Wolf's Bow

A rustling sound echoes as a large shadow approaches from the front.

Yuzuki, Kazane-san, and I prepare for battle and wait in readiness. 

Riviera and the other two elves seek refuge behind us. 

The large shadow, making its way towards us through the gaps in the trees, soon reveals its clear form before us. 

It was a monster in the shape of a giant spider.

Its 8 segmented legs extended on either side, surpassing 3 meters in length. 

Its body was black, and all 8 of its eyes, large and small, shone red—or rather, it was undeniably a Death Spider.

In the forest layer of our world's dungeon, we encountered this monster countless times. 

But now, it was hardly a formidable opponent.

"It's just a Death Spider if you [Monster Appraise] it normally."

"Hey, Daichi-kun, wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity to test Yuzuki-chan's thing?"

"Yes. Can you handle it, Kazane-san?"

"Of course. I've been itching to try it out."

"W-What are you planning to test!? That monster is approaching us at an incredible speed!"

Riviera, hiding behind us, trembled in a panicked state. 

Well, from our perspective, it was an insignificant opponent, but for someone without power, it would be terrifying. 

Death Spider swiftly moved its eight legs and charged toward us.

It would make contact with us within ten seconds, no more.

"Alright, here I go."

Yuzuki tried to intercept it, holding her weapon in her hands. 

It wasn't her usual staff. 

It was a bow with a transparent ice-blue appearance.

Fenrir Bow.

It was a special weapon with unknown effects we obtained from a secret room on the ninth floor. 

I had hesitated to use a weapon with such uncertain elements in unknown or dangerous situations. 

That's why it had remained unused until now, but we decided it was time to verify its effectiveness.

Yuzuki gripped the bow in her left hand and pulled the string with her right hand. 

There was no arrow in her right hand, it was empty. 

However, as Kazane pulled the string taut, a frozen arrow with a bluish-white radiance appeared.

"Freeze... Fenrir Arrow!"

When Yuzuki released the string, the bow launched the arrow. 

With a sharp sound, the ice arrow flew and pierced the head of Death Spider instantly. 

From the point of impact, several ice pillars stretched out like blooming ice flowers—and in the next moment, Death Spider turned into a black mist and disappeared.

Magic stones fell to the ground. 

The battle was over.

Yuzuki, releasing her shooting stance, muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Hmm, it was a one-hit kill. I still can't gauge its power properly."

"Yeah, with Yuzuki's current magical power, she could probably defeat the Death Spider with a [Fire Bolt] too, right?"

"Probably. Since using Fenrir Bow consumes 10 MP per shot, I'd expect it to have even greater power."

"Guess I won't be able to verify its power without testing it against a stronger monster."

"That seems to be the case."

So, while the power verification of Fenrir Bow was incomplete, we defeated Death Spider for the time being. 

After observing this, the three elves exclaimed, "Wow!" and applauded.

Having overcome an obstacle that posed no real challenge, we continued to venture further into the forest. 

And after a while, we encountered the next monster.

It was a giant gorilla-like monster measuring up to three meters in length.

It's a Mutant Ape, as they say. 

There was only one of them.

"Oh, that...! It should have been a fearsome monster that even skilled warriors from the village would have a hard time dealing with. Hey, Daichi, are you alright!?"

"Well, it's stronger than Death Spider we encountered earlier. Yuzuki, isn't this a perfect opportunity?"

"Yeah. Alright, here I go! Fenrir Arrow!"

Kiiiiiiinn!

The ice arrow released from Yumitsuki's bow pierced the attacking mutant ape. 

Just like with the Death Spider before. 

It blossomed into a frosty flower upon impact, but...

The numerous ice spears protruding from the mutant ape's chest shattered into pieces in the next moment, leaving no trace.

Despite its massive size, the monster continued its assault without losing momentum.

"Oh, it's still standing. It has 10 HP left."

"Hmm, even though it's still standing, we dealt quite a significant amount of damage."

I think the mutant ape's maximum HP was around 138 or so.

Anyway...

"Kazane-san, may I have the experience points?"

"Sure thing! I received quite a lot during the goblin extermination."

"In that case, no need to hold back. [Rock Bullet]!"

When the magical stone projectile I launched made a direct hit, the mutant ape turned into a black mist and vanished, leaving behind a magic stone.

Battle over.

Watching us in astonishment were the three elves, Riviera, and her companions.

"W-Wow... Daichi, are you guys incredibly strong as warriors?"

"Nah, I don't think we're that exceptional. This is how it usually goes for skilled level 25 adventurers."

Even though we've undergone limited breakthroughs, a two-level difference isn't significant. 

There's the theory that Yuzuuki's magic firepower is just off the charts.

But speaking of which, Fenrir Bow packs quite a punch.

Judging from what I saw, those ice arrows seem to possess a subtle homing ability similar to magic.

It's like powerful ice-based single-target magic.

Ice-based offensive magic is usually limited to water magic users, so it can be considered quite a cheat-like ability.

In any case, having defeated Mutant Ape, we continued further into the forest.

And so, a little past noon, we finally reached our destination—the elf village.