Introverted Archer 55

Test

55. Rational Zone State!

The moment I released the arrow, a strange sensation surged within me.

"...Huh!?"

I use the same shooting method as before. I use the same trajectory. Yet, the result was getting deflected by the hooded man.

Everything should have been the same, but there was a clear sense of discomfort.

The shot just now— it felt considerably faster than before.

It couldn't have been my imagination. Could it be related to the act of drawing the bow?

Come to think of it, I've heard the word 'zone' before. It's about athletes achieving extraordinary results by concentrating more than usual.

Athletes in the zone apparently lose awareness of their surroundings, like scenery and sound. The 'zone' I experienced just now was probably something akin to that.

This sensation is unprecedented. Given how much I've fought, it's likely there are conditions for entering the zone.

If drawing this bow is one of those conditions— it makes sense why the man is deliberately adding extra steps.

"It sounds far-fetched... but having a clue is better than nothing."

Above all, having that man as an example is significant. With each repetition, I get reminded of how refined his movements are.

I relentlessly mimic the man's movements and shoot arrows. Gradually, it seems like the speed of releasing arrows is increasing.

Repeatedly, I felt a strange sensation. It's like a story without any basis.

Could this hooded man be akin to a manifestation of the hero of light?

His skill surpasses mine. Though it may sound conceited, few can shoot with such proficiency.

Thus, if the man is a manifestation of the hero of light— a sort of illusion— I understand. And if so, he's probably searching for an archer with greater skill than mine.

"...Here it comes! This sensation!"

During countless repetitions of practice, I grasped the feeling of entering the zone.

Indeed, when I draw the string taut, it feels like my concentration intensifies. No, more than that, it feels like time slows down.

Placing my fingers on the string, feeling its tension, and drawing— during this sequence of actions, it's as if I'm dissolving into the air.

And as I enter the zone, time gradually slows, eventually coming to a complete halt. 

No, this might not be just a sensation. It could be real.

The moment I released the arrow, it seemed to slice through space, and I was abruptly brought back to reality.

"I've completely grasped it! Now, I need to improve the accuracy of this."

With each arrow shot, the time spent aiming increases. While the time spent aiming per shot decreases, the time spent in the zone keeps extending.

I see, so this is the secret behind the hooded man's speed. A sensation as if time has stopped— no, delivering a strike that transcends time!

"Thank you. Thanks to you, I've become stronger again."

The arrow I released pierced the hooded man's head.

He collapsed to his knees on the spot, disintegrating into particles as if he were a monster, dispersing into mist right then and there.

A frontal arrow clash lasted about two hours. Finally, I achieved my victory.

"...But still, why would a top-class avatar set up such an elaborate scheme... Just who is the hero of light?"

That's also bothering me, but it's time to collect the awaited treasure.

Scanning around the spot where the hooded man stood, I found a treasure chest at the back of the room.

"A treasure chest in a dungeon...! What an ideal situation...!"

I rushed to the treasure chest and slowly opened it.

"This is...!"

Inside the chest was a single bow.

A bow with a base of white, adorned with green and gold decorations here and there, refreshing yet exuding a sense of luxury.

This is the legendary bow rumored to exist, the Storm Bow Twystaria.

"What a rational design... It really exists!"

The moment I laid my hands on the bow.

"......!"

Goosebumps spread from my fingertips to my whole body. Simultaneously, a sensation of a gust of wind blowing from the front.

I can tell just by touching it a little. This bow is exceptional. Though I haven't seen every bow, it would undoubtedly be one of the best.

"This might be a bit... out of the ordinary."

Excitedly holding the bow, I set a materialized arrow.

"It should be okay to just shoot it once, right?"

Drawing the string, about to release it—

"Whoa!"

The bow moved like a raging bull due to the recoil. As a result, the angle of the shot shifted, and the arrow got released downward.

At that moment, a shock enveloped my body as if I had been directly hit by an updraft. My body momentarily floated, and the arrow pierced into the ground.

"...Huh!?"

The arrow that stuck into the ground pierced through it as if passing through a wall and headed to the lower level.

"W-Wait a minute!"

Hastily sensing the lower level with <Observer>— the arrow that pierced through the floor stirred up a storm on the 22nd floor, defeating monsters one after another. Then— it proceeded to the 23rd floor.

"How far is it going!?"

After defeating monsters on the 23rd floor, the arrow reached the 24th floor, where the storm finally subsided.