"Takumi, it'd be better for you to stay in the back."
"You're pushing me too far!
I come from loyal bloodline, just like you!"
I heard it.
But I didn't care.
Takumi had become background noise.
The stairs were carved from stone.
The walls bore the scars of time.
The ceiling felt like it was holding its breath from ages past.
My footsteps echoed—muted, trembling sounds on rock.
Sweat ran down my back.
But my eyes were fixed upward.
Locked on Sensei's back.
He looked so tired.
His shoulders slumped a little more than before.
His steps lacked that iron certainty.
That steel posture from a month ago...
Was gone.
Is he really ready?
I asked myself.
Then—
I snapped back at my own thoughts.
"Look at yourself, Watari."
I've lost five kilos in a month.
My face is sharper now.
Bones showing.
Hollow eyes.
But I'm still here.
Still standing.
Still ready.
Close to drawing.
The room carried the cold of stone.
Naoki opened the door.
It didn't creak.
It slid open in silence—
As if even it feared what lay beyond.
The room was wide.
Its walls bore sacred symbols, and some stones were carved with ancient scripture.
Five warriors...
Four stood proudly at the center.
Calm.
Cold-blooded.
Menacing.
Two wielded spears.
Two carried katanas.
One... was like me.
An archer.
They were ready.
Arata drew his blade.
The sound sliced through the air.
Silence shattered like glass.
Takumi darted left.
Clumsy—but fast.
Naoki and Aoi moved at the same time, like they'd practiced this a hundred times in their bones.
Like lion claws closing on prey.
And I...
I stayed back.
Where I belonged.
I'm an archer.
I should support.
I should protect.
I should draw first blood.
But—
My feet didn't move.
My hands didn't reach for the quiver.
In my chest...
It felt like I'd swallowed a stone.
Not fear.
A question.
Why?
Was I afraid?
No.
I wasn't afraid.
But I couldn't see the target.
Focus—that's what I lacked.
Then finally, I saw him again.
The enemy archer.
Behind the others.
We locked eyes.
Just for a second.
Only a second.
But it was enough.
He was staring straight at me.
Only me.
At that moment—
Arata's blade struck.
Naoki's spear trembled.
Takumi shouted as he charged in.
But I...
I was still frozen.
Bow in hand.
Arrow between fingers.
Then—
A hand on my shoulder.
Sensei.
Our eyes met.
He didn't say a word.
Just nodded.
And stepped forward.
Drew his blade.
Moved in.
That very second—
The enemy archer
took aim at him.
I drew my bow.
Released the arrow.
Sensei lunged forward.
When he got close—
the enemy archer twisted away from a killing blow
and drew twin short swords.
These enemies wouldn't fall easily, I thought.
My eyes shifted to the others.
Arata struck with savage force.
His eyes burned with Tier Five.
In the camp, he reached level 3, tier five before anyone else.
Naoki moved with that same dangerous ease as always.
His long arms and spear boxed in his opponent.
Aoi stayed defensive, waiting for his foe to drain.
Takumi…
was shouting curses at his spear-wielding enemy.
Yelling about what he'd do if he got hold of the man's weapon.
Takumi...
He was struggling.
Off-balance.
Couldn't catch the rhythm of the spear.
His stance was loose.
He kept talking.
He was struggling more than anyone.
I should've focused on Sensei.
But if Takumi fell—
A gap would open.
And that gap... would bleed.
I made my choice.
Turned my bow.
Took aim at Takumi's opponent.
Breathed in.
And—
Released the arrow.
It grazed the man's shoulder.
He staggered back.
Then shouted:
"Archer— Tier Four!
Be alert!"
Now they knew me.
My intent.
This time, I won't flinch.
This time, I'll hit the target.
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