I Am a Bowman

⟦Skills - Occupation⟧

<Archery Lv. 1(0%)>

According to rumors, archers can skillfully use any bow they hold.

-Damage +10% when wearing a bow

<Close Quarters Shooting Lv. Max>

If an archer approaches combat like other archers and engages in close quarters, they will get hurt.

-No shooting penalty in close quarters combat

<Mindset Lv. 1(0%)>

Archers are always ready to fight anytime, anywhere. However, they fight better when they do it intentionally.

-MP consumption 200

-Strength, Agility +20% for 5 minutes

-Cooldown 15 minutes

Except for not having any attack skills, it was quite satisfying.

Especially the skill called Mindset was a very good buff skill that increased strength and agility by 20% for 5 minutes.

Now, my agility is only 50 so it will only increase by 10, but skills that increase in percentage become more powerful as the game progresses.

Moreover, the fact that the skill level is 1 means that it can be further enhanced.

At first, I just checked the performance and numbers and moved on, but after hearing about the hidden aspect, I realized that the skill flavor text was subtly different from regular archers.

“...It's kind of ambiguous for a hidden skill.”

Lars cautiously asked as his expectations were met with a completely different reaction.

“...Isn't this good enough?”

“Mindset is better than most priest buffs. But the other two...”

Chocco trailed off.

While Lars and she agreed that Mindset was good, they differed in their opinions on Archery and Close Quarters Shooting.

Of course, compared to Mindset, they could be considered not good, but Lars thought that both skills were basic skills that were flawless.

Chocco didn't completely deny Lars' opinion.

“I'm not saying they're bad, but they're kind of ambiguous for hidden skills. Just look at Archery. The longbows and composite bows used by other archers also increase damage by 10% at level 1. Well, we'll have to see the growth later... But in the end, the only difference we can see right now is that it applies to all bows. Anyway, other archers only use one type of bow. If they use something else, they can't handle it and keep missing.”

Listening to her, it was true.

Chocco started explaining about Close Quarters Shooting.

It's a skill that removes the penalty of close quarters combat, which is one of the biggest weaknesses of archers, although it is limited to shooting.

It didn't look bad, but

“...But if an archer engages in close quarters combat, doesn't that mean they're already on the verge of defeat?”

In a word, Lars was convinced.

With just that one skill, he couldn't overturn the disadvantageous situation of being in close quarters combat.

Lars tried hard not to show his disappointment and changed the subject.

“How do you know more about archers than me?”

“How would I know? I asked archers who I know because you said you were an archer.”

“Oh, Yoo-Jeong! Isn't it touching?”

Chocco hastily added, flustered.

“B-Because we're friends! It's not for any other reason, it's because we're friends!”

“I know. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

Tock-

“...And don't call me by my real name! What if other people hear?”

Chocco didn't forget to tease Lars and finished her evaluation of the archer.

“...So, in my opinion, they're better than ordinary archers, but they're still just archers.”

'Did I get excited because it was hidden, only to end up back where I started?'

Lars made a disappointed expression.

At that time, they didn't know the true reason why the Bowman was a hidden class...

Because they didn't know, Choccopie tried to comfort Lars.

"Oh, right. I prepared a gift for you. Ta-da!"

"What's this?"

On the silver surface of the ring that Choccopie took out, there was an emerald-colored dolphin swimming.

⟦Ring of Destiny⟧

A ring made by a famous craftsman who recalled his first love in his youth. On the day he made the ring, just like destiny, the craftsman also made the ring while thinking of his first love.

-Grade: Magic

-All stats +5

-???

Among the most rare equipment were accessories such as rings and earrings.

There was no level restriction, but an accessory of this magic grade with such stats was worth almost 200,000 won.

Considering that a level 20 magic grade sword was traded at an average price of around 50,000 won, one could imagine its rarity.

Lars didn't know the exact amount, but he could easily guess that an item like this would be expensive and valuable.

"Hehe. I went through a lot to get this. Isn't it pretty?"

"It is pretty. But isn't this expensive?"

"Hmm~ I don't plan on selling it anyway, but even so, this ring doesn't have great stats, so it shouldn't be that expensive."

"Still, it's probably worth more than 100,000 won."

Seeing that Lars didn't seem willing to accept the ring, Choccopie tried one trick.

"Fine. You're not taking it? Do you know how much I struggled to get this for you? It's too much to not even try it on."

Even though he knew it was an act, how could Lars ignore Choccopie's teary eyes?

Lars smirked.

"Fine. I'll try it on once."

⟦Ring of Destiny is bound to 'Lars'.⟧

"Huh?"

"Hehe. Once you put it on, it becomes bound to your account, so now I can't take it back."

Lars fell for it easily and burst into laughter. Choccopie was a good friend. If only he didn't nag so much.

"Thank you."

When Lars messed up Choccopie's hair, Choccopie nervously protested with a flushed face.

"Y-You idiot! You're ruining my hair!"

*Thump*

If only he didn't nag so much, Lars thought once again that Choccopie would be a perfect friend if only he didn't nag so much.

After chatting for a while longer, they finally got up when Choccopie received another guild call.

Meeting for promotional video shooting.

When Lars became anxious again, Choccopie reassured him with a smile.

"It's okay. The Vice Guild Master can't say anything in front of the Guild Master."

After seeing off Choccopie at the Central Plaza Warp Gate, Lars headed to the training ground.

He wanted to shoot arrows quickly. The frustration he felt when he left the training ground disappeared somewhere.

The sight of Choccopie, who was busy in the top guild, stimulated him without him realizing it.

"Wait! Stop right there!"

It was just as they were about to leave the Central Plaza. A voice that echoed through the streets, Lars thought it was one of the Lion's Roar skills.

A man with a physique that was at least half a head taller than the passing adult men and a rough facial features.

"Helum?"

While Lars was at the training camp, he had thought about going to Helum to learn about archery.

But Helum was violent and hated revealing his identity.

Lars regretted it and practiced alone, thinking that if he went to see him and mentioned archery, he might really die.

"Are you busy right now? I have something to give you."

"...!"

This was his chance.

“I'm free!”

“Then come with me for a moment.”

The house looked untidy, as if no one had lived there for a long time.

“Just wait a moment.”

Helum went into the house, leaving Lars behind.

Lars, who was left alone, spread his delusional wings.

‘What will he give me? Skills? Items? ...Oh, a skill scroll.’

Helum came back with a piece of paper tightly clenched in his hand.

Helum scratched his head and handed the paper to Lars without looking him in the eye.

“Please give this to Daphne.”

⟦A quest has been created.⟧

<There's also a letter hidden for you~>

Grade: C

A few years ago, during the village festival, Helum got drunk and forgot most of what happened, but he vividly remembered Daphne.

Having suffered from unrequited love all this time, Helum gained courage from Daphne's letter and wants to approach her through you.

Clear condition: Deliver the letter to Daphne.

Reward: Experience Points (Low)

⟦Will you accept?⟧

Kim exploded. Just a simple errand.

It wasn't a difficult task. Just deliver it and since he was planning to visit the general store to return the arrows anyway.

But as easy as it was, the reward was miserably low.

What Lars needed wasn't just any reward, but a master who could teach him archery.

Lars decided to seize this opportunity.

To do that, he needed a change of mindset.

“Why don't you deliver it yourself?”

“Because I can't be caught as a bowman.”

“Then there's nothing else I can do.”

Helum assigned Lars a task that only he could do among the countless users and NPCs in the starting village.

But it didn't end there.

He had to push harder.

“Helum. Do you love Daphne?”

“Uh, well, yes.”

“Then give me something other than this letter.”

Helum waited for Lars' response in silence.

Lars scratched Helum's desire with a serious tone.

“Do you want to become Daphne's lover?”

“...You!”

Helum stared at Lars intently. Lars met his gaze without flinching.

After a moment, the words Lars wanted to hear came out of Helum's mouth.

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

⟦A quest has been created.⟧

<Looks like it's real~ Looks like we're going to be lovers~>

Grade: B

A few years ago, during the village festival, Helum got drunk and forgot most of what happened, but he vividly remembered Daphne.

Having suffered from unrequited love all this time, Helum gained courage from Daphne's letter and has now made up his mind thanks to your assurance.

If Helum becomes Daphne's lover, he will do everything he can for you.

Clear condition: Develop a romantic relationship between Helum and Daphne.

Reward: ?

⟦Will you accept?⟧

The quest content changed according to Lars' plan!

“I will take responsibility for Helum's love.”

Lars assured him.

He was confident enough to make such a promise.

If Daphne didn't have feelings for Helum, or if Helum didn't have feelings for Daphne, Lars wouldn't have made such a proposal in the first place.

The two clearly wanted each other.

Having seen the countless expressions of the many men who lingered around Chocco over the past few years, Lars could tell.

Helum also wouldn't be completely unaware of Daphne's feelings. If not, he wouldn't have come to find Lars.

As he read Daphne's letter that Lars had given him, he could tell that she still hadn't forgotten about him.

However, one thing that bothered him was the fact that when they first confirmed their feelings for each other, they were both quite drunk.

They say that when you happen to meet your first love after some time has passed, you see a different side of them that is different from your memories and the illusion is shattered.

Helum was worried about what would happen if Daphne couldn't recognize herself in her own memories.

Instead of impulsively going to find Daphne, Helum thought it would be better to use Lars as a bridge and slowly rebuild their broken relationship.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you."

"Helum, could you promise me something in return?"

"A promise? What is it?"

"If the two of you successfully become lovers, please teach me archery."

An unexpected request. Helum furrowed his brow as if contemplating.

But shortly after, a sound louder than fireworks could be heard from Helum's house - the sound of their hands meeting.

⟦The reward for the quest has been changed.⟧

The deal between the two men was sealed.