CHAPTER 44: IRREGULAR ARCHERY

Two-Headed Wolves were especially dangerous in packs and because of their two heads. One kept its nose low, sniffing, while the other loomed and watched. That pairing kept them alive against undead, Spikeback Boars, and Rankers.

Alex knew this smart monster would bait him.

He walked in slowly, then burst forward and faked his provoking skill. The wolf did its signature feint and jumped aside. That’s when the real skill landed.

The monster lunged at him, both heads snapping at the air. It slammed into his shield and left his arm numb for a moment.

"Now!" Ace shouted.

The others drew and loosed at the heads. Some arrows grazed; some hit clean, dealing heavy damage and breaking the taunt. The wolf arched both necks and howled.

Ace nodded. "It’s calling the pack. More meat for us. That’s why I like these wolves."

Heavy footfalls came from the forest, just like Ace said. The wolves fanned out and surrounded the team, barking from every side.

Saliva dripped from their muzzles; their eyes narrowed on the Rankers. The smell of their kin’s blood sent them into a frenzy. Instinct kept them wary of two in the group: Chaewon and Ace.

Alex was a threat, too, but he was a tank with low mobility. He could hold one or two at most, and the monsters were smart enough to read that.

Ace scanned the treeline. His archery proficiency nodes activated only with his bow equipped, flagging weather shifts.

He read the wind to track movement around him. His minimap flashed with red dots, each marking an enemy position.

"More than meets the eye. Watch for ambushes. Twenty-four wolves. Big pack. We head home when we’re done," Ace said.

He planted his feet and leaned back, taking an irregular stance. Most archers got little out of it; it wasted power and ruined shots.

But Ace wasn’t a normal human in a normal world. In Gates, archers rarely stood still. Mobility and angles mattered as much as strength.

Whistle.

Ace’s arrow shot away. It flew straight toward a tree before curving mid-flight and punching into one of the monster’s heads.

Too shallow. The line was right, though. I need more reps with the irregular forms. Then I should unlock new nodes and turn my archery into a real powerhouse.

Ace’s goal was to open lines for his people to land hits. He wanted to disable one head on every wolf. Standard archery wouldn’t do it, and sticking to it meant no growth right now.

I won’t waste any chance to get stronger. I’m already doing more than enough for them, and Chaewon’s busy saving others anyway... oh.

Chaewon’s kindness let him worry less about the group, but that came with a problem he needed to bring up later.

I’ll weaken the ones I see, then draw out the wolves hiding behind the trees.

After a few more shots, he switched to flushing the hidden threats. He checked the minimap and sighted in.

The trees were spaced out, leaving open lanes. Threading arrows behind trunks was still a pain, almost impossible from here.

If I had bouncing arrows, this would be easy. I need a better angle.

Ace moved quietly and quickly from spot to spot, flushing them from the shadows. He grinned, drew his daggers, and waded into melee. Two-Headed Wolves used tricks: head and foreleg feints that baited people into the real attack.

One wolf charged into range to run the same play. Ace stepped in hard, face near the twin maws. He raised both hands, daggers spinning into a reverse grip.

He ripped the blades down and drove them deep into each skull, pinning the heads to the ground. Blood burst across the dirt.

If you think about your opponent and how to lure him in, you slow down and hand me the opening.

Ace stood, eyes cold over the fallen wolf. Cherry bounced on his shoulder, excited by the display of power.

Yesh, Aish! Shtrong!

"Cold, but risky, Don Capo!" Alex called, two dead wolves at his feet.

"It wasn’t risky. It was calculated," Chaewon said.

Ace smiled. "You two have time to watch me fight?"

"Absolutely," Chaewon said. "Unlike you, we’re working with others."

Ace chuckled. "Pawns are lone wolves up front. You’re doing good staying in your role."

Soon, the wolves were nothing but flesh and blood.

—

Everyone lowered their weapons and let out a breath. The fight had been exhausting for the weak Rankers, and a few had come too close to those jaws. It was a frightening experience, but no one was scared enough to quit their archery lessons and hunts.

After their stamina recovered a little, Ace told them to move. A short wait was fine in the bloodied forest; fresh blood drew distant monsters, but for a moment it kept nearby predators at bay. That second effect would fade soon, and other packs would take interest.

With his higher strength, Ace knotted the tails of three wolves, then gripped one by the jaw and dragged all three toward the base. Alex could haul two. Chaewon needed Mercer’s help. The others were in the same boat.

At last, they returned to the Camp and surprised everyone with their loot.

"So many monsters... is that boar edible?" someone asked.

Ace nodded. "Just get rid of its quills first."

"I see!"

"It’d be best to have storage for these monsters. Do you think there’s a facility for that in the Bank Grotto?" Chaewon asked once everyone scattered to their tasks.

Ace thought for a few seconds. "Should be. We’ll check the other tunnels soon. First, I want at least one competent person to join us. We’re moving at a good pace, but most of our level-ups are normal. I won’t drop in the rankings, but you guys are in a dangerous spot."

"You’re the only oddity. I agree." Chaewon gave him a playful jab.

Ace tilted his head as if the hit had landed. "You say that? Who’s wasting her time saving others instead of using every fight for practice? If you’re that worried about casuals, ask Alex or Mercer to watch them more. They’re already doing their best. Don’t shoulder everything yourself.

"Next hunt, I’ll keep the others out of real danger. You focus on your sword."

Chaewon deeply stared at Ace, then ran into him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Hey... you think my Dad is okay?" Chaewon asked.