Shatei Kyokufuri Yumi-Ojisan

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With monsters, you had to shoot with a feeling of nervousness because you could die if you didn’t shoot.
So it felt really different to be able to shoot in a completely safe environment.
In any case, these targets didn’t move like monsters did, so it should be much easier.
There would be no problem if I just shot like I always do.

The target was about 60 meters away and 100 cm in diameter.
You were allowed to shoot 4 arrows.
You would receive 100 points for hitting the center, and less the further your arrow was from it.
The passing line was a total of 280 points.
In other words, if you got more than 70 points with each shot, you would be able to pass.

“Alright…let’s go!’

Kiririri…I pulled the bowstring and unleashed it with a shu!
And with a ‘suton!’ the arrow landed in the center.
I repeated this 4 times.
I didn’t need a break in between shots.
I just shot one after another.
As calm as if I was just breathing…

“…Oh.
Surprisingly, I didn’t miss any.”

I thought that being in an unfamiliar place would affect my aim, but I had hit the center every time.
I didn’t really know why, but archery just seemed to be a good fit for me.

“Amazing! I knew you would do it, Mister Kyuji!”

“Uh, huh!?”

A round of applause erupted from the archery range.
Apparently, they had all stopped to watch me.
I had been so focused that I didn’t even notice the change in sounds…
But the fact that I wasn’t sensitive to my surroundings showed that I still needed to grow.

“Uh, thank you!”

I wasn’t used to being praised like this.
And so I just waved my hand and left.
It felt weird.
I wasn’t some kind of idol.
But I would feel bad if I left without saying anything.
Regardless, I would likely think back on it with embarrassment… But it couldn’t hurt…being an old idol once in a while.

‘Well done-nyon! It seems like no one can match you when it comes to the bow-nyon!’

Charin appeared out of nowhere.
Huh? So she recognized me?

“Thank you.
So remember me.”

‘AI are just like humans, and we remember players who leave an impression-nyon! Especially since all of the versions of me are connected-nyon!’

I see.
They are all the same Charin then.
So it was no wonder that someone with a strange playstyle, like myself, would be remembered.

‘Now, the medal… But before that, will you take on the ultra difficult stage for a chance to receive the special prize-nyon?’

“Yeah, of course.”

I would receive the medal along with the special reward.
It would feel good to receive them after everything was done.

‘Well then, I’ll take you to the ultra difficult stage-nyon!’

The place that Charin led me to was a…stable.
Co-could it be…

‘As you may have guessed, you will be shooting on horseback-nyon! Yes, the combination of human and horse! Surely it is the perfect way to end the Sagittarius trial-nyon!’

Neeeighhh!

The horses seemed to agree with Charin’s words.
But I’ve never ridden a horse…!

No, maybe I have…?
It was…during the turf war.
I had ridden a horse-type monster called a ‘Mach Horse’ that Hatake had let me borrow.
But Hatake had left such a strong impression that I forgot about the horse.

However, and perhaps I wasn’t actually qualified enough to be making such observations, but…riding the Mach Horse was nothing like riding a real horse.
That monster had been designed for comfort when riding.
It was much faster than a bicycle, but there was hardly any shaking.
It almost seemed to slide through the field as it took me to the base.
Besides, I then got off and started shooting on my feet.
So I had no experience shooting from atop a horse.

And I doubted that this horse…would be quite as comfortable.
This was NSO.
While things were simplified a little, I was sure that they had prepared a very realistic horse-riding experience.
But I had never ridden a horse in real life…!