Chapter 104

Inside the Vinceral Forest, an elf sat perched atop a thick branch of a tree dangerously close to the human outpost. A monocular was held firmly against his left eye.

"Hmm...?"

As he slowly rotated the lens, his sharp gaze caught sight of something strange—guards hauling crates of Healing and Mana Potions out from the captain's tent.

"What the hell? How did they get potions? I didn't see any carts coming," the elf muttered, confused. His expression tensed as he leapt down silently from the branch, landing with practiced grace. Without hesitation, he pulled an arrow from his quiver.

He brought it close to his mouth and whispered into it, his words flowing in ancient Elvish Language.

"Āshānā'zhūrr dūrbāh'tālūk, āsh'nāzg îmbālāthūn...."

The runes carved into the shaft of the arrow began to glow—a flickering orange light pulsing in rhythm with his chant.

He raised his empty hand into the Air.

At once, the trees around him responded. Their branches twisted and curled, growing rapidly until they formed a beautiful, sturdy bow in midair—angled to the east, toward the Elven camp.

With fluid motion, he placed the glowing arrow on the vine-string and pulled it back with full force.

"Shall you shine as bright as the sun and give light to those I hold dear... Aurora's Shine." He spoke as he released the Arrow.

Swisssssh

The arrow tore through the air at blinding speed, vanishing into the clouds above.

Eagle's Eye Outpost

"I will take my leave now. It was a pleasure doing business with you," Leon said, facing James.

"Pleasure was all mine, kid. Be proud of yourself—you saved a lot of lives today.

If only you could reveal your identity, I'd get you a bravery medal from the King himself. You'd be famous across the kingdom. It helps with the ladies, you know?

I got one back when—"

"The sun's going down. I need to leave. Bye." Leon interrupted, already turning away.

But he barely took a few steps before—

BOOOOOOOOOM

A thunderous explosion rocked the skies. A flash lit up the sky, followed by massive rings of smoke and clouds spiraling out.

The soldiers poured out of their tents in a frenzy, every head turning upward.

"Oh shit..."

"Fucking hell."

"We are so fucked."

Their faces darkened instantly. The mood shifted—panic set in.

"You've got to be kidding me," James said grimly, his eyes still fixed on the sky.

"What? What's happening?" Leon asked with a confused expression.

"It's the same thing that happened last night. Ten minutes after that flash—they launched the enchanted arrow that wiped out half our outpost.

I've got to get the soldiers prepared. You—run as far away as you can, kid." James turned and stormed off.

Elven Camp

A strikingly handsome elf with long blonde hair, flawless skin, and sharp ears lay peacefully on a soft bed of grass inside a tent.

Slide

The flap of the tent opened, and a female elf draped in purple robes entered quietly.

"Your Majesty... our spy has sent the signal. The humans must have received help earlier than expected," she whispered.

Blink-Blink

The elf prince opened his eyes instantly. He rose and looked over to the bow resting just a few steps away—an awe-inspiring weapon made of pure gold, ancient runes etched along its limbs, and radiant gems embedded in its core.

"Let's give these humans what they deserve," he said, reaching for the bow.

"B-But Your Majesty... the arrow is still not ready," she said nervously.

"How many enchantments have you completed?"

"267, Your Majesty."

"More than enough to wipe those ants out. Bring it to me," he ordered, stepping out of the tent.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty..."

"That motherfucker is out again..." James growled, his eye glued to the monocular as he focused on the Elf Prince.

"Can I see?" a voice chimed in suddenly.

James looked over—and down.

Leon was still standing next to him.

"Huh? What the hell are you doing here? I told you to go back!" James asked with a confused expression.

"Yeah, that was the plan..."

Five Minutes Earlier – Vinceral Forest

"Okay, Slime... let's go back," Leon said with a grin as he played with his gold coin.

Boing-Boing

The slime bounced twice, then settled.

"What do you mean by that? We have to go back. Let's go," Leon insisted.

Boing-Boing

"Are you saying 'no' to going back? If yes, then bounce once."

Boing

"Why? Is it because you don't know the way back?" Leon asked, scratching his head.

Boing-Boing

"No? Then... is it because the sun's going down and you're scared of monsters coming out?"

Boing

"Fucking hell... Can't you find that teleportation tree again?"

Boing-Boing

"Shit... Elaine and Selene are going to lose it if I don't make it home tonight," he groaned.

"I've got no choice then—I'll have to spend the night at the outpost. What about you? Will you be alright in the forest?"

Boing

"Okay... take care. Wait—you can find the tree again in the morning or do we need to walk back?"

Boing

"I hope that means you can find it again," Leon muttered, turning and walking back toward the outpost.

Present Time

"I can't go back tonight. I'll leave tomorrow," Leon said, standing beside James once more.

"Don't worry, kid. You're free to run anytime. But if you die here tonight—well, at least you'll die like a man. Hahaha!" James laughed, handing him the monocular.

'Is he cracked in the head or something?' Leon thought, puzzled, as he raised the monocular to his eye.

Through the lens, he saw it: the Elven Prince, his golden bow in hand, aiming straight at them but there was arrow in it.

[Description: Third son of the Elven Queen, Freya Virelliam. An excellent archer blessed with powerful skills and an even bigger ego.

Once an arrow leaves his bow, it always hits its target. Serandor is determined to prove himself to his mother by conquering a human border zone single-handedly.]

"Level... 156!? How the hell did he get that high!?" Leon muttered, eyes wide with shock.