The archer, one of Auroa’s subordinates, attacked.
“This is… you’re fast!”
“Hehehe, too slow! You can’t catch me, not even me, I (cat-like speech)!”
Sharin was struggling to catch up, panting. She searched for the next branch to jump to, but it wasn’t easy. The enemy, on the other hand, leaped away as if playing an athletic game. He spun around with just his legs, like a pole dancer.
“See, I can still shoot from here perfectly well.”
He arched his back and taunted Sharin. The boy’s camouflage cloak fluttered in the wind. He had said earlier that he had been left behind alone. His words seemed to hold no lies. He was an annoying guy, but honest.
Should I leave this to Sharin and go look for everyone else? Nina is good at climbing trees. If they could sandwich him with Piyo, they might be able to catch him.
“Hmph!”
Sharin leaped to the tree where the opponent was, dagger in hand. That alone showed considerable jumping ability. Immediately, she climbed the trunk with her other hand, closing the distance.
Then, the opponent drew an arrow from his quiver. Was he planning to shoot at this distance? Sharin dug her claws into the trunk and leaped up. She swung her dagger.
To her surprise, the opponent blocked it with his arrow. There was no way such a thin stick could stop an attack. But along with a running current, Sharin’s body was blown away and fell to the ground.
“Are you okay?!”
“Ugh, I didn’t expect that. He can control electricity with his arrows.”
Is it an Enchanted Weapon like mine? If he has an electric dagger, it’s not strange for him to have arrows too.
“Ah, that was close. I’m getting bored, you know. I want to go see Lord Auroa and shoot something else quickly.”
He yawned theatrically and nocked an arrow into his bow. Sharin and I immediately separated and hid behind our respective trees. He was so confident he could escape, that’s why he was so nonchalant even when Sharin got so close.
When I looked back from the shadow of the tree, Pauline appeared before me.
“Whoa, what’s wrong? You should run to a safe place with Lauren.”
“I just realized. Isn’t that person unable to fight if he runs out of arrows? Of course, he might have a dagger, but he only uses it at critical moments.”
Hmm, come to think of it, that’s true. These arrows are specially made of iron and are heavier than normal ones. He probably has a limited number he can carry. That’s why he might have used an area attack instead of shooting me directly.
“By the way, where is Lauren?”
“Lauren went to look for everyone else. Veronica is with her too.”
What? He left Pauline alone? Reading my expression, he quickly added.
“No, I told her to go. It would be dangerous for Veronica if she stayed. I’ll be fine, and I’ll sneak back to the elf village later.”
“Thank you, please do that.”
She seemed like someone I could leave alone. The enemy probably wouldn’t bother chasing Pauline. Now, about that archer.
“Are you trying to hide from me, I (cat-like speech)?”
“Damn it, Pauline, run!”
When did he get around us? He slipped past Sharin’s eyes. A moment later, I heard a voice calling me, slightly delayed. The cat-like boy narrowed his round eyes and smiled, as if he had won. The iron arrow was pulled back.
If he fires at this distance, I absolutely can’t dodge it. I quickly moved around the tree.
“How long are you going to keep playing hide-and-seek? Fine, I understand. Don’t underestimate me, I (cat-like speech).”
“Arisugawa, get out of there immediately!”
I met Sharin’s desperate gaze. The next moment, a roar echoed behind me, and a part of the tree was blown away. The ground trembled. Another shot followed in quick succession. I felt a strong impact on my back and was thrown forward. I wasn’t hit directly, but I could feel the immense power transmitted through the tree.
But that used up two shots. I had to make sure he didn’t pick them up. Then, I heard the sound of wood splitting and cracking behind me. Is it falling?! It was by no means a thin tree.
“W-whoa. It’s falling!”
The tree, with more than half its trunk blown away, lost its support and began to fall.
“Hah, here I go!”
Did he kick it from behind?! The thick tree fell towards me. I immediately dodged to the side. It crashed into another tree, scattering leaves, and landed with a thud, kicking up dust. That was close, but now is not the time to rest. Be alert immediately. He’ll attack while this is happening.
I hid in the shadow of the fallen tree. I lowered my posture and crouched in the fallen leaves.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and covered my mouth. What, Sharin?
“Shh, it’s me. Let’s evacuate to the elf village too.”
I nodded in agreement. We slipped away quietly through the still lingering dust. But as expected, the enemy pursued us. He moved by leaping between branches as if flying through the air. Still, he couldn’t help but use his hands.
This means it’s difficult to move while drawing a bow.
