Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 20

“What the hell? Wasn’t it just supposed to be fitted in?”

I looked at the grumbling guy in front of me. Harang stood there, his sharp features suggesting he’d probably used some of his own looks as a base, but he definitely seemed more intimidating now.

It also seemed like he had grown taller. I didn’t like the fact that he was looking down at me from above rather than me looking up at him in real life.

“I mean, it’s super frustrating when a guy like you comes in thanks to the Party Leader’s connections and can’t even dish out any damage, right?”

“Hey, no…”

Harang, or Hwarang as he was known here, was staring at me with a sulky face.

He had a massive longbow slung across his back, donned in leather armor to get those bonus stats typical for an archer.

That weapon boasted solid attack power with each shot, but it came at the cost of speed.

Of course, if his accuracy was high enough, he could still unleash some serious firepower.

“Just use your weapon.”

Hwarang glanced at me with a hesitant expression, well aware of my abilities.

Ignoring his gaze, I initiated the duel system.

Suddenly, a giant flag dropped from the sky.

As the duel began, Hwarang’s eyes changed.

His previously vacant look sharpened, and he drew five arrows from his quiver, nocking them to his bowstring.

“Are you just gonna stand there?”

It seemed strange to him that I didn’t move even though the duel had started.

I shook my head and drew my sword.

Swish—

The sword slid out of its sheath, scattering soft sunlight.

True to the season-themed item, flashy effects danced around the blade.

“What the hell is that…?”

“No need to know. Just shoot your arrows.”

“Wait, is that the Sun God’s Holy Sword…?”

“Just shoot already.”

The moment I finished speaking, five beams of light shot forward.

The elongated tails of light approached slowly.

But that was just an illusion; the five beams of light already grazed my body.

“Terrible accuracy, huh?”

“I did it on purpose.”

As Hwarang said that, he drew back his bow once more.

Once again, five arrows were nocked.

He chose the massive longbow to maximize the ranger’s rapid-fire capabilities. While it didn’t have the mastery, the damage would record overwhelming numbers.

Ping-!

The arrows were shot again.

The glowing speed was twice as fast as a mage’s ice arrow.

I calmly focused on the incoming arrows. In that moment, my mind went blank.

The innate talent displayed itself. My fully concentrated mind read the trajectory of the incoming arrows.

At that moment, I swung my sword.

The Sun God’s Holy Sword, enveloped in sunlight, deflected three arrows with a single motion.

It was a feat only possible due to my concentration. But what if I were moving? Would I be able to fend off attacks flying at this speed in a chaotic battle?

I wanted to test that.

“Hey… that’s…!”

As I deflected the arrows, Hwarang stared at me with disbelief.

But that look quickly faded. I charged straight at him.

My speeding body reached him without any hindrance.

It was then. Hwarang’s body started to spin briefly, and a wind-empowered [Kick] shot out.

A basic survival move for archers. It had the effect of briefly stunning the target, making it a very useful skill.

He wasn’t going easy. He took this seriously. It was a test of Hwarang’s skills, so I couldn’t afford to hold back.

Instantly, I activated [Charge]. After a short preparation time, my body surged toward Hwarang.

I allowed the kick to hit me, but thanks to the characteristics of the Charge skill, I didn’t get stunned.

Hwarang’s panicked gaze shot to my sword. A keen observer of the attack aimed at him.

At that moment, a light arrow was loosed from very close range.

Boom!

The close-range attack was unavoidable. I couldn’t even counterattack.

The light arrow lodged deep within me, tearing away a significant portion of my health.

For a brief moment of hesitation due to the powerful impact, Hwarang used his agile archer reflexes to create some distance.

I could see the wind under his feet, signaling he must have bought boots called [Blessing of the Wind] to maximize his mobility.

Even as he created distance, more attacks came flying in. Though the arrows shot through the air didn’t possess immense power due to their quick release, they were strong enough to hinder my movements.

Clang! Clang! Bang!

My sword swung repeatedly, parrying the arrows. However, Hwarang continued to widen the gap.

He had talent. Unlike my other-world self, this Hwarang possessed a natural aptitude for VR games.

Could it be that talent was shared within the bloodline? Hayan’s innate skills were also flowing into Hwarang.

But I was getting used to it. I began advancing, deflecting the rapidly approaching arrows.

Hwarang’s expression started to stiffen as he watched.

It was at that moment the constant barrage of arrows ceased.

It seemed like a short charging time was underway, preparing a powerful strike.

I wouldn’t let that opportunity slip. I immediately began running, extending my sword behind me.

Bang!

The sound of a much larger explosion rang out.

A brilliant light poured over my vision as it zoomed closer.

I remained calm, observing the incoming attack. Even if the world was different, the basic game systems remained the same.

I used the counter skill [Riposte], timed perfectly to deflect the opponent’s attack.

As I drew my sword back, evading the light attack, successful effects triggered.

If I hadn’t activated the counter, I would have been left vulnerable to a follow-up combo, possibly ending up like a hedgehog.

—Swoosh!

The red trace characteristic of [Riposte] sliced through the air.

In that moment, the effect of the [Sun God Solar’s Holy Sword] activated.

Sunlight flames surged from my neck, stretching upwards and wrapping around me like a cloak.

Though I had managed to nullify all damage using the counter, I couldn’t completely disperse the impact contained within.

As my body was naturally pushed back, Hwarang’s next attack followed.

Unlike before, this time Hwarang aimed his arrows at the sky.

The rapidly flying light arrows began to split in mid-air, transforming into countless arrows of light raining down upon me.

And of course, I was right beneath it.

Great synergy there.

His accuracy was impressive, and his sense for utilizing skills was top-notch.

If it were anyone else here, Hwarang would have definitely won this duel.

His distance-management skills were also stellar.

He positioned himself further than the range of my [Charge].

But Hwarang overlooked one crucial fact.

That I possessed [Rage] from [Heart of the Berserker].

There was a funny trait tied to charge-type skills.

The faster the user’s attack speed, the greater the distance the skill would cover.

Whether it was a coding mistake or intentional by the developers, this trait led to some crazies who increased their attack speed and swiftly roamed gathering routes with charge skills.

[Rage]

I activated the skill that originally shouldn’t exist.

At that moment, my vision tinted red, and the spirit of the orc warrior infused into my heart.

It felt like burning magma was flowing into my head.

Beyond the red-tinted vision, I caught sight of Hwarang preparing his next attack.

With the booming heartbeat in sync, I stepped forward.

The sound of falling arrows ceased. Not just the sound; everything around me began to fade like watercolor paint dispersing.

What remained was a straight path leading directly to Hwarang.

At that moment, the sunlight cloak rippled in the wind, and strength flowed from my ankles to my calves, thighs, and out into my entire body.

[Charge] activated. Blue mana burst forth like an explosion, enveloping my entire being.

A reckless attacking stance ignoring defense. I pulled back to swing my sword as low as possible.

Amid the red-tinted vision, a white light soared up.

With everything ready, my body, corrected by the system, exploded forth rapidly.

Like soaring through the sky, the sensation of the ground beneath my feet faded.

On the straight path laid before me.

Hwarang’s expression was painted with shock. In that moment, the brilliant light, condensed within his bow, shot out rapidly.

But I ignored it. I trusted in my body’s defense. Unlike before, I was now clad in full plate. The substantial defense and damage reduction passives would let me endure that impact.

Boom!

The moment a pure white flash brushed against me, an overwhelming blow shook my vision. But my speed didn’t waver.

Though a massive chunk of health was gone in a single hit, I didn’t fall.

The speed of charge only accelerated; my body dashed forth like an arrow, reaching Hwarang in an instant.

But the distance was short. I barely fell short of the charge’s striking range.

My planted feet dug into the ground firmly. As I felt a heavy creak from the sudden stop, a spin began from my ankle.

That rotational force traveled up my calves and thighs, amplifying at my waist.

I maintained my stance in preparation for the swing. At this moment, I utilized every skill to bolster my attack.

A serene sunlight radiated from the sword, illuminated with a stunning golden glow.

The extended sword then sliced through the air, beheading Hwarang’s neck.

Swish!

A single strike aimed at the vital point.

With that fatal blow, Hwarang’s body swayed violently and collapsed.

Laying on the ground, Hwarang showed no intention of getting up.

He stared blankly at the sky.

I flicked my sword to dispel the lingering effects from the skills.

The golden glow faded, and with it, the duration of [Cloak of the Sun] dissipated into thin air.

“Did I pass?”

“Pass.”

The moment the arrow box entered my raid party.

I smiled satisfactorily and extended my hand toward Hwarang.

“Welcome, Arrowbox.”

“What the hell…”

Hwarang took my hand, standing up and brushing off the dust from his body.

I looked at him, puzzled.

Only now did I notice that there was no guild name displayed beneath his nickname.

“Aren’t you in a guild?”

“Nobody would take me in.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m an archer…”

Hwarang began to share the sob story of his struggles.

Starting as an archer, he found it impossible to form parties due to the stigma surrounding his class.

He couldn’t even join a guild. No matter how much he tried to find a party, he was met with rejection.

He’d reached max level solo.

“What about your friends?”

“My friends don’t play this game properly. They’re too busy gathering herbs on the mountain, trying to save up gold to buy chicken.”

Evidently, in this world, archers had a reputation worse than a trash heap.