While Nero schemed and recruited for the coming war, a different kind of storm was brewing in a remote, desolate location. A killer moved with silent efficiency, his work illuminated only by the dying flashes of a powerful aura.
An injured man, the last of his team, stared in horror. "Impossible... he just killed an S-Rank Hunter bare-handed... Who the hell are you?"
The killer didn't answer with words. He simply raised a hand. BooooM.
The man's screams were cut short, swallowed by the emptiness.
From the spiritual ether, a voice communicated with the killer. "One less. We want all the powerful heroes dead." A pause. "And one more thing... I hear the duel bastard has arrived."
The killer stiffened. "What?"
"His powers are sealed. It shouldn't be a problem," the voice chuckled. "Heheee. You know he is the son of Leo."
A wave of palpable fear silenced the killer. Leo Almik.
"Yep. That damn human who ripped off both your hands and spared your pitiful life out of mercy. So be careful. I hear his son has no mercy like his father when it comes to battle. Go deal with him. Good luck, my man."
The killer vanished into the shadows, the aura of a Gate User fading with him. The hunt for Nero had begun.
///
Meanwhile, in Sugeto's serene residence, the air was thick with focus. Toki trained relentlessly, his body straining to keep up with the monstrous potential of his Primordial Consecutive Shots.
Nero, however, was motionless, his consciousness plunged deep into his Soul Library. He sifted through eons of knowledge, searching for anything—laws, weaknesses, loopholes—related to Gate Users.
A few seconds later, his left eye began to twitch uncontrollably. He blinked, frowning.
Eri noticed immediately. "What happened?"
"I don't know," Nero murmured. "My left eye is blinking out of nowhere."
"Is there a problem?"
"An ancient fact... for men, the blinking of the left eye foretells destruction."
Eri smirked. "But technically, you're not completely a man anymore. We share one physical body, remember?"
Nero shot her a look. "You dummy. I am a man, and I'll always be a man."
Their banter was a small flicker of normalcy in a world growing darker.
///
That darkness was encroaching faster than they knew. Back at the Awakening Department, the brave receptionist who had secretly funneled Nero's reward money was held captive by an invisible force. Two figures loomed over her.
"I acknowledge your will to hide his identity," a cold voice stated. "But it's useless here. I will ask you one last time. Who is the man who saved the heroes on Serai Island?"
"Woooah, woah! You're going to kill her, man? Relax, chill!" a second, more jovial voice interrupted. "Leave mind-related matters to me."
The second man stepped forward, his eyes glowing. He reached into her mind, sifting through her memories like pages in a book.
He found nothing. Nero had been too careful, never revealing his true self to her.
The first man, enraged, prepared to strike her down.
"Wait, you brainless fool!" the mentalist snapped. "If she dies, we lose our only lead!"
"Then what should we do?"
"Hmmm. Let me erase her memories of this incident and leave her be. It's the best play. Now, if she ever meets that unknown guy again... we'll be notified. It's cool, right?" He grinned. "Haha. I'm getting used to this world's slang."
They vanished, leaving the receptionist dazed and confused on the floor, a hidden trap now set for Nero.
///
The next day, Nero found Sugeto. "Sugeto-san, I have a question."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"You're an S-Rank Hunter. Why haven't you registered with the Association?"
Sugeto chuckled. "Haha, someone in Aryavarta told me not to. He gave me the exact same warning you gave MYTH. He said, 'A great calamity is coming to your world. Until then, do not reveal your full rank and power. It will help in saving your world.'"
Nero's interest was piqued. "Did you get his name?"
"Sorry, he was disguised. I never saw his face."
"Why would you believe an unknown person?"
"It wasn't just anyone," Sugeto said, his tone turning serious. "He was a man who always gave me crucial information in Aryavarta. I trusted him because he was never wrong. He kept his identity secret for a reason."
Their conversation was interrupted by Toki, who rushed in, his face lit with excitement.
"You look happy. Did something good happen?" Nero asked.
"See this!" Toki said, holding up his phone. A special dungeon alert was displayed.
[D-Rank Dungeon: 'Path of the Archer']
Entry Requirement: Inherent Archery Skill Mandatory.
Rewards: Based on performance. Includes items of all Ranks - SS, S, A, B, and more.
"So, what do you say? Can we go?" Toki asked, hope shining in his eyes.
Nero shook his head. "I can't. The requirement is strict. Only those with an inherent archery talent can enter."
"But I heard you can use all types of skills!"
"Yeah, it's true. But my inherent talents are Blue Flames and Brain Waves. I can't accompany you there."
Toki's face fell. "Well then... I'm leaving now."
"Good luck," Nero said.
As Toki headed out, Sugeto's wife, Juel, hurried in. "I just heard from a friend! This dungeon is said to contain several powerful, mythical bows!"
Sugeto and Nero exchanged a glance. "Mythical?"
"Wait, see this." Juel showed them a picture on her phone. It was an ancient script. "Nero, can you read this?"
Nero's eyes scanned the text, a flicker of fear and awe in his gaze as he translated:
Pinak Bow: "I was once held by the Great Lord of the Cold Mountain to obliterate Tripura. Since then, none have wielded my full potential."
Sarang Bow: "Only those acknowledged by the Omni God can bear my weight."
Victory Bow: "I fight for justice. A corrupt being can never hold my power."
Gandiv Bow: "It has been eons since I had a wielder like Arjuna. I am a medium to channel your inner strength. All bows are as powerful as infinity, and as weak as a wooden stick."
Then, the text described the Dark Bows:
Tarek Bow: "A perfect weapon for Gate Users. Its true terror is shown on a battlefield of corpses and agony."
Naas Bow: "Specialized in killing divine beings."
Atel Bow: "Forged in Hell. A single scratch brings death. (Exceptions: Gate Users above 5th Gate and Higher Gods.)"
Patal Bow: "The true representation of fear, rival to Pinak. Currently held by Yamha, the Ruler of Hell."
Juel shuddered. "Each of them is terrifying."
Sugeto looked at Nero. "Do you think that kid can grab one of these?"
Nero's expression was grim. "Maybe. I can't say for sure. But if we get one... our survival rate in this war increases by 20%."
///
At the dungeon site, chaos reigned as archers scrambled to form parties.
"Everybody, don't rush! Only parties of five may enter!" an official announced.
A girl with anxious eyes, Riya, scanned the crowd. "What should I do? I need to find someone, fast!"
Nearby, Toki stood surprisingly calm, tossing a coin. 'I wonder why my heart isn't racing,' he thought. 'After seeing Nero, I guess I want to be like him... calm in every desperate situation.'
"Toki-san!" Riya called out, spotting him.
Toki turned. "Aren't you Riya from the archery club?"
"You remember me!"
"Senpai, where have you been all these years?"
"After getting tired of this world's laws, I'm following my heart. My dream to become a true archer," Toki said with a light smile.
Riya's heart warmed. 'I'm glad you came back, Toki-san. I always saw you with those tired, lifeless eyes. I even tried to help once, but I was knocked unconscious by some slavery skill on you. But now... you're free. Thank god.'
"Hey, Riya, you okay?" Toki asked, noticing her distant look.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just remembering the past. I'm glad you're back." They both blushed slightly.
"So... can we form a team for this raid?" Riya asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah. Why not?"
They quickly found three more members and stepped through the glowing dungeon gate.
The world shifted. Instead of a cavern filled with competitors, they found themselves in a vast, empty hall.
A chime echoed, and a notification sounded:
"To clear this dungeon, you must pass three trials. Rewards will be granted based on performance."
"First Trial: Target Practice. Eliminate all monsters with teamwork. 50 teams are competing. Only the 10 fastest will pass."
The trial began. Toki's team struggled at first, but his calm leadership and pinpoint accuracy turned the tide. They cleared wave after wave of monsters until the phase boss appeared—a hulking behemoth that radiated pure power.
Riya paled. "It's impossible to clear this in time! This monster is too strong!"
The team panicked, but Toki remained a pillar of calm. "I stopped believing in 'impossible' a long time ago." He nocked an arrow. "Primordial Consecutive Shots."
He fired a single, charged arrow. It struck the monster's hide and... vanished.
Nothing happened.
Everyone stared in confusion. Then, Toki remembered Nero's warning about the exponential chain reaction.
"EVERYONE, GET DOWN! NOW!" he roared.
As they hit the ground, the monster's body exploded from the inside out. A shockwave of unimaginable force rocked the very foundation of the dungeon, leaving nothing but dust where the boss had been.
Riya and the team stared, dumbfounded. "What was that? Toki-san, did you re-awaken as an S-Ranker?!"
Toki simply stood, a faint smile on his lips. "It's just a little trick taught to me by a new friend."
They advanced, clearing the subsequent trials with newfound confidence, until they reached the final chamber.
It was filled with softly glowing orbs of light. A voice echoed, "Place your hands upon an orb."
When Toki and his teammates complied, they were instantly pulled into powerful, personalized illusions—their worst fears given form.
Toki was trapped in his personal hell. He saw his family, their minds warped by his father's Slave skill, crying out for help but looking straight through him as if he didn't exist. The nightmare that haunted his every night was playing out again, and he was powerless.
"YOU ARE PATHETIC, TOKI!" the illusion taunted. "YOU CAN'T EVEN SAVE YOUR FAMILY!"
"I CAN SAVE THEM NOW!" Toki roared back.
"NOW? BUT HOW? YOU CAN'T KILL YOUR OWN FATHER, RIGHT? ONLY THE WORLD'S WORST SON WOULD DO THAT, TOKI-BOY."
The taunt fueled his rage. In the real world, his body began to radiate violent, uncontrolled energy bolts. The Primordial Consecutive Shots effect was triggering spontaneously, and the bolts multiplied exponentially with every second.
"Riya-san, what's happening to him?!" a teammate yelled.
"If this continues, we'll all be killed by his energy! Someone stop him!"
Toki was lost, teetering on the edge of self-destruction. But then, a new voice cut through the illusion—a memory of Nero's calm wisdom.
"Is that really what you want, Toki? To kill your father? There is always more than one solution. If you think no one cares for you... you need to look around yourself."
Toki's eyes snapped open in the real world. He saw Riya and his teammates, battered and bruised by his own uncontrolled energy, standing their ground. They hadn't run. They were still trying to reach him.
"Toki-san! You can do it! We believe in you!" they screamed over the roaring energy.
The illusion tried to reclaim him, but now Toki saw a hand of hope reaching for him through the darkness. He grabbed it.
A brilliant, blinding light erupted from him, followed by a peal of thunder that resonated across dimensions.
///
Back at Sugeto's home, the ground shook.
"What was that? This energy is fearsome!" Sugeto exclaimed.
Nero and Eri stared in the direction of the dungeon, their eyes wide.
"It can't be..." Nero whispered. "Is this for real?"
"What happened?!" Sugeto asked.
Nero looked at him, a grin spreading across his face. "He did it. He gained a hold on Gandiv. The legendary bow that can one-shot a First Gate User with ease."
///
In the dungeon chamber, the light faded. Toki stood tall, a magnificent, radiant bow materializing in his hand. The very air hummed with its divine power.
A teammate, in awe, reached for it. "What is this bow? Let me hold it!"
A wave of energy gently but firmly pushed him back.
Riya's eyes shone. "It seems it chooses its wielder. No one else can use it. Toki-san, do you know its name?"
"Sorry," Toki said, his voice full of reverence. "This is my first time seeing something so magnificent."
The bow pulsed with a warm, positive energy that washed over the team, healing their wounds.
"It... it can hear us?" a teammate stammered.
"Toki-san, it seems happy with you," Riya said softly. "Do you have a name for it?"
Toki looked at the bow, feeling its benevolent power. "I'll call you Light. A symbol of hope that vanquishes darkness and brings joy."
The bow glowed brightly in response, affirming its new name.
As a final reward, Riya received a quiver holding a single, formidable arrow—Hunter's Fury. An S-Rank arrow that could track its target to the depths of hell, its power scaling with the user's magic.
When they exited the dungeon, they found the area swarmed with top guild members, all drawn by the celestial phenomenon.
"Who got the legendary bow?" the guild leaders demanded.
But they were too late. As Toki stepped out, the Gandiv Bow dissolved into a intricate, glowing tattoo on his arm, perfectly concealing its immense presence. To the outside world, he was just another archer who had cleared a D-Rank dungeon.
Behind them, the dungeon gate collapsed, sealing its secrets forever and leaving the guilds in frustrated suspense.
After saying goodbye to his team, a new, unshakable confidence in his step, Toki returned to Nero. He was no longer the broken boy from the convenience store. He was an archer, chosen by a legend.