Chapter 17

Having returned to town from the forest guided by the false lead, I completed my return.

With a Warp Arrow, movement is much faster.

I thought about changing my class right there, but I was afraid to expose any weaknesses in an unfamiliar field.

Besides, the second class isn't so rare that I need to keep the information hidden.

It seems that most people who have been playing since the game's release have already reached the second class.

The situation seems to change when it comes to the third class, though.

Well, let's sit on a park bench and go through the class change in style.

Players can't choose which class they will become during the class change.

The game determines the most suitable class based on the player's playstyle.

In my case, I have a pretty good idea of what it will be.

"Class Change!"

"Class Change Approved! From 'Archer' to 'Bowman'!"

At least I've moved from a vaguely defined shooting class to a class that focuses on bows.

It's not a flashy change, but it's a big step.

First, let's check the status changes.

◆ Status

Name: Kyuji

Class: Bowman

Lv: 1/30

HP: 75/75

MP: 75/75

Attack: 30 Defense: 16

Magic Attack: 20 Magic Defense: 12

Speed: 22 Range: 100

The numbers are without the bonuses from skills and equipment.

First, it's good that the unique status 'Range' remained the same.

I allocated all the 20 levels' worth of enhancement points from my initial class to this, so it would have been a problem if it could be changed.

The rest of the stats are still somewhat mediocre, but the overall improvement in numbers makes it look decent.

There are other changes as well.

The skill [Archery II] has been upgraded to [Archery V].

The +20 bonus to attack and range has increased to +50, which is a significant improvement.

Additionally, I gained a new skill [Critical Shot].

[Critical Shot]

A certain probability increases the power of bow attacks.

The probability increases with the player's level.

Here it is, a skill that increases attack power based on probability.

It's essentially like a critical hit.

Since bow users are often seen as dexterous, they tend to get skills that increase critical hit rates.

However, probability can't be relied upon, so it leaves me with mixed feelings.

Even if I manage to win by successfully triggering it, it feels like a victory by luck.

Well, there's no point in complaining.

The key to enjoying entertainment is to think positively.

In my case, since my base attack power is low, I will have to shoot many arrows.

The more shots I take, the more chances for critical hits, so I can consider this a skill that suits me.

There's one more change.

I was quite surprised, but the enhancement points gained from leveling up have increased from '5' to '10'.

It's exactly double. The second class grows twice as fast as the initial class.

So, I'll allocate all 10 points to range right from level 1!

This brings my base range to 110.

"...Honestly, I don't think I've become that strong."

Oops, I said that out loud.

But it's an honest opinion, and I expected as much.

The class change to the second class is very easy.

Anyone can achieve it with enough time.

And there must be many others who use bows and have become 'Bowmen'.

If 'Bowman' were a strong class, the evaluation of 'Archer' would also improve.

But in reality, it remains an unpopular class.

In other words, the evaluation of 'Bowman' is not good.

The mediocre stats haven't changed, and that's understandable.

The doubling of 'enhancement points' is a significant change, but I think this applies to all second classes.

It can't be considered a unique advantage of 'Bowman'.

While the changes may seem subtle when summarized, they are not bad.

It's a solid and steady improvement. It can be called a legitimate evolution.

I have already achieved some results as an 'Archer'.

Becoming the superior version, 'Bowman', will allow me to aim even higher.

I will continue to increase my range and compensate for other areas with skills and equipment.

I won't change this style.

◆ ◆ ◆

"Still, where should I start..."

I climbed a tree in the field, lay on a thick branch, and watched the clouds drift by.

The wind is strong today, and the clouds are moving quickly. There are also many of them.

Many bird-type monsters are flying around.

It's fun to see birds with designs that wouldn't exist in reality.

Even birds that should be impossible to fly due to their structure are gracefully soaring through the sky.

Finding enjoyment in elements other than combat is important for enjoying an MMO.

But my boyish heart is calling for an immediate adventure.

I really want to get new equipment quickly.

According to information I overheard, there are super rare monsters in the field.

They are not only strong but also special in that they can only be encountered under specific conditions in specific locations, and they drop multiple pieces of equipment with a unified design, known as 'set equipment'.

Super rare monsters... it sounds good.

Dropping equipment is also great. I really want to fight one.

My body is tingling, and I can't help but shoot an arrow into the sky.

Whirr... Whoosh! Squeal!

The arrow accidentally hit a strange bird with a weird cry and took it down in one shot.

It was a pretty big bird, but it was taken down in one hit...

Was its durability low?

No, that's not it.

I should have thought of this.

Bows often have a 'special effect' against flying enemies.

The 'flight special effect' must have been triggered, allowing me to take it down in one hit.

Alright, let's try shooting more bird-type monsters.

They fly at incredible speeds in all directions, so improving my accuracy will likely enhance my player skills.

Whirr... Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hmm, I miss more often than I hit.

The strong wind might be causing the arrows to drift.

Whirr... Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

These birds are pretty smart.

They try to hide in the clouds to avoid being hit.

Whirr... Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hmm? The arrows I shot at the clouds didn't fall back down?

Could the clouds have hit detection?

If so...

I used [Warp Arrow] on a whim.

The next moment, I was on top of the cloud.