Chapter 75: Fletcher (1)

The next day, Jake returned to his duties in Viktor's workplace.

He didn't have that much experience as a woodman and armorer, so he mostly cut down trees and assisted Viktor in his commission. It was still the weekend, so Jake had been here from early morning.

Of course, before any of the work began, Jake spent time with Odin and ran around the forest to evoke zoomies in him and have fun.

In the afternoon, Jake thought he'd practice his styles on the effigy...

...but Viktor raised his voice and stole Jake's attention. "Let's start a Fletcher lesson."

Jake smiled. "Alright!"

After dragging his chair to the edge of his tree plantation, Viktor sat down and reclined on it. He scratched his beard before leaning his head on his hand.

He said, "Show me your styles. You have three of them, right?"

"...I thought you would teach me a Fletcher subclass now," Jake replied, confused.

Viktor waved his other free hand, "No questions. I'll explain later. Use this effigy."

Jake nodded.

The effigy of The Warmonger Empire was an advanced concept of alchemy, blacksmithing, and tailoring. It could maneuver like an actual living being, and its natural defenses were strong. With the special crest only Viktor could use, the noble could lower its defenses to match Jake's stats.

It was a perfect training doll for the current Jake.

'I'll adapt my archery to the summonings, then... I'll show him more of my prospects,' Jake thought. He'd become closer with Viktor, and the man's connections were as valuable as his experience and bloodline.

It'd be stupid to hide stuff from him.

Standing across the effigy, Jake took a second to scan its terrifying form before straightening his back and legs and entering his Soldier Form. He nocked his wooden arrow, pulled his highest anchor, and let it fly.

The whistle and impact felt as electrifying as before—Jake's adrenaline pumped.

Upon receiving a blow, the effigy entered the high-speed mode. Horizontally, it flashed left and right. Any normal player with Jake's level would blink in a stupor after seeing this speed.

Jake, however, adapted to it, and his stats were higher than those of his level.

He was also keeping an eye on the enemy's speed more than ever before, as Ingrid's challenge was still carved in his heart. Just like she had said it before, it was the next level of archery.

After all, producing the highest damage or speed wasn't always the answer.

Jake remained in his soldier form and read the effigy's velocity seven times out of ten. After that, he switched his forms and entered his Joker Stance.

He threw himself into the fervor of a close combat battle that was the most true to his heart.

The effigy read his movements.

Giving up on its horizontal range, the effigy circled around Jake without any breaks.

Jake followed the effigy's shadow in stride, his arrows faster than before. He released more arrows than in Soldier Form, but the results were slightly worse.

Jake then calmed down more and got onto his one knee.

BANG!

'Oh!' Jake widened his eyes, his irises shining.

The impact was much stronger and louder, which sounded so satisfying that Jake wanted to hear it again! He ran toward the arrow and picked it up.

After returning, Jake turned around and released the arrow for the second time!

The effigy couldn't cope with the stun because it wasn't programmed yet to deal with them. It meant that the doll froze whenever Jake and Wukong's arrow connected with its body.

It didn't matter where Jake hit; the stun effect halted all of its movements!

It was amazing to see this and feel this much power!

Jake couldn't get enough of the heavy sound of his arrow's impact, too.

At last, Jake called Wukong to his real form.

He smiled at him, "We did it! Good job, Wukong!"

Wukong was all smiles, too! Upon getting praise, his smile widened, and he fervently nodded.

"I love this stun effect. It adds variety to my styles! I'll count on you to stop our enemies," Jake said.

Wukong became serious for a moment and struck his chest in agreement.

It was like swearing an oath to him!

He swore to stop all enemies for Jake!

Jake's expression melted as he stared at this adorable monkey. He snuggled him up into his chest and gave him his favorite scratches on his head and back.

After that, Jake told Wukong to rest and that he'd summon him in an hour.

Wukong nodded. Finally, he disappeared.

[Call OF The Unyielding has entered a one-hour cooldown.]

Jake approached Viktor and nodded at him, "I have yet to find out how my other summons can sync with my arrows, but that's my archery for now."

Viktor nodded.

He hadn't shown this on his face, but Viktor was deeply interested in Jake's summons now that he could use them with his archery. He didn't know that Jake's legendary class was what allowed for this miracle and bonding, though.

It was a peculiar class that would have shocked him even more.

Viktor said, "I understand each principle behind your three forms, and I suppose that monkey arrow, too. Anyway, from the start, arrows aren't universal. Just like bows have different species, so do arrows. Your first form uses your highest anchor point, thus drawing the most of your weight. For this form, you want a stiff and long arrow. Your second form is the opposite.

You want a shorter arrow to match your drawing length and its arrow spine to be flexible. The third form is a mix to which you will have to find the perfect balance.

"That's as far as we go about the arrow spine only. The arrow's point plays a crucial role as well. Yours is a carved wooden tip, which is probably the best for your third form. For the first form, you want to add blades and naturally make an arrow point from at least a metal for the highest penetrative power. I think your monkey arrow would also benefit greatly from the blunt arrow point.

In the past, those arrows weren't meant to deal damage but to stop opponents. It should work perfectly with your monkey arrow if you only want to stun your opponent." Viktor looked into Jake's eyes and noticed that the young man had received enlightenment.

He gave him a break, waiting for Jake to process this much information.