Chapter 58: Long-Range Shot + Precision Aim?

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The effective range of the Blackwind Direwolves’ vision was twenty meters. Anything beyond that, they neither saw nor responded to. However, once alerted by nearby companions, they would attack any invading player in unison.

This trait made my task of luring them much simpler.

I stopped quickly at the twenty-two-meter mark. Following my lead, both Crouching Talk and Xuanwu Titan halted as well—just ahead lay the likely hiding place of the Blackwind Direwolves.

With practiced ease, I drew my bowstring, the arrowhead aimed squarely at a cluster of shrubs ahead.

“Long Shot!”

With a release, the arrow took flight, accompanied by the twang of the bowstring, and pierced the thicket with tremendous force.

Long Shot—aptly named, for it was the ‘long-range attack’ skill. As one of the most fundamental abilities for archers, it was also the most commonly used in skirmishes. It allowed archers to extend their attack range beyond the usual limits.

This was a skill especially dreaded by mages, the other masters of ranged firepower. Not only did it require little time to cast, but it also enabled archers to strike preemptively from a distance, outside the mage’s threat radius—a very practical advantage.

Of course, the skill had its drawbacks. While using ‘Long Shot,’ accuracy diminished—particularly at the basic level, where the archer’s own strength was limited, making it easier for targets to dodge if they noticed the attack in time.

For this reason, most archers would use ‘Precision Aim’ before unleashing a Long Shot.

Precision Aim: Beginner level, focus intently on the target, enlarging it by twenty percent within your field of vision, increasing hit rate! (Intermediate, forty percent; Advanced, sixty percent; Master, one hundred percent!)

But I was no ordinary beginner archer—never had been since the day of my job change!

A five percent boost to my attribute cap meant I effectively possessed all the intermediate first-tier archer skills. Even a second-tier archer could only elevate one or two of their skills to intermediate level at most. Intermediate ‘Long Shot’ extended my range by an additional ten percent!

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As for missing the shot—that was out of the question.

The Blackwind Direwolf, lying quietly in the bushes, had no idea it was already within my attack range. It only realized something was amiss when my arrow struck it, prompting a furious howl as it leapt from the undergrowth.

As the Blackwind Direwolf howled, Crouching Talk and Xuanwu Titan heard several similar cries, their hearts tightening. They shouted to Foraging Qilin, “Run!”

“What are you doing?!”

The dwarf, wielding a giant hammer, was shocked to see Foraging Qilin not only remain motionless but draw his hardwood longbow again with even greater speed. Both companions cried out in alarm!

Even as their words left their lips, the longbow’s string resonated with a heavy note, and the arrow shot like a meteor into the unknown darkness.

At that instant, as the arrow vanished into shadow, a massive direwolf, half the height of a man and nearly three meters long, burst forth. By sheer ‘luck,’ the Blackwind Direwolf’s eye met the oncoming arrow precisely, as if fate had guided it.

A howl of agony—the beast’s advance faltered.

“Critical hit! Vital strike! 68 damage dealt to Blackwind Direwolf!”

Crouching Talk and Xuanwu Titan gaped, momentarily forgetting to charge forward.

Without waiting for them, after delivering a powerful blow, I turned and activated ‘Swift Step.’ My feet grew light as I sped toward Xiaomei and the others behind me.

In doing so, I slipped just beyond the Blackwind Direwolf’s attack range. The injured wolf, about to unleash its ‘Wind Blade’ spell, roared in fury and gave chase.

At the same time, three more Blackwind Direwolves emerged—one by one leaping from the darkness into view.

“Dwarf, handle the one on the left! The other two on the right are mine!”

Xuanwu Titan shouted, charging together with Crouching Talk at the three Blackwind Direwolves that had set their sights on Foraging Qilin.

With a sweeping motion, Xuanwu Titan’s giant staff knocked the first unguarded direwolf off balance. Knowing he had its attention, he wasted no time—his massive staff struck the second charging direwolf with brutal force.

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“Awooo...!” The Blackwind Direwolf yelped, thrown backwards by the blow—success!

With ease, Xuanwu Titan completed his task of attracting the direwolves. He quickly stowed his staff and, moving almost in a blur, drew a metal shield from his waist, a meter long and over half a meter wide.

He raised it before him—bang, bang—two resounding impacts echoed as twin wind blades, wreathed in black energy, struck the shield simultaneously.

The force nearly wrenched the shield from his grip, but Xuanwu Titan, being a level above the Blackwind Direwolves and not lacking in strength, grit his teeth and weathered the assault.

Even as he took a thirteen point hit to his health, a pale blue sphere of water element enveloped him—Black Jasmine’s healing spell!

“Storm Hammer!” The dwarf’s giant hammer seemed to carry the might of thunder. In the first clash, the final Blackwind Direwolf was sent reeling, stunned.

“Crouching Talk hits the target! 40 damage dealt to Blackwind Direwolf!”

“Stunning blow! Blackwind Direwolf is stunned for three seconds.”

No sooner had that message come through than a wind blade shot from behind Crouching Talk, knocking the direwolf out of its daze.

“Xiaomei hits the target! 13 damage dealt to Blackwind Direwolf!”

A first-tier mage’s attack left much to be desired.

Fortunately, Crouching Talk seized the moment before the direwolf could recover. The Storm Hammer fell once more with crushing force, sending the beast howling and tumbling away.

The three-hundred-health Blackwind Direwolf had now lost a third of its HP.

Yet, after luring the direwolves away, I couldn’t help but smile ruefully: two rounds of attacks had taken five seconds—far too slow! With my Swift Step ending, I was down to just three mana points—one last chance to use it. Evading the pursuing direwolf was now impossible…

I quickly glanced back at the one-eyed Blackwind Direwolf, gritted my teeth, and steeled myself—it was time to risk it all!