* * *
Only then did Ranshel suddenly snap his head up and look around.
Aside from a homeless person sprawled on the ground nearby, there was nothing of note.
Far off in the long alleyway, he could just barely make out a black speck…
‘Is that… what he’s talking about?’
Ranshel couldn’t even tell for sure if that speck was human.
Even though he was running like this, the distance between them wasn’t shrinking easily, which probably meant the figure on the other end was also running.
But it was too far to judge with the naked eye.
‘He can see that…?’
Ranshel glanced down at the blade embedded in his palm, and the long arrow connected to it—and suddenly realized something.
‘An archer class?’
If so, then it wouldn’t be strange for him to have a skill that lets him see distant objects as if they were right in front of him.
Looking more closely now, there was something long and slender slung across his back.
It was hard to be certain since he was still holding Ranshel in his arms, but it had to be a bow.
After a brief pause, Ranshel just reached out and touched it. Yep, definitely a bow.
“Since you’re already at it, mind pulling that out of my back? Both of my hands are tied right now.”
“I’d honestly recommend just leaving me here and going on your own.”
“That won’t do. What if you go tattling to Young Master Zavad while I’m gone?”
“Tattling? What would I even say? Not like he’d believe me anyway.”
Ranshel didn’t even feel confident explaining it properly, and even if he did, it’s not like it would lead to anything.
Suddenly, Doter burst into laughter with a loud “Pfft!”
“Honestly, you don’t even need to explain anything. Just cry your eyes out and he’ll probably take care of everything for you.”
“Wha—wh-what are you even saying?! You think the young master would flinch just because I cry?”
“He’d be very startled. If Young Master Zavad didn’t care about you as much as he does, all this would be a lot easier.”
“Wait, what the hell are you talking about?!”
Ranshel freaked out.
Sure, Zavad had started treating him like a valued servant, but that just put him on the same level as Petro.
It wasn’t that special.
‘Does this guy have zero sense or what?’
With a smile still on his face, Doter slightly slowed his pace.
“We’re about to hit a dead-end soon. Let’s catch him there. Hand me the bow.”
“Like I said, just put me down and get it yourself.”
“I can’t do that. Just help me out a bit. Catching that guy benefits you too, doesn’t it? He was tailing you—don’t you want to know who he is?”
“And why would I? He’s not a priority for me.”
“He might’ve been trying to kill you. Still not a priority?”
“Yes. If I’m the target, that’s fine. It’s not like he was after the young master.”
A strange expression briefly crossed Doter’s face.
“…Wow. Sorry. I really misjudged you.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t expect you to care about the young master that much.”
“What are you talking about now?!”
The situation was complicated enough without Doter spouting nonsense.
Ranshel felt like he was about to explode.
“This is a problem. I need at least something to explain to my master. What am I supposed to say if I come back empty-handed after all this?”
“That’s your problem, not mine. Either let me go and chase him, or stay and lose him. Your call.”
Ranshel replied with a blank expression.
He didn’t care about whoever was after him.
It was fine if someone like Doter tried to kill him head-on, and a sneak attack would be fine too.
As long as Zavad stayed safe, it didn’t matter.
‘That’s the only way to complete the quest.’
If anything happened to Zavad, it’d all be for nothing.
Everything he did was to complete the quest successfully.
No other reason. Truly.
Watching Ranshel’s resolute expression, Doter let out a deep sigh.
“No helping it, then. Let’s make a deal. If you cooperate with me, I’ll give you some information that’ll help you.”
Ranshel furrowed his brow.
With nothing clear in this situation, he did want to know more about what was going on, but he couldn’t help but doubt whether Doter’s info would be worth anything.
“What kind of information?”
“Hmmm…”
After a moment’s pause, Doter flashed a mischievous grin.
“Don’t you want to know who’s targeting the young master… who gave Hans his orders?”
Ranshel’s eyes widened.
The one who gave Hans that order had used his mother’s medicine as leverage to make him poison Zavad.
If he could get information on that person, then he might be able to uncover the villain hiding in the Pomel estate.
“…You know that?”
“Of course. Hans is less cautious than he looks.
If I hadn’t already gotten some info on Merk through him, I wouldn’t have even considered handing you that vial.”
So, from the very first moment Doter spoke to him, he had been testing whether Ranshel might be an assassin.
Sure, he’d suspected Ranshel wasn’t just some war buddy of Gary’s, but to think it had all been premeditated…
“Come to think of it, didn’t we agree to speak more casually last time?”
“Forget it. Why are you suddenly pretending we’re close?”
“Ouch. Harsh.”
Without replying, Ranshel reached over and brought the bow slung on Doter’s back to the front.
“What now?”
Doter was still holding Ranshel in both arms.
He’d need hands to shoot the bow, obviously.
Doter smiled slyly.
“Nock an arrow for me.”
“…Where’s the arrow?”
“It’s in your hand.”
You’ve got to be kidding me…
Ranshel swallowed back a curse and twisted the blade lodged in his palm out of his flesh.
Shhlick!
Blood gushed out, and the grinding of clenched teeth echoed in his ears.
Trembling with pain, Ranshel gasped for breath with his wounded hand raised.
Doter let out a low whistle, lips curled in amusement.
“Damn. You actually pulled it out?”
“Do you want to die? You told me to do it.”
“Thought you’d say no. You really will do anything for the young master, huh?”
“Why does he keep coming up all of a sudden…?”
No answer—just another infuriating grin.
Ranshel was seriously considering killing Doter right then and there.
“All right, all right. Hold the bow now. Just do what I say.”
“Wait, hold on. I don’t know how to shoot a bow. The arrow probably won’t even fly straight.”
“It will. It’s soaked with your blood.”
Ranshel looked down at the arrowhead now drenched in his blood.
The arrow that had pierced his flesh and lodged into his bone was now glimmering with a strange light.
“It’ll work—just this once. Clear your mind and aim forward.”
There was something in Doter’s voice—some kind of force that compelled him.
Ranshel instinctively raised the bow and aimed it forward.
A special arrow, honed like a blade.
It had never been ordinary from the start, and now it was nocked and drawn deep into the bowstring.
It felt like someone else was moving his arms for him.
Just for this moment, the bleeding from his torn palm, the pain that felt like his hand would be severed—none of it mattered.
Then, a translucent window appeared before Ranshel’s eyes:
[Sub-character ‘Doter’ has activated unique skill ‘Charging Shot’!]
[Special item ‘Sword Arrow’ is being used.]
[‘Sword Arrow’ has been registered in the item compendium.]
* * *
