Can You Dodge the Arrow?

In the stopped time, I stared at the Bow Goblin.

*Wait a minute...*

*Can I dodge that?*

I couldn't get a feel for it.

I'd have to have tried dodging an arrow in my life to know.

When I imagined it, it didn't seem easy.

It's hard to even perceive when an arrow is shot.

While I can react to a sword swinging from close range by observing some preliminary movements, predicting when the hand holding the bowstring will release the bowstring isn't possible.

An arrow flies the moment one releases one's finger; how can I catch that timing?

In the end, from the moment they aim at me, I'd have no choice but to repeatedly release and stop time, splitting it as finely as possible until they shoot.

*...Still, maybe I can manage somehow?*

'The one with the shield is also a problem.'

A Goblin holding a wooden shield and a one-handed sword.

The difficulty felt twice as high compared to two Sword Goblins and one spear.

This time, it was a fight where I had to face two of them while being conscious of incoming arrows.

I had no choice. If I failed, I'd die.

After steeling my resolve, I released time.

The Sword Goblin and Shield Goblin charged.

From behind them, I saw the Bow Goblin nocking an arrow to its bowstring.

First, I'd deal with the Sword Goblin.

Thinking of using a similar strategy, I ran diagonally.

I positioned myself to widen the distance from the Bow Goblin and face the charging enemies one by one.

Soon, I saw the Bow Goblin draw its bowstring and aim at me.

The two charging Goblins were still some distance away.

I began Time Splitting, preparing for an arrow to fly.

I had to prepare to dodge from the moment the arrow was fired.

If it was going to shoot, it would do so before the two Goblins reached me. If they were fighting up close, aiming would be difficult.

I focused my senses.

“...!”

It shot.

Fortunately, the timing wasn't off.

Since it was head-on, the incoming arrow looked like a dot.

The arrow was getting closer and closer.

*...Wait, it's faster than I thought.*

I realized it instantly.

*Ah, this isn't it, damn it.*

Even if, the moment the arrow was fired, I tried to dodge.

Compared to the incoming arrow, a human body was too slow.

From the moment I felt something was wrong while trying to calculate the arrow's trajectory, I was already twisting my upper body to the left. That was the best Evasion attempt I could make.

*'Ughhhhh...!'*

I screamed internally, desperately twisting my body.

It was incredibly close.

The arrow grazed my right forearm.

If I had started moving even a fraction of a second later, I definitely wouldn't have dodged it.

I calmed myself.

Okay, I get it.

This isn't something I can just 'do well'.

I regretted my arrogant thought from just a moment ago. 'Maybe it'll work out somehow,' my ass.

The distance it flew from was about 20 meters, or 30?

At this distance, even a slight misstep would make it impossible to dodge.

Moreover, I just realized another problem.

Until the arrow got reasonably close, it was hard to tell exactly where it was headed.

But if it got too close, it would already be impossible to dodge.

There's no answer, damn it.

I truly realized anew the unfairness of ranged weapons.

For now, it was time to deal with the enemy in front of me.

I released time and regained my balance.

The Sword Goblin was already right in front of me.

As expected, it thankfully attacked blindly.

I resumed Time Splitting, preparing for its attack.

A Horizontal Slash aimed at my upper body.

I retreated, leaning back to dodge.

After dodging the attack much more easily than dodging an arrow, I immediately Counterattacked, stabbing the Sword Goblin in the neck.

I stopped time again to check.

The Bow Goblin was just nocking its next arrow, and the Shield Goblin had also fully approached.

As I considered the layout, with me facing 12 o'clock, the Shield Goblin was at 1 o'clock, and the Bow Goblin was sniping from around 2 o'clock.

I confirmed that the Shield Goblin was about to perform a Stab with its one-handed sword.

I quickly stepped clockwise, dodging the blade aimed at my waist.

*Kehek-*

My sword was still stuck in the Goblin's neck.

So, the dying Goblin was wedged between the Shield Goblin and me.

Furthermore, thanks to the two Goblins blocking the front, if I maintained this angle, the danger from arrows would be greatly reduced.

I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Since this much was successful, I'd stop time for a moment and think.

*'How do I deal with this one?'*

The Shield Goblin.

The presence of the shield, covering almost its entire upper body, was extremely annoying.

No matter how I ran simulations in my head, subduing it in one go seemed difficult.

Instead of aiming for its neck or upper body, I decided to aim for its lower body.

The moment I released time, I kicked the Goblin and pulled out my sword.

The Shield Goblin behind me stumbled back from the push, then lunged with its sword again.

I had to get the timing right.

I used Time Splitting to dodge the attack and grabbed the wrist of the Goblin who was holding the sword.

At the same time, with my other hand, I brought my sword down.

The Shield Goblin, whose instep was struck by the blade, shrieked.

While trying not to lose my sword, I also held its wrist tightly and didn't let go.

The shield swung at my face.

*Uh, I can't dodge this.*

*Thwack!*

I gritted my teeth and took it on my forehead, and my head throbbed.

While struggling, the Shield Goblin fell backward.

I also lost my balance and fell on top of it.

As I hastily lifted my head, an arrow whizzed past my head.

*Whoa, shit, that was close to being fucked...*

I hastily grabbed my sword and moved to finish off the Shield Goblin.

The one pinned beneath me had its upper body fully exposed from the fall.

I plunged my blade into the lower jaw of the disoriented creature.

*Kehk-*

Suddenly, something streamed down from my head, stinging my eyes.

Blood? Ah, did my forehead split open?

I hastily snatched the shield and covered my front.

After stopping time, I took a moment to compose myself.

The Bow Goblin was already aiming at me again.

*'That son of a bitch.'*

Perhaps because I had almost died several times, my emotions were heightened.

It felt less like simple anger and more like adrenaline surging through my body.

Getting the shield was good, at least.

Blocking an arrow with a shield was much easier than dodging it.

Now only the Bow Goblin remained.

Having composed myself, I released time and stood up.

I covered my upper body as much as possible with the shield.

This way, even with a slight movement of the shield, everything above my waist could be covered.

I didn't have to twist my entire body and make a fuss trying to dodge arrows like before.

“...”

I used Time Splitting, preparing for an arrow that could fly at any moment, but.

The Bow Goblin only aimed at me and didn't shoot.

*Yeah, you're scared too, aren't you?*

It seemed to think that if it missed even once, it was over.

If it shot an arrow, I intended to charge and stab it with my sword immediately.

If I could just get close, I'd obviously win.

It was a distance I was confident I could cover before it could shoot another arrow.

With the shield extended in my left hand and my sword held loosely in my right, I circled the Bow Goblin.

The Goblin ultimately didn't shoot its bow.

It was only seen aiming and loosened the drawn bowstring.

I clicked my tongue.

If it acted like that, I couldn't just charge in blindly again.

This exact distance was one I was confident I could defend at.

If I got any closer, even with the shield, the pressure would be immense.

Even if I covered my head and upper body as much as possible and charged, if I were unlucky, I could get hit in the leg or something and be taken out of the fight.

Of course, it wouldn't be able to hit every shot it fired, so the odds were fifty-fifty—no, I still felt I had the advantage...

“*Hey, you bastard! Are you scared?!*”

I tried to provoke it again, like before.

I shouted loudly and even tried to mock it with a sneer, but the Bow Goblin remained unmoving.

What a calm bastard. Annoying.

*Kugugugugu-*

Then, a sudden roar echoed.

A Stone Gate was descending above the Passage where the Goblins had emerged.

“Huh?”

*What's that now, all of a sudden?*

I stopped time.

*Surely I'm not getting trapped?*

The only path in this space was that Straight Passage.

If the Stone Gate fully descended, I'd be trapped.

I didn't know why it was suddenly trying to trap me, but it felt incredibly ominous.

No, more importantly, there's still something left? This isn't the end?

'Should I get out before it closes?'

Should I go out through the Passage, or stay put?

I didn't know which was the right answer.

*...I should go out.* I decided to follow my gut.

But there was one problem.

The Bow Goblin was standing right in front of the Passage.

To get out, I'd have to break through it.

It was a crossroads where I had to take a risk.

Then I had no choice but to take it.

I released time and immediately charged towards the Bow Goblin.

I raised the shield just enough to barely secure my vision and to protect my vital spots.

Seeing it draw its bowstring hastily, I also used Time Splitting.

I got within about 10 meters.

I didn't miss the bow tilting slightly downwards. It was aiming for my legs.

I immediately lowered the shield.

At the same time, an arrow flew and embedded itself in the shield.

*...Blocked! You're dead.*

Having reached right in front of the Bow Goblin, I plunged my sword into the side of the creature trying to retreat hastily.

There was definitely no time to finish it off properly.

The Stone Gate had already closed more than halfway.

Pulling out my sword and leaving the fallen Goblin behind, I hastily dashed into the Passage.

*Boom!*

The Passage closed.

Having safely made it, I caught my breath.

“*Haa... haa...*”

I looked down at the arrow stuck in the shield.

It was embedded almost at the very edge.

If it had been off by just a little, I would have taken an arrow to the knee.

Still, I had won in the end.

Calming my excitement, I looked around.

The Stone Gate was firmly closed, and ahead, a gentle uphill path continued.

I narrowed my eyes, having spotted something.

Upon closer inspection, there was something at the end of the uphill path.

What was it... It was a ball.

As perspective kicked in, I soon realized how enormous that ball was.

*Thump.*

“...Uh.”

That giant ball.

started rolling towards me.

Its smooth surface gleamed silver, looking like an iron ball.

Feeling goosebumps erupt, I stopped time.

No, wait, wait, wait... Hold on a second.

*Wasn't coming out here the right answer?*

The way behind me was blocked, and a ball was in front.

With the rolling iron ball completely filling the Straight Passage, there was no space to escape from the rolling iron ball.

I felt completely tricked.

I realized I was truly fucked.

*'...I'm going to die like this?'*

No, this really isn't right.

Anyone could see that the gate closing there meant I should get out. You son of a bitch!

Exploding in frustration wouldn't change anything.

With time stopped, it was no different from already being sentenced to death.

If I released time, I would be squashed flat and die a horrible death.

No, I don't want to die like this.

Trapped in despair and panic, I desperately searched for a way out.

*Some way to live... What's that?*

Something entered my vision.

There was a Recess carved into the wall about halfway down the Passage when looking closely.

A recess just big enough for one person to fit into.

*...!*

Feeling like I'd found an oasis in the desert, I released time.

I threw away my sword and shield and sprinted.

The rolling ball gained speed and approached incredibly fast.

It was natural, as I was also running towards the ball.

“*Uwaaaaaaah!*”

They say humans can't even scream when experiencing extreme fear.

That didn't seem to apply to me. *Damn it, save me, please!*

Just before my vision was completely filled by the iron ball, I barely squeezed into the Recess.

At the same time, a gust of wind hit my back.

With a roar, the iron ball rolled down, and another massive impact sound echoed.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed right there.

“*Hoo... huh...*”

*Wow.*

I actually survived that.

It felt like I had just dipped my toes in the River Styx and come back.

I shakily stood up.

Scared, I waited for a long time, then came out of the Recess.

The iron ball had shattered the Stone Gate and gone inside from above.

I had to go back down to retrieve my discarded weapons.

Coming down and looking inside the Cave, I was momentarily speechless at the sight.

Countless iron arrows were densely embedded all over the floor.

*What is this?*

*Did it rain arrows from the ceiling or something?*

“*...So coming out was indeed the right answer.*”

If I hadn't come out, it would have meant I would have become a porcupine.

Now, I was just dumbfounded.

No wonder everyone died.

*Is this a difficulty level made for Humans to clear?*

I looked around for my weapons.

The shield had been crushed by the ball, so I picked up an intact sword. *Should I take a spear too, just in case?*

With a sword in one hand and a spear in the other, I came back out.

“*...Ah, seriously.*”

It was the most terrifying thing.

Even after all this, the Clear Message still hadn't appeared.

I just stood still, recovering my stamina.

I thought another Goblin or something might pop out in front of me, but nothing appeared even after a long time.

...So this means I have to move forward myself, right?

I'm afraid of what else might be waiting.

“*Huuuuh...*”

Let's go.

Somehow, I also had a premonition that this would be the last of it. It was just a feeling.

After letting out a deep sigh, I took a heavy step forward.