The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 21

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Yeo Joo Saves the World – Episode 21

The crowd surrounding the Archery Training Ground was brimming with curiosity.
The Hunter Center had been dull lately with no major incidents, so this long-awaited event was a welcome change.
“Hey, who do you think will win?”
“What are you talking about? Obviously Titan Guild.”
“But that Justice Guild guy was pretty famous once too, wasn’t he? Some promising prospect or something.”
Hunters who had come over from the Third Training Ground whispered among themselves.
“When was that? They said he had S-rank potential or whatever, but he ended up C-rank. The Titan guy is B-rank.”
“I guess so.”
“I don’t see it that way.”
Someone interjected into their conversation.
“Oh, Yang Hwa Yeon, it’s been a while.”
It was Yang Hwa Yeon, the guild master of Magma Guild.
As an A-rank flame mage, she had a reputation for maintaining clear boundaries between public and private matters, making her one of the most well-regarded hunters.
“But what are you saying? That doesn’t look like it? Obviously Titan is going to win this match, right?”
“Well, if we’re just looking at rank, then yes.”
Yang Hwa Yeon brushed her hair back and observed Lee Yu Chan.
“Hunters aren’t defined by rank alone, you know? For example, their original archery skills or something like that.”
At the same moment, Lee Yu Chan released the bowstring.
Thwack!
With a heavy, satisfying sound, everyone’s attention focused on the enlarged target display.

[ 10 Points ]

“See? That kid has been famous since youth for shooting a bow with incredible skill.”
At Yang Hwa Yeon’s words, the hunters around them shifted to a more cautious demeanor.
If someone as stingy with praise as Yang Hwa Yeon said that, then this match might actually be worth watching.
Soon after, Lee Yeon Gu from Titan Guild drew his bow.
Thwack!
The impact sound was equally heavy and satisfying, but the arrow lodged slightly off-center from the bullseye.

[ 9 Points ]

We had each only just taken our first shot, yet the atmosphere in the arena had transformed.
The faces of those who had come seeking light entertainment upon hearing that the Justice Guild had arrived at the Training Facility to compete against other guilds grew serious.
The Titan Guild, rising as an emerging force and gradually gaining momentum, versus the Justice Guild, which had been everyone’s punching bag.
Yet anticipation began to build that the match between these two guilds would not devolve into a boring, one-sided affair.

[ Player 1 Lee Yu Chan, please prepare for your second shot. ]

Lee Yu Chan nocked an arrow.
But this time, unlike the first attempt, he utilized the full time allotted and aimed with meticulous care.
Whoosh!
The sharp whistle of the arrow cutting through the air accompanied the score that appeared on the screen.

[ 9 Points ]

It was the result of my fingertips trembling slightly as I released the bowstring at the last moment.
I had thought it would land within the 10-point range regardless.
I lifted my head and detected the wind that had shifted direction in the meantime.
To create the most realistic training environment possible, wind blew through the Archery Training Ground.
Just like reality, it changed direction and intensity without any indicators or warnings.
I heard Lee Yeon Gu click his tongue softly beside me.
It was an expression of annoyance at the shifting wind.
Perhaps that was why.

[ 8 Points ]

Lee Yeon Gu’s arrow had strayed even further from the center.
But I tried not to dwell on my opponent’s mistake.
The most crucial element when handling a bow and arrow is equanimity—an unshakeable mind.

[ Please prepare for your third shot. ]

My third arrow did not take long to leave the bowstring.
From nocking to drawing to releasing in a smooth arc—every motion flowed as naturally as water in a sliding release.
But midway through, the wind shifted direction once more, and the arrow’s score, which precariously straddled the boundary between 10 and 9 points, was determined by the training system.

[ 9 Points ]

“Ugh.”
“What a shame.”
Sighs rippled through the Hunters watching from outside the arena.
It was a disappointing call regardless of who you were rooting for.
And the complexion of the Titan Guild members darkened immediately.

[ 8 Points ]

Lee Yeon Gu, who had just fired his arrow, failed to make up for his previous low score.
His expression was noticeably worse than the other Titan Guild members.
Among Hunters, rank is absolute.
Unless you undergo an awakening with odds as slim as being struck by lightning, your rank never changes.
Yet this kid beside him was trying to defeat him while completely disregarding that rank.
‘He doesn’t know his place.’
Lee Yeon Gu activated his skill with a contemptuous smile.

[ Skill ‘Unerring Shot’ is activated. ]

The activation time was short, and using a skill against a C-rank opponent wounded his pride.
But there was no agreement that skills couldn’t be used in the match.

[ Set 2 begins. ]
[ Please change the shooting order. Player 2 Lee Yeon Gu, please prepare for your fourth shot. ]

As the set changed, it became his turn to shoot first.
Lee Yeon Gu fired his arrow with a confident expression, unlike moments before.

[ 10 Points ]

As expected.
After confirming his score, Lee Yeon Gu glanced at his guild members through the glass window.
Fortunately, once he scored 10 points, they all wore smiles again.
And Lee Yu Chan wavered.

[ 8 Points ]

I already knew my opponent had begun using a skill.
So I attempted to activate my own skill without hesitation.
But all that came back was the system’s familiar refusal.

[ Skill ‘Accuracy’ cannot be activated. ]
[ Please unlock the skill restriction. ]

‘Damn it, how do I do that!’
But the system offered no response.
It merely repeated that a restriction was in place, without explaining how to lift it.
In the meantime, Lee Yeon Gu took another shot.

[ 9 points ]

There was no issue with skill activation, but the sudden shift in wind had affected the result once more.
Slightly disappointed, Lee Yeon Gu remained composed.
Lee Yu Chan’s growing instability was reflected in his declining score.

[ 7 points ]

“As expected.”
This was the difference in rank.
After five shots total, the score stood at Lee Yu Chan 43 points, Lee Yeon Gu 44 points.
Despite the poor first set, I’d managed a reversal, and maintaining this momentum would ensure victory.
Such was Lee Yeon Gu’s calculation as I drew the sixth arrow.

[ 9 points ]

Though not a perfect 10, Lee Yeon Gu, already envisioning victory, merely shrugged.
Lee Yu Chan, by contrast, took increasingly longer to release the bowstring.
His mind was working overtime.
‘The wind has strengthened, direction northeast, so if I adjust by this much…’

[ 8 points ]

Closer to the center of the target.
Lee Yu Chan’s keen senses, dulled by frustration at being unable to use his skill, were awakening once more.

[ Set 2 has concluded. ]
[ Lee Yu Chan 51 points, Lee Yeon Gu 53 points. ]
[ Set 3 will now begin. ]
[ Set 3 provides a total of 4 shooting opportunities. ]
[ Lee Yu Chan shoots first. ]

Before raising the bow, Yu Chan instinctively sought out Yu Eul.
Born on the same day, at the same hour, having endured the same trials—yet unlike me, a person of unwavering strength.
My other half, whom I resent for the comparison, yet whom I cannot help but admire.
Lee Yu Eul grew tense alongside him, yet as always, her gaze remained steady and unshaken as she watched over him.

[ The restriction on the skill ‘Accuracy’ weakens. ]

The system notified him, but Yu Chan focused solely on the distant target.
The opponent beside him, the dozens of gazes felt from outside, and even Lee Yu Eul—all vanished from his mind.
Feeling the wind through his hair and skin, he released the hand that had drawn the bowstring taut.

[ 10 points ]

A long exhale escaped Yu Chan’s lips.
The tingling sensation that had brushed his fingertips as he released the bowstring moments ago still lingered vividly.
‘What is this feeling?’
I’ve fired thousands of arrows, yet I’ve never experienced a sensation like this.
Now it was Lee Yeon Gu’s turn to grow anxious.
The skill’s duration was nearly exhausted.
This was all because that Justice Guild bastard had unnecessarily dragged out time with each shot.
It was all because that Justice Guild bastard kept dragging out time with every shot.

[9 points]

Yet Lee Yeon Gu fell into despair.
However, Lee Yeon Gu fell into despair.

[ The activation time for the skill ‘Unerring Accuracy’ has ended. ]

‘What do I do now?’
Without a skill, it was obvious the same pattern as the first set would repeat.
Eventually, Lee Yeon Gu opened his mouth.
“Not bad for an orphan, huh?”
However, Lee Yu Chan didn’t give the reaction he was hoping for.
He simply stared at the tip of his right hand with a slightly dazed expression.
‘That didn’t work either?’
It was common knowledge throughout the entire nation that their parents were the Achilles’ heel of the twins, Lee Yu Chan and Lee Yu Eul.
Especially Lee Yu Chan, who always lost his composure and bristled whenever their parents were mentioned.
Yet he merely prepared for the next shot in silence.
Thwack!

[ 9 Points ]

Though judged as 9 points, it was a 9 that sat right on the edge of 10.
Meanwhile, Lee Yeon Gu, who had barely managed to steady his breathing before shooting, produced the same 8 points as before.
The audience stirred.
With one final shot remaining, Lee Yu Chan and Lee Yeon Gu’s scores were now tied at 70 points.

[ According to the rules, Player 1 Lee Yu Chan maintains first position. ]
[ Please prepare for the final shot. ]

As the entire Training Facility fell into a deathly silence, Lee Yu Chan drew his final arrow.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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