Susan giggled into her hand at their byplay.

  “You look marvelous, young lass. Now… the [Bow of Prosperity] will cost you one hundred million gold coins. It is not something I can just give away on a whim,” Bromley Paxton said.

  One hundred million gold coins was a lot, but they, fortunately, had the money. Adam agreed immediately.

  Bromley led them to the bow, took it from its stand, then reluctantly handed it to Susan. The bow also came with a quiver and two dozen arrows. They were different from your standard arrows, however. The tips were made of mythril and had a sleeker design.

  Something strange occurred when the bow was placed in her hand. It began glowing. Then a screen appeared before the young woman. Susan blinked several times before turning to Adam.

  “Adam… I just received an announcement saying I’ve become the owner of the [Bow of Prosperity].”

  “Something similar happened to me when I became the owner of this spear,” Adam admitted as he tapped the spear strapped to his back.

  “It seems the bow has recognized you as its owner,” Bromley Paxton said. “That’s quite a significant feat. My family has tried to use this bow for generations, but only the one who received it was ever able to wield it. Congratulations, young lass.”

  As Susan was happily checking out her new bow and armor, Adam decided to look at the young lady’s stats.

  Name: Little_Su

  Class: Fairy Archer

  Lvl: 25

  SP: 10

  AP: 429,150

  Experience: 1,250,188,000/5,097,164,800

  Fame: 2,945,000

  Strength: +765

  Constitution: +100

  Dexterity: +100

  Intelligence: +100

  Speed: +100

  Physical Attack: +15,100

  Health: 4,020/4,020

  Hit-rate: 400%

  MP: 1,110/1,110

  Movement: +400

  Luck: +1

  Physical Defense: +1,645

  Magical Defense: +1,075

  Dodge Rate: 150%

  Magic Attack: +500

  * * *

  Resistances:

  95% Poison

  95% Death

  95% Blindness

  95% Confusion

  95% Sleep

  95% Paralysis

  95% Burn

  95% Shock

  50% Fire

  50% Earth

  50% Water

  50% Wind

  50% Lightning

  50% Light

  50% Darkness

  * * *

  Skill List:

  Skill name: Deadeye

  Description: Archers can increase their hit-rate and critical hit-rate by increasing their perceptions through the Deadeye skill.

  Current lvl: 5

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 30,000

  Ability: Increases Hit-rate to 110%

  Deals x2 critical damage

  MP consumption: 5

  Cooldown time: 5 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Rain of Arrows

  Description: Archers who learn this skill can fire a hailstorm of arrows that deals damage to multiple enemies.

  Current lvl: 5

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 35,000

  Ability: Causes 150% damage to all enemies within 15 yards of targeted enemy

  MP Consumption: 5

  Cooldown time: 10 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Fairy Shot

  Description: A skill that can only be used by someone of the Fairy Archer Class.

  Current lvl: 5

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 50,000

  Ability: Increases accuracy by 100%

  If enemy is hit, x5 critical damage is dealt

  MP Consumption: 10

  Cooldown time: 10 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Light Arrow

  Description: A skill used by the Fairy Archer Class. Infuses arrow with the power of light. Current lvl: 5

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 45,000

  Ability: Deals 700% damage to undead and enemies of the darkness element.

  MP Consumption: 20

  Cooldown time: 10 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Nature Arrow

  Description: A skill used by someone with the Fairy Archer Class. Infuses the power of nature into the arrow.

  Current lvl: 5

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 60,000

  Ability: When an enemy is struck by a Nature Arrow, they become entrapped in vines for 120 seconds.

  MP Consumption: 30

  Cooldown time: 10 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Rapid Fire

  Description: Fairy Archers can fire a continuous stream of arrows until they run out in exchange for dealing less damage than normal.

  Current lvl: 1

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 50,000

  Ability: Damage = 50% of Physical Attack

  Continuous fire until out of arrows

  MP Consumption: 100 MP for every arrow fired

  Cooldown Time: 60 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Long Shot

  Description: Fairy Archers have the longest range of any archer class. With the use of [Long Shot], they can fire accurately hit a target over five hundred meters away.

  Current lvl: 1

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 60,000

  Ability: Accurately hit target 500 meters away

  Damage = Physical Attack

  MP Consumption: 150

  Cooldown Time: 5 seconds

  * * *

  Skill name: Farsight

  Description: Fairies are well-known for their incredible vision. They can see for several dozen kilometers in the clearest detail. As a Fairy Archer, you also have this ability.

  Current lvl: 1

  MAXED

  Ability: See precisely 24 kilometers out

  MP Consumption: None

  Cooldown Time: None

  Passive Skill

  * * *

  Skill name: Bow Blocking

  Description: Use your bow to block close-range attacks. This skill was developed by the Fairy Clan to defend oneself when close combat is unavoidable.

  Current lvl: 1

  AP Needed to Reach Next lvl: 55,000

  Ability: Negates 50% damage

  MP Consumption: 200

  Cooldown Time: 0 seconds

  * * *

  Equipment:

  Name: Bow of Prosperity

  Item type: Bow

  Grade: 3-Star

  Use requirements: Can only be equipped by Archers level 40 and above or someone with the Fairy Archer Class.

  Description: The Bow of Prosperity was given to the Paxton Family by the Fairy Clan before they disappeared. It is one of the highest classes of bow in existence.

  Abilities: Physical Attack+400%; Hit-Rate+200%; Luck+40

  * * *

  Name: Fairy Guardian Armor

  Item type: Armor

  Grade: 4-Star

  Use requirements: Can only be equipped by someone with a Fairy Class.

  Description: This armor was once worn by Mab, elder sister of Titania. This is the best armor crafted by the Fairy Clan. Its defensive capabilities rival even armor made by the Dwarves.

  Abilities: Physical Defense+500; Magical Defense+500; 75% Resistance Against All Status Ailments; 50% Resistance Against All Elements

  * * *

  Name: Fairy Boots

  Item type: Footwear

  Grade: 4-Star

  Use requirements: Can only be worn by someone with a Fairy Class.

  Description: Boots worn by Mab. They are woven from strands of the Life Tree. They offer solid defense and boost the wearer’s speed.

  Abilities: Physical Defense+50; Magical Defense+50; Speed+150%

  * * *

  Name: Fairy Grieves

  Item type: Armor

  Grade: 4-Star

  Use requirements: Can only be equipped by someone with a Fairy Class.

  Description: These protective grieves are part of the Fairy Guardian Mab’s armor set. They boost the wearer’s defense and resistance to status ailments.

  Abilities: Physical Defense+25; Magical Defense+25; 20% Resistance to Status Ailments

  * * *

  Item name: Ring of Earthly Protection

  Item type: Ring

  Grade: Lord

  Use requirements: Can be used by any class of any level.

  Description: This ring was born from the earth and offers incredible protection against physical attacks plus a passive regeneration ability.

  Abilities: Physical Defense+500; Recovers +1 HP every 1 second

  The Day Before

  Fayte stood inside the stronghold they would be using for the Guild War. Known as Iron Fortress, it was a fortified gorge with a narrow path and cliffs on either side, heightening its northernmost point, where Iron Fortress lay.

  Iron Fortress was built upon a great spur of rock, which extended from the gorge’s southern cliff, and from the fortress to the northern cliff, was a massive wall at least one dozen meters in height if not taller. The wall was the first line of defense and spanned the width of the entire gorge.

  There was no wind in this gorge, for the tall cliffs prevented it. This entire fortress felt stifling.

  “This is an amazing fortress,” Aris said in awe. “It’s so big.”

  “It is quite massive, yes. I do worry about whether we will be able to defend this fortress with just the seven of us,” Fayte said.

  She and Kureha did have some rather powerful AoE spells that dealt massive amounts of damage to a large number of individuals, but the gorge must have been at least several dozen meters across. None of their attacks were large enough to cover that broad an area.

  She, Aris, and the silent Lilith traveled up a set of winding steps and made it to the front of the fortress battlements. There, she stared at the long causeway that wound up to the great gate meant to keep intruders out. The gate was made from thick iron and could only be opened using several levers. It was so big, Fayte wondered how the people who built this fortress ever managed to put it in place.

  “Look! I see Adam and Susan!” Aris pointed at something in the distance.

  Fayte narrowed her eyes as a speck appeared in her vision. The speck eventually gained shape. It was Adam and Susan, riding a white horse. Titania and Kureha were with them.

  Fayte smiled. “Let’s go greet them, shall we?”

  “Mhmm!”

  The trio left the battlement and traveled to the door. The narrow hallway was only big enough for six people to stand abreast. It was designed to prevent an army from utilizing its overwhelming numbers to simply sweep over the defenders. Adam, Aris, and Lilith would likely be stationed here during the assault.

  Aris rushed over to the door and pulled a lever, which activated the mechanism needed to open the door. A low groan of rusted hinges echoed around them as the door slowly opened. Adam arrived on his white horse with Susan holding him tight soon after.

  “I’m back, and look at what we managed to get!” Adam said. He looked happier than he normally did. His bright smile was… well, it made Fayte feel a flutter in her chest. She tried to will the butterflies to leave by focusing on Susan.

  “Oh, my. You do look magnificent in that outfit,” Fayte complimented.

  “D-dank you,” Susan said, bumbling over her words.

  So cute.

  Susan did look a lot better with her new outfit and bow. She reminded Fayte of the elven warriors from old movies and fantasy games. If she could have just acted a bit more elegant, she would have been a picture-perfect elf.

  But then she wouldn’t be so cute.

  Adam climbed off the horse, then helped Susan down as well. While Lilith grabbed the horse’s reins to lead it away, Aris flung her arms around Adam and kissed him. Fayte looked away and Susan blushed. But even though she wasn’t looking, the sound of smacking lips made her distinctly aware of the two.

  “If you’re quite finished, perhaps I can start by showing you around?” Fayte said.

  “Yes, please,” Adam said.

  “Yeah. I guess we’re done… for now,” Aris added.

  “That ‘for now’ was completely uncalled for,” Fayte mumbled, but then she sighed and began showing Adam and Susan around. They had yet to see the fortress and would need to know the layout if they wanted to properly defend it.

  Iron Fortress had three courtyards. If enemy troops ever breached the walls, the narrow passages, with their high walls that were too high and impossible to climb, would funnel them into one of these courtyards, which could be used as excellent ambush points. When Adam saw these courtyards, he narrowed his eyes in thought.

  “Do you think we can pack these courtyards with explosives?” he asked.

  Fayte blinked. “You want to blow the courtyards up?”

  He shook his head. “The material used in the construction of this fortress is durable enough to withstand an explosion. I was thinking we could pack it with boxes filled with gunpowder. Then, when Levon’s men entered the courtyard, we’d blow them up.”

  “Oh. That could work,” Fayte muttered.

  “I’ll go into Solum tomorrow and see if we can buy any explosives,” said Aris. She was the fastest among them. It would take her less than an hour to reach Solum by running at full speed.

  They continued the tour. Fayte showed him to the kitchens, the barracks, the armory… a lot of this place was empty. This fortress had been abandoned centuries ago, so all of the equipment that had been stored inside was long gone. The last place Fayte showed Adam was the hold.

  “This is pretty spacious. It looks almost like a throne room,” Adam said as he turned his head left, then right, studying the columns that stood tall on either side of a red carpet. The carpet led to a dais near the back. There was no chair, but it was clear that was where the leader relayed their orders.

  “Long ago, the Sun Continent was divided into many different kingdoms. Keeps like this were created to house the kings and queens of their respective countries, so the hold was designed with comfort in mind. These holds were also used as a last stand. Should the fortress ever be overrun, the remaining defenders could hole themselves inside here and prepare for the final battle,” Titania explained.

  “Makes sense,” Adam said.

  “The secret passage leading out of the keep is located over there, through that door. There is a statue of Stella the Sun Goddess that can be moved via a lever to reveal the passage.” Fayte pointed at the door.

  “Can it be opened from the other side?” asked Adam.

  Fayte shook her head. “Not to my knowledge, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be blasted through with overwhelming firepower.”

  Adam stroked his chin. “Should the situation not go well for him, I suspect Levon will take an elite unit of men and attempt to break in through the passage.”

  “I thought so too. That poses a problem since we already have so few people here to defend the front,” Fayte muttered, biting her lip.

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ve already got a plan,” said Adam.

  Fayte stared in delighted surprise. “You do? Well, let’s hear it.”

  “In a bit. We need to wait before I can fully unveil my plan to you,” said Adam with a mysterious grin.

  Fayte wanted to pout, but the air of mystery and intrigue Adam exuded left her momentarily stunned. She needed to take several deep breaths to regain her sense of self-control.

  Adam, Aris, Fayte, Kureha, Lilith, Susan, and Titania went into the kitchens and pulled enough food for a feast from their inventory. They all chatted as they ate, but the topics of their conversation were nothing of consequence. It was just a relaxing lunch filled with laughter and light-heartedness.

  “How many days have we been in Age of Gods now?” asked Susan.

  “Three days, which means about five hours have passed in our world,” Fayte answered.

  “It feels so weird to think about how little time passes outside,” Susan said. She paused long enough to take a bite of her salad, then added. “I remember a time when Time Compression was nothing more than a concept from the realm of fiction. Now it’s a reality.”

  “Whoever made Age of Gods was a genius for being able to create something like this,” Fayte added.

  “I really hate it when you all talk about things I’m unfamiliar with,” Titania groused. She pouted as she ladled her tiny spoon with some soup. The tableware she used to eat with was something Adam bought from a toy store in Solum. He figured she’d want to eat using something Titania-sized.

  Adam also thought about the Time Compression System. It really was a marvel, and yet for some reason, it made him shudder in dread. How many people were intelligent enough to create and implement something like this? He’d wager not many. The fact that he had no information on the creator of Age of Gods further instilled a sense of dread inside of him.

  A ping echoed around him as a screen suddenly appeared before his eyes, diverting his attention. He looked at the screen, which contained a simple message, and grinned.

  He stood up.

  “Adam?” asked Fayte.

  “Come on, everyone. We need to head over to the front gate,” he said.

  “And why must we do that?” asked Fayte.

  Wearing a grin, Adam said, “Because our reinforcements have arrived.”

  The time before the Guild War passed swiftly, and it was soon the eve before the big event.

  Adam lay on the bed inside his bedroom. This was not his bedroom in the real world but the one inside the guild house. Sweat caused his skin to take on a sheen in the low lighting of a magical lamp, which sat on the nightstand to his left.

  He wasn’t alone. Resting on his left, naked and covered in sweat, was Aris. Lilith lay on his right. She, like him and Aris, was also coated in a shiny layer of sweat.