A Duel Measured in Kilometers

Chapter 29: A Duel Measured in Kilometers

As Mashu, carrying Luo Zhen, dashed behind a building, depriving the rain of arrows from the sky of its target, atop a tall iron tower several kilometers away, a figure halted its impending attack.

"So, they knew to seek cover this quickly?"

A composed voice emanated from the figure.

It was a man clad in combat attire, a black bow clutched in his hand, his skin swarthy, his hair graying, and his face adorned with peculiar markings.

"It seems their side has a commander with a relatively clear head."

The dark-skinned man raised his chiseled face, revealing a pair of eyes filled with vicissitudes and perseverance.

Those with such eyes were typically either extremely resolute or extremely ruthless.

And in this man's case, it seemed either description would fit.

"Unfortunately, while the judgment is correct, it's a bit hasty."

The man extended the hand not holding the bow.

"Buzz!"

Amidst the hum of the air, crimson magical energy surged like lightning in his outstretched hand.

In the next instant, the magical energy wrought a miracle, creating a sword.

The man nocked the sword onto the bow.

"Crack...!"

With a sound akin to an electric shock, the sword surging with magical energy shed its shell, transforming into an arrow.

Magical energy raged on the arrow.

"If I destroy the cover itself, there will be nowhere to run."

With that cold declaration, the man released the bowstring amidst the torrent of magical energy.

Thus, with a cannon-like "Bang!" the arrow transformed into a shooting star, hurtling towards its distant target.

"BOOM—!"

The deafening explosion made the tall building seem as if it had been struck by a cannon, the side facing the shot erupting entirely, collapsing like fragile building blocks, reduced to rubble.

The astonishing impact caused the entire building to tremble violently.

"Senpai!"

Behind the building, Mashu rushed to Luo Zhen's side, raising her massive shield, holding it aloft to deflect the falling debris.

Incredible strength surged from Mashu, even rock-like rubble unable to budge the shield in the slightest, bouncing off upon impact.

Instinctively shielding his head, Luo Zhen, huddled behind the shield, gazed at Mashu, who was earnestly protecting him, a complex emotion stirring within him.

(As I thought, Mashu has gained power, becoming a Servant.)

Whether it was the defensive power to withstand the attack, the speed at which she rushed into cover, or the strength to withstand rock-heavy debris, none of it was something a normal human could possess.

Even with magical enhancement of physical abilities, it would be extremely difficult to unleash such power.

Therefore, undoubtedly, Mashu had gained power comparable to a Servant, becoming something extraordinary.

(I'd estimate she's at least at the level of a high-grade Familiar.)

No.

In terms of defensive power alone, she might have already surpassed a high-grade Familiar, reaching the level of a top-grade Familiar.

As Luo Zhen mused silently, Mashu spoke again.

"The power is immense. For an arrow to possess this level of destructive force, the enemy is likely a Servant." Mashu said with a serious expression, "At this rate, the cover will be destroyed, Master. Let's find another hiding place and try to escape while hiding."

This was the judgment Mashu had made.

However, Luo Zhen did not adopt it.

"If the opponent is likely a Servant-level existence, unless we can immediately escape their line of sight, it's impossible to escape while hiding."

Luo Zhen stated.

If it was a Servant-level existence, leaping between skyscrapers with ease would not be impossible.

In such a situation, trying to escape while dodging the opponent's terrifyingly powerful shots would be very difficult.

The opponent only needed to leap along the skyscrapers, continuously firing, destroying cover, and sooner or later, Luo Zhen and Mashu would have nowhere to hide.

At that point, the two of them would have to rely solely on a single shield for defense.

"Then what should we do?"

Mashu turned her gaze to Luo Zhen.

In those eyes, Luo Zhen saw the same unwavering trust as always, as well as something else.

That something sent a jolt through Luo Zhen's heart.

And so...

"To deal with an Archer, you can't keep your distance. Either you close in and take them down in close combat, or you break line of sight and escape their firing range."

As Luo Zhen spoke, various tactics and strategies surfaced in his mind, while his gaze swept across the surroundings, carefully observing the terrain.

This was a town reduced to ruins.

There were many obstructions, and fires raged everywhere, severely impacting visibility. As a sniping location, it could be said to be the worst possible place.

However, the enemy was a Servant-class figure, and could not be judged by common sense.

No matter what kind of cover there was, the opponent could destroy it with arrows comparable to artillery fire.

No matter what kind of deception was used, the opponent could grasp the enemy's position with abilities unimaginable to ordinary people.

"The opponent might possess some kind of extraordinary eyesight, capable of shooting from kilometers or even tens of kilometers away. Escaping their firing range won't be easy."

Luo Zhen made his brain work at full speed, as if in a simulated battle.

Until Luo Zhen saw something.

"Got it!"

Luo Zhen's eyes lit up instantly.

"Rumble..."

Amidst a roar, the building couldn't withstand the immensely powerful shot and slowly collapsed under the explosive flames.

That was the result of the dark-skinned man unleashing his second immensely powerful shot.

"With this..."

The Archer, his body surging with magical power, narrowed his eyes on the iron tower.

This Archer possessed a skill called

Clairvoyance

.

Such a skill granted its possessor extraordinary eyesight and was often used for reconnaissance.

If he simply looked out from a high place, this Archer could even visually recognize the entire town and search for enemies.

In addition,

Clairvoyance

also affected the accuracy of his archery. Once he drew his bow, he could perform precise sniping.

Thanks to this, he could perform ultra-long-range shots with accuracy surpassing the human domain.

In other words, under these eyes, the targeted enemy could hardly escape.

Of course, the prerequisite was—"must be within the field of vision."

"Hmm?"

Looking out at the collapsed building from several kilometers away, the Archer suddenly paused.

"Gone...?"

Yes.

The opponent was gone.

There was no sign of the enemy under the collapsed building.

This couldn't help but surprise the Archer.

And at that moment...

"Whoosh—!"

A gust of wind assailed the Archer from behind.

"...!?"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Archer abruptly turned around, holding the bow in his hands in front of him.

"Clang—!"

With a metallic clang, a huge shield suddenly smashed down, colliding with the bow.

A gust of wind stirred.