Supreme Archer: Taking The Game's Weakest Class To The Top

Chapter 172: Aftermath (2)

Jake woke up after the quiet and painful evening.

He stared at the ceiling without any will to do anything.

Being a pioneer and representing his own archery weighed too much on him. He didn't know whether he had disappointed Viktor, Ingrid, or Master Aaron. He couldn't think positively as it was the first time Jake had done something for others, not solely for himself.

It wasn't even comparable to the help he'd given his friends over the years.

It was similar to an adult responsibility, but Jake wasn't ready.

"Jake! The breakfast is ready!" Jake's mother shouted from downstairs.

'Already?' Jake thought. He usually followed his morning routine, except for brushing his teeth before breakfast. He'd then quickly take care of his teeth afterward and proceed with his schedule.

Sighing, Jake scrambled to his two feet and slowly left his room.

He glanced at Mary's door. It was locked, meaning this peculiar older sister was still in the slumber after playing the game until late at night. She was an adult who earned from the game, so their parents no longer bother with her schedule.

Jake hovered his half-lidded eyes on the door before turning around and going downstairs.

Edward was already at the table.

He held his tablet and read the morning news.

A short glance at Jake, however, stopped his morning routine as he noticed Jake's red eyes. A night wasn't enough to wash Jake's sadness.

Edward put the tablet on the table and cut to the chase.

He asked, "What happened?"

Jake's mother looked over her shoulder at Jake. She noticed that he was feeling down.

The housewife decided to leave that matter to her husband, as the father should have an easier time speaking with his son.

Jake deeply exhaled. "I lost. Against a mage."

Edward hadn't said a word to that. It was just a loss in the game world, yet he thought deeply about it, as his son had changed a lot since playing the game.

It had come to him over time.

Legend Enigma Online had a positive impact on Jake.

His son could become obsessed with his goals and ambitions. Edward's greatest worry after Jake turned into an adult was that this drive could sabotage Jake's adult life.

Jake, however, didn't protest too much when Edward insisted on him going to the college. He matured slowly and even considered putting most of his first significant income into a savings account. He stuck to his schedule, with occasional breaks to focus on the game, but it was the game that had helped Jake mature the most.

It sounded so strange, but Edward was also a player. He knew that NPCs were like real humans to whom players could easily become attached.

Fortunately, Jake seemed to have been close with great NPCs and players.

Edward said, "It can't be your first death. What makes it so heavy?"

Jake stared at his father, unable to hide his surprise.

His father's tone was soft and perhaps curious.

It wouldn't have been weird for him to laugh it off. It was just a game, after all. In fact, Jake's mother sighed with relief as she realized it was only about the game.

Edward, however, had come to understand that the game was much more important to Jake than he thought.

Jake said, "I… I fought against known players on the training grounds to show people my archery. It was important because I'm close to residents from Asta Bow House. Other royal houses consider the bow dead, so they want the entire bow house to lose its status. The existence of the bow house is important for my path as a pioneer!

And it just hurts me to know that some people disrespect the bow so much! I wanted… to prove them wrong… I wanted to help Asta Bow because they helped me so much… and I failed… I failed against a mage whose magic is the main reason archery is in decline. I must have disappointed everyone. It just hurts."

Edward sighed, "Jake… you haven't logged in after your loss, have you?"

"I haven't," Jake replied.

"Aren't those just your assumptions, then?" Edward asked. "Don't forget that I'm a player, too. I know that archery is not popular, and most countries have barely any NPCs related to it. Rather, they're hidden or delegated from capitals. Which means, your show of archery must have taken the training grounds and at least a few NPCs by storm.

The Asta Bow House's representative should be overjoyed about your performance. You've shown that your archery has the potential to be strong and fun, which is exactly what players want. In my opinion, if that representative is as disappointed as you think he is, then he's not worth your time and effort."

Jake blankly stared at his old man.

Edward faintly smiled, "The fact that you're so burdened by the consequences of your loss means you've matured enough not to be obsessed with a single goal. Even if those consequences are related to your current obsession, you're overwhelmed by them. As a man, you'll be weighed down by various matters outside your comfort zone as you live.

I'm sure you will be fine because…" His smile widened, "…you've finally opened your eyes, Jake."

Jake didn't know if he had been ever so overwhelmed by emotions.

He couldn't even eat the breakfast as he gawked at his father.

The old man was so supportive, even though it was only about the game: the game in which Jake earned nothing!

"…should I skip college today and check how it is?" Jake asked.

Edward nodded.

Jake's mother nearly fell off her chair!

Jake faintly laughed. "I think I've opened my eyes for real… like, I was so jealous of the player I defeated. His girlfriend came out from the crowd and defended him so much. It was so cute. Makes me want to ask someone out, too."

Edward and his wife laughed at the table.

The lady of the house was the most eager about this statement. She asked if Jake had eyes on someone, but he casually shrugged and said no one in particular had caught his attention.

That didn't stop his mom from asking more.