Became the Weapon Monopolist of the Gods-Chapter 89: Artemis’s Relics (2)

I gazed at Artemis in disbelief, my eyes wide open.

“Artemis-nim, is that really you?”

“Then who do you think I am?”

“.......”

Artemis, wearing a mischievous smile at my confusion, was not just a thought form.

It was Artemis herself.

I couldn't wrap my head around it.

Artemis was a being from a different "Greek world," after all.

“How did this happen? Did I somehow end up in the Greek world?”

“I told you, didn’t I? As long as my moonlight exists, you can find me wherever you are.”

The moonlight seal etched on the back of my hand was softly glowing.

Artemis’ bow too.

These were the links that connected me and Artemis.

So, even if the worlds are different, can we meet if there’s a medium?

The words Artemis had said before I left Greece, when I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see her again, came to mind.

— Don’t worry. As long as you’re in my ‘garden,’ we can meet often.

So this was what she meant.

Artemis had already known that we would meet again like this.

“My garden exists at the boundary of dimensions that belong to no world.”

“Like the Garden of the Moirai?”

“Exactly.”

Artemis nodded.

“Gods each have their own unique spaces. It would be easy to understand if you think of them as ‘rooms.’”

Just as each person has their own room at home, gods have their own ‘domains.’

“You can’t stand there forever, so come sit.”

Artemis, sitting on a sloped hill under the pouring moonlight, gestured to the spot next to her.

“Excuse me.”

I carefully sat down beside her.

“It’s been a while. It’s good to see you, Artemis-nim.”

“I’m glad too.”

“Have you been well all this time?”

Though I had been with Artemis’ thought form, I had never felt the passage of time. But her true self existed separately.

While the thought form spent time with me, Artemis had been spending her own time in the Greek world.

That time must have been quite long.

At least several decades.

The timeline of the Greek world was not the same as Earth’s.

For me, it was only a few months since we last met, but for Artemis, it had been decades.

“Hehe, are you asking about my well-being?”

Artemis laughed as if it was amusing.

“Hmm, was it funny?”

“It’s the first time anyone has asked about my well-being, so it’s fresh.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

After all, there’s nothing funnier than asking a god, who is always there, ‘How have you been?’ Artemis might have found it refreshing.

“But it wasn’t bad to hear. Yes, I’ve been well.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Hehe, Artemis laughed again.

After her laughter, silence followed for a while.

“......”

I glanced at Artemis during the awkward silence. She was smiling gently.

Her beautifully curved sky-blue eyes gazed silently down at the moonlit field.

But why was it?

Her expression held a smile, yet there was a sense of loneliness in it.

It felt even more so because Artemis was alone in this vast space.

Sensing my gaze, Artemis turned her head toward me.

“If you have something to say, speak.”

When our eyes met, I felt embarrassed as if I’d been caught peeking and awkwardly opened my mouth.

“Then, why did you invite me?”

“Did you not want my invitation?”

“Of course not. I’m just happy to see you after such a long time.”

“Oh? You’re happy, then I should invite you often.”

“I would be grateful if you’d invite me.”

Artemis smiled in satisfaction.

“I called you to wake up the bow you’ve obtained, so you can use it.”

At her words, I recalled the inscription on Artemis’ bow.

The inscription said that most of the bow’s power was dormant, and that it could be awakened through Artemis.

However, even if I could awaken the bow, the most significant issue remained.

“...I don’t know how to use a bow.”

“Hehe. You have a knack for making gods laugh.”

“Hmm, did I say something funny again?”

“Who do you think is standing in front of you?”

“...Artemis-nim?”

“The Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis.”

Artemis gave me a proud smile.

“When you hold the bow, you must release the tension from your hands.”

Artemis gently grasped the bow and slowly drew the string with her index, middle, and ring fingers.

“The drawn string must always touch a certain part and align with your sight.”

The bowstring touched beneath her chin, and her gaze met a giant wolf-like monster wandering across the field.

Fwoooosh─!

As Artemis released the string, the arrow flew with a terrifying sound of splitting air.

Thud─!

The monster, pierced in the head, collapsed dead on the spot.

It was a beautiful, almost artistic display of skill.

After demonstrating, Artemis handed me the bow.

“Try shooting.”

“Will it work after just seeing it once?”

“The bow will guide you.”

Though puzzled, I lifted the bow.

I did my best to follow what Artemis had shown and drew the string.

Then.

— Artemis' Bow Awakens.

As I turned to look at Artemis in surprise, she smiled at me.

“It’s awakened, it seems.”

“Yes.”

The motion became natural, as if I had always been accustomed to using the bow.

With that, I aimed at the wolf-like monster Artemis had summoned and released the string.

Whizz─!

The arrow flew straight and pierced the giant ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) wolf’s skull. At the same time.

Ding!

— You have acquired the Master of Bows title.

[Master of Bows]

— You will now be able to handle all types of bows with expertise.

It was hard to believe that I had just shot a bow for the first time and earned the title of ‘Master’. It was easier than using a gun.

Is this really a divine weapon?

As I watched the fallen wolf monster, I was still in shock.

“Hm, it seems you’ve grasped the basics now.”

Artemis’ calm voice reached me.

“...Is this the basics?”

“It wouldn’t be acceptable for the apostle of the Goddess of the Hunt to be at this level, would it?”

Artemis gave a playful smile.

“Keep shooting.”

“Yes.”

For the next ‘week,’ under Artemis’ guidance, I hunted countless beast-like monsters.

Remarkably, I didn’t need to eat or sleep, and it didn’t bother me at all.

And in that time, many changes occurred.

Whiii─

Even with external factors like the wind or tremors, I became able to accurately aim at the monsters.

“Grrr” “Woof! Woof!”

Even when multiple monsters charged at me, I developed the ability to quickly prioritize and aim at them.

The skill continued to evolve, its name changing as well.

— Master of Bows evolves into the First Step of a Sharpshooter.

— The First Step of a Sharpshooter evolves into a Hunter’s Expert.

— Congratulations. You have acquired the Blessed Sharpshooter title from Artemis.

From ‘Master’ to ‘Sharpshooter,’ and finally ‘Expert’, I had evolved into a ‘Sharpshooter.’

Blessed Sharpshooter of Artemis

— Having received the blessing of Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, you can now freely wield all types of ranged weapons.

But that wasn’t all.

— You have acquired the Bow Curve skill.

[Bow Curve]

— You can now perfectly aim at your target from any direction.

Thwack─!

An arrow curved around a blocking rock and pierced a boar’s forehead.

I now had the ability to make arrows curve in flight.

It was an incredible series of surprises, especially considering I’d mastered it in just a week.

“I don’t like it, but I think we’ll stop here for now.”

“It’s fine. I’m very satisfied.”

At my reply, Artemis chuckled.

“Next time, I’ll introduce you to my incarnation.”

“Incarnation?”

At my question, Artemis didn’t answer.

“Well then, I’ll see you next time.”

As the ripples spread across the field, I suddenly found myself back at the Kreutz family’s report hall.

I guess time hasn’t passed.

I’d spent a week in the Moon’s Garden, but when I checked my phone, only about ten minutes had passed.

By the way.

“Incarnation...”

It seemed that Artemis was talking about creating an ‘incarnation’ of herself on Earth.

Well, I’ll find out next time.

— 744 hours remain until entry to the Moon’s Garden.

※ You must obtain Artemis’ permission to enter the Moon’s Garden.

It seemed I would have to wait a month before being invited again.

I walked toward the report entrance while holding Artemis’ bow, which had returned to being an ordinary wooden bow.