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

The air was different, too.

It was fresh, yet so different Jake couldn't find proper words to describe it.

"I forgot to introduce myself," the man next to Jake smiled, "I'm Saku! Nice to meet ya!"

"I'm Archer," Jake nodded, "Likewise."

The men shook their hands. It was a short contest of strength, which Jake quickly noticed and participated in. He exerted enough strength for a low-level player that Saku's smile widened in response.

He opened the shelf nestled in a groove in the wall and took out two helmets.

Those were yellow, with a magic flashlight orb protruding in the middle. Using them through the game system was easy, so there weren't any tricks for them.

Next were clothes.

There wasn't any requirement for them, so Jake could put them on without any problem.

The clothes were typical workwear, black in color. Yellow stripes ran through the sleeves, back, chest, and pants. Those stripes were a product of magic and alchemy that Jake could turn on to make them shine—the purpose of those stripes was similar to a high-visibility vest.

Boots, however, were a real surprise to Jake!

The rough boots didn't make any sound. When he looked at their description, he found out that magical crests were in them, preventing any crunching sound! It was an amazing feature that stirred Jake's crafting senses.

'I wonder when I will learn to add various attributes and passive skills to my equipment… I want this silent step to be one of them! It should work so well in Joker Form!' Jake thought.

"Our clothes suit ya!" Saku exclaimed, "Anything suits handsome men."

Jake dismissively waved his hand, "I'd not call myself handsome. A little above average, I guess?"

"More belief in yourself, mate!" Saku grinned and replied before turning serious. "Since ya have skipped a few important steps, I'll explain from the start. We, miners, face dangers! A few old and retired miners have had felt more hazards than soldiers of the empire! I am not joking!"

Jake nodded.

From that point, Saku explained the dangers before and after the ascent of players. In this vast magical world, mines weren't always safe.

Monsters were one thing, but natural environment changes were as natural as breathing. It was essential to be prepared for any surprise.

In the era of players, the perils of monsters expanded. They were coming back like cockroaches.

It was challenging to be a miner, so it was a blessing that many were interested in that proficiency. Of course, players took a miner and other similar subclasses not to miss or give up on anything they'd spot on their adventures or dungeon expeditions.

Knowledge and an eye for various ores and minerals were given as a skill in a miner subclass.

Saku's face twisted, "But the worst menace are thieves!"

Jake inwardly smiled.

That was also a popular class in The Legend Enigma Online. This class wasn't given by statues but by NPCs hiding in sewers, taverns, or other spots that the governments conveniently ignored.

Saku clenched his hands, "We follow the rules and care about others. Our flashlights are bright but not jarring to the eyes. Our suits mark our presence clear in dark corridors, saving us from accidents. Many players voiced their opinion, telling us that our suits only gather the attention of monsters and thieves. Unfortunately, that's a flaw that can not be avoided.

We're responsible, smart, hard-working, and environment friendly! Those are principles of our guild!"

Jake could side with those principles.

Saku smiled at him upon seeing him agreeing with the rules.

He said, "In our guild, we teach all related to mining. We'll soon venture into this abyss to mine. But before that, I'll show ya examples of what can be found inside. That's including monsters and natural hazards!"

Miners worked in mines, caves, and dungeons.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they entered stomaches of monsters!

"We've learned to perceive monsters and natural hazards in those times. That's our special sixth sense! It's a skill called A Miner's Awareness that ya will learn here. This entire corridor has been built to pass skills to others, after all! That's why be wary of our man-made traps that will trigger natural dangers," Saku explained.

A Miner's Awareness and A Miner's Golden Eye were skills to turn mines into a miner's world. In their world, they were safe and free from burdens—at least, that was the theory.

Jake commented, "It's similar to my perception skill."

Saku exclaimed, "Oh! Ya have already learned that?"

Jake nodded, "Yes."

"Awesome!" Saku didn't hide his surprise and elation. Jake wasn't sent here because of the receptionist's blunder! He really had what it takes to be a good and efficient miner! "Alright! Here's your pickax! I'll follow ya around for now.

You need a miner's proficiency first."

Jake grasped the pickax's handle.

He peeked at the description and noticed it was enhanced to help anyone pick up a miner's proficiency faster. It was an excellent learning stuff.

Jake stepped over the threshold of the safe zone and headed inside the abyss.

The miner's helmet's flashlight blew away the darkness ahead of him in a cone. It took barely any mana, so keeping it activated for a long time was fine. The suit also didn't take much mana.

Jake noticed the first ore and got to work.

A new, pleasant sound of his pickax striking the ore resounded in his ears. It was much different than cutting a tree but engaging all the same.

'Maybe Master is right, and I'm a masochist,' Jake chuckled.

After some time, Jake noticed the first system message.

[You have learned the miner's proficiency—Beginner(I)]

The second ore took Jake a little less time because of it.

The new grind began!

The new journey started!

Jake's eyes shone with excitement.