IN THE VELER DESERT
ANTHONY'S TERRITORY
Anthony is conducting bow training for his gang members. Many of them struggle to handle their bows effectively.
Anthony, the eldest son of Peter's family, wears square glasses and has a lean physique. His piercing hunter's eyes give him a menacing look. He dons a double-brown suit that adds a bit of bulk to his frame.
"Hey, don't shake your hand when releasing the arrow! You'll miss the target, you dumbass!" Anthony scolds one of his members, giving him a light smack.
"Okay, boss," the member replies, somewhat intimidated.
Anthony pushes his team hard, constantly berating them during training. Suddenly, one nervous guy speaks up, his voice trembling with fear.
"Hey, boss, why do we have to struggle with bows? Can't we just use guns instead?"
"Oh, now he's dead..."
"Why would you say that, man? He doesn't even know who he's talking to."
"RIP, man..." is the collective thought of the other members.
"So what you're saying is," Anthony steps closer, "that guns are better than bows, is that correct?" He glares at him.
"I didn't mean it like that! What I was saying was—"
"Okay, then," Anthony interrupts, moving away.
"What!!!"
"Someone get him a gun."
"Boss, we don't have any," one of Anthony's assistants replies.
"I have one at my house. Go get it for him; we're going to have a fight outside the territory," Anthony orders.
"Okay, boss, I'll be right back," the assistant responds and leaves.
The assistant is a striking woman, wearing shorts and a white shirt with a red tie, her figure turning heads.
"Be ready," Anthony warns his men.
The nervous member looks miserable, unsure of what's about to happen.
Unlike Aden Territory, which is built with large tents surrounded by electric wires, Anthony's territory consists of wooden houses without any visible security measures.
Outside the territory, the assistant and one of the members prepare for the challenge.
"Okay, let's start. Shoot at the boss!" Anthony commands.
"What? Really?"
"Don't worry, kid. We're only testing," Anthony reassures him.
"Okay, then," the member replies, fear evident in his voice as he avoids making eye contact. Anthony's death stare feels heavy.
He takes aim under the scorching desert sun, the hot wind whipping through the air. The member and his colleague are drenched in sweat, while Anthony and his assistant appear unaffected by the heat.
Then, the member shoots...
"What?!" another member watching the fight exclaims.
Anthony gets shot in the shoulder but merely stands there, smiling.
The other members observe through binoculars, eager yet anxious.
"Why didn't he dodge it?" one member asks.
"Wait and watch, you idiot," the assistant retorts.
"That's nice, boy! Now it's my turn," Anthony grins.
He pulls out his bow and beautiful, gleaming arrows, taking aim.
"Now," he declares.
The members, including the one watching through the binoculars, are in deep shock.
"His arrow just got fired!" another member gasps.
"How did it fire so suddenly, with the sun in our eyes?" the member questions.
"No, it's his soul power," the assistant explains.
"Soul power?" the member asks, puzzled.
"Yes, the soul power system. Everyone has soul power, but most don't realize it exists. It's not easy to attain."
The member listens intently.
"Mental strength or trauma can help someone tap into this power, but it's difficult to control and doesn't increase easily. Those who achieve 100% can become extraordinarily powerful."
"But no one really attains 100%. Some reach between 87% and 93%. The greatest gunslinger, John Hardin, reached 93%—he could destroy an entire district with a single bullet."
"What?! How can the boss use it with a bow? Doesn't it only work with guns?"
"No. Once you learn to harness it properly, you can use your soul power in anything, even in the air. Most prefer guns because they amplify their attacks. If you use soul power with a gun, you don't even need bullets to shoot."
"Oh wow, such power exists in this world?"
"Yeah, you're seeing it right now."
"I feel sorry for him," another member says quietly.
But one question lingers in her mind: Why is the boss using a bow instead of a gun? If guns boost attacks, why would he choose otherwise? She hesitates to ask, recalling how the last person who questioned Anthony got into trouble.
"Oh no, it looks like that arrow is going to tear me apart! I have to run!" the opponent member thinks, panic setting in.
He bolts away, crying, "Please don't kill me! I admit bows are the best! Please!" His cries echo through the desert.
"Running from a fight? Pathetic," Anthony scoffs.
He releases his arrow.
The projectile slices through the air, cutting the wind effortlessly.
The arrow pierces the opponent's shoulder, continuing its trajectory and pushing him toward a steep cliff.
"Oh no, please help me!" he shouts, terrified.
As Anthony heads back to the territory, the cliff erupts, rocks scattering everywhere.
The assistant, along with the other members watching from the tower, is traumatized by the explosion.
"Okay then," Anthony stretches his body, a satisfied grin on his face.
The two who were with him stare in disbelief.
"The test is over. Let's go practice some more," he says cheerfully, as if nothing happened.
To be continued...