Martian Archer

The shop was silent after the chaos. The gang had been hauled off, the police had left, and Leon was still gripping the borrowed bow, his heart pounding from the rush of the fight.

Hugo, arms crossed, studied him carefully.

For the first time, the bowmaker wasn't laughing or complaining.

Instead, his sharp eyes flicked between Leon's hands, the bow, and the target he had hit.

"You're a terrible customer, you know that?" Hugo finally said, breaking the silence. "First, you come in with no money. Then, you almost get my shop robbed. And now—" He pointed at the scorched floor where the electric arrow had struck. "—you've ruined my flooring."

Leon tensed.

"I-I'm sorry, I—"

Hugo suddenly grinned.

"But damn, kid. That was a hell of a shot."

Leon blinked in surprise.

"You're from Mars, right?" Hugo continued. "No proper training, no fancy equipment. And yet, you did that."

He gestured toward the wreckage of the failed robbery.

"With those eyes of yours, too."

Leon's stomach twisted at the mention of his eyesight.

Martians were not known for their precision. Years under artificial light had ruined their vision.

But Hugo…

He didn't sound like he was mocking him.

Instead, he was impressed.

Leon hesitated, gripping the bow tighter.

"I want to get stronger." His voice was steady. "I need a bow. I don't care if it's cheap—I'll take anything."

Hugo exhaled through his nose, rubbing his chin.

Then, with a dramatic sigh, he walked behind the counter and pulled out a blank holographic blueprint.

"I only make bows for real archers." He gave Leon a knowing smirk. "And kid… you just proved you are one."

Leon's breath hitched.

" Is he serious?"

Hugo tapped the blueprint, and a 3D projection of a sleek, modern bow frame flickered to life.

"Now," the bowmaker said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's build you something worthy of that ridiculous talent of yours."

Leon stood frozen, overwhelmed with gratitude.

After everything—after all the rejection, all the struggle—someone was finally giving him a chance.

And he wasn't going to waste it.