Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

He had always visited the place for ‘deals,’ but with this buff…

“Hehehe, maybe I should test it there before pulling it off? I could gather various pieces of information as well.”

With a dignified attitude, he left the palace and headed towards the sacred Grill Sudo branch.

NPCs greeted him with great respect as he walked, making him feel pleased. However, not all NPCs who bowed their heads were bowing to him.

While he was striding with a carefree attitude due to the buff, he noticed an NPC whispering somewhere while not bowing to him. This young man wore a robe with the emblem of the Magic Guild, the one responsible for the recent uproar.

* * *

“Madam!”

“Oh, Leeha.”

Since he had already confirmed it on the first floor, his voice calling Joo sounded even more dignified.

The waiters and waitresses of the sacred Grill Sudo, as well as NPCs who came to dine, all bowed cautiously upon seeing Joo.

“Cough!”

“…What are you doing?”

He cleared his throat loudly in front of Joo and puffed his chest, but Joo only chuckled without looking up.

[Mew?]

Following her, even Blaugrune on his shoulder tilted his head. For a moment, he was taken aback, but he soon cleared his throat and sat down, crossing his legs.

“Cough! Ahem! Ugh!”

“…What are you doing? Is that creature on your shoulder a dragon or something? Did you come to brag about it? Well, it’s a baby Bronze Dragon. It’s certainly a precious creature.”

Joo didn’t even look at him properly.

With a fleeting glance, the matter ended, unlike other NPCs who asked him what it was. She expressed a sentiment more in line with an Information Guild NPC.

Observing her attitude, It was baffling to Leeha.

“Isn’t it strange to be so indifferent?”

“What? I’m not that relaxed. If you came to ask about that dragon, then ask quickly. If you’re just here to chat, do it next time.”

Joo gestured towards Leeha with an attitude of annoyance.

“Oh, no, I didn’t come to ask about the dragon… Are you really so nonchalant? Like, when you look at me, does reverence well up in your heart or do you suddenly look serious…”

“Ugh… Not at all? Leeha’s abilities are impressive, but the words ‘serious’ or ‘reverence’ seem quite distant.”

“Huh…”

Only then did Leeha realize the solemnity of the head of the Information Guild and the sacred Grill Sudo, respectively. Considering the reputation throughout the continent, it meant surpassing 3,000.

Joo was completely unfazed by his boasting.

“Heh, it’s not working anymore. I thought you’d relax a bit, but…”

“Well, how can I relax? Managing a city is never an easy task. Especially considering the population of Gaesara. Congratulations, Gaesara’s practical ruler, Lord Leeha.”

“I wasn’t trying to say that― No, but did you hear that already?”

“Oh my, even though you’ve been using our guild so much, you still disregard us like that?”

Joo smiled nonchalantly.

‘It’s not about gaining respect; instead, it’s about me respecting Joo more.’

Leeha had just left the palace and made his way here.

Although his pace was relatively leisurely, it took less than 20 minutes. Did they already have information by the time he arrived?

“So, what’s the matter?”

“Well… I can’t just play with someone who doesn’t match my skills. As you may already know, I’ve become the ruler of City Gaesara this time. So, concerning matters related to the city―”

“Well, I’d like to tell you, but wouldn’t it be more accurate to hear it directly from the Gaesara City Office rather than from our side? We don’t update city-related information every day.”

“Hmm? You’re quite nonchalant for someone trying to sell expensive information. Is this your lukewarm response?”

“In our efforts to build a stronger relationship with the practical ruler, we can’t afford to provide false information. It’s only natural.”

Joo shrugged her shoulders. Ironically, her attitude further instilled trust in Leeha.

‘Well, when did I start using this place? Regardless of familiarity, she’s undoubtedly trustworthy.’

“I haven’t been a ruler myself, so it’s hard to tell you, but there will be many aides. You’ll probably handle your tasks through them.”

“Well… something like a butler?”

“Butler… well, something like that. But don’t use that term in front of them.”

Winking and giving a tip, he chuckled as he watched her.

If he could obtain information about City Gaesara by going there, then what actions could Leeha take here?

“Well, can I ask another question?”

“Feel free. As long as you pay the price.”

“It’s about that friend on your shoulder.”

[Mew!]

Leeha’s shoulder twitched, and Blaugrune on his shoulder made a sound. She observed Blaugrune with a serious look, without any expression of finding it cute.

“About the Hatchling… What do you want to know?”

“How I can make it grow faster. I already know about JooBNIL and Adult-class hatchlings. When will the Hatchling reach that level, and if rapid growth is impossible, when will it be able to communicate and use magic? Find out for me.”

Leeha spoke quickly. In the past, he might have laughed a little and made jokes, but unknowingly, his attitude had changed too.

Buff or not, without the air of dignity, Leeha was truly becoming skilled at dealing with others.

“The cost?”

Of course, it wasn’t just his voice and tone that had become more experienced.

“Authorization to open a branch in the City Gaesara location of the sacred Grill Sudo.”

Even when it came to negotiations, Leeha showed a truly skilled attitude without resorting to bargaining skills.

Even though Joo was sitting and doing various things, her actions had completely stopped.

“…Can you say that without even going there once? I do like Leeha, but you’re just a man who issues arrest warrants…”

“I’m the practical ruler of that city, so I can lower the tax rate slightly for the first three months based on the quality of the information.”

“Do you think we’ll find something to eat there?”

“You know there’s a lot of transient population there, but you’re acting like you don’t. Moreover, it’s not within the Fubiel domestic area but the Minis enclave. From the standpoint of the sacred Grill, which doesn’t update city information daily, it can have the effect of a Minis branch or, in fact, a second headquarters.”

With a slight smirk and a commanding look, Leeha delivered his final punch, suppressing Joo.

“Above all, you said it yourself. ‘To build a stronger relationship with the practical ruler.’”

Joo’s smile grew even wider. For a moment, Leeha was bewildered by her expression, which seemed like that of a master looking at a disciple.

“Ten days.”

“Huh?”

“Just give me ten days. I’ll gather all the information about dragons and hatchlings. In return, you must give me a 3-month tax benefit.”

“We need to see the quality of the data.”

“Geez, not even a verbal promise… I can’t keep pestering you anymore, Leeha. Fine! I’ll find out everything I can about hatchling growth! Deal?”

Information about dragons was handled at the highest level even within Middle Earth.

The reason Leeha had come here was because he couldn’t gather the information himself. But things were working out better than he had expected.

He would obtain the highest-level information that the head of the Information Guild could provide and secure the opening of the sacred Grill Gaesara branch.

“Thank you for your dedication, Lord Leeha of City Gaesara.”

Finally, playfully showing his attitude again, Leeha reached out his hand to Joo.

This was the moment when Leeha truly felt that he had become a capable user on par with the head of the Information Guild.

The only regret was that he had spent quite a bit of time here.

* * *

Everything was finally over now. Once he entered with great confidence, he would be able to enjoy the privileges of a ruler!

‘Relic mentioned in advance that he would take care of it, so he must have prepared to some extent.’

He had spent a considerable amount of time even inside the sacred Grill. About an hour and a half had passed since Leeha was officially appointed as the practical ruler.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Cough. I’ll go to City Gaesara.”

“The city in Fubiel, City Gaesara… Excuse me, are you becoming the ruler of City Gaesara?”

Leeha lowered his voice and spoke with weight. The female NPC of the Warp Gate was about to calculate the amount when she bowed her head and cautiously asked.

“That’s right.”

“As the administrator of that territory, the use of the Warp Gate between the capital and the city will be free. Would you like to ascend to the magic circle?”

“Oh, really?”

The weight that had collapsed in an instant was indeed a flaw, but despite that, the NPC’s attitude didn’t change.

‘Is this arrogance? Throughout Middle Earth, the Warp Gate association NPCs never changed their attitude even once… I think I’m hearing honorifics for the first time.’

No matter how he changed items or achieved accomplishments, these NPCs were like handling complaints – quick and efficient.

He was confident that these NPCs didn’t even have a concept of familiarity! The power of the “Dignity” buff was undoubtedly exceptional.

“In Fubiel, my city, City Gaesara, one person. I hope you have a pleasant journey.”

Tick! As the female NPC inserted the staff, Leeha felt the sensation of floating.

Finally, he would face a new place, and perhaps he might spend the longest time there throughout Middle Earth!

Kyaaaaaaaah─────!

Run, escape!

Water! Water! Put out the fire in the buildings! Quick!

Dammit, the fire brigade is already dead! The Gaesara Knights are about to be annihilated too!

Chimera! Stop the Chimera─ Cough!

To the capital─ Request backup troops!

In front of his eyes, a new landscape spread out. The “City Gaesara” that he had never seen during the war was now burning.

“What, what, what? What is this?”

While his head was still processing surprise and confusion, his body was already moving.

Unknowingly, he took a magazine out of his bag and combined it with Black Vess. As it clicked─! Blaugrune reacted to the sound.

[Mew mew! Mew!]

“What, what─ a Chimera?”

Fluttering, Blaugrune pointed with its wing in a direction, indicating the massive monster that had passed through the gap between the buildings.

‘A Chimera here? No way! This isn’t even near Minis, how could─’

Quaaaang────── Quaaaaaa──────!

With an instant roar, one building collapsed. And multiple individuals were leaping over the debris of the collapsed single-story building.

“NPCs are a priority! Move in groups and focus on slaughtering NPCs!”

“For users, cut men’s throats and throw women to the Chimeras! Give them the most gruesome death memory, so they’ll never visit this city again! Traumatize them with the attack!”

The giants, who had a massive physique and wore new masks and clothing, had lodged their damn voices firmly in Leeha’s mind, even though their expressions were covered.

Moreover, just hearing their words made their intentions clear.

Their movements were aimed at NPCs more than users, and the actions of pouring oil and setting fire between buildings were not just simple PK, but rather for the destruction of the city itself.

“Kyahahaha! Destroy everything! Smash and burn every damn one of these b*stards so they can’t have them! Pour it on and set it on fire!”

He shouldn’t shout.

In times like this, snipers had to remain calm.

He shouldn’t expose his location.

He should aim at the enemy slowly.

All knowledge and information were erased. Leeha’s mind turned white.

Leeha’s focus was fixed on the giant who had shouted the last words.

“Igolr───!”

“Kyahahaha! You came! You’re here! Notify them! The protagonist is here! Finally, I’ll collect the achievement today, you damn sniper b*stard!”

Their movements were far more agile than usual, but Leeha’s current state didn’t allow him to notice such things.

He only saw the city being destroyed and the dying NPCs before him.