Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Faust’s sharp tone pricked Choyo’s sensibilities, but she was a pro.

Instead, she crafted a radiant smile, and Choyo coquettishly fluttered to the snowy ground of Lizardia.

“Uh-huh. Got it. But you know I’m always trying my best, right? If you could arrange for me to meet the Viscount at least once—”

“We’ll figure that out when the time comes, so don’t worry. Just keep gathering information consistently and let me know. Ah! Didn’t you mention there might be another force that could be helpful?”

“Their response was a bit lukewarm, so I need more time to assess… Wait and see. Anyway, I decided to see them again today. Ah! I should go now. Please take care of yourself for a while, and don’t reveal too much until everyone gathers!”

Shoo-wook—! Even until Choyo left, Faust didn’t easily open his heart.

Caw-caw… caw-caw, caw-caw-caw….

With her departure, only a few remaining chimeras and undead were by his side.

“Once you die once, you’re banished from the Demon King’s ranks, and there’s no way to return until the Viscount arrives… Losing those guys on the plains of the March of War really stings.”

Faust had his own troubles in his own way.

Attracting human-side players was possible. But if a player who had become a member of the Demon King’s army died, they would revert to being human again.

With substantial penalties, even!

As much as they temporarily gained strength by becoming part of the Demon King’s army, the side effects were substantial.

Black mages who belonged to the same guild as Faust strongly objected, but reinstating them as members of the Demon King’s army was beyond Faust’s authority.

“When will the Viscount actually arrive…”

Faust sighed deeply.

He had thought he could finally overturn the rankings… But now, attacking City Gazzah might turn out to be a wrong decision.

“Moving nobles secretly every night and gathering them… Eventually, we need to establish a defensive line for the final quest… Damn it, there’s no one I really like.”

Faust’s feelings were inevitably different from those of other users who had received quests from Bluebeard.

Moreover, all those who approached the ranks of the Demon King’s army had their own desires and plans.

Even Crowley, Igor, and that Choyo were all types that irritated Faust.

“Since it’s come to this, the only thing I can believe in is that. If only I could gain more power from the Viscount and then pull it out…”

Muttering to himself, Faust gripped his staff, which was adorned with a skull.

The desolate area near the wasteland known as the Death Ground, except for Choyo’s Shinobigumi, was barren and uninhabited.

From across the cave where Faust was hiding, the eyes of two people were shining.

* * *

[Truly, the greatest adventurer of the human realm is different. This is the place.]

“Do you feel the mana?”

The expeditionary force sent to the Land of Death was led by Alexander.

Baileyphus, who had been by Perfnung’s side, immediately used the teleportation skill to move to Alexander’s side and flew here after joining.

[The necromancer of that time is certain.]

“Anger can lead to distortion. My companion.”

[Don’t worry. I haven’t lived for such a long time to lose my reason at a crucial moment.]

“Mm.”

Alexander nodded his head.

He said so, but the ominous look in Baileyphus’s eyes as he surveyed the cave was enough to make even his companion flinch.

Of course, there was only one reason Baileyphus was furious.

Because he had stolen Kuzgunak’s corpse!

“Could it be that the person who was with you just now is not the Red Dragon from back then?”

[No, it’s completely different. It seemed human-like, but I couldn’t identify its true nature.]

If Choyo had come out and teleported as usual, Alexander would have recognized her immediately. However, she had teleported away inside the cave, so he couldn’t know her true identity.

[Not only did they disturb the dragon’s rest, but also became the deputy in charge of attracting humans to the Demon King’s army… Is this what humans are, weak for their own gain?]

“I apologize on behalf of humanity. There are too many who have lost a life befitting of humans.”

With a solemn and polite demeanor, Alexander bowed his head towards Baileyphus. If Yijiwon had seen this, she probably would have mocked him.

[It’s fine, Alexander. I also know that there are humans who are as upright as you, enough to become my fellow executioner, and those who are as human as Leeha, who would even become a vassal of a lord. Even among us dragons, not all of them can be wise. Rather, I seem to have spoken too strongly. Sorry―]

Baileyphus’s words, as he reflected on himself and calmed his voice, didn’t come to an end.

The reason was clear even to Alexander. In the cave, where Faust had been identified, the crimson energy was seeping out, visible even to his eyes.

[… Could it be!]

[──────────────────]

“Whoa?!”

A sound that even made Alexander flinch reverberated loudly outside the cave.

If there were any players nearby, they would have instantly fallen into a state of paralysis due to abnormal status.

Alexander immediately straightened up and raised his head. It was a roar of the highest grade he had never experienced, even from his position as the top-ranked player.

“It’s like the Red Dragon from back then… No, my comrade—”

Alexander looked at Baileyphus and stopped speaking.

The face of the golden dragon, completely distorted by anger, was no longer the ‘comrade’ he knew.

[… This guy dares to! He’s provoking me head-on!]

The reason Baileyphus and Alexander were dispatched to the Land of Death was that this place was the most likely candidate.

Compared to other hideouts within Minis’ territory or near the borders, the Land of Death was a wasteland that didn’t belong to anyone. It was a place that seemed fitting for someone like Faust, a colossal figure, to be present, even if Bluebeard was there or if there were other players!

Sending the strongest team among their forces to prepare for any eventuality was the best choice Ihwa had.

“Be, Baileyphus! My comrade! Remember your duty as the executioner of justice!”

[I remember! Because I remember, I am moving, Alexander!]

Flap─── flap───!

Of course, Ihwa couldn’t have anticipated such an event either.

[──────────────────!]

Once again, a sound erupted from outside the cave.

It wasn’t words or screams that seeped through the vocal cords to the outside. It was a menacing, unpleasant noise that shook the entire bodies of deceased creatures, vibrating them violently.

The cry of terror directed towards all the dead!

Shiiiiiiiik―!

In an instant, a black shadow burst out from the cave.

At this point, Ihwa couldn’t have imagined that it would be used like this!

Decaying corpses, torn scales, flesh covered in wounds, and crimson mana. It was unclear whether the strange creature that covered its body, whether flesh or a mass of mana, was a living being or a mass of mana. It flapped its four wings and soared through the sky.

[To fulfill that justice! To guide Kuzgunak’shi to eternal rest!]

The Red Dragon Kuzgunak’shi had finally been summoned by Faust.

[Will you join me, my comrade?]

Baileyphus spoke to Alexander with a howl, and Alexander responded according to his character.

“Of course. I follow your sense of justice!”

[Rise up!]

With a swift movement, Alexander climbed onto Baileyphus’s neck.

If there was anything fortunate about this unexpected event, it was that Alexander could rationally perceive the importance of this quest.

Baileyphus’s departure was immediately reported to Ihwa.

* * *

―What?! What did you say? You should have stopped it!

―There wasn’t time. Baileyphus was already in mid-flight towards the undead dragon.

―Th-then—no, wait—ah! Block the communication! Block Faust’s whisper, at least!

―Understood. I’ll inform Baileyphus.

Ihwa’s reply only made Ihwa feel more frustrated. Of all times! To cause trouble in the place she trusted the most!

‘Damn it…! Yeah, I guess Kuzgunak’shi seemed especially sensitive… But who could’ve known he’d be summoned like this now.’

Now, what’s important is not that.

Baileyphus was already taking flight, and the unexpected situation had already unfolded.

If you can’t contain spilled water, you should minimize the objects that get wet from the spilled water as much as possible.

―Communication blockade is complete. Then— I’ll contact you after capturing Faust.

―Damn it, now that it’s come to this, you must succeed!

Ihwa gave orders to Alexander with a worried expression.

Ihwa had requested the communication blockade, Alexander relayed the message to Baileyphus, and the time it took for Baileyphus to use the communication blockade again was less than a minute.

And the image of Baileyphus and Alexander had come to Faust about two minutes ago.

In Middle Earth, how long is a minute?

―Hyungnim, Igor is about to move. He’s heading to another hideout— huh? He turned around?! He’s caught—

Thunk. Lee Jiwon’s whisper was cut off.

―I noticed. Crowley. I’ll kill—

Thunk. Ram Hwajung’s whisper was cut off.

Ihwa could immediately grasp the situation. Ultimately, all three of them managed to get in touch through a narrow margin.

‘If it turns out like this… Battles will break out in all three locations! And this time… this time the communication block came from that side!’

In the case of Faust, Alexander and Baileyphus took the initiative and blocked communication.

But what about the other cases?

Igor blocked communication, and Crowley blocked communication. What could be the reason?

Ihwa’s face turned pale.

The worst-case scenario imaginable was unfolding.

* * *

“Kyakyakyak, no wonder my back was tickling. It seems there’s a black mosquito larva following me?”

Igor revealed this with a chuckle.

Even without any orders, Jarga had already assumed a joint posture with Igor, but seeing that, Lee Jiwon could only let out a dry laugh.

“Hmph, spatial and communication block? The third-ranked guy trash-talking the second-ranked guy in the sky? Eva Tuna Anchovy who doesn’t know his place and still babbles about the third rank? You’re regretting it now, but you’re just a laughingstock in a time to regret.”

In a fight of one against many, Lee Jiwon was extremely skilled.

Although he might seem like a user who’s always in a ‘hurry’ and can’t communicate, he was the esteemed second-ranking player in Middle Earth.

He could confidently say ‘the third-ranked guy trash-talking’ to Igor because he had faith in his own skills.

Lee Jiwon drew his dark sword with a self-assured smile, observing Igor.

“Yeah… I was third-ranked. I was third-ranked. Kyahahaaha!”

“You’re laughing? Has a screw come loose?”

“I was third-ranked. You’re a brat like me and yet you’re ranked second, and I’m saying I was third-ranked.”

“Well, isn’t that obvious since I’m good at the game? Whether you admit it to the left, admit it to the right, or admit it ahead, it’s a fact that can’t be denied.”

“Tsk tsk, why did I block space, why did I point a sword at you… Don’t you still understand the situation? Black-haired mosquito larva.”

Igor’s expression slowly contorted. His intense obsession with the ranking was showing on his face.

Stab— Stab— Stab—.

According to Igor’s intention, Jarga arranged themselves in perfect formation for a one-to-many battle. They were fully prepared for battle, equipped with various resistance potions and scrolls as well as countermeasures against status abnormalities.

“…What’s the situation? Me getting a beating and the adults nagging me?”

“They say the rankings will be overturned starting today! Take them all down!”

Da, sir!

Igor and Jarga charged. Their speed was over 40% faster than Lee Jiwon had anticipated.

“What? Is this the power of the Demon King’s forces—”

“Kyakyakyak, gulp it down!”

Chaaaaang──────!

Igor’s blade, sharp as a saw, clashed with Lee Jiwon’s black-colored sword, blade and all.

In the Lenno Forest shrouded in twilight, a battle between the second and third-ranked players, an unexpected showdown, had begun.