Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“W- What are you talking about!”

Even while receiving Shin Nara’s punches, Lark laughed. However, his laughter was not purely joyful.

Although he succeeded in diverting Shin Nara’s attention, in reality, nothing had been resolved. The issue with Igor and Faust, the issue with Chiyou, and the strange events happening recently—all of them.

‘What are they aiming for exactly? At this point, not a single person knew for sure. In fact, even Chiyou, who was in Bluebeard’s side, had not yet properly set his direction.

※ ※

“Hmm… Are you sure about this?”

Leeha glanced playfully at the other person, but their expression wasn’t good. Karelin quickly cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“I understand your intention, but… not in a place like this.”

“Th-that’s right. Haha, I’m sorry. Hey, it’s not like I was suggesting that the mighty Shazrashian Federation snuck in some toxic clauses or anything like that. With the whole continent in an uproar lately, I just thought you might have missed something while dealing with that!”

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He quickly tried to play it off, but there was no way Karelin and the Shazrashian president NPC wouldn’t catch onto Leeha’s intent. To doubt the other party at a signing ceremony, especially after negotiations had concluded, was a blunder too embarrassing to call merely a ‘mistake.’

Having been tricked countless times by NPCs in Middle Earth, ihwa was naturally cautious.

‘Besides, it’s so thick. Still, blaugrun said it was okay, so it should be fine.’

Though he wasn’t sure what or how much Blaugrunn knew about the humans’ agreements, he figured trusting a dragon’s AI was better than his own judgment.

Leeha quickly finished signing.

“Alright! It’s done.”

“Then, as stated in the terms of the agreement, we will send manpower for the northern resource development starting today, so we ask for your cooperation.”

“Yes, of course. Don’t worry. I will inform ‘White Reaper’ beforehand.”

Leeha shook hands with the president and took the documents. The president’s hand was at least three times larger than Leeha’s palm, but it was the president who flinched when they shook hands. Watching this scene sadly, Karelin guided Leeha out of the reception room.

“Leeha-nim, are you not going to the New Continent?”

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“I’m writing. I think I’ll be staying in the Old Continent area for a while. What about Karelin-nim?”

When Leeha logged in after a short nap, it was already three days past in Middle Earth. He also checked the bustling discussions about the 『Sacred Alliance』.

“Right, it’s a must. I missed out on a major quest, but… I can’t afford to miss a large-scale event.”

“Well, saying that makes me feel embarrassed. Haha.”

Karelin, a Ranker and a representative user of Shazrashian, was always in the loop. In fact, it was safe to say that practically all the top rankers from each country were involved.

“Talking with Nara-ssi really helped.”

As soon as he logged in, Leeha began chatting excitedly with Nara, discussing everything from Igor and Faust’s trends to the true motives behind the 『Sacred Alliance』.

“It was a deployment of developmental resources by the Alliance’s standpoint.”

From the perspective of the Ezwen Kingdom, it might not be easy to associate words like ‘war’ or ‘military power’.

It could be viewed as an issue of pacifism, but in this case, it seems more about preventing a situation that could escalate into something serious, right? But that’s the situation within Middle Earth.

Leeha pondered on other matters, contemplating the hidden meanings behind it.

‘We should look at it from a gaming perspective. The ‘real reason’ for not using such words?’

Given the current situation, if military forces were deployed and a war broke out, the administrators might unintentionally trigger an early war.

“There’s a possibility of the storyline and timeline getting tangled… isn’t there.”

At this point, with the Third Human-Demon War not yet happening, how should they prepare for a potential ‘war’ by deploying ‘military forces’? Hence, within the Ezwen Kingdom in Middle Earth, those words were all removed.

“Phew! If that’s the case, Lark really is something.”

Nevertheless, what led to this line of thought was mainly due to Lark, which was impressive but also somewhat disappointing for him. Since Shin Nara relayed words verbatim, Leeha was able to understand it well.

Leeha: I guess that’s what’s happening.

Nara: Huh? What do you mean?

Leeha: They’re trying to manipulate users to prevent the outbreak of the Third Human-Demon Great War. While doing so, they hide expressions like ‘military forces’ and ‘war’ by deploying such massive forces… There’s only one outcome.”

『The 3rd Human-Demon War』

Lark considered it a foregone conclusion, though he had added an unfortunate caveat.

“Well, if the ‘Sacred Alliance’ gets thoroughly crushed, then the Third War between Humans and Demons or whatever will just be over anyway.”

Even though it was a casual conversation with Shin Nara, it felt like Lark’s voice was echoing. Not only his voice, but also his subtly sly expression.

However, it was undeniable that there was logic in his words. It was not just for the development of the New Continent, as the assembled forces were truly formidable even if they gathered the best NPCs and knights from all over the Lope Continent.

“Thank you for not using the bombs when the 8 knights approached.”

“It’s not that I didn’t use them, but I couldn’t. Karelin-nim’s orders were so quick and precise that there was no time to do so.”

At that point, there were no more bombs to use. Bottleneck had only responded once to Leeha’s request, and Leeha had also benefited greatly from it, so there was no need to push further.

Of course, Leeha did not disclose that fact, and indeed, Karelin’s command was excellent, so Leeha’s “lip service” was effective.

“Hehe, I see. It would have been better if we could have approached a little faster before the Human Flesh Hunter – no, before the White Reaper’s ultimate move detonated. Or… when Leeha went offline.”

Karelin subtly revealed his inner thoughts.

While it was already over, there was no way not to feel regret. If Leeha hadn’t used the bombs, if the White Reaper’s ultimate move hadn’t existed. Or if he had waited a few more days until Leeha logged out, would he have not been defeated?

Leeha understood what Karelin’s words meant. Of course, there was only one possible response Leeha could give.

“Even if I was not there, the White Reaper’s ‘ultimate move’ would have gone off… are you saying you would have given me a few days? Hehe, would I have just politely logged out?”

Interrupting Karelin’s thoughts, Leeha added more to his words.

“At least another five thousand would have died. No, maybe even enough to blow up the whole Hamina Castle…”

“Impossible!”

“Ah, why are you making that face again? What, do you really think I would do that? Hehe, Karelin-nim, you’re something else!”

As Leeha burst into laughter, Karelin’s expression quickly stiffened. Karelin was aware that there was a sufficient possibility of such events actually occurring.

“Right, right. Do you remember what I told you before?”

“Of course. That’s what I desire as well.”

As Karelin extended his hand for a handshake, Leeha grasped it. Karelin had clearly said it before.

Let’s not meet as enemies next time. Leeha also wanted that. What could be gained from turning a wrestler who had developed a ridiculous skill called “Absolute Judgment: Grab” into an enemy? Above all, there were many questions about how far the potential of that skill could go.

“If you come to the New Continent, please contact me.”

“Okay. Oh, by the way, there are many people I want to introduce to Karelin-nim, you know? There’s also the person in charge of the Paleos in the New Continent, and even the strongest knight of our Fibiel. If we think about the future tasks, it’ll be beneficial for us to get to know each other.”

Karelin couldn’t possibly be unaware of the existence of Ram Hwayeon and the Shin Nara. Leeha nodded and grabbed the crystal ball.

Then he added, “I would like to ask you a favor. I will contact you soon. As soon as possible.”

“Yes, I’ll wait.”

“But will really be quick. Maybe we’ll contact within an hour-”

Swaaaah… |!

With a bright flash, the figures of Leeha and Blaugrunn disappeared. Karelin chuckled and shook his head lightly.

“Unpredictable person. What business could possibly require contacting within an hour?”

Unpredictable?

Karelin was simply ignorant about Leeha. Leeha had gone to a small city in the western part of Shazrashian.

※

『Pandirand People: Whereabouts』

Description:

“Can you tell my fellow countrymen that they can live without discrimination anymore, that they can come out? In the name of the ‘White Reaper.’ I don’t have much time, so I ask urgently.”

Shimo’s soul was gradually fading. Although the Paldrinians are hidden throughout the Shazrashian Federation, there is no need to find them all. After finding surviving Paldrinians, deliver the abolition of discrimination in the name of the ‘White Reaper.’

Mission: Find at least one Paldrinian within 50 days.

Reward: 『Pandirand People: Truth』, 『White Reaper: Keen Eyes’』. Condition for Failure: If the deadline is exceeded (remaining time: 47 days).

Penalty for Failure: Quest route will be deleted.

“It’s not a very tight deadline… It’s fine, I just need to find one person.”

These were the thoughts of Leeha as he confirmed the quest he had received from Shimo just before logging out. It had been about three days already, but the quest conditions were relatively easy. Leeha thought that if he carefully investigated the non-giant NPCs, he would somehow make a connection. He had already confirmed through internet search that there were non-giant NPCs in the city he had currently moved to.

“The reward is one linked quest… and, hehehe, hehehe!”

『Pandred People: Truth』 was definitely a linked quest.

What would the next quest be?

Leeha remembered.

When he and the White Reaper fought against the 30,000-strong giant army, what had he sketched into the grand strategy map?

“Explosives and wind… The nuances he mentioned back then were definitely like that!”

If he could read the wind?

Even now, Leeha instinctively read and calculated the wind, but seeing it firsthand and feeling it were different stories.

Leeha touched his head as Blaugrunn chuckled.

“Why? Is your hair falling out? Humans have many categories like that.”

“What? Is it falling out?”

“You’re fine now. But in the past, in books I read, humans often ended up like that due to family history.”

“What nonsense! You startled me. Well, there’s no way I’d go bald in Middle Earth…”

Leeha was touching his head because of the rare Harpy hat. If he could read the wind…

He could change to a hat with a better option.

“I’m still uncertain how to utilize it. Hmm, it would be difficult to shoot if it’s a place like the Eternal Snow Mountain.”

“But how do you find that human’s kin? It’s not something you can classify with mana detection.”

“Huh? Oh, you don’t have to worry about that.”

As Leeha organized his thoughts, Blaugrunn spoke to his again. He had logged out to relieve fatigue and to gather information on the internet. However, the ultimate reason why Leeha, who was closer to being a Middle Earth addict, could afford to relax a bit was something else.

『Achievement: Hero of Shazirashian Minority (S-)』

Congratulations! Your name is rising and falling among the nationals of the small countries before the Federation. Most of the giants may not be pleased with the Shazirashian Federation’s dominance, but as someone who strove to abolish the bigotry and discrimination practiced by them, they will remember you.

Rewards: Strength +7, agility +7, intelligence +7

Intimacy with non-Giant races in Shazrashian Federation +30%

You are the first registrant of the achievement 『Hero of Shazirashian Minority』. Up to the third registrant of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, with an additional 200% applied to the existing effects.

Effect: Strength +14, agility +14, intelligence +14

Intimacy with non-Giant races in Shazrashian Federation +60%