Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

‘That’s impossible. There are people who know me and contact me. They even know my location. I completely exist and am exposed.’

First, he had to erase himself.

Ha Leeha turned his location to private in the friends’ window. He also blocked all whispers from permitted users.

He had to become perfect nature.

‘I am not even a human. I am not someone hiding under the snow… I am just the snow.’

Ha Leeha closed his eyes and steadied his breath.

The mind and heart, which had been cluttered with all sorts of whispers, began to regain calm.

How close had Shimo approached? Was he already pressing the muzzle to his forehead with a smile?

Or, was he shooting paintballs just avoiding the spot where Ha Leeha was hiding, enjoying the look of confusion?

‘These are distractions, just distractions. Nature doesn’t have thoughts.’

Ha Leeha made an effort to forget the rising wild thoughts.

He even tried to forget the effort of forgetting.

Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist─……

The wind blew.

Ha Leeha opened his eyes again only after the quest completion alarm went off.

『White Death: Non-Existent Being―2』

You have completed the quest.

“… What? Already?”

Ha Leeha couldn’t believe that 14 hours had passed.

Shimo was nowhere to be seen. It was a dark night.

* * *

Shimo greeted Ha Leeha, who entered with a bewildered face, warmly.

『Honestly, I didn’t expect much. Did I give too many hints?』

“Um… well… What exactly happened again―”

It was a new experience for Ha Leeha as well.

During Sergeant Kim’s training, enduring for several hours lying down was basic, and he even endured for 2 nights and 3 days, suppressing the need for all bodily functions.

‘But back then… somehow, it was different.’

A sense of reality.

Simply gritting one’s teeth and enduring because one was told to, versus clearing all distractions to avoid being caught and achieve a desired purpose, were clearly different actions.

“Oh, but about the hint―”

『When you used the messenger magic, I approached you too obviously.』

“Ha, ha. That’s right. Because of that, I noticed….”

Become one with nature completely.

It was possible to have the experience of literally making his body seem like it had melted away because he could completely block out noise.

‘By turning off whispers, hiding my location, and making my existence faint in all the systems of Middle Earth.’

Recalling the strange experience, Ha Leeha nodded.

When he turned off the mute function and started apologizing to those who had worried about him, including Kijung, Shimo spoke again.

『If you can become one with nature, there will be no need to hide. I believe you can now erase your own existence.』

“Ah, yes.”

『Could you close your eyes?』

Ha Leeha lightly closed his eyes. He wasn’t scared as he had experienced this before.

『To the White Reaper… to the White Reaper…』

Haaaa…

Ha Leeha could feel the refreshing air entering through his nose and mouth.

─────────……!

『You have learned the skill “Melting Breath”.』

‘Yes!’

Last time it was the eyes. This time, it was the breath.

Suddenly, Ha Leeha felt a strange sensation.

‘It’s like… the White Reaper’s body? Flesh? No, that’s already gone― um, essence? It feels like receiving something like that directly.’

Considering the name of the quest and the skill, as well as everything the White Reaper had said, Ha Leeha believed his guess was correct.

『Hooooo… How do you feel?』

“Wait a moment. Let me check.”

〈Beginner’s Melting Breath (Lv.1)〉

Description: ‘I’ do not exist.

Effect: Absolute Stealth

― Negates detection and search skills and scrolls

― 50% reduction in skill-based damage while in the stealth state

― Blocks all means of communication, including whispers, while the skill is active

Mana: 2,000

Duration: Until canceled

Cooldown: 24 hours

‘The first condition is similar to camouflage. But the second and third…’

A 50% reduction in skill-based damage!

It’s safe to say that magical attacks account for most attacks, and even for melee classes, except for a few “basic attack”-based jobs, the majority rely on skills for their main attacks.

What if this was applied in PvP?

‘When the enemy disappears before their eyes, there wouldn’t be anyone swinging wildly with basic attacks. Extreme fear would first make them use skills, which would mean―’

It would be an attack that barely scratches Ha Leeha.

Although it consumed a whopping 2,000 mana and had a 24-hour cooldown, the critical difference from camouflage was that there were no “movement restrictions”.

‘And this is just because it’s a beginner, a level 1 skill! As the level and grade rise!’

The cooldown time would decrease.

Mana consumption might increase somewhat, but the damage reduction in the stealth state due to skill attacks would also increase!

“Hehehe… Hihihi… Incredible, even at this beginner’s stage.”

『By the time you can perfectly replicate my breath, people won’t be able to step on the ground you’re standing on.』

“What? Not even knowing where I am― Seriously? You weren’t just saying that?”

『Ha ha, I don’t speak empty word. Of course, it’s a fact that I’ve only just come to realize myself. It would have been better if the past me could have known.』

“Unbelievable…”

Leeha understood Shimo’s expression precisely.

The phrase “won’t be able to step on the ground you’re standing on” meant it wasn’t even tangible.

‘Wait, does that mean it can ignore even basic attacks? That’s insane, it’s so overpowered. That can’t be true.’

If the skill reached Legendary proficiency and the level was maxed out, could something additional appear?

But even Leeha’s “Musket Mastery” skill had not yet reached the Legendary level, showing how difficult it was to upgrade a skill.

The fact that even Shimo, as a mystical creature, had only just learned this, suggested that, however hard Leeha tried to use a skill with a 24-hour cooldown, it was unlikely to achieve that level.

‘Still! Who cares! Just knowing there’s such a possibility!’

He felt like dancing!

Seeing Shimo smile, Leeha scampered over like a puppy.

“So, what should I do next? What needs to be done to truly become the White Reaper and complete the Ritual?”

『Ho, it seems you already know what I’m going to say.』

“Um, yes!”

Because he had seen the rewards in the quest window.

Leeha glossed over the matter. However, Shimo did not bring up the quest window again.

“Shimo?”

『Unfortunately, I cannot give you a trial at this moment.』

“What? But Shimo, I thought time was―”

『No, there is still enough time. This can only be done after you’ve met our people and examined the remaining records.』

“―Ah!?”

A preceding quest.

Leeha had not yet cleared 『Pandril People: The Truth』.

The condition to clear that quest was to peruse the “Records” held by the Pandril people.

“So, it’s only possible after I see those records?”

『That’s right. It’s not that I wish to belittle you…』

“I understand. I can feel it just from the look in your eyes.”

He could have felt anxious but instead, Leeha felt joy.

What could the records held by the Pandril people be?

What records must be seen to complete the Ritual?

‘It must be a book left behind by one of the past 《Matan’s Shooter》. So, the quest for the Ritual… and the content derived from that quest—’

Likely had a strong connection to the “White Death.”

Realizing this made Leeha feel a bit regretful.

He had thought he could learn a few more skills to become the White Reaper, but had he already reached the end?

‘Of course, skills like “Distorted Vision” and “Melting Breath” are totally overpowered, but… well, let’s think positively. Having two overpowered skills is better than ten useless ones.’

Were there any useless skills among the second job advancement jobs?

“Uh— Shimo, about those wing-like things on your back… is there no way I could get those?”

『Hmm? What do you mean by no way?』

Leeha coveted those wings.

Did it pass through the wall because it was a spirit form, or did it pass through because of those wings?

Did it float around because it was a spirit form, or did it float because of those wings?

“No, just. That… I am also a White Reaper. If I had just one of those, it would look good and enhance my presence. I think it would be great.”

『I’m not sure what you mean by ‘presence’, but this has nothing to do with being a White Reaper.』

“Then what is it?”

『I acquired it personally.』

“… Oh, I see. Could you perhaps give me a hint on where you obtained it?”

Ha Leeha chuckled softly, rubbing both hands together.

If it wasn’t a skill but an item, wouldn’t it be even better?

‘Three days until I meet Aner. Hehe. If I do this well… 〈Bargain〉!’

He felt a surge of anticipation, thinking he might be able to show the Pandril tribe a ‘complete form’ White Reaper.

* * *

Although it was deep into the night outside, the interior of the cave dazzled brilliantly.

The splendor, resembling a section taken from a grand banquet hall, contrasted unrealistically with the raw stone walls.

“Welcome, Kaztor! It has been a while, indeed.”

“… Le.”

With his arms wide open, Bluebeard greeted Kaztor.

Back in the form of Rotzak, Kaztor glanced around.

As soon as Chiyou met his eyes, she lifted her dress slightly in greeting.

“Even though we’ve met before, I should greet you properly. I am Chiyou, Kaztor.”

“… You were the envoy from Minis, weren’t you? Ha, I see.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Kaztor chuckled incredulously, but Chiyou accepted his laughter with a warm smile.

‘It really was Kaztor. I suspected, but…’

Seeing Le’s elaborate preparations, Chiyou felt slightly bewildered.

It was clear that Bluebeard had been expecting someone, and as someone who knew nearly all the current happenings in Middle Earth, Chiyou could narrow down the candidates.

At the top of the list was Kaztor.

A dark elf causing trouble in the Old Continent with nowhere to go would naturally seek refuge here.

‘So I thought he would be overbearing.’

She expected Le to absorb Kaztor seamlessly.

But, this?

Le had hurriedly prepared not only decorations but also food, and Chiyou had found herself in an unexpected situation, having to don a dress.

“Come, come. Have a seat. Your life on the run must have been tough, huh? First, have some food—”

“You expect me to eat food that might be laced with something?”

“Why would you say such hurtful things! Tsk, tsk, what would I gain by poisoning you? Don’t you agree?”

Le began devouring the food from the head seat, as if to assure Kaztor it was safe.

Kaztor hesitatingly took a seat, seemingly reassured by Le’s actions.

Chiyou quickly poured wine into his glass.

Kaztor gave Chiyou a sidelong glance in Rotzak’s face but remained silent.