Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“…Even so, that’s incredibly fast. To think that troops would be dispatched today in response to a letter sent only yesterday—that’s not as simple as it sounds-“

Woaaaahhhhh!———

The cheers of people cut through Syndergard’s words, carried by the wind. Likely, the users from the nation of Minis were shouting out in anticipation of the advantages they could gain from the NPCs. Understanding their feelings all too well, the expressions of the NPCs aligned with Fibiel darkened even further.

‘From a broader national perspective, their swift deployment would indeed be beneficial. However…’

As long as the confrontation between the Human Alliance and the Demon Army continues, there would be no cause for concern.

Yet, with no knowing when they would arrive, human nature will inevitably lead us down a political path.

‘Nothing good comes from the strong gathering on a narrow land.’

What could the NPCs sent by the command of their sovereigns be thinking?

In the jointly managed city of Juma, small and large disputes were already a daily occurrence.

Not just among the knight orders but even among simple shop NPCs, squabbles and fights break out over rights and positions.

And now?

Imagine what would happen when the most honorable and prideful knight orders from various countries gather here.

‘No, don’t think negatively. There are users affiliated with the knight orders on the other side as well. If users can harmonize well with one another, then…’

Shin Nara was aware.

Being a user affiliated solely with Fibiel’s Sacred Knight Order and the first user to become a member of an NPC knight order, these were stories from the early days of Middle Earth.

As it stands, a significant number of users have joined the general knight orders within Fibiel. It was well-known that Minis and Kraven also had such users.

If the users affiliated with knight orders could manage their respective knight orders appropriately, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

“Huwaaaaa… So, this is the New Continent!”

“Oh my, it’s tough, so tough. While everyone else is here power leveling, ultra-leveling, and turbo-leveling, we’re stuck with the same ol’ hard labor, constant hard laborー”

While Nara entertained these thoughts, nearby the warp gate, amidst the commotion, a few users were exploring this new world.

“Keh keh keh, and to think. Hoped to benefit from joining a knight order and ended up stepping in crap.”

“Always stuck patrolling or playing lapdog to the king. How are we supposed to level up with these repetitive quests? Need to have a blast in the big waters at least once!”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s find our headquarters first. Then, should we start by greeting the spirits or whatever Palleson creatures are around here?”

“Right. There are affinity achievements and whatnot… Since we’re late, we have to catch up quickly.”

The users fluttered their capes embroidered with unicorn-like horse heads, getting ready to equip themselves.

A few users aligned with Minis stopped cheering and pointed at them.

“Woah! By God! They have a unicorn emblem! They said they’d send a few knight orders!”

“[Berthul Knight Order], as expected! Fibiel sent their Capital Defense Knight Order too, but we’re also sending ours!”

The Capital Defense Knight Order of Minis, berthul Knight Order, which had shown itself only once during the ultimate clash of the national war and then vanished, had finally set foot upon the New Continent of Erika.

“Hmm…, the number seems unchanged.”

Leeha listened to the trot rhythm coming from the other end of the phone, recognizing the number as that of Lieutenant Kim by the unchanged ringback tone.

But that was it; the other side remained silent.

“Busy maybe? Well, if they went to the deployment and are still serving as a platoon leader… Judging by the sore shoulders, looks like they’re in the midst of managing troops.”

It was 10:30 AM.

Leeha still remembered the daily schedule from sniper training. Not so much remembered by mind as by body.

“Maybe I’ll leave a message?”

Expressing a wish to meet at least once today might prompt them to make some time in the evening.

Time was not something Leeha had in abundance. Tonight, I must become a guide towards the ‘Divine Staff’ in Middle Earth. I could easily fulfill the role of a guide by explaining the location to Fernand, but I chose not to.

“That’s something you should only resort to when absolutely necessary.”

It’s important to earn points even in these minor instances. From my perspective, having adapted to Middle Earth, it’s exactly these trivial matters that are of utmost importance. Gathering such instances creates a butterfly effect, and I believe it’s these moments that unleash great power during critical times in Middle Earth. In other words, there’s no need to concede opportunities to make a mark safely.

“I used to not believe in this…, but psychological factors really do play a significant role, don’t they?”

While contacting Sergeant Kim, I also searched the internet for treatments for my symptoms. Generally, PTSD is treated with a combination of professional counseling and medication.

“But, can my case be considered PTSD? It seems more like an obsessive-compulsive disorder or phobias like acrophobia or claustrophobia… The trigger for my phobia is ‘when trying to attack Toon.’ The closest thing I can associate my feelings with is not PTSD but a phobia, perhaps something like coulrophobia or xenophobia, especially when encountering certain creatures or seeing specific disguised figures.”

‘There are many such phobias around the world. In the USA, there are syndromes where people get seizures upon seeing someone in clown makeup, and xenophobia is something I also find creepy and frightening at times. Hmm… But usually, those considered patients… aren’t kids, right?’

Coulrophobia, commonly found among children and adolescents, bears similarities to my fear towards Toon, yet there are significant differences. My fear isn’t solely about facing Toon. It’s also the anxiety and concern about what happens next, like the fear of retaliation for a failed attack.

In other words, it isn’t entirely based on instinct.

“Son, have you had lunch?”

“No, I’m not hungry yet.”

“You should eat anyway. Come and eat!”

Mother’s call from the kitchen made me laugh. If she’s inviting me to eat just to feed me, asking my preference seems pointless. It seems I’ve truly inherited my personality from my mother.

“By the way, Mom, aren’t you going out today? I thought you’d be busy right before the opening.”

“They said there’s no need to come today for any material deadline or sanitization work. Apparently, even if I go, I won’t be able to enter the shop.”

“Oh, is that so? Then tomorrow- ah, that works out well.”

“Huh? What does?”

As she scooped up soup with her spoon, I handed my phone to her. If someone could look at my phone, there’s no need for me to wait outside, right?

“Do you remember the platoon leader I had during my training? Sniper platoon leader, captain Kim.”

“Ah, yes, I remember. I got shivers just from seeing his face when I went for your visitation.”

“Heh, if that scary person contacts me, could you wake me up?”

Mom looked at me with wide eyes. Why am I getting in touch with people from that time again? Though a puzzled expression crossed her face, she didn’t ask further. For her, the military was equivalent to ‘the place that took away my legs,’ so her reaction was understandable.

“Alright.”

“Okay! Then I-“

“You have to finish the soup too!”

“Am I a child? I know when I’m full-“

“Shush!”

At my mother’s shushing sound, I had no more words. Swiftly, I got up and gulped down the soup from my bowl. What does the age of a child matter, after all?No matter what, in his mother’s eyes, he would always appear young.

Enjoying the small joys of family life, which he hadn’t felt in a while, he logged back into Middle Earth.

Before he knew it, it was past 1 PM.

Since the last time he logged out, almost a day and a half had passed in Middle Earth.

“Welcome back, Leeha.”

“Hey, everything’s been okay? No problems?”

As soon as Leeha logged in, Blaugrunn used a summoning spell to come to his side.

Leeha stroked Blaugrunn’s hair as he asked.

In the past, Blaugrunn might have smacked his arm away, but now she seemed to have gotten used to his touch.

“It’s only been a day, what could possibly happen? Oh! There is one thing. I did contact the Silver Dragon clan. When I talked about the frozen ostrich eggs, they were dying to see them.”

“Good! Then let’s go quick-“

“Myong, myongong…”

“-Huh? Oh, no. Don’t worry. Even if they want to dissect you, I won’t let it happen.”

Leeha immediately picked up on Jellypong’s worries.

This was thanks to remembering the interest the Silver Dragons had shown in Jellypong when they escaped from the clutches of the black dragon Onyx.

It seemed Jellypong remembered it too, worried it might come to harm.

“Blaugrunn, can we go right away?”

“If you’re with Leeha, they might even summon us there.”

“So they’re really that eager, huh? Heh, dragons might be smart but they know nothing about negotiation. Showing their eagerness like that-“

-Myong! Myong!

-Hm? Kijung? What’s up?

-Where have you been! Come to Juma City quick!

Leeha, who had been gleefully thinking about plundering (more like?) items, was startled by Kijung’s words resonating in his head.

The urgency in his tone was palpable even in the whisper.

-What’s wrong?

-Minis and Kraven…! No, it’s complicated, just come. Come and we’ll talk. Shin Nara is having a really tough time right now!

Though the explanation wasn’t thorough, it was enough to grasp the situation.

‘Minis, Kraven, Nara-ssi… The Knights?’

Did that mean a conflict had erupted in Juma City?

He couldn’t know for sure.

Leeha felt a bit reluctant to leave the heavy sensation he carried on his shoulders.

If there was a need for forceful resolution, having Black Bass would have made things easier. The Kentucky Musket was enough for regular hunting, but it would be challenging against the adventurers of the New Continent.

“Still, I ought to go see. Blaugrunn, let’s put off the Silver Dragon matter for later.”

“Eh? Well, alright. As you wish, Leeha.”

“Ah~ Now you even think about these things~”

“What, what do you mean! Of course, I should, I’m a dragon!”

“Ha, got it, got it. Anyway. Blaugrunn, you should rest a bit in your lair. I’m going to check out the New Continent.”

Leeha activated the teleportation crystal, sending Blaugrunn back.

Shortly thereafter, Leeha arrived in Juma City.

“Oh, it’s crowded here. Has it always been this bustling in just a day?”

That was Leeha’s first impression.

Juma City was now far more crowded than usual, with knight orders from four countries and their NPC aides all dispatched here.

The fluttering banners of the knight orders, the NPCs of the knight orders walking around in completely unified attire…

‘Wow! Looks like there’s even more people than during the wave event?’