Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Ram Hwayeon: So, if 14th and 17th use long-range suppression attacks, protect allies, and use the to bind enemies… then the 15th appears to finish things off.

‘Viyom,’ a Norwegian known for wielding an axe made from the horns of Wood Elf forest. That’s no joke, right?

Leeha: Right, it’s definitely not a joke.

However, Leeha’s response felt somewhat off for some reason. Clearly not knowing about them, Leeha must have asked himself. Therefore, most of the information given by Ram Hwayeon was new to Leeha and required some getting used to.

Leeha: But why are you saying…?

Ram Hwayeon: It’s no joke?

Leeha: Phew, yeah. Thanks! Treat next time!

Ram Hwayeon: Wait, hold on! What’s going on-

It was only natural that Ram Hwayeon couldn’t accurately assess Leeha’s situation. Unless it was someone like the Three Musketeers’ window, the location of a regular friend wouldn’t be indicated precisely, leading to a lack of material for further speculation.

Even the great Ram Hwayeon couldn’t know Leeha’s current situation.

“Phew, how great would it be if we had heard Ram Hwayeon’s information beforehand and fought.”

“… You’re saying that after eating two things recklessly?”

“Huh? Why is it reckless to eat two things? You also got one each, right?”

“Um, what I ate, I barely dodged with my move-“

“Exactly. So I ‘Bang!’ aimed for that move. Isn’t teamwork about that?”

Leeha chuckled.

Kidd shook his head with a sigh. The situation between the two was improving slightly.

“Ugh, this darn it! Darn it! I can’t hold it in today! Hey, Kidd! Let’s play a round right now!”

Of course, what they referred to as ‘eating or ‘taking’ was an achievement.

[Achievement: Ranker Hunt (20) – 15th, “Viyom” (B+)]

Congratulations!

You have killed the fifteenth-highest level user among the top 20 users in Middle Earth. Hopefully, you didn’t kill them by luck. Be careful since they might come back to reclaim the Ranker Hunt achievement! Effect: Temporary Stat 30 points (recovered upon death of the target user)

(This achievement does not have an Honor Hall.)

[Achievement: Ranker Hunt (20) – 17th, “Hwiba”(B+)]

Effect: Temporary Stat 30 points (recovered upon death of the target user)

(This achievement doesn’t have an Honor Hall.)

Both of them belong to Leeha. [Achievement: Ranker Hunt (20) – 14th place, “Sveor” (B+)]

Effect: Temporary status points 30 (recoverable upon user’s death) (This achievement does not qualify for the Hall of Fame.)

One of them was Kidd’s.

The battle was quite challenging at 3:3, but the Three Musketeers emerged victorious in the end, rightfully claiming the loot of the rankers as outsiders.

“Come at me, Leeha–!”

“… Am I crazy, picking a fight with someone holding such brutish bullets?”

“Well, you’re right.”

“I, I’ve learned everything from Brown! Bring it on!”

Except for Luger, who failed to gain anything by revealing even his most cherished skill, when nearly 500 elite Wood Elf troops launched their assault, the ‘Scandinavian’ fell apart, their front line beginning to crumble.

When the Dark Elves, after the Three Musketeers’ feats and reorganization, launched a counterattack, Luger, infuriated at not getting any achievement, went berserk, shouting, “Maybe I’ll get the achievement if I kill 300 alone!”

The Wood Elves could no longer stand their ground.

“We did it, we won! Humans, humans protected us from the Wood Elves!”

The little Dark Elf embraced the thigh below Tatar’s hip.

“It’s a legend… a reenactment of a legend!”

“The Matan’s Shooter! The Matan’s Shooters protected us just like the old days!”

“Cursed Wood Elves! Come at us, we have the Matan’s Shooters!”

“They are even three this time!”

The Dark Elves cried out with tears of joy. Still filled with the heat of battle and the recent threat of annihilation, they showed more than necessary appreciation towards the Three Musketeers.

“Except for the chief, it seems like everyone is unaware.

‘Matan’s Shooters’…”

“No atmosphere. Just enjoy it, Kidd. Thank you! Thank you, everyone!”

Kidd patted the shoulder of the mumbling Luger and raised his hand in the air.

Waaaah–!

Just before facing total annihilation, the three were now honored as heroes by the Dark Elf tribe.

Uh…the achievement is…my achievement…

Luger’s muttering was buried under the cheers of the Dark Elves.

“Alright, alright. Let’s finalize off today’s success, and it’ll all be over once tomorrow’s dawn breaks. This tiresome life of wandering will finally come to an end!”

Kijung clenched his shield tightly, and the Paladin who was with him looked at him.

“What’s the matter, the Exorcism Cardinal?”

“Oh, nothing really. Hehe.”

A Holy Knight and Exorcism Cardinal, Kijung. Although unofficial records were enough to call him “The Man who fought 1:1 against Ghibrid”, he still maintained a pure smile. Perhaps it was natural for him.

With about 14 hours left until the Conclave vote that could decide the fate of Middle Earth, Kijung was not worried about it but rather thinking about the freedom after the vote.

“Well then, let’s head back.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work in protecting the peace of the Papacy today.”

“Don’t mention it. In the presence of the Holy Knight who comes out first and goes in last, our efforts are nothing more than tiny dust.”

“Oh, why are you saying that again? Hehe. Even if you put me on a plane, nothing will change.”

“A p-plane?”

“It’s nothing! Well, have a good rest then.”

Kijung joked with the Paladin, laughed for a while at the rigid posture of the Paladin, then sent him off.

The setting sun had almost completely set. Just when Kijung was joking around with the Paladin, the surroundings had gotten darker.

“Exorcism Cardinal, Holy Knight, Master Kay.”

“Who’s there?”

People came out of the dark alleyway and surrounded Kijung from the front and back.

It was getting late at night, but it was still only early evening. Naturally, there were NPCs around, but such audacity!

As Kijung gripped his sword handle, pushing through the surrounding people, someone came forward.

“Drawing a sword in the Papacy might put the Exorcism Cardinal in danger. Are you sure that’s alright?”

“Oh?… Exorcism Cardinal. At this hour… What brings you here with these people?”

Kijung recognized him. Among the high-ranking officials, not all of them were the same, even though they are all officials.

“There’s someone waiting to see you, please quietly follow.”

“Oh, really? Hmm… I thought everyone would be busy with ‘this and that.’

Even Borgia was caught up in the ‘aide incident’ revelation-

Swish!

Kijung had to momentarily close his mouth at the intimidating aura emanating from the Borgia, readying himself with drawn brows.

“I advised you to come quietly, exorcist official.”

In Borgia’s trembling right hand, a small dagger was clenched.

As part of Cheka’s machinations, key forces that could aid Tusculani were also embroiled in scandals. Borgia was no exception, with Kijung mentioning the ‘aide incident,’ a part of it.

“It seems to be quite difficult indeed. This open…”

Kijung nodded. There was no need to incite any incidents with everything ending the next day.

“Yes, let’s go.”

There were still many eyes watching around.

Kijung was certain that there wasn’t much they could do. As expected, bureau didn’t make any trouble.

Having even contemplated the possibility of a sudden attack while locking the space, Kijung arrived at the mansion feeling somewhat perplexed.

“This is…”

“The place where someone is waiting to see you. Of course, you already knew that.”

“Of course. How could I not know. This place…”

They weren’t intending to kill or imprison Kijung. Bringing Kijung out into the public eye was meant to be done in a location far brighter than earlier.

“Tusculani official’s estate.”

Even the naive Kijung could tell. Their final, absolute choices ultimately revealed their true nature.

The interior of the mansion was splendid.

Despite much exposed and social disgrace due to Cheka’s revelations, the flame of Tusculani’s household pride remained unextinguished.

“But there wasn’t enough time for that.”

Cheka had to spread the truth far and wide and contain the fire, but most of the Cardinals turned a blind eye, that was it. Cheka’s ‘undercover operation’ was only effective up to the conclave. The 140 years of accumulated wisdom in the church had been sturdy.

“Chairman Tusculani, I have brought Excorcism Cardinal Master Kay.”

“Oh, oh. Yes. Didn’t I ask you to receive them politely, Borgia?”

“Yes, Master. I apologize.”

Borgia retreated abruptly after receiving a scolding from Tusculani. Kijung had seen Tusculani’s face several times already, so he could tell.

“Who would believe such a person to be a bad guy,” he thought.

Among the users of Ezwen, especially those who had chosen professions in the priest and healer categories, Tusculani’s support base was quite strong. It was inevitable. He didn’t look like a villain or have a bad personality at all. Kijung even thought, from an image-making perspective, that Tusculani seemed more fitting as a Pope.

Dressed in a robe made of fabric that was not pure white but had a deep color, Tusculani gestured for Kijung to take a seat.

“Please, sit down, Exorcism Cardinal. It is extremely rare in the long history of the sect for a person to be granted a title immediately upon becoming a Cardinal. Isn’t that right, Borgia?”

“Yes.”

“Indeed, one could say he is a remarkable talent, especially inheriting the power of the Holy Knights. As a capable individual joining the ranks of the Cardinals in our Ezwen, we cannot express enough gratitude.”

Tusculani and Borgia praised Kijung back and forth. Refreshments were served, but Kijung ignored them and simply listened to their conversation.

“Thank you. But the reason for this private meeting… It doesn’t seem to be for that.”

Tusculani’s gaze flickered for a moment as he put down his teacup and faced Kijung directly.

“Indeed. Such discussions can be had later as much as we want, Exorcism Cardinal. The reason we called you here is not for that. Nowadays, Ezwen is in a tumultuous state. In a time where unity must be strengthened, there are external forces trying to disrupt our internal cohesion.”

“That’s right. I have also heard interesting news about Cardinal Tusculani.”

Tusculani spoke with a worried tone, but Kijung would only respond with a feigned interest.