Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Kijung squinted in confusion.

“When you say ‘Luger’, which Luger are you talking about?”

But Bobae was just as puzzled.

“Oh, yeah. That Luger… I feel like he disappeared for a while, but when did he come back? No, how long has he been here?”

Bobae corrected herself. Did he come upon hearing the news of the arrival of Gibrid and Chimera Legion? But knowing his human nature, he wouldn’t be helping anyone in this situation. Unless, of course, he had already been here for several days.

“It doesn’t make sense. I didn’t see him… How did he manage to sneak in there? The Corrupted World Tree Forest is near where we were guarding.”

Teleportation was possible around the Corrupted World Tree Forest. It meant you could store locations by carefully skimming the boundaries of the corrupted area, but it was always heavily monitored due to the possibility of operatives from the Demon Army, including the Demon King, using it as a contact point.

“He snuck in there without being noticed? Maybe he teleported from a much further place, seizing the opportunity during a yawn.”

Why would he want to go there, though? Was it something he remembered hearing? Leeha was not one to get so curious. The more he thought about it, the more questions arose, and there seemed to be no simple answers.

undefined
“But it’s possible that…”

“Even Leeha-nim’s gunfire is incomparable to that, Kikkit.”

Jin Gonggong plugged his ears as Byumi trembled noticeably from the loud noise. The vibration that started in front of the Corrupted World Tree Forest reached far-off places without losing its intensity.

“I don’t know why this person Luger is there, but at least his intentions seem to align with ours.”

“Huh?”

“The Manticores are maneuvering in the air.”

As everyone’s gaze turned towards Luger, Tale observed the enemy’s movements that Luger seemed to be targeting.

It seemed like the Chimera Legion was planning to eliminate the interference force known as Star-Cross, using Lugermon as vanguard. However, their movements suddenly came to a halt. The reason?

Without a second thought, “Because of Luger.”

As evidence, while the Chimeras remained stationary, the Manticores in the air began to move actively and in unison.

undefined
“They seem to be avoiding something.”

In response to someone’s words, Bobae swiftly retorted, “No, they’re not trying to avoid it. They’re coiling. Clearly! They’re coiling!”

“Not that! Go back!”

“They’re recoiling again?!”

The conversation was nearly indiscernible due to the uproar.

Although they shouted at each other as if cursing, none of them took their eyes off the Manticores. Swirling in different directions, then converging back together, it seemed like they were flowing outwards or maneuvering to evade, only to mix back in. Watching them, Kijung felt a sense of unease.

It was evidently not the usual method of monster movement. The Manticores moved as if they already knew how to avoid attacks and sow confusion.

“Teehee… employing tactics,” one of them remarked.

“What?”

“Each time they gather in one place—”

And the first to figure out why the Manticores were moving that way was Biyemi. Biyemi pointed towards the center of the Corrupted World Tree Forest.

…!

Smoke rose along with flames at that spot. “Are they… shooting?”

“Lugermon is shooting!”

“If they’re doing that—”

“Kiskis, perhaps they’re trying to make it impossible to pinpoint who’s firing by only shooting when they gather and disperse again?”

Feeling dumbfounded by Biyemi’s analysis, Kijung found it absurd that these seemingly brainless creatures were undergoing evolution. But that was not the only astonishing thing.

If those monsters have already identified and analyzed their opponents before they’ve even fully grasped what’s going on, and have prepared a countermeasure accordingly, would that mean they’ve evolved beyond creatures that merely form stable communities within the monster intelligence spectrum?

“This is incredible… Compared to the other Chimera, even if we don’t know about them, Manticores are certainly real in terms of their intelligence level that surpasses species that build peaceful social structures.”

“What about Bobae-nim, and Luger-nim?”

“I think they’re still alive? Th-That blue, layered, long, huge thing is visible as it is!”

Bobae struggled to describe the indescribable “something.”

She was observing it carefully. Luger seemed to be using roots jutting out from the Contaminated World Tree forest as some sort of cover, remaining motionless.

“Hmm, does that mean they’re not going to flee…』”

“Hehe… What are they doing now? Someone watching might think it’s a showdown between monsters with guts.”

What kind of battle is this, exactly? Watching two entities exchanging bombardments while maintaining a distance of at least three meters apart, Kijung couldn’t help but find it entertaining.

Despite the intense appearance, they had only exchanged three shots in total – two from Luger’s side and one from Lugermon’s. The Manticores, lying prone, were once again regrouping. The moment they fully gathered, another shot would be fired.

“Luger seems to be in danger… Should I go and help?”

Kijung suggested, concerned.

“How soon do you think you can get there, Kijung? Are you planning to use 『Dinosaur Transformation』 here?”

“Well, even so! It would be challenging if Luger were to die! Besides, except for my older hyung, this is the longest distance shooting I’ve ever seen…”

Suddenly, explosions erupted from both sides. A giant flame erupted into the air, accompanied by black smoke, and dust rose from the contaminated Forest of the World Tree.

“Wow…”

“It’s so loud!”

“Can attacks really take place just with sound? How on earth are the parties enduring this?”

A thunderous noise from the combined explosions struck the senses.

“More importantly, check on the status of Luger and Lugermon! Hurry!”

Kijung yelled amidst the commotion.

“It seems like he missed a bit! Was the distance too short? The Manticores seem dazed!”

“Luger’s side also… while the surrounding roots have been severed, it seems like he isn’t dead. But if things continue this way, it could get dangerous next time!”

Jin Gonggong and Bobae assessed the conditions on each side. Kijung pondered once again.

If he were to use 『Dinosaur Transformation』 and rush in at an explosive speed, he might reach Luger before the next bombardment. However, if the Chimeras and Gibrid pushed in during his movement, there would be no way to deal with them.

“Darn, should I leave that side to Luger after all? Does Luger truly understand this situation… understand? He understood it?”

Kijung suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. If Luger truly comprehended the current situation and how to handle it, there might be a silver lining. Has Luger already perceived the moment when the monsters gather to shoot, and is now targeting that timing?

At the meeting of individuals who seemed to be quite capable of analysis even while exposed to the risks of bombardment, the truth surfaced. And if Luger is able to react without falling behind even with their remarkable response, what does that say about his capabilities?

As Kijung was astonished by this realization, the smoke on both sides dissipated.

“The blue hue on Luger’s side… Oh, it seems to have intensified.”

“It got stronger?”

“Well, not exactly stronger, but maybe denser? Earlier, it seemed a bit more translucent…”

“Hehe, could it be your eyes that have adjusted to it?”

“Anyway-”

“Wait! The scattered Manticores are regrouping. They might come back together!”

Jin Gonggong shouted as he listened to the conversation between Bobae and Biyemi.

“We might need to use it soon, does Luger have a shield? Probably has a defensive skill or two, right?”

“Hehe, with the money earned under the name of 『Mercenary of War』, he should have a few accessories with defensive options.”

Biyemi gave a realistic answer to Bobae’s concern, but Jin Gonggong wasn’t too concerned about such talk. The Manticores were converging towards a spot, visible even to the members of Starlight far away.

Then, what about Luger?

“Of course-”

At that moment, the Manticores converged at a point. Jin Gonggong turned his head towards the Corrupted World Tree Forest just as they gathered.

“-Let’s aim.”

And witnessed a burst of blue fireworks erupting from that spot. From one place in the Chimera Legion, a low, vibrating cry echoed.

“What’s that sound?”

“This feels awful! It’s like someone’s massaging your head too hard!”

“The Manticores… the Manticores are moving again.”

It didn’t feel like there was any effect of an attack or being affected by any abnormal status. Yet, enough was happening to cause discomfort. Simultaneously, the Manticores began flying somewhere.

“They’re heading towards Luger!”

“Damn it! They’re fast. Tale-hyungnim, please handle this side! 『Dinosaur Transformation』!”

Their direction of flight was clear. The Corrupted World Tree Forest, which meant their target was Luger!

Jin Gonggong immediately activated her skill and rushed forward.

“Whoa!? This feeling! It’s like something out of a movie!”

Dinosaur Transformation completely altered her usual perspective, as if looking through the eyes of a fierce beast, enhancing the ability to see every movement of each target in detail.

“If this feeling allows me to predict the enemy’s attack direction almost perfectly, using this skill will make tanking even more perfect, right?”

With a gaze fixed on Luger, Jin Gonggong organized her thoughts.

She was not as surprised as others, as she could already deduce what was happening. 『Luger Neiiiim-!』

With a speed akin to a cheetah running, it was plausible to reduce a 3-m distance in an instant. However, being slower than a Manticores launched from the air was unacceptable! So, Kijung was shouting his lungs out to both announce his arrival and catch the Manticores’ attention as he arrived.

At that moment, even Leeha who was watching the screen couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Luger, that purple… wait, huh? What is that!?”

A purple light emerged from Luger’s side in the forest. Even though the distance was considerable, the figure that appeared with the light was easily recognizable by Kijung and Leeha.

A fedora slung low and a fluttering coat. Unlike before, the coat was now stained with specks of dirt. It might have seemed out of place, but to Leeha, it strangely suited him well.

A needlessly stylish man. A guy with the experience to carry himself like a protagonist.

“Ki, Kidd!? The Three Musketeers’ teleportation!”

Suddenly appearing beside Luger with a loud crack was Kidd. The distance between Kijung and Luger & Kidd was about 400 meters. As Kijung’s view in the video zoomed in on them, ha couldn’t help but burst into laughter in disbelief.

“… Will they prattle if they meet at length?”

Luger and Kidd were exchanging banter, pointing their guns at each other. What on earth were they discussing? Couldn’t they sense the tension? Leeha shook his head.

“That can’t be right. Those two are-”

Kidd turned his body. Luger, standing decisively, adjusted his stance. The translucent blue object that seemed to engulf Luger’s entire body appeared even more clearly.

The charging Manticores were a mere 100 meters away from them. Kijung, holding up his shield, still had about 2300 meters to reach them.

Leeha couldn’t contain his excitement. Even if Kijung were to arrive, or even if he didn’t, there would be no issue now. Despite the banter, a more trustworthy ally than anyone else. Since Kidd’s appearance, luger’s face exuded even more confidence.

“-The rivals I have no choice but to acknowledge- Bullshit, it’s no exaggeration to say they’re the craziest guys in Middle Earth.”

Fixing his ‘expression’ in light of his thoughts, Leeha continued watching the video. The Desperado and Cannoneer began to ignite with excitement. A smile graced Leeha’s lips.