Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“There are many of them.”

『Hmm… For now, let’s maintain this form. We need to be able to respond immediately based on their reactions.』

“H-However, I don’t think there’s a need to prepare for battle right away! Let’s approach them peacefully first! It’s not beneficial to show too much hostility!”

While Alexander, Kidd, and Bailephus were tense, Fernand alone insisted on staying a bit more relaxed.

A seasoned adventurer, well-versed in exploring unfamiliar places, knew that showing hostility to the natives from the start led to no good.

“Those are…”

“Are they the Saurus tribe, kin of Toon?”

“If each one possesses strength similar to Toon… this could be a tough battle.”

Elizabeth, Brown, and Browless were no exception.

Since they had only encountered dinosaurs as ‘enemies’, both users and NPCs had to stay highly alert.

“At least, they are not too many. Around twelve, I reckon. The two in the center have a bit more vibrant hues, and the other ten look similar… The ones in the center are probably important figures―I mean, dinosaurs.”

Among them, only Leeha was not tense.

“You’re quite calm, Leeha.”

“Well… I feel there’s no need to be that nervous.”

Leeha smiled reassuringly at Browless.

“Why is that? Is there something else?”

Luger, whose cobalt-blue python’s muzzle was already aimed at the enemy, asked irritably.

Leeha laughed while looking at him.

“Because I’m here.”

“W-What? Jeez, that’s not even funny.”

“No, no! I’m not saying I’ll handle it all! I mean, it’s safe because I’m here!”

As the dinosaurs gradually became clearer, their footsteps could be heard louder. Thump, thump────────!

The sound of the dinosaurs’ footsteps was getting louder.

If just facing a single Toon generated a noise that was unbearable, what if twelve dinosaurs, about 40 meters tall, charged simultaneously?

The users felt as if they were experiencing an earthquake.

“Oh! They are not just vibrant― they are equipped with something!”

Leeha’s eyes now could clearly distinguish their forms.

The same went for Kidd.

“The helmets, the chest, the abdomen, and the thigh areas are covered; we should see it as armor.”

“Haha, so Toon used to run around naked? Just imagining it is disgusting.”

“… Did you have to say that out loud?”

Leeha rebuked Luger.

Their appearances were consistent.

Huge carnivorous dinosaurs with extended arms. Although grotesque, the users had become accustomed to this exterior from seeing Toon frequently.

Thump…!

“Uh, they stopped?”

After running for a while, they halted.

Gulp, just as someone swallowed nervously, a shout emerged from the group.

『Who are you to appear in the form and voice of the Anti-King!』

The Saurus’ roar threw the users into a panic.

“Anti-King?”

“They said Anti-King?”

『Hmm, was Toon’s form seen as hostile by them?』

Just as Bailephus comprehended, Leeha slapped his forehead in realization.

“Oh no! So Toon himself is…! Bailephus, please use the amplifying spell! Amplify my voice!”

“Amplify? What kind of stunt are you trying to pull now?”

“Luger, just stay quiet for a bit! Bailephus, hurry!”

『Are you sure this is okay?』

“Yes! If we’re late—not good” 『In three seconds, if you don’t answer, we will consider you an Anti-King’s follower and attack!』

“We’ll get attacked!”

“Prepare for battle! Assume they have the same skills as Toon! Keep a distance and aim from afar!”

『Understood.』

As the group descended into chaos, Bailephus cast his spell on Leeha.

As NPCs and users, including Browless, began to scatter, Leeha shouted.

‘I really am a fool!’

The reason why Leeha had told Luger to trust him was simple.

〈Achievement: The Final Moments of a Saurus Traitor (S)〉

Congratulations!

You confirmed the existence of the ‘Saurus tribe’, a race known to be extinct and mentioned only in legends. Although he revealed his identity as a Saurus through his death, the fact that his identity was confirmed would make every archaeologist and biologist cheer!

What kind of kingdom does the Saurus tribe have, and where and how do they live their social lives? The enthusiasts of Middle Earth awaited your report eagerly.

**Reward: 25 stat points**

Saurus Tribe Royal Family Affinity +20%

Permission to travel within the Saurus Tribe kingdom

You were the first to achieve the title of ‘The Final Moments of a Saurus Traitor’.

This achievement would be recorded in the hall of fame up to the third registrant, applying 200% of the original effect to them.

**Effect: 50 stat points**

Saurus Tribe Royal Family Affinity +40%

Because of the achievement, the Final Moments of a Saurus Traitor!

You believed that resolving the issue would be easy since you possessed achievements that granted privileges and affinity with the Saurus Tribe’s royal family.

But this was the mistake that occurred because of that.

You didn’t consider what Toon meant to the Saurus Tribe. Initially, Bailephus should not have taken on the appearance of Toon, the ‘prodigal son.’

『Bailephus! Undo the transformation!』

More importantly, Leeha realized another fact.

Why did the affinity with the ‘royal family’ increase, instead of the Saurus Tribe?

This implied that Toon was part of a ruling lineage of the Saurus Tribe. One that was in conflict with the current ruling members.

Swoosh…

When Bailephus, clueless about the situation, returned to his human form, Leeha shouted with all his might.

『I am Ha Leeha, the human who killed Toon, the prodigal son of the Saurus Tribe!』

Claiming to have killed Toon.

That needed to be stated first.

They didn’t move. Leeha rummaged through his bag again.

“Here is the evidence, a dagger made from Toon’s claws! And a piece of Toon’s skin!”

What he pulled out from the bag was a piece of Toon’s skin. Leeha held it up high, waving it like a flag.

Thunk… Thunk… Thunk…

Ten dinosaurs slowly walked towards the group.

Among them, some were bigger than Toon. As the distance closed, their shadows engulfed everyone.

『We’ll check.』
『Yes! Here it is.』

Leeha humbly placed the items and slowly backed away.

The group followed Leeha’s movements. The distance between them now was roughly 50 meters, but for the Saurus Tribe, it was ‘within arm’s reach.’

『They look similar to Toon…』
『But there’s a difference…』

They didn’t move from that distance.

The skin, vocal bone, and the dagger made from Toon’s claw, which Leeha had placed on the ground, floated up and drifted toward them.

『Ma-magic… Is Toon able to use magic too?』

Bailephus was the most surprised as expected. He couldn’t help it.

‘Toon was already as strong as any dragon without magic.’

‘Damn it, is this a game? How is this balanced? If there are hundreds, thousands of such beings, how are we supposed to handle it?’

‘Quiet! We’re not even fighting them, so stop freaking out! If they join us, it’s a huge gain!’

The Three Musketeers whispered and bickered. But there was some truth to their words.

All of them looked like Toon, and if there were thousands of such beings?

That would mean a thousand entities equivalent to Ancient Dragons suddenly appearing in the Middle Earth universe.

If they sided with either the Demon King’s army or the humans?

‘Wouldn’t that be game over?’

The Sacred Alliance would be torn apart, and all the kingdoms of the Old Continent would fall.

Or, all the Demon King’s fragments would be obliterated, bringing peace.

Certainly, a thousand Ancient Dragons held that level of power. But there was an even bigger problem…

‘They mentioned a kingdom. So, they wouldn’t be talking about kingship with just hundreds or thousands, would they?’

A kingdom surpassing tribes and villages.

How many of them could there be?

Leeha felt sweat trickling down his back.

It wasn’t just Leeha. All the other users with similar thoughts were just as tense.

Whether the users thought that way or not, the Saurus carefully examined the items collected from Toon’s body.

After thoroughly inspecting them from all angles in mid-air, they finally turned their heads.

* * *

『It is confirmed. These are indeed the bones and skin of the Anti-King.』
『It was certain that the Anti-King had not changed!』
『Aaaaah──────────!』

Boom— Boom— Boom—!

After all the reports were completed, two magnificent entities at a distance finally started to approach the party. One dinosaur wore a golden helmet and armor, while the other dinosaur wore a slightly duller bronze helmet and armor.

They watched Leeha’s party intently.

『The one who defeated the Anti-King, what is your name?』
『It’s Ha… Ha Leeha!』
『Good. Haha Leeha. You and your companions’—』
『No! It’s Ha Leeha! Ha Leeha!』
『Hmm?』

The dinosaur with the golden helmet tilted its head.

Leeha, awkwardly positioned, shouted again, 『It’s Ha. Lee. Ha.』

“Even in this situation…”

Browless, pressing down his hat, shook his head.

Except for Luger, who was mocking Leeha, everyone else averted their gaze from him. After momentarily observing this scene, the dinosaur with the golden helmet finally spoke.

『Very well. Ha Leeha, the one who defeated the Anti-King. You and your companions are permitted to enter.』

Rumble…

There was a brief quake.

It was instinctively felt that this was the undoing of the barrier.

“Alright. Let’s go—”

“I’ll go first!”

“No, I’m going!”

Just as Bailephus tried to take the lead, a sudden competition ensued from the rear.

The NPCs looked puzzled, but all the users knew.

If their speeds were similar, no matter how fast they were, they couldn’t enter the barrier before those who were right in front of it!

The one closest to the barrier, standing nearest to the Saurus tribe, took the first step forward.

Boom—!

You have acquired the achievement: First Discoverer – Saur Land.

“Yay! It’s mine!”

It had to be Leeha, of course.

“Damned bastard.”

“Well, it’s not like Ha Leeha wouldn’t have known.”

“We wouldn’t have entered without him anyway. It’s not something to feel jealous about.”

Luger and Fernand expressed their disappointment.

The only one acknowledging Leeha was Kidd.

“Trying to act cool after attempting to go in yourself.”

“Ahem. Who, who said that? It’s a baseless accusation.”

The problem was that Kidd had darted forward even more than Luger and Fernand.

All NPCs were staring in bewilderment at the sudden uproar in front of the barrier.

“Humans’ disgrace.”

Only Alexander passed them with a dignified expression.

As they all entered the barrier, a sound of vibrating air followed again.

The dinosaur with the golden helmet scanned everyone quickly. His gaze fixed on a human wearing a hood.

『There is someone with a peculiar aura. A potential threat?』

“No! He’s just, just a little unwell!”

Elizabeth quickly spoke, blocking Kyle. Before the dinosaur with the golden helmet could say anything, she preemptively brought up the main issue.

“A child with a disease we hope to cure right here.”

『Hmm.』

The dinosaur with the golden helmet pondered for a moment. Leeha felt as though he glanced at him.

Leeha nodded and added to Elizabeth’s words.

“You can trust us.”

At this point, the only one they could trust was Leeha.

With just a word from him, the dinosaur with the golden helmet nodded.

『Take them.』

────────────……!!!!

“Whoa!?”

“W-What is this!?”

As soon as he finished speaking, ten dinosaurs used magic.

Bubbles-like shapes formed around each party member, capturing them and lifting them into the air.

The colossal dinosaurs, each about 40 meters tall, held one bubble each and began to move swiftly.

About 3 minutes later, they finally saw it.

“It’s… truly a balance breaker.”

What they saw from afar was a city.

Even at a conservative estimate, it was nearly as large as the capital of Fibiel, Aelstock.