Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Perhaps it was now approaching 100%.

‘Still, that won’t do it…’

That meant perhaps the reward would be given only when 100% intimacy was achieved. Or maybe one had to clear specific quests or fulfill requests regardless of intimacy?

At least, one thing was certain.

‘There’s nothing impossible in Middle Earth.’

Leeha knew it well, and no one had experienced more ups and downs than Fernand.

Especially since Fernand had met more tribes than any other user in Middle Earth, and Leeha had achieved all the intimacy accomplishments in the New Continent, indicating a flexible mindset.

“You said you wouldn’t interfere with external matters…”

Fernand started speaking to Ulrek with a logical conviction that left no room for rebuttal.

“But you’ve been observing external matters. Knowing about the war 20 years ago makes that clear, doesn’t it?”

Ulrek nodded without much response.

“So, it means you don’t interfere, but you’re interested… Is that right? Even 〈Laputa〉 is outside of Saur Land, isn’t it?”

“So?”

“It’s nothing much. I thought maybe I could add a tiny bit to your vast knowledge about Saur Land…”

Fernand rummaged through his bag with a beaming smile.

Leeha had seen Fernand’s smiling face many times, but this expression was on a different level.

“This looks too much like a salesman’s face.”

“Hey, don’t say that now! It’s breaking the mood.”

“Wow… It’s no wonder the Paleos of the New Continent are enamored.”

Even when talking to Leeha, Fernand’s expression didn’t change.

The greatest weapon the Pioneer King could draw from his bag was, of course, a map.

“Here it is.”

Fernand took out the map.

A map that any ordinary user would have wanted to see at least once, the map of the Pioneer King, Fernand!

His map, which could be zoomed in and out like a touch screen, was filled with various notes.

“This contains information not only about the New Continent but also across the sea. Frankly, if I were to auction this map, I could probably buy a whole city.”

Fernand subtly spread the map out for Ulrek.

Ulrek, who had only been staring at his coffee cup, glanced at the map but soon returned his gaze to his coffee cup.

The one truly tempted by Fernand’s allure was Leeha.

“Fernand-ssi, could you perhaps make me a copy of that map?”

“What are you saying! Ha Leeha-ssi, you shouldn’t be saying that!”

Fernand’s words were no exaggeration.

If that map were put up for auction, it could easily buy not just a small town or castle in the outskirts, but even a prime castle or sizable city.

‘This map surpasses any comprehensive guide on any fan page.’

In a way, it could be considered the 〈Ultimate Guide to Middle Earth〉.

Fernand thought he had drawn his trump card right from the start.

A punch that would KO opponents in one blow!

“We have one too.”

“… Pardon?”

Neither Fernand nor Leeha fully grasped Ulrek’s words.

That it wasn’t just any map, but they also had one?

“You were called the Pioneer King among humans.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Even so, it’s not as good as our map.”

Leeha interjected at Ulrek’s definitive statement.

“Uh, Ulrek-ssi, I’m sorry to interrupt, but this isn’t just any map. It’s a map I can’t obtain even if I give my entire fortune—”

However, it underestimated Saur Land too much.

“That’s why I’m saying it. No matter how much information you’ve included, our map holds even more regions, even more information, I’m sure of it.”

Only then did the two understand.

They realized they were still looking down on this place, saur Land.

“A title like ‘Pioneer King’ is quite embarrassing.”

As Ulrek glanced briefly at the mentally shattered Fernand, he then turned his gaze to Leeha.

“You must have used House-house on your way here.”

“Huh? Yes, how did you know?”

“Because we created them.”

“What!?”

Leeha’s eyes widened.

Ulrek’s lips curled up, revealing his dinosaur molars.

* * *

“Indeed, we do not interfere with external affairs. However, we do not neglect observing the outside. House-house are everywhere on this continent, and the information they gather all flows to us.”

“Amazing! That’s why we could avoid terrains with monsters so perfectly…”

When Leeha first saw the House-house, and when he learned of their functions through Elizabeth’s mouth, he sensed something was off.

They were akin to unmanned drone deliveries.

They were truly similar to ‘unmanned drones’—biological drones controlled from Saur Land.

“The way to Laputa also uses House-house. Of course, those are a bit different from the typical ones we created… Anyway, that’s that. Humans, though our conversation has been fruitful, I can’t allocate any more time.”

Ulrek stood up from the chair.

Fernand, still unable to collect himself, simply stared at him blankly. In a rush, Leeha looked around.

He couldn’t just let him go like this.

‘Dinosaurs… What do they like? Damn, it can’t be money. Skills? Would they be interested in stuff like that?’

They had more advanced science.

They weren’t even intrigued by mana. They could use magic too. So, what could he propose to get them to sit at the negotiating table?

In desperation, Leeha rummaged through his bag.

Some Corrupted World Tree fruits were in his hand. Cooking? Drinks? What should he do?

He had already handed over Toon’s vocal cords and skin when he entered this place.

‘Ugh, please, let something come out, anything!’

Ulrek allowed Leeha some time while he rummaged his bag.

Knowing this was his last chance made Leeha even more desperate. As he wildly dug through, something dropped from his bag.

“Hmm?”

“What, what?”

“That….”

Finally, Ulrek’s expression changed.

To be precise, it wasn’t just Ulrek who changed.

“Ha Leeha?”

“What is this?”

Leeha looked around.

Even the dinosaurs who were seated in the café had all risen. All their eyes focused on Leeha.

Specifically, they were fixated on the large item that had fallen in front of Leeha.

“What is that intriguing item?”

Listening to Ulrek, a smile began to form on Leeha’s face.

“Ahem, where should I start… This story could be quite long.”

Leeha picked up the item from the floor.

It was a bone.

“Though it looks like this, it was obtained from the Demon King’s Fragment. It’s very, very, very rare.”

It was the item retrieved after defeating the avatar of Pyrot-Cocri.

* * *

〈Bone from the City of Shattered Souls in Legends〉

Description: A bone from Peklo City, overseen by Pyrot-Cocri. This enormous bone, about the length of an adult male’s arm, emits a faint light unlike typical undead bones. Its uses are still unknown, but only animals with keen senses, such as dogs, seem to notice the bag in which the bone is stored.

Ulrek’s nose twitched.

The surrounding dinosaurs’ noses also twitched. As sensitive as their noses were, their eyes also moved keenly.

Leeha knew those eyes all too well.

―Ha Leeha-ssi, aren’t they completely crazy?

―Indeed. Do they smell something from the bones? Or do the bones appear differently to them?

Eyes filled with greed, the eyes of a covetous person, were fixed on their faces.

“Ahem, I would like to hear more about those bones.”

The same Ulrek who just said he had no time to spare sat back down.

They lived in a world akin to utopia. It meant there was no particular conflict or strife.

In other words, they had no immunity to greed, right?

“So, what should we do?”

Leeha stood up with a smile.

“I don’t have time right now. Isn’t Kyle’s treatment ending today? I need to prepare to leave with the others. We have to depart tomorrow. Fernand-ssi, shall we go?”

Fernand, with a shameless expression, expressed his regret and followed Leeha.

“Wa… wait! Wait, human Ha Leeha!”

Thwack―!

A dinosaur’s long arm reached across the table and grabbed Leeha’s shoulder.

“Yes?”

Leeha asked casually. What’s the meaning of grabbing me?

Those who lived life getting everything they wanted easily had a vulnerability—they didn’t know how to get what they wanted from others.

“Well… that… that…”

“That? Ah, this?”

Leeha shook the City of Peclosan bone intentionally.

The dinosaurs’ eyes moved left and right following the bone.

“Ahem, would it be rude of me to ask for its components… to analyze them?”

“Analyze? This is just a bone. Though it came from a city created by the Demon King’s Fragment…”

“No, no. Do humans just see it as a mere bone?”

“It’s not just ordinary. It’s a material that could only come out of legends… it’s considered very precious.”

Leeha laughed lightly and put the bone in his bag.

Ulrek gulped. His hand, still holding Leeha’s shoulder, exerted force.

“I-I’m not asking to take it. It’s just for analysis… research as the head of the Department of Creation Science. Such an item is not easily obtainable. You understand that, right?”

Even Ulrek’s speech had sped up.

Leeha suppressed a laugh and spoke.

“Ha, it’s difficult. I can’t get another one of these either. Peklo City is sealed off and inaccessible… what should I do?”

“Perhaps lending it… could that work?”

Ulrek’s voice was desperate.

Conversely, Leeha’s strategy was fully formed. From now on, he’d make them desperate. There was no need to directly mention the trading item.

The other party already knew what they wanted.

So, the key point of this strategy was making the opponent willingly walk into the trap.

“Well… of course, I trust Saur Land, and I am grateful for the hospitality. But lending this is… you know. Just as Ulrek-nim has his difficulties, we feel the same.”

Leeha shrugged.

Ulrek’s gaze wavered for a moment. Leeha was confident. The third prince of Saur Land exactly understood his implication.

Now, they just had to wait until the timing was perfect.

“If we could… satisfy your curiosity, human Ha Leeha.”

“In what way?”

―Hurrayyy―! I knew Ha Leeha-nim could do it!

―Haha, did you see? Did you see? If Fernand-ssi joins us, can you share the map information with me then?

Fernand was already whispering to Leeha.

Leeha laughed heartily at him while maintaining a curious expression, asking, ‘How will you satisfy my curiosity?’

Their ability to flawlessly perform a shameless act was a mark of the renowned outsiders.

“We will appoint you… as a temporary research investigator of 〈Laputa〉. You, human Ha Leeha, and… your companions, if you desire.”

As Ulrek finished speaking, fanfare exploded in Leeha’s mind.