Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Four tentacles burrowed into one of the Yamato users.

“What the!?”

“Insane. Did the ‘Warden of Bobae’ just die?”

He was an outsider user, as renowned as any martial artist or mage, yet he couldn’t even understand what attack had killed him.

[Mong! Mongmong!]

“Don’t underestimate us! This is no ordinary slime!”

“Defense skill! Start with a barrier! [Great Shield]!”

Whoosh, an emerald barrier covered them.

They continued to move swiftly, but Jellypong maintained a constant distance, never falling behind.

[Mongmong! Myooong~!]

Kaang! Kaangkaang!

Kakakakakang–!

And then, hundreds of tentacles began to strike the barrier. The shield started to crack instantly, making a shattering sound.

“The shield, it’s cracking!”

“Insane! No way! Including physical defense, it should withstand cumulative damage up to 30,000-“

Before the sentence was even finished, with a massive rupture, their shield shattered into pieces.

Panic-stricken, Yamato’s users either sliced through Jellypong’s tentacles or dodged them, but the number of tentacles stretching out from Jellypong’s body easily exceeded a hundred.

Avoiding all of them was impossible.

“If it can only withstand 30,000 in cumulative damage, it’s only natural it would break.”

Amid the chaos and screams, this is what Leeha, fighting the Yamato members, last comprehended.

[Legendary Meta-Water Spirit: ‘Jellypong’ (Agility Type)]

Attack Power: (User’s Strength * 50%) + Agility + (Intelligence * 30%)

Type: Close-to-Mid Range

Effect: When accompanying in the area, increases user’s health by 10%.

Requirement: Achievement [The one who Revived Source of the Sea]

Description: A water spirit containing the essence of a sea god, not just any water spirit, but born from the dwelling of a deity, including the essence of a sea god. Whatever the user desires, the Meta-Water Spirit will grant it.

‘My agility right now is through the roof.’

Each of the tentacles stretching from Jellypong inflicted a minimum damage of around 4,300.

A mere 30,000 in cumulative damage wouldn’t even withstand ten strikes from these tentacles.

Considering the number of tentacles and their speed of attack that sprouted from the body of Jellypong?

‘Thinking that a mere barrier could stop Jellypong was wishful thinking.’

“Attack the core! It’s not the tentacles that are the problem!”

“Split that slime’s body![Thrust Pierce]!”

Screeeeech-!

Someone shouted in the midst of chaos, aiming for the body of Jellypong.

‘Agility type’ not being ‘Strength type’, its attack might be high but its health is inevitably low.

[Well, that’s what I am here for.

[Absolute Barrier]]–!

Kaaaaang…!

What awaited Yamato users’ vengeful stabbing was the breaking of their spear tips.

“Uh…what?”

[Mong! Mongmong!]

“Nice, Blaugrunn-ssi!”

Another group from Yamato, Blaugrunn, who was in charge of the center, was observing the state of the little ones to the left and Jellypong to the right, assisting them with spells like buffs and shields.

If previously he felt like a mere warrior performing in battles, now, after journeying with him, he had gained a bit of a ‘commander’s’ perspective.

[It’s difficult if you praise me like this.

[Electric Spark]]

Every time Blaugrunn spread his fingers, a spark along with a small explosion made the hair of Yamato’s members stand on end.

The skill didn’t consume much mana, allowing him to cast it continuously on all visible Yamato members. A skill that barely did any damage nor caused any special [Status Effects]? Plus, the skill’s casting gesture was just a finger flick?

“Ugh?”

“It’s a common belief that a dragon’s magic is weak! Just watch out for physical attacks!”

It was only natural for the people of Yamato to think this way. As he watched the humans charge at him, Blaugrunn sighed deeply.

[How foolish they all are.

[Giga Electric]]

The less damage a skill appears to do, the more caution it warrants.

Especially if such a skill doesn’t trigger any special status ailment notifications.

[[Chain Lightning]]

This likely served as a preparation for a subsequent skill combo.

When the turquoise light entering Blaugrunn’s body burst out explosively, the members of Yamato targeting the central area had already vanished without a trace.

Thirty of their number had ‘fully detonated,’ leaving not even a milky corpse behind. This act, including the exploits of a youngster and Jellypong’s surprise attack, left a lasting impression on several players, including Leeha.

“How can this be?

“A magic attack, not even a breath attack, but simply Chain Lightning?”

[To dismiss it as merely a magic attack. How arrogant, necromancer. But then again, you wouldn’t understand the intricacy of guiding electricity exits and the explosive increase in current flow.]

The explosive magical power displayed by Blaugrunn garnered attention, even from Igor and Faust, overshadowing all other activities by the [Leeha Squad] with its impact.

“…” The reasons why people champion Leeha became somewhat clearer, at least at this moment. Even Lark couldn’t help but remain speechless in the face of Blaugrunn’s power.

Clap, clap, clap…

The time it took for Yamato’s forces, originally over a hundred strong, to decrease to around fifty was incredibly short.

Naturally, they couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Ha ha ha… Yes, that’s Leeha for you. Always keeping things interesting. Summoning Bahamut’s apparition as a distraction? Uncharacteristic of you. Not exactly an insignificant feat to have decapitated Toon’s head with such tactics.”

By then, the illusion of Bahamut had already vanished.

Keeping a distance from Bluebeard while adopting a stance that was both threatening and poised for attack was a futile effort against Lea.

Upon seeing Bluebeard emerge, clapping his hands, Leeha swallowed dryly. The forces of Yamato might be formidable, but not when compared to himself.

However, Bluebeard appeared more imposing than any foe he had encountered before.

“Koma! Jellypong! Come back! Blaugrunn-ssi as well!”

Ultimately, in this battle, the critical issue was how to counter Bluebeard. The foot soldiers were of no consequence.

The tip of Le’s staff no longer touched the ground.

At the staff’s end, directed towards the sky, dark energy sharply surged.

“It’s too trivial to call it revenge for Toon. But, to not avenge would be a blow to my pride. Do you understand what I mean?”

“You’re joking. I’m done with seeing that detestable face. Toon died in the same disgrace.”

Bluebeard’s brow twitched slightly. Despite always cursing Toon, Leeha seemed to faintly understand the depth of Toon’s regard for him.

Leeha lifted Black Bass. Before him stood the kid, Blaugrunn, and Jellypong, all blocking his way. Even with Bluebeard stepping forward, the forces of Yamato did nothing but stare blankly.

Chiyou was thorough, detouring Yamato’s forces to block any possible retreat for Leeha.

Yet, Leeha didn’t pay them any mind.

Unless Chiyou herself made a move, he knew their attacks posed no significant threat.

Nor were they the only concern.

Even Lark and Kijung, positioned far to the left from the [Divine Staff], were preoccupied.

Igor and the Czar Guild alongside Faust and his undead legion posed a threat that was not only numerically superior but also qualitatively unmatched.

The clamor of their struggle, filled with shouts and the casting of skills, filled the air. Leeha glanced around, then fixated his gaze back on Bluebeard.

“How should I face him?”

Huuu-…

Leeha steadied his breathing.

With each step that Bluebeard took closer, the question loomed: Will the attack work?

‘Thinking of hitting with the first shot is greedy. He’ll block it anyway, just like last time… Targeting the disarmament of the weapon is the solution.’

Making Bluebeard’s staff unusable was essential. Bluebeard had never caught one of his bullets ‘by hand’ before. Meaning, without the staff, Bluebeard might be able to dodge but not block the attacks.

But how could he ensure the desired outcome?

Bluebeard was not likely to just stand still.

[Leeha, Bluebeard is approaching.]

[Boom!]

“Could the [Leeha Squad], capable of taking on over a hundred Yamatos, have struggled against Bluebeard?

Even in his dragon form, Blaugrunn was visibly tense.

Facing Bluebeard, whom even Ancient-class dragons would concede a step to, it was natural for Blaugrunn, who was still but a Juvenile-class dragon, to be anxious.

[Leeha?]

Blaugrunn’s call went unanswered.

The trail of Bluebeard, visible between the massive forms of the [Leeha Squad]. How should one confront such a foe?

Leeha knew that the moment to restrain Bluebeard’s movements was when he aimed at him. Hastily pulling the trigger would instantly unravel the taut string of tension, launching him forward like an arrow shot.

“A headbutt from Blaugrunn could buy us one turn. But if we do that… it could be fatal.”

It was the last resort. Neither Blaugrunn’s magic nor his physical prowess alone would suffice to fend off Bluebeard.

Above all, it wasn’t wise to make beings, not players, who are almost akin to NPCs, confront Le directly when they have just one life to live.’So, what’s the next step?

How could we make Bluebeard block with his staff? Leeha took a deep breath. It wasn’t a perfect plan. But the start of every operation begins only once the trigger is pulled.

“Hoaahhh!”

Before the gunshot could echo, Bluebeard had raised his staff. However, his face twisted grotesquely soon after.

Thwack!

The bullet tore through the side of the target.

“Bahhh!”

“Not yet, once more!”

Before the echo of the gunshot faded, Leeha quickly pulled the bolt again. Bluebeard was still glaring at Leeha with a distorted face.

It was because he felt something different about Leeha’s actions.

Pulling the bolt, aiming the front – all was usual up to that point.

But the moment of pulling the trigger? The sudden twist and throw of the Black Bass as if flinging it far away!

“……

‘I’ve seen such an attack before.’”

The gunfire covered the grove of Bluebeard.

From somewhere, another scream burst out.

But the short scream disappeared in an instant, followed by massive confusion.

“Igor! Igor!”

“Everyone, protect Igor! Surround him!”

“It’s, too late! Igor’s already—”

“What? What’s this?”

Leeha didn’t even glance at the site of sudden chaos.

He didn’t need to look to know the outcome through the system notification popping up before him.

[Achievement: Ranker Hunt (B+) – 3rd Place, “Agropni Igor”]

[Effect not applied since the achievement is already acquired.]

“Igor is dead! Virtue Knights, fall back to defend against Faust! Kijung, Lark! You two, hurry to Bluebeard!”

How should one confront Bluebeard? Leeha’s answer was to utilize reinforcements.

“It would have been impossible before.”

Killing Igor to disrupt the balance?

Had Leeha turned even slightly, Bluebeard would have instantly discerned his intent.

Then, he wouldn’t have moved in such a tensely charged state.”

But not now!”

[Beginner’s Curve Shot (B)]