Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

With a resolved expression, Ha Leeha proceeded to climb the mountain with Blaugrunn, focusing on regulating his breathing.

“Let’s just experience what being in an abnormal status means and then head back.”

“Got it.”

With these words, Ha Leeha started climbing the mountain with Blaugrunn. About 50 minutes had passed before Ram Hwajung connected, and during that time, Ha Leeha had to come down the mountain with a shocked expression on his face.

“I-it was a crazy thing to do.”

“We need to find a way to defend against that cold air intake first. Cough!”

“Ugh! Blaugrunn, water!”

Cold air that could make dragons catch a cold. Realizing that it wasn’t naturally occurring, Ha Leeha and Blaugrunn headed towards the location where Ram Hwajung had connected.

“Ram Hwajung! And… Ram Hwayeon, what’s this?”

“Come.”

Ram Hwajung ran up to Ha Leeha with narrow steps and embraced him tightly, but the surroundings were so chaotic that he couldn’t even think it was fortunate that it wasn’t her usual ultra-strong tackle.

“We need a place to use as a headquarters, right? I set everything up here, including Castle Dale’s work, to handle everything here for the time being.”

Using the chain teleportation immediately at the point where the space was opened. In an area slightly away from the lava forest that had been the bonobo Paleos’ dwelling, a small village was under construction.

Ha Leeha could only look at the bewildered Paleos working there with a puzzled expression.

“Pygmy-nim…? Why are you working here? When did Harhei-nim and the gorillas come?”

“Where did you bring such a human female from? Even Koba-nim…”

“I can’t – I can’t take it anymore!”

“Wait! Stop making strange noises and go finish building the fences!”

“Okay.”

A project that involved the labor of the Mystical Creature Harhei, as well as the gorilla paleo? Even the eldest of the bonobo Paleos, Pygmy, followed Ram Hwayeon’s orders, shedding tears.

“I thought you were good at negotiations, but what’s all this about…? Moreover, the location is also quite strategic. The lava forest is quite close to the center of the new continent.”

The small village a bit to the west of there was not far from the Divine Staff either. If desired, it would be suitable for controlling creatures in all directions within the western part of the new continent from this location.

“Since we selected a place where users don’t frequent too much, in the end, there was no other option but a place like this. The risk is quite high, but still, since the bonobo Paleos and the Snake Paleos are nearby, we can flee there if necessary. bonobo Paleos are diurnal, and the snakes are nocturnal, so it’s good to take turns guarding.”

“Uh, I see.”

Even so, summoning the Gorilla Paleos, who were quite far away from here, to work.

“It means that he has a good understanding of the characteristics of the creatures and Paleos… Impressive.”

While watching Ram Hwayeon, Leeha couldn’t help but close his open mouth, feeling the strength as Ram Hwajung pinched his waist firmly.

“I also see it.”

Ram Hwajung was pinching Leeha’s waist with fern-like hands! Seeing her blunt expression, Leeha quickly brought up the main topic.

“Oh, right. I came here to ask a favor from Ram Hwajung.”

“Sure, I’ll do it.”

“Hwajung! You should still hear it, right?”

“Listen or not. It doesn’t matter. So, what do you want me to do?”

Even Ram Hwayeon had to shout at the way Ram Hwajung expressed her willingness to help Leeha, whether he could contribute or not.

In the meantime, Leeha used mana detection, scanned the surroundings, and talked to Ram Hwayeon and Ram Hwajung about a new location.

Who is targeting that place, what is there, and why it needs to be occupied quickly. As the vivid descriptions of Blaughlun were added a few more times, Ram Hwayeon’s expression began to change abruptly.

“… Something formidable will wake up there, just like Toon.”

“The probability is high. I don’t know why Bluebeard isn’t making a move directly.”

“That’s why they called Crowley and Pyro. Well, they may be good at strategy over there. Crowley may be, but Pyro has a habit of scouting ahead.”

Ram Hwayeon sighed in regret, “Oh, by the way, did you find out?”

“Yes, the last sighting on the Old Continent was 12 hours ago, and the current log-in status indicates they are on the New Continent. It was confirmed through someone Pyro befriended, so it should be accurate. By the way, where did you get this information?”

Leeha: White-eyed Spiritualist.

Ram Hwayeon: 10th place? Can we trust that?

Leeha: At least the current information seems true.

Ram Hwayeon didn’t ask for more details, just stared intently into Lee’s eyes as he spoke.

“Hwajung. It’s going to be very dangerous. If by any chance you die, it will be fatal for us too.”

Ram Hwajung’s power constitutes more than 80% of the force of the Hwahong Guild. Especially concerning the penalty of losing levels upon a Ranker’s death, Ram Hwayeon was worried about it, but Ram Hwajung’s determination was firm.

“I’ll do it. Ice Mountain is not that scary. I have cold resistance+.”

“Shh, shh, enough!”

When Ram Hwajung tried to talk about herself, Ram Hwayeon stopped her. After all, wasn’t it information about her own status that could be kept confidential?

In the Middle Earth where even mice should not hear the daytime conversation and birds the nighttime talk, Leeha, who understood this well, did not feel offended by Ram Hwayeon’s attitude. Instead, he was grateful.

“I don’t know how reassuring it will be, but I’m not asking for your help out of nowhere.”

“Huh? Then?”

Leeha smiled as he looked at Blaugrunn. As Blaugrunn gestured, something appeared in the air. The oval-shaped object shimmering in sky blue immediately caught the attention of Ram Hwayeon and Ram Hwajung. Inside the translucent oval, rainbow-like lights flowed subtly.

“Is this… a gem?”

“No, I have one too.”

“Hwajung, you have one too?”

Ram Hwajung nodded and took out the same object from her bag.

“Of course… I thought you would naturally have one. It’s me who has one.”

“W-what is this?”

Ram Hwayeon asked Leeha, looking at the sky-blue gems held by Blaugrunn and Ram Hwajung. Leeha chuckled.

“It’s the frozen egg of an Ice Ostrich. The ones you’ll meet with this—oh, not people? Hmm… Well, since they might get surprised, could you ask them to appear in human form, Blaugrunn?”

“Understood.”

As Blaugrunn disappeared first through spatial teleportation, Ram Hwayeon asked Leeha with wide eyes, “What’s this? Who are you meeting? Not human? Is it safe?”

“Hmm, I’ve only briefly met them once, but it should be safe.”

“What? Who is it?”

Leeha smiled mischievously. Who? There’s only one race worthy of benefiting from using the frozen egg of an Ice Ostrich.

“A Silver Dragon.”

One of the Metallic Dragon clan, a Silver Dragon who controls ice. With two frozen eggs of Ice Ostrich in hand, both Leeha and Ram Hwajung might achieve satisfactory results.

“H-have you met a dragon before, Ram Hwajung?”

“Yes. Several times.”

“Then, as you may already know, without touching on anything that might upset you, since our intimacy level is at 100%, I will tell you everything. So, if you could just stay by my side until-“

Blaugrunn was about to give some instructions to Ram Hwajung before he returned.

Though Ram Hwajung had encountered Dragons before, there weren’t many users who had reached such a familiar relationship as the one they had. The majority considered Dragons as a raid monster that needed to be hunted, and that was no different for Ram Hwajung. However, the degree of difference only set them apart from other users.

“Have you ever been frozen before?”

“-Just listen- Hm? You’ve been frozen?”

“During the Adult Dragon Raid. I didn’t like being frozen.”

Ram Hwajung replied nonchalantly, nodding slightly. To the listener, it felt like a cold breeze was passing through.

‘Not the most eloquent or skilled in conversation, but what can I say… I guess I have to trust Blaugrunn’s and my level of intimacy.’

As a close associate of Bahamut, surely there wouldn’t be any sudden trouble!

Moreover, Blaugrunn would establish a friendly atmosphere before calling them, so there shouldn’t be any real threat, at least according to Ha Leeha’s calculations.

“If anything happens to Hwajung… you’ll know, right?”

“Please worry about me a bit, too.”

Seeing Leeha’s expression, Ram Hwayeon clenched her fist tightly, but Leeha could only force a dry smile.

With just a light joke, hwayeon’s face gradually brightened. Leeha asking her to worry about him? That was a given for Hwayeon.

Shwaaaah-!

As Leeha chuckled at Hwayeon’s expression, Blaugrunn finally returned.

“Lord Arzenmacht has given permission. Shall we go?”

“Hwajung, are you ready?”

Ram Hwajung nodded. As Blaugrunn held their hands, haha suddenly remembered one question he had forgotten to ask.

“Oh! By the way, what about that Silver Dragon, Arzenmacht-“

Shwaaaah…… |!

The three figures disappeared. Hwayeon momentarily showed a hint of unease, but that was all.

“I trust him.”

“What did you say, human female.”

“Eek! I told you to not to sneak on me, Pygmy!? Build the buildings quickly! And make sure the fence is sturdy!”

Flustered, Ram Hwayeon looked away from the sudden close-up of the eldest bonobo paleo. Blaugrunn and Leeha arrived at the place of the Silver Dragon’s Lair after teleporting.

“This is an igloo?”

Leeha remarked.

“Yes,” Blaugrunn replied, “Arzenmacht likes this kind of place.”

From a human perspective, it was a massive ice structure that could be mistaken for a joint mining location.

In the midst of this ice structure, they were being watched by three individuals seated on a large ice table that could only be suitable for dragons or giants.

Leeha recognized him immediately. If Blaugrunn had become an Ancient-level being before his resurrection, he might have felt something similar.

Unlike when Blaugrunn boasted his turquoise-colored hair, Arzenmacht’s hair flowed in a glossy silver, and his handsome face was captivating.

Leeha couldn’t recall ever meeting Arzenmacht in his human form.

“He must have only seen him in his dragon form. His rank seems ambiguous,” Leeha thought to himself.

Although he looked more mature than Blaugrunn from before, he appeared much younger compared to Baliphus. Arzenmacht jumped down from the table without taking his eyes off Leeha and his companions.

“I introduce you to the kin of the Lord, Ha Leeha and one of the most proficient human ice mages, Ram Hwajung.”

“Oh,” Arzenmacht responded.

“I-I’ll go first. My name is Ha Leeha,” Leeha stuttered nervously.

While Leeha was composing himself, Ram Hwajung couldn’t help but gaze intently at Arzenmacht. Arzenmacht reciprocated the look.

Ignoring the greetings, introductions, and Blaugrunn, nyeomart continued to stare at Ram Hwajung.

Not one for formalities, Ram Hwajung tossed a whispered plea in Arzenmacht’s direction.

“At least say hello! Even just a simple nod of acknowledgement! Please!”

Unfazed by such words, nyeomart, who previously had the expression as if to devour Ram Hwajung, suddenly spoke up.

“The temperature.”

“Absolute zero,” Ram Hwajung replied without any fluster.

“I-I’m sorry?”

Leeha tried to interject in his confusion, but Arzenmacht and Ram Hwajung were lost in admiration for each other, nodding in approval or muttering “Oh” in awe.

“The ice.”

“Ice Age,” Ram Hwajung responded casually with a slight nod, observing the Silver Dragon who reciprocated with a hum, hum. Seeing this, Leeha sadly retreated a step.