Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: One Shot, One Kill
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Bang!
A single gunshot rang out, and the charging Giant Sewer Rat collapsed.
Bang!
Another shot echoed, felling the distant Blue-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat.
Bang!
Yet another gunshot boomed, dropping one more Giant Sewer Rat.
It was pure one-shot, one-kill. Yuseong swept through the field like it was unclaimed territory.
Naltorri watched from a short distance away, staring in stunned silence. An indescribable expression played across his face.
[You gotta aim properly with the gun! That's not how you shoot! lololol]
[He's wrinkling up like a larva in front of its predator—art right there?]
[Why don't you chatter about how you're feeling right now with that loose mouth of yours?]
"Argh, shut up!"
Naltorri finally burst out yelling. But no one in chat stopped. If anything, his frustration only amused them more, flooding the chat with nonstop "lololol"s that updated relentlessly.
"Fine, I admit it! I was an idiot! A total moron!"
In the end, he wailed like a sinner confessing his crimes.
[Quick admission appreciated.]
[From black bread to guns, Naltorri's on a losing streak today lol.]
[What? Guns are awesome! One-shotting every monster!]
"Ah, no, guns aren't great at all. That's just Yuseong here being insanely skilled. Look at how he didn't miss a single shot on small, fast targets like Giant Sewer Rats—that alone shows his marksmanship is no joke. But check where the bullets hit. Right in the center of the foreheads, every one."
Just as Naltorri said, every fallen Giant Sewer Rat had a hole dead center in its forehead.
"For anyone who might not know, like in most games, the head counts as a vital spot on monsters, so damage doubles. Critical hit, right? Yuseong's shots all pierced right between the eyes, so every one was a critical. Guns already have high damage, so even a non-vital hit would one-shot anything short of a Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat. But with crits? No chance."
[Whoa, even trash weapons can shine if you use 'em right.]
[It's all about skill, huh.]
"But man, his skills are seriously impressive."
Naltorri now watched Yuseong's fights almost like a spectator. No wild movements, no fierce battle cries. He moved like a machine programmed for perfection.
Yet that very scene proved just how overwhelming Yuseong's skills were.
Especially the final fight—it was a masterpiece.
Where had it come from? A Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat's distinctive red eyes gleamed.
Sure, Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rats were the strongest of their kind in this area, but it wasn't anything to worry about. Naltorri could handle one easily himself.
Yuseong went without saying. In fact, he'd already taken down a Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat earlier.
The problem was that it had spawned too close to Yuseong—maybe hidden by the nearby bushes blocking his view—and there were three of them.
[Whoa, three red rats at once?]
[Don't those rarely spawn?]
"Yeah, it's rare to see three grouped up like that."
[But aren't they way too close to that guy?]
"Huh?"
Ark's monsters were aggro-first by default, though their detection ranges varied. This beginner hunting ground had narrow ranges overall.
Even so, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat, top monster of the area, had a wider one. And they were close enough to definitely detect Yuseong.
"Danger!"
No matter how skilled Yuseong was, three Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rats at point-blank range were risky for someone who had to shoot, then reload each time.
But Naltorri wasn't too worried. They were threatening, sure, but running would get him out of aggro range easily.
He couldn't help jolting in shock, though, when Yuseong raised his gun.
'He's gonna fight?'
Had all those easy wins gone to his head?
The foolishness annoyed him, but he couldn't just stand there.
Naltorri rushed to help Yuseong, but having turned into a mere spectator, he was too far away. It was a fatal distance.
The thought that he wouldn't make it in time flashed through Naltorri's mind just as Yuseong moved.
Bang!
Flames spat from the barrel. One Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat crumpled. But two remained.
Screeech!
Skree! Szzzzt!
They charged at Yuseong. At this range, they'd be on him in seconds.
Yet Yuseong stayed calm. He ejected the spent casing and slid in a fresh round. His motions flowed like water, worthy of admiration.
Clack!
The loaded barrel gleamed again. But the rats were already nearly upon him.
Thud!
The two leaped at Yuseong. His barrel sighted one right between the eyes.
Bang!
Screeeeech!
The hit rat flew backward.
Number two.
But the last one was right in his face. No bullets left. The Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat gaped its jaws wide, jagged incisors aimed at Yuseong's neck.
In an instant, Yuseong leaned his upper body back. The rat sailed over him, teeth clacking harmlessly. Yuseong's eyes caught the glimpse of its underbelly blotting out the sky.
Clack!
Even as it passed, he'd finished reloading and aimed the barrel at its belly.
Bang!
-Screeech!
The Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat hit the ground and rolled. But it wasn't a vital hit like before—no instant kill.
Yuseong stretched one hand back to brace the ground, using the momentum to right himself. The barrel hung open, empty casing visible. Calmly, he loaded a new one.
Clack!
The moment the barrel shut, the rat struggled upright.
-Screech!
It lunged at Yuseong again.
But Yuseong's trigger finger was faster.
Bang!
The final Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat fell. Yuseong reloaded once more and turned away, as if it had been no big deal.
A short distance off, Naltorri—who'd been rushing to save him—had frozen in place. His gaping mouth and wide eyes made him look utterly dumbstruck.
But given what he'd just witnessed, it was the natural reaction.
The chat floating before him lay silent, shocked into stillness.
"...Insane."
Naltorri muttered without thinking. His words ignited the fuse, and chat exploded.
* * *
"That was so much fun today!"
Naltorri shook hands with Yuseong. Excitement from witnessing his skills still lingered, leaving his voice a bit upbeat.
Of course, Yuseong wasn't at Ark's absolute top level. True high-level players pulled off superpower action blockbuster feats effortlessly.
But you had to consider Yuseong's level right now.
Naltorri knew it was ridiculously low—like someone who'd just started. Yet his movements surpassed that by several levels. That meant Yuseong's raw physicality was exceptional.
'He might even match the current top players.'
Those streamers with massive subscribers and viewers, celebrities with global fame—or beyond. Today, Naltorri had glimpsed that in Yuseong.
His viewers seemed to agree.
[Eye-candy today for real.]
[Legit the best movement at that level right now?]
[Thought Naltorri was skilled, but can't compare to the 'real deal.']
[Don't compare him to others.]
[What's wrong with it? Not naming other streamers.]
[But seriously, is that guy gonna start streaming?]
Chat stirred at the comparisons between Yuseong and Naltorri.
Naltorri had expected it, but it still left a bitter taste. He busted his ass with content and ideas to draw viewers, while true talents pulled them in effortlessly with skill alone.
But Naltorri swallowed the feeling familiarly. He'd never aimed to be the best, and he'd felt this jealousy plenty of times before.
'Time to use it instead.'
"Alright, calm down everyone. Fights or insults mean instant kick. No mentioning other streamers, obviously. And no comparisons. Reason's a secret. But definitely not 'cause it hurts my feelings~."
Chat filled with "lololol"s and "petty" jabs. But the commotion settled for sure. It showed Naltorri had real streamer chops.
"So, Yuseong, wanna hunt together tomorrow maybe?"
He wanted to stick with him longer, boost viewers more.
"...Can't promise. My logins are irregular."
"Ah, got it."
Naltorri hid his disappointment. But it paled next to Yuseong's near-despair.
'If only power wasn't an issue...'
Even now, checking the time, it was getting risky.
"Then let's meet again sometime. Oh, can I add you as a friend?"
"Sure, whatever...."
Friends? The concept barely registered—Yuseong only vaguely knew it. Adding one with an NPC felt ridiculous. But per the strategy guide's advice, he accepted Naltorri's offer, though reluctantly.
"You know how to add friends?"
"Yeah."
The guide had taught him. They friended each other.
Yuseong's friend list popped up with its sole name. He felt nothing.
Then the system chime plunged his mood further.
[The battery connected to your current device has dropped to 5% or below. Please recharge.]
"...Guess I gotta log out now."
"Ah, alright? See you then. Good work."
"Good work."
Yuseong vanished before Naltorri. He decided to end his stream there too.
"I'll wrap up today's broadcast here. I'll follow up with chit-chat right after, so hang tight. Honestly, we've got tons to talk about today."
Affirming chats poured in.
'Alright, this vibe should keep a good crowd.'
"See you all soon!"
Naltorri ended the stream and logged out.
* * *
Emerging from the Virtual Reality Device, Naltorri headed to the fridge for a glass of water. The cool bottled water spread a refreshing chill through him.
He grabbed his smartphone, opened the delivery app, and ordered chicken from his usual spot. Then he sat at his computer to prep the next stream.
Viewers trickled in as it started. Fewer than during gaming, but plenty satisfying.
He grinned and waved.
"Thanks for waiting, everyone! Time for Naltorri's chit-chat stream!"
It was his routine after gaming. Unless it was too late, he always stuck to it.
The chit-chat covered that day's gameplay.
Topics varied: his own plays, quests, scenery, food.
Without big events, it could drag. On those days, Naltorri racked his brain, forcing his sluggish tongue into lively banter to hold interest.
Not today, though.
Since starting Ark, no day had overflowed with hot topics like this.
All thanks to one person.
"Most of you watched, but today I streamed with that 'Black Bread Killer of Blue Meadow Village,' Yuseong. Honestly, I just went to ask why he ate so much black bread, and boom—total unexpected show."
[For real.]
[First time seeing anyone gun like that.]
[Not just the shooting—his whole movement was different.]
[Handling three red rats at once? Straight art.]
Chats rolled in. Slower with fewer viewers, but faster than usual.
"Right? I was shocked. With skills like that, he'll climb fast, I bet."
[Wonder if top players' low-level days were like this. Especially gunners.]
"Hmm, I see it differently. Remember when I gave Yuseong advice earlier? Chat roasted me hard."
[Argh, still hilarious lololol.]
Laughter flooded again. But unlike his goofy admission before, Naltorri's face turned serious.
"Honestly, I wasn't wrong. No takebacks—hear me out. I study high-level players' vids religiously, including gunners. Watched some of their low-level stuff, and they all played just like I said: gripping tight with both hands, hunting cautiously. Not sweeping like Yuseong's movie-stunt style. They leveled up, built stats, then formed their current styles."
[Even the dual-pistol sprayer?]
"Yeah, I know who you mean. But even they gripped with both hands super carefully at low levels. Not like today's Yuseong. Only after leveling and stats did they hit that groove."