Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Clash with Pattern
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Cooking Day had already anticipated Pattern's raid and given Yuseong a rough explanation. That's how he knew about the abilities of Pattern's spear.
Even then, Yuseong showed no particular agitation.
He simply asked one question.
"Will this interfere with my future gameplay or anything like that?"
"No. No matter how much grudge he holds, guilds avoid clashing directly, so he won't go that far. Even if he tried, his own guildmates in the crib would stop him."
"Then we're good."
Cooking Day was the one surprised by Yuseong's nonchalant response.
He had thought that getting dragged into a dispute right after joining might make him show some displeasure, or at least tense up about upcoming battles.
Yet here Yuseong was, readily nodding when Cooking Day asked if he'd still join for hunting despite the raid risk.
And as if to prove it wasn't bravado, Yuseong was calmly checking his magazine while eyeing the enemies ahead.
"I'll say this upfront: if you butt in and get hurt, I won't take responsibility."
Pattern said, scanning the surroundings.
It was a hunting ground, so other players were around. It made sense they'd complain about the nuisance of PKing in a pricey paid hunting zone, but the nearby players just nodded along.
Even those who didn't know Cooking Day and Pattern personally recognized the guild emblems etched on their armor.
At least here, no one seemed bold enough to protest a squabble between high-level players.
Having thrown out his warning, Pattern wasted no time kicking off the fight.
Both Yuseong and Cooking Day wielded ranged weapons. It gave Pattern, with his melee weapon, the edge to move first.
But he had no intention of just charging in blindly until he closed the gap.
Pattern pulled his right arm back sharply. The spear gripped in reverse bared its fangs.
Whoosh!
His powerfully swung arm launched the spear like a cannon shot. It was the same spear throw he'd used to ambush Yuseong and Cooking Day earlier. The skill-infused weapon gleamed with its signature light.
The spear flew straight between Yuseong and Cooking Day. They leaped to either side.
Boom!
An explosion rocked the ground as the spear embedded itself.
The attack missed, but Pattern casually recalled it without a hint of disappointment. This strike was just meant to split Yuseong and Cooking Day apart.
True to his word about handling Cooking Day himself, Pattern ignored Yuseong entirely and headed straight for him.
That left Yuseong facing the seven mercenaries.
They charged at him in unison.
'Fast. On par with Hers Guild's elites.'
Seven of them? That was a serious threat.
One might think Yuseong, fresh off victory over Hers Guild, could handle it—but absolutely not.
That win had exploited Hers Guild's desperation to preserve their forces at all costs, turning their mounting losses against them in a strategic upset. It sure wasn't Yuseong single-handedly wiping them out with superior skill.
In truth, across countless battles, Yuseong had only won once.
Exaggerating a bit, it was like Hers Guild, sick of tangling with a mad dog, tossing it a hunk of meat to shut it up.
But Yuseong wasn't the same as back then either. He'd leveled up a bit, upgraded his gear.
And he had his trump card.
A ferocious aura closed in, weapons aimed at Yuseong.
"That's the guy who beat Hers Guild! Don't let your guard down!"
One mercenary bellowed. He seemed to be their leader.
"Remember! We don't need to kill him outright! Just stall! The longer he stays alive, the bigger our cut!"
'No intent to kill?'
Not out of pity, of course. Black bread was on the line.
'No, that's a bit...'
Yuseong quickly dismissed the thought— even imagining the stakes felt too steep—and glanced at Pattern.
'Revenge, probably.'
Whether from deeper malice, high-level pride, or just to simplify the fight, Pattern prioritized Cooking Day.
But he couldn't lack ill will toward Yuseong.
Keeping Yuseong alive till the end was likely so Pattern could claim the kill himself.
'Perfect.'
Enemies not fully committed to killing? The fight's difficulty just plummeted.
Yuseong aimed his gun at them.
"Watch your heads! Heads!"
The charging foes hastily shielded their heads with shields. Wary of crits, no doubt. They'd studied his combat style.
'No ranged enemies.'
All seven wielded melee weapons. Past groups always included at least one mage.
'Not their usual party, then?'
He knew mixed parties with ranged classes were far more efficient than all-melee ones. He'd learned that the hard way in prior fights.
If this was their standard setup, they wouldn't have such lopsided class ratios.
'No kill intent, and not a regular party...'
Was it his imagination? These seven rushing him suddenly resembled the ants he'd first encountered not long ago.
Bang bang bang bang!
Flames spat from the barrel. Target: the lead mercenary. Bullets slipped through gaps in his sturdy armor. He zigzagged to throw off aim, but not a single shot missed.
"Shit, what the hell!"
The hit mercenary panicked.
He knew Yuseong's accuracy was legendary, but piercing armor joints this precisely? Unbelievable.
Yuseong, meanwhile, felt serene.
'Hm, a bit easier?'
Thanks to his upgraded dexterity? Aiming felt smoother. But so subtle, he couldn't tell if it was real improvement or just perception.
'Whatever. If it feels good, it is good.'
Yuseong thought with casual ease.
"Now! Crush him!"
"Don't let him reload!"
As the revolver emptied, the mercenaries shouted.
But the one who'd taken the burst reacted differently.
"I'm falling back!"
"What? Why!"
"My HP's critically low!"
"What are you talking about? That couldn't possibly— you've got plenty left...!"
"No, it's really bad!"
"Damn it, chug a potion and get back in!"
Their leader reluctantly approved his retreat and yelled again.
"That guy's reload is insanely fast! Throwers, hurl something! Doesn't matter if you hit—just harass!"
Two mercenaries drew daggers. Ready to disrupt as ordered. Normally, Yuseong would've dashed to reload faster, per their plan.
But not this time.
He opened his inventory. Bullets, potions, rations as always. But one difference.
Yuseong already held two guns. Yet his inventory held more identical silver fangs—fully loaded spares.
No reload needed. He drew a fresh silver fang.
"Huh?"
"That bastard's got a new gun...!"
The mercenaries faltered. Yuseong fired again.
Bang bang bang bang!
A second barrage. This one targeted everyone except the first victim.
"Ugh!"
"What the—?!"
The hit players cried out.
Bullets again exploited armor gaps mercilessly. But that wasn't the issue now.
"My— my legs...!"
"Can't move right!"
They looked down at the struck spots. Yuseong's shots had focused on their legs.
"Frozen?"
"Freeze bullets?"
Staring at the white frost coating their legs, they understood.
"Damn, he's using special ammo!"
"Thaw potions! Anyone got thaw potions?"
The mercenaries scrambled. Those with thaw potions hurriedly applied them to the frozen areas. But supplies were limited.
They'd only carried a couple for emergencies. ?Gathered temporarily for coin, they had zero camaraderie?—no way they'd share with comrades-in-arms-only-by-name. Scratch that—they didn't want to.
If they got frozen too, they'd need it themselves. Why give to others?
"No potions? Focus on defense! At his level, those freeze bullets won't last long!"
The leader shouted again.
He wanted to order those with potions to share, but with zero loyalty, no chance.
He had thaw potions himself but no intention of sharing—even though he hadn't been hit.
Meanwhile, Yuseong drew yet another fresh gun. Loaded to the brim, naturally.
"Again?"
Most mercenaries were either low on HP or mobility-crippled, leaving only the leader and one other near Yuseong.
'Damn!'
Truth be told, the leader was scared.
Yuseong had escaped the low-level bracket and etched his name across Arc's players.
That's why he knew.
This guy was a monster.
Even with higher levels, the leader wanted no part of a 1v1.
But with six peers of similar skill, plus Pattern's promised pay? Winnable.
Now, though, he realized he'd miscalculated.
'Special ammo!'
Guns: Arc's most reviled trash weapons. Yet their top damage and range were undeniable edges over others.
Yuseong exploited them fully, proving the hate stemmed from players' shortcomings.
But guns had more strengths.
The special ammo Yuseong now unleashed.
Unlike other weapons requiring swaps or pricey multi-effect gear for abilities, guns used swappable special bullets for versatility.
The freeze ammo crippling their mobility? Exhibit A.
'And that first burst was enhanced rounds.'
That's why the tankiest upfront guy's HP had melted so fast.
'Damn, should've guessed when I saw Cooking Day nearby!'
Cooking Day: Arc's top alchemist. He must've supplied the special ammo.
Were those two types all Yuseong had? Or a full arsenal?
The gun barrel trained on him felt ominously ominous to the leader.