Darkness (3)
I strapped the Hoseung Rifle, imbued with Midas' Hand, to my lower back. I also holstered the revolver.
I loaded the handmade bullets into each chamber.
Click—!
Two rifle rounds engraved with mana seals, three revolver rounds. One grenade made with the latest techniques.
Nothing else was needed. In actual combat, even reloading would be a luxury.
I checked my watch.
It was just before four in the morning, the dead of night. The blizzard-whipped world beyond the window was still pitch black...?
Suddenly, my brow furrowed. It was due to the unnatural shadow near the curtains.
I drew back the curtains with Telekinesis.
Swish—!
I stared quietly out the window frame.
A short, incredulous laugh escaped me. It was absurd.
Snore... snore.
There was a Snow General.
A child leaning against the window, completely buried in snow, fast asleep.
I approached the kid slowly.
"......"
I scanned the face turned into a snowman.
A small face, frozen hair, eyes, nose, and mouth. No idea where from the southern islands it came, a child whose name I couldn't even recall.
"......You resemble him."
But I had a rough idea of this kid's origin. It was that guy's Easter egg, in his own way.
Adding an NPC that looks like yourself is pretty common in this industry.
......
Then the child stirred. As if sensing my gaze, frozen eyelids cracked open. My face reflected in the sleepy pupils.
The kid clamped their lips shut. Their chin trembled. Choking back resentment, they said.
......My gun.
I drew the curtains.
Thud thud thud— thud thud thud—
The one outside started knocking on the window again.
Thud thud thud— thud thud thud—
Give me back my gun— bad person—
Outside the Recor Dak walls, in the forest of demonic energy.
"......Wow."
Lia held up a small piece of paper to the mana light.
Proof of authenticity impossible to forge was everywhere. Even the endlessly repeating 'numbers' were undoubtedly real.
How many chocolates? How many macarons?
She was so thrilled she spun around like a ballerina.
10,000,000∃
"Hahaha......"
Of course, she'd lost the Hoseung Rifle—no, forced a sale—but it was no loss. If anything, it was a relief Deculein took it.
No matter how treasured, without demand, value crashes. A niche treasure like the Hoseung Rifle wouldn't normally fetch this price...
"Hehehe."
Lia sealed the check with mana and pocketed it. Then she dashed after Deculein, who had gotten ahead.
Strapped to his back as he strode forward: the Hoseung Rifle.
In truth, this great tiger hunt was a must-clear for players. Massive rewards awaited.
That's why she'd sought out Deculein on purpose.
"......"
Lia glanced sidelong at Deculein as she trotted along.
A face that screamed picky at first sight. Cold as ice, sharp as a blade. A cold-blooded man who could slice someone with a single word.
Resembled Kim Woojin, but a completely different person... no, a named one.
Maybe she wanted to confirm his face up close.
"Shh."
Then Deculein raised a hand. Lia startled to a halt.
Grrrrrrrrr—!
A great tiger's roar echoed from somewhere. Almost simultaneously, Mokgangcheol surged toward it.
Lia asked cautiously.
"Um, is it really okay not to tell headquarters...?"
Deculein was pursuing alone now. No word to anyone, no call for backup.
It made her uneasy. Deculein was stronger than in the original scenario, sure, but not the type to charge solo into the tiger's den.
"......"
Suddenly, Deculein looked down at her. A gaze sharp enough to kill.
"......Y-yes."
Lia answered quickly and sealed her lips.
Then Deculein spoke.
"The great tiger's range exceeds 10 km."
"......Huh?"
"Certain aspects of Telekinesis specialize in marksmanship. It maintains trajectory stability and amplifies power."
Apply Telekinesis to the bullet at the moment of firing. The powder explosion and telekinetic force amplify each other.
The synergy yields speed surpassing sound. Thus, the bullet will inevitably strike the tiger.
"If position is confirmed, preemptive strike becomes unavoidable."
"......"
Lia nodded. It was a solid plan.
If they could kill the great tiger in one shot.
"......Can one bullet kill a great tiger?"
"Five shots, fired in succession."
"Ah......"
Lia was convinced.
Deculein belatedly climbed the mountain. Searching for a sniping vantage, no doubt.
Then.
"Professor~"
A voice from atop a massive demonic tree. Lia and Deculein looked up.
As expected, Ganesha.
"So glad to see you~ How long's it been?"
She flapped her hair at Deculein. He replied curtly.
"Where is the half-demon?"
"Hid 'em. Etcha~"
Ganesha leaped to the ground. Lia sidled up beside her.
"Great tiger hunt. We'll help."
"Unnecessary."
"......Even if I go all out, victory's not guaranteed. You can't do it alone~"
Deculein said nothing. He just stared at Ganesha.
"You provide cover fire. I handle combat. Perfect, right~?"
Ganesha asked back. Deculein remained silent.
Wind blew between them.
Lia swallowed hard.
"......"
Suddenly, Deculein looked at her. Lia met his eyes with a smile.
"This one too?"
"Of course. Lia's got such outstanding talent~ She'll surpass me soon~"
......Meanwhile, Julie in Recor Dak received shocking news right after morning training.
Deculein's assistant professor Allen had been attacked by a great tiger.
"Is that true?!"
"Yes! It is!"
Ray Lily spoke urgently. Her face was full of shock and dismay.
"Assistant Professor Allen got mauled by a tiger! They found bloodied robe scraps!"
Julie grabbed her sword at once. Tied her hair. Buckled her leather armor.
The moment she reached the wall, she spotted Syrio and Ihelm. The two were talking awkwardly with scouts.
Above all, Julie eyed Ihelm's grasp.
A shredded, blood-soaked robe scrap.
"......Seems like that guy's."
Ihelm said, brushing back his hair. Julie rushed to them.
"Sir Ihelm. Sir Syrio. What happened."
"You're here."
Ihelm clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
"Looks like Deculein's assistant got eaten by a tiger."
Ihelm stored the robe in a mana pouch.
If truly mauled by a great tiger, survival was unlikely. So preserving relics for Deculein's return was proper.
"Where did Professor Deculein go?"
"......"
"......Uh, that is."
Ihelm clammed up awkwardly, and Syrio scratched his neck.
"He must've been furious. Bolted out at dawn without a word."
Ihelm chimed in.
"Didn't expect that from him. Went with no prep. His horse is still here."
Julie immediately told the gatekeeper.
"Open the wall!"
"......Pardon? Oh—"
"Hurry!"
The gatekeeper nodded hesitantly and opened the gate.
Rumble—
As gears turned, Syrio told Ihelm.
"Helmet. Watch his assistant friends. Mages are just targets out there anyway......"
"Don't call me Helmet. Don't worry about them. Go."
Ihelm wrinkled his nose, and Syrio chuckled softly.
"Yeah. Be back."
Syrio tied his long hair tight. Secured his armor and boot laces. Julie stamped impatiently as the gate opened.
Hey! What's going on!
Professor Deculein went out alone?!
Other knights appeared behind. Julie and Syrio shot out the moment the gap widened.
Naturally, the knights swarmed Ihelm.
"Sir Ihelm. What happened?"
"Professor Deculein lost it? Why?"
"......Knights sure love gossip."
Ihelm frowned, hiding Allen's robe scrap.
"You'd just hinder anyway. Stay put."
"What?"
"Hey Ihelm. Forgot imperial palace days?"
Palace knights glared and pressed, but Ihelm ignored them easily.
But recalling Deculein's assistant from last night, he sighed deeply.
Always smiling brightly.
"......Sigh."
Ihelm thought of Deculein bolting upon finding his assistant's trace. Imagined his feelings.
"Thought he was all ice."
That Deculein lost composure. Enraged beyond reason.
Well, years together—not surprising.
"......You are human after all."
Ihelm murmured gazing beyond the wall. Losing a disciple was a familiar sorrow.
"Tch."
Ihelm turned, clutching the precious relic in his robe—not quite yet, but soon to be.
"Hey! Is it true Professor Deculein went alone?!"
Knights questioned as he entered the barracks, but he didn't answer.
Basic mage courtesy.
Thick darkness in the untamed lands. Deculein stood on a rocky plain, suit coat billowing.
Using Mokgangcheol to pinpoint the great tiger.
Maintaining safe distance. Even a great tiger needs at least three seconds from 10 km—but bullets are far faster.
Click—
Lia opened a lunchbox lid. Ganesha and Leo tracked the tiger; she guarded Deculein.
"Professor. Eat?"
Deculein turned silently to her.
His gaze always startled her.
Not just chilling, but too much like Kim Woojin.
"Sorry. I'm the type who can't function without food......"
Healthy Eating Habits trait. Empty stomach degrades all physical stats except mana—but full stomach boosts up to 1.5x.
Three square meals negate penalties, so she learned it first from the trait catalog.
Click—!
Then, the sound of a hammer cocking. Lia jumped up mid-bite.
"......"
She watched Deculein wordlessly.
Dark horizon shrouded in blizzard clouds. Muzzle aimed at some distant point beyond.
Deculein hooked his finger on the trigger. A gentle wind blew; Lia swallowed.
"Tell Ganesha. Preemptive strike."
"See the great tiger?"
"I see it. Crouched in brush, wary of Ganesha."
"Got it. I'll relay."
Lia pulled out the crystal orb. Ganesha replied instantly.
—Heard. We see it too. Great tiger's watching us.
"Yes. Professor. You heard?"
Deculein nodded. His finger settled on the trigger.
The moment he began the sniping preemptive—
"......!"
Deculein's eyes widened. Tension and killing intent filled the air.
He pulled the trigger at once.
Boom—! Boom—!
Bullets fired without warning. Two shockwaves shaking heaven and earth. Abrupt whistling through the air.
"Ah!"
Simultaneously, the great tiger's massive body leaped after the bullets' path.
Ambushing from far below, it surged, covering 10 km in a flash.
An instant.
Deculein discarded the rifle, drew the revolver. Gripped and fired three rounds.
Bang—!
Rifle bullets hit the tiger's shoulder; revolver grazed eye and brow.
But the tiger was nearly upon them. Mana-fueled charge like lightning.
It gaped its maw; Lia rushed to shove Deculein aside, taking the hit.
Faithful to duty—
"......"
A smile curled Deculein's lips.
Lia stared blankly. Time seemed to slow; he taunted the tiger with his expression.
Thought I wouldn't know—?
The great tiger's face twisted in realization. Mid-lunge at Deculein, it veered to Lia.
Unavoidable for Lia closing in.
But now Deculein moved.
"Hm."
Even now, he was composed.
With a low grunt, he thrust his arm into the tiger's maw instead of Lia.
Crunch—!
The great tiger bit Deculein's arm. A clinking pin dropped inside its mouth.
"......"
—Up to here, probably just one second.
Lia gazed at Deculein shielding her. No—not shielding.
Simply...
"I fed a grenade into your maw. Brace yourself."
He planned this from the start.