One-Sided Battle: The Gunner
The term "Gunner." What did that word truly mean? It referred to [one who wields a gun and commands magic]. That was the root definition of a Gunner. So why was this title given to a gunman whose Magic Power stat wasn't even unlocked at the basic level? The answer was simple.
A gunner could not pierce any form of mana or monster without magic. Every living creature in Broad Academy Online used their own mana to defend or reinforce their bodies. Against opponents who could layer on various defensive spells with that mana, modern firearms were naturally powerless. Therefore, a gunner had to use magic to strengthen their pathetic pistol.
Of course, thanks to the additional damage passive of my Legendary-grade Gunner class, I could penetrate barriers without magic. Magic wasn't strictly essential for me. Still, utilizing it allowed for an even higher level of combat ability.
When equipped with a pistol that possessed a Magic Power stat, a Gunner gained the ability to wield mana. Like the portable pistol I was holding right now, for example.
◈ A plain pistol with no distinguishing features.
◈ Loaded with 15 rounds.
◈ Increases Magic Power by 3.
Firearm weapons generally only gained a Magic Power stat starting at Epic grade. And even then, not every Epic item had it, so the mere presence of that stat sent prices through the roof. For a Gunner, Magic Power was indispensable, and the most efficient way to secure it was through a pistol’s additional effects.
Expensive as they were, the results spoke for themselves. Even if the Magic Power value was low.
You have equipped the Epic Shabby Pistol.
The weapon’s additional effect has unlocked the Magic Power stat.
The newly unlocked Magic Power stat has risen from 0 to 3.
- Ding!
Previously sealed spells are now available for use.
Job-exclusive skills have been unlocked.
“Uwaaaaaaaaah—!”
Seong Hyunwook came charging from a distance, face twisted with excitement. I quickly pulled up my status window to check my current condition.
‘The stat points I saved after completing the Blacksmith achievement…’
I thought for only a moment before dumping all three points into Agility.
3 stat points have been allocated to Agility.
Agility has increased from 5 to 8.
“Good.”
By then Seong Hyunwook had closed in. He brought his sword down in a savage overhead strike.
“Die—!”
Even though this was supposed to be a simple one-on-one spar, the way he charged as if he genuinely meant to split my skull open looked threatening to anyone watching. If I still couldn’t use magic, even I might have struggled to shake off a close-range swordsman. The physical gap between a ranged Gunner and a swordsman was simply too large, regardless of class rank.
But not anymore.
With my Magic Power now at 3, I used the mana I had gained to activate a skill instantly.
[C] Gunner’s Agile Steps
Temporarily increases movement speed while a firearm is equipped. The amount of increase is affected by class grade and class level.
A vortex of mana spun violently around my feet. Just as I thought. It’s only a C-rank skill, but the Legendary-grade correction makes it fast enough to be useful.
Seong Hyunwook had already reached me. His sword slashed down with a scream.
“Uwaaaaaagh—!”
But the blade never touched me. I had simply twisted my body to the side. His sword slammed into the ground.
-BOOM!
He yanked it free and swung again. And again. And again. His swordplay was frighteningly clean—systematic, precise, without a single opening. So this is what a swordsman is like. He only awakened recently, yet he’s already this good.
The elite mages ranked S-class at Broad Academy, followed closely by swordsmen. I was finally feeling on my own body why those two classes were held in such high regard.
Then one deep strike came in.
I didn’t miss the chance. I focused mana into my hand, slipped inside the arc of his blade, and drove my right fist hard into his ribs.
-CRACK!
“Kuhk—!”
“Cough—! Cough—!”
Seong Hyunwook staggered back, coughing violently. He clearly hadn’t expected a counter.
“You… you’re using mana. That weapon isn’t ordinary, is it?”
The pistol still looked like a plain starter gun. In truth, it was the Epic-grade weapon I had taken from Jeong Eunseo. When I shrugged, he glared and shouted.
“You cowardly bastard—! You tricked me into lowering my guard!”
He charged again. Thanks to Gunner’s Agile Steps, I dodged effortlessly and this time swept his legs out from under him.
-THUD!
Seong Hyunwook planted his face into the dirt in the most ridiculous way possible. He scrambled up, furious.
“Goddammit—! Stop running and fight me properly! Are you scared now, you coward?!”
I looked at him with an expression of pure disbelief.
“What?” I said coldly. “You’re holding a sword and telling a Gunner not to run away but to fight you fairly? Are you actually stupid? Or do you just not think before you speak?”
I raised the pistol and aimed it straight at him. The distance between us was widening. Even up close he couldn’t even graze my collar. Seong Hyunwook’s face twisted with anxiety and frustration. On the other hand, I was perfectly relaxed.
My Magic Power was still low, so I couldn’t use high-tier spells yet. But while Gunners had many demerits, their skills received massive bonuses based on class grade and level. Even low-rank skills performed exceptionally well. The mana-to-efficiency ratio was excellent.
That was why an Epic-grade swordsman like Seong Hyunwook was being toyed with so helplessly. Gunners are better than I expected… Is this the power of Legendary grade?
This was the first time I had used Gunner-exclusive skills in actual combat since possessing this body. Yet I could already feel how absurdly strong the Legendary correction was making them. The fact that I could toy with a swordsman’s movements with only 8 Agility was, by any common sense, impossible.
“Kuhk… damn it…”
Seong Hyunwook glanced at Han Bo-eun beside him. She was staring at me with her mouth wide open, completely stunned.
Grind.
Seeing her reaction, Seong Hyunwook lost his mind. He began pouring mana into his sword. The atmosphere around him changed completely. The spectators nearby started screaming.
“Hey! Seong Hyunwook! Are you crazy?! Using that kind of magic in a one-on-one spar will actually kill him! How are you going to take responsibility?!”
His friends, who had only come to watch, realized the situation was turning deadly. Seong Hyunwook was preparing to use sword energy.
“S-stop! Hey—! Someone call for help! He might really die! Dammit… we shouldn’t have come here.”
Everyone was already convinced I was going to die. They were panicking. Seong Hyunwook ignored them all, grinding his teeth as he gathered mana like a madman.
“Stop…? After this humiliation? With Han Bo-eun watching? You want me to stop after you gave me this kind of disgrace?”
A blue aura now clung to his blade. His voice shook with rage.
“This is your fault… you know that, right? It’s all because of you that it came to this.”
“So even if you really die, don’t blame me.”
He roared and unleashed the sword energy.
“Uwaaaaaaaaah—!”
[B] Crescent Sword
Uses mana to fire sword energy that slices through everything in its path. Power scales with the sword class grade and level.
A blue arc of sword energy tore through the air with a terrifying howl.
I stood still, watching the incoming blade of mana. I smoothly swapped the magazine.
-Click.
-Snap.
◈ Bullets become imbued with demonic energy.
◈ Demonic energy deals additional damage on contact with mana.
◈ Special Effect [Transformation]: The magazine and bullets morph to fit the equipped firearm.
I activated the next skill.
[C] Last Bullet
Consumes every round remaining in the current magazine to fire one extremely powerful shot.
The moment Seong Hyunwook screamed “Die—!!” while the sword energy flew toward me—
-Clack.
-BANG!
A bullet wrapped in overwhelming demonic energy tore through the air toward the incoming crescent slash.