Despairing Level Difference
The gunshot cracked like thunder.
A bullet steeped in overwhelming demonic energy tore through the air toward Seong Hyun-wook’s sword aura, pulsing with ferocious mana. Lee Hyunseung’s magazine normally held thirty-three rounds. The shot he had just fired had consumed every last one of them.
Of course, that didn’t mean the skill stupidly multiplied the power by thirty-three times. Last Bullet was only a C-rank skill; its damage amplification had always been modest. But the additional effects granted by his Legendary Gunner class had pushed it to roughly double the original power, and that multiplier would only grow as his class level rose.
Even so, it was more than enough to be lethal in this moment.
The bullet screamed forward, an instant away from collision. Watching his sword aura fly and the projectile charge to meet it, Seong Hyun-wook was certain of victory. He roared with triumph.
The explosion that followed was deafening.
“Huh…?”
Seong Hyun-wook could only stare in blank disbelief. The bullet had sliced his sword aura clean in two.
Due to the Legendary Gunner class trait, additional damage has been applied to the firearm.
The bullet that had split the sword energy continued its flight without the slightest sign of deformation. Its speed had slowed, but the round still carried its demonic charge and remained every bit as deadly.
“Shit—!”
Seong Hyun-wook hurriedly gathered mana into his arm, reinforcing his body, then raised it to shield his head from the ominous projectile.
Thud.
“Aaaaaaaaagh—!”
Even with a massive amount of mana concentrated in his arm, the bullet had still driven straight into it. Harsh, ragged breaths tore from Seong Hyun-wook’s throat as insane agony flooded the wound. A sickening sensation like poison spreading outward radiated from the impact site. The metallic stench of blood filled his nostrils.
In the midst of the pain, a single thought burned in his mind: Goddamn it… what the hell is this…?
The Lee Hyunseung that Seong Hyun-wook remembered had been nothing more than a helpless punching bag before his suspension—someone who only ever got beaten in mock battles and practical exams. Back then Hyunseung had been a non-awakened student whose physical ability was average at best, actually worse than average. His only real strength had been his outstanding written-test scores.
Even after awakening, his class had been Gunner. No matter how talented, Gunners could never awaken above Epic rank. And even if someone got lucky and did reach Epic, a basic pistol meant they couldn’t use any proper magic.
I let my guard down… I completely underestimated him…
Seong Hyun-wook had no idea.
He had no idea that Lee Hyunseung was a Legendary-grade Gunner. He had no idea that the pistol in Hyunseung’s hand was an Epic-grade weapon given to him by Jeong Eunseo—one that carried a magic stat.
That was why he had dismissed him. He had believed a mere Gunner would be cut down, beaten, and knocked out without being able to do anything at all.
And now the time had come to pay for that arrogant stupidity.
Hyunseung walked calmly toward the groaning Seong Hyun-wook. He ejected the empty magazine and slapped in a new one.
Click. Clack.
◈ When used, grants the fire attribute to bullets.
◈ Contains special effects.
◈ Special Effect [Transformation]: The magazine and bullets morph to match the equipped firearm.
◈ Contains 33 rounds.
Seeing the swap, Seong Hyun-wook swung his sword desperately with his one good arm.
Whoosh—!
Whooong—!
Hyunseung slipped out of the attack range in the blink of an eye. A cold smile curved his lips as he leveled the barrel.
Click.
The trigger pulled. Gunshots roared.
Bang!
Fwoooosh—!
A flaming bullet slammed into Seong Hyun-wook’s thigh.
“Grrrrrrrrgh…”
The burning pain was excruciating, yet Seong Hyun-wook told himself it was nothing compared to the demonic round from earlier. More than anything, he was conscious of Han Bo-eun watching from the side. He clenched his teeth, refusing to let any shameful groan escape.
“Hmm…”
Hyunseung watched the pathetic display and shook his head.
He took aim again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three consecutive shots tore toward Seong Hyun-wook’s left shoulder, right sole, and right thigh.
Whooooong—!
Seong Hyun-wook tried to shield himself with mana, but it was futile.
Due to the Legendary Gunner class trait, additional damage has been applied to the firearm.
Thud.
The mana barrier shattered like glass. The bullets drove straight into his flesh.
“Aaaaaaaaagh—! It hurts! It hurts, damn it!”
Seong Hyun-wook finally broke. He screamed and frantically rubbed at his body as if he could scrape the flames out from inside his veins. The burning agony must have felt like his blood itself was on fire.
Before long, every part of him except his one good arm was torn and ragged.
“Stop… please… please stop…”
I lifted the head of the collapsed Seong Hyun-wook and whispered into his ear.
I clicked my tongue and kept going.
Grind.
Seong Hyun-wook bared his teeth so hard they looked ready to shatter, glaring at me with pure hatred.
“Haa…”
I let out a long sigh, drew the pistol, and slammed the grip down onto him.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
It wasn’t a gunshot, so no additional damage applied. But Seong Hyun-wook had already exhausted every drop of his mana. Even these strikes landed as solid damage.
Blood began to trickle from his scalp.
“Re…venge… I’ll… get…”
He had lost too much blood. His words came out slurred, yet his eyes still burned with murderous intent.
I pressed the barrel against his face.
“You… you won’t even shoot… Don’t… bluff…”
Blowing his head off right now would be outright murder. Killing was strictly forbidden inside the academy. Even if Seong Hyun-wook had killed me with his sword energy, he would have faced severe punishment. The same rule applied to me. If I killed him here, any thought of revenge would have to wait while I rotted in prison for a very long time.
Still, I kept the gun raised and stared him down.
Click.
The moment my finger touched the trigger, Seong Hyun-wook’s head dropped.
“U… UAAAAAAAAAAH—! Shut uuuuuup—!”
Seong Hyun-wook thrashed like a madman, trying to attack me. His hand never reached.
I smiled thinly.
I raised the pistol high and brought it down on his head again and again.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Thud.
Only after Seong Hyun-wook had completely lost consciousness did I stop.
“S-Seong Hyun-wook… lost…?”
The two male followers who had come with him stared at the scene in utter despair.
A-class lapdogs who clean up Seong Hyun-wook’s shit for him.
I looked at the flinching pair and spoke coldly.