The Power of the Legendary Gunner
Gu Dayoon stood before Jeong Eunseo and spoke.
“What? Are you alone? Where’s that guy you were always hanging around with?”
Jeong Eunseo answered cautiously, “That’s none of your concern. And isn’t it rude to speak so casually to someone you’ve just met?”
“Hmm… We’re in the same class, so there’s no need to be that sensitive. Besides, I’m older than you, aren’t I?”
Jeong Eunseo pretended not to hear Gu Dayoon’s remark and asked a question of her own. “Weren’t you looking for Lee Hyunseung earlier? I need to know your reason before I say anything else.”
When Jeong Eunseo glared at her, Gu Dayoon grinned and replied, “Hmm… because I’m interested in him?”
From a distance, Lee Hyunseung—who had been aiming his pistol—stared at her in utter disbelief. ‘Interested in me?’
Gu Dayoon belonged to Broad Academy’s F-class. With her striking looks and fearless personality, she was popular with both the girls and boys around her. She could have advanced to A-class whenever she wanted, but she found the additional magic studies and extra coursework that came with it too much of a hassle. So she deliberately remained in F-class, where the academic burden was minimal.
Even inside the game Broad Academy Online, her hidden trait was not widely known. In the original story, Gu Dayoon had been a MacGuffin character.
A MacGuffin. The term refers to an object or character that appears incredibly important but ultimately serves no real purpose. Think of a horror movie that spends dozens of seconds in close-up on a particular door, or a supporting character who drops a random death flag only to exit the story without dying or contributing anything meaningful. Something that pretends something big is about to happen but has no actual connection to the main events—that is a MacGuffin.
Gu Dayoon was Broad Academy Online’s MacGuffin. In the early parts of the story she was often described as possessing an absurdly powerful special ability, yet by the time the game reached its ending she had barely played any role at all.
‘Why the hell is she interested in me?’
In the original storyline, Gu Dayoon would have dismissed an annoying event like this and refused to participate. Yet here she was, not only joining the Class Annihilation Match but openly declaring her interest. It was almost impossible to understand.
Jeong Eunseo’s cheeks flushed as she shot back, “W-what are you even saying?! Interested? When did you even see Hyunseung to claim you’re interested or not? Don’t you know how incredibly rude that is?!”
When Jeong Eunseo spoke in a panic, Gu Dayoon let out a small laugh. “Kid. When I say I’m interested, I don’t mean romantically. I’m interested in his profession.”
“K-kid? Are you insane? Just because there’s an age gap doesn’t give you the right to call someone a kid…!”
“Hmm… If you heard my real age, even a brat would be shocked.”
Only then did Jeong Eunseo realize she had been completely led by Gu Dayoon’s pace. She regained her usual calm composure and began to respond properly.
“Stop joking. I’m not in the mood for games. Speak clearly. Are you saying you want to form an alliance with Hyunseung?”
“Hmm…”
Gu Dayoon thought for a moment before answering. “Well, it’s obvious Lee Hyunseung is hiding somewhere nearby. Since it looks like he’s listening, come out if you’re interested. I can strengthen other people’s abilities. It’ll be quite helpful if we move together, don’t you think?”
She thought to herself, ‘My ability isn’t limited to strengthening others. I can also see their ranks. There’s no need to mention that part, though.’
The class rank she had seen on Lee Hyunseung was that of a Legendary simultaneous awakener. In her entire life she had never witnessed such an absurd grade.
‘A monster… If I team up with him, I might finally achieve the goal I had to abandon.’
The goal she had given up on after slamming into the wall of reality. If she worked with Lee Hyunseung, the Legendary simultaneous awakener, she might actually be able to reach it.
With that single thought in mind, she had waited until he was in a difficult position. After all, negotiations were always best conducted when the other party was at a disadvantage.
“Well, you don’t have to believe me. But Lee Hyunseung—if you’re listening, please don’t misunderstand. I’m on your side. You’re aware that many of Yoo Heeyeon’s lackeys have entered this place, right? If we help you, it will greatly increase your chances of winning.”
Gu Dayoon had brought five people with her. Lee Hyunseung, who had been watching from afar, fired his pistol and instantly returned to his original position.
BANG!
In the blink of an eye, Lee Hyunseung and Kim Yuri stood before Gu Dayoon. She clapped her hands together.
“Wow… You can do something like that with a gun? External weapons aren’t supposed to be allowed inside, so did you craft that yourself?”
“You don’t need to know that. You said you wanted to talk about an alliance? What are your conditions?”
“I’ll help you. In return, you help me once later. Of course, I don’t mean right here.”
“....”
Lee Hyunseung pondered for a moment. Just once? Well, I need to win here anyway if I want to face that bitch Yoo Heeyeon’s class.
He looked at Gu Dayoon. Moreover, if her hidden ability really is enhancement, the synergy with me would be incredible.
Having reached that conclusion, Lee Hyunseung nodded and extended his hand.
“I promise. If I win here, I’ll help you once.”
While the two of them were exchanging words—
“W-wait! L-look over there!”
Kim Yuri shouted urgently. When they followed the direction she was pointing, they saw an enormous flame orb flickering in the distance. The sphere of fire swayed back and forth in the wind, looking as though it could be launched at any second.
“What on earth is that?” Kim Yuri asked.
Jeong Eunseo ground her teeth. “Large-scale magic… It looks like other factions have formed an alliance. They must have smuggled in external artifacts. There’s no one in F-class who can use magic on that scale.”
Kim Yuri cried out in disbelief. “Wait, didn’t they say external artifacts weren’t allowed?! And that guy who used the barrier earlier—why is everyone pulling out these ridiculous things?!”
Lee Hyunseung cut in bluntly. “It’s that bitch Yoo Heeyeon’s doing.”
Yoo Heeyeon had suffered a severe blow to her pride after her argument with Lee Hyunseung and Jeong Eunseo. First, the narrative that she had framed an innocent person had damaged her credibility. No matter how stubbornly she insisted Lee Hyunseung was the culprit, not many people inside the academy truly believed he had committed the stalking. Of course, some would still side with her out of flattery, but the number of genuine believers was low.
Second was the damage to her authority. Until now, Yoo Heeyeon had never encountered any real opposition inside the academy. What she ordered was done. What she forbade became taboo. She had reigned like a god. Backed by the power of the Artemis Guild leader, no one had dared stand in her way.
It couldn’t have been any other way.
The Artemis Guild leader. Cross that man and not only your own future but the futures of everyone around you could be destroyed. In Earth terms, he was the chairman of a world-class conglomerate who also ruled the underworld. A monster who held both legitimate and illicit power. Who would dare oppose Yoo Heeyeon if it meant earning his enmity?
Even if they were falsely accused like Lee Hyunseung, most would have simply stayed silent and admitted guilt. That was the way to survive.
But Lee Hyunseung had rebelled. That was why Yoo Heeyeon sought revenge—to reestablish her authority, to restore her wounded pride by driving him into the abyss.
Of course, I have no intention of submitting.
Lee Hyunseung knew the information that made the current situation so delicate. The Artemis Guild leader was currently expanding multiple businesses at once, and a clash with Hilleon—the organization considered the strongest in the black market—was imminent. Lee Hyunseung was now caught between Hilleon and Artemis. Neither side could move recklessly. Both had accumulated too many grudges; whoever gave the other a justification first would face a collective assault.
I have plenty of time to grow. And while I grow, I’m confident I can completely crush the Artemis Guild. Along with Yoo Heeyeon and Hilleon.
The knowledge possessed by the game’s oldest veteran held value that could not be measured in money.
I can’t fall to something like this.
1 hour 5 minutes remaining
The colossal flame orb on the opposite cliff continued to swell. Lee Hyunseung quickly searched for anything he could use. The Epic-grade pistol was still on cooldown. At roughly five kilometers, normal bullets would lose power before reaching it and would be unable to inflict meaningful damage.
Then Gu Dayoon’s earlier words resurfaced.
I can strengthen other people.
Lee Hyunseung quickly approached her and demanded, “You. You said earlier you could strengthen someone else’s abilities. What did you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. I can amplify another person’s abilities. The higher their class rank, the greater the effect.”
He didn’t know her exact class or the full scope of her power. But one thing was certain—if that flame orb was launched, they would suffer catastrophic damage. Lee Hyunseung and Jeong Eunseo might survive, but Kim Yuri, who had not even properly awakened yet, would take severe harm.
Lee Hyunseung gave the order without hesitation. “Gu Dayoon. Use your ability on me right now.”
“H-how do you know my name…?”
When Gu Dayoon stared at him blankly, Lee Hyunseung answered coldly, “Shut up. If you want to ally with me, use it immediately. Large-scale flame orbs are weakest while they’re still being cast. Once fired, normal magic can’t dismantle them. If you don’t want to die, do it now.”
“…I don’t usually like taking orders. But the situation is urgent, so I’ll listen to you this time.”
Special Class Awakener’s energy is infusing into the player.
Additional effects will be gained according to class rank.
Due to the Legendary class correction effect, an even more powerful special effect than normal will be granted.
Searching for the most necessary special effect for the current situation.
Search complete.
Special effect has been applied.
Legendary Gunner Exclusive Special Effect: Firearm range and power increased. Grants explosive properties upon contact with vast mana.
A tremendous surge of energy swirled into Lee Hyunseung’s pistol. The party members beside Gu Dayoon all cried out in panic.
“W-with just a pistol?! What can a handgun possibly do against a giant flame orb?! The bullet will melt the moment it touches it!”
“Everyone run! These people are crazy! They’re actually trusting a gun?!”
Amid the chaotic movement, Lee Hyunseung stopped even his breathing and entered a state of extreme concentration. He held his breath. He felt the wind. The wind direction was easterly. He made a minute adjustment, shifting the pistol slightly to the left. The distance to the target was approximately five kilometers.
“I told you to run! What are you doing?!”
While everyone was panicking—
CLICK—
BANG!
Lee Hyunseung’s bullet flew toward the massive flame orb.