Chapter 17
Chapter 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Dignity (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Five minutes before the match began.
I descended into the arena, pretending to stretch and warm up, while opening the point shop to purchase a single talent.
I'd originally planned to save up points for a B-rank or higher talent or skill.
But then a sudden event quest popped up, and its objective was none other than "Show the dignity of the top student."
And above all, the rewards were insanely generous. Seeing "additional rewards based on performance" next to the points reward made me blow every point I had right then and there.
Why spend the points I'd been saving?
With rewards that good, plus a sweet "performance bonus" on top? No way I could hold back.
Anything else, maybe, but I couldn't resist a performance bonus.
For those reasons, instead of settling for a mere victory, I boldly invested my future points in the present to secure an overwhelming win.
And the talent I bought with all 8,000 points I had?
🎯 TALENT ACQUIRED 🎯 "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger (B-)"
Surviving long in the lawless Wild West is proof of cunning. But with age comes frailty in the flesh. • • Sense the direction of an enemy's attack intuitively.
• • Firearms use unlocks "Fleeting Moment" skill.
• • Firearms use triggers "Hand Tremors."
• • Agility +2, Mind +5, Stamina -2, Strength -2
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ 『Fleeting Moment』 Derived skill from the "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger (B-)" talent.
Activates only with firearms.
• • Usable when enemy is within 5m.
• • Duration: 4 seconds.
• • Cooldown: 10 minutes.
[Shoot before they shoot. That's my conclusion.]
[- Some aged gunslinger, in a duel -]
⚠️ PENALTY APPLIED ⚠️ 「Hand Tremors」 Penalty derived from the "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger (B-)" talent.
Triggers only with firearms.
• • Firearms accuracy -70%.
[...Is it the age? The bullets keep flying off target.]
[- Some aged gunslinger, in a duel -]
It was a firearms-exclusive talent called "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger (B-)."
Normally, you couldn't buy a B- talent for 8,000 points.
Anything under 10,000 points usually only gets you D to C- ranks at best. But on a whim, I tried the point shop's search function.
Inputting "8,000 points," "firearms exclusive," and "has penalty" pulled up "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger."
Apparently, since no one uses "firearms" and it comes with a penalty, this B- talent was a steal at just 8,000 points.
Anyway, "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger" is incredibly useful despite being firearms-only.
Why? Because of the passive "Sense the direction of an enemy's attack intuitively" and the derived skill "Fleeting Moment."
"Sense the direction of an enemy's attack intuitively."
This passive does exactly what it says—it's tied to "sensation." From experience with similar talents, it lets you intuitively know which part of your body the enemy is targeting.
For example, it warns you with an itchy tingle or a stinging spark-like sensation on the targeted area.
Exactly what I need right now.
Why? As a veteran of the game Arena Academy, I know Lee Seo-yeon's and Arthur's attack patterns inside out. But unlike Park Sung-woo's simple sword swings, these two don't rely on a single move.
They're protagonist-tier characters with sky-high stats and a bunch of overpowered talents.
To handle them easily, something like "Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger" that boosts my senses is essential.
I could win without it, sure... but to max out the "performance bonus" like in the "Enter the Academy" main quest, I need to overwhelm everyone and claim victory in style.
In other words, live up to the event quest title: "Dignity."
And the derived skill "Fleeting Moment."
I'd never seen this one before, so I'm not entirely sure of its effect. But having mastered countless skills and talents in the game, the name suggests something time-related.
Like a brief 1-second slow-motion effect, maybe?
And finally, the penalty...
The stat drops to physical stats "Stamina" and "Strength" hurt—a lot.
My physical stats were already a measly 15, and now they're down by 4 each.
I'm not just a weakling among superhumans anymore; I might not even qualify as a normal person...
But the silver lining is that the derived penalty "Hand Tremors" might as well not exist.
With my cheat "Super Accuracy" guaranteeing hits, accuracy drops don't matter one bit.
If penalties like this let me snag great talents, I'm all for it.
With the talent purchased, the five minutes passed.
The match began.
I pulled the trigger on my gun toward Lee Seo-yeon.
Bang! Bang!
My hand trembled from the "Hand Tremors" penalty, but thanks to the "Super Accuracy" cheat, the two bullets veered back on course toward Lee Seo-yeon.
My eyes were locked on her sword arm and her head.
But the bullets never reached their marks.
Clang, clang!
Lee Seo-yeon casually swung her sword, deflecting them.
'...She deflected them.'
Cheat "Super Accuracy" effect one:
'No matter how you shoot, it will always, unfailingly hit.'
Even if fired off-target, the bullets curve precisely toward the goal.
And the already fast bullets get an extra speed boost from the cheat, striking in the blink of an eye.
That's why Park Sung-woo couldn't even react—his sword draw was completely shut down.
'Definitely...'
As expected from a protagonist-tier powerhouse armed with busted stats, S-rank talents, and skills—she deflected a "Super Accuracy"-enhanced bullet.
But she didn't react instantly; she only blocked at point-blank range, just before it hit.
That confirmed the "Super Accuracy" effect I'd theorized from the Park Sung-woo duel.
Cheat: Super Accuracy.
It's a strong-weak-weak-strong type of cheat.
Unavoidable sure-hit bullets against the weak.
High-speed bullets against the strong.
Against weaklings like Park Sung-woo, inescapable sure-hits. Against powerhouses like Lee Seo-yeon or Arthur, not guaranteed hits, but bullets too fast to react to.
Even so, "Super Accuracy" is a cheat on par with S-rank overpowered talents or skills.
And I'm a game veteran who's cleared Lee Seo-yeon and Arthur without cheats.
With cheats on my side now, what's there to fear?
'Transfer.'
I transferred two items right up to Lee Seo-yeon as she closed in.
"...!"
A flashbang appeared before her.
Like with the Thunder Bag in the third exam, I hoped she'd swing at the sudden object.
But she tilted her head aside, dodging it cleanly—like she wouldn't fall for it twice.
That was exactly what I'd anticipated.
I'd only hoped she'd slash it like last time, not expected her to.
And to reiterate, "Super Accuracy" hits what I aim for.
Bang!
A flashbang doesn't just blind—it deafens too.
Ting!
The bullet struck the flashbang's pin, yanking it free.
Weeeeeeee──!!
"...Ugh!"
Lee Seo-yeon's hearing was temporarily robbed.
Mine took a hit too, of course.
But I'd closed my eyes just before detonation, saving my sight.
Her eyes withstood Noah's full-power prayer punch light explosion, so a flashbang's no issue.
Right now, she's swinging at me while still blind.
But that's fine.
I'd already prepared.
I pulled the trigger.
No sound reached me.
But the bullet definitely hit what I'd transferred and glimpsed before closing my eyes—the other item.
And for good reason...
Whoooosh!
A shockwave like the Thunder Bag's erupted in front of her.
I hadn't just grabbed the flashbang—I'd taken a non-lethal grenade too.
Unlike lethal frag grenades, non-lethal ones pack only a shockwave.
Just like the one I felt.
The instant the shockwave hit, I rolled upward to the ↗ direction.
'1..., 2..., now!'
Timing it perfectly as the light faded, I opened my eyes and sprang up.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ 『Fleeting Moment』 Derived from Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger (B-)
Then I activated the derived skill from Keen Eye of the Aged Gunslinger: Fleeting Moment.
Tick.
A clock hand ticked in my ear.
At the same time, Lee Seo-yeon's charging sword slowed.
Shhhhh... slooow... sloooower...
As expected, "Fleeting Moment" was a slow-motion effect.
The thought barely formed before I raised my gun.
Tick.
My arm rose at the same sluggish pace as hers.
But no problem.
My bullets wouldn't miss.
Tick.
Flames burst from the muzzle as the bullet fired.
Even in my slowed perception, boosted by the cheat, it rocketed toward the tiny crack in Lee Seo-yeon's sword.
And damn, that slow-blooming muzzle flash looked cool.
Tick.
The final clock hand.
"Fleeting Moment" ended.
And then.
Shatter──!
Lee Seo-yeon's sword broke.
Leaving only the hilt in her hand.