116. Infinite Possibility: Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke. The world's most famous—and strongest—player in the Hunters League. And aside from me, the only other hunter who used guns.
'Of course, the way he uses them is completely different from mine.'
Ethan's method of firing was simple. An absurdly massive mana capacity that no ordinary hunter could even dream of comparing to. People said it rivaled the mana of the dragons that appeared in the Tower.
When he loaded that insane amount of mana into a bullet and fired, even if the mana dispersed in an instant afterward, plenty still remained. So Ethan’s shots weren’t really bullets at all. They were more like railguns—modern weapons that scattered raw mana while obliterating everything around them.
But my direction was entirely different from his.
Using this ability to craft ether bullets that prevented mana dispersal.
'It uses less mana... but the destructive power is inevitably weaker.'
That was why it couldn't pierce mana shields, barriers, or even Holy Ground. If I were Ethan, I wouldn't need to overthink it—everything would turn to ash with a single shot.
But this method had its own advantages. Ether had mutable, special properties that defied classification as any ordinary material, opening up endless applications.
'Until now, I'd just been making simple mana bullets...'
Of course, with Piercing Eye letting me fully comprehend the ability, I could use it on a higher level.
For example, like this.
First, craft a smaller-than-usual mana bullet with ether. But if anti-mana stone touches the ether directly, the mana vanishes—so I don't attach it right away.
Instead, I use ether to create another object.
'That becomes the buffer between the anti-mana stone and the ether mana bullet.'
The buffer touches the anti-mana stone directly, so its mana disperses... but the ether mana bullet part, not in direct contact, remains intact.
'This lets me use anti-mana stone and mana bullets together.'
This variation was possible precisely because of Bloom - Talent Awakening: Ether (Enhancement). If it were just indirect manifestation via mana like before, the ether would vanish on contact with anti-mana stone... but since the talent had been enhanced during my awakening at the audition, allowing direct manifestation, it worked.
Once the anti-mana stone-tipped mana bullet was complete... well, obviously...
Bang!
I had no idea how, but LTD deployed a barrier faster than the bullet could reach. However...
Whoosh!
With the anti-mana stone at the bullet's tip, the superhuman barrier parted like it was nothing. The shot slid right through.
And the rest was predictable.
What happens when you nail a vital spot?
"That's one kill."
The poor soul still firing arrows in this modern weapons era was the first victim.
Next targets: the LTD players charging at our PER teammates.
'Those guys are pitiful too...'
Knuckles, hammers—they hadn't escaped cold weapons yet. Sure, loaded with mana for devastating power, but relics of a bygone age all the same. No different from arrows.
I almost felt sorry for them.
'Enough distractions... time to end this match.'
With the gunshot echoing loudly, I quickly shifted sniper positions. Then fired again.
Bang!
Thud.
"Make that two kills."
LTD couldn't just sit there after two instant takedowns. They'd be communicating via earpieces—something like this, probably:
"Why didn't the barrier block it? Can't Holy Ground heal?"
"W-Well... they died instantly... The barrier seemed to hold, but..."
"Damn it...!"
"Fine. I'll handle it myself."
Or whatever. I'd never been on the receiving end, so who knows exactly.
'Either way, they're panicking and scrambling for countermeasures.'
They had two options: come for me, or run. Running meant massive losses—like Yi Gil-han getting picked off when we retreated.
And turning their backs to me, the precise sniper? 'That'd be total annihilation.'
Once I eliminated them...
Of course. Lee Jun-seo would target me for sure. His overconfident no-skill style and mana-sealing ability made him perfect for it. He'd hunt me down somehow.
'Even if I had a mana blocker on right now.'
First-division hunters weren't pushovers. They'd track faint footprints or trace the mana blocker’s residual signature.
"Figured you'd come."
"Damn right. You pulled it off good."
Across from me stood Lee Jun-seo, radiating killing intent.
Meanwhile, outside, the crowd was silent as they watched PER yet to mount a proper counterattack.
PER's retreat, their flight, Yi Gil-han's elimination. Things looked bleak for PER.
Yi Gil-han and Yoon Han-gyeol, already out and watching from the waiting room, looked grim. So did Kim Do-jun, who wasn't even playing this match.
"Whoa... those guys are seriously good."
"I should've been more careful... Thought I'd win any 1v1, so I didn't pay attention. My fault... damn it."
Yi Gil-han admired the enemy team. Yoon Han-gyeol blamed his own carelessness.
Normally, even if they fell first, they'd assume victory and relax. Not this time.
Maybe because they'd never been this cornered before.
Kim Do-jun, looking unusually bummed, chimed in differently.
"Pfft~ If I'd been in Han-gyeol's spot, I'd have just dazzled 'em with my shining sword and wiped 'em out. Blocked that last time, so I got new gear and whipped up fresh mana tech... Tch~ I'd have won for sure~"
Fidgeting, he pushed hard that he'd have crushed it. With no one to shut him down, he was chattier than usual.
Then, an unexpected turn.
As everyone predicted PER's doom, Yi Yeon-ju—who hadn't appeared on screen—linked up with the team.
The screen zoomed in as Yi Yeon-ju handed Lee Chang-hyun something: pitch-black grains glowing faintly blue.
Amid the pessimistic broadcast, PER's waiting room perked up hearing Yi Yeon-ju had fetched it specifically.
"That... think Chang-hyun told Yeon-ju to grab it?"
"Then maybe..."
Lee Chang-hyun had a history of turning gaps into miracles with unexpected uses.
And sure enough.
Viewers had missed it—the observer switched to LTD mid-ambush on PER. No one saw why the bullet penetrated.
Speculation exploded as Lee Chang-hyun's show—slaughter, really—began.
Bang!
Bang!
Thud.
One. Two.
The impregnable LTD, showing no real resistance. Mana shields and barriers useless, they were hunted down.
"Yeah!! Go get 'em!!"
Yi Gil-han roared from the waiting room. Yoon Han-gyeol just gaped in awe.
Kim Do-jun muttered shortly.
"Tch."