Matan's Shooter

ED:

Fernand rummaged through his bag and pulled out a map. It wasn’t a map of each country like Leeha or other users had. It was a map that Fernand had pioneered himself, a special continental edition that he literally created and was the only one on Middle Earth.

‘That’s crazy. What is the size of-’

It looked like there were only a few folds, however, it unfolded endlessly. As it unfolded, expanded, and grew in size, the map grew larger than most mats, and Fernand jumped on the map and marked three directions.

“I don’t know exactly about the East. It’s hard to get the specific location, unlike the others which I could feel within range.”

In the north, the place marked was beyond the Shazrasian Federation in the northern troll area where the Three Musketeers had gone.

In the southwest, the place marked was in a spot that was both inside and outside Minis’ border.

And in the west, Leeha could read the word wasteland which was encircled.

‘Land of the Dead……. Isn’t that where Luger first discovered Bluebeard?’

Browless nodded as he looked at the places Fernand marked.

Did that mean that much would be enough? However, the harvest was much better than farming on the bare ground using one’s head.

“Gentlemen.”

“Yes!”

Browless called while looking at the Three Musketeers. And at that moment, a notification window appeared before their eyes again.

[You have completed the quest ‘Demon Noble “Bluebeard” Count Le – 1’.]

[Demon Noble “Bluebeard” Count Le – 2]

Explanation: ‘I think it would be right to search using the forces of the Human Alliance, but that’s not possible right now. Unless a peace treaty has been signed, the operation of the troops will only raise suspicions among countries. In the name of His Holiness, the Pope, I will try to persuade the king to conclude the peace treaty. Gentlemen…… the energy of Bluebeard can be felt throughout the continent.

Browless wants to dispatch one of the Three Musketeers to each direction to collect information.

You can select one: North, Southwest, or West

Content: Obtain Bluebeard’s location or information on the Demon Noble Corps, (The region will be automatically removed if chosen by another user).

Reward: Demon Noble “Bluebeard” Count Le – 3

Condition for Failure: Death

Penalty for failure: Achievement – ‘Beginning of the Fall’

Additional Reward: 5 stat points for the first user to clear the quest

– Choose your region.

‘Send out one person at a time to collect information. So this time, I just don’t need to die? Isn’t this a quest that only I can do well?’

The penalty for failure is still the same, but the failure condition is more relaxed.

If he moved actively, he could also get stat points. Leeha quickly made assumptions about which area to choose, but he did not have to think about it already.

“I will go north.”

“The Land of Death is mine.”

***

“Huh? Ohh? I didn’t have to worry about it, just like that-”

“Then, you will have to go to Minis, beyond the border to the southwest, Leeha-kun.”

After cutting off Leeha’s words, Browless put his hand on Leeha’s shoulder.

‘Minis!’

The notification window disappeared in an instant.

‘Why did I get Minis? I am currently the most hated person by the Minis users-’

Ha Leeha had the highest contribution in Fibiel. The first quest was over, and Leeha had a bad feeling about his next destination. However, Bluebeard, as Leeha thought at this time, was not an easy monster. As one of the Fragments of the Demon King, his strength, speed, and tactics combined were beyond imagination.

-Hyung! Eong-ah! This is awesome, where are you and what are you doing now? It’s a big deal!!

It was at that time that he heard Kijeong’s frantic whisper.

“A lot of demon nobles have appeared……?”

“Yes. Right now, the Royal Palace is said to be forming subjugation teams for those places, and are sending special messages. There were more than five places that have been confirmed in Fibiel alone-”

“Le finally…”

Leeha told Browless the summary of the conversation he had with Kijeong. The content was similar to the situation in the Sentinel Mountains, with monsters contaminated with Bluebeard’s mana running wild. News that ordinary low-level users were currently being slaughtered unilaterally by monsters overwhelmingly stronger than normal with combat patterns not usually seen. In other words, it was the rise of the Demon King’s army. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about the fact that only one of the Fragments of the Demon King, Bluebeard ‘Le’, had appeared. Although they would take damage, it would not be fatal. Browless made a complicated expression while listening to Leeha’s words, then quickly gave instructions.

“Fernand, please report to the Pope immediately”

“Yes, I should. My mission is different from everyone else in the first place-”

“And the three of you as well. Go to your designated search location immediately. I will go to the Royal Palace and talk to His Majesty.”

As Fernand hesitated to bring up his story, Browless interrupted him and told the Three Musketeers instructions.

“Understood.”

“Then take care of yourself. It’s not about killing Bluebeard this time. He’s absolutely impossible to kill with your skills right now. You just need to improve your skills and gather information carefully.”

“I am not stupid enough to be humiliated twice. I don’t know about the two of them.”

Luger looked at Leeha and Kidd and quietly opened his mouth.

He too, must have been thinking about the direction in which he should grow. Leeha tried to refute, but Browless.

“Then hurry up. Before the continent gets into more danger!”

Browless took out the scroll and tore it up. Following him who disappeared first, Luger also wrapped up [Cobalt Blue Python].

“I will clear it first, so don’t touch it. The stat point is mine.”

“No, that’s why I chose north. If I’m in an area I have been in once, the clear speed would be faster than the two of you.”

“What? Really? S-Shameful! Kidd and Luger both chose because of that reason?!”

Was the charm of 5 stat points really that great? They chose a place they were familiar with in order to increase the clearing speed, Leeha suddenly felt it was unfair. Leeha thought about what else might be hidden where Bluebeard had appeared!

“Shameful? You don’t seem to know the meaning of the word. As expected of an idiot. This is what is called wise.”

“……I agree with Luger on this one. Then, please don’t die, everyone.”

Luger snorted and took out a scroll, and Kidd picked up a crystal ball as well. It took a few seconds for them to disappear.

“Jerks. Anyway, they don’t have any comradeship. Ah! Fernand-ssi, are you going back to Ezwen?”

Looking at where they disappeared, Leeha pursed his lips and looked at Fernand. The Pioneering King smiled strangely and smiled.

“Yes. I should.”

“Haaa……. This, I don’t know when we can go to the new continent.

“Haaa, looking at the quest story, it seems like we will only be able to go when this is over. And I think it’s a relief.”

Originally, the two of them thought that they would be able to go after the war ended. However, not only Leeha, but even Fernand vaguely sensed it. The fact is that unless the main quest was finished, it would be difficult for any country to provide a ship to the new continent.

“What’s a relief?”

“It looks like Leeha is close with those two.”

“Huh? Close? This? Aigoo, don’t even talk about it.”

Leeha asked while shaking his hand and tilting his head.

“And even if we’re close, why is that a relief?”

It was possible with Kidd, but Leeha thought it was too early to use the expression ‘close’ with Luger. Fernand did not give a detailed answer to the question Leeha asked, which he disliked.

“You will know when you get on a ship into the new continent someday. Then, see you next time!”

As expected, Fernand, who smiled faintly, used a scroll and disappeared.

Sseuk-! With that sound, Leeha realized that he was alone in the Sentinel Mountains.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a quest by myself……. Besides, the two of them chose a place that is advantageous to them.’

Leeha must go to the southwestern part of Minis, to the land beyond the borders of Minis’ Kingdom. It was a place that had already been discovered, but it was rough terrain, so users didn’t go there.

‘I have to prepare thoroughly. There are a lot of items to prepare, and most importantly skills-’

Leeha’s expression changed at the word ‘skill’. A moment of astonishment soon turned into a feeling of wanting to hide in a mouse hole.

“[Mana Freeze]! What an idiot!”

Wouldn’t Mana Freeze have worked against those monsters who can’t be called Cyclops?

The source of their magic was the horn. Magic was used as an automatic reflex, but, if the bullet was shot at the center where they were standing, they wouldn’t have been able to react automatically with their horns like Fernand said. What if that happened? Wouldn’t it block all the mana of those within a 30m radius and not be able to use magic like Blink anymore?!

“Haaa……. I was the biggest problem. I really need to reflect. No matter how close Luger and Kidd are to me, I shouldn’t have been careless.”

He might have subconsciously relied on them due to the overwhelming skills the two people showed in the case of Crolang. Leeha tightened his loose resolve.

‘I need to sort out my battle patterns. Set up scenarios and deal with every battle by distance, and by situation. First things first, items.’

Leeha picked up his crystal ball. He had work to do before he went to Minis. After 10 seconds, Leeha teleported to Hell Anvil.

***

‘Is Leeha-ssi in the Sentinel?’

In the Royal Palace, Shin Nara looked at her friend’s window and held her chest.

‘Ah, he’s now in Hell Anvil. According to Kay-ssi, he was going to catch a new monster… it seems it is finished, phew.’

She would have known about this simple thing if she asked directly but she couldn’t whisper to the person who left during the banquet.

‘Because he doesn’t know anything about a woman’s heart. I have set the best time with Bobae.’

What should they do and where will they go? He should have called once he finished. With a simple word, it’s easy for him to whisper and if there’s anything, I could go and help him. She was disappointed with Leeha’s attitude as if he didn’t need her help.

‘What the hell happened anyway?’

‘Wasn’t that an urgent matter enough to stop the awarding ceremony’s banquet? It is the first time that this has ever happened. In addition, new field bosses appeared suddenly…. Should we look at it like it is a simple event? Wasn’t the Fragment of the Demon King mentioned last time? Or is it related to Bluebeard?’ 

She didn’t know exactly either. This was because even at the time of the National War, she was mainly in the Royal Palace, so she was only indirectly informed of the many situations, including Luger’s story.

Of course, unlike ordinary users, they were reliable words because they were stories of high-ranking NPCs and users going to and from the palace, but their words are also mostly speculation.

Currently, only a few people, including the Pope, have a complete picture of the situation.

“Dame.”

“Ah, hello. Browless-ssi.”

And one of those few people, an NPC, spoke to Shin Nara.

“Is His Highness here?”

“Yes, it hasn’t been long since he entered the central palace. Because of the large bell that suddenly appeared, there was a group of knights who came to report-”

“I see. Okay.”

“Yes, ah, that- just now, Leeha-ssi……. disappeared.”

Where did you come from and what did you do?

Shin Nara, who wanted to hear the exact reason Ha Leeha had to go to the Sentinel Mountains, had no choice but to whet her appetite.

Browless busily moved his feet, not even having time to answer her question.

There were already many NPCs gathered near the audience room inside the Central Palace.

“Aren’t you Browless-nim?”

“How have you been? Captain. I have something to tell His Highness.”

The situation was different from usual when only the captain of the royal guards was near the king.

Even the captain of the royal guards was out and controlling the area around the audience room. It meant that there were already those who instinctively realized what this incident was related to.

(To be continued…)