Arcane Sniper

Chapter 965

Igor and Pyro felt both tension and fear towards Arcane Sniper, who had suddenly displayed his skills.

Chiyou smiled, looking at such Kyle.

‘Much better than expected… What a good card.’

Kyle turned his muzzle towards Chiyou.

The muzzles of the three fixated on Kurpke and Zelreja.

Igor also regained his composure and stood beside the shooters, with Pyro’s body gradually igniting.

Although they were Ancient Dragons and close to Ancient level dragons, kuffke and Zelreja couldn’t make any rash moves.

“Well… I wouldn’t stop you if you insist on guarding this place even in death—but you just witnessed the skills of our kids. What will you do?”

“Step aside? Don’t make me laugh. Even if I die, I will tear apart at least three of those bastards over there.”

Zelreja growled.

Meanwhile, kuffke was casting various shields and buffs on Zelreja’s body.

“It’s been a long time since I was active, and my body is frail… but at least asking Zelreja to handle my part is something I can do. Can you manage, Zelreja?”

“I don’t like your weak demeanor, kuffke! Hmph, don’t worry. With these buffs, I can surely smash up to five of them.”

Thanks to Kurpke, Zelreja’s wounds were all already healed.

Though Kurpke’s words were modest, focused on support, Igor, who had faced Zelreja, could feel it.

The reason Zelreja trusted and followed Kurpke was probably because of Kurpke’s unbelievable buff abilities.

‘That’s dangerous. If the Steel Dragon hasn’t moved yet, we need to kill her right now. If she jumps in earnest… at least four of us might die.’

Listening to Igor’s whisper, Pyro tensed up.

Chiyou had already activated “Dance of the Social Circle,” swaying her hips gently.

Two dragons, four vampires, and two humans were locked in a standoff, glaring at each other.

Both sides anticipated a mutually destructive end if either side moved first, so no one dared move recklessly.

“Sigh… it can’t be helped. Dragons?”

At Chiyou’s words, Zelreja flinched.

Igor’s muscles also twitched at the sight of Zelreja almost jumping in, but no one made a move.

“Have you ever heard of ‘Arcane Bullet’?”

Chiyou had only one thing she could do. Was the risk of mutual damage significant?

If she moved, causing Kyle or herself to die, that would be even worse.

In that case, using one of her reserved bullets was the only option.

Zelreja was still growling.

“So you were the Arcane Sniper. I felt that dark energy from earlier before at some point.”

But Kurpke swallowed dryly. The Steel Dragon observed Kurpke’s very tense demeanor.

“—Kurpke? Arcane Sniper?”

“Good to hear there’s at least one person who knows. Well, there’s no doubt about the skills… But if you doubt it, should I prove it by taking down that Steel Dragon there?”

“Shut—”

“Zelreja, stop.”

Kurpke grabbed Zelreja’s shoulder as she was about to leap in.

The usually kind smile of the venerable scholar tightened.

“Why stop her? What’s Arcane Bullet—”

“… Arcane Sniper, I ask you this. If I die, will you spare Zelreja?”

“Kurpke! What are you—”

“Oh my? Ohoho! Of course! No, in fact, it’s fine if both of you return!”

Driving them away without firing a single shot?

That was indeed the best scenario Chiyou had envisioned.

If these beings were purely rational and efficient, they would have left the moment Chiyou granted their passage.

“Zelreja, go back and inform the Lord. It’s problematic for an old man like me to block the path of someone as promising as you.”

“Kurpke! What on earth is Arcane Bullet—that you would say such a thing?”

“The Lord would understand. And convey my apologies for not completing the mission… please.”

“It won’t work! Knowing my temper, how can you say such a thing—?”

The old scholar chuckled and gently patted Zelreja’s back.

Before Zelreja could say anything, Kurpke had already used a skill.

“〈Enforced Teleport〉.”

Zelreja’s figure vanished instantly. Kurpke quickly sealed the surrounding space.

“Huh… You could really return. But you insist on staying?”

“I wouldn’t have the face to meet the Lord. No matter how lacking I might be, I am not so lacking as to lose the pride of a metal dragon.”

Kurpke spoke with composure.

On the contrary, it was Chiyou’s side that was flustered by such an attitude.

Could they have a trick up their sleeve? To think a dragon would react in such a way.

Even though the space-lock had been used, it was only natural to assume it was a trap.

“After taking that hit, do you think the dragon won’t come back?”

“You don’t need to worry. With Zelreja’s mana control, she won’t be able to break through.”

Chiyou shuddered in frustration.

Saving even one Arcane Bullet would have been the best, but must it be used to kill such a lowly dragon?

‘If I’m going to kill one anyway… a better dragon—.’

Shwaa!

At that moment, cracks began to form in the space-lock.

As Brown, Elizabeth, and Kyle raised their guns toward it, a violet light flashed.

Next to Kurpke stood an old man with white hair.

His left sleeve flapped, and his pale face had blood dripping from his mouth.

“L-Lord!”

“K-Kurpke.”

Bahamut barely stood on two legs by leaning on Kurpke’s shoulder. It was clear from just looking that he was not in normal condition.

None of the other users could precisely understand what was happening.

Only one, Chiyou, was struggling hard to control her expression.

A severely injured Bahamut from Tiamat’s breath attack had come here? What could it mean?

She instinctively understood.

* * *

“What is this— How did you get here?”

“It’s nothing, so don’t worry.”

“It’s not nothing! Why, and why here…?”

Kurpke, usually composed and kind, was now filled with anxiety and worry, supporting Bahamut carefully.

Although Kurpke already looked considerably aged, next to Bahamut, he appeared youthful.

Bahamut looked at Kurpke.

Although he didn’t smile or laugh, the warmth in Bahamut’s gaze was palpable even to the users on Chiyou’s side.

“When it’s time for an old man to go, he should be able to choose his place, shouldn’t he?”

“What are you talking about? Please, don’t say such things, not even in jest.”

“Heh, heh heh… Is that so? I believed that you, who had been with me since I was a juvenile, would understand. I think about the times when you, Bailephus, and I played together.”

One could only speculate about Bahamut’s age, but it was enough to assume he was at least an Ancient Wyrm, over 8,000 years old, and of a higher tier than even Ancient Dragons of over 5,000 years. Those who knew about his connection to Onix would generally opine that he might be slightly older than Onix.

The dragons who had been with Bahamut since his juvenile days were none other than the Gold Dragon, Bailephus, and the Copper Dragon, Kurpke.

Kurpke showed a brief, wistful smile at Bahamut’s words but quickly masked his expression.

“Hurry and go back. Your presence here won’t solve anything.”

“I won’t place my burden on you.”

Bahamut kindly but firmly refused Kurpke’s assistance, even brushing off his support.

Standing confidently on two legs, Bahamut’s presence made not only the players but also the NPCs flinch. The only ones who didn’t back down were Chiyou and Kyle.

“So… what are you going to do? As I said before, I think both of you should leave. It’s best to take the final opportunity I’m giving you.”

Chiyou spoke, licking her tongue.

Bahamut glared at Chiyou for a moment before turning his gaze. His eyes were fixed on Kyle.

“Indeed. Are you the Arcane Sniper?”

Kyle didn’t respond. The barrel of his gun quietly aimed at Bahamut.

“Ha ha, I see. Your eyes are very different from the Musketeers I know.”

At the word Musketeer, Chiyou reacted briefly.

“… Ha Leeha?”

“Hm? You know of him?”

“We’re not strangers, hmm.”

“Well, that’s great… then it will be easier.”

Bahamut smiled softly.

Hearing his words, Chiyou also smiled. She knew her guess was correct.

Bahamut had certainly come to die.

‘But why…? Is a dragon’s pride so important? The things you can achieve alive and the end that comes with death are completely different. What does he mean by going easier? Is he hoping Ha Leeha will exact revenge on his behalf out of rage?’

There were multiple scenarios, but Chiyou couldn’t pinpoint Bahamut’s exact intentions.

She understood one thing:

Just as Kurpke tried to save Zelreja, Bahamut had come to save Kurpke.

“Lord, why do you keep saying such things?”

“No, Kurpke… I am only doing what you should have done. You said this was the leader’s responsibility, didn’t you?”

“But that was when you just became a Platinum Dragon! That was so long ago— even Bailephus doesn’t mention it anymore!”

When Kurpke shouted, Chiyou became more suspicious.

Why? For what reason?

Killing the Platinum Dragon Bahamut was undoubtedly a great opportunity, and not a single shot would be wasted.

But what is this about burdens? Duties? Responsibilities?

‘Suspicious. Is he stalling for time with these overly dramatic words?’

Was he trying to buy time from Chiyou, who already dominated the space as a stronger being showing mercy to a weaker one?

Chiyou doubted.

However, Bahamut no longer wasted any time.

“Kurpke.”

Bahamut called Kurpke’s name softly.

“Lord!”

Kurpke couldn’t hide his anxiety.

When he was with Zelreja, Kurpke seemed like a sage who had seen it all, but in the face of the Platinum Dragon’s majesty, he was just another dragon.

Watching Kurpke, Bahamut smiled. Chiyou saw Bahamut’s lips tremble.

“Tell Bailephus I’m sorry. I’m leaving the rest to him.”

“No— You go and tell him yourself! I… I can’t—”

“Go, now. 〈Enforced Teleport〉.”

“No—”

Whoosh.

At that moment, Kurpke was teleported to Bahamut’s lair. Bahamut immediately sealed the space.

Only after ensuring that no other dragons could come to this place did Bahamut turn to face Chiyou’s group with a relieved expression.

“Now, kill me.”