I Got A Legendary Sniper Rifle - Chapter 191

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 191
Ep. 191
“It’s not special treatment, though?”
But unlike Ihyeon, who seemed flustered, this was only natural to Seongnyun.
Because it truly wasn’t special treatment.
“Actually, this is compensation that Ilgyeok should have received long ago. Have you heard of the SR Team?”
“Ah, yes.”
The SR Team—a system where the Management Bureau identifies talented Hunters, provides concentrated support, and promotes them upward.
Naturally, Ilgyeok had been the top priority for recruitment into that team.
Though by now, he was a Hunter in the 80s floors who had grown too accomplished even for the SR Team.
But as Seongnyun said, simply joining the SR Team guaranteed tax benefits, legal conveniences, and national items as a matter of course.
The cash compensation was substantial, but that wasn’t really a problem.
Seongnyun called out to Ihyeon with a serious expression.
“Ilgyeok.”
“Yes.”
“I want you to understand clearly that this is not the government attempting to show favoritism or grant you special privileges.”
“….”
“Three Gates cleared, two Instant Towers conquered, and now the Main Tower in the 80s floors… there’s a distinct possibility you may even surpass Seo Suyeon’s record.”
Seongnyun mentioned only a fraction of the abilities Ilgyeok had demonstrated thus far.
Beyond that were the terror incident in the 30s floors, the hero incident on the 43rd floor, the outstanding volunteer organization known as the One-Strike Service Corps, nationwide support, the Achievement that even lowered American tariffs, and explosive economic growth rates….
Seongnyun was neither joking nor exaggerating.
“Rather, it’s regrettable that we cannot express sufficient gratitude.”
Every nation harbors distrust and discontent toward its government.
The most striking example of this was, ironically, Ilgyeok standing before Seongnyun’s eyes.
A legendary Hunter who hid beneath the world out of fear of merely five years of mandatory re-enlistment.
In other words, a chilling crisis where an absurd law nearly plunged the nation into darkness.
When talent should be drawn into the light and recruited by any means necessary, why would you allow it to hide in shadow of its own accord?
Perhaps this was a chronic disease that had long plagued the nation of South Korea.
But to maintain even minimal trust, it was necessary to establish that symbol properly.
So that ordinary citizens could maintain at least the basic faith that justice still existed in this society.
A promise that those who act righteously and achieve great Achievements will receive rewards befitting their deeds.
The documents Seongnyun presented to Ihyeon were not merely benefits conveyed to Ilgyeok as an individual.
Rather, they were a symbol and message that the government was fulfilling its role, and the very essence of that role itself.
If Ilgyeok protected this society by conquering the Tower, shouldn’t the nation protect Ilgyeok in return?
Seongnyun’s gaze was sufficient to convey such meaning to Ihyeon.
Only then did Ihyeon nod seriously.
“If you put it that way, I have no choice but to accept.”
Ihyeon decided to accept most of the benefits Seongnyun had offered.
And he chose to trust Seongnyun a little more.
“We registered a team recently under the name ‘Watchmen.'”
“Ah, I see.”
“I trust you’ll use this information only where it’s necessary, Personnel Manager.”
“Of course.”
Ihyeon’s personal information was already registered with the team called the Watchmen.
It was proof that Ihyeon had opened his heart to Seongnyun.
Seongnyun did his best to reciprocate that trust.
“I see that someone named Bong Jangseondal is also registered with the team.”
“Yes, though I’m sure you’re already well aware, Personnel Manager.”
“Then I’ll handle matters like tax benefits through him. That works for you, doesn’t it?”
Ihyeon readily agreed.
That had been part of the reason for accepting Deokhuun into the team in the first place.
Of course, now he felt more like a cherished younger brother—well, not exactly that, but family nonetheless.
And there was one more reason Ihyeon had brought up the team.
“Actually, I’ve registered my two spirits with the team as well.”
“Ah! Yes.”
Seongnyun belatedly realized and let out an exclamation in response.
Now that he thought about it, the names of those belonging to the team were Choi Jia and Choi Elsie.
“But… how did they get registered in the resident registry…?”
Seongnyun asked in bewilderment, since they were registered so casually in the resident registry.
“I’m curious about that too.”
Ihyeon felt the same way.
“…”
“…”
A moment of silence flowed between them.
Jia, who was sitting beside Ihyeon, spoke.
“You’re too kind.”
“That’s not praise.”
“Yes, Master.”
It seemed to be Jia’s attempt at a joke to lighten the somewhat stiffened atmosphere.
Seongnyun, who had been pondering with a slight hum, opened his mouth.
“Actually, the Management Bureau held a meeting recently.”
“A meeting?”
“Since the existence of spirits has been revealed, the topic was how to handle them.”
Ihyeon swallowed nervously with slight tension.
Could it be that they’d arrest him now under some resident registration law or something?
He had that thought for just a moment, but nothing like that happened.
Seongnyun smiled and spoke.
“Various opinions came up at the time, but it seems Ilgyeok provided the answer.”
“Yes? An answer, you say?”
“Simply issue them resident ID cards, like this.”
“….”
This is actually working?
Ihyeon turned to look at Jia with a lukewarm expression.
Jia nodded with perfect composure, as if stating the obvious.
As though she had known all along that things would unfold this way.
Meanwhile, Seongnyun considered this a transaction without any losses on his end.
Spirits were truly anomalous beings.
But now that their true form had been revealed to be an S+ ranked item, it was difficult to simply turn a blind eye.
Wasn’t it simple enough to just register them in the resident registry?
As a nation, there was no more certain means to assert ownership over a Spirit.
It would also help protect the item.
‘Most importantly, I can keep their identity completely hidden.’
If they gave special treatment to the Spirit of an item, it could easily become a target for foreign powers.
It was far safer to simply recognize them as a citizen and hide them among fifty million people.
“For reasons I’m uncertain of, a resident ID has already been issued, so we’ll look into what else we can properly handle on our end.”
“Ah, yes, thank you.”
Ihyeon felt somewhat deflated that Jia and Elsie’s matter had been resolved so swiftly and effortlessly, just like his own re-enlistment issue.
This was something he’d carefully brought up, so why was it all so easy?
In any case, Jia and Elsie were now all but confirmed to become official citizens of South Korea.
‘Elsie will be thrilled when I tell her she can get a phone plan now.’
For Elsie, who constantly borrowed phones from Ihyeon, Minjeong, or Donghoo to play all night, this was genuinely good news.
…Of course, once she experienced the taste of youth protection programs and usage time restriction apps, she wouldn’t be quite so delighted.
With most matters settled like this,
Seongnyun brought up the final agenda—perhaps the most important one.
“Would you perhaps be willing to appear publicly before the masses, Ilgyeok?”
It was about revealing Ilgyeok’s identity.
It wasn’t as though he’d be wearing a mask and singing on some variety show. It hardly seemed like something worth making a fuss over—but when the subject was Ilgyeok, things were different.
Originally, Seongnyun hadn’t planned to ask this, but now that the reason Ilgyeok hadn’t emerged into the world had been resolved,
Even with his identity still unknown, Ilgyeok was practically the hope of the entire nation.
If Ilgyeok had such intentions, even if not right now, it would be nothing but good news for the Management Bureau.
But Ihyeon immediately shook his head.
“I don’t.”
“I see… that’s what I thought.”
Seongnyun’s response suggested he’d anticipated as much.
Even after the conscription order was lifted, Ihyeon had continued to be cautious about information management.
“I respect your wishes. May I ask the reason?”
“Well… it would be rather embarrassing to stand before people now.”
“Pardon?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if the reason I hid my identity was because I didn’t want to go to the military?”
“Well, not necessarily.”
Seongnyun tried to persuade Ihyeon, saying there was no real need to reveal the reason.
But Ihyeon shook his head again.
“I think it’s better to leave it that way for now.”
A subtle smile played across his face.
“…Very well.”
Only then did Seongnyun abandon his attempt at persuasion and fall silent.
He had come to realize that the tangled threads within Ihyeon were neither as simple as he had imagined nor fully resolved.
Seongnyun rose from his seat and bowed deeply to Ihyeon as he spoke.
“I won’t press the matter further. And thank you for coming all this way. Please contact me in the same manner should you need anything in the future.”
“I will do so.”
“And this…”
Seongnyun withdrew a small box from his pocket and handed it over.
When Ihyeon’s eyes questioned what it was, Seongnyun smiled and answered.
“This is the medal awarded to Ilgyeok for handling the previous gate incident. It was crafted from metals and mineral items that came from the Tower, and it can be stored in your inventory. It seems it has finally found its way to its rightful owner.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Ihyeon vaguely remembered seeing news about a medal being awarded to him in the past.
He had completely forgotten about it since then, never expecting it to return to him like this.
“Well then, allow me to see you out. This way, please.”
* * *
After leaving the Management Bureau, I summoned Dummy and Jia back from their unsummoned state.
While it was true that a certain degree of trust had been built between Seongnyun and the Management Bureau through this meeting, there was no harm in confirming safety.
Seongnyun let out a hollow exclamation as he watched the two figures vanish before his eyes.
A strange sensation, as though he had awakened from a dream despite everything being undeniably real.
Perhaps Ilgyeok had become so deeply imprinted in everyone’s minds as a phantom, a legend beyond reach.
And then, back in Ihyeon’s room.
After unsummoning Dummy, I opened my eyes and rose from my position.
Around that same moment, Jia was being summoned back into the room as well.
Elsie asked with a thrumming expression of anticipation.
“How did it go? Did everything work out?!”
She was the type who viewed the Defense Ministry like a demon lord’s castle.
Though it was a different demon lord’s castle (?), since I had said I would handle something similar and left, she couldn’t help but be on edge.
Elsie couldn’t bring herself to touch me as I lay there, instead anxiously fretting beside me.
I chuckled softly and replied.
“Yeah, it all worked out fine.”
“Phew, thank goodness.”
Elsie let out a relieved sigh, placing a hand over her heart.
“So now Master can go outside without worry?”
“…I wasn’t exactly being that cautious to begin with.”
Does she think I’m some kind of wanted fugitive who can’t properly leave the house?
I answered as such while patting Elsie’s head a few times.
However, Jia voiced a similar sentiment.
“Master, if I may be so bold, the conversation proceeded smoothly, yet why did you decide not to reveal your identity?”
Jia had observed the exchange between Ihyeon and Seongnyun from right beside them.
Given that, her confusion was all the more understandable.
“If I may speak freely, I believe you deserve far greater glory than what you possess now.”
This wasn’t merely because of Ihyeon’s items.
Rather, it was a more rational skepticism.
Surely all the practical obstacles that had been shackling Ihyeon’s ankles were now resolved.
Did Ihyeon lack the ambition, desire for fame, or need for recognition that most humans possessed?
‘I’m no exception to that rule.’
Ihyeon offered a bitter smile as he watched the two spirits staring intently at him alone.
Just as Jia had suggested, and just as Seongnyun had thought.
Ihyeon’s practical problems had been resolved.
Now, he could convene a press conference at any moment and announce that Ihyeon was Ilgyeok, that he had awakened before his military discharge, and the Defense Ministry could do nothing to stop him.
Even if he flipped his lower eyelid in front of the Defense Minister and said he’d rather die, the Defense Ministry would be powerless against Ihyeon.
‘Ah, perhaps that was a bit much?’
Then Ihyeon would ascend to stardom overnight, and he could spend his days in happiness without further worry.
But what these two still didn’t know.
‘My concealment of my identity while climbing the tower wasn’t rooted solely in practical concerns from the beginning.’
Ihyeon’s struggles extended beyond mere practical problems.
Why had Ihyeon begun climbing the tower in the first place?
Most fundamentally, it was naturally because my sniper rifle had suddenly awakened.
And it had done so with a power that overturned all previous precedent.
Yet that alone could not provide a sufficient answer.
At the deepest core of all my current motivations lay a terrible catastrophe that had befallen my squad a year ago.
A calamity that had stolen my life in an instant.
Since then, I had merely been breathing; in truth, I might as well have died alongside my squad members.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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