I Got A Legendary Sniper Rifle - Chapter 312

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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 312
Ep. 312
As my eyes adjusted to the luminescence, the owners of those glowing gazes began to come into focus.
Monstrous creatures—seemingly evolved from sharks, rays, and tuna—lined both sides of the passage, split wide apart.
There was certainly no atmosphere of welcome for Ihyeon’s group.
Rather, they appeared so savage and deranged that the Turtle seemed almost normal by comparison to when it had bitten Jia earlier.
The saying that loyal retainers were departing while treacherous ones filled their places was no mere falsehood.
Yet the creatures made no sudden move to attack.
Until the long corridor ended and an open space revealed itself beyond, they merely watched in silence, taking no particular action.
‘But why is the Turtle…?’
A question flashed through Ihyeon’s mind, though I chose not to voice it.
The panoramic view of the Dragon King’s Castle unfolding before my eyes was far more pressing.
Surprisingly, the Dragon King’s Castle was situated in a bright location.
Ihyeon grasped the general structure of this place.
Thick cliffs surrounded all sides, yet the top lay completely open.
Much like a castle on land.
Moreover, brilliant sunlight streamed down through the opening above.
Whatever transpired within, the scenery alone was so wondrous and beautiful that words fell short.
“Oho! Is this the Dragon King’s Castle?!”
“Indeed, it is.”
Meanwhile, Hanryeol seemed unbothered by the hostility at the entrance, his spirits soaring at the sight of the Dragon King’s Castle.
As they drew closer to the castle, I began to see retainers who appeared normal, much like the Turtle now.
Yet they were considerably intimidated, gripped by fear of something, and merely observed Ihyeon cautiously.
Ascending the meticulously carved steps, Ihyeon climbed toward the main hall of the Dragon King’s Castle.
Beyond the colossal creatures visible from outside, the interior bustled with smaller retainers—anchovies and starfish—moving about busily.
Upon reaching the main hall, it wasn’t long before they arrived at the vast chamber where the Dragon King resided.
Yet the atmosphere of that space was decidedly eerie.
Torches burned a crimson red despite being underwater.
Talismans scattered about, along with trinkets that seemed to carry occult significance.
Most of all.
“Hail the Black Dragon!”
“Yes, hail the Black Dragon!”
A colossal black dragon, its body coiled fully within the innermost part of the chamber.
The Black Dragon’s crimson eyes gleamed as it gazed downward, while countless retainers filled the space before it, bowing in reverence and worship.
‘This is hardly a place where governance is conducted—it’s more like a cult.’
It was a space that made clear how the underwater realm operated.
Ihyeon shifted his gaze, scrutinizing the Black Dragon that glared down at him with a sharp eye.
Dull, flaking scales.
Beneath the black scales, I caught sight of faint white marks that I did not overlook.
“Jia, for now, it would be best if we played along.”
“I shall obey.”
The objective on the 3rd Floor was to rescue the rabbit captured by that Dragon King.
As long as the rabbit’s location remained unknown, I couldn’t afford to act rashly.
It was like a hostage situation response drill I’d trained for back in the special forces.
“And Han Yeol Hunter…?”
I searched for Hanryeol, who should have been standing on the opposite side of Jia, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Oh! Glorious Black Dragon!”
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from among the throng of retainers.
…Hanryeol had somehow wedged himself into their midst and was venerating the Dragon King with all his might.
Suuuuuuck——!!!
Given his nature to begin with, and perhaps because the Dragon King’s physical form actually existed this time.
The amount of buffs he was receiving in real-time seemed absolutely enormous.
‘I suppose that’s a strategy of sorts, too.’
If I thought of it as him charging up his strength before the final battle, I could grudgingly accept it a hundred times over.
“A celestial being?!”
But when even the Turtle, who had guided my group, looked startled upon seeing Hanryeol, I felt embarrassed on his behalf.
I called out to Hanryeol through a message.
「Ilgyeok: Han Yeol Hunter. We may need to cut down the Dragon King soon. Will you be able to do so?」
As I’d seen clearly enough with the Imugi, the Dragon’s Assassin had a trait that prevented him from demonstrating his full strength against reptiles.
Much less against a dragon that was the object of his veneration—he’d have to endure considerable penalties.
That was the thought behind my question.
「BlackDragonKing: Gah!!! How could this one possibly cut down the great Dragon King!」
‘This bastard…’
I nearly found myself slipping back into the military dialect I’d heard so often during my special forces days.
「BlackDragonKing: Instead, I shall devote myself entirely to any other task!」
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be as serious a matter as I’d thought.
‘But as for other tasks…’
If he couldn’t demonstrate his full strength against the Dragon King anyway, Jia and I would be sufficient on our own.
I tried to think of what I could ask Hanryeol to do.
That was when it happened.
“Byeoljubu, are those the Armored Rabbit and… her companions?”
The Black Dragon, who had been quietly observing my group, spoke.
Yet though it was certainly his voice, it seemed to resound from all directions as if it weren’t coming from him alone.
The Turtle bowed respectfully and answered.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have brought them here in accordance with Your Majesty’s command.”
Then the resonant voice rang out once more.
“Ooh! Truly the finest of rabbits! Come now… *cough cough!*”
“M-My liege, the Black Dragon!”
“Kekeke! Your Majesty ahhh!!”
The Black Dragon, who had seemed utterly excited moments before, suddenly began coughing harshly.
From his mouth spilled a handful of blackened, dead blood, scattering across the castle floor.
The Retainers gathered before him exhaled sighs of lamentation.
The Turtle’s claim that the Black Dragon’s health was not intact appeared to be no lie.
‘Though I’ll need to verify further exactly what manner of ailment afflicts him.’
The Octopus, having witnessed the Black Dragon’s hemoptysis, stretched one tentacle outward and flailed it wildly toward the outside, prompting several Retainers to move about busily.
Before long, an iron cage the size of a house was wheeled in from outside on a massive cart.
Shockingly, roughly a hundred rabbits were confined within, scurrying about in all directions.
The Octopus, having summoned the iron cage, bowed his head and spoke.
“Your Majesty! Please consume the rabbits at once. Your well-being concerns me greatly.”
“Cough! Cough!”
The Black Dragon, upon seeing the iron cage and the rabbits within, could not cease his coughing, yet his eyes gleamed with avarice.
It seemed the tale could never unfold exactly as the fairy tale had transmitted it.
Unlike the Dragon King in the story, who had sought the rabbit’s liver while appearing to be on death’s door.
The Black Dragon before me appeared to hunger for slaughter as though possessed by a ravenous demon.
Ihyeon’s mind raced swiftly.
‘I cannot miss this moment.’
If the Black Dragon heeded the Octopus’s counsel and consumed the rabbits in that cage, the probability of failing the conquest would be exceedingly high.
Even if one rabbit were permissible, an S+ rank would slip through my fingers.
「Ilgyeok: Han Yeol Hunter. Forget confronting the Black Dragon—can you protect those rabbits?
BlackDragonKing: Of course! Those wicked fish creatures are no match for me.」
I had found a task suited for Hanryeol.
According to my plan, I could not predict what reckless actions the excited Retainers of the sea might commit.
Even if some of them rushed toward the rabbit cage, with Hanryeol guarding it, I could rest somewhat assured.
For despite his usual demeanor, his actual abilities were trustworthy.
Jia would manage well enough on her own without my intervention.
Having organized the internal situation, I stepped forward without hesitation.
“Might I have a moment of your attention?”
“Cough! What is it….”
The Black Dragon glared at me—one who was neither Retainer nor rabbit—for daring to address him, yet answered as though willing to listen.
“I hear that the Armored Rabbit who accompanied me appears far more spiritually potent than those rabbits in that cage. Is this true?”
My true crisis came in that moment when I had to refer to Jia as a rabbit.
Of course, Jia’s appearance was extraordinarily beautiful, but I had never particularly concerned myself with such matters.
Above all, having witnessed her fight countless times, I questioned whether the word “rabbit” could possibly apply to her.
The Snow Rabbit I had seen on the 70th Floor would have been another matter entirely.
In any case, having safely navigated the crisis, the Black Dragon pondered briefly before nodding.
“Indeed. The royal physician stated that the Armored Rabbit’s liver is truly a potent elixir.”
I smiled.
“Then why delay? Simply consume the Armored Rabbit at once.”
“…Were you not a companion of the Armored Rabbit? Your words sound as though you wish for your companion’s death.”
The Black Dragon displayed a moment of suspicion, though it did not last long.
Ihyeon spoke with an even deeper smile.
“I would be delighted if my companions prove useful to the Dragon King.”
While maintaining courtesy, a more direct translation would be as follows.
Go ahead and try to eat us.
‘If you can, that is.’
In the tale of the Turtle and the Rabbit, the rabbit who fell for the turtle’s schemes and journeyed to the Dragon Palace escaped the Dragon King through cunning tricks and eloquent words.
But Ihyeon and Jia?
‘Cunning and eloquence are merely methods chosen when one cannot win through combat.’
If we could win through fighting, why would we bother agonizing over resolving things through conversation?
They say that if the mind is weak, the body suffers—but the reverse is equally true.
“Indeed. Your words ring true. If I claim the Armored Rabbit’s liver, conquering this entire ocean would be no difficult feat!”
Boom, boom, boom, boom——
The Black Dragon’s voice suddenly grew louder, and soon the castle itself seemed to resonate in harmony with his overwhelming presence.
The Retainers surrounding him began to flatter the Black Dragon.
“Black Dragon, mighty one!”
“Gain this power and rule the ocean!”
It seemed as though the ocean’s fury would pour down upon Jia at any moment.
“Oh, Black Dragon, supreme!”
Whoooosh——
Meanwhile, Hanryeol raised both arms in praise of the Black Dragon while gradually inching toward the iron cage according to Ihyeon’s instructions.
Truly, humans were creatures of contradiction.
In any case, all preparations were complete.
Ihyeon glanced at Jia and gave her a subtle signal with his eyes.
Nod——
Jia nodded calmly.
She seemed to fully understand Ihyeon’s intentions.
Goooooo——
The Black Dragon’s excitement suddenly subsided.
The Retainers’ expressions shifted a complete 180 degrees.
“M-Make way, quickly!”
Their faces twisted with fear as they parted to either side, clearing a straight line between the Black Dragon, Jia, and Ihyeon.
There was a reason they moved aside.
“I shall claim the liver myself!”
The Black Dragon’s eyes gleamed a deeper red for a moment, and soon five black water spheres brimming with tremendous power materialized beside him.
The reason the Black Dragon summoned them was quite simple.
Splash, crash, crash——!!!
The water spheres writhed violently once before launching five torrents of water in spiraling patterns toward Jia.
In truth, using such an overwhelming technique against a rabbit far weaker than himself was excessive, yet simultaneously—
it was an attack that clearly demonstrated why the Black Dragon reigned as master of the ocean.
‘…If he unleashes an attack like that, there won’t be a liver left to claim.’
To Ihyeon, it made no sense whatsoever, but that hardly mattered now.
“Ohhh!”
“The Dragon King’s Absolute Frozen Dragon Cannon!”
The Retainers, already well-versed in that water-attribute skill, sparkled with anticipation as they sought to confirm the results of the attack.
Naturally, any rabbit struck by such an assault would have no means of enduring it.
Only.
Kaaaaang——!!!
That is, if we exclude the Armored Rabbit, which was never truly a rabbit to begin with.
With merely a black shield raised before her, Jia effortlessly blocked all five of the Black Dragon’s Absolute Frozen Dragon Cannons.
The Black Dragon’s attacks, upon striking the shield, scattered pathetically in all directions.
“What?!”
“Your Majesty’s Absolute Frozen Dragon Cannon was——?!”
“?????”

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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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