I Got A Legendary Sniper Rifle - Chapter 39
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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 39
Episode 39
Meanwhile, there was another place in just as much chaos as Ihyeon.
It was the Management Bureau’s situation room.
“What in the world is happening?!”
“Ilgyeok is two people, what?!”
It was common knowledge and basic understanding that phantoms could not attack at all—they were merely illusions.
Yet here we were.
On one side, a Rex Lizardman lay dead, having lost half of its upper body.
On the other side, a Wyvern was torn to shreds like a paper airplane and plummeted from the sky.
The problem was that both of these creatures had been killed by a single Hunter named Ilgyeok.
Unless Ilgyeok’s body came in two, this should have been impossible.
The Problem Manager would have said, “Isn’t it good if Ilgyeok is two people?” but unfortunately, he was still facing the wall and unable to offer his opinion.
In any case, the situation room was in complete pandemonium.
Seongnyun had no choice but to rely on the Hunter who had witnessed Ilgyeok’s combat inside the Tower—or perhaps “massacre” would be the more fitting word.
“In your opinion, what do you think? Is it definitely Ilgyeok? …The system says it’s Ilgyeok, so what can we do.”
The Hunter seemed unable to trust his own eyes either, but he nodded nonetheless.
“Um… Yes. It’s very similar to what I saw. If we examine the bodies of the Goliath Lizardmen, we should find finger bones. As for the other two bosses, it seems to be the same skill that killed the Commander Kobolt, but….”
“Seems to be?”
“The power… has increased to an absurd degree compared to then.”
“Does that even make sense?”
It doesn’t make sense.
It doesn’t make sense, yet it actually happened.
The stat increases per level are fixed, so was Ilgyeok somehow enjoying three times the time everyone else gets?
Every time you level up, your stat increases are predetermined, but why does One Strike get to enjoy three times the time that others do?
…Not quite three times the time, but considering he was gaining roughly three times the stats, it was a fairly accurate guess.
In any case, a growth rate that completely defied common sense.
However, there was one more unsolved mystery.
“Looking at how that Healer killed the Wyvern, he’s definitely connected to Ilgyeok, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then what exactly was the healing given to Hunter Seongmin? Is Ilgyeok a Healer?”
“That… that really doesn’t make any….”
“Is anything making sense right now?!”
The Hunter lowered his head as if he had committed a crime and fell silent.
Seeing this, Seongnyun patted his shoulder reassuringly.
“That’s right, it’s not your fault. It’s Ilgyeok who’s being too much….”
Just then, the Gate Response Manager, who had been listening from the side, spoke to Seongnyun.
“Hey, doesn’t your department have someone pretty smart?”
“Smart? Who?”
Seongnyun tilted his head in confusion.
None of my subordinate employees fit that description.
“Oh, you mean that kid who graduated from Korea University and came here? The Deputy Manager.”
“Ah….”
Only then did Seongnyun understand what he was talking about.
“That guy’s smart, sure, but he just talks nonsense all day. Right now he’s standing there staring at the wall.”
The Gate Response Manager’s “smart kid” was none other than that Deputy Manager who served as the rising star of the talent search division.
“Don’t say that—call him over and show me. A kid who studied well should be able to see something.”
“Hmm….”
After a moment of deliberation, Seongnyun nodded.
In situations like this, putting heads together could indeed be the better approach.
“So, what’s your take on this?”
And so the Deputy Manager, released from his exile, watched the footage.
He seemed to ponder for a moment before opening his mouth.
“First of all, the Rex Lizardman didn’t throw his spear, did he?”
“That’s right. If you say anything useless again….”
“Then wouldn’t we find something if we looked into where he threw the spear?”
“?!?!?!?!!”
Seongnyun’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
“You… were you really from Korea University?”
“Manager, who falsifies their education on a civil service exam?”
The Deputy Manager responded as if he’d seen every absurd thing a manager could say.
* * *
“This truck thief…!”
“Mom, mom! Please listen to me! Look at this!”
Fortunately, I managed to save my life.
Swift reporters had already posted a breaking news update that “Ilgyeok closed two Gates simultaneously.”
And since there was confirmation from the system window—the most definitive evidence—there was no room for doubt.
However, in my case, I hadn’t revealed that I was Ilgyeok.
“I, I also went to fulfill my duty as a Hunter, but… by the time I arrived, Ilgyeok had already finished it!”
That was all I needed to say.
Crack—! Crack—!
“Why would a kid who just became a Hunter go somewhere so dangerous! Have you lost your mind?!”
“Dear, p-please forgive him, he went with good intentions….”
My back stung, but fortunately I managed to prevent my identity from becoming known to the Ministry of Defense.
In any case, the truck returned safely, and the delivery was completed on my way back.
After hitting me for a while, Minjeong’s eyes began to glisten with tears as she spoke.
“…Don’t go to dangerous places like that next time. You could get hurt, and you’re in a position where you have to hide your identity anyway.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful. Still….”
Minjeong and Donghoo, as parents, weren’t pleased about their son going to a dangerous Gate site.
My eyes dimmed with sadness for a moment upon hearing those words, but soon brightened again.
“Back then, I didn’t even have a level and just charged in recklessly. What can you do? Haha, there’s not much risk of getting hurt.”
It was true.
Compared to me, almost every Hunter was practically engaged in close-range combat.
Meanwhile, I sniped from distances exceeding 1km, killing most monsters before they even realized I existed, making it far safer.
…Well, there were cases like earlier where a boss monster like a Rex Lizardman would just hurl their weapon at me, but I didn’t mention it since my parents would obviously worry.
Meanwhile, Minjeong and Donghoo noticed the sadness that flickered across my eyes.
How could they not?
I was thinking of the accident that had robbed my son of an entire year when he should have been at his most vibrant.
Donghoo and Minjeong exchanged a quick glance and nodded to each other.
“That’s right, you haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Come on inside and eat.”
Then I shook my head with a serious expression.
“No, Mother, Father. There are still important matters I haven’t resolved that are piling up….”
“What did you have for lunch?”
“Kimchi pancake? It was crispy and delicious.”
“Ah, there’s some makgeolli left, right? Did you put it in the fridge?”
“Of course, what do you take me for?”
“You didn’t put the ice cream in last time.”
“….”
“As the saying goes from ancient times, even Diamond Mountain is best appreciated on a full stomach. No matter how important the task, how could it possibly compare to the pleasures of fine dining? Well then, I shall go inside and have my meal.”
Upon hearing about kimchi pancake and makgeolli, I dashed home faster than I could shift my sniper position.
After all, what I had been planning to do was check the Gate rewards anyway.
There was nothing wrong with occasionally handling business in good spirits while enjoying kimchi pancake and a cup of makgeolli.
Sizzle— sizzle—
As I reheated the cooled kimchi pancake in the frying pan, I checked people’s reactions on my phone.
Naturally, the internet was in an uproar.
All the breaking news, trending posts, and viral videos were plastered with stories about me and the two Gates.
And the tone of the rushing comments was like this.
[ └ What? He cleared two Gates simultaneously?
└ How is that even possible?
└ 29 consecutive S+ ranks?
└ Don’t think. Feel. ]
The mainstream opinion was that it was utterly unbelievable, though there was a resigned acceptance to it.
It was because Ilgyeok had consistently pulled off impossible feats up until now.
“Well, this isn’t bad at all.”
It was far better than just “not bad,” but I expressed satisfaction anyway as I plated the kimchi pancake.
Glug—
I poured a bowl of makgeolli as well.
“Ah, this is happiness.”
I sat down at the dining table.
The golden, crispy kimchi pancake made my mouth water just looking at it.
Moreover, the makgeolli appeared to be the best-selling brand at the supermarket—the kind that was normally hard to even find. He’d brought a single bottle.
Colloquially known as ‘Tower’ makgeolli.
The label design was peculiar, featuring some farmer holding a handful of rice in front of a tower, but that was the sort of marketing everyone did these days anyway.
Pop—
Ihyeon skillfully tore off a piece of the kimchi pancake and took a bite to taste it first.
The crispy texture of the pancake combined with the distinctive tangy and soft sensation of fermented kimchi filled my mouth completely.
Two contrasting sensations collided in my mouth with an almost euphoric intensity.
Gulp—
Before the aftertaste could fade, I took a sip of the makgeolli as well.
The refreshing carbonation and subtle umami would perfectly balance the salty and spicy flavors of the kimchi pancake.
‘This is how you do it—checking rewards while enjoying yourself. This is true strategy.’
Bringing the makgeolli bowl to my lips, I first checked the reward from the Doryongnaddeulmok Gate.
「Outstanding Performance Reward.
One skill you possess will increase in rank.
Snipe Point Conversion (C) → (B)」
Gulp—!
“Yes, this is it!”
My Snipe Point Conversion had risen all the way to B-rank.
Since it was originally C-rank, it was only a single rank increase, but truthfully, B-rank skills were the kind of high tier that ordinary Hunters could only dream of.
「Snipe Point Conversion (B)
Instantly teleport to a designated snipe point.
Affected by distance and concealment.
Limited to 3 uses per day.」
The number of times I could use it per day had increased.
Moreover, according to established knowledge, when a skill’s rank increases, the effects of the stats it influences also grow stronger.
For instance, if I could previously move up to 50 meters with Snipe Point Conversion, I should now be capable of roughly 100 meters.
“This is more than satisfactory.”
Considering all of this comprehensively, I nodded in approval.
Certainly, inside the Tower, Snipe Point Conversion was essentially my lifeline.
In other words, my spare lives had increased from one to three.
Along with significantly enhanced performance at that.
Next was the reward from Myeongcheon Park.
Savoring another combination of kimchi pancake and makgeolli, I opened the notification window again.
‘The creature in the park was a Rex Lizardman, so….’
Since it was counted among the considerably powerful boss monsters, I had high expectations for the reward.
Even if it just raised a skill rank like before, that wouldn’t be bad….
「You have acquired the item ‘Rex Lizardman’s Spear’.
Check your inventory.」
“Huh?”
Contrary to my expectations, an item had dropped from the boss monster.
My eyes widened as I confirmed the item.
I’d obtained a greatsword from a Goblin Berserker I’d defeated in the past.
Deokhuun had called out 190, but the average market price was roughly around 150.
That’s what a weapon from a mere 10th Floor Floor Master was worth.
Then what about the Rex Lizardman, who ruled over D-rank and even C-rank Instant Towers?
Given how the value of byproducts and items increased exponentially the higher the floors, its worth would be astronomical.
“I’ve nearly spent all my money anyway.”
While it was slightly disappointing that this wasn’t a reward that strengthened me systematically, in a way it was exactly what I needed right now.
As if possessed, I opened my inventory and pulled out the Rex Lizardman’s spear.
“Ah.”
The memory of that enormous size I’d seen during the conquest came to me the very next moment.
I shouldn’t take it out here!
My apartment wasn’t particularly spacious.
If I wasn’t careful, a catastrophe could occur where the spear pierced right through my home.
I’d only just entered the apartment and wasn’t even drunk yet—how could I make such a mistake?
Thud—!
“…Phew.”
Fortunately, no such disaster occurred.
If a spear of that size had been given as an actual reward, there wouldn’t be a single Hunter capable of using it.
The Rex Lizardman’s spear, adjusted to a reasonable human size.
Yet the smooth, solid metal shaft and the blade edge that gleamed with a chilling sharpness made it clear at a glance that this was no ordinary object.
In the item market, popular and unpopular items were clearly distinguished.
Weapons like swords and spears that many Hunters used commanded a premium accordingly.
Items with particularly rare properties, like a Healer’s staff, were also valued highly.
So a spear should fetch a respectable price without complaint.
Moreover, its rank was impressively displayed as B, befitting a boss monster item.
It was a grade that Hunters using spears could rely on regardless of which floor they were clearing.
“Mmm, delicious.”
After putting the spear away, I contentedly enjoyed my makgeolli and kimchi pancake.
Just seeing the spear in my inventory and my upgraded skill made me feel naturally satisfied.
‘At this rate, I could skip today’s conquest. Actually, I should skip it.’
I absolutely had to rest.
Tower conquest after drinking was forbidden!
…And truthfully, simultaneously handling two Gates and then clearing the Tower was something that couldn’t normally even be imagined.
But an unimaginable crisis had come upon me.
“…Why is there a mark on the floor here?”
‘Oh no.’
Whether I hadn’t looked properly in my drunken state earlier, or had overlooked it in my good mood from the reward, there was quite a large mark where the spear had fallen.
Minjeong glared at me suspiciously as I lay sprawled in the living room.
A moment of absolute crisis!
But who was I, Ihyeon?
An excellent marksman who had completed all sniper training with outstanding grades.
Moreover, Ilgyeok—a hot potato that had sent shockwaves across the entire world!
After all, a marksman of such legendary caliber had to be skilled at deception as well.
“I’m not sure what you mean?”
“…You really don’t know?”
“Mom, come on. I was out all day and came home to drink makgeolli, then just kept sleeping.”
“This person really….”
Minjeong’s murderous gaze was easily comparable to that of the Rex Lizardman I’d seen earlier.
I couldn’t tell who exactly this ‘person’ she was referring to was, but it was certain I would face quite a difficult ordeal.
But such is the way of the world—nothing comes easy.
Sometimes I had to overcome obstacles I never could have anticipated.
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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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