Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“huh?”

“I told you. I’m going to Korea once. It’s not 5 days in Middle Earth, it’s 5 days in real life, keep in mind. Oh, I’m busy.”

Sharak-Sharak-.

Ram Hwayeon flipped through the documents with excessive movements, hiding herself from Lee Ha’s gaze.

“Now, wait a minute? That’s after 5 days-”

Shuuk-!

Before Iha could even begin to panic, his body had already been moved to the Vatican. This is why you have to finish the conversation and then move through space.

* * *

Everyone was already gathered in front of the throne room of the Ezwen Catholic Church.

“-ah. Uh-”

“You’re here.” “Let’s go in.”

He hadn’t even thought about Ram Hwa-yeon’s trip to Korea, but after Bailipus’s words, he couldn’t think of it anymore.

“-yes. Forgive me for being late. Let’s go.”

There was no longer any need to exclude others from the Pope’s throne room.

According to the quest conditions, all the demon king’s minions have died and the current quest has been completed. There was no longer a need for secrecy.

Inside the throne room, there were many high-ranking officials of the Church of Ezweni, including the Pope, as well as cardinals and bishops of the Ahlo Church.

“His Holiness the Pope, I have just returned from completing all the missions you gave me regarding the suppression of the Demon King’s army.”

“What happened to Bluebeard?”

Not only the Pope and other NPCs, but also the users of the Demon Lord’s Army Suppression Team were waiting for Lee Ha to speak.

They are all casual rankers or outsiders.

They were able to guess what it meant when the quest condition completion rate reached 100%, but they could not give an answer as clearly as the following.

“…Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch him.”

“What? Then, he is-”

“The mission given to us by His Holiness the Pope is to subdue all the Demon King’s forces within the [current continent]… And, without being able to capture Bluebeard, we “We have killed all the Demon King’s henchmen.”

“…Then- Then Les….”

“Yes. There are no bluebeards on this continent.”

Lee Ha looked at the Pope in a kneeling position and at the cardinal NPCs around him.

The NPCs immediately figured out the hidden meaning in the following words.

No, maybe that’s natural. Because they are NPCs set up as Middle Earth intended.

It was all one flow up to this point.

Why did the flow keep getting distorted right after I got that quest?

‘No, maybe I got that quest too quickly. It must have been the same for Mr. Fernand. ‘He tried to head ‘that way’ much faster than me… Of course, it was bound to be impossible at the time.’

With Middle Earth’s mainstream quests not yet underway, it is clear that reaching ‘that side’ would have been a hindrance to the system.

Lee Ha slowly caught his breath and posted his final report.

“…The devil’s piece has left. Across the sea of dawn.”

“Across the Sea of Dawn? You went there?”

“yes.”

“why…? Why is this guy who thinks about the extinction of humanity and the revival of demons now… Isn’t he the guy who hid himself on this continent even after he was defeated in the Second Human-Demon War and everyone else was running away?!”

While listening to the Pope’s questions, Lee Ha calmly expressed his thoughts.

‘that’s right. Middle Earth always gives hints in any quest award.’

Considering the reason why Bluebeard moves and the surprise when Bluebeard was discovered on this continent, it was a very natural conclusion.

“you’re right. That’s what everyone said when Bluebeard was first discovered. The Demon King’s army, which was repelled in the final battle of the Second Human-Demon War, all crossed over to the Sea of Dawn… Therefore, it was said that Bluebeard could not be here… But that was not true. In fact, Bluebeard succeeded in remaining on this continent. Therefore, we, including Director Broless and the Pope, had no choice but to fundamentally overturn that assumption.”

“Not only Bluebeard, but also other pieces of the Demon King will be on this continent…”

The Pope received the following words.

Iha listened to the Pope, nodded, and then opened his mouth again.

At that time, I just thought that was the flow of the quest. Based on the information that had been released until then, it was best to think that way.

“you’re right. But that wasn’t it. No, maybe not even Bluebeard knew. This is proof that they did not have time to adjust their actions like that while being chased by the Human Coalition. Therefore, Bluebeard wakes up alone on this continent and finds himself with his companions – should I say companions? Anyway, I went around looking for other pieces of the Demon King. That was the reason why they awakened the noble ghost monsters, joined hands with the deviant red dragon, and sent chimeras to cause chaos all over the continent.”

“That’s why…”

“Yes. It was a distraction. He carefully made it seem like he would appear everywhere and overturn the continent, but in reality, he was only looking for another piece of the Demon King. And that search would have ended at some point.”

“In the end, you mean you couldn’t find the other demon lord’s pieces – Gibrid and Pyroth-Kokri?”

“you’re right. So he left. In search of his comrades who had truly crossed the Sea of Dawn during the Second World War. And because we were concerned that we would be chased if this fact was discovered, we used minions to distract them until the end.”

Murmur.

Everyone, including users and NPCs, nodded or made serious expressions, lost in thought.

“…So you were trying not to provoke Rod.”

The Ancient Gold Dragon’s words were confirmation that the following words were correct.

The reason Bluebeard did not provoke Platinum Dragon Bahamut until the end was probably because he did not want to be disturbed in his departure for the New World.

“yes. If you really intended to immediately start the Third Man-On-War War, there is no reason to act like that. The day they killed Kuzgunak’shi, a war would have broken out. Pope, no, His Holiness the Pope. Please ask me again.”

“…Something.”

Pope Gaius IV looked down with a tired expression, as if he was weighed down by thoughts.

Below, I took a deep breath.

Even if you don’t have to suggest it, this will be a natural flow anyway.

‘But… Still, someone has to suggest this. That’s it… the completion of Middle Earth [Phase 2].’

The following reminded me of a phrase that appeared on the official Middle Earth website.

“We must rally the descendants of heroes. Before Bluebeard awakens another piece of the Demon King, he must find and destroy it in the New World. To prevent the third human-on-horse war.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t confirm when he left? What if Gibbrid and Pyroth-Kokri have already awakened in the New World? Then wouldn’t the damage actually be accumulating? In that case, I think it would be better to strengthen our defense posture by seeking cooperation from all countries in the name of our God, Ahlo.”

“no. That’s not it. As for this matter-”

Huuu….

Lee Ha slowly opened the bag. What I took out was a small key with wings. It was a holy relic received as part of a subjugation team for the Demon King’s army.

Holding the holy relic respectfully with both hands, Iha presented it to the Pope and presented the agenda.

“I believe that attack is the best defense. Please allow us to form an expedition to the New World.”

[Subdue the Demon Lord’s Army]

quest has been completed.

Your level has risen.

Acquired 3 stat points.

Continental reputation increases by 1,500.

Intimacy with all NPCs in the Holy See within the Church of Ezwene increases by 20%.

* * *

“It’s a New World expedition… But I can’t make that decision rashly. I am the representative of Ahlo on earth… but on the other hand, I am only the head of the Church of Ezwene. You can’t decide right away on something that requires a huge amount of capital and manpower.”

“Ah…”

The Pope participates in the coronation of all kings, but that does not mean he has all the power to command.

From the perspective of Ezwene, a ‘small nation’ who is vertical in spiritual relationships but is treated as horizontal, or perhaps even lower, in real relationships, he cannot lead the large project of exploring the New World.

However, it was no less frustrating.

Who is he? This is a user who has already completed quests related to the New Continent.

When Lee Ha tried to come forward and make a suggestion, another user who completed the New World quest ‘before’ Lee Ha spoke up.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Your Holiness.”

“Fernand? What does it mean to not have to worry?”

Fernand, who was kneeling behind Iha, stood up and looked at the Pope and the other users.

“I have already made a pact with the King of Puviel. He said that if I participated, he would organize an expedition to the New World. Of course, it also contains the name of the leader of the Leeha subjugation team. It would be much easier if the Holy Father would just lend his name. If you entrust me with this task, can I make a move?”

Fernand looked alternately at the Pope and then at him.

It seemed like he was talking to the Pope, but in reality, it was no different from asking Iha.

―Mr. Fernand?

―Leeha, you already have the authority to participate in the New World expedition anyway. Moreover, I have some close relationships with Kraven and Minis, so if I’m going to lead them on an expedition like this, it would probably be better for me, who has wide feet and a high level of familiarity, to move. Thank you

. Please.

Lee Ha quickly cut off his chatter, which seemed to continue indefinitely.

‘That’s right, I am Puviel’s number one contributor. If it were Puviel’s own decision, it would be quicker for me to meet the king and negotiate…’

Indeed, Fernand was the king of pioneering.

He is the person who knows best what kind of preparation, how much, and from whom to prepare for leaving for a new place.

“I understand. In that case, I will ask each country to cooperate. Will you take charge of this matter, Fernand?”

Fernand’s body twitched for a moment.

Users around him noticed that he was looking at a certain quest window.

“yes. Please leave it to me.”

“And I would like to ask again all of you who were part of the subjugation team.”

Shuuuuk!

The moment the Pope opened his mouth again, a hologram window appeared in front of other users.

[The Spark of the New World Expedition]

Description: ‘You who killed all the Demon King’s army and the Demon King’s minions on the current continent are the knights of the severe punishment sent down by God Ahlo…. When the New World Expedition is formed, your strength will be restored again. I’d like to borrow it sometime. If you, the group to subdue the Demon King’s army, participate first, it will be easier to gather the strength of other heroes.’

I would like to become a member of the newly formed 2nd New World Expedition.

But keep in mind, a long, long voyage never guarantees your life.

The mana of the current continent may not be able to reach an unknown land that no human has ever reached!

Content: Reward for arriving at the New World after participating in the New World Expedition

: ??

Pre-reward: 3 stat points

Rare potions supplied from the Ahlo Temple in the current continent (2 daily limit)

Failure condition: When the expedition ship is completely destroyed or the entire expedition team dies before reaching the new continent.

Failure: Achievement – Human Sacrifice for Demons

Continent common reputation –20,000

Intimacy with all countries in the current continent –50%

Do you want to accept?

‘The first reward is three stat points? The same goes for rare potions – no, the stat points are absolutely ridiculous!’

“What is this…”

Kid’s words softly spoke represented everyone’s thoughts. It is rare for stat points to be given even as general rewards.

What’s more, this time it’s not a success reward, but an advance reward?

The supply of rare potions was also a pre-compensation, but it was so great that it was not even noticeable.

‘In other words, it means the difficulty level of the quest. ‘The hint might be that the current continent’s mana doesn’t work.’

The failure conditions are not too strict.

Death of any ship or entire expedition.

In other words, even if you die, you can succeed as long as you manage to reach the new continent by boarding only one expedition user on one ferry boat.

But it wasn’t something to be relieved about.

This means that even under these conditions, the level of difficulty is such that a corresponding amount of advance compensation must be given.

“Bailiphus, is it possible that the mana of the current continent may not work in the new continent?”

You can’t just press the accept button. Lee Ha first asked Bailippus.