Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“Why are you so silent? At what level is it? Something absurd like B+ popped up, right?”

“Are you hoping for that, Luger? More than anything, a place like this can’t be simply B+ grade… No matter how conservatively you estimate, it would exceed A+ level. There is even a possibility it could be S- grade.”

Luger’s and Kidd’s attention bells were right beside Leeha, and they were trying to deduce from Leeha’s expression about the achievements he had just unlocked.

However, Leeha had to keep silent.

〈Achievement: First Discovery―Saur Land (S+)〉

Congratulations! You have discovered an unprecedented location. This is the country where ancient creatures who ruled this world, the dinosaurs, proficient in all civilizations and magic, reside! This is Saur Land! The mere fact that the Saurus race, whose existence has barely been verified, congregates here, possessing a civilization more advanced than humans, magic stronger than dragons, and a natural affinity more harmonious than elves, seems impossible even in a novel. The only one who can address all beings in this world who consider themselves lofty is you, who discovered Saur Land.

It is natural that gigantic monsters, bowing before their overwhelming size and power, worship them. Even the scent of having been in Saur Land will make them lower their heads.

Prove the existence of Saur Land through the ability you gained as a reward for discovering this place!

Reward: 60 stat points

Dominance over gigantic monsters +30%

(This achievement does not have a Hall of Fame)

‘Kijung… He caught Pyrot-Cocri and earned an S+ achievement by completing a quest given by the Pope.’

But what was this? An S+ achievement just for discovery?

Nothing but stepping foot there first, resulting in an S+ achievement!

‘Balance… balance!’

Considering that the discovery of Peklo City had an S-grade, the discovery level and rarity of Saur Land would exceed those of Peklo City.

It implied that it was a place rarer and more vital than the undead city made by one of the Demon King’s Fragment.

‘It makes sense. It has to be that way.’

A civilization more advanced than humans.

Magic stronger than dragons.

Natural affinity more harmonious than elves.

No such entity exists in the world. Or rather, did not exist.

‘Until the Saurus race was discovered.’

Leeha trembled all over.

60 stat points and 30% dominance over gigantic monsters.

Although he didn’t yet know how to use this dominance over gigantic monsters, he had faith that the additional option tied to an S+ grade wouldn’t be bad.

‘No, wait, this… I’ve seen this before. Crazy! Character window!’

Name: Ha Leeha / Race: Human

Occupation: White Reaper / Level: 261 (2.11%)

Title: Shadow Hitman / Achievements: 176

HP: 11,790(8,253)

MP: 5,465

Stats: Strength 894(+809)

Agility 4,451(+1,621)

Intelligence 645(+429)

Stamina 464(+338)

Mentality 421(+176)

Remaining Stat Points: 386

“Huh?”

“What, at what level?”

“What’s the option?”

“N-No. It’s not the achievement, it’s the stats… They are odd.”

Leeha blinked, staring at his character window. When was the last time he assigned any stat points?

Having swept through countless achievements and gained levels from defeating an Adult Lich Dragon, his stat points had accumulated without his notice.

“Stats? What’s your total stat score?”

“Even just mentioning your Agility would be enough.”

Despite Luger’s question and Kidd slyly adding on, Leeha did not respond to any of them.

There was no need to showcase his foolishness.

‘First… let’s replenish mana. The next would be increasing the damage of Black Bass.’

He had previously considered it unnecessary.

He thought he could allocate the stat points later when something essential appeared, or if new item requirements became known.

But that was a waste.

‘No, that’s not it. They were all one-shot, one-kill anyway, so it’s not necessarily a waste… But overbalance-wise, I might be the overbalance. Heh.’

Leeha mockingly self-praised as he distributed his stat points appropriately.

Leeha allocated 79 points to increase his mind to 500, which boosted his MP, and added 300 points to his agility. By making this allocation at once, he instantly reached an agility total that would typically require a level-up of about 60 levels to achieve, bringing his overall agility to 4,751.

‘Now, the damage for the Multi-Warhead Shot when undetected is 80,000 per shot…?’

Using the 〈Melding Breath〉 skill to become completely hidden, and then approaching an enemy to fire the Multi-Warhead Shot at close range?

That would unleash 47 shots, each inflicting 80,000 damage.

‘Whoa…’

Leeha halted his calculations.

They had arrived just in front of the city at that moment.

“Wow…”

“Oh my! What we saw from a distance— it really was as I thought!? Look at this, honey!”

“I am looking, Liza… But getting all excited over gold—”

“What!? What’s wrong with liking precious metals? Gold and diamonds represent eternal purity and unchanging love—”

“Haha, it hasn’t changed one bit, Beth.”

Listening to the lively chatter among the NPCs, the players couldn’t help but smile warmly and feel moved.

The entire dinosaur city was gilded, and the gems embedded everywhere were reflecting colorful lights.

* * *

“So extravagant…”

“Ha, the city walls are made of gold? A shot from a cobalt-blue python would melt them down.”

“The barrier outside wasn’t protecting just the wall’s front, was it? Luger, even if you fired a thousand shots, you might not break through.”

“What, what!? Are you underestimating me?!”

The opulence of the Saurus city was enough to excite even the Three Musketeers.

The dazzling appearance of the city, visible from a distance, was almost blinding.

However, as they drew closer, they started feeling something was strange.

The closer they got, and finally upon reaching the vicinity of the city wall, it became almost certain.

Both the former and the current Three Musketeers had the same observation.

“…Something…”

“Feels too strange.”

Regardless, a city wall is a city wall. Naturally, there was a gate for entry and exit, and gatekeepers to guard it.

Yet, there weren’t many dinosaurs passing through.

Whether it was a city or a royal palace or something else, it wasn’t unusual for there to be few or many dinosaurs passing by. The issue was…

The height of the gatekeepers.

And the height of the dinosaurs passing through.

That was indeed strange.

“This could be mistaken for a human city.”

“Those dinosaurs… Don’t they look like they could just be Lizardia?”

“Aren’t they more like giants? They’re about 2 meters tall? Their arms are a bit long, making their proportions odd…”

“The dinosaurs capturing us— they are taller than this wall! What is this?”

Dinosaurs around 40 meters tall stood before a city wall about 10 meters high.

To them, the wall must have looked like a mere miniature model.

Naturally, the dinosaurs passing through the gate had to resemble the size of humans. Otherwise, passing through would mean demolishing everything.

Even Elizabeth and Brown seemed taken aback, as if they hadn’t expected this. Only Bailephus was in awe.

“They’re conserving resources. If this is possible—”

And as if to confirm his theory, the dinosaurs used magic.

Shwooooo…

They swiftly shrank to a size similar to humans, reducing from about 40 meters tall to merely 2 meters.

With the height of giants and the appearance resembling Lizardia, and slightly elongated arms that mismatched their proportions, the dinosaurs approached the city gates naturally.

“I’ve brought the human who defeated the Anti-King.”

“Excellent, Your Highness. Please proceed, third Prince.”

“Alright.”

The dinosaurs bowed respectfully to a dinosaur wearing a golden helmet. Another golden-helmeted dinosaur followed them, receiving greetings as well.

Still trapped in the bubble-like magic, Leeha and his party listened to the conversation with somewhat astonished faces.

―Third Prince? A prince? Did I hear that right?

―He’s more important than we thought.

―So that’s why he was so obsessed with the term ‘Anti-King’.

Leeha nodded as he listened to Kidd’s words. From start to finish, he didn’t mention the name ‘Toon’ even once.

‘Royal family’s human—no, it’s not a human. It’s a dinosaur from the royal family.’

It was rather fortunate.

If that was the case, he would have shown favor towards Leeha from the first moment they met.

Moreover, it was the golden-helmeted dinosaur who instantly recognized Kyle’s identity.

‘Seeing as how the other dinosaurs weren’t particularly cautious around Kyle… there must be some unique ability only the royal family possesses.’

Leeha’s intuition told him so.

The clue to treating Kyle might be found there.

However, it still wasn’t an unequivocal choice. He kept wondering who it would be for and who would benefit from it.

This concern kept bothering him. Yet, there was no viable solution at the moment.

After all, it wasn’t even certain if they could treat Kyle or not.

‘No use worrying about it in advance.’

Leeha shook his head, tossing aside the cluttered thoughts.

The thoroughfares were meticulously arranged in a grid pattern, and the dinosaurs roamed, flinching and observing Leeha’s party as they passed.

Just as this place was unknown to humans, perhaps most inside this place were also unfamiliar with humans?

Leeha was watching them and their distance from within the bubble.

“Feels like being a zoo monkey.”

“You should enjoy this opportunity.”

“Ha, can you really enjoy this? Alexander! Can you enjoy this?”

Hearing Kidd’s words, Luger looked at Alexander.

Fernand, per Kidd’s suggestion, was indeed enjoying the current situation. Though the NPCs seemed uncomfortable, they were enduring it in their own way.

And Alexander?

“…… I am…… the pinnacle of humanity….”

The pride of ranking first was under a severe attack.

“Pfft.”

“Haha, even he has days like this.”

Leeha and Luger couldn’t hold back their laughter.

How long they had been moving like this, a familiar place to humans like Leeha appeared.

“A castle.”

“A castle made of jewels…?”

It couldn’t compare with those of Fibiel or Minis.

The grandeur of the castle, adorned with gold leaf and jewels, was beyond words.

The Third Prince quietly turned his head to observe the humans inside the bubble.

“It is possible only in our advanced civilization. You humans… build stone walls to ward off enemies. Here, there are no enemies, as the security system is perfect. That’s why this is possible. In that sense, humans are truly pitiful.”

The Third Prince genuinely felt pity for humans.

Finally, the dinosaur with the muted helmet standing by the Third Prince spoke for the first time.

“His Majesty is waiting, Prince. All reports have already been made.”

“Hmm. Well done.”

The Third Prince nodded.

“Let’s go in.”

Still enclosed in the bubble, they entered the inner part of the royal palace of Sauroland.

* * *

The interior of the royal palace was just as splendid as its exterior.

The group marveled quietly at the precious artistic adornments.

What was even more surprising was the absence of personnel despite the rich decorations.

“A hall of this size doesn’t have any guarding dinosaurs?”

“Certainly seems like there are no guards.”

“The expression ‘no enemies’ makes sense. It means they are in that much of a peaceful state.”

Alexander was the one who thought the same as the Three Musketeers at that exact point. Unlike their suspicions, his face showed a slight sentimentality.

“It’s confidence.”

“Sorry?”

“They believe they can protect themselves with their own strength. It’s respectable. Without any enemies, they don’t even need a military to guard the king.”

Alexander added with a hint of bitterness.

“But to have such confidence that they wouldn’t even take our weapons….”

Alexander seemed to have acknowledged the Saurians already.

After passing through the corridors and halls for some time, they finally arrived at a massive gate within the expansive palace.