Matan’s Shooter

“No direct benefit returning to Hwahong, as far as I know.”

“Right. I don’t want to mention that to the Sacred-affiliated knights. I just hope they don’t think we’ll be stuck on the old continent forever.”

… There’s still no basis for -advancing to the new continent. What can she do in a place where there are no significant cities other than Juma City? Business? Well, if that’s the case, it might be Ram Hwayeon’s specialty, but there may not be goods worth selling.

The conversation went back and forth so sharply that it was hard to tell if they were allies or enemies.

Ram Hwayeon was actively avoiding Hwahong’s expansion into the new continent, but Shin Nara also knew that it wasn’t that simple.

In reality, Ram Hwayeon did not have a significant number of goods. Many users were already selling items, and unless it was a special item, most of them were being managed by Juma City, so there was no room for them to leave a mark.

“We will take care of it ourselves. Just by assisting the Hwajung, it is a great advantage for Hwahong-“

“Lies.”

“What?”

The groundwork for a full-fledged entry into the new continent had been laid. As she tried to continue talking about it, Shin Nara’s sharp voice pierced like a needle.

Ram Hwayeon, who had been beating around the bush, finally faced Shin Nara head-on.

Shin Nara said, “That’s not the reason.”

Shin Nara took a deep breath, frustration apparent in her voice. The expression on Ram Hwayeon’s face changed in an instant. She knew what Shin Nara was going to say, even without listening.

“W-what are you talking about! Do you think I would make such a choice just for -just for that reason?”

“Just for that reason? Is it just a ‘just’ reason to you?”

As Ram Hwayeon hesitated, Shin Nara gently shook her head.

“No, I-it’s not like that-“

“If… If it’s ‘just’ for that reason. I wish you would back off.”

But it wasn’t sadness. Shin Nara’s clenched fist trembled.

Finally, Ram Hwayeon’s confusion subsided. This woman is sincere. At this moment, she doesn’t just want to talk about the matters within Middle Earth.

She wants to talk about things beyond the game. If that’s the case, there’s no backing down. The eldest daughter of Ram Long Group had never backed down in such moments.

“Oh… Never.”

“Yes?”

“Shin Nara, you don’t have the right to decide that.”

“W-what- just like you couldn’t decide until a moment ago-“

“That’s right. I’m not sure either. But… there is one thing that’s a fact.”

Ram Hwayeon didn’t reveal what that one thing was. She simply gazed quietly at Shin Nara. Shin Nara met her gaze head-on. Ram Hwayeon then smiled slightly and opened her mouth again.

“What’s so good about that clueless guy? Hmph, you might have similar thoughts.”

“……. It must be tough. Fine! Ah, it was ridiculous to start off with talking from the beginning.”

Shin Nara stretched lazily and approached Ram Hwayeon. Then, she extended her hand. The gesture wasn’t a movement of attack—it was for a handshake.

“If that’s how you feel, I’ll oblige. One on one… and it won’t end until there’s a clear winner.”

A clear challenge! Ram Hwayeon laughed as she took Shin Nara’s hand.

“If love battles were fought on the fencing court, I would have lost a long time ago.”

“First, anyway, words.”

The two women confirmed each other’s feelings. Although the act of “confirmation” brought an unmistakable sense of emotions, what lay beneath it was far from simple agreement.

Once they let go of each other’s hands, the gazes of the two women began to ignite once again.

Shhh…!

Near the main gate of the royal palace, a glimmer of light sparkled briefly, then someone dashed towards the gate.

“Whew! Oh, what’s this? You two were both here? Oh right! You can enter the Mage’s Headquarters now? How did you manage to get in? Kidd, when something like this happens, you should let us know, but you just—”

“Hey, you weren’t here! ‘Kidd’ told me about it!”

“Oh, he did? He informed Blaugrunn?”

Muttering to himself, the running person turned out to be Leeha and Blaugrunn. The two women smiled as they looked at Leeha.

“Leeha?”

“Huh? Yes?”

Encircling Leeha in the center, Shin Nara and Ram Hwayeon stood on his left and right. He inadvertently chuckled at their bright smiles.

“Are you asking for a high five? Did something go well?”

Then, as he raised both hands, two spicy fists flew towards him.

“Ouch! What, why are you hitting me? It’s not like we’re doing a meet!”

“Good job.”

“Keep it up.”

“Yep.”

They slapped the back of his hand and passed by without looking back. Watching them walk away, he could only feel bewildered.

“What in the world? Have things not been going well with pushing Romero to become the Pope?! Come to think of it, I should contact Prea. It’s been about four days since I met Prea… when should I make contact with her?”

Two women passed by laughing and evaluating him. After experiencing that, his first thought was about Middle Earth! How could he ever imagine life without Middle Earth now?

“Really, Leeha-nim, miss?”

“Huh? Why are you smiling, Blaugrunn?”

“You seem pleased.”

“What are you talking about? What’s up with everyone today?”

Blaugrunn looked at him with a puzzled expression.

With a face that clearly showed no understanding of English, he faced the ‘Mage Headquarter’ at the Fibiel Palace, where he had never been before.

He walked towards the Kijung and threw something at Kijung privately.

Kijung: Oh, hyung! You’re here!

Leeha: You seem in a good mood. Everything going well?

Kijung: It’s going really well! Unbelievable! It’s only been four days and we already have a 5:5 balance?”

Leeha: Really? Already?”

When he heard Kijung’s voice, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. There were about five days left. If the prediction ratio for Tusculani, the chairman of 09, and Cardinal Romero had reached 5:5 in just four days, Romero’s chances of winning would increase further.

Kijung: The first-class assistant from Minis really did a great job. Oh, I should’ve shown you, hyung.”

Leeha: Huh, that Lark guy, he knows when to do things. Who did he send?”

Kijung: Oh, what was his name? Cheka? First time I’ve heard of him. Do you know him, hyung?”

Leeha: … Cheka?”

He stopped in his tracks. Blaugrunn looked back at him, but he didn’t easily step away.

Leeha: Why is that name coming up here? Cheka?”

He remembered it clearly. It was Cheka who protected the King of Minis when he opened the letter containing the secret of Lotzak = Kaztor.

‘Ewin was associated with brains. In other words, Cheka was a brawn.’

Lark, with a self-assured expression, had mentioned to Ezwen that he would send someone to carry out the ‘undercover operation’.

Of course, Lark is unaware that Leeha knows this fact. Only Kijung knows that Leeha had orchestrated things such as Blaugrunn turning into Ghibrid.

‘Normally, when it comes to undercover operations, sending someone with strong negotiation skills or information expertise is common sense. I thought someone else would come instead.’

Cheka, the brawn.

Leeha sent a coded message to Kijung again.

Leeha: How was it? What did that person do?

Kijung: Hmm, I don’t know. They greeted me on the first day, but I haven’t seen them since then.

Leeha: … Really?

Kijung: Yeah. I only know bits and pieces of information. By the way, do you know how that bastard is doing, hyung?

Kijung, feeling pleased, mentioned a few things about Cheka’s performance. Leeha looked bewildered as he listened to his story.

Leeha: “… That happened?”

Kijung: Haha, yeah! He cut the throat of the chairman’s most cherished horse, and threw the severed head on his bed where he was sleeping! He’s a total nutcase!

Leeha: “Huh? That…that’s it!”

Kijung: “What? What is it?”

Leeha’s mouth twitched slightly, and he swallowed. At least it was a moment where he could be sure about what type of brawn he was.

“He’s like a mafia guy. A brawn who incorporates a famous scene from the classic movie ‘The Godfather’ into a game!”

Leeha wondered. Was he a cinephile?

“Or is he truly… involved in the mafia in Italy or Russia in reality?”

At least it was clear that he wasn’t the type of brawn who simply resorts to violence but rather a ‘skilled’ brawn.

“And on top of that, wow, within just four days, how much did he accomplish! I wish I could meet him once too. Life would be easier if one could be close with such a person.”

Leeha: “Where crows gather, don’t go as a white egret.”

Kijung: “Huh?”

Leeha: “Nothing, forget it. Anything else? Anything special happened?”

Leeha unconsciously tilted his head and sent a coded message. Kijung’s response was prompt.

Kijung: “Yes! Thank and convey my gratitude to Dragon Lord. He was a bit harsh yesterday, but the excitement was refreshing. You know, after everything was over and I returned to Ezwen, the Paladins were looking at me differently, as if I had been elected as the Pope or something.”

Leeha: Huh? What are you talking about?

Dragon Lord. This is the expression used when Kijung calls Blaugrunn.

“This guy… What is he saying right now…”

Leeha looked at Blaugrunn. The little dragon blinked and looked back at Leeha. Leeha met Blaugrunn after logging in and came straight here.

Throughout the journey, Blaugrunn didn’t say a word to Leeha.

Kijung: What are you talking about! Ah, it did improve a bit since the second time, maybe because there were Manticores lurking around. It felt a bit welcoming since they didn’t attack me, but well, no one will notice. Ask to send a few of them charging at me next time.

“Blaugrunn-ssi.”

“Yes??”

“Oh, by any chance, did you transform into Ghibrid yesterday?”

“Impossible. You didn’t specifically mention it.”

Leeha’s jaw dropped without realizing it.

Leeha: Ki, Kijung- Ahhh?

Kijung: Ca. [Dinosaur Transformation] Boom! I clashed with Ghibrid, no, with the dragon! Since it’s the second time, the sensation has improved compared to last time-

Leeha: Kijung… Ahhh?

Kijung: Um, yeah? What is it?

Leeha swallowed nervously. What should he say?

Should he say that yesterday’s fight was not with Blaugrunn? But Leeha didn’t need to say anything more.

Because Kijung also realized the situation without any words from Leeha.

Kijung: Wait… no way. No way… Hyung?

Leeha: Kijung…~ I didn’t log in yesterday.

Kijung: But still- And so- No, but still- And so- Did you leave a message for Dragon Lord?

Leeha: There’s no way…

At this moment, Leeha inside Fibiel Palace and Kijung in the square of Ezwen Papacy had the same expression.

Kijung: What’s going on! I thought I was calling you Dragon Lord without any doubt and my guild members didn’t call you!

Leeha: Hey, you crazy bastard!

Their inner thoughts were exchanged simultaneously.

Kijung didn’t really fight the transformed Blaugrunn but one of the real Demon King’s Fragment—Ghibrid!

‘He didn’t really fight with all his might! That idiot! Did he fight with Ghibrid because he fought with Blaugrunn once, with a much looser mindset?’

Kijung: What about the Manticores? What happened to them?

Leeha: Why are you asking me after you fought? It wasn’t our Blaugrunn!

Kijung: Then, if it was the real Ghibrid—If the real one gathered the Manticores, that son of a—

It was clear how confused Kijung was, to the point that Leeha could tell. Calmly calming down the rambling Kijung, Leeha asked him carefully.

Leeha: Slowly, think one by one. How many Manticores were there, the exact location of the battle, and Ghibrid’s condition at that time. Remember the damage you took coming in with the [Dinosaur Transformation] skill.

Kijung: Phew… alright. I must be crazy, really. Even in the midst of all that, I made jokes thinking it was Dragon Lord. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

Leeha: And hearing that gives me even more goosebumps.

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