Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter] Chapter 881

Chapter 881

Creak…

The door opened in sync with the Third Prince’s steps. And there sat the king. The dinosaur on the throne wore not a helmet, but a crown. Interestingly, he was dressed in armor rather than ornate robes.

“Even the king maintains a constant state of vigilance.”

Alexander murmured, sounding somewhat impressed.

Leeha tilted his head slightly as he listened to him.

‘Even though they claimed there were no enemies… But then, the very term “anti-king” implies an opposing force, doesn’t it? Moreover, for a king to wear armor?’

‘Is it that he prepares meticulously even without an apparent enemy? Does that mean, in some way, he acknowledges an adversary’s existence?’

While Leeha was lost in thought, the king spoke up.

“There is someone who killed the runaway dragon, Urek.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We confirmed the vocal cords, skin fragments, and claws of the runaway dragon, Toon.”

The Third Prince, addressed as Urek, bowed his head before the king.

In the king’s presence, the Third Prince refrained from using the term “anti-king,” which Leeha interpreted as a sign of respect; using it would have been an affront to the king.

Then Leeha’s group broke the tense silence.

The group suddenly illuminated the ground, but they did not panic.

As everyone stood quietly behind Urek, only Leeha dared to meet the king’s gaze confidently.

“So, it was a human?”

“Yes, my name is Leeha.”

“It is immensely gratifying that you rid us of our disgrace.”

The king of the Saurus race smiled brightly. His gaze soon shifted beyond Leeha to the rest of the group.

Leeha could tell exactly whom he was looking at.

“So… you didn’t come here just to deliver news, did you? Tell me why you have come all this way. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Gold Dragon. Is it because of you?”

“Ah, my apologies for the late introduction. I am the Gold Dragon, Bailiphus. While there is much to discuss, I am not the primary reason for our visit.”

Bailiphus bowed once more to the king.

Despite the direct mention of being a Gold Dragon, which might have caused discomfort, he maintained the composed demeanor befitting an Ancient-tier dragon.

At that moment, Leeha felt assured that dinosaurs possessed an uncanny insight.

‘The Third Prince didn’t know about the dragon… but he mentioned Kyle. Then—’

The king’s next target of conversation became evident as soon as Leeha thought of Kyle. The king’s gaze shifted to Kyle almost simultaneously.

“Then it must be because of the one consumed by the spirit of Mappa.”

“Kyle! My name is Kyle. I came here to beg for help to cure my son… That is why I traveled here.”

Just as Leeha predicted, the king used clearer, more definitive language than Urek. Elizabeth clutched Kyle tightly.

The king let out a thoughtful hum as he examined the party.

Leeha, too, lowered himself anxiously, awaiting the king’s next words.

—He’s utterly exposed—

“Huh? What?”

—Hehehe… the Saurus… They’re no half-witted bunglers like Toon. I’ve never tasted the pure blood of a full-fledged Saurus. Do you understand, Imprinted?—

‘Uh, probably? This place has never been revealed, and Toon was the only outsider from the Saurus. But half-witted? Well, he was a mutant like a peculiar breed, but still…’

—What do you think it means that the pinnacle of the Saurus is exposed? There’s no need to explain further.—

Black Beth’s voice was low and menacing. For a moment, Leeha’s eyes widened in shock as he processed his words.

What insanity! No! Don’t even think about it!’

—No confidence? A single shot. One bullet aimed at the pinnacle of the Saurus, and I could become perfect. It’s not just a matter of 50%!—

‘You could become 100%?’

—Indeed. With one shot. If I drink the blood of the purest and strongest being in existence, untouched by divine or demonic energies… I will achieve perfection. The scent reveals it… sniff, sniff—

There was nothing between Leeha and the king at close range. No guards nearby. Though the king wore armor, his face was exposed.

So… shoot. Then the charge will be 100%.

Black Beth’s words were simple yet chilling.

The allure of his subtle hints about the results made them all the more terrifying.

‘A fully charged 100%…’

To shoot the king in this situation?

If the *White Death* could strike precisely at the instant-kill point, perhaps it could be done in one shot.

Even if he didn’t die instantly, if they enlarged, he could time it right and fire multiple warheads with *Ghost in the Shell*.

He could kill him.

He could definitely… kill him.

But then?

What would happen after that?

“Putting aside this damned ego-filled murder gun, what would happen after killing the dinosaur king? Even if I reach 100%, I’d soon be dead at the hands of these dinosaurs.

Bailiphus, Elizabeth, Brown, Kyle, Browlis—they’d never survive.

Stop talking nonsense!”

Leeha firmly rejected Black Beth’s idea.

—Fine… I only observe the choices of the Imprinted. Until you bring me fresher blood.—

‘Shut up! Saying that over and over won’t work. You didn’t even show any effect after absorbing the *White Death*! All you do is demand blood. Am I wrong?’

—Hehehe…—

‘Don’t try to laugh it off! Just wait and see.’

Leeha hushed Black Beth with a half-threatening tone.

As Leeha’s tangled thoughts grew more complex, the king spoke again.

“Human, Leeha.”

“Y-Yes!”

Leeha was startled, as if his thoughts had been exposed. The king tilted his head for a moment, then smiled warmly.

“We are grateful that you dealt with the runaway dragon, Toon.”

“Oh, it was nothing. He was a threat to us as well, so we simply took him down.”

“I would like to reward you for it… but we no longer intervene in the world.”

“What??”

“I could give you a simple gift, but… curing the one consumed by the spirit of Mappa is beyond our ability.”

The king spoke with a smile but resolutely rejected their plea.

Before Leeha could fully grasp the implications, Elizabeth shouted first.

“Why not! What do you mean you can’t? If you say you can’t heal him, it means you *can*, doesn’t it?”

The atmosphere turned tense and cold.

Despair shadowed the faces of those who had pinned their hopes on that one solution.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible. Urek.”

“Yes, sir.”

“After giving them sufficient rest, guide them outside tomorrow afternoon.” The king attempted to rise from his seat.

In this sudden turn of events, the users were all taken aback.

Is this the end? Is this really all there is after such a long and arduous journey?

Ruger, Kidd, Alexander, and Fernand’s gazes converged at a single point. Even Browris, Elizabeth, and Brown were watching one individual’s back intently.

There was only one person who could act in this situation.

“Your Majesty,” Leeha spoke quietly.

“Do you still have words to share, Leeha of humankind?”

The king settled back into his chair as Leeha nodded and whispered softly.

‘:’

There was no room for retreat.

With resolve, Leeha began a discourse with the King of Sauerland.

Leeha steadied his breath. He knew precisely where to begin.

“Does your intent to not interfere with the world mean… that you truly do not care what happens outside?”

“That’s correct.”

“But many eyes outside are fixed on this place, particularly those known as the Fragments of the Demon King. One such entity was once served by the renegade dragon, To’on.”

Even if they ignored the outside world, it wouldn’t matter. One day, this place would be invaded.

Referring to that possibility, Leeha sought to draw out their strength.

“Re. Noble Councilor 27%68, Bluebeard Reign.” The king’s sudden words left Leeha momentarily speechless as he was about to explain the threat posed by the Fragments of the Demon King.

The king looked calmly at Leeha.

“Do you know when To’on left? Naturally, we are aware as well. Twenty years ago, when he became a disgrace to his clan, we remained silent, even as he consorted with those so-called fragments of the Demon King. I trust you understand my meaning.”

They were also aware of the Second Demon-Human War.

And yet, they merely observed. Had they intervened, it wouldn’t have been called the Second Demon-Human War.

It would have likely been deemed the “Final Demon-Human War,” powerful enough to obliterate all of the Demon King’s fragments!

Barely steadying himself, Leeha responded.

“Do you really believe they won’t reach this place? Are you confident that hiding here guarantees safety?”

“They won’t reach us. And if they come, so be it. We are not hiding—we are merely avoiding.”

Confidence.

It was the very confidence that had once impressed Alexander.

This was a sentiment shared by Leeha and all the other users.

If these beings were to mobilize, if all the dinosaurs in this city were to rise?

The balance would shatter.

No force could withstand the influx of tens of thousands of beings, each wielding power akin to the Ancient Dragons, whether they were fragments of the Demon King or not.

“Then why—why do you remain secluded? With such formidable strength, advanced civilization, and abundant resources, why do you—”

“Then let me ask you. Why should we help?”

“Wh-what?”

“We possess the strength to protect ourselves. We have no shortage of resources or food. So why should we aid you?”

“If we fall, the next target of the Demon King’s fragments will undoubtedly be—”

“If they come here, we will deal with them. Feel free to perish in peace.”

For a brief moment, everyone fell silent. In unison, they seemed to collectively hold their breath, as if every response had been stolen from them.

Feel free to perish in peace?

They truly were a faction that had declared complete isolation from the world, more unyielding than Leeha had imagined. They were practically—

Anger flashed in Ruger’s eyes as he stood, ready to speak, but Leeha extended a hand to hold him back.

His gaze remained fixed on the king of dinosaurs.

Persuasion through conventional means would not work. Talking about the Demon King’s fragments reaching this place to ask for cooperation would be futile. Appeals to emotion or pleas for aid were out of the question. Then, what was the next strategy?

‘Okay… fine. Lark did say it himself: the higher their rank, the harder it is to persuade them. I already know this from countless debates.’

Even with sound logic, it would take hours of arguing to perhaps sway them slightly.

But there was another way, one that didn’t rely on reasoning.

Leeha quietly turned around. Step by step, he walked away.

“Leeha, what are you—?”

“Senior, may I borrow something for a moment?”

Leeha politely asked Elizabeth. She bit her lip briefly but then nodded.

“Go ahead.”

With Elizabeth’s permission, there was no need for hesitation. Leeha offered quiet apologies to the figure standing in front of him.

“We haven’t even properly introduced ourselves. I apologize, but please, forgive me.”

Swoosh—

Then, he pulled down the figure’s hood, revealing Kyle’s face. Though everyone instinctively focused on his face, Leeha’s voice rang louder.

“This man is *The Marksman of the Cursed Bullet*.”

Many users and the king himself tilted their heads in confusion. They couldn’t help but wonder, “And so what?”

Kyle lifted his head to meet the king’s gaze.

Leeha, too, looked upon Kyle’s face. It was a face Elizabeth had gone to great lengths to hide, and yet it showed no signs of harm. The face was so fair, so gracefully shaped, that he could almost be mistaken for a woman.

But that was irrelevant to Leeha at the moment.

“And he is also… one of the few who has memorized the king’s face.”

Elizabeth, Brown, Kidd, and Ruger all gasped in astonishment.