Chapter 176: Hunt. (1) (1/2)
I tied the tiger rifle around my back and holstered the revolver at my side. The bullets I made were loaded into each’s magazine.
Clack—!
Two shots for the rifle and three for the revolver imbued with mana. During an actual battle, the time needed to reload was a rare luxury.
I looked at the clock. It wasn’t yet past 4 am, and darkness still consumed the snowy world outside. Suddenly, I frowned, noticing an unnatural shadow around the curtains. I pulled them up using Psychokinesis.
*creak*—!
I remained motionless with a smirk upon my lips as I gazed through the window.
—*snore*…*snore*.
Jack Frost was there. A sleeping child, completely buried in snow, leaned against the window. I drew closer to her.
“…”
I examined the snowman, noting her small face and frozen hair, eyes, nose, and lips. This child whose name I didn’t remember.
“…They look alike.”
However, I could roughly understand the background behind this child’s birth. I was sure she was some sort of an Easter egg. Adding similar NPCs was quite common in this area.
—…
The child tossed and turned, her frozen eyelids creaking open. Her lips drew a thin line as cold tears welled up in her eyes.
—…My gun.
I closed the curtains.
Clang clang clang— clang clang clang—
The kid started knocking on the window again.
Clang clang clang— clang clang clang—
Give me back my gun, you bad man—
*****
Outside the barrier of Reccordak, in the forest.
“…Wow.”
Lia illuminated a small piece of paper with mana. There was evidence here and there that this was authentic and couldn’t be a counterfeit. The number that seemed to never end was also definitely not a lie.
How many chocolates could this buy? How many macarons? She felt so happy that she spun around like a ballerina.
[Yukline Family Cheque]
[10,000,000∃]
“Hahaha…”
Of course, the tiger rifle was taken away, no, it was sold through coercion, but it was not a loss. Rather, it was fortunate that it was taken away by Deculein. Even if it were a treasure, if there were no demand, its price would plummet. And even the treasure that was the tiger rifle wouldn’t normally be sold at prices like this…
“Huhuhu.”
Lia sealed the cheque with mana and put it inside her pocket. Then, she ran after Deculein. The tiger rifle was strapped around his back as he moved with his long stride. The Great Tiger hunt this time needed to be cleared as a player. A huge reward would be waiting.
That was also why she came to look after Deculein.
“…”
Lia glanced at Deculein as they walked. At first glance, he was cold as ice and sharp as a blade, a cold-hearted fellow that could cut down a person with just his words. He looked like Kim Woo-jin, but he was a completely different person… not a Named.
She wanted to look closer at his face.
“Hush.”
Then, Deculein stretched out his hand. Lia quickly stopped.
Grrrrrrrrrr—!
The Great Tiger’s growl resounded from nearby. Almost at the same time, the wood steel flooded in that direction.
“Uhm, is it okay if you don’t say anything to the headquarters…?”
Now, Deculein was on pursuit by himself. Without telling anyone or asking for help. Lia was anxious about that. It was true that Deculein was stronger compared to the original scenario, but he was no hero to jump in the tiger’s jaws by himself.
“…”
Suddenly, Deculein looked at her, his gaze sharp enough to maim.
“…Yes?”
Lia quickly answered and closed her mouth.
“The distance of the shot exceeds 10km.”
“…What?”
“One feature of Psychokinesis is specialized in the shooting. It keeps the trajectory constant and amplifies its power.”
At the moment of the discharge, Psychokinesis was applied to the bullet. The expected velocity of the synergy lightly transcended the speed of sound. Therefore, the bullet should hit the tiger.
“If only we can pick up its location, we can launch an attack that it cannot evade.”
“…”
Lia nodded. It was a good plan if the Great Tiger could be killed with one blow.
“…Can one bullet kill the Great Tiger?”
“I will shoot five shots in a row.”
“Aha…”
Lia was convinced. Deculein belatedly trudged up the mountain, looking for a highland where he could fire easier. Then.
“Professor~.”
A voice came from above them in the branches of a darkend tree. Lia and Deculein looked up at the same time to find Ganesha.
“Nice to see you~; how long has it been?”
She swept her hair back as she looked at Deculein.
“Where did you hide the half-blood?”
“I hid him. Hiyaaa~.”
Ganesha jumped to the ground, and Lia shuffled over to stand beside her.
“The Great Tiger hunt. We’ll help you, too.”
“There’s no need.”
“…Are you saying I can’t guarantee your victory even if I use all my power? Professor, you shouldn’t do this alone~.”
Deculein didn’t say anything, glaring at Ganesha.
“Professor, you cover. I will attack. Don’t you think that’s perfect~?”
Deculein was still silent. The wind blew between them, and Lia swallowed her nerves.
“…”
Then suddenly, Deculein looked at her. Lia smiled as soon as she met his eyes.
“Is this kid any good?”
“Of course. Lia is such a remarkable talent~. Soon, she will be stronger than me~.”
*****
…On the other hand, Julie received a shocking report after doing her morning exercises at Reccordak. It was news that Allen, Deculein’s Assistant Professor, was attacked by the Great Tiger.
“Is this true?!”
“Yes, it is!”
Reylie urgently spoke. Her face was filled with shock and restlessness.
“I heard that the tiger got Assistant Professor Allen! They also found a piece of his bloodstained robe!”
Julie picked up her sword as soon as she heard it, tying back her hair. She adjusted her leather armor. The moment she came outside and approached the barrier, she found Syrio and Ihelm discussing with the scouts.
Julie looked at Ihelm’s hands more than anything else as he held a torn piece of robe stained with blood.
“…We think it is his.”
Ihelm spoke as he brushed his hair back. Julie quickly ran up to them.
“Lord Ihelm, Lord Syrio, what happened?”
“Oh, you’re here.”