Matan’s Shooter

It was meant to separate the defensive and scouting ranges, but it was only useful for ‘non-experts,’ as Hyein, a spatial expert, needed precise coordinates rather than vague units like sectors.

“When I see Hyein, I feel lucky to have chosen a Venom Mage,” said Biyemi.

“Really. Even Druid’s flora and fauna affinity work is far easier in comparison… Ugh, calculating coordinates is annoying. What’s with using vectors and all that? They say the Sage job class has fewer options.”

Watching Hyein work, Biyemi and Jin Gonggong nodded uneasily, and in that brief moment, Hyein had already completed the magic circle.

“We’re ready. Everyone-”

Clang!

“Let’s go!”

Without needing Hyein to say anything, the Byulcho moved as one, and as the Sage’s staff touched the magic circle, they all disappeared.

“As always, the Byulcho. If Kijung didn’t call me, Jin Gonggong must have already given the message. But why is Biyemi talking about Alexander and Leeha Jiwon…?”

Perhaps the reason Leeha wasn’t mentioned in the conversation of Byulcho was because Kijung had already whispered to him. When was this video recorded?

Possibly, due to his spreading ‘notoriety’ even beyond the Shazrashian Federation and into the communities, Kijung and others might have known Leeha’s status even without any special words from him.

Of course, that wasn’t the most important thing.

“I see a Chimera. Oh, there are so many?”

In the video, the amount of food in Leeha’s palm was enough to feed a flying lizard.

“Hyein-ssi!”

“I’ll be back soon!”

Hyein carried the Byulcho towards Ezwen Paladins. The sapphire blue light flickered, and at the same time, a command as sharp as lightning struck from Kijung’s mouth.

“Bobae, Biyemi, start by understanding the numbers and distribution of the Manticores! Jin Gonggong-ssi, confirm the movements of the Chimeras! Tale, lead the Paladins to establish a defensive barrier using fire-based skills!”

Listening to Kijung’s orders, Leeha felt a surge of emotions. No one could underestimate Kijung now.

While outside of Middle Earth, trivial jokes were being exchanged, inside, Kijung presented a more trustworthy tank than any other guild master.

“We’ve confirmed the number of Manticores to be twenty-two! It’s increased by six since the last count.”

“Hmph, it seems like Gibrid are diligently recovering its strength, and those cursed Manticores are positioned right at the front and center.”

Bobae and Biyemi frowned. Though Gibrid were slow, it was evident they were steadily recovering their strength.

The increasing number of Manticores was a cause for concern. The addition of just one Manticore wasn’t a significant issue, but the repercussions in terms of the number of Chimeras were immeasurable.

“Chimeras… we can’t count them anymore. Even if we estimate conservatively, it has exceeded tens of thousands.”

“Hah, you said we couldn’t count them, yet you’re counting so fast.”

“Th-that’s… um, well, yes. That’s how it is. I can feel it.”

Although he couldn’t know for sure, Jin Gonggong, who had seen the Chimera legion count go from under two thousand to over ten thousand near the Corrupted World Tree, sensed the difference.

Just recently, while patrolling near the first infected forest, where the Star Sage was first contaminated, the Chimera legion numbered less than two thousand, but now it crossed the ten thousand mark.

“Though we’re not certain about Gibrid’ exact location, if over ten thousand Chimeras are passing by, there’s no other choice but for them to go through this plain.”

“If they can’t use the tactic of moving in small units, then there are only two passages they could use in the future, including this one.”

“Having fewer defense points to cover is advantageous, but…”

Listening to Jin Gonggong’s analysis, Tale pondered. It would indeed be a happy occasion if they could concentrate their defense forces in one place. However, what if the enemy forces are far greater than imagined, and each individual soldier is also stronger?

“Bobae! Prepare to snipe the Manticore!”

“We can aim for one at a time at different distances, but they need to come within at least 110 meters! And as you know-”

Twinkle…

“Ki, Kikit! Everyone, take cover!”

Upon seeing a distant light, Biyemi shouted.

Unlike Bobae, he had spotted its location from the beginning and was solely focused on it, making his reaction possible.

Boom! With the explosion, dust sprayed up like a fountain.

Being elite members of the Byulcho, they could barely dodge such a fast and powerful attack.

“It’s not safe because of that thing!”

“The Chimera Legion is coming at us! The Manticore is also in stationary flight!”

“Damn it! Are they really planning to take us all out this time!”

Bobae and Jin Gonggong confirmed the enemy’s movements.

Kijung knew too. Last time, they managed to retreat thanks to Kidd’s actions, but this time was different.

The monster, luger, a Manticore Gibrid with far superior learning abilities than the regular Manticore that was specially created by Gibrid, was not moving.

“It seems they are aiming correctly this time. Kay, we need to call everyone we know.”

“We have to. Everyone, gather behind me!”

Kijung called out, holding up the shield of Toon. In a standard artillery barrage, the dispersed formation is advantageous for evasion and also easier. Above all, since there is no fear of being taken out in one shot, in a position of preparing for long-range attacks, the dispersed formation should be the basic stance.

“Kijung-ssi? What are you planning?”

“I have to take them out.”

However, starfleet’s approach was different. They had one of the top tanks in Middle Earth.

“What? Even if it’s Kijung-ssi, it’s a waste of effort for nothing.”

“It can’t be helped… If the terrain is disadvantageous for us, we will be in trouble. We just need to hold them off for a few shots, so don’t worry, Bobae-ssi.”

Of course, it wasn’t just overconfidence because of Kijung’s skills. It was a judgment that if the terrain had severe undulations when Hyein and the Paladin forces arrived, they would lose their charge, and it would be best to maintain terrain as flat as possible for a defensive battle similar to interception.

“We don’t know how many shots they can take… But once they realize that their attacks are not effective, they will surely come back. If they can hold out for at least five shots, they will advance again.

“Whew, whew.”

Everyone stopped behind Kijung, and Kijung prepared to block the shells using skills.

As Biyemi and Bobae respectively tilted their heads to both sides of Kijung, waiting for the right time to attack, a bright light flashed in the distance once again.

*Light-”

“Hyaaaap, come on—!”

“-Boom, hehe, it exploded- right?”

Bobae and Biyemi looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

“Ehhhh… What?”

Including Kijung, the other Byulcho members also raised their heads. There was certainly light. But the murky light that exploded in the air had already disappeared, leaving only smoke rising in its place.

“What’s that? Smoke in the sky?”

“No, it’s not light again! It’s another explosion.”

As Bobae pointed her finger towards the sky, Kijung hurriedly raised his shield, but his expression turned despondent at the mention that followed.

“Ugh! Bobae! I have to put all my strength into defense! Stop making me do these exercises and tell me clearly when the guy is attacking-”

“Aaargh!”

“Whoa, where is it!?”

Interrupting Kijung’s complaints, a tremendous scream was heard. It was relatively close, so the members of the Starlite rushed around, shouting.

“Kay! Over there!”

The first to spot it was Tale. Everyone turned their heads in the direction he indicated.

“The Corrupted World Tree Forest… is that it?”

“Kiki… it seems blurry. Bobae, what do you see?”

Jin Gonggong and Biyemi squinted but couldn’t make out a clear figure either. Bobae, watching in that direction using a skill, had a dynamic change in expression.

“Waaah! It’s a huge thing!”

“What is it, Bobae-ssi?”

Kijung asked, but Bobae didn’t respond.

“And… it’s being held by… Luger?”

No, perhaps that was the right answer. The eyes of Leeha, looking at the image, widened.

“Wait, did I mishear that? Luger?”

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