I Became an Illegal Cheat User

41 – Fallen One (1)

A black-haired woman appeared out of nowhere.

As soon as I confirmed that her eyes had the distinct pupils of a fallen one, I quickly distanced myself.

Meanwhile, in front of the fallen one, I sent three grenades and pulled the trigger of the rifle.

Tadadang─, Quaaah!

Three gunshots and exploding grenades.

Whether it was because there were three grenades instead of one, or due to the shockwaves, my body floated in the air and was thrown backward.

But, I thought I could widen the distance even more.

With that thought, the momentary flight came to an end.

Thud, it landed on the ground from my back.

Nevertheless, being a superhuman in appearance, this level of impact didn’t bother me at all.

I swiftly got up and scattered mines in the direction where the fallen one was.

Then, I opened my inventory and took out the items I had purchased along with the live ammunition.

&

– A few hours ago.

“It’s over with this!”

The crafting instructor exclaimed as he laid out the final box of ammunition.

“Ah, finally, these are also going to meet their owner.”

The crafting instructor, looking at the scene of piled-up ammunition boxes in the workshop, asked with a sentimental voice, biting on a tobacco pipe.

The appearance of the crafting instructor was like that of a mother sending off her child.

Well, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

All those live rounds were born from the hands of the crafting instructor.

“Huh? Does that mean I’m shooting the crafting instructor’s children?”

Feeling uneasy with that thought, I distanced myself slightly from the ammunition boxes.

But that feeling was short-lived.

Suddenly, with the thought that came to my mind, I approached the crafting instructor, who was still fondling the ammunition boxes.

And I asked her exactly what came to mind.

“By the way, instructor. Do you happen to have special rounds or something?”

“Special rounds?”

The crafting instructor stopped what she was doing and looked at me.

“Special rounds… well, they should exist.”

“Oh, then, that too…”

“But, you won’t be able to use them with your weapon, you know?”

“…What?”

I couldn’t understand her words.

To scrutinize weapons over just types of ammunition?

And ‘Holy Gun’ and ‘Specialized Modified Rifle’ are not ordinary firearms; they’re grade B items.

However, she’s saying there are rounds that can’t be used with such weapons? Then, well, they should be A-grade items, right?

As I pondered, looking at the instructor in charge of production, she surprisingly nodded in agreement with my thoughts.

“Your thoughts about this, they’re correct.”

“…It really has to be Grade A?”

“Well, my specially crafted rounds are difficult to handle unless they’re of Grade A quality. That’s why I checked your gun, to see if it can handle special ammunition.”

“What exactly is special about these rounds…?”

“I’ll show you once, so take a look.”

A single bullet appeared on the instructor’s hand as she spoke.

“Now, here’s an analysis scroll.”

The instructor, with her other hand, took out an analysis scroll from a spatial pocket and handed it to me.

As I received the scroll and tore it open, I sensed the bullet not through magical analysis but through the system.

────────────────────

【Blessed Bullets Engraved with Sacred Blessings (A)】

Bullets (9x19mm) crafted by a master.

Blessed by the prayers of High Priestess Remilia.

– When used against magical beings, inflicts substantial holy damage.

────────────────────

…What is this?

An A-grade for bullets?

“…No, Instructor. What have you created?”

In response to my astonished question, the instructor gave a smug smile and said, “At that time, I was in a bit of an experimental mood, so I asked the High Priestess for a favor when she came to the academy.”

“…And the High Priestess willingly agreed to it?”

“Oh, she thought it would be amusing.”

As the instructor spoke, she pulled out seven more bullets from the spatial pocket.

All of them had the same effects.

“…Are there more than these?”

“No, these special rounds are it. Why do you ask?”

“Well, they’re bullets, but they’re Grade A… I don’t think I can afford them.”

I may have 1 billion in my account right now, but Grade A items are at least in the tens of billions. So even though the bullets are single-use, they will likely be worth at least a few billion.

In my current situation, having to buy a lot of live ammunition is akin to a piece of cake.

As I uttered those words, the production instructor stared at me, his gaze piercing.

Then, without hesitation, he handed me bullets and said, “Come to think of it, it seems like you’re the only one who will use these bullets anyway.”

Just like that? He’s just giving them away?

“It’s not just giving. I’ll give you a great discount, so buy them.”

Even if he gives a great discount, will I be able to afford it with the money I have?

With that thought in mind, I informed the production instructor of the amount of money I possessed.

Nonchalantly, the production instructor responded, “Oh, really? Then I’ll adjust the price for you.”

“Well, if that’s the case… Are you sure it’s okay?”

To the question of whether it’s okay to barely match the price of an A-grade item for 1 billion, the production instructor chuckled and lightly patted my shoulder as if it were nothing.

“My items are best used by the right owner. There’s nothing more satisfying for a creator. So, don’t worry about it.”

“…Then, thank you. I’ll make good use of them.”

“Sure, sure.”

Nodding, the production instructor walked away toward his workbench.

As he did, I asked him one last question.

“Instructor, what if, hypothetically, I use these bullets for something other than an A-grade item?”

In response to that question, the production instructor looked at me, then lowered his gaze to the ‘Holy Gun’ in my hand.

Afterward, he raised his hand, spreading three fingers, and said, “Three times.”

“…Three times?”

“Yeah, even if you use it just three times, that gun won’t be usable anymore.”

So, use it wisely, considering it carefully.

—

And now.

I pulled out a magazine containing three ‘Blessed Bullets (A)’ and loaded them into the ‘Holy Gun.’

Three chances.

Within, the corrupt must be neutralized or dealt with.

If not…, I die.

“Hoo.”

I exhaled a tense breath, eyes fixed on the dust stirred by the shockwave of the grenade.

The moment the figure of the corrupt became even slightly visible, I prepared to shoot.

Hoooooo…

The wind blew.

The dust settled.

And as the figure of the corrupt became somewhat discernible.

“…!”

Sensing a stinging feeling on my forehead, I quickly turned my head.

Then, something black passed at a lightning speed where my forehead had been.

“Oops, dodged that? You’re more perceptive than I thought.”

The corrupt, emerging from the dust with a seemingly amused smile, said, “How about avoiding this too?”

As the corrupt spoke, he waved his hand towards the empty space.

In that instant, I felt a sharp sensation on my right flank.

Without hesitation, I propelled myself backward, evading whatever form of attack it was.

In that moment, the space tore open, and a black spear-like object passed through where my side had been.

Upon seeing this, I realized that the corrupt possessed spatial manipulation skills.

To confirm, I employed my penetrating skill.

────────────────────

[Ability: Skill]

Opens space in the desired location.

────────────────────

A very brief description.

But even that was enough to understand what kind of skill it was.

‘Space connection.’

This skill, like the spatial magic of Leyon Ji and the spatial magic of the Archmage, has the effect of connecting spaces.

However, unlike magic, the ‘space connection’ skill is limited in distance like my skill. But now, it is being used by the corrupt.

When one becomes corrupt, not only their physical abilities, but also the effects of the talents and skills they possess become stronger and distorted at the same time.

So, I need to confirm.

How has the space connection changed and to what extent is the distance?

But if I think I can deal with it before that…, I will immediately shoot a holy bullet (a bullet imbued with a sacred blessing).

With that thought in mind, I sent a grenade to the corrupt and fired my gun.

Bang─, boom!

“Again? Is there nothing new?” the corrupt said as if bored, waving his hand.

Then, the space in front of the corrupt tore apart, and numerous black spears began to rain down.

In response, I continued to fire my gun.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat─!

Bullets ringing constantly.

At the same time, the sound of metal being deflected continued to reverberate.

I moved my eyes without rest, watching the spears.

While doing so, I sent a grenade towards the corrupt and slowly moved backward.

Thud!

“This is getting boring, isn’t it?”

Thud, boom!

“…do I sound funny to you?”

Thud, boom! Boom!

“I said I’m getting bored with this!”

The corrupt screamed, raising his hands in anger.

As soon as I saw that, I sent grenades to both sides of the corrupt’s ears and detonated them.

Boom!

“…ugh!”

Although he is a corrupt, he still has the form of a human.

The shockwave that exploded right next to his ears couldn’t be completely ignored, and in an instant, the rain of spears that had been pouring towards me stopped.

In the gap, I drew the ‘Holy Gun’ from the holster attached to my tactical vest and fired towards the corrupted’s heart.

Bang!

The rough gunshot echoed.

Swish─!

A bullet streaked with a white trail surged towards the corrupted’s heart.

However, what the bullet struck wasn’t the heart.

Pheww!

“…Gyaaah!”

It was the arm of the corrupted that blocked the heart.

“…Gyaaah! Gyaaah! You bastard! How dare you! How dare─!”

The corrupted, whose arm disappeared due to the bullet, glared at me with a painful rage, bursting forth.

Tingling.

The merciless killing intent emanating from the corrupted.

Under that intent, my body began to tremble involuntarily, unrelated to my will.

As if standing in front of a predator as prey.

“I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you─! I’ll kill youuu─!!”

Simultaneously with the scream, a tremendous magic burst forth from the corrupted’s body.

It began to corrode the surroundings like a main core.

It was the start of Phase 2.