NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2
I placed the sniper rifle on the flat rock.
I didn’t have the strength to hold and fire it outright. I wouldn’t be able to withstand the recoil either.
“Alright. Let’s see….”
I got into a prone position on the ground. Then, I aimed at the demon, Zarnox.
The creature was rampaging. It was crushing horses and pushing aside the guard squad. I needed to provide support as quickly as possible.
First, the method of infusing mana. Since I had just transmigrated in this body, I wasn’t used to it yet, but I knew how.
“According to the settings, it should be inside my body.”
I guided an unknown energy to my fingertips. A faint level 1 mana. It was very thin, but it existed.
A very small mana orb formed on my fingertip.
I infused that dew-like orb into the sniper rifle.
[Mana: 0/100]
However, since I was still inexperienced, I didn’t know how to control it. All of it was converted into the bullet. Honestly, even that might not be enough.
The opponent is a level 50 demon.
“Is it ready now?”
A blue haze swirled around the barrel of the gun. Looking inside, I saw a glowing mana bullet.
At that moment, a message appeared.
[Please set an element. If no element is chosen, it will default to neutral.]
“Ah. This.”
One of the traits of ‘Sniping Master,’ Insight.
It provided additional bonuses based on the opponent’s element and level.
“Since it’s a demon right now, let’s go with light.”
Elements had strengths and weaknesses.
Demons had the element of darkness. The opposite was light. It was an age-old tradition.
I infused the light element into the rifle. As I did, the blue smoke surrounding the gun gradually turned white.
I aimed at the demon again.
Various functions appeared, like wind direction, distance, and information about the demon.
The scope’s internal functions were also unrealistic—my vision expanded as if I was looking through a sniper scope, and suddenly, a blue crosshair appeared, locking onto the target.
The dramatic manifestation of ‘Perfect Accuracy’ and ‘Clairvoyance.’
[You have selected the light element.]
[The target’s element is darkness.]
[There is a significant level gap between you and the target.]
[Insight is activated!]
[Your level, stats, and skill grades have temporarily increased!]
[Damage amplification applied!]
[Kyle]
Lv: 50
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Title: The Most Notorious Scoundrel
Mana: 4900/5000
Karma: 0
Unique Trait: Sniping Master
Traits: Perfect Accuracy, Crisis Detection, Rapid Fire, Touch of Death, Iron Man, Indomitable Spirit
[Stat Details]
Invested Stats Points: 0
Strength: 30
Endurance: 30
Stamina: 30
Intelligence: 30
Perception: 30
Mana Perception: 15
Spirit Perception: 15
[Talent Details]
Element: Multi
Class: Multi
Growth Efficiency: A+
[Active Skills]
None
[Passive Skills]
Shooting Proficiency: B
Mana Efficiency: B
Firepower: B
Firepower Control: B
Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy throughout my body. My level increased, boosting both my physical abilities and mana reserves.
I infused the rifle with mana until it was filled to the brim, reaching its limit of 1,000 mana. The weapon glowed even brighter than before.
Roooarrrr!
The demon let out a furious roar. Meanwhile, on my side, everything remained calm.
Out of its attack range, delivering an unreciprocated strike—that’s what being a sniper is all about.
The conditions couldn’t have been better for me.
Just as Zarnox reached out its arm toward Lumina.
I pulled the trigger.
Boooom!
“Kuh—!”
At that moment, the fired bullet shot out. The deafening sound of air being torn apart reverberated through the forest. The bullet left a straight trail as it headed for the demon. It severed its head, refracted, and ricocheted, slicing through its body.
This wasn’t just a metaphor. It literally ripped its head off, sending it flying into the air. A torrent of blood gushed out, and the massive body fell to its knees with a thud.
As light etched into its form, the demon’s body completely disintegrated into ashes.
Lumina stared at the scene, her face blank with disbelief.
[You have defeated Zarnox!]
[Level Up by 4!]
[You have points available for stat investment!]
[You have obtained the title: Demon Slayer!]
[Your goodwill is appreciated! You have earned 5 Karma!]
“Ow, ow… That was intense.”
I rubbed my stinging hands and sore body. I definitely needed to increase my strength soon. The recoil almost threw me back.
The mana smoke that billowed at the moment of firing, the loud noise, and the intense recoil—it all needed improvement.
I figured that upgrading my weapon would help with those issues.
I hadn’t expected to one-shot Zarnox, though…
“Time to get going.”
I grabbed my sniper rifle and stood up. Staying any longer could spell trouble.
I was a cautious man at heart. My plan was to keep a low profile, live comfortably, and avoid getting caught up in dangerous situations, like an extra character.
I had no desire to get involved with the main characters and take on risky challenges. Especially not someone like Lumina.
Using my Concealment ability, I tidied up the scene quickly and slipped away. The key to being a sniper is leaving no trace behind.
———-
Roarrr!
“Eek!”
The demon was inching closer to Lumina, one step at a time. Its massive shadow loomed over her.
*’If it ends like this…’*
The situation was nothing short of despair. The hired guards she had paid a fortune for were all down. They couldn’t even withstand a single attack.
They were adventurers, carrying the guild’s badge, but they were ruthlessly crushed.
That alone showed how powerful the demon was.
There was no way to fight back. She wanted to summon her combat spirits, but the demon wasn’t going to wait.
“Sob…”
At this rate, she was going to die. The thought of her impending death made her face pale.
“Mom, Dad…”
Lumina had come to the capital with her spirits, pursuing her dream of becoming the greatest spirit summoner. She had decided to take the entrance exam for Artena Academy.
But to die such a meaningless death? She didn’t want to die without doing anything.
Her thoughts immediately went to her family.
Dad, Mom, her younger sibling, Grandma, and the kind people of her village.
She owed so much to them and always relied on their help.
Dying without repaying them would be such a huge mistake.
Lumina trembled in fear. Tears welled up in her eyes, and as if even nature sympathized with her, a warm breeze brushed past. The nearby spirit entities gathered around her.
Roarrr!
Meanwhile, Zarnox acted according to its nature. Its eyes burned with the desire to exterminate all humans. In this place, only the girl remained.
Zarnox swung his arm.
Lumina squeezed her eyes shut.
“Eek. No!”
The wish and the strong will to live echoed in her mind.
And then—
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out, ringing in her ears. Startled, she opened her eyes to see the demon disintegrating before her.
“What… Just happened?”
She couldn’t comprehend the situation. This was the same demon that even veteran adventurers from the guild couldn’t handle.
And yet, it had been completely annihilated in a single strike?
Lumina scanned her surroundings. Finally, as her eyes focused on the sky, she let out a gasp.
“Wow…”
The sky was once heavy with clouds and a slight dampness. It was now split wide open. As if something powerful had just passed through.
“Who could have…?”
Her mind filled with questions. No matter how much she searched the area, there was no sign of anyone who could have attacked.
As she turned her gaze up toward the mountain.
“Huh…?”
A tiny glint of light flickered.
High up on the mountain ridge, somewhere there.
It was the reflection of a lens.
“Frene, help me out.”
Lumina focused her gaze. Before she knew it, she had summoned one of her support spirits.
There was no guarantee that the person up there was the one who helped her, but she couldn’t ignore the possibility. It went against her conscience to not at least express gratitude to her benefactor.
Using the spirit’s enhanced vision, Lumina zoomed in on the spot.
There, she saw a boy just turning away.
He was carrying a heavy firearm.
His silver hair gleamed brightly in the light.
She couldn’t make out his face. Soon, his figure disappeared from sight.
But Lumina had no intention of letting him slip away.
“Frene, go. Find him for me.”
A small bird appeared in Lumina’s hand. The lesser wind spirit took flight, soaring high into the sky.
Her companion, Frene, would bring back information about her benefactor.
If not, Lumina would even link her vision to the spirit to see for herself. She urged it to fly away swiftly.
“Miss Lumina! Are you alright?”
The coachman and the guards, who had regained their senses, rushed toward her.
“Haha, everyone’s fine. We had some help from a benefactor.”
Lumina smiled and answered calmly.
———
“Phew. This is tough.”
I walked along the forest path and quickly ran out of breath. As expected from a sniper’s stamina. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it to Artena Academy in time.
But they probably dropped me here with that in mind.
“If I keep walking steadily, I should arrive, right?”
The buildings of Artena Academy were getting noticeably closer. At this pace, I should reach by evening.
I sat down on a rock to catch my breath.
The nearby stream splashed cool droplets around, offering a refreshing atmosphere.
Since I had the time, I decided to check the rewards I earned from defeating the demon.
“Status window.”
[ Kyle ]
Lv: 5
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Titles: The Most Notorious Scoundrel, Demon Slayer
Mana: 430/500
Karma: 5
Unique Trait: Sniping Master
Traits: Perfect Accuracy, Crisis Detection, Rapid Fire, Touch of Death, Iron Man, Indomitable Spirit
[Stat Details]
Invested Stats Points: 10
Strength: 1
Endurance: 1
Stamina: 1
Intelligence: 1
Perception: 1
Mana Perception: 1
Spirit Perception: 1
[Talent Details]
Element: Multi
Class: Multi
Growth Efficiency: A+
[Active Skills]
None
[Passive Skills]
Shooting Proficiency: F
Mana Efficiency: F
Firepower: F
Firepower Control: F
“Oh…”
Something appeared both unchanged and yet different.
“My mana has increased.”
As my level increased, so did my mana. For each level, I gained 100 mana, which made me look forward to future growth.
It was a bit disappointing that I only went up four levels after defeating a level 50 demon, though.
That’s because of the EXP lock.
“There are always some players like that.”
Those veteran players who skipped the usual routes and hunted bosses early in the game.
To prevent such abnormal gameplay, they implemented an EXP lock, limiting how much experience one could gain beyond certain levels.
If one surpassed 4 levels and got more EXP than allowed, the excess was just erased.
It applied at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, and so on.
The intention was good, but…
“I got caught by it.”
I was the one who designed that system, and now I was affected by it. Serves me right.
“Well, at least I got 10 stat points.”
I should use them. Stat points are a player-exclusive cheat, allowing significant growth without much effort.
“So, there’s only one choice.”
Strength.
I needed to withstand the recoil of the sniper rifle.
After firing once earlier, my shoulder had become incredibly stiff, and even now, I could still feel the effects.
“All points into strength.”
[You have invested 10 points into Strength!]
[Your Strength has increased from 1 to 11!]
My pitiful strength had risen to a somewhat decent level. I suddenly felt much more powerful. I couldn’t lift boulders from the valley or anything, but still.
“Next, the title.”
The title I earned: [Demon Slayer].
It was an achievement given when one defeated a demon for the first time.
[Demon Slayer]
[When fighting demons, damage is increased by 6.66%.]
Next condition: Defeat 10 demons.
The effect was just as I remembered.
As the game progressed into the later stages, this damage boost would come in handy.
After all, the final boss of Artena Academy was the pinnacle of the demon race—a demon king empowered by the evil god.
Grinding this achievement was essential.
“Next, Karma…”
I had 5 Karma points. The higher the Karma, the more it affected how people viewed you, and it could also be used as a currency.
Since it was a valuable resource in many ways, I’d need to keep collecting it steadily.
It was also part of my weapon’s evolution materials.
After checking all the rewards, I stood up. Break time was over, and it was time to move again.
Growl.
But my stomach had other plans. I pulled some food out of my bag—dry, crumbly bread. There wasn’t much of it left.
I decided to eat before continuing.
I took a bite of the bread.
“Ugh. This tastes awful…”
It was so tough I could barely chew it. In the end, I had to soak it in water from the stream to eat it.
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Just then, a small bird landed on my shoulder. It was cute.
“You’re hungry too, huh?”
I broke off a piece of the bread and shared it with the bird while I filled my stomach.
The sun was still high in the sky, so dusk hadn’t arrived yet.