Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen: One-Shot King

Chapter Sixteen: One-Shot King

"The distance is just about right. How about I take down a few of them with my sniper before we charge into battle? That way, it’ll be both safer and we can assist those fighting ahead," Abandoned Protocol suggested as she placed her sniper on the ground.

Valen squinted at the weapon, did a mental calculation and then asked, "What’s its maximum attacking range?"

Abandoned Protocol didn’t reply but instead tapped her watch and projected a screen outward:

—-----------------

M27 Precision Sniper Rifle

Grade: Common

Effective Range: 200 metres

Maximum Range: 350 metres

Fire Rate: 0.7/s

Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds

Weight: 5.9 kg

Accuracy: Extremely high within 200 metres

Recoil: Moderate-high

Attachment Slots: Scope, suppressor, bipod, thermal module.

—----------------

Valen’s eyes literally glowed when he read the information on the sniper.

He approached Abandoned Protocol and said excitedly, "Let me give it a try."

Abandoned Protocol showed a hesitant expression. She was a Sight Path Evolver. Her sight was better than Valen’s, so why would he be asking for the sniper?

She also didn’t want to reject Valen since he had saved her in the previous sector. This left her in a bind.

"Don’t worry, I won’t fight for the loot with you. Since it’s your weapon, you’ll get half the loot from the monsters killed with it. Also, you should remember that I’m at Level 1 and my sight is at least 1 km while you’re at most Level 0.20. In accuracy and sight, you’re no match for me. I can kill twice as many monsters as you would in a minute with double the accuracy and a minuscule chance of missing. I suggest you make a decision quickly since we don’t have all day," Valen hurriedly said while looking toward the battle in the distance where the Evolvers were already being pushed back.

Abandoned Protocol thought about it for a moment, then nodded and shifted away. The contract stated all the spoils would be divided based on how much each person contributed.

Night Star was already doing her a favour by giving her half the loot from the monsters slain using her weapon whereas he could achieve twice or thrice her accuracy—that was if he had any experience using the sniper, of course.

Valen lay flat atop the rocky terrain, the hot wind brushing against his face. He did not mind Abandoned Protocol’s thoughts in the least.

Although it may seem as though he was at a disadvantage, he didn’t really think so. If he were to charge into battle, how long would it take for him to kill one monster? But a sniper could do that in a few seconds. This was far more time-efficient. Who really profited and who lost? No one knew.

As for where he got his confidence to attempt shooting a sniper rifle? It was from the Silver King’s memories.

During that era, technology may not have been as advanced as now, but sniper rifles still existed and the Silver King had the opportunity to train with one.

Sadly, he had to abandon it. With the level of technology back then, sniper rifles couldn’t even harm the Day Walkers and their minions.

Valen shook his head and got into position, focusing on the distant battle and looking for an opportune moment to shoot. Three hundred metres ahead, the Evolvers were in constant retreat.

But one man alone stood his ground against multiple Amberfiends. He wore a black Power Suit whose arms were shaped like guns that fired rapidly without end.

Valen recognised him as the cold black-haired youth from the Energised Chamber. He had planned to find an opportune moment to recruit him during their journey to the Astral Veil. Yet now, he had the chance to save his life and make him owe him a favour.

Deciding to stop wasting time, Valen took aim and fired. He didn’t need to use the scope since his eyes were much better.

A muffled sound came from the rifle as the bullet shot through the air. It flew towards an Amberfiend’s chest at frightening speed.

Just when Valen was anticipating the fall of the beast, the bullet merely grazed past the monster’s arm, dealing no damage whatsoever.

’I missed?’ Valen was stunned.

He wasn’t the only one stunned. Everyone in the area was also speechless at this development. From Valen’s earlier confidence and statements, they had thought he was some kind of professional, but it seemed he had only been boasting.

"Ahem, it’s been a long time, so my muscles are too relaxed. Don’t worry, a warm-up would fix the problem." Valen forced out these words with a half-baked smile. Even he felt his old face turning pink.

Being embarrassed before a bunch of teenagers was truly worth digging a hole and hiding in it.

Now he realised that simply having memories didn’t equate to being skilled at it. At the very least, he would have to carry out the action frequently for both his muscles and brain to synchronise with the memory.

He gritted his teeth and focused once more. This time, his aim was on an Amberfiend next to the exit of the Elite Sector. It was idle and didn’t rush in to attack.

He chose this target because it was both easier and faster to kill.

’I’m sorry, but I’ll have to use you as a stepping stone to save myself from being labeled a braggart by a bunch of teenagers,’ Valen thought as he took aim and fired.

His expression turned black as he realised that he had missed again.

’Am I really so bad at sniping?’

The other parties in the area let out muffled chuckles, staring at Valen with playful expressions. Valen’s teammates also wore dark expressions, but they didn’t say anything and remained standing behind him.

Naturally, the most devastated person was Abandoned Protocol. She began to slightly regret giving the sniper to Valen. Each magazine held only 8 bullets while she currently possessed merely two.

One was loaded into the gun and the other remained with her. Valen, conversely, had just wasted 2 bullets, greatly hurting her fragile heart.

She had even begun considering taking back the rifle. If this continued, her little heart might really collapse.

Seeing Abandoned Protocol’s hesitant behaviour made Valen feel slightly guilty. But he steeled his heart and uttered shamelessly, "No need to panic, Protocol. Bullets are meant to be used. Watch as I decimate the army now."

Valen closed his eyes and reopened them in a flash. He shifted his posture slightly, hands resting on the trigger, eyes focused ahead while memories overlapped in his mind.

An Amberfiend had just appeared behind the black-haired youth, smashing its wooden axe downward at him.

The youth was preoccupied with another Amberfiend in front of him. From his sluggish movements, it was obvious he was reaching his limits.

Valen immediately turned the sniper rifle toward the ambushing Amberfiend and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

A blood mist erupted from the monster’s chest, sending it staggering backward before collapsing to the ground.

---

System: [You have slain a Level 1, normal class Amberfiend.]

[You have received 19 points and 50 Exp]

[Loot: You have received a Lv. 1 Combat Glove. You have received 4 Black Coins.]

---

Valen didn’t linger even after the system message rang in his ears. Instead, he shifted his focus to another Amberfiend.

Bang!

The second beast dropped dead before anyone understood what had happened.

---

System: [You have slain a Level 1, normal class Amberfiend.]

[You have received 18 points and 48 Exp. No loot gained] 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

---

Valen’s finger moved again without showing the slightest restraint.

Bang.

System: [You...]

Bang.

Sys—

Bang.

Every shot took a life and the Amberfiends, who had previously charged at full speed, began collapsing one after another like puppets with severed strings.

The recoil had almost no impact on him, so he fired as quickly as possible without fearing any consequences to his body.

The Evolvers battling in the distance stared blankly toward the source of the shots, incomprehension written across their faces.

"Who... who in the world is that?!"

The rifle banged three more times before everything calmed down. The barrel smoked violently, but Valen wasn’t concerned.

By this time, only absolute silence reigned around him.

He stretched out a hand toward Abandoned Protocol and asked, "Do you have any more magazines? The first one’s empty."

In truth, the amount of points and EXP he gained was dwindling greatly, so there wasn’t much need for him to keep shooting anymore. But he simply found it exhilarating.

’So, this is how those who wield firearms feel.’

Abandoned Protocol and the others stared at Valen as though they were looking at some terrifying monster.

They couldn’t help finding their previous thoughts laughable. A newbie? A braggart who didn’t know his place? What a joke!

They were practically staring at a horizon killer, a one-shot king!

Thinking back to Valen’s display made them feel extremely vexed. Since he knew how to use the sniper, why make fools of them?

Forgotten Maple let out an internal sigh, not feeling surprised.

After his short time with Night Star, he realised that this young man, who was older than him, seemed to have many tricks up his sleeve.

For every occasion, he had a solution. Whether it was his farsightedness in choosing the Hero Sector, his excellent display of camaraderie when he saved Night Vanguard, or even his bravery when fighting against three Amberfiends alone so his teammates could deal with the rest, Forgotten Maple knew that his decision to make Night Star Party Leader was a wise one.

Initially, he had felt a bit resistant to the idea. Who would willingly give up a leadership position to someone else? Even if that person was stronger? But now... he was thoroughly convinced.

He now wished he could follow Valen as a teammate in all his future explorations. With such a leader, he wouldn’t need to worry about his safety or being taken advantage of.

Similar thoughts also ran through the minds of the party as they stared at Valen with eager expressions.

The members of other parties nearby were also stirred as they observed Valen gripping the sniper.

Even the distant teammates of Vincent and Stephen—who were hiding within a large crack on the training ground—felt stirred as fiery eagerness burned within them.

"He only shot a sniper and he thinks he’s the boss, Hmph! He only has a few days left anyway. Our Black Tail Guild will deal with him. Anyway, everyone, turn away!" Vincent commanded while snorting coldly.

Stephen stared at the sniper rifle in Valen’s hands and muttered enviously, "I can do that too. Isn’t it just a sniper? Farhan! Lend me your rifle."

"This..." an agile-looking teenager hesitated while looking down at his blue sniper rifle.

"Are you doubting me? Vincent, are these the men you had trained?" Stephen scoffed.

Vincent’s expression darkened and he gestured. "Hand it over to him. Don’t worry, if there’s any damage, he’ll pay."

The agile-looking teenager—Farhan—gnashed his teeth and passed over the rifle.

Stephen received it with a smug grin while mounting the sniper rifle on the ground using the bipod. Then, he lay flat on the ground.

"Boss Stephen, you haven’t attached the scope," Farhan reminded.

Stephen waved his hands grandly while asking in a nonchalant voice, "Did you see that guy over there using a scope? Do you think I’m less than him? Okay, quit talking. Let’s begin! Wait, this doesn’t look right."

Stephen repositioned the rifle as he placed his index finger on the trigger, ready to fire. In his delusion, he failed to realise that everyone had distanced themselves from him.

"Boss Stephen." Just then, Farhan called out again.

"What is it?!" Stephen snapped.

Farhan pointed at the rifle while retreating to the side. "It’s in reverse."

"So?"

"It’s pointing at you. If you fired, not even the Silver Watch might save your life."

"What the..." Stephen suddenly realised the problem and pointed at the distant chuckling Vincent while roaring, "Vincent, you sly thing! You almost ruined me!!!"

---

While Stephen and Vincent were doing their own thing, Valen had just reloaded the sniper rifle and was ready to begin a second round.

But it seemed the Amberfiends had noticed something was amiss and were now ferociously charging toward his location while ignoring the other Evolvers.

The Evolvers took this opportunity to deal the group of Amberfiends a massive blow.

"Ready your weapons. Once they come within 200 metres, charge and meet them in battle!" Valen ordered.

Everyone nodded and prepared themselves. The Level 5 Amberfiends from the Normal Sector had crossed a distance of 500 metres every three seconds.

Logically, the Level 1 Amberfiends should be able to cover 100 metres every three seconds. At that speed, they would reach the group in moments.

But nobody was scared. Compared to before, the Amberfiends were less numerous, numbering only about 32. With so many Evolvers present, clearing them would be a piece of cake— even if they were level 1.

Valen had also realised this point, which was why he hadn’t charged into battle himself and had instead chosen to remain behind with the sniper rifle.

Just before he pulled the trigger, he seemed to hear a faint soundwave from the distance. He couldn’t make out the words clearly, but it sounded like someone... shouting his name?

He wasn’t certain.