Matan’s Shooter

Chapter 726

Leeha: Was this person – no, this individual the only one?

Blaugrunn: There are others, but… Arzenmacht is the most curious one among the Silver clan. He would be the most suitable for trading the Ice Ostrich eggs with. Even now, despite having no familiarity whatsoever, he seems to fancy Ram Hwajung, the human.

Leeha: That? She’s what he fancies now?

Blaugrunn: Yes. Can’t you tell from his expression? I saw Arzenmacht’s expression.

‘To capture.’

Are you saying he fancies an expression that seemed like ‘capture’?

‘What about when he sees someone he dislikes then?’

Dragon knew that each dragon clan and individual had different personalities, making it hard for Leeha to adapt to the rather expressionless face in front of him.

Leeha remembered a quite cheerful silver-haired head that once showed interest in Jellypong, so his disappointment grew even more.

In an instant, a massive ice spear manifested above Arzenmacht’s hand.

“Whoa!”

Leeha was startled and approached to protect Ram Hwajung, but Ram Hwajung was already surrounded by swirling blue orbs.

“W-wait, is Ram Hwajung-“

Crackle!

Leeha almost stumbled backward upon seeing an even larger ice spear materialize right before his eyes.

Barely managing to steady himself with the help of Jellypong and Blaugrunn, Leeha could finally discern what the two beings were up to. They were simply gazing at each other’s ice spears as if they were works of art.

The two magical creations disappeared simultaneously. Arzenmacht walked toward Ram Hwajung and held out his hand.

Without hesitation, Ram Hwajung took his hand. Contrary to the bewildered expression on Leeha’s face, Blaugrunn appeared to be enjoying himself as if he had witnessed a rare sight.

“Wow! Leeha-nim, do you see that?! That bone-chilling face! He acknowledged the human named Ram Hwajung! I never expected Arzenmacht to react like this. I didn’t anticipate this either.”

“… Wait, so, he is happy about this, right? It’s not the expression of seeing a foe of the clan, right?”

“… Well, that human named Ram Hwajung is the same way.”

“Hah, yeah. Nothing more to say.”

It was only natural that it looked like a handshake between mixed martial arts fighters engaged in a friendly battle.

No more compliments or greetings were needed for the two beings who wielded ice. Once their skills were recognized and acknowledged by each other, everything thereafter proceeded swiftly.

When an icy egg from Ram Hwajung’s bag and an icy egg looted by Leeha were revealed to Arzenmacht by Blaugrunn, that was the moment Leeha too could understand Blaugrunn’s words.

“Awesome.”

A dragon who let out such an exclamation as if he was about to crush the icy egg with his fist.

“So, he was indeed happy about that.”

He didn’t waste time or beat around the bush. Teleporting simultaneously with Leeha, Blaugrunn, and Ram Hwajung brought them to a place that Leeha suspected was Arzenmacht’s lair.

Although it was a place with a ceiling and walls made of snow and ice, what was piled there was a mountain of items.

“Choose.”

Leeha understood his words as ‘Pick an item with a suitable value for a barter, think about it, and exchange it.’

Ram Hwajung was already rummaging through something, choosing.

“Ram Hwajung-ssi, do you remember what I said earlier? The place we need to go to in the future-“

“I remember everything you said, without exception.”

Ram Hwajung spoke without even looking back at Leeha.

Although it may have seemed dry on the surface, Leeha, who already knew Ram Hwajung’s habits, didn’t say much.

‘Pretending to be hugely embarrassed and occasionally saying such things well.’

Leeha rummaged through items, fanning his heated face. The reason why Ram Hwajung said such things without looking back at Leeha was obvious: because in that aspect, she had a similar personality to her older sister. They were the same in thinking that there was nothing more embarrassing than showing a blushing face to Leeha.

“Please help me find as well, Blaugrunn.”

“Of course. The priority would be cold resistance, right?”

“Yes, that’s the first thing to focus on.”

The statement that Blaugrunn, known to have a strong inquisitive nature even among Silver Dragons, was by no means an exaggeration.

“He said he wasn’t even at Ancient level yet. He must be at a stage right before going from Adult-class to Ancient level.”

What kinds and numbers of items were piled up in Leeha’s possession?

It seemed that the minimum amount was more than twice the treasures Blaugrunn, who had just entered the Adult-class in the past, had collected.

“No, it’s not just that…

‘Kuzgunak’sh’sh.’

It’s rare. Should I say it’s comparable to that place? It may not reach Bahamut’s level, but it was enough for Leeha.

[Coat crafted from Yeti’s fur by a hero tailor]

Effect:

Cold resistance +25%, stamina +17

Description: A coat made from the warmest part of the fur of the famous Yeti known for its two tips. Crafted by Canada Goose, the first tailor to receive the title of “hero” and a giant hero tailor revered not only in Shazrashian but throughout the continent.

[Red top worn by the hero of the mountain bandits of Sesan Mountain]

Effect:

Ice resistance +15%, stamina +16

Description: A top worn by Sherpa, the mountain bandit king who ruled the Sesan Mountain region in the northeastern part of Shazrashian. When more than ten times the number of knights were mobilized to barely subdue him, a miracle occurred as his blood-stained red top blazed brightly.

“The descriptions sound cool, but aren’t they essentially just a parka and red long johns? Surprisingly, there are no cold resistance items.”

Leeha, after searching for about an hour, pondered holding two items she found in front of Blaugrunn.

He flew in with a light sky-blue fur hat in his hand.

“This might be better than those.”

[Legendary fox fur cap]

Defense: 450

Effect: Cold resistance +40%, Agility +15, stamina +8

Requirements: Agility 2,200 or higher, stamina 300 or higher

Description: It’s impossible to see the creature’s form in the wilderness. It was almost entirely coincidental that the appearance of a white fox was revealed.

If it weren’t for the breath of the red dragon that melted the perennial snow, finding a fox living solely by eating snow near the peak of the mountain would have been delayed for over a hundred years.

Additional Effect: When 2 or more sets are equipped, additional cold resistance +10%

“Wow, legendary grade! Nice, nice. Indeed, it’s from Blaugrunn.”

Saying this, he ruffled Blaugrunn’s hair excitedly.

Seeming accustomed by now, Blaugrunn stood still even as his hair got messed up.

“Ah, is there a higher grade than this?”

“Don’t get greedy. I’ll still check, although even if there is, I’m not sure if Arzenmacht would approve.”

“Oh, I see. Still, please check once.”

After sending off Blaugrunn, he picked up another item he had found and compared a few.

“Hmm… This one looks good, and that one too. But since overlap of item usage isn’t allowed, ultimately, I have to swap and equip it with what I’m wearing currently.”

The hat he currently had equipped was a Heroic grade item – an item obtained from hunting the field boss of Harpies, which in terms of grade and options, a Legendary grade would obviously be much better. It even had a staggering 40% cold resistance, which was much needed.

“However, the value attached to my current hat seems to be more significant than adding all other options together!”

“The fact that it ignores the wind direction and speed for ranged projectiles… it might be useless for users who auto-attack due to their short range.”

“But for me, it’s akin to a blessing from God. Wearing a Legendary grade hat for cold resistance and then removing this one?”

He could imagine it. Though he could probably avoid status abnormalities with a fair chance, he wouldn’t be able to properly fire a single bullet throughout the entire climb up the mountain.

“It’s almost impossible to hit in that massive snowstorm… unless you use Matan. It’s probably a challenge even for you who have always reproduced wonders.”

“As for the modest red undershirt… maybe that’s the way to go? At least in the current state, since the top and bottom don’t have any special functions, wearing that might be better than nothing.”

It was only natural to feel greedy. He knew very well that such situations were rare.

He looked at Ram Hwajung rummaging through items in the distance without a word to him as she began selecting items. Considering her relentless pursuit in the matter at hand, it was evident how obsessed and focused she could be when it came to the Middle Earth.

“At the same time, acknowledging that opportunities like this don’t come often even for Rankers like Ram Whajung. You have to be at your best, make the best choice. So isn’t it regrettable? Just picking red underwear?”

Leeha momentarily put down the items he was holding and rummaged through elsewhere. Among various potions, she found a small flask containing a white potion.

“There’s a white potion too?”

[Legendary White Reaper’s White Plague Potion]

Effect: When ingested, ice attribute resistance +80%

Keeping the status effect [White Plague]

Description: The White Reaper, who roamed the polar regions hunting legendary beasts, said, “Do not fear the winter. It’s impossible to endure the cold. Just be cold. With the potion I created, you can endure the cold a little better.”

It was a potion containing the secret of the White Reaper, known for creating the disease called White Plague and enduring the cold by taking it.

“Hunting legendary beasts…? White Plague…?”

Leeha shuddered as she read the dreadful words written in the item’s description box.

“Moreover, it’s different. Usually, potions just need to be swallowed. But this one needs to be ingested?”

If ingested, does it mean it can be used permanently when taken out? What if it’s swallowed?

“Do I have to be afflicted with White Plague for a lifetime? No, what in the world is White Plague?”

Leeha tried explaining the item to Blaugrunn, but even the dragon just shook his head.

“I’ve never heard of it. I know the Black Plague, but White Plague?”

“Well, do you know about the White Reaper, the human who killed 542 people in 100 days?”

“An invincible person in snowy areas? I had a brief interest in it before because it was considered an achievement, but that’s all.”

“Killing 542 people in a hundred days? Wow…”

Leeha’s eyes widened. If even a vile act is considered an achievement, how remarkable must it be. Receiving a disease she created and gaining resistance to ice in return.

In the Middle Earth, this result was entirely possible. The game was designed for the opposite to fulfill their desired strength. In other words, white Plague as a status ailment bestowed such a terrifying effect as an 80% resistance to the ice attribute, indicating how formidable it was.

“It’s not just a cold resistance status but an 80% resistance to the entire ice attribute. It’s an incredible effect. Compared to the fire attribute resistance, it’s even surpassing Fire Flower.”

Even the rare Fire Flower conceded to the Fire Element King’s resistance of 50% to the entire fire attribute. Yet, a mere human-made potion provided an 80% resistance to the entire ice attribute!

“Of course, it’s not permanent. Only while it’s ingested… But it’s almost a scam-like item, that’s for sure.”

If he had been able to test it at least once or knew the true nature of White Plague, he would not have hesitated. However, with testing being impossible and even dragons being unaware of what White Plague was, it was only natural that his hand didn’t easily reach out for it.