Matan’s Shooter

Chapter 798

“They will find me even if I don’t seek them out.”

Although the affinity increased by 90% was a notable achievement, Leeha’s focus was on the aspect of ‘hospitality’.

Wasn’t it natural to be hospitable if affinity increased?

Even so, why was the option of hospitality specifically included?

“It must be some sort of trap. Maybe if that achievement isn’t acquired, it would be impossible to find the Pandril Inhabitants, or something along those lines.”

Having been deceived by Middle Earth more than once, Leeha instinctively felt this was the key to resolving the current quest.

“Well, this should be the place. Let’s go in.”

Leeha and Blaugun opened the creaky door of a shabby general store and stepped inside.

The NPC standing at the counter was certainly not a Giant.

“Um… Hello.”

Leeha greeted the NPC store owner. The heavily fur-clad Lizardia grinned broadly, revealing a set of sharp teeth.

“A precious guest has arrived at such a humble place. Welcome, Leeha.”

It wasn’t a Giant, indeed… but it wasn’t a human either.

“A Lizardia? In a winter country like this?”

Lizardians were generally found in Fibiel and Minis.

lizard folk could utilize 120% of their physical abilities in hot climates.

As a result, they were scarce in places dominated by the sea like Kraven or snowy fields like Shazrashian.

This tendency was particularly true for NPCs, except for certain players who enjoyed unconventional gameplay.

“At any rate, it’s not a Pandril.”

Feeling a bit disappointed, Leeha awkwardly nodded and started to look around the shop. Upon seeing Leeha’s crestfallen expression, blaugun offered some consolation.

—Don’t be too down because it’s not human. Another one will show up when we keep searching. They already recognized you as Leeha.

—That’s a good thing, but… sigh.

Surprised to find a Lizardia, Leeha paused momentarily.

Nevertheless, he had to ask. He decided to speak up. After all, the Lizardia might also be part of a discriminated minority, potentially having some connection to the Pandril people.

Just as he was gathering his thoughts, the Lizardia NPC came out from behind the counter.

The Lizardia, who had been smiling at Leeha, walked to the entrance and started locking the door.

“Uh, umm? Excuse me─”

“Please wait a moment.”

“What is…”

Click, clack—!

In an unusual manner for a general store, the Lizardia secured multiple locks on the door before turning back to Leeha.

It was Leeha who stopped Blaugun from gathering mana.

—We shouldn’t fight.

—I’ll just be prepared.

—No, not even preparation. Um, just hold them in a state of paralysis with the quietest magic.

—What?

—We can’t risk causing delays here.

The Lizardia smiled while looking at him. It was clear the Lizardia wouldn’t attack first.

However, another accomplishment weighed on Leeha’s mind.

〈Achievement: Under surveillance by the Shazrashian Federation (A+)〉

Shall I congratulate you?

In a way, you have been recognized by a nation! They may call it ‘unofficial’, but everyone associated with them will be ‘officially’ monitoring you! You better not cause any trouble within that country’s territory.

Reward: Agility +8, stamina +5, willpower +5

If caught by guards or higher NPCs within the territory of that country, every merit point -500

‘I’m already at minus a thousand! If I get caught again and lose -500 each time…!’

She worried about getting banned from the Shazrashian Federation.

The fact that such an achievement wasn’t listed in the Hall of Fame amused Leeha, but she had no time to care about that now.

Finally, after locking all the locks and drawing all the curtains, lizardia walked toward Leeha.

As Leeha and Blaugrunn watched the mana slowly gathering around Lizardia, their eyes widened.

“Shuuu…!”

Lizardia’s NPC body started emitting light.

Leeha blocked Blaugrunn’s spellcasting and asked Zellafon to protect her.

“Leeha-nim!”

“No, don’t use it. Hold on—”

The bickering between Leeha and Blaugrunn was almost comical.

Once all the emitted light disappeared and they opened their eyes, what they saw was not Lizardia.

“I have eagerly awaited meeting a hero of our people.”

A young man stood there, arms open towards Leeha.

“…Huh?”

“Polymorph—no, there was no mana flow—”

Blaugrunn was more shocked than Leeha. Leeha didn’t know how to process this strange feeling of emptiness.

“Welcome, white Death.”

『Pandril Tribe: Whereabouts』

You completed the quest.

The quest they thought would take at least over a week was completed in just one day.

* * *

As Leeha and Blaugrunn stood speechless with their mouths open, the shop owner, now human, chuckled awkwardly.

“I hope I didn’t startle you too much. However… we’ve only heard ‘those rumors’, and can’t tell when it will actually happen—”

“Wait, so… you’re from the Pandril Tribe?”

“Yes.”

“How? Why Lizardia? And what do you mean by ‘those rumors’? What have you already heard—”

“How! How did you transform, human? There was no mana flow typical of polymorph! And it doesn’t seem like you used any item—”

“Hold on, Blaugrunn! Let me speak first!”

“I should go first, Leeha! The fun I had with the spectacled beast was one thing, but this is entirely different!”

Leeha and Blaugrunn tried to clamp each other’s mouths shut as they argued.

The Pandril member, bewildered, attempted to intervene but didn’t dare touch Leeha and Blaugrunn.

“Please, both of you. I’ll answer all your questions. And now… I have plenty of time to remain in this form. First, let me serve some tea.”

The Pandril went back behind the counter and exited through the back door.

Finally, Leeha and Blaugrunn calmed down a bit.

“Well, officially, it comes into effect today.”

The agreement with the Shazrashian President was signed today.

In other words, rumors had already spread. However, it didn’t mean they could let their guard down.

‘So, he was in disguise? But how did he transform—’

“Probably! Probably similar to that spirit. Just like how the necromancer’s spirit lingered on the surface without a body, that human also hid without any mana flow, right?”

As if agreeing with the thoughts that had been voiced, Blaugrunn quickly spoke up.

“Ah, aaah. That’s right.”

“Yeah, exactly. Perhaps the Polymorph just now is a means connected to that…!”

Witnessing the dragon’s excited chatter, Leeha nodded in agreement.

‘It was actually a more advanced camouflage than just blending in. At least physical attacks or skills can’t be avoided by me because they can touch me. But the White Reaper’s disguise surpasses that.’

Perhaps there was something beyond mere disguise.

While Leeha sorted out his thoughts, Pandril Tribe brought out three cups of tea.

“Though it may be presumptuous of me, I wish to express our deepest gratitude on behalf of our entire people.”

“No, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“What are you saying… It was such a significant deed for our people that even the spirit of Shimo, who passed away so long ago, lingered on. The fact that you accomplished that is―”

Tears welled up in Pandril Tribe’s eyes.

Leeha hurriedly waved his hand, worried the atmosphere might become too heavy.

“Oh no, not at all. I have much to learn and have learned much from the . And, uh… may I ask your name―”

“Oh! My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Aner. I might be a bit unskillful, but I serve as a liaison.”

After managing to change the mood and finally introducing themselves, Leeha could converse with Aner.

When Leeha informed him that discrimination against minority groups had been legally prohibited, aner cried for a moment.

After waiting for that, Leeha and Blaugrunn could learn more about the Pandril Tribe people.

The surviving Pandril Tribe had all scattered, hiding their identities, and they possessed a ‘special technique’ for concealment.

That ‘special technique’ was passed down orally, but the record left by the person who taught it was still in their possession.

“Exactly that! That book! Can we see the book?”

“Yes, yes! Go and fetch it, human!”

As Leeha and Blaugrunn’s eyes sparkled again, aner looked troubled.

“I would love to show it to you right away, but unfortunately, I don’t have it with me.”

“Then―”

Shwaaa…!

A holographic window appeared in front of Leeha’s eyes.

『Pandril Tribe: The Truth』

Description: “The chairman of the Elders’ Council has that. Of course, he knows your name, Leeha. He eagerly awaits meeting you, so there should be no issues. Besides, now, Leeha, you are… our .”

Aner expressed boundless trust. Let’s come back here in ten days, peruse the records the Pandril Tribe people have kept, and find clues.

Content: Perusal of Pandril Tribe’s in 10 days

Reward: ?

Condition for Failure: Death of Pandril Tribe Aner within the period

Failure Note: Quest route deletion

Do you accept?

“Please give us just ten days. I will convene our scattered comrades across the country. Could you return here once again then?”

Leeha skimmed through the quest window.

It wasn’t a particularly special quest.

Simply come back here in ten days, read through their records, and complete the quest.

‘But the hidden reward and the failure conditions… Those are the key points.’

The death of Pandril Tribe Aner? Does that mean someone is targeting this NPC?’

For the old Leeha, this would’ve been a nerve-wracking scenario, but not now.

He was confident in facing any adversary, even someone from Shazrasyan.

Leeha confidently pressed the accept button.

“Understood.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, have there been any people targeting Aner recently?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that…?”

Aner tilted his head in confusion. Leeha dismissed it as nothing and whispered to Blaug-run.

―Blaugrunn-ssi.

―Yes?

―For the next ten days, protect the human named Aner thoroughly.

―… Is there something concerning you?

―No, it’s not that, but just in case. Anyway, you must be ‘thorough’. Got it?

Leeha winked at Blaug-run, and the boy nodded.

“Alright then, I’ll be off, mr. Aner.”

“Yes. Let me open the door for—”

“No, teleportation will do. See you in ten days.”

Leeha activated the crystal ball.

Blaug-run also teleported, synchronizing his timing with Leeha.

However, the dragon headed to the roof of the shop where Aner was.

―I will start the protection now.

―Okay.

The simpler the quest, the more cautious you should be.

Hoping that the uneasy feeling was just that, a feeling, Leeha moved on to meet Shimo.

‘Ten days, within which I will embody the qualities of the “White Reaper” even more.’

He would do his best to not only carry the name but also to match Shimo’s skills.

* * *

『Really!? Already—you found and met them already?』

“Yes. It seemed like there was no need for you to worry about them anymore. Their disguise skills were so good even a dragon would be shocked. Plus, the anti-discrimination law was enacted and takes effect from today, so there’s nothing to worry about from now on.”

The fact that one’s true form was hidden wouldn’t fall under the category of ‘living well.’

To avoid discrimination, showing a different race, which wasn’t a Giant or Lizardia but something else, gave an idea of the kind of discrimination and persecution faced in their true form as a Pandril.

However, Leeha spoke in a lighter tone to ease Shimo’s worries, and Shimo looked at Leeha with a moved expression.

『I knew you could do it, but this quickly… Truly, you are indeed like me.』

“If I’m like you, there’s something we must do next, right?”

Leeha smiled slyly, and the White Reaper regained his smile. The task ahead appeared before Leeha.

『White Reaper: Piercing Eye—1』

Description: “You know I could see the wind, right? But that’s not all. You might have guessed it, but… the reason I wasn’t fooled by your trickery was because of this eye. I shall give you my eye. However, you must prove with your own strength that you can effectively use it. Read the wind. Fire the bullet accordingly and hit the target.”

The White Reaper, Shimo, intended to pass on his eyeball. After passing his test.

Objective: Hit the target with a bullet that has endured wind speeds of over 40 m/s.

Attempt limit: 5

Reward: Skill—Piercing Eye (Passive)

『White Reaper: Non-existent Existence—2』

Condition for Failure: Exceed the attempt limit

Failure consequence: Deletion of the quest route

Do you accept?