The D-Rank Guild Master of the No. 1 Guild

Meanwhile, Kanel reached the front of the arena. Just before entering, he had his weapon inspected by the gatekeeper NPC. 

In this round, each contestant could only carry one weapon into the match. 

This meant that if Kanel’s sniper rifle broke during the fight, he would be completely unarmed. 

The weapon he chose was, of course, a sniper rifle.

“You’re going to snipe in a one-on-one duel? Are you out of your mind?” 

Junias shouted loudly from the other side, mocking him.

“A sniper rifle is the only thing that can pierce a lion’s hide.”

Hearing the line, Kanel somehow looked like a villain. 

Once Junias transformed into a small lioness, Kanel would almost seem like a poacher.

‘Don’t think like that. She’s not a mute animal but a dirty-minded girl… though maybe she is a suitable target for a bullet.’

In the ruthless world of this game, such considerations don’t exist. Everyone is just another player.

And if anyone argues that it’s too harsh for a child, remember that Tian brutally slashed our young boy earlier.

Junias has no right to judge us.

“Bullets won’t pierce my hide.”

Compared to Unahar’s wolf, the lioness had a much smaller frame.

However, she was very fast and had sharp teeth. As she dashed towards Kanel, zigzagging to avoid the bullets, she looked quite threatening.

Her strategy against a sniper was to close the distance and disable him by biting his arm or gun.

Growl!

But Kanel did not let Junias get close. He deftly maneuvered around the arena, using several pillars for cover.

Despite being a sniper, Kanel had trained to the point where his mobility rivaled that of many warriors.

Additionally, he possessed the skill to aim and shoot his sniper rifle while on the move, a feat meant to be done stationary.

[Unique Ability] Bullet Acceleration

The outcome is determined the moment he pulls the trigger.

It seems like time itself shifts. The instant the muzzle flashes, the bullet is already piercing the target’s body.

Unless the target had a shield from the start, no one could “see” and dodge Kanel’s shot.

“Faster. Faster.”

Kanel’s relentless training and research into his unique ability had paid off. His bullet velocity had long surpassed the speed of sound.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He hit the moving target’s chest three times, each bullet striking the exact same spot.

In archery terms, it was a perfect gold. The following arrow pierced through the first.

Roar!

The lioness roared in pain. Contrary to her threats, her thick hide was punctured.

Because Kanel persistently aimed at the center of her chest.

[Indeed, he can be called the best marksman among the players currently! This is remarkable!]

After a while, Kanel successfully completed the lion hunt as he had declared.

Kanel turned to look at us in the spectator stands, his usual stoic expression unchanged, raising his hand to form a V sign.

“Akata, I avenged you.”

It turns out Kanel also has a soft spot. He was worried about our kid getting hurt.

“Even if you avenged me, I handle my own revenge!”

Akata shouting back from the stands seemed unusual, making me stare at the two of them intently.

And then there was Lilith, snuggled against Gio’s arm, celebrating Kanel’s victory with him.

When did we become a family?

Their presence had become so natural that I couldn’t imagine life without them.

At this moment, I glanced down at Unahar, who lay unconscious in the stands due to his wolf ability’s aftermath.

[The first dueling match has concluded. The winner between Pure Nature and Agasa is Agasa! As expected of the top guild from the first generation!]

I kept my hand on Unahar’s chest while listening to the commentators’ loud voices.

In the meantime, Kanel quickly returned to our section of the stands.

Unlike Akata and Unahar, who had been carried back limp and defeated, Kanel returned on his own two feet, looking triumphant.

“Kanel, I’ve never found you more likable than today. Can I give you a hug?”

“By all means. Come here.”

Kanel spread his arms wide. I immediately hesitated.

“Ah, no, now that it’s happening, I realize I don’t really want to hug you. Let’s just high-five.”

I might have gone a bit overboard. Seeing Kanel’s broad embrace made me break out in a cold sweat.

Despite my change of heart, Kanel nodded cheerfully.

“That works too.”

For every victory, there is a defeat.

When my eyes met Runehan’s across the stands, I borrowed Kanel’s victory gesture.

I formed a V with my hand, striking a dignified victory pose.

Runehan gritted his teeth and turned away sharply. The last I saw of him was bending over Junias, who lay defeated.

[The first game was so thrilling, it kept us all on the edge of our seats! Now, onto the second match! We will first draw the guild from the second generation!]

Having already competed, we were excluded as the tournament continued.

“You can eat snacks now, Gio. Enjoy yourself.”

Our guild switched fully into spectator mode.

Having the first match is quite advantageous. Now we could simply watch and analyze the remaining duels.

[Ice Fortress has been selected! The guild holding the current number one rank!]

I watched absentmindedly until Aleon stepped into the arena, snapping me back to attention.

There was a character trembling, matched against the current personal rank one.

As expected, the trembling character ended up being easy prey set for the guild master of Ice Fortress.

A blizzard swirled around the Blue Saint. With a single gesture, millions of ice crystals froze instantly.

“Ah!”

Some spectators gasped involuntarily.

I, too, couldn’t keep my mouth closed.

He had gotten stronger! Not only was the cold more intense, but the freezing speed was also much faster.

In just one second, Aleon’s opponent, who had been standing there dumbfounded, suddenly reappeared in the stands.

“…?”

What was that? A glitch? Everyone in the audience was bewildered.

Even the commentators were silent for a moment, indicating they hadn’t fully grasped what had just happened.

[Oh my god…]

Eventually, one commentator spoke in a trembling voice.

[It’s not a glitch. Frit is dead! Aleon wins! This matches the shortest record, set by Gio in the first duel! Truly the majesty of one who has ascended the throne!]

Lilith couldn’t contain her curiosity and tapped my shoulder.

“Rudel, what was that? I don’t understand!”

But I was too shocked to speak.

Instead, Kanel, who had keenly observed the situation with his sniper’s precision, explained.

“He died. That’s why he lost.”

“So quickly? He was just standing still!”

“His blood froze solid.”

Aleon had mastered an absurd technique.

He could now freeze and control not only the water he created but any water in the environment, including the blood flowing through a player’s veins.

Aleon’s clear, sorrowful gaze followed his opponent as they were teleported away after dying. He left a poignant remark.

“I hope you felt no pain…”

Reflecting on Aleon’s match, it seemed Ifrea was determined to elevate Aleon to godhood.

There was no need to showcase such a precise performance of freezing someone from within, yet they deliberately displayed Aleon’s ability with such grandeur.

Rather than hiding Aleon’s power in the first round against the second generation, they chose to firmly establish his position.

The result:

“Ale-on! Ale-on!”

“Aleon! You’re amazing!”

“Look this way, Aleon!”

The deafening cheers from the crowd echoed throughout the stadium.

Dozens of Aleon followers were causing a ruckus as if they were at a baseball game.

Even with spectators around Ice Fortress covering their ears, the noise persisted.

While I found it embarrassing, Aleon seemed unbothered, smiling brightly and waving his hand.

It felt more like a solo concert than a coliseum.

The resplendent saint had minimized his naive charm, emphasizing his sublime aura, which only amplified his allure.

He was garnering a secret fan base even among other guilds and the second generation.

However, despite Aleon’s win, Ice Fortress ultimately lost the best-of-five series.

Aleon’s single victory didn’t guarantee the rest of the guild would follow suit and secure a sweep.

The guild member who lost the final match returned dejectedly.

Aleon greeted them with an unshadowed smile.

“You did your best. You did very well.”

The sincere encouragement from the saint brought tears to the member’s eyes. They seemed overwhelmed, as if blessed by a deity.

It felt as though Aleon, after gaining strength from me, was gradually becoming a sacred figure…

In any case, as I flipped through the record sheets from the beginning, I frowned.

Was it a coincidence?

Why hadn’t any first-generation guilds won against the second generation since our match?

Our guild was the only first-generation guild to win. The other four matches saw first-generation guilds all defeated.

Instead, the newcomer guilds were receiving much attention.

Even considering the slight advantage of the second-generation guilds having the right to choose their opponents…

Suddenly, the noise from the surrounding spectators felt out of place.

I straightened my posture and began scanning my surroundings meticulously.

‘…Am I the only one finding this situation suspicious?’

While everyone else was focused on the matches, I felt strangely isolated.

Let’s keep watching for now. Perhaps my doubts stem from an inherent distrust of the system.