Chapter 815

Chapter 815

“Is the condition to shoot different depending on the weather?”

Ha Leeha relentlessly pondered over “White Reaper”.

“Or was it that the absence of firearms imposes a limitation? I have no idea. Should I learn it quickly to find out?”

As Ha Leeha recalled Francis’ words, he also thought backward to the principles of Matan’s original concept.

If the skill was based on snow, were the others related to rain, fog, or other weather conditions?

‘No way. That doesn’t seem right. It seems more likely that it’s about the presence of firearms. If it’s not the original, it can’t exert 100% of its abilities, so it’s probably a form of amplification using some medium—perhaps snow was the most suitable for this?’

Snow and ice.

couldn’t be considered a ‘bullet’ no matter how much he thought about it.

To put it simply, it was more akin to a laser. Could Matan mean ‘laser’ then?

Or are there various types of Matan, with being just one that takes the form of a laser?

‘A laser that can hit all desired targets? Then snow acts as a reflector? This is giving me a headache!’

As Ha Leeha pulled at his hair, Blaugrunn, who was walking alongside him, spoke up.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Matan. Ah, you haven’t seen it, Blaugrunn? ”

“I heard about it from Ha Leeha-nim, but it’s really hard to believe.”

“Well, that’s true. I wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t seen it myself.”

Watching Blaugrunn speak nonchalantly, Ha Leeha also felt slightly dejected.

How could anyone believe it? It would be hard without seeing it firsthand.

However, it was fortunate that there was something else to show other than “White Reaper.”

Besides, he had been repeatedly using it for his ‘rank up’ as well.

To level up a skill, it had to be used continuously with every cooldown.

“Blaugrunn, could you look at me for a moment? .”

“What? Why—oh?”

Blaugrunn’s eyes widened.

“Oh! Oh, oh, oh! Ha Leeha-nim?!”

A moment later, Blaugrunn’s eyes grew so wide they seemed ready to pop out.

The green-haired boy, panicking uncharacteristically for a dragon, rubbed his eyes.

“, !”

Shwaaah...!

Even after using detection magic, Ha Leeha remained invisible, causing Blaugrunn to panic even more and shout.

“Ha Leeha-nim! Ha Leeha-nim?! ... Even messenger magic doesn’t work—where did you suddenly go?!”

Blaugrunn shouted.

Seeing his astonished face, Ha Leeha wanted to laugh.

But as he was always surprised himself whenever using this skill, he had no right to tease.

The breath melds with nature.

All sounds are muted.

All chats, including whispers, are prohibited.

‘Wait, I can’t hear sounds either? What the heck is this?’

Ha Leeha could see Blaugrunn mouthing words.

He could also see turquoise mana particles gathering and dispersing around Blaugrunn’s body. But that was all.

Ha Leeha was most surprised by the fact that he could not even hear his own footsteps.

Not even the crunching sound of stepping on snow was audible.

—Blaugrunn?

Whisper also doesn’t work.

‘Ahh! Ahh!’

No sound came out when he tried to yell. It was as if only his thoughts floated in the void.

When he looked down, he saw his footprints in the snow.

Blaugrunn soon noticed them and began pointing in Ha Leeha’s direction.

‘What?’

Suddenly, Ha Leeha realized a new fact.

Even if they had the skill, they would still need to spend time earning money. However, Ha Leeha had already cleared it ‘long ago.’

So what about the Weather Ritual—3 quest?

『C-Cough. Then, you must find the cleanest snow with that item.』

Shimo hastily opened his mouth. At that moment, a hologram window appeared before Ha Leeha’s eyes.

『White Reaper: Master of Snow and Ice—4』

Description: “To create snow, you need to meet those who govern and love the snow. We used to hold a weather ritual for those beings existing in great nature. As someone akin to our people now, I hope you meet them in the name of the 〈White Reaper〉.”

The White Reaper, Shimo wanted to pass on his aides. Pass his test to receive them.

Content: Seek pure snow in the undeveloped northern region of Shazrashian and hold a weather ritual.

Reward: ?

Condition for Failure: If the weather ritual is held in impure snow.

Upon Failure: Destroy 〈Legendary Snowball〉.

Do you accept?

Ha Leeha smiled in satisfaction, seeing the number at the end of the quest.

『You need to find snow so pure that not even animals or monsters would leave their footprints there. Such places have beings who govern snow and ice, existing within this world. The moment you place the Snowball there, you will naturally understand.』

Shimo spoke to Ha Leeha.

However, Ha Leeha couldn’t completely focus on his words.

『But, be cautious. Contaminated snow will dirty the Snowball... Although we could obtain another Snowball from our people—it’s not an easy task, as you well know.』

Only one thing caught Ha Leeha’s eyes.

The hidden reward.

‘Judging by the quest content, the skill to be obtained will probably be snow-making—similar to Ram Hwajung’s Blizzard but with much less or almost no destructive power. So, considering the structure of quests with hidden rewards... there is only one thing left.’

After clearing this quest, what would appear next?

‘〈White Reaper〉.’

Ha Leeha meticulously examined the quest window. Only then did Shimo’s scattered voice reach his ears.

“Huh? Yes?”

『... Did you understand what I said?』

“Of course!”

Ha Leeha looked at Blaugrunn.

Blaugrunn nodded beside him—meaning he understood and would explain later!

Thanks to his partner, now a perfect match with just a look, Ha Leeha did not incur the bad graces of the NPC mentor for his second job advancement.

『Getting close to them won’t be easy. But I believe you can do it.』

“Hmm... I understand.”

This time, it didn’t seem related to the Panrind people.

The rulers of snow and ice. Ha Leeha immediately thought of a Silver Dragon.

‘That would be highly advantageous for me.’

There weren’t many beings Shimo would use honorifics for, and the master of snow and ice would be a dragon.

“By ‘northern’, you mean the area to the north of here—”

『Hmm. It would be hard to find pure snow in the existing lands. Beyond the place where the descendants of Craba have just started developing. Surely, pure snow still exists there.』

“—Got it. I’ll be on my way then.”

Dragons that govern snow and ice exist not only among metals but also within the chromatic dragon clans.

Worrying that Shimo might be referring to a white dragon, which could be a hassle, Ha Leeha began walking towards the northern part of the ruins.

* * *

“Wow, they’ve already... laid down the rails? We really need to abandon the prejudice that giants are simple-minded.”

“They are just basic transportation tools using wheels and grooves. Ha Leeha, are you surprised by something like that?”

“No, it’s amazing that they laid down such lengthy tracks in just a few days!”

Ha Leeha pointed ahead while looking at Blaugrunn, who chided him.

Just beyond the ruins where Shimo was, there was a warp gate.

This warp gate was connected not only to the capital of Shazrashian but also to various industrial cities scattered across Shazrashian.

But was creating a warp gate the end of the work?

What about transporting materials mined from the nearby mines and veins?