Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Leeha quietly chanted the skill name. Negotiation.

“We promise full support to Bottleneck, the dwarf master blacksmith in this city. Within the budget, we will provide unlimited resources for minerals for research and development.”

“…You… You… You?!”

“Of course, that’s not all. We’ll provide a dedicated location for the forge, equip it, and supply the materials needed. We’ll also grant an official title. Not just being the dwarf blacksmith Bottleneck in City Gaza, but allowing you to hold a responsible position in City Gaza to represent the dwarf race.”

Bottleneck’s eyes grew wider.

As an NPC, he couldn’t possibly overlook Leeha’s situation.

“Really… Are you really saying you’ll provide such support? A place, equipment, materials, and even magic tools?”

“Yes! Ahem, just wait a moment.”

Leeha brought up a hologram window that listed the authorities.

Although Leeha had left matters to Ram Hwayeon as her deputy, it wasn’t a delegation. Therefore, Leeha, as the party concerned, still had the authority to use them.

Leeha had considered the debt she owed Bottleneck, and she was also aware that City Gaza would need him for future mana supply and item production.

‘Let’s see… If I mix this authority with that… Hmm, something like this should work.’

However, something even more critical than that was at hand. Bottleneck wasn’t merely a creator of swords and spears; he had the capability to make various ‘tools’.

“Oh, but there’s one ‘small’ thing you need to do, like ‘lightly touching’ the city walls and such. Can you handle that?”

“Of course, don’t say such obvious things! I’m a Bau-Meister, after all! The Dwarves in our clan have always been skilled in stone masonry!”

Seeing Bottleneck getting worked up, Leeha smiled contentedly.

Then, she turned to the dwarf NPC, appearing calm yet solemn.

“Dwarf Bottleneck, I, the lord of City Gaza, propose this. Will you accept the position of ‘Commander of the Combat Engineers’ for this city?”

Returning to Hell and Ville would only be regaining a lost position.

But being the designated authority of a city and receiving unlimited support was the true reward.

With Leeha’s proposal, enhanced by her eloquent persuasion, Bottleneck couldn’t refuse.

His contemplation was very brief. It was also partly because of his high familiarity with Leeha.

“Dwarf Bottleneck Bau-Meister, I accept the proposal of City Gaza’s lord.”

Leeha extended her hand, and Bottleneck shook it while nodding.

Seeing Bottleneck’s ecstatic expression, Leeha was certain that Bottleneck had no idea about the trap she had just set for him with this position. He hadn’t grasped the true implications of the title she was offering.

“Beard Brothers!”

“Yes, sir! Boss!”

“Get your things ready! Leeha, from now on, we’re heading to a big city with human defenses! With unlimited support, let’s hammer it out!”

Hearing Bottleneck’s excited voice, Leeha felt a tiny pang of (?) guilt.

‘Sorry, Mr. Bottleneck. But I’ll definitely make it up to you!’

A clumsy title, Commander of the Combat Engineers.

The responsibility and authority Leeha had set for it included “repairing and expanding the city walls, constructing a fortress defense system, and producing equipment for the defense system.”

‘Given the high likelihood that Faust and his cronies might return, I don’t have a choice. Really, I’m sorry!’

While receiving unlimited support, they would be pounding away with the hammer?

Bottleneck wouldn’t have time to pursue his desired research and development in City Gaza.

Maybe not ever.

“Just get ready to move, alright? Well, there’s no need for preparation. We can just move everything, I think…”

“Yes. I might be away for a moment, but I’ll inform the deputy of the authority.”

“Leeha, good. Great! Let’s go!”

Leaving the excited Bottleneck and Beard Brothers behind, Leeha briefly logged out.

Only one piece of the puzzle remained to be put in place.

* * *

“Why did you log out? How far can you trust me?!”

After Leeha disappeared, Ram Hwayeon, who had been continuously checking her friend list, muttered a complaint. However, her expression seemed somewhat mild, contrary to her tone.

It seemed that she trusted Ha Leeha just as much as she had hoped, at least from the last thought she had.

“Well, um… Ram Hwayeon… What do you think—”

“Of course?! You guys have only been in City Gaza for two days! First, gather all the surviving Gazan Knights and start with patrol plans, their routes, and identifying the city’s strategic weaknesses!”

“Understood!”

Ram Hwayeon responded nervously to the knight’s question, which shattered her sweet imagination.

The knight, who was nominally the lord’s retainer, was obediently following her orders, even though he seemed somewhat overwhelmed in her presence.

“City Director! Where’s the City Director? Steward!”

“Here, my lady! Right here, acting on your behalf!”

“What’s the situation with treating the injured?”

“We just finished! Um, well… as of now, with 38% of the city destroyed, the city’s functions have been impaired by over 60%. Some areas suffered severe destruction, leading to a significant decrease in the city’s capabilities.”

“Darn… we’ve practically reduced the city to a village level. What’s the most urgent thing to be repaired?”

“The city walls… but, um, it seems we can’t touch them for now…”

“Alright, let’s skip that. What’s next?”

“The next major issue is related to water supply and roads. There’s a lot of debris preventing carts from carrying supplies. Carts can’t reach the market area, causing a complete shutdown of the market’s functions.”

The NPC that the sacred grail of the grill had told not to call her “steward,” in the end, was just a “steward” in front of Ram Hwayeon. Indeed, even though she had been worn down at Castle Dale, her operating abilities and pinpointed points of importance became evident in a few words, effectively making all of City Gaza’s NPCs surrender.

“Show me the map.”

“Here it is.”

Ram Hwayeon quickly examined the map.

With 38% destruction causing a 60% paralysis, it meant that the functionality of the city was severely impaired due to the destruction in some areas.

As the market function had completely stopped, it was a significant issue.

And from an entrepreneur like Ram Hwayeon’s standpoint, she was well aware that a city without a functioning economy would die immediately.

How to relocate, what to allocate, and how much to do to maximize the city’s functionality.

“Deploy all non-essential personnel to the market recovery. Divide the surviving merchants from the market into sections here, creating an ‘open-air market’ concept. Carts can reach up to this point, so we should be able to get emergency logistics in.”

“Umm… yes?”

“I told you to answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when I ask a question, didn’t I?”

“Yes, my lady! I can do it!”

“Regarding the division of sections, the steward will take care of that! It’s self-evident, but food and water are the top priority. For the next two days, do your best to ensure that the residents won’t go hungry. If necessary, you can open the city treasury. I’ll approve the expenses.”

Although she had a goblin-like way of speaking, her intentions were indeed kind-hearted.

Even the City Director NPC, who should have considerable influence over the city, had nothing but respect for Ram Hwayeon’s words, which aimed to prevent hunger among the ordinary NPCs.

“Yes, my lord!”

“Hmph, I’m not your lord, so don’t answer like that! Go and get it done.”

Ram Hwayeon waved her hand, and the NPC rushed off.

‘Even though I have the authority to delegate, there’s no need to unnecessarily alienate the residents. A high level of support from the residents is essential to stay in the lord’s position for a long time. To keep Ha Leeha here…’

Of course, even caring for the ordinary NPCs was just a minor detail within Ram Hwayeon’s grand plan, which others weren’t aware of.

“Let’s get moving! We don’t have much time! The support from the wizards will be coming soon, so start with smaller debris removal, focusing on recycling anything salvageable! Safety first! Be swift and accurate!”

“Sir, Yes, Sir!”

The efficiency of handling tasks for over ten regular NPCs in City Gaza was increasing dramatically. In an instant, an orderly and systematic recovery operation was underway.

—Ja-choong! Can you see my location? I’ll send you the list of needed items, so please send them over.

—It’s, it’s items, my lady? Rather than that, when are you coming back…

—Don’t worry about the loss. Just send it over. I’m sending the list! Oh, and send one of the city division NPCs over here temporarily! I’ll handle the return, so don’t worry!

—My lady?! My l—

As the communication continued, it was clear that the NPC was about to address Ram Hwayeon using a respectful title, but was interrupted by the abrupt end of the message.

Thunk.

Ram Hwayeon unilaterally ended the whispered conversation with her underling.

The outcome was crystal clear the moment Castle Dale’s resources and personnel were dispatched to assist Ram Hwayeon.

When Ha Leeha returned from the real world, two days had passed in Middle Earth.

“…Huh? What’s this?”

“Eungaya? It’s different from what Hyung said, isn’t it? What about the invasion? He asked for protection from Faust and Igor, right?”

That was the reason Ha Leeha had temporarily logged out of the game. He asked the Starlight Guild to be ready for immediate reinforcement. Naturally, the guild willingly accepted the request, and the primary purpose was to establish major spatial teleportation points.

“…This… really… This is City Gaza, right?”

Not only Ki Jeong, but even City Gaza’s actual ruler, Leeha, couldn’t comprehend the change the city had undergone.

Just two days.

For Ram Hwayeon, two days was enough to change the world.

* * *

“Have you arrived, Your Highness?”

“Oh, yes. Hello.”

As they approached the interior of City Gaza, the guards recognized Leeha and greeted him.

‘Wow, Hyung! You really give off the vibe of a lord! Even the greetings are formal!’

‘I don’t know who that person is! Is it because of my aura buff?’

‘Is that the aura buff?’

Of course, that wasn’t the case. Even though they might not have seen her before, most of City Gaza’s NPCs were already aware of Leeha and held her in high regard.

The ruler who wielded the power that saved the city from utter destruction!

The ruler who prioritized the lives of the residents even in dire situations!

The clever ruler who always put the convenience of the residents first in damage recovery!

Of course, the last part was not due to Leeha, but rather because of Ram Hwayeon. Nevertheless, the current situation left Leeha clueless.

“It seems there was some damage. Everyone seems frantic.”

“It was more than just ‘some’ damage! Remember when there was that foreign tsunami and an earthquake? It was at that level. The city was destroyed as if by a natural disaster…”

As Ki Jeong and Leeha cautiously entered, the bustling sounds of activity filled the air.

“So, I told you! Unless we finish repairing the walls, we can’t provide any resources!”

“Don’t make me laugh! Where’s that Ha Leeha? He promised that he’d protect us! Along with the title of ‘Commander of the Combat Engineers,’ he said we’d receive unlimited support—”

“Leeha! That’s why I can’t stand dwarves… Dwarf sir, pay attention. Do you know what the job of the ‘Commander of the Combat Engineers’ is?”

Shuffle—

The sound of flipping through documents echoed, and shortly after, the dwarf began to glow.

“Fooled again! Fooo— Ha Leeha, call for Ha Leeha! Ha—”

“Oh….”

Just as Leeha turned the corner, he encountered two individuals face-to-face.

No, it was one person and one dwarf. Ram Hwayeon and Bottleneck were both staring at Leeha.

Both of them had expressions that looked as if they could kill him.

“Ha Leehaaaa—!”