The Black Dragon was categorized as a Wyrm-rank creature?
"Hey, punk! Huh?!"
Crack, crack, crack!
Orichalcum, renowned as the sturdiest and most unyielding material, was no laughing matter. It retained its exceptional properties, unaffected by any special circumstances, and possessed the ability to regenerate and restore itself continually. This remarkable quality was achieved by infusing the restorative abilities and unique powers of a dragon bone into the metal.
Why was this being mentioned? Well, even if the punk currently before Davey had become a defective product, with most of the dragon's body falling below the original standard, it still held numerous valuable parts. Davey didn't want to discard anything.
However, a single flash of Davey's arrow effortlessly tore through the dragon's wings, reducing it to mere bones.
"You're a Lord-rank being? Quit joking! Should I grab your wings and give you a round of applause, huh? How about I extract your teeth and put them to good use, huh?!"
Thwack!!!
Crack, crack, crack!!!
The fluttering wing, which had previously remained partially intact, was now forcefully torn apart from the dragon's body.
“I’m still not done with you!”
—What in the world are you doing…?
"I've always wanted to give this a try," Davey calmly replied, noticing the incredulous look Perserque was giving him from the side.
—…
“Reina, take care of the other wing.”
Davey swiftly turned around, his vision sharpening as he focused on the right side. The broader his field of vision became, the less likely he was to notice objects in close proximity. Nonetheless, it made no difference whether Davey could spot them or if they had already detected his presence.
Thwack!!!
Davey would have effortlessly peppered them with bullets long before they could reach his position.
For Davey to utilize the Light Expansion Gun, the skill he employed to pierce through Black Dragon Gargas' wing, his body had to endure an incredibly demanding load. This load came from the unique and independent technique known as the Eye of the Sky, crafted by the God of Archery, Apollo.
The Eye of the Sky was one of Apollo's primary techniques in Divine Archery's Sniping. It was not an innate skill possessed by the elves; rather, it was an independent skill developed by Apollo when he had recently ascended to the rank of Bow Master. By imbuing his will into the wind, he could perceive distances far beyond anyone's imagination and translate them into enhanced vision and eyesight.
Davey's head throbbed as a torrent of information flooded his mind through his eyes. However, he did not falter. His eyes, fixated on the swiftly passing scenery, gradually decelerated until he felt akin to an eagle gliding through the sky, searching for its prey.
“Let’s get one guy first,” Davey said, spotting quite a few robed vampires running across the field.
And as he honed his eyesight, he began discerning the level of their blood energy.
They were all master-class vampires, ranking above the first lieutenant level. Their entry into the war had a high potential to completely tip the balance of power.
The soldiers of the allied forces were, at best, ordinary soldiers who had received buffs from support mages and priests. Even if the vampire army's forces weren't exceptionally formidable, their basic foundations still surpassed those of ordinary soldiers. The ordinary soldiers had to fight for their lives just to stand on an equal footing with them.
This was precisely why the experts and master-level fighters of the allied forces chose to focus on controlling the vampire army's offense instead of seeking out the most powerful individuals among their adversaries. They aimed to minimize casualties and prevent a massacre of their alliance's soldiers.
So, what would happen if the high-ranking vampires joined the fray in a situation like this? It would undoubtedly present an arduous battle for the humans.
Davey clenched his teeth as he witnessed the overwhelming might of the enemy forces. However, he composed himself, drew back the bowstring, and aimed his arrow at the heart of one of the high-ranking vampires sprinting across the field.
‘Do you think it’s more efficient to aim for the head?’
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThis type of question was often posed during shooting training in the military. However, regardless of whether the shot hit the enemy's body or head, they would still meet their demise. So, for Davey, it didn't matter if he hit his enemy in the head. He wasn't concerned about his scores like in FPS games. His sole focus was on striking his enemies.
Even after a thousand years, Davey still vividly remembered the words his friend had shared with him.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!!!
In that critical moment, a gleaming golden First River Death sliced through the air, leaving an afterimage in its wake as it obliterated the upper body of Davey's intended target. Whether he aimed for the vampire's head or chest, it made no difference. The result was the same—their entire upper body was shattered.
Through his keen eyes, Davey observed the vampires' reactions as they became flustered and panicked, swiftly bracing themselves for any potential surprise attacks.
‘It’s too late for that, bastards.’
Thwack!!!
Another vampire met a silent demise, unable to even scream, as they were struck by another lethal arrow. Although the shot didn't have a significant immediate effect due to the vampires' immortality, Davey realized something as he relentlessly delivered killing blows that shook them to their very core. With each restoration of their bodies through immortality, their power gradually diminished.
The special troops, a unit that relied solely on power and strength, were fundamentally different from ordinary members of their race. If Davey continued his assault and weakened their power to the extent that they couldn't control it any longer, then the situation would become...worth watching.
—Goodness… How far is your target?
Perserque, poking her head out of Davey's pocket, asked with a hint of curiosity as she shielded her eyes with one hand. The sight of the arrow's vanishing flash, which traveled beyond the distant mountains, had left quite an impression on her.
—I can’t even see it.
“The distance is roughly around twenty kilometers.”
—What?
Perserque looked appalled when she heard Davey’s words.
"Apollo's Divine Archery's Sniping was initially designed for long-distance shooting. If shooting at a range of approximately one to two kilometers was considered sufficient to earn the title of God of Archery back then, then every elf would be hailed as the God of Archery."
In reality, a sniper rifle equipped with a high-magnification scope could effortlessly reach distances of up to two kilometers.
—Then… How far can that playboy called the God of Archery shoot?
"I don't have a comprehensive understanding since that individual has resided in the Hall for thousands of years. However, from the limited information I've gathered, it appears that there is no limit to the distance he can cover."
During the Hell's Apocalypse held in the Hall, Apollo had employed this technique to playfully toy with and control Rho Aias. No matter what one did, things that were already on a grand scale would only continue to expand further.
—That… Your teacher in dark magic, Rho Aias. You clearly said that…
“That’s right. She’s a monster who could beat everyone except for one.”
—I don’t have to ask you how it went. I can already tell.
As far as Davey could recall, it was during that time that the serene and mild-mannered Rho Aias underwent a transformative moment. It marked the inception of the creation of the only dark magic capable of planetary-scale destruction.
"Dark magic, in comparison to conventional elemental magic, exhibits a significantly stronger affinity for destruction."
Why? Because dark magic is inherently less pervasive than elemental magic.
Davey had consistently stressed this point when discussing the Hall of Heroes. In essence, the Hall served as a gathering ground for the most exceptional creatures from numerous worlds.
Thwack!!!
Even while conversing with Perserque, Davey continued his relentless sniping of the enemy. However, he noticed the conspicuous absence of the chimera, the high-ranking demon, and the Abyss-related demon that Belial had warned him about.
The vampires were overwhelmed by the astonishing display of destructive power unleashed by Davey's relentless sniping. Their attempts at regeneration proved futile, and they eventually collapsed.
The sheer force of Davey's attacks was so immense that it would send their bodies flying even if they had cast shields or protective magic. The level of devastation surpassed that of a simple attack, especially with its ability to penetrate formidable defenses. However, this relentless assault quickly drained Davey's energy. Fortunately, he had conserved his mana during his preparations.
His current position was crucial for observing the ebb and flow of the war across the vast landscape, where numerous battles were being waged. Despite Reina's exceptional skills, it was impossible for her to cover all the ongoing attacks scattered throughout the area.
Suddenly, silence descended upon the surroundings. It seemed that, following a relentless barrage of shots from Davey, the vampires had opted to conceal their presence to the best of their abilities. They desperately attempted to hide their sense of being while fervently searching for Davey's location.
"Well, you're all still within my grasp," Davey remarked with confidence.
Thwack!!!
In the midst of the deafening silence, another radiant flash materialized, rending the air as it surged forward. Having traversed a considerable distance, the arrow unleashed its devastating force, obliterating the upper body of a vampire in an explosive display. The vampire, determined to regenerate swiftly, initiated the process, but Davey swiftly drew his bow once again, unleashing a flurry of arrows.
—Davey, enough! You’re already sweating like crazy!
“I don’t have much time left. Belial will soon contact me.”
—Belial? What in the world are you guys trying to do?
"The vampires are on the verge of initiating the ritual to resurrect the Demon Lord. Even if I manage to thwart their plans here, they will inevitably gather enough sacrifices to proceed with the ritual. In the end, the resurrection ritual for the Demon Lord will proceed. I'm not acting recklessly here. There's a possibility that they may perform a ritual to ensnare your soul as well."
Considering the involvement of the Abyss, it would be too perilous for Davey to prevent them from a distance. That's why...
"I must personally confront them and bring their plans crashing down myself."
—Davey, I need to be resurrected as the Demon Lord. This is an established fact. You told me that you can see the flow of fate and avoid it, no?
“That’s right.”
—But I don’t want that. I do not want to see you put yourself in danger like this.
Davey didn't inquire whether Perserque arrived at this conclusion out of concern for him or for some other motive. Regardless, the result would remain unchanged.
"Let me be perfectly clear. Unless I perish, you will never become the Demon Lord."
Flash!!!
Upon hearing Davey's statement, Perserque swiftly waved her hands, causing the dirt on the ground to fly towards his eyes. Naturally, Davey had no intention of allowing such an attack to hit him without resistance. However, as he skillfully dodged the ambush, he noticed the change in Perserque's expression, which had turned serious.
—Davey, it's crucial that you be completely honest with me. The bond between you and me...
But then, at that moment…
[Davey O’Rowane.]
“I don’t see any movements from that chimera.”
[It’s not yet making a move. It’s with Gluttony, one of the vampire commanders. Perhaps they are waiting for you to come here so that they can take advantage of the gap and drive the humans away.]
“Let them do as they please. The ritual?”
[I will hand over the coordinates using the computation method that you have told me.]
To put it simply, it was extremely risky for Davey to trust the coordinates provided by someone who was considered his enemy. However, given the limited time available, Davey had no other choice.
“Trust will be paid with trust. Your loyalty and allegiance will be paid with faith and belief.”
[…I don’t know if you’re just brave or plain reckless. The coordinates are…]
After receiving the coordinates from Belial through the implanted communication magic, Davey swiftly stowed away his bow, Divine Bow Brionac, and retrieved Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon to fasten them around his waist.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith his preparations complete, he contacted Reina and Emilia, informing them of his imminent departure. "I'm about to move. Please take care of the battlefield in my absence," he conveyed to them.
[Please go ahead. I will never betray your expectations and let you down.]
[I am only following my mother’s will. Since my mother has accepted the plans that you have made, then I will also trust you and make sure to finish the rest.]
This did not come as a surprise to Reina and Emilia, as they had already discussed this plan to some extent before.
Following his conversation with them, Davey gently ran his fingers along the sheathed blades of his swords and whispered, "Red Ribbon, Blue Ribbon, let's embark on a journey with Dad, shall we?"
***
Upon receiving reports of their current situation, the vampire forces felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. The resistance from the humans proved to be far stronger than anticipated. Additionally, a mysterious virus had infected their lower-ranking vampires, transforming them into uncontrollable monsters and severely weakening half of their forces. This unexpected turn of events had greatly hindered their progress.
To make matters worse, they were now being targeted by an elusive sniper whose range seemed boundless. Whether it was the high-ranking vampires, the intermediate and lower-ranking vampires involved in a special operation, the blood beasts, or even the demons, all of them had fallen victim to the sniper's attacks. Their presence mattered little as the attacks could penetrate through any concealment. It was an absolute disaster.
“Damn it… That monstrous bastard! What the hell is he?!”
“According to reports, more than half of the high-ranking vampires have been targeted and shot by the unidentified sniper. They should have tracked the source of the attacks and devised a countermeasure,” one of the surviving high-ranking vampires grumbled.
He had managed to escape back to their hideout upon realizing the gravity of the situation. However, he was not alone in his plight. Many others in the hideout had faced similar circumstances.
"But the sniper doesn't attack this location," someone remarked.
"No matter how powerful they are, they won't be able to penetrate this underground ruin supported by solid bedrock."
"We have made the remnants of the humans' old civilization our home. We can't tolerate this level of humiliation."
The vampires sighed in frustration as they muttered to themselves. They had no choice but to endure the attacks from the Saint, the Warrior, and those human bastards until they could resolve the situation.
However, despite the current challenges, the vampires remained confident about the outcome of the war. Their optimism stemmed from the belief that Black Dragon Gargas would soon regain consciousness and unleash his full power.
As long as they survived, they believed they could turn the tide in their favor.
A cold voice reverberated through the room, startling the high-ranking vampires as a two-meter tall giant approached with a composed expression. "The shooting has ceased. Move out.”
"...Grand Duke."
Olga, the vampires' Grand Duke, appeared alongside the monocled half-vampire Paracelcius Milpieu. The high-ranking vampires cast nervous glances at Olga, feeling the weight of his presence.
"Gluttony has issued an order. The humans possess greater potential than we had previously investigated. At this stage, the damage we will suffer is inevitable, regardless of the war's outcome," Olga stated plainly.
In other words, they could no longer prolong the situation. They would have to proceed with their plans, even if it entailed greater risks. The vampires nodded in agreement.
"All of you, make your way to the underground cells immediately. Release the enhanced chimeras and proceed to the frontlines."
"Understood."
"Buy us some time. Once the Demon Lord awakens, victory will be ours."
"Can the Demon Lord eliminate that monstrous human bastard?"
"Indeed, that is possible."
The vampires began to retreat at his words. Or at least, they attempted to retreat.
"It should indeed be possible. As long as the Demon Lord is fully resurrected," a calm voice resonated as a blood-red hand emerged from Olga's chest, clutching his heart. "The shooting stopped? Naturally, how could I shoot you if I'm already here to kill you?"
Shock rippled through the faces of all the vampires present as they beheld the smiling human boy, his red eyes slowly lifting to meet their gaze.
"Human monster! How… How did you get here?!"