Chapter 19: The Desperate level Difference..

• Taaaaang!

A bullet filled with tremendous magic flew toward Seong Hyun-wook, emitting a strong mana directed at his sword energy.

Generally, the number of bullets in the magazine used by Lee Hyun-seung is 33. The single shot just fired used up 33 bullets.

Of course, it’s not a crazy skill that increases the power of a bullet by 33 times. As a C-rank skill, [Last Bullet] has a relatively small damage increase, but it received an additional effect from a legendary gunslinger, making it about twice the original damage, which increases as the job level rises. However, in the current situation, this was still sufficiently threatening.

• Swoosh!

The bullet was now just moments away from colliding with the sword energy.

Watching the flying sword energy and the bullet rushing towards it, Seong Hyun-wook shouted, confident of his victory.

“No matter how much you rely on your equipment, you can’t break my sword energy with a mere gun!”

• Kwahhhaaaaang!

“Uh…?”

With the sound of an explosion ringing in his ears, Seong Hyun-wook could only stare blankly ahead.

The bullet had split his sword energy apart.

• Ding!

[Legend] The effect of the gunslinger job trait grants additional damage to the firearm.

The bullet that had split Seong Hyun-wook’s sword energy flew toward him without showing any signs of deformation or damage. Although its speed had slightly decreased, the magic-infused bullet remained threatening.

“D-Damn it!”

Seong Hyun-wook quickly gathered mana into his arm to strengthen his body and raised it to defend his head.

Pshhh!

“Gaaahhhk!”

Despite concentrating a considerable amount of mana in his arm, the bullet embedded itself straight into it.

“Gasp… gasp… gasp…”

An intense pain surged through Seong Hyun-wook’s arm. Centered around the wound where the bullet had struck, a nauseating sensation spread as if poison were permeating his body.

A metallic smell filled his nostrils.

In agony, Seong Hyun-wook thought, Damn it… what the hell is going on here…?

The Lee Hyun-seung he knew was nothing more than a mere punching bag in mock battles or practical exams until he got expelled. At that time, Lee Hyun-seung was in a non-awakened state, with physical strength no better than that of an ordinary person—indeed, he was worse than an average person. His only advantage was his excellent written test scores.

Even after awakening, his job remained that of a gunslinger. No matter how high his rank was, it was impossible to awaken to an Epic level or above. Even if he was lucky enough to awaken to Epic rank, he would be unable to use any magic while wielding a basic handgun.

I let my guard down… I let my guard down…

Seong Hyun-wook was unaware that Lee Hyun-seung was a [Legend] rank gunslinger. He also didn’t realize that the gun Lee Hyun-seung was holding was an [Epic] rank handgun received from Jeong Eun-seo, which had a magic stat.

Because of this, he had underestimated him. He thought that a mere gunslinger could be easily overwhelmed and knocked down after a few slashes. Now, it was time to pay for his foolish arrogance.

Swoosh.

As Seong Hyun-wook writhed in pain, Lee Hyun-seung approached him and proceeded to replace the empty magazine.

Click!

• Tap!
• Fire-element magazine has been equipped

• [Fire-Element Magazine]

▶ When using this magazine, the bullets gain a fire attribute.

▶ This magazine is equipped with a special effect.

▶ Special Effect [Transformation]: The shape of the bullet and magazine will transform to match the firearm being used.

▶ There are 33 bullets available.

Seeing this, Seong Hyun-wook quickly swung his sword with one arm.

• Whoosh!
• Hooong!

However, Lee Hyun-seung evaded the sword’s attack range in an instant.

With a cold smile, Lee Hyun-seung aimed his gun.

“You used your sword energy, which means you’re not satisfied with a light spar, right? You were the one who started this chaos. So, this is self-defense.”

• Creak!

As Lee Hyun-seung pulled the trigger, bullets began to be fired.

• Taaaaang!
• Whoosh!

A bullet engulfed in flames embedded itself directly into Seong Hyun-wook’s thigh.

“77,000,000”

Seong Hyun-wook felt a burning pain in his thigh, but he thought it wasn’t as painful as the magic bullet he had been hit with earlier. Above all, he was aware of Han Bo-eun watching the fight nearby, so he desperately held back any cries of pain.

“Hmm…”

Seeing this, Lee Hyun-seung shook his head and said, “Trying to maintain your pride by not screaming, huh? Don’t do anything foolish.”

Lee Hyun-seung aimed his gun once more.

• Taaaaang!
• Taaaaang!
• Taaaaaaang!

Three bullets were fired, each targeting Seong Hyun-wook’s left shoulder, right foot, and right thigh.

• Hooowww!

Seong Hyun-wook attempted to protect himself with mana, but it was futile.

• [Legend] The effect of the gunslinger job trait grants additional damage to the firearm.

–!

A special effect granted to a [Legend] rank gunslinger. Thanks to the option of [Additional Gun Damage], the mana shield was shattered, and the bullets embedded themselves into Seong Hyun-wook’s body.

“Gaaahhhk! It hurts! It hurts so much!”

Unable to withstand the pain any longer, Seong Hyun-wook began to rub his body frantically with his hands, screaming. The burning pain surged through him.

• Thud.

Before long, almost every part of Seong Hyun-wook’s body was in tatters except for one arm.

“Please… stop… please… just stop…”

I lifted the head of the collapsed Seong Hyun-wook and whispered in his ear.

“Why are you acting so recklessly when you have no skill? Looking at your current state, it seems you haven’t even properly raised your job level. Did you think you could defeat me in that condition?”

Lee Hyun-seung clicked his tongue and continued.

“You probably thought you could win. Because you underestimate me, an unawakened and incompetent person. How does it feel to be beaten by someone you always looked down on and crawl on the ground?”

• Creeeak.

Seong Hyun-wook gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched as he glared at Lee Hyun-seung.

“Revenge… I will take revenge… The humiliation I’ve faced today will never be forgotten… I will do whatever it takes to tear you apart…”

“Hah…”

Lee Hyun-seung sighed and pulled out his gun. He then slammed the butt of the gun down toward Seong Hyun-wook.

• Crack!
• Crack!
• Crack!

Although it wasn’t a gunshot and thus didn’t deal additional damage, it was still effective against Seong Hyun-wook, who was already exhausted from using up all his mana.

• Drip.

Blood began to flow from Seong Hyun-wook’s head.

“Trying to act tough in front of a girl, huh? Sorry, but you just got your ass kicked without showing anything.”

“Re… Revenge… I will…”

Having lost too much blood, Seong Hyun-wook stammered, glaring at Lee Hyun-seung with a murderous look.

• Swish.

Lee Hyun-seung brought the gun closer to Seong Hyun-wook’s face.

“Why are you looking like that? Look down. If you don’t, I’ll shoot you in the head.”

“You won’t… won’t shoot me… Don’t act so tough…”

If he were to blow Seong Hyun-wook’s head off in this state, it would be a clear case of murder. Murder within the Academy is strictly forbidden. Even if Seong Hyun-wook had killed me with his sword energy, he would have faced severe punishment. I would have faced the same consequences. Killing Seong Hyun-wook here would mean I’d be rotting in prison for a long time, regardless of any revenge.

• Swish.

But I raised my gun and glared at him.

“Look down. Or I might really shoot you. This is your last warning.”

• Creak.

As my finger brushed against the trigger, Seong Hyun-wook lowered his head.

“Hey, Seong Hyun-wook. You like her, don’t you? That girl, Han Bo-eun. It’s funny that a guy like you actually likes someone.”

“Ugh… Uaaaaaaaah! Shut up!”

Seong Hyun-wook thrashed around wildly, trying to attack Lee Hyun-seung. However, his hands never reached him.

Lee Hyun-seung grinned and said, “Do you really think this is the right way to act?”

• Whoosh.

Lee Hyun-seung raised his gun high and struck Seong Hyun-wook on the head.

• Crack!
• Crack!
• Crack!
• Thud.

Lee Hyun-seung stopped beating him only after Seong Hyun-wook had completely lost consciousness.

“Se… Seong Hyun-wook… lost…?”

Two of Seong Hyun-wook’s male companions looked on in disbelief.

‘Those who wipe Seong Hyun-wook’s backside in Class A.’

Lee Hyun-seung spoke to the stunned onlookers.

“Why don’t you all come at me too? If you want, I can make you crawl on the ground just like Seong Hyun-wook.”