Under the sunny weather, Christian stood on the top floor of his house, already dressed in different clothes, leaning against the long sniper rifle.
His eyes remained fixed on the horizon, where cars carrying members of the Drevane family were expected to arrive.
Now that his earlier annoyance had faded, and after reading Iris’s report, which confirmed that no outsider... no one from other worlds was coming — he realized he was actually making too big a deal out of them.
When, in truth, they weren’t even worth it.
After all, if he truly didn’t want to be bothered, he could just let Iris handle it.
The heavy firearms were already installed around the house, and she was more than capable of taking them down.
Instead, he suddenly saw the coming fight as a chance to vent some steam.
A chance to test the lighter weapons he kept modifying.
Christian hadn’t forgotten the thoughts that came to him right after he received the Idle System.
That he would take down enemies using only his weakest strength—
While keeping his real power hidden.
And this time, that’s exactly what he intended to do.
He wasn’t going to use essence at all.
Only his modified sniper, his pistol, and the newly built mechanical equipment.
Would that be enough to take them down?
Christian was genuinely curious to find out.
"Are you not too excited about taking care of a few weaklings?" Anastasia suddenly remarked.
She stood a few steps away, arms crossed, her expression edged with disappointment.
Her gaze flicked between Christian and the far-off road, before she added, "There are only seven people in the group who’ve reached the first stage. And even they have pathetic strength. So really... was there a need to make such a fuss?"
At that, Christian chuckled lightly.
"Well, I’m a weakling too, myself," he said, his tone relaxed. "So I need all the preparation I can get."
He paused, turning a meaningful look toward her before adding,
"But if you want, you’re free to show off your mighty strength and handle them yourself."
Christian was trying to subtly provoke Anastasia. He wanted to see her take action... even if just once.
But Anastasia merely chuckled at his childish antics and shook her head.
"If you were about to die, then I’d step in," she said, her tone dry. "But aside from that, don’t expect anything."
Christian didn’t press further after hearing her reply. He just grinned and said, "Then I’ll thank you in advance!"
His casual tone, and the way he seemed far too comfortable with her, amused Anastasia — but she didn’t comment further.
And Christian finally turned his gaze back toward the horizon, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Even though Anastasia hadn’t read Iris’s report detailing the incoming group’s information, and despite them still being far away — not even visible yet — she had still accurately sensed all of them.
Christian wondered when he’d be able to do that.
After all, this kind of perception required senses far beyond what even a first, second, or third-stage essence master could typically deploy.
Christian, for example, could barely sense anything clearly beyond fifty meters — and that was already considered exceptional.
[Master, the group approaching is now 2.3 kilometers away. They are expected to enter your firing range within moments.]
Iris’s voice suddenly echoed in his ear.
And Christian smiled, then reached out to set up the long sniper.
He dropped to one knee and extended the rifle’s bipod, planting it firmly on the flat stone edge of the rooftop. With practiced ease, he adjusted the weapon’s balance, aligning it with the narrow road far ahead.
The scope was already taken out, as despite the distance, Christian still preferred using his naked eye.
His enhanced constitution didn’t only mean better strength and endurance, after all.
It also sharpened his five senses — vision included.
And that was more than enough.
His finger hovered over the trigger.
And when he finally saw a few vehicles appearing in the distance?
Without any hesitation, he fired!
Christian’s shoulder shook slightly from the hard recoil of the sniper, but the muzzle didn’t flinch at all.
One of the drivers was struck.
The glass shattered, and the bullet exploded inside his body.
The ones around him were affected too, even if only slightly —
It veered out of control.
The vehicle behind it slammed straight into its back.
One thing led to another, and Christian watched, almost admiringly, as the chain reaction from that single bullet led to a cascade of destruction.
Even one of the cars flipped over entirely.
He knew, of course, this wasn’t the end.
These were all people trained in essence.
A car crash wouldn’t be enough to take them down for good. Official source is novel•fire.net
That’s why, without wasting time, he aimed again.
Another shot rang out.
Christian watched as the next car he targeted exploded, and the smile on his face deepened with satisfaction.
"Woow, this is actually beautiful!" Anastasia said from the side, offering her opinion.
And Christian couldn’t help but agree with her.
There really was a kind of romance to firearms.
With those thoughts lingering in his mind, Christian continued.
One bullet, then another.
"Come out of the cars and spread out, now!" Kael shouted, his voice sharp with urgency as he stared at the burning wreckage — the twisted metal and flames that had once been their convoy.
His gaze snapped toward the horizon — the direction the bullets had come from — and for a brief moment, it felt as if he locked eyes with the young man standing there, calmly smiling.
Kael clenched his fists.
His eyes glowed, burning with a violent intent to return the favor.
Even then, he didn’t move toward him immediately.
He remained in place, standing before the pile of burning cars, unmoving.
His coat rippled from the rising heat and sharp wind, while his eyes followed his subordinates pulling the wounded from the wreckage.
Just then, his instincts screamed.
He jumped — fast — and crossed his arms in front of his body.
Kael barely heard the sound as the bullet struck the fire barrier that formed over his crossed arms — the impact was violent, but still bearable.
Even so, being in midair, the shockwave caught him, and sent his body flying backward.
He landed smoothly on the ground a few meters away, but as he lowered his arms, he felt the dull numbness creeping in.
His jaw clenched tightly.
Annoyance flared inside him as his eyes scanned the area.
The survivors — the ones who were still alive — had now almost all made it out.
He would’ve tossed them aside without hesitation... if he didn’t know they could be useful later.
Every person counted.