As I whispered the final part of the spell, mana flowed through the pistol in my hands.
The air around the barrel shimmered faintly.
Axell noticed immediately.
"Oh?"
A magic circle formed around his hand again.
"I don't know what kind of tricks you're trying, Starlinked Sniper," he called out confidently.
"But you're still no match for my magic."
Another spell lit up around him.
"If you surrender now…"
"…we can settle this peacefully."
"Peacefully?"
I let out a small laugh from behind the massive rock I was using as cover.
Yeah.
Right.
I quietly gathered the last bits of mana I had left and released it outward.
A small explosion of smoke burst nearby.
Axell scoffed.
"Hah."
"You think something that pathetic will help you?"
That was my chance.
I immediately stood from cover—
Raised the pistol—
And fired.
BANG.
The bullet shot forward at incredible speed.
Axell's eyes widened slightly before he quickly dodged to the side.
"Hah! You misse—"
BOOM.
The bullet exploded the moment it passed him.
"AGH!"
The blast struck his side directly, sending him tumbling violently across the ground.
"Yes!"
I peeked out from behind the rock, adrenaline rushing through me.
Who knew Countless Star enhancement magic could work this well with bullets…
Maybe this wasn't so hopeless after all—
"You really think…"
A voice interrupted my thoughts.
"…you can beat me with something like that?"
My smile vanished instantly.
Axell slowly stood up, clutching his injured side.
And then—
He smiled.
Not angry.
Not frustrated.
Excited.
The ground suddenly trembled.
"…What the—?"
A massive magic circle spread beneath my feet.
My eyes widened.
"Shit—!"
The ground beneath me began melting into glowing liquid magic.
I immediately tried to move—
But my legs sank in.
"No—!"
I struggled harder.
Nothing.
I couldn't move.
What kind of spell is this?!
How is his range this ridiculous?!
Cold panic crawled up my spine.
I didn't see this coming.
As I desperately tried pulling myself free, Axell slowly approached me.
"Well…"
He dusted off his shoulder casually.
"Looks like this is over."
"How is this even possible?!" I snapped.
Axell chuckled.
"That's the beauty of coming from a game nobody remembers."
He spread his arms slightly.
"You don't know what's possible."
"Or how far my spells can reach."
His grin widened.
"Honestly, you're lucky you ran into me."
I glared at him.
"…Lucky?"
"Other bounty hunters would've torn you apart already."
His voice lowered slightly.
"They'd drag this out."
"Play with you."
"But me?"
He shrugged casually.
"I'm merciful."
"You—!"
I clenched my fists.
"I swear if I get out of this, I'm gonna—"
"Escape?"
Axell laughed loudly.
"In your dreams."
Then—
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a communication device.
My chest tightened instantly.
Wait—
"…What are you doing?"
Axell looked at me like the answer was obvious.
"What else?"
He activated the device.
"I'm claiming my reward."
No.
No no no—
"I can't go back…"
The words escaped before I could stop them.
I lowered my head slightly.
"…I don't want to…"
For the first time since the fight started—
Fear truly hit me.
Then—
A voice suddenly echoed nearby.
"Man, bounty hunting really does pay well…"
A pause.
"…I wonder what I should buy first."
Axell frowned.
"…What?"
Before he could react—
BAM.
A glowing fist slammed directly into his face.
The impact sent him flying across the ground before crashing into a nearby rock hard enough to knock him unconscious instantly.
I stared in complete shock.
"…Huh?"
A young woman stepped forward casually, shaking her hand slightly afterward.
Long blue hair.
Magic circles still glowing faintly around her fist.
"AXELL!"
She pointed angrily at the unconscious man.
"You absolute moron!"
I blinked several times.
Wait…
Behind her—
Two familiar figures appeared.
Volt.
And Blaze.
Relief hit me so hard I nearly collapsed.
A few moments later, the woman crouched beside me and placed her hand against the glowing trap beneath my legs.
Magic circles appeared around her fingers.
The ground slowly loosened.
"…There."
The spell broke instantly.
I stumbled slightly as she helped me up.
"…You okay?"
I looked at her nametag.
Silph.
"…You're Silph?"
She smiled awkwardly.
"Yep. That's me."
Volt quickly walked over and reached out his hand.
"You alright?"
I grabbed it and stood properly.
"…Yeah."
I let out a breath.
"Good thing you guys showed up before this lunatic contacted the Empire."
Silph immediately bowed her head.
"Ryze, I'm really sorry about this."
She glanced toward Axell's unconscious body with visible embarrassment.
"You must've had a horrible experience."
I sighed tiredly.
"…Honestly?"
"I've had worse."
That earned a small laugh from Volt.
Silph rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.
"He works here sometimes…"
"…Unfortunately."
I looked at Axell again.
"…You know him?"
"Yeah."
She sighed deeply.
"He's one of my colleagues in the village."
Then she bowed again.
"So please forgive his stupidity too."
I stared at her for a moment.
Then finally let out another sigh.
"…Well."
"You did save me."
I forced a small smile.
"So… fine."
Silph immediately brightened.
"Thank you!"
Then—
Blaze walked over toward me.
"You good?" he asked quietly.
I didn't even look at him.
"…I'm fine."
The words came out colder than I intended.
Then I walked past him.
Silence followed behind me.
Blaze blinked slightly.
"…Huh."
Volt noticed immediately.
As Silph began casting another spell to transport Axell's unconscious body back to the village, Blaze quietly stepped beside Volt.
"…Hey."
Volt glanced at him.
"What's going on with Ryze?"
Volt stared at him for a few seconds.
Then slowly smiled.
"…Oh."
He let out a tired sigh.
"Yeah…"
"I think she's upset with you."
Blaze looked genuinely confused.
"…Wait."
"Seriously?"
Volt only sighed again.
"…You really don't get it, do you?"