Bang!
A single gunshot echoed, and the charging 'Giant Sewer Rat' fell.
Bang!
Another gunshot rang out, and a distant 'Blue-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat' fell.
Bang!
Yet another gunshot echoed, and another 'Giant Sewer Rat' fell.
It was literally one shot, one kill. Yooseong swept through the field as if it were an unclaimed territory.
NalDotorri stood a little distance away, staring blankly at the sight. An ineffable expression was on his face.
"Argh, shut up!"
Finally, NalDotorri burst out. But no one stopped chatting because of it. On the contrary, perhaps finding his outburst amusing, the chat window continuously refreshed with 'ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ'.
"Yes, I was a fool! I was an idiot!"
In the end, he cried out like a sinner making a confession.
"Ah, I don't know about anything else, but guns are absolutely not good. That's just because Yooseong is incredibly skilled. Just by looking at how he didn't miss a single shot on small, fast targets like 'Giant Sewer Rats', his shooting skills are extraordinary. But please look at where the bullets hit. Aren't they all precisely through the middle of the forehead?"
As NalDotorri said, all the fallen Giant Sewer Rats had holes pierced through the center of their foreheads.
"Just in case anyone doesn't know, in most games, just like in most games, the head is treated as a vital spot for most monsters, so damage is doubled.
It's a critical hit. All of Yooseong's attacks pierced the forehead, so they were all treated as critical hits. Since guns have such high damage, even if he hit other parts, they would probably go down in one shot unless it was a Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat. But since all of them were critical hits, there's no mercy."
"But that person's skill is really good."
NalDotorri now watched Yooseong's combat almost like an audience member. There were no violent movements or intense shouts of effort. He was like a machine programmed to do just that.
However, that scene itself was evidence of Yooseong's immense skill.
Especially the last combat scene was a masterpiece.
Where did it come from? A Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat shone its distinctive red eyes.
Of course, even if the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat was the strongest among the Giant Sewer Rat species, there was no real need to worry. NalDotorri could easily take down one Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat.
Needless to say, the same went for Yooseong. In fact, among the monsters Yooseong had killed so far, a Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat was included.
The problem was that perhaps because the nearby bushes obstructed the view, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat appeared too close to Yooseong, and there were three of them.
"Indeed. It's rare to see three of them gathered like that."
"Oh?"
Monsters in Ark are basically aggressive first. However, their recognition range differs. In this beginner hunting ground, the monsters' recognition range for players is generally narrow.
However, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat, being the top monster in this area, had a slightly wider recognition range. Moreover, the distance between Yooseong and them was enough for them to recognize Yooseong.
"It's dangerous!"
No matter how great Yooseong's skill was, three Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rats at close range were dangerous for him, as he had to shoot once and then reload repeatedly.
But NalDotorri wasn't overly worried. Three Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rats were certainly threatening, but if he ran, he could easily get out of their recognition range.
However, he couldn't help but be surprised when Yooseong raised his gun muzzle.
'He's going to fight?'
Could it be that he was overly confident because of his easy battles so far?
That foolishness was absurd, but he couldn't do nothing.
NalDotorri quickly moved to help Yooseong, but the fatal flaw was that he had become almost a spectator, so the distance between him and Yooseong was considerable.
Just as the thought that he wouldn't make it in time crossed NalDotorri's mind, Yooseong moved.
Bang!
Fire spewed from the gun muzzle. One Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat fell with a thud. But two remained.
Squeak!
Squeak! Squeeeak!
The creatures began to charge at Yooseong. Given the short distance, they would overwhelm Yooseong in an instant.
However, Yooseong was calm. He removed the casing and reloaded a new bullet. The movement was like flowing water, eliciting gasps of admiration.
Clack!
The gun muzzle, now loaded with a bullet, bared its teeth again. But the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rats were already within spitting distance of Yooseong.
Thump!
Two of them leaped towards Yooseong. The gun muzzle aimed at one's forehead.
Bang!
Screeeech!
The one that was shot flew backward.
The second one.
But the remaining one was truly within Yooseong's reach. The gun had no bullets. The Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat opened its mouth wide. Its sharp front teeth aimed for Yooseong's nape.
Instantly, Yooseong leaned his upper body backward. Above him, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat, having lost its target, clicked its teeth as it passed. Yooseong's eyes caught the sight of the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat's belly, which blocked the sky.
Clack!
In the midst of that, he aimed the reloaded gun at the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat's belly.
Bang!
-Squeeeak!
The Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat fell to the ground and rolled. But unlike before, it wasn't a vital hit, so it wasn't an instant kill.
Yooseong reached one hand backward and propped himself on the ground. And used the recoil to right himself. The gun barrel was already open, showing the empty casing. He calmly inserted a new one.
Clack!
As the barrel closed, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat righted itself.
-Squeak!
Once again, the Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat tried to charge at Yooseong.
However, Yooseong's finger pulling the trigger was much faster.
Bang!
The last Red-Eyed Giant Sewer Rat fell. Yooseong reloaded his gun again and turned around. As if it hadn't been a difficult task at all.
A little distance away. NalDotorri, who had been running to save Yooseong, had stopped at some point. His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide, making him look utterly foolish.
However, considering the scene he had just witnessed, it was a natural reaction.
The chat window floating before him was also silently shocked, as if holding its breath.
"...Unbelievable."
NalDotorri mumbled to himself without realizing it. As if that word was a trigger, the chat window exploded.
"Today was truly fun!"
NalDotorri shook hands with Yooseong. Perhaps still excited from witnessing Yooseong's skill, his voice was slightly flushed.
Of course, Yooseong's skill wasn't at the highest level in Ark. Truly high-level players easily demonstrate abilities akin to superpower action blockbusters.
However, one must also consider Yooseong's current level.
The level NalDotorri heard for Yooseong was very low. It was the level of someone who had just started the game. Yet, his movements far surpassed that level. This meant that Yooseong's basic physical abilities were exceptionally outstanding.
'Perhaps he might even be comparable to the top players at this point.'
Those who command vast numbers of subscribers and viewers, enjoying popularity comparable to, or even surpassing, celebrities with global recognition. NalDotorri saw a glimpse of them in Yooseong today.
His viewers didn't seem to think much differently.
When chats comparing Yooseong and NalDotorri appeared, there was a brief commotion in the chat window.
As expected, NalDotorri felt a sense of bitterness. He worked hard to attract viewers by coming up with all sorts of content and ideas, while truly skilled people attracted people solely with their skill.
But NalDotorri habitually swallowed that emotion. He had never harbored any desire to be the best in the first place, and he had felt this level of jealousy countless times throughout his life.
'On the contrary, I should take advantage of something like this.'
"Alright, alright, calm down everyone. Fighting or swearing will result in a ban. And mentioning other streamers is obviously not allowed. And let's ban comparisons too. The reason is a secret. I'll just tell you that it's absolutely NOT because I'm upset."
The chat window was flooded with 'ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ' and words like 'petty'. But the commotion in the chat clearly subsided. Seeing that, NalDotorri clearly had skill as a streamer.
"So, Yooseong, would it be possible to hunt together tomorrow as well?"
He wanted to continue accompanying Yooseong for a while to secure more viewers.
"...I can't promise. My login schedule is irregular."
"Ah, I see."
NalDotorri swallowed his disappointment. However, it was nothing compared to the almost despairing feeling Yooseong was experiencing.
'If it weren't for the power situation...'
Even now, considering the time, it was getting dangerous.
"Then, I guess we'll meet again if there's an opportunity later. Oh, can I add you as a friend?"
"Yes, well..."
Adding a friend. The word "friend," a concept he only vaguely understood, didn't quite resonate with him, but adding an NPC as a friend also felt strange. However, due to the strategy guide's advice, he accepted NalDotorri's suggestion, albeit with a reluctant attitude.
"Do you know how to add friends?"
"I do."
The strategy guide had taught him. They added each other as friends.
The only name appeared in the friend list that popped up before his eyes. However, Yooseong felt no emotion about it whatsoever.
Moreover, the system sound that followed immediately after plunged his mood into despair.
[The battery connected to the device has fallen below 5% power. It is recommended to charge the battery.]
"...I think I need to log out now."
"Ah, is that so? Then let's part ways here. You worked hard."
"You worked hard."
Yooseong disappeared from in front of NalDotorri. NalDotorri also decided to end his broadcast for the day.
"I'll also end today's broadcast here. Please wait, I'll continue with a chat stream right after the game stream. Honestly, there's a lot to talk about today, right?"
A flurry of affirmative chats appeared.
'Good, with this atmosphere, quite a few will stay.'
"Alright everyone, see you in a bit!"
NalDotorri turned off his stream and logged out.
NalDotorri, having emerged from his virtual reality device, first walked to the refrigerator and drank a glass of water. The cool mineral water spread a refreshing chill throughout his body.
He picked up his smartphone, opened a delivery app, and ordered chicken from his favorite spot. Then he went to his computer and prepared for his broadcast.
When he turned on the stream, viewers began to trickle in. Although fewer than when he was playing the game, it was a sufficiently satisfying number.
He smiled brightly and waved at his viewers.
"Thank you for waiting, everyone! I'll now begin NalDotorri's chat stream!"
This was NalDotorri's routine after finishing a game. He always tried to stick to this schedule unless the game ended too late at night.
This chat stream was about his game play that day.
The topics varied from time to time. He would talk about his own play, or about quests, or about the game's scenery and food.
Because of this, it was easy for it to become boring if there were no special events in the game that day. On such days, NalDotorri would rack his brains to somehow grab the viewers' interest and make his sluggish tongue more lively.
However, today was completely different.
Since starting Ark, there had never been so much to talk about.
It was all thanks to one person.
"As most of you who watched the stream know, today I broadcasted with Yooseong, the 'Black Bread Killer of the Village of the Green Plains.' No, honestly, I just went to ask why he ate black bread like that, but I saw something truly unexpected."
Chats came up. The speed was slow because there weren't many viewers, but it was still faster than usual.
"Right? I was really surprised too. No, honestly, if he's that skilled, I think he could rise quickly."
"Hmm, I think a little differently. Honestly, when I gave Yooseong advice earlier, you guys laughed a lot, right?"
Laughter came up again. But unlike before, when he humorously admitted it, NalDotorri had a serious expression.
"Honestly, what I said wasn't wrong. Oh, I'm not changing my words now, just listen to me. I've been consistently studying videos of high-level players, you know? Of course, I studied the play of those who use guns too. I watched a few videos of them when they were low-level, and at least in all the videos I saw, they were all playing exactly as I described."
"Yes, that's right. I can also guess who you're talking about. But even that person, when they were low-level, held the gun tightly with two hands and hunted cautiously. Not sweeping through like a movie, like Yooseong did today. They only established their current style after leveling up and adjusting their stats."