Matan’s Shooter

―Blaugrunn-ssi.

―Ha Leeha-nim, when exactly are you coming? I have so much to tell you, and―

―Ahem. Just listen for now. Between the ‘Quantum Sand that proves the Legend of God’ and the ‘Legendary Mineral imbued with God’s power,’ which one do you want?

―… What?

Quickly. I’ll bring one as a gift for you.

―Where are you right now?

Blaugrunn, who was about to rebuke, suddenly quietened, and Leeha laughed. It had already been so long since they had last seen each other. Despite that, the confused face of the boy seemed to appear vividly before Leeha’s eyes.

―Ever heard of the floating island, ‘Laputa’?

– Tell me what you want as a souvenir. The mineral can be processed into a legendary sword or other metal items… As for this sand or powder, I have no idea what it is. They say it’s the ‘Mystical Powder that proves God’s existence paradoxically by being both present and absent, seen and unseen.’

―What is that?

– I don’t know either. It’s something related to Quantum Mechanics or Schrödinger’s cat.

– That one! I want that sand! That one!

Blaugrunn spoke in a voice that resembled a child trying to snatch a candy. Leeha barely contained his laughter and nodded.

– Okay, I’ll bring you that one.

– When? When are you coming back?

– The investigation of ‘Laputa’ is almost over, so I’ll be coming down within two days. Still, it will be over a week before I see your face again, so hang in there.

– Understood, Ha Leeha-nim!

– Keep up the good work!

– Yes, yes!

Leeha smiled contentedly, watching Blaugrunn respond to his little prank.

It had been just about twelve hours since they had learned from the GM about the importance of the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and discovered through in-depth investigation by Ulrek and his party that the ‘Key of Jannate’ was the item that opened that very door. The group was scattered across various parts of ‘Laputa’, busy searching for any clues. ℞𝒶𐌽𝘖₿Ęṥ

“I’m really tempted by all this gold. If possible, I’d love to peel it off and take it down.”

The creatures that once inhabited Laputa did not pave roads with stones. Instead, they indulged in the pinnacle of luxury by covering everything in gold, as if asphalting the area. Whenever Leeha scratched the road with the tip of his shoe, Ulrek would appear and glare at him, deterring any further attempts.

After all, it was not wise to offend someone who had the power to control access to Saur Land and Laputa.

‘I’ve searched all over, but there wasn’t anything particularly worth taking. Well, calling the legendary minerals “just” a souvenir seems a bit much.’

Perhaps it was akin to a gift given to those who managed to reach this place. Unlike the prohibition on disturbing the floor or ruins, Ulrek was lenient with the numerous resource items scattered around. However, they were not allowed to take everything, so Leeha and the other users were striving to find the best possible items they could carry.

Leeha had reasons to stay somewhat relaxed amidst the chaos. One reason was that the environment itself was not conducive to easily finding items. Another reason was the reward he had already acquired.

Upon returning from Laputa to Saur Land, there was the reward to be reaped from the Quest ‘Saur Land’s Commission,’ completed by taking down Kaztor.

‘Kyle’s treatment was merely an advance reward. Now that I’ve killed Kaztor, what could I receive…? Besides, even though the Arcane Sniper eventually fell into the enemy’s hands, I doubt they’ll completely ignore it.’

Even if Saur Land tried to play dumb, they would not take it lying down. Furthermore, there was one more significant element.

Perhaps the biggest gain from this trip to Laputa was the R- rank achievement!

『Achivement: Rediscovery of the Sealed Legend – The Sky Island, Laputa(R-)』

Incredible!

You discovered a forgotten place in Middle Earth, a mythological land whose name had faded even from legends. What is the Sky Island, a land where the power of God has melted into the ground, made of? How could it float? Who lived there in the past, and what happened to them? You were the first to unlock the key to all these secrets! Perhaps the Sky Island had been waiting for a human who could unravel its mysteries. Considering that their quantum barrier opened for you and those with you, this might indeed be the case.

Reward: 100 Stat Points

Permanent Access Permission to Laputa (entire party included)

(This achievement does not have a Hall of Fame)

For general achievements following the first three people, only the basic reward is given.

If there is a Hall of Fame for the first three, the reward is double that of general achievements in addition to the basic reward.

Exclusive achievements not eligible for the Hall of Fame typically provide double the reward of general achievements.

In such cases, it can be considered an achievement meant for only one person in all of Middle Earth.

“*Haha…* But 100 stat points without a Hall of Fame.”

In a sense, it was normal to feel a bit at a loss, but just seeing the massive numbers given by the R- rank made Leeha satisfied.

‘If an S+ rank gives stat points as a reward, it’s typically 30 points. Even with an additional 60 points from the Hall of Fame, it’s only 90.’

However, the R- rank gave 100 stat points despite not being an achievement eligible for the Hall of Fame. This meant its basic reward points were 50 points from the start.

If there had been a Hall of Fame?

‘150 points. Just one R- rank Hall of Fame achievement is equivalent to five S+ rank achievements for those not in the top three. It’s extremely difficult to rank high enough for the Hall of Fame, and even without that, S+ rank achievements themselves are incredibly tough.’

The regular rewards for S- ranks: 21 points, 25 points for S ranks, and 30 points for S+ ranks.

Where else could one get such absurd numbers like 100 or 150 points?

Just thinking about it made Leeha’s lips curl into a wide grin.

‘And the permanent access to Laputa! Hehe, I can now enter without the Red Zeppelin! Whatever the heck that quantum thing is!’

The problem was that without the Red Zeppelin, it would be hard to locate Laputa which was constantly moving through the sky, and that he would definitely need a companion with flight skills to reach there. But for now, he was content with the results.

Granting entrance permission to up to one full party meant that Leeha could add four more companions aside from himself.

‘If nothing else, I could buy about 100 flight scrolls. Or I could come with Blaugrunn-‘

― If anyone is free, could you come around here? I think I’ve found something again.

While Leeha was indulged in all sorts of bright prospects about his future actions, Fernand’s whisper spread throughout the place.

Fernand’s investigation skills, which made full use of an adventurer’s unique items and skills, were top-notch, naturally drawing users who were well aware of this to drop whatever they were doing and move immediately.

“And what is it, Fernand?”

“Here! Look at this.”

The place where Fernand had summoned them was filled with short and stubby remaining columns.

“Was this a temple?”

Bailephus nodded, looking at the debris of the lined columns.

Users quickly scanned the area and approached the wall Fernand was focused on.

How massive could that wall have been?

Now reduced to just about the users’ height, the wall was a combination of colorful, vibrant hues.

“And what is this? A half-mixed paint?”

“It’s more colorful than other places.”

“Ugh, did you call us just to look at this?”

Leeha, Kidd, and Luger each voiced their thoughts as they looked at Fernand. Fernand, smiling faintly, pulled something out.

“Right, it would appear that way to you all.”

“An adventurer’s item, huh?”

“Yes. It’s an item combined with a skill—if I use the skills related to *washi* and antique restoration…”

What he took out from his bag was quite a large piece of paper. With his arms fully extended, Fernand grabbed the ends and placed it against the wall.

Ulrek, who had approached quietly, looked at him with a worried face.

“The ruins must not be damaged, human.”

“I understand. At least, in the ruins where I’ve used this, no additional damage was discovered, so you can rest assured, Ulrek-nim.”

Fernand confidently used his skill.

“〈Rewind Time〉.”

─────────────!

The paper emitted a bright light and then absorbed the colors. When the brief flickering ended, Fernand removed the paper from the place.

“Wow! Fernand-ssi? This is incredible!”

“What the… Was there a skill like this?”

“So, that explains how you could fill the map so quickly—because we have so much information on the ruins.”

“Hmm…”

Leeha, Luger, Kidd, and even the usually silent Alexander were astonished.

It was natural for the users to be impressed by his skill. They hadn’t scrutinized each adventurer skill in detail before.

And it was the same for the non-human entities.

“This is unbelievable! Such a thing is possible?”

“Uh, Ulrek-nim?”

“I thought it was impossible to restore this even with our technological prowess…”

Ulrek gazed at the paper Fernand held with wide eyes. The Pioneer King of Middle Earth was smiling at him.

“This isn’t science.”

The paper that absorbed the colors gradually began to reveal a specific image.

It felt like a photo developing instantly. After a while, Ulrek’s surprise turned to amazement.

The users also shared the same reaction.

One word that Luger had inadvertently uttered upon hearing about 〈Laputa〉 floated into Leeha’s mind.

“… Angel?”

The only word that came to mind when looking at the creatures drawn on Fernand’s paper was this.

* * *

The creatures drawn on the paper Fernand held clearly had 〈wings〉. Not leathery wings like those of dragons or vampires, but feathered wings.

“Are these the creatures!? The ancient beings that existed in 〈Laputa〉? Are these the ones who received the 〈God’s power〉?”

“Ulrek-nim?”

Ulrek, who got so close to the paper that he seemed ready to devour it, meticulously examined the drawing. The users were more surprised by his excessive reaction.

Beings who received God’s power!

These were clearly not beings currently existing in this world. In response to the users’ curiosity, Ulrek began to explain.

“The land where the God’s power melted, we had no more information than these records. Even these were known to us only after one of my distant ancestors discovered Red Zeppelin and came here. But we never comprehended why it was called the land where God’s power melted. Yet my ancestors knew of these beings?”

The users were taken aback but didn’t stop or interrupt him.

Rather, they knew well this was an opportunity. Extracting ‘hints’ from surprised NPCs was a fundamental rule in playing Middle Earth.

Leeha, sensing the opportunity, asked first.

“The land where God’s power melted and those who received God’s power—is that just an ancient title handed down?”

“Indeed. Even with such technological prowess and the grand culture they must have achieved, it would have been astonishing for our species. They had already proven themselves far superior to us, who were the most advanced among all life forms then.”

“So you assumed that their advanced technology, along with the existence of the 〈Stairway to Heaven〉, was why it was nicknamed ‘the land where God’s power melted’? And the beings—you only found traces, not even forms, and merely guessed they were recipients of that power. Am I right?”

Ulrek nodded at Fernand’s subsequent questions.

Inferring the existence and traces of beings through ruins!

If so, the expression ‘the land where God’s power melted’ itself didn’t make sense. Regardless of how vague it might be, the beings of Middle Earth didn’t casually invoke God’s name.

There was only one plausible scenario.

‘Originally, it was backward. The beings were called those who received God’s power because they existed in the land where God’s power melted, not the other way around…’

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