92: Chapter 0092 Assassination

Under the combined effects of Mechanical Alchemy and the Stingy Meditation Method, the actual burst energy level of the Hurricane Rune was further increased:

It reached an energy level of 4.32, which greatly boosted the propulsion force of the firearm.

The Laboratory was piled high with depleted sorcery crystals, draft papers filled with calculation processes, semi-finished parts, and cooled metal scrap.

The Greasy Rune could assist the projectile in achieving a higher initial velocity within the barrel by reducing energy loss caused by friction.

It also added an explosive force of 1.8 energy levels, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.

Since the Materials for the firing pin were limited, only one secondary stacked Hurricane Rune could be fused onto it, giving it a base energy level of 2.7.

Li Size used the Hurricane Rune in the barrel as the primary component, with the Greasy Rune and the firing pin as secondary aids, meticulously adjusting the energy flow.

Ultimately, the new revolver hand cannon could provide the projectile with an initial piercing damage of 6.57 energy levels.

Furthermore, after three stages of acceleration, the initial velocity of the bullet reached 480 meters per second.

This made the trajectory more stable, making it harder for the target to evade, and the effective range was increased to 300 meters, suitable for medium to long-range combat.

To accommodate the etching of two runes, the bullet specifically used a custom 35mm projectile, a design that increased the projectile's carrying capacity.

If two identical runes of the Adept level were stacked, they could imbue the bullet with higher burst damage.

For instance, by stacking and fusing two Adept-level Sharpness Runes onto the projectile, the 35mm dual-rune projectile manufactured by Li Size could reach an energy level of 5.76.

Combined with his latest revolver hand cannon, this could achieve a maximum stacked physical damage of 9.45 energy levels, which was extremely effective for penetrating heavy defenses.

Not only was the upper limit of the energy level for attack power increased, but the dual-rune bullet also provided Li Size with more flexible tactical options.

He could combine the buckshot with a Stun Rune, enabling him to achieve a group stun effect on targets within a 1.2 square meter radius around the target.

This was undoubtedly a powerful weapon against extremely fast enemies, such as effectively controlling the battlefield when facing rapidly moving beasts or hostile mages.

Li Size looked contentedly at the finished product in his hand, slowly stroking the cold, smooth metal surface.

This hand cannon, which he named 'Lethal,' embodied all his efforts and obsession from the past five days.

Although certain details could still be optimized—

For example, the almost negligible friction sound when the cylinder rotated, or the faint and uneven halo when the energy flowed—

Yet, in terms of overall performance, it already far exceeded expectations.

The grip fit perfectly into his palm, the weight distribution was just right, and more importantly, the combination of runes and the magazine System it carried was enough to push his combat capability to a new height.

"I'll just call it 'Lethal,'" he murmured, a nearly imperceptible curve rising at the corner of his mouth.

This level of attack power should be more than enough to deal with the Hallucinogenic Bewitching Butterfly.

The moment he thought of that bizarre and dangerous creature, his gaze darkened.

However, now it was no longer about confusion and probing—he had the capital to face it directly.

Five days.

Five sleepless days.

The Laboratory was piled high with depleted sorcery crystals, draft papers filled with calculation processes, semi-finished parts, and cooled metal scrap.

The air was constantly permeated with a strange odor mixing the scent of metal calcination and evaporating potions.

He had advanced this project almost by burning his Mental Energy, even experiencing hallucinations of rune resonance disorder several times due to excessive fatigue midway.

(Rune resonance disorder refers to the confusion and hallucinations produced in the caster when the energy frequencies of different magic runes conflict.)

But now, everything was worth it.

The potions and armor had already been taken by Felina and Gelia.

He had noticed their worried yet hesitant gazes when they came to see him, but at that time, his entire mind and body were immersed in the final adjustments.

Now, he could finally set everything aside temporarily.

Carefully tucking 'Lethal' onto the belt at his waist, he began to tidy up the Laboratory—returning instruments to their places, sealing residual Materials, and restarting the protective barrier.

His movements were practiced, yet much faster than usual.

He truly needed rest, and even more so, he needed them, to cherish them properly.

The Carnival Hotel in Zero Degree City was far grander than the one in Gele City, with the experimental area and the residential area belonging to different building complexes.

As a famous tourist Holy Land, leisurely sight-seeing mages and vacationing exotic travelers could be seen everywhere.

Almost no one would lock themselves in a Laboratory and work diligently here like him.

Rune illumination orbs floated above the streets outside the hotel, witch boxes carrying Wind Element Runes occasionally swept past in the air, and dynamic rune advertisements flickered on the exterior walls of distant buildings.

Pushing open the Laboratory door, the cool night breeze rushed to meet him.

The sky was completely dark, the lights of the distant residential area twinkled like scattered stars, while the experimental area was quiet to the point of desolation.

He took a deep breath, trying to replace all the stale air accumulated in his lungs over five days.

However, just as he stepped toward the residential area—

An extremely subtle, yet bone-chilling coldness suddenly struck the back of his neck.

It was faster than thought.

He didn't even have time to construct a single magic model—the attack came from behind, soundless, erupting violently only in the instant before the killing intent reached him!

In the life-or-death moment, all his muscles suddenly tensed up, and without thinking, he leaped forward!

His speed exploded to the maximum in an instant, his neck narrowly avoided the blow—but the attack from the shadow still struck his left shoulder fiercely.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

A subtle ripple of energy spread across the black magic iron armor, and a distinct vibration was felt at the shoulder guard.

Fortunately—although this strike was a sneak attack, it was not enough to breach the defense of the black demonic iron.

Li Size used the momentum to surge forward and turn, his right hand already drawing 'Lethal.'

The movement was fluid and natural, without any hesitation.

The assassin, seeing the attack miss, did not linger in the fight and immediately retreated, his figure quickly fading away as if merging into the night.

It was an effect similar to the Lesser Invisibility Spell!

(The Lesser Invisibility Spell is a low-level sorcery that allows the user to temporarily blend into the surroundings, reducing the probability of detection, but it cannot completely eliminate energy fluctuations.)

"Damn it!" he cursed, "Old sneaky bastard!"

How could he let him go?

If it were five days ago, perhaps he could only watch helplessly as the opponent disappeared.

But now—the cylinder of 'Lethal' in his right hand was spinning rapidly according to his will, precisely stopping at the third chamber.

Stun buckshot—covering an area of 1.4 square meters, imbued with an Adept-level 'Stun' Rune.

He didn't even need to aim carefully—relying on the residual perception of the energy fluctuation, he raised his hand and fired!

A cone of muzzle flash erupted from the barrel, instantly enveloping the figure about to completely vanish.

"—Ah!"

A suppressed cry of pain was heard.

About thirty centimeters from his predicted point, a figure wrapped in dark purple flowing light staggered into view—the halo of the Lesser Invisibility Spell gradually dissipated, revealing the suffocating body beneath.

She possessed the signature pointed ears of a Night Elf, the tips adorned with tiny obsidian earrings, and silver-purple long hair draped behind her shoulders; a few strands stained with blood clung to her pale, yet cold jade-like face.

Her tight, dark-patterned spider silk robe (Note: Woven from demonized spider silk processed with runes, it is light yet provides minor defensive effects) outlined her nearly perfect waist and hip curves.

The dark red blood seeping from the wound on her abdomen intertwined with the dark patterns of the robe, making her look even more eerie.

She clutched her wound and staggered a few steps, her long legs finally unable to support her, and she stumbled to the ground.

Her breathing was rapid and faint, yet her pair of violet pupils still flickered in the night, radiating an aura that was both dangerous and captivating.

The rune illumination orbs in the distant residential area emitted a warm yellow light, and witch boxes occasionally swept by at a low altitude.

"Huh? So weak?"

Li Size was slightly stunned.

The physical lethality of the stun buckshot was not strong; it relied mainly on rune control, so it shouldn't have caused such a severe injury...

Unless the opponent's own defense was extremely weak.

His eyes turned cold, and the cylinder rotated again, selecting the first chamber—dual 'Scorching' rune projectiles, enough to be fatal.

But just as he was about to pull the trigger, his gaze suddenly froze.

The body curled up in pain outlined the unique Golden Ratio of the Night Elf—

Her waist was slender, yet it drew a breathtaking curve at the hips; the fullness of her chest was tightly wrapped by the tight robe, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

Her pointed ears were slightly flushed from the pain, and her silver-purple eyelashes trembled.

When she raised her eyes, her violet pupils held a trace of lingering dizziness, yet they also revealed an enchanting, soul-hooking exotic charm.

The exposed skin of her arms was like pale purple jade under the moonlight, radiating a delicate luster; every line seemed to have been meticulously carved by sorcery, possessing both a sense of power and a fatal softness.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the blades of grass on the ground, her knuckles turning white.

Li Size's brow twitched slightly, the muzzle of the hand cannon in his right hand drooped slightly, and he muttered:

"A woman?"