Chapter 207: Sniper Versus Sniper

Lixy darted through the rain of bullets, the sharp whistling of projectiles slicing past her ears and the brittle crackle of debris scattering in all directions. The air seemed shredded by the blistering heat of the bullets, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. Clutching her sniper rifle tightly, her movements were as agile as a leopard's, but her footsteps betrayed a hint of panic. Each step felt like treading on a tightrope—one moment's hesitation could mean death.

The relentless barrage behind her roared like a violent storm, every bullet striking stone amplifying the thundering chaos. The metallic screeches and spraying debris painted a vivid picture of destruction. Dust hung in the air like a suffocating veil, blurring her vision and intensifying the oppressive sensation that death was closing in.

Lixy rolled to the side and took cover behind a jagged boulder, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. The sniper rifle in her grasp was uncomfortably warm, its metal body her sole lifeline. She stole a glance over her shoulder, spotting Kanto still hovering midair. The bullets flying from his position streaked through the air like falling stars, fanning out in every direction with chilling precision.

His mocking grin sent a shiver down her spine, an image of pure malice. His gaze fixed on her with the intensity of a predator playing with its prey. Raising his hand with the casual flair of a maestro, Kanto gestured, and the bullets seemed to shift trajectory midair, honing in on the rock shielding her.

"Madman!" Lixy spat through gritted teeth, forcing her legs to move faster despite the panic clawing at her.

A sharp metallic clinking broke through the chaos—clink, clink, clink.

Lixy turned, her blood running cold at the sight of countless bullet casings bouncing across the rocky terrain. The erratic dance of the casings on stone resembled chaotic chess pieces thrown into disarray.

As the clinking gradually subsided, Kanto raised both hands, pointing directly at Lixy. His movements were unnervingly precise, like a finely tuned machine.

"This lunatic... He's using bullet casings as weapons too?" Lixy's pupils contracted, disbelief washing over her.

Kanto's hands now held a fully assembled sniper rifle, its metallic gleam sending a chill through her. He pulled the trigger, and a crisp shot echoed. A bullet struck a casing mid-bounce, redirecting it with deadly accuracy.

The redirected casings became projectiles of their own, whizzing toward Lixy from all angles.

"Up, down, left, right…" Lixy's eyes darted wildly, panic gripping her as she realized she was completely surrounded.

Kanto hovered in the air, his sneer deepening as he observed her desperate evasions. His movements were fluid and unhurried as he pulled the trigger again, another bullet ricocheting off a casing and altering the trajectory of the makeshift shrapnel.

"How many can you dodge?" His voice dripped with cruel amusement. "This is my battlefield, and you're playing by my rules!"

Sweat trickled down Lixy's face as her chest heaved. The realization hit her like a thunderclap—she was trapped in a meticulously designed trap. Kanto wasn't just a gunslinger; he was a genius tactician, turning every element of the battlefield to his advantage.

A casing grazed her shoulder, tearing through her sleeve and drawing blood. She bit back a cry of pain, rolling behind a larger boulder. Her breathing was labored, her determination hardening.

Gripping her sniper rifle tightly, she ran her fingers over the cold trigger, closing her eyes to steady her thoughts. Her mind raced through potential strategies as she tuned out the chaos.

Kanto noticed her pause and smirked. Raising his rifle, he fired another shot that ricocheted off a casing, striking the rock sheltering her with precision.

"Boom!" Shards of rock exploded, dust and debris filling the air. Lixy felt the impact reverberate through her body but didn't falter.

With a surge of adrenaline, she sprinted toward the cliff's edge. Her foot slipped on loose gravel, sending her crashing to her knees. Pain shot through her, but she recovered, skidding along the rock face.

Rocks scraped her skin, tearing through her clothing, but she held onto her rifle with an iron grip. The harsh descent left her battered and bloodied, but her resolve never wavered.

Finally, she regained her footing, standing on unsteady legs. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her dirt-streaked face steeled with determination.

As the dust settled, Kanto's figure emerged, still hovering with an air of untouchable dominance. His coat flapped dramatically in the wind, the gleam of his rocket launcher's barrel betraying his next move.

"Cheating abilities don't mean a thing if you don't know how to use them!" Kanto's voice rang out, his taunt laced with manic confidence.

Lixy's eyes narrowed, her heart pounding. "A sniper doesn't need fancy tricks," she muttered, her voice steady despite the chaos.

She exhaled slowly, raised her rifle, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet sliced through the air, unyielding in its path toward Kanto.

But Kanto had already anticipated her move. With a gleeful laugh, he launched a rocket from his launcher.

The rocket and sniper bullet collided midair, the resulting explosion shattering the air with a deafening roar. Flames and shockwaves swept the battlefield, turning the rocky terrain into a chaotic inferno.

When the smoke began to clear, Kanto hovered above the scorched ground, his predatory grin unshaken.

"This is far from over," he declared, preparing his next move.