The Final Shot

The Verdant Fang Serpent lunged, jaws wide, but the party scattered in different directions. Captain Durnhal landed on his feet several meters away and shouted, "CHARGE!"

The knights let out a unified roar and sprinted forward, weapons raised. The battlefield once again erupted into chaos as steel clashed with scaled flesh. Amara stayed behind, eyes focused, casting healing spells and protective barriers where needed.

Wes glanced at Scarlett beside him. "Shall we, partner?"

Scarlett gave a smirk. "Let's do it."

She dashed into the fray with her blade glowing. Wes spun his revolver and pointed it toward the monster. "Let's turn down the heat. Ice Bullet!"

BOOM!

The bullet shot forward in a blur of frost, smashing into the serpent's side and encasing a portion of its scales in ice. The monster screeched and writhed.

Scarlett joined the knights, dancing between their movements with clean precision. Her sword lashed out in sync with their strikes—slicing and deflecting the serpent's counterattacks.

The knights, renewed by Wes's healing, fought with newfound vigor. One knight ducked under a tail swipe and slashed at the creature's underbelly. Another vaulted from a fallen tree and struck down on the serpent's back. Captain Durnhal led the charge, bashing his shield into the creature's snout before stabbing with brutal accuracy.

"Keep its focus divided!" he shouted. "Don't let it center on one target!"

Amara chanted spells behind them, her hands glowing as she layered barriers over the front lines and emitted radiant waves of healing.

Scarlett used her blade like a crimson comet, jumping from one strike to the next. "Arc Slash!" she called, leaving burning trails across the serpent's flanks.

Then she darted back to Wes. "Combo attack?"

"Sounds interesting."

She sprinted forward while Wes yelled, "Water Bullet!"

A blast of water struck the snake, soaking its body.

"Lightning Bullet!" he followed up.

The shot connected with the soaked scales—ZAAAPP!—causing the serpent to convulse in electrical agony.

Scarlett appeared in front of the reeling creature and activated her new skill: "Crimson Fang Slash!"

A spiraling slash ripped across the monster's back, eliciting another guttural roar.

"Form up!" Durnhal shouted. "Push it from the sides! Don't let it center us!"

The knights repositioned again, ducking beneath strikes and countering with precise teamwork. One knight slid across mud to cut the creature's underbelly while two others performed a synchronized double thrust into its flanks.

The serpent retaliated with a furious tail whip that threw two knights back. Amara quickly threw out a barrier to block a chunk of flying debris and cast a healing burst to stabilize the wounded.

The serpent turned its eyes toward her and lunged.

Amara gasped, frozen in place.

Wes saw it. "Good try, snaky."

"Bullet Fusion – Twin Element Shell!"

BOOM!

Fire and lightning converged into a single shot, slamming into the serpent's chest mid-lunge. Explosive shockwaves blew it backward.

Wes appeared in front of Amara with a cocky grin. "That was close. You alright, Princess?"

Amara's face flushed. "Y-Yes. Thank you…"

He's a chaotic mess… but kind, she thought.

"PAY ATTENTION!" Scarlett snapped, appearing behind Wes and slapping him hard in the head.

"OW! Again with the head!" he cried. "It's gonna be permanently dented!"

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Then start using it, idiot."

Wes looked back at the snake and narrowed his eyes. "Let's finish this."

He charged forward. The serpent struck, but Wes danced through the air using Acrobatics, flipping off branches, dodging tail strikes, and returning fire with Mana Bullets.

He jumped off a low-hanging branch, flipped sideways off a broken stone pillar, rebounded off a fallen log, and leapt again from the serpent's writhing back.

"Mana Bullet!" BANG!

"Mana Bullet!" CRACK!

Each shot echoed across the battlefield, striking the serpent's neck, shoulders, and underbelly. He flipped through the air, narrowly dodging a venomous spray that scorched a nearby boulder.

He kicked off the trunk of a tall tree, spiraled downward, and shot again—this time right into the serpent's gaping mouth.

The knights and Amara watched, jaws slack.

Captain Durnhal muttered, "Is he… laughing while doing that?"

One knight whispered, "He's treating the battlefield like a playground."

Amara's eyes widened in amazement. He's chaotic… but oddly effective.

Scarlett crossed her arms and sighed. "Idiot. As always. But… that's Wes."

Wes landed on a mossy boulder, winked at the serpent, and prepared another round.

"Come on, big guy. Let's dance."

The serpent roared in fury and swept its tail again.

"Bullet Barrier!" Wes shouted.

Glowing bullets formed a circular wall—but the beast's tail smashed through it, sending Wes flying.

He slammed into a tree and collapsed to the ground.

"WES!!" Scarlett cried.

Amara gasped. "No!"

Wes groaned. "That… really hurt…"

The serpent lunged.

"LIGHT BARRIER!"

A radiant dome formed inches from Wes's face, stopping the strike cold.

Wes turned, breathing hard. "Thanks, Princess."

"Just repaying the favor."

He stood. "Flashstep." He vanished and reappeared beside Amara and Scarlett.

Scarlett gave him a look. "You alive, idiot?"

He laughed. "Yeah. Feels like I got hit by a truck again, but I'm good."

Scarlett snorted. "You would joke at a time like this."

The serpent let out another mighty roar.

Captain Durnhal's eyes locked on it. "We need to end this! Suggestions?"

Amara's expression turned contemplative. "It's fast… but we've hurt it. If we can blind it or bind it—"

Wes rubbed his chin. "Or shock it again…"

Scarlett nodded. "We'll need timing. Precision."

Their minds raced, strategies forming.

Amara nodded. "It's weakened. We just need an opening."

Wes and Scarlett exchanged looks.

"Let's make one," Wes said.

"Let's finish this, shall we?" Wes said, leveling his revolver.

Everyone nodded, bracing themselves. Wes pointed his gun at the massive serpent. "Light Bullet!"

The bullet soared forward, erupting into a brilliant flash. The giant snake hissed and thrashed violently, its vision stolen by the searing light.

"GO!!!" Captain Durnhal roared.

The knights charged with renewed determination. Their swords and spears slashed and pierced the serpent's thick hide, gouging deep wounds across its body. The beast, though blinded, retaliated with raw fury—whipping its tail through trees, knocking several knights into the air like ragdolls. Crashes echoed as bodies slammed into the forest floor.

Captain Durnhal gritted his teeth and barked orders. "Circle it! Cut off its movement!"

The remaining knights adjusted their formation, harassing the serpent from multiple directions. Two slashed across its flank while another stabbed beneath its chin. The creature bucked wildly, screeching in pain, its massive body lurching with every blow.

Scarlett took her chance and dashed forward. She sprang off a fallen log and delivered a vertical slash across the serpent's neck, biting deep into scale and sinew. Blood sprayed, but the wound wasn't fatal.

"Damn it—it wasn't enough!" she growled, landing beside Wes.

The serpent lunged at her from behind.

"Light Barrier!" Amara shouted.

The radiant shield materialized in time, catching the beast's jaws and halting its strike.

Scarlett turned, smiling at the princess. "Thank you, Princess."

"No problem," Amara replied, steadying her breath.

Scarlett pointed across the clearing. "Wes! Finish it!!"

Wes stepped forward, eyes cold. He raised his revolver and whispered, "Goodbye."

"Fire Bullet—FULL POWER!!"

His revolver flared with burning elemental energy. The barrel radiated crimson light as a surge of magical fire built in its chamber.

KA-BOOOOM!

The bullet screamed across the battlefield like a comet and slammed into the center of the serpent's forehead.

A deafening explosion followed.

The serpent roared in agony as its massive form ignited. Flames erupted across its body, coating it in a blaze of fire. The ground trembled as the burning beast thrashed, then finally collapsed with a resounding crash. The forest trembled under the weight of its fall. Smoke and ash filled the air.

Silence.

Then—

"We… we did it…" Wes let out a tired laugh and collapsed to the ground. "I did it…"

The knights stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

"He took it down with one shot..."

"What even is that weapon?"

"I've never seen magic like that before... That revolver... it's not normal."

"Could it be divine...?"

Scarlett walked up and cast a long shadow over Wes.

"You alright, idiot?"

Wes grinned up at her. "I'm good. Just... completely outta magic."

"You reckless idiot," she muttered.

Wes lifted a shaky hand and gave her a peace sign. "But I saved the day, didn't I?"

"Sure. If by saving you mean blowing yourself up."

She bent down and helped him up, draping his arm over her shoulder.

Wes looked at her with a warm smile. "We did it, partner. Took down a D-rank monster. Nothing could stop us."

Scarlett rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect me to carry you every time."

Amara approached quietly. Who are these two? she thought. They saved us… that shot… and that revolver—was it forged by magic? She paused when her eyes met Wes's.

He looked up and flashed a grin. "Hey, Princess. What's up?"

Amara blushed slightly. That smile… even after all that chaos...

Scarlett narrowed her eyes, already annoyed. "Don't you flirt with the princess."

She pinched his side hard.

"OW OW OW! It hurts! It hurts! I'm defenseless! Outta mana!" Wes wailed.

"Exactly why you should shut up and sit still, idiot," Scarlett snapped.

Amara giggled, covering her mouth.

"You two are something else."

Wes looked at her. "You okay, Princess?"

"I am. Thanks to you. And... I can help you too."

She placed her hands gently on his chest. "Healing Light."

A warm glow surrounded him. Color returned to his cheeks. Muscles relaxed. His strength returned.

He stood and stretched, renewed.

"Wow… I feel amazing! Thank you, my beautiful princess."

Amara turned red, eyes wide.

He called me beautiful… just like that?

Scarlett's fist met his head. "You moron!"

"OW! AGAIN! WHY!?" Wes screamed.

"Don't disrespect a princess like that!"

"I WAS BEING NICE!"

They bickered back and forth, Wes flinching as Scarlett poked, slapped, and scolded him repeatedly.

Amara laughed gently. "You two are... chaotic. But... wonderful."

Off to the side, Captain Durnhal watched the scene unfold.

Who... exactly are these two?

Wes leaned against a tree, exhaling heavily. "We really just defeated a level 25 D-rank monster…" he muttered, wide-eyed.

Before he could say more, a glowing violet screen flashed in front of his face.

LEVEL UP!

Wes Walker

Current Level: 3 → 10

Skills Unlocked: Bullet Penetration, Adaptive Reflex, Stamina Regeneration

Mana Restored

Wes blinked in shock. "Whoa! That's insane… I leveled up four times?! Just from that?"

Scarlett peeked over his shoulder and raised a brow. "Well, you did land the final blow. Figures the idiot gets the big bonus."

"Hey! I earned that final blow!" Wes protested, then smirked. "Still... leveling up like this... I've only been in this world for a few hours."

Reincarnated, fought killer wasps, saved a princess, defeated a giant snake. Is this what every day is like now? he thought.

Suddenly, Captain Durnhal approached. He bowed slightly to the princess. "Your Highness, we should return to the city. Your safety is paramount. Your father will need to be informed."

Amara nodded. "You're right. This incident must be reported to the king immediately."

Durnhal looked at the rest of the knights. "We move now. Nightfall approaches."

As the knights gathered, Amara turned back to Wes and Scarlett, her eyes thoughtful.

"You two…" she began. "Would you accompany us back to the capital? My father—the King—will want to meet the heroes who saved his daughter. I'm sure he'll reward you both personally."

Scarlett and Wes exchanged a look.

Wes grinned. "A royal audience? Why not. Count us in."

Scarlett nodded. "Sure. Not like we've got anywhere else to go yet."

Amara smiled warmly. "Then it's settled."

The knights prepared the carriage. Amara climbed in, then turned and waved.

"Come on, you two!" she called.

Wes and Scarlett followed, hopping into the cushioned interior beside her.

As the carriage rolled through the forest path, Wes leaned back and looked out the window.

Reincarnated a few hours ago… Already fought monsters, saved royalty, and leveled up like crazy. This world is wild.

A slow grin crossed his face.

And I can't wait to see what's next.

To be continued...