In fact, just as Norton was about to shout the word "charge."
Ling Zhan had already disassembled the dragon sniper rifle in his hands in advance.
It's worth mentioning...
The Thousand Mechanisms Ring allows for almost seamless transformation between forms, taking just 0.000 seconds to switch.
However, switching between the three weapon modes in the 'Beast Slayer' form counts as 'assembly and disassembly.'
So, it doesn't benefit from the convenience of form switching.
But with the beginner mechanic skill 'Rapid Disassembly,' Ling Zhan quickly disassembled the imposing long-barreled dragon sniper rifle into dual guns.
In his left hand was a rapid-fire long-barreled light gun.
In his right hand was a short-barreled shotgun.
That's right...
The familiar and agile dual-gun form reappeared before the spectators' eyes.
However, the audience remained concerned...
Will this work?
After all, during the individual competition, Ling Zhan had already used this dual-gun form against Norton.
But everything this non-specialist did was part of his own plan.
No matter how others tried to guess, they couldn't figure it out.
"Non-specialist brat! Die!!"
In that instant.
Norton finally descended.
His bloodshot eyes and his rage-filled, twisted face clearly showed his intense killing intent toward Ling Zhan.
Norton, who had boosted his combat power and buffs to their peak, wasted no time and slammed his fist down toward the figure of Ling Zhan!
Even though this punch didn't use any skills.
At the moment it was thrown, the surrounding space emitted a cracking sound, forming web-like fractures and caving in!
Boom!!
All the spectators were horrified to see a terrifying storm erupt, causing the specially-made live broadcast cameras to shake violently and blur the screen!
"This..."
Norton's punch.
Showed the entire audience what a real monster looked like!
In his peak state, even a casual punch was enough to break space!
This was the true strength of a level 69 Chaos Demon!
As for why he was still at level 69...
During the two-day break between rounds, the Free Federation spent a hefty price to apply for access to two level 65 secret realms from the Holy Light Empire.
They also agreed to the Holy Light Empire's unequal terms: Norton could only take the experience for clearing the secret realm, without any of the other rewards like gear, skill books, items, or materials.
In simple terms...
It was a temporary measure to restore Norton's combat power.
After all, Norton had been killed during the individual competition, losing experience and levels. Without restoring those attribute points, how could he fight the jobless non-specialist?
And it proved to be...
A somewhat correct decision to regain his level and experience.
At least Norton's current performance was still overwhelmingly powerful, giving off an almost invincible aura.
"Did it hit?"
All the spectators craned their necks, watching the gradually clearing screen.
The next second...
"Ohhhhh-----!!"
The audience let out a long gasp.
As expected...
It didn't hit!
The image showed Norton's destruction-filled punch passing through the afterimage left by Ling Zhan, and the ground beneath his fist had been reduced to a deep, bottomless pit.
Damn it!!
He dodged again!
And...
He used the gunner class's beginner skill 'Invincible Slide' to dodge!
Ling Zhan used the invincibility window of the 'Invincible Slide' to completely avoid the ripping force of Norton's punch!
Norton slowly straightened his giant body, his eyes filled with seething rage!
But what enraged him even more...
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
Ling Zhan had already slipped to the side, somehow switching his weapon to a bow, firing several arrows at Norton.
Clack!!
The arrows seemed to be toying with Norton, not even managing to pierce his skin, let alone cause damage!
"Bastard!!"
Norton was both furious and enraged, the feeling of being toyed with and insulted resurfacing in his heart!
He suddenly remembered how this guy had toyed with him using dual guns during the individual competition...
Wait!
Something's wrong!
Dual guns!!
Right!
Wasn't his weapon just dual guns?
How did it suddenly become a bow!?
Even if he switched weapons incredibly fast, at this close range, Norton should have at least seen the shadow or motion of the weapon switch, right?
But the key was that he saw nothing; the weapon in the non-specialist's hand was just suddenly a bow!
It was as if he had always been holding a bow!
"Not good!! It's the 'Shedding the Golden Shell' technique!"
The well-prepared Norton suddenly remembered one of the puppet master's beginner skills he had researched earlier!
In that moment.
Without any hesitation.
Norton turned around, flapping his wings furiously, rushing back toward his team's rear under the stunned gazes of his charging teammates!
"Keep the camera on him!!"
The director screamed, his voice tearing through the air.
The camera immediately swiveled back!
But in the next second...
Whoosh!!
The audience watching the screen erupted into shocked, thunderous noise!!
Meanwhile, Norton and the other members of the Free Federation team inside the secret realm were left with grim, even despairing expressions!
Because...
The rear line was gone!!
The eight support demons who had been trailing behind now lay on the ground, convulsing and vomiting blood. Without exception, their stomachs had been blasted apart by shotgun fire, leaving them helplessly groaning in despair.
And the non-specialist they had been chasing relentlessly was standing in the blood-soaked ground, for the first time flashing a sinister hunter's smile at them!!
This...
Why!?
The Free Federation members couldn't help but cry out internally.
Their eyes inexplicably reddened, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
The fear of not knowing when their own teammates had been taken down began to shake their once-steeled resolve.
"I thought this would be the Free Federation's comeback moment..."
"But it turned out to be the beginning of torment."
A minister of the Holy Light Empire couldn't help but sigh.
As Norton had suspected...
It was indeed the puppet master skill 'Shedding the Golden Shell.'
[Shedding the Golden Shell (A+): Leaves behind a puppet at your location with 30% of your combat power, indistinguishable from the real you. Meanwhile, your true self enters a 'Shedding' state.]
Note:
1. Shedding state: For 10 seconds, all of your movements, sounds, life signals, mana fluctuations, and the noises and traces of your attacks will be completely concealed.
2. For 10 seconds, any attacks you perform will not cancel the 'Shedding' state.