Maverick looked at the Pine Tree and calculated the distance between himself and it. He gave the distance at around 720m and mentally calculated his Rifle's current strength and effectiveness. The Artificer decided to give it a try and laid on the grass, calibrating his Rifle as he did.
He had been practicing his aim ever since he woke up 2 hours ago, though he had not thought to discharge his weapon until now. All of his companions were all awake and rested, meaning that if an Opponent would appear, he had enough Meatshields to allow a Bullet to pass through his Head, sending him into Fiery Oblivion.
He aimed the Rifle just above his target, his Reticule sighting the leaves just below it. He looked at the Grass between him and the tree and compensated for the Wind Speed. His breathing slowed as he entered the Cold and Calculating mind frame necessary for a Sniper. He slowly pulled the trigger until it was just about to discharge his weapon when he stopped. He waited for a few tense minutes until the wind began to give a little before discharging his weapon.
The Rifle gave a Rough Bark as Crimson fire flew out of the weapon. He watched as the fire ate up the air directly in front of it, giving the illusion that the bullet was a mage bolt for a few seconds before it Impacted. The Bullet Impacted directly on the tree, to be more specific, at the point where the Trunk began to diverge into the many branches holding it's leaves. The Bullet's Impact didn't seem impressive from this distance, a dull glow, nothing more, but The Artificer was sure of the Lethality of his shot.
He frowned at his hands for a moment. He had thought to hit the Trunk dead center, the fact that it moved upward like that meant that either his aim, calculations, or the Rifle itself, was wrong. His face moved into a mask of disgust. 'Of that had been Horus, I would have missed him entirely! I would have simply burned through one of his guards, giving away my position. Sure, I probably would have clipped his cheek or something, but he would still be alive.'
A loud crackling tore him away from his dark thoughts as the Tree caught fire. He nodded, having expected such a reaction. The Rifle was not particularly strong, having been made hastily on the spot as Maverick attempted to leave with his Life intact, but it was still an Effective Fire-based rifle. While the Bullet did not explode magnificently, it made up for it in sheer Subtlety.
A target hit by the bullet would, of course, feel the sting. But he would believe himself to be alive and well, thinking the Magitek Rifle having malfunctioned. The Rifle, of course, had not. But the Deception was necessary for 10 seconds, once the delay was over, the man would die. No Power in the world would be able to stop it.
The Heat from the rifle would spread deep within the Target's body. Since the Magic was deeply concentrated within the small bullet, all of it going into the Target's body would hardly be felt. The Magic would then quickly multiply, spreading it's feelers across the entire Biological Being until it was sure that all there was to consume was present. Once done, the Magic would show it's prescence, burning Skin, Melting Bone, and Boiling Blood. The Target would typically die writhing in pain for 13 seconds, nothing anyone could do would be able to stop the Taint.
That had all been experimental until now of course. He had modified his rifle earlier that night into it's present Form. His Pistol remained largely unchanged, besides the fact it now exclusively threw Body shattering Earth Rounds at his enemies.
Maverick got up and realized that the majority of the Camp had bone on ahead to the Caves. While this annoyed the Artificer slightly, it also made sure that no one knew of his Rifle's new Modification. He sighed as he began to walk, looking for the others and wondering if he could entrap any of the Water Elementals under the Caves.
