KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 29: V: "This Money's Scorching Hot..."
🕑 Added 2025-04-01 03:18:00 +0000 UTC"Here, load the magazine, then let's head over to the range."
Wilson handed over a small box, containing two models of magazines—five of each.
The Lexington mags were plain, matching the color of the gun. The Kyoshin mags, however, were a bit fancier, with red-gold tips at the bottom.
The sleek starlight gray barrel of the gun took on a subtle crimson hue. It certainly added an unexpected touch of elegance.
V took the magazines with a dazed look, sliding one into the gun. The satisfying "click" echoed, almost like it resonated with her soul.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but when she looked up, her gaze met Leo and Wilson.
Leo's face practically shouted pride. It was impossible not to see how pleased he was with himself.
Wilson's look, on the other hand, was one of respect. It could easily be interpreted as: Damn, V, you've really bagged yourself a big fish.
V hated how accurate her instincts were, how easily she could read the unspoken words in Wilson's eyes.
She thought about defending herself, about saying she was just a bodyguard.
But…
A street mercenary like her, getting a daily wage of 1,000 eddies, getting a 20,000 eddy gun?
This didn't feel like a bodyguard's pay… this felt like she was being bought.
The Kyoshin in her hand suddenly felt like it was burning. She wanted to throw it back, to firmly declare that she wasn't for sale.
But her right hand had a mind of its own, gripping the gun with a surprising strength, unwilling to let go.
V was defeated—money had such a strange way of making things complicated, turning her resolve into something she wasn't ready for.
Leo saw her struggle, but this was exactly what he had wanted. He casually spoke, "Gun's bought. Let's head to the range and get some practice in!"
V nodded frantically and bolted for the door.
At least for the next week, she didn't want to deal with Wilson. Every time he opened his mouth, it would only be bad news.
Wilson cheerfully saw them out of the armory, repeating his "welcome" several times as they left.
Once they passed the security area, V immediately switched into high alert, her hand instinctively going to the gun she held.
Leo noticed, his brow raised. "Aren't you going to hide the gun? A good weapon's a pretty valuable item, right?"
"No need. Not every valuable item needs to be hidden. On the contrary, if you walk around with a combat prosthetic and top-tier gear, people know you're not someone to mess with."
V subtly raised her chin, gesturing ahead.
At the far wall, sitting on a bench, was a large man in a yellow t-shirt, holding a left-handed Lorenz pistol. When he saw them, he casually lifted the gun and pointed it in their direction.
Leo immediately realized that if he'd been alone, unarmed, this guy probably would've rushed in to rob him.
But not this time.
V mirrored his actions, raising her own gun and pointing it back at him.
The man immediately backed off, lowering his gaze to the floor.
"See? In Watson, if you want to live well, first, you've got to let people know—you're not easy to mess with."
With that, V led him into the shooting range.
Upon entering, they were greeted by the counter where weapons could be rented, ammo bought, and range access granted.
A male employee stood behind the counter. As soon as he saw them, he said, "Welcome! The boss has given you permission to use the range for free. Go right in."
"Thanks," Leo nodded, following V deeper into the range.
It was relatively empty, likely because most people were working at this time.
V led him all the way to the farthest shooting lane.
"You have no experience, so I'll teach you the proper grip and aiming technique. Ready?"
Leo took a deep breath and drew his sidearm.
"No, no. Lower your hand a bit. You won't get a steady grip that way."
"Keep your wrist straight. The recoil's pretty heavy."
"You're still a newbie, so stick to using the sight. Don't try to go for long-range shots just yet…"
The meticulous instructor went on for a good fifteen minutes, explaining every little detail before finally letting him disengage the safety and begin actual practice.
"Remember—never point the gun at anyone, even by mistake."
"Put on the ear protection, and let's get started. First, take a shot at the stationary target."
Click.
Bang—bang—bang bang—
The recoil wasn't too strong, nor too weak. It hit Leo's wrist like a wave, and he couldn't help but feel the rush. The sensation was akin to running into an air-conditioned room on a hot summer day.
This was a gun!
The epitome of violent aesthetics, the foundation of power and wealth!
Bang—bang—bang—
The 50-meter target took 20 shots, and not a single one missed. For a beginner, it felt almost like cheating.
Of course, it kind of was cheating. The "Craftsman" reflex sight helped him immensely, and when he activated his prosthetic eye's scanner, it felt like a divine advantage.
"Nope, not the way to go. You're a beginner. Stick with using your naked eye. You're not a sniper, stop messing with four- or six-times optical zoom."
V scolded him, tapping his arm lightly.
"Even hackers have basic skills like rebooting the prosthetic eye—you're too reliant on the scanner. Sooner or later, you'll pay the price. Even with top-tier optics, a hacker attack can cause a brief malfunction."
"I got it," Leo replied, humbly acknowledging her advice as he changed out the magazine.
He sighed, thinking to himself, Shooting's fun, but reloading? Hell.
Even with the reloading assist, it took him quite some time to swap the magazine.
No wonder Wilson gave him so many clips—reloading was painfully slow.
"Keep going. Let's finish off 100 rounds and get used to the feel."
"Only 100? Pfft, I'm going for 200!"
Leo made a grand statement, diving into the training with V's careful guidance.
Hours later.
"How's that? 200 rounds!"
Leo forced a grin.
"Your hands sore yet?" V asked with a teasing smile.
"I said 200 rounds, and I meant it!" Leo retorted.
"So, are your hands sore?" she asked again, raising an eyebrow.
"Tch…"
Leo felt the price of his bravado—his right arm was stiff and sore, throbbing with pain.
"You didn't install the grip pads, or a ballistic synaptic processor, huh? No prosthetic arm either. It's normal to feel sore, but get used to it."
V showed him the metal grip plates on her arm.
Leo examined them carefully, noticing they were already a little worn down compared to the ones from the game's starting loadout.
And… the palm skin had been partially cut away. Just the thought made him wince.
Without thinking, he reached out, touching V's palm, rubbing the black leather part.
V quickly yanked her hand back, raising an eyebrow. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Is that brown part skin too? It feels like it has sensation," Leo tried to stay calm.
"It's synthetic skin on top, real skin underneath, of course it feels real."
V looked uncomfortable as she clenched her fist a few times, as if she wasn't used to being touched.
"Alright, enough with the training for today. Don't strain your arm too much. You still want to head back or do something else?"
