SWNOVELXO Chapter 99
Chapter 99. Sniper In The Wilderness
On my way out from the prison where I was wrongfully held, my M4 carbine was sliced in half by a soldier blocking my path in the royal castle. It was at that moment that Yaralai saved me.
I thought I was dead. I don’t want to go through that again.
I’ve already replaced the M4 carbine, so now I’m buying ammo, 5.56mm ammo = 400 yen. They sell it by the bullet for some reason, so I use a set option to get 5.56mm ammo (30 rounds) = 12,000 yen. When I bought the M4 carbine, it came with one empty magazine, but I wanted another one just in case, so I also boy an M4 magazine (loaded with 30 rounds) = 31,800 yen.
In total, I now have 60 rounds plus another 30 loaded, making 90 rounds. I wouldn’t need this much if I were alone…
There’s a blond, dreadlocked elf behind me, exerting silent pressure with an expressionless face.
My remaining balance is 4,409,149 yen.
I slowly remember how to handle the gun, carefully firing one shot at a time. After a few shots, I continue, explaining to Yaralai. I empty one magazine.
My target is the indentation Yaralai made with a 9mm earlier.
After confirming safety, I check the rock. Next to Yaralai’s indentation, there’s a similar one I made. I let out a “Whoa!” in awe, but upon closer inspection, there were similar holes all over the rock. This shows the power of a 5.56mm bullet. Impressive.
It seems to have a higher accuracy than the 9mm. I turn to test from a greater distance and… too close! Yaralai, you’re too close!
“Hey! I told you not to get close while I’m shooting!”
“You stopped shooting. You left the gun there. I was guarding it.”
Well, he’s not wrong… but he just wanted to touch it, right?
“My turn.”
How do I explain this overwhelming pressure? This beautiful elf with an almond-shaped gaze looks down at me, expressionless, at close range.
“Fine, fine. Be absolutely careful.”
“Understood.”
When I hand him the gun, he checks it as if it’s returning to its rightful owner, loading bullets into the empty magazine. He handles it almost like a soldier, likely due to his familiarity with handguns.
His handling is flawless, better than what I taught him. His stance is perfect as if he’s a Delta or SEAL or Ranger with full camouflage. Though I used to shoot in that stance, I wasn’t that precise.
Am I the student here?
Yaralai fires three shots flawlessly like in a marksmanship demonstration.
“…What’s up?”
After returning the gun to a safe state, Yaarlai slings it over his shoulder and points.
“It broke.”
What?
No need to ask. The target rock was split.
A diagonal crack splits it in two. I was so focused on Yaralai that I missed the impact.
Approaching the target rock, we see he hit almost the exact same spot multiple times.
Isn’t that strange?
“The power is stronger than expected. To think a ranged weapon has such force…”
He murmurs, examining the crack and impact points.
“No, what’s with that accuracy?”
“I’ve always been dissatisfied with the lightness and slowness of a bow. This weapon is my ideal bow: heavy, fast bullets, instant firing, no need to prepare the next shot. It can even fire in bursts, right?”
Yes, I only permitted semi-auto.
“It can… if we try, start from a prone position. Practice firing three-shot bursts… but we need more ammo.”
I buy another 60 rounds.
My remaining balance is 4,385,149 yen.
I demonstrate the prone firing position. Was it like this…? Do I look like a frog?
Yaralai, having filled two magazines, hands me one. I fire two bursts.
“That’s the basic idea. Three shots at a time.”
“Got it.”
Yaralai takes a prone position.
…Which sniper are you?
He empties the magazine and stands.
“Full-auto doesn’t hit as intended… I might prefer semi-auto.”
Fair enough.
Yaralai loads the last 30 rounds and takes a prone position again.
Firing single shots in rapid succession, not quite full-auto, but fast like clapping.
The targets keep moving farther.
Even with my glasses, my vision is less than 1.0, so I quickly lose track of his accuracy.
After emptying the magazine, Yaralai smiles slightly.
“Excellent.”
His voice gives me chills.
“But…”
He checks the barrel after triple-checking safety.
“Hey.”
“The accuracy dropped slightly over time. This soot might be the cause.”
We need to clean it.
“Probably. But it shouldn’t drop that quickly.”
“Just a bit.”
How can he tell…?
Yaralai looks at me, turning fully.
“Akira, I have a proposition.”
“I have a guess… what is it?”
He’ll ask to buy it, I bet.
“You’re going on a journey, right?”
“Yeah, visiting the three most famous shrines. I don’t know how long it’ll take.”
Yaralai nods.
“Then, until your journey ends, let me use that carbine.”
Oh? Different from my guess.
“Until it ends… you’re coming along?”
“Yes, in return, I’ll take responsibility for your protection.”
I look at the sky, now tinged with crimson.
“I appreciate it, but I can’t guarantee to pay for protection.”
“I don’t need payment.”
An immediate reply.
“No payment…? Don’t you have a purpose for your journey?”
“Yes, it’s a training journey to become stronger. Protecting a friend is important. I have no specific destination, so there’s no issue accompanying you.”
Makes sense, sort of.
“You don’t want to buy it?”
“That weapon has a lifespan, right? And without you, I can’t replenish ammo.”
“True.”
“I don’t want to own divine weapons. But I don’t want to miss the chance to use it for a while. If you don’t mind, I’d like to use it during our journey.”
I see. For an elf, perhaps even a long journey is short. Wanting to use his ideal weapon makes sense. We’re both boys at heart.
And who knows how long Hagg will stay with me? Having this strong elf with me is reassuring.
The answer is clear.
I extend my hand.
“…Looking forward to it, Yaralai.”
“Leave it to me.”
We shake hands firmly in the sunset-tinged wilderness.