Ethol Academy: A Workshop.
As I descended into the basement, Reida, the blacksmith's alluring older sister, greeted me.
"Um~~ Isn't that Yuuna's handsome boyfriend?"
"It seems that way."
She stood by the sweltering furnace, gazing at me with slightly intoxicated eyes.
Did she really indulge in some daytime drinking?
"You remembered me."
"Remember? How could anyone forget after seeing your face?"
It was quite refreshing to receive compliments in such a manner.
"Hmm, so? Have you already acquired the Demonic Power?"
Without further ado, I unveiled the "Masugang—Moonlight," prompting Reida to approach with curiosity.
"You've consumed something incredible. I'll refine it for you right away."
"Will I be able to shoot beams using a pistol?"
"No, you won't. However, this should be worth more than thousands of other demon powers. I suppose it could lend you some magical power for a short while."
"Magical power!"
Is that even possible?
Would that mean the Glock would evolve into a magic gun?
'Would it be a waste to infuse the Glock with this?'
"Should I use this pistol?"
"Hmm…"
In the future, when I face highly defensive monsters like shark giants,
I want to possess a firearm capable of effectively taking them down by combining distinct characteristics.
Wouldn't it have been better if I'd started with that from the beginning?
I didn't know that merely strengthening the pistol would be insufficient.
"Have you considered another weapon?"
"Yes. For now, please enhance the Glock with this Magic Beast Steel."
I produced the Grade B Magic Beast Steel that I had acquired through party distribution.
"Hmm. So you got this high-quality Magic Beast Steel from the academy."
"I was fortunate."
"If your luck remains consistent, that's a skill of its own. Let's see if you possess it too."
As I augmented the Glock, I paid a visit to the gun shop.
I encountered someone I had seen there before.
"Oh."
"Hmm?"
Dale Hardnet.
He's the handsome S-class Hunter who took charge of measuring the training dummy last week.
Meeting him at the academy was unexpected, as he wasn't even a student there, but it made sense that we might cross paths in a gun shop.
Did he find what he was searching for here?
"Have you decided to use a gun?"
"Ah, yes."
"What type?"
"The shotgun."
Dale nodded.
"It's better for beginners."
Indeed, isn't this the perfect opportunity to get advice from an S-ranked hunter?
As it happens, Dale is a gun-wielding hunter. He currently had a black shotgun slung over his shoulder with a strap.
"Creatures of B rank and above have immense defensive capabilities. Is there something with great one-hit destructive power?"
"A recommendation, you mean?"
"I'd be grateful if you could. It seems you use one yourself."
Dale cringed upon hearing me call him "teacher."
"Drop the 'teacher.' Just call me Dale."
"Dale, isn't a shotgun the best for one-hit destructive power?"
"It does have its advantages in dungeons. It rarely jams, and its destructive power is high. It doesn't fall short compared to other special weapons in that aspect."
This person probably struggled a lot initially due to weapon malfunctions, right?
Inside the dungeon, I could sense a peculiar camaraderie among those who wield guns.
"What kind are you looking for?"
"Something big and hefty."
Together, Dale and I moved towards the wall, displaying an array of shotguns.
Unlike a pistol, the barrel of this firearm is notably longer, which lends a distinct sense of intimidation. Before, when confronted by monstrous creatures that effortlessly dodged bullets, merely possessing a pistol provided a sense of security.
Now, however, I find that a pistol no longer suffices, as I've gradually grown accustomed to navigating the treacherous depths of the Academy Dungeon.
"If you seek potent destructive power at close range, would a shotgun shell—a 12-gauge shot—suffice?" I wondered aloud.
"Isn't a 20-gauge shot more powerful?" came the reply.
"To think that you came to choose a firearm without even knowing that..."
I had assumed that a higher number would indicate a stronger force.
"So, you're saying the 12-gauge shot is more powerful?"
"Yes, it represents the number of lead pellets that can be made from a pound of lead. The fewer the number, the larger and heavier the lead pellets."
"I see…"
Dale examined several shotguns as he spoke.
"Kim Sang-hyuk, why are you so fixated on a weapon with such immense single-shot destruction? To make a recommendation tailored to your needs, I must first understand your intentions."
Can I reveal my reasons? Considering I have been diligently adhering to the "student of interest" protocols and have effectively become a model student, perhaps sharing a little wouldn't hurt.
"I have a skill that can assuredly triumph once it's been sufficiently shocked."
Dale glanced at me.
It seemed he was concerned about whether I was sincere.
"Then… slug rounds?"
"Slug rounds?"
"It's a solid mass of lead. It can kill an elephant."
"Do you hate elephants?"
Dale chuckled.
"If you want to strike someone you dislike, buckshot that finely shreds shrapnel to inflict pain is more useful. Slug rounds aren't suitable. They would simply die."
"Are they that potent?"
"Even if you're wearing a bulletproof vest that blocks bullets, if hit in the chest, it can cause ribcage rupture; if hit in the abdomen, abdominal cavity rupture. All the internal organs would be devastated. That being said, it doesn't work as well when you go beyond Class A."
I wondered what kind of world Class A was in.
If you can't even harm someone with slug rounds, which boast the strongest stopping power with solid lead projectiles, what should you attack with?
A grenade launcher?
'Ah. That wouldn't work either.'
I thought of Isabella's Devil Suit.
Considering that even before equipping it, the rifle bullets didn't suffer a single scratch, it would be a challenge to confront our student council president, even with an armored vehicle.
"Slug, that's nice."
Certainty is always the best.
「Excretion Slug」
It already feels quite vile, doesn't it?
"There's a downside, too. Shotguns are basically designed to spray metal, so they don't need steel wires, but slug rounds require them."
"Does it have poor accuracy?"
"If you go beyond the effective range, it drops off so dramatically that it seems excessive. It's just a lump of lead, so you can see the trajectory drawing a rainbow."
"…"
A rainbow trajectory...
Nonetheless, it's difficult to change my mind now that I'm drawn to the slug.
"I like the slug."
If the 12-gauge is like thrusting a small dick multiple times,
The slug is a very powerfulBig Dick」.
Is there a more suitable weapon for ultra-powerful personality expulsion?
"At that age, there are times when you become infatuated with destructive power alone."
You and I aren't that far apart in age.
At most, you're in your mid-20s.
"Shall we search for a slug gun with steel wires?"
"No. The greatest advantage of a shotgun is the ease of changing ammunition types. Make sure to learn how to utilize various rounds based on the situation."
Dale grasped a black pump-action shotgun and extended it towards me.
"This is the Benelli M3. It's the only model among Benelli shotguns that can be used with both semi-automatic and pump-action mechanisms."
"Isn't a semi-automatic system necessary for taking down an elephant?"
"Do you also dislike elephants?"
"I like them, actually. That's why I plan to use slug rounds if I ever need to catch one."
Having only used a handgun before, holding a shotgun feels quite different due to the weight in my hand. Dale spoke as he observed me trying out various stances.
"Benelli's semi-automatic system relies on the recoil during firing for continuous shots, but when using non-combat rounds, the lack of recoil might prevent proper loading."
"Ah, so manual loading in those cases?"
"It means the pump-action mechanism is more effective when using non-lethal rounds."
He had said that the shotgun's primary advantage was the ease of switching between ammunition types. In other words, lethal and non-lethal. The idea is to use them distinctly for their specific purposes.
Is this the Benelli M3?
As a skilled hunter, Dale must have felt uneasy listening to me speak as if I would only load heavy and powerful ammunition unconditionally. It was a good thing he asked.
Upon reflection, the shotgun I use doesn't need to be exceedingly powerful. It merely has to surpass my opponent's defenses. If I stubbornly insisted on using excessively large lead bullets, my personality and even my organs would be utterly destroyed before I could even expel them.
There will likely be more occasions when it's better to carefully consider each shot, one at a time.
"Thank you."
"Like me, connect it with suspenders and carry it on your shoulder. Then, when a situation arises,
With a swift motion, Dale grabbed the body of the Benelli like a guitar and spun it around to hold it correctly. Wow! Impressive!
"This is how you can switch."
"I'll purchase it immediately."
"It must be quite expensive for an academy student, right?"
2,500 coins… The Pyson wasn't cheap either, but this easily surpasses it. It's difficult to even call it a luxury for me at this point. No one can say anything about this since I've already invested $300,000 in our home.
I collected all sorts of shotgun ammunition, including non-lethal rubber bullets, and added them to my inventory.
What is this "Dragon's Breath"?
"It's a type of buckshot loaded with incendiary powder. It can set enemies ablaze. As I mentioned earlier, such ammo can sometimes jam a semi-automatic shotgun."
"In reality, it might happen occasionally, but in dungeons, it'll definitely happen."
"You have a good understanding. That's when pump action comes in handy."
Speaking of which, I never expected there to be magical fire-breathing shotgun shells.
Isn't advanced technology sometimes indistinguishable from magic?
I decided to purchase "Dragon's Breath" as well.
Keeping in mind the advice to practice switching between various types of ammunition as needed,
I bought a shotgun shell belt, loaded it with thick shells one by one, and tested my mobility.
"I'll take this, too."
Total expenditure: 5,844 coins.
Shotgun full package purchase completed.
'It's so convenient having so many coins.'
"Have you picked everything?"
"What did Dale come to buy?"
"Choke. It's an accessory for a shotgun to increase the range when needed."
"Do you really need a shotgun for long-range shooting? Can't you just use a different gun?"
Dale let out a sigh.
"I'm already committed to enhancing the shotgun, so I can't just switch. I have to learn how to adapt and use this single weapon in various ways."
It was a concern befitting an S-class hunter.
With other weapons, it was impossible to expect the same level of power as their already enhanced A-S class shotgun.
"If you plan to infuse a magic beast into your shotgun, it would be quite challenging to incorporate long-range options into your combat style. Be prepared for that."
"I've made up my mind."
Even if it was only to utilize the martial arts learned from the invincible student council president, this was the right path.
"Thank you, Dale. I'll treat you to a meal sometime."
"Alright."
They exchanged Korean-style goodbyes and left the gun shop.
"By the way, Kim Sang-hyuk. Seridwen, your teacher, mentioned that she'd be coming to see you tomorrow. Keep that in mind."
Evelyn?
It felt like it had been a long time since they last saw each other.
Well, she wasn't someone you could meet through ordinary means.
It was an odd sensation to know that someone like her would go out of her way to visit me.
'I wonder if her Glorok training is finally complete.'
I decided to go shopping for clothes before returning home. The workshops had a fair number of clothing stores. After all, one could infuse mystical steel into garments to enhance their properties—it wasn't just limited to weapons.
It was, however, quite unexpected to find a store that sold bikinis.
"What do you like, Kushina?"
Kushina peeked her head out of her onahole.
"I prefer something with lots of exposure."
"Really?"
"Definitely."
Well, that suits me just fine. Taking Kushina's preference for minimal fabric coverage into account, I selected a sultry black bikini.
This daring bikini barely covered the most essential areas, leaving little to the imagination. It was somewhat embarrassing to present it to the female shop assistant.
"Is this a gift for your girlfriend?"
"Yes."
I couldn't very well say, "No, it's an outfit for my Onahole."
"That will be 850 coins."
850 coins? How could a bikini be so expensive, especially when it barely covers anything?
Sensing the bittersweet atmosphere, the female clerk spoke hurriedly.
"Uh, it's a creation by a famous designer... Over there…"
The clerk couldn't look directly at my face and kept lowering her head.
"I'll take this one, then."
"Thank you! Please come again."
Before I could place the bikini in my Onahole inventory, Kushina's hand reached out and snatched it away.
She must like it.
'Now, it's time for my clothes.'
I want to move on from (former) Sang-hyuk's smelly clothes.
There's hardly anything decent to wear!
After purchasing various necessary items, including clothing, I returned to the blacksmith's shop.
and received the completed Glock from Miss Reida.
[Glock 19 (COMPACT)] [B+ Grade]
[Owner: Kim Sang-hyuk]
[Glock 19 compact version] Holds 15 rounds of 9-mm ammunition. [Enhanced with demonic steel, increasing shooting accuracy, rate of fire, and power.]
"Please enhance this one this time."
"Another gun?"
I handed the Benelli M3, with suspenders attached, to Reida.
"Please refine it with moonlight."
"It won't be long, so sit there and wait."
It was indeed quick.
I held the M3 that Reida brought and checked it.
There was a cold energy emanating from it. It was distinctly different from a regular gun.
[Benelli (Moonlight)] [Grade A]
[Owner: Kim Sang-hyuk]
a special weapon enhanced by the power of moonlight. [Every third bullet is imbued with the power of moonlight.]
The effect seems simpler than I thought.
But why is it Grade A?
"Reida, was it possible to achieve Grade A in one go?"
"I didn't expect it to rise that much either. Opportunities to handle such a rare magic power are scarce."
It must be quite valuable.
Yuuna definitely knew its worth, yet she graciously conceded.
I'm lucky to have such a good girlfriend.
'The power of moonlight dwells in the third bullet, huh?'
I won't know its true potential unless I try it out.
"The refinement cost is 8,000 coins."
That's expensive.
"Did you think it was free?"
A D-rank wouldn't typically have that kind of money.
What made her trust me? Reida licked her lips with her tongue.
"Don't wear such a troubled expression. There's a way to get an 80%, no, 90% discount."
"What is it?"
The offer is undeniably enticing.
"If you sleep with me, I'll grant you the discount."
"…"
It was an unimaginably bold and provocative approach to offering a discount.
*
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