With the Weapon Modification Workshop complete, Thomas learned the "Birth of a Gunsmith" skill, his sixth.
[Weapon Modification Workshop]
Type: Hideout Facility
Effect 1:
- Daily random tactical accessory refresh (80% common, 19% rare, 1% epic).
- Weapon modification blueprint refresh every three days (90% common, 9.5% rare, 0.5% epic).
Effect 2: +10% weapon modification skill effectiveness and +10% experience gain.
Effect 3: +20 Focus.
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[Gunsmith]
Type: Rare Life Skill
Description: Smart people never use unfamiliar weapons. Brilliant people modify their own. Only the best become Gunsmiths.
Effects:
- Restores weapon durability during maintenance.
- Significantly reduces weapon malfunction rate after maintenance.
- -20% weapon modification time.
- Chance of performance enhancements after modification (+5% to all stats; -50 vertical and horizontal recoil; +100 effective range; +15 ergonomics; -0.5 MOA accuracy; +100 RPM fire rate; -15% jam chance).
- At max level: Chance of "Epiphany" during modification, granting a weapon modification blueprint (60% common, 30% rare, 10% epic). Allows for free customization of weapon performance.
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Experience: 0/10000
How to gain experience: Modify, repair, and maintain weapons; create weapon modification blueprints; kill enemies with modified weapons.
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Thomas was pleased. A common blueprint already lay on the workshop’s workbench. He tucked it away for later. The Gunsmith skill also provided a list of craftable components: grips, handguards, barrels, rails, magazines, stocks, and various tactical accessories – hundreds of parts in all.
Thomas was momentarily stunned. He’d anticipated a complex process, but this was even more daunting than the bullet crafting list. “This is good… this is good… it’s a good thing!” he repeated, reassuring himself.
He already envisioned the long-term potential of the Ammo Expert and Gunsmith skills. Though overwhelming at first glance, mastering them would yield immense benefits. He’d achieve self-sufficiency in firearms and ammunition, crafting specialized rounds and customized weapons. This would also revolutionize his economic prospects.
By mastering these skills, he’d gain an unparalleled understanding of firearms and ballistics, moving beyond simple trading and scavenging. He could return to his previous model of monopolizing trade with unique products, like the Nourishing Mutton Stew. He’d control the market, setting his own prices.
Arms dealing was always lucrative, especially in a world where survival was paramount. People would pay a fortune for a reliable weapon and armor-piercing rounds. Supplies could be replaced; life couldn’t. Even his Explosives skill could be monetized in the same way.
Unlike the Mutton Stew, which was only in demand during the freezing weather, the market for weapons and ammunition was constant. As long as new players entered the Apocalypse Game, his business would thrive.
“A valuable skillset is essential in this world,” he mused. Closing the panel, he left the Weapon Modification Workshop. He had other priorities today.
He stood before the far wall on the lower level, holding the Hideout Shooting Range blueprint. “With the Bullet Workshop and Weapon Modification Workshop complete, it’s time for this.”
He used the blueprint. A shimmering light projected onto the wall.
[Shooting Range] Construction Countdown: 3 hours.
“Excellent! I wonder how big it will be. Hopefully, it’s spacious.”
The workbench, gym, and trophy display case then finished construction.
[Hideout Workbench]
Type: Hideout Facility
Effect 1: +20% crafting success rate, -25% accident rate, -20% crafting time, +5% item effectiveness.
Effect 2: +10% experience gain for related crafting skills.
Effect 3: +20 Focus.
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[Hideout Gym]
Type: Hideout Facility
Effect 1: 30 minutes of exercise grants permanent increases to Strength, Metabolism, and Stress Resistance.
Effect 2: 1 hour of exercise grants permanent increases to Endurance, Vitality, Health, and Immunity.
Note: Each effect applies only once per day.
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[Trophy Display Case]
Type: Hideout Facility
Effect 1: Displaying enemy dog tags grants combat skill experience based on the number of calamities the enemy survived.
Effect 2: Displaying crafted items grants life skill experience based on the item's level, type, complexity, and value.
Note: The display case can hold one to five item types. The more unified the display, the greater the experience bonus. Exceeding five types negates the bonus.