Hazy, fragmented memories clouded Luke's vision, making it difficult to discern where he was. The dull throb in his head was a constant reminder of the disorientation he felt. The room around him seemed unfamiliar yet eerily reminiscent of a past he had tried so hard to bury.
Where am I? He wondered.
A gruff voice, dripping with disdain, pierced through the fog in his mind. “Hey you little shithead, are you still sleeping?” The voice was like a rusty nail being dragged across a chalkboard, evoking memories Luke had fervently wished to forget.
His heart pounded against his ribcage, each beat echoing the terror that gripped him. The cold sweat that formed on his brow and trickled down his spine was a testament to the raw fear that consumed him.
As he tried to piece together his surroundings, he didn’t even realize that he was no longer in his adult body. His hands, small and marred with bruises, clutched at a tattered shirt. The young, vulnerable child was gripping his heart trying to minimize the sudden pain.
His breathing became ragged, each inhalation a struggle. The weight of the memories threatened to crush him, and he felt a familiar dread rise within him. The source of his fear soon became apparent as a disheveled man loomed over him.
The man's unkempt brown hair bore a striking resemblance to Luke's, but the cold, malevolent eyes were nothing like his own. The man's face, contorted in anger, was framed by a scruffy, overgrown beard littered with remnants of his last meal.
“I-I–” Luke stammered, his voice barely a whisper, choked by the fear that gripped him. His small fingers wrapped around his throat as if trying to force out the words that refused to come.
The man's face twisted further in rage, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. “What I-I?! You got nothing else to say to me? Huh? HUH??” In his fury, the man raised a grimy bottle, its contents sloshing menacingly. The intent was clear: he was about to strike the defenseless child before him.
Instinctively, Luke's hands shot up to shield his face, bracing for the impending blow. The terror in his eyes was palpable, the raw fear of a child cornered by a monster.
Suddenly, the oppressive atmosphere was shattered by a sharp intake of breath. “Huffff!” Luke's eyes snapped open, and he found himself sitting upright, drenched in sweat. The remnants of the nightmare still clung to him, making his heart race. He clenched his fist, anger, and resentment burning in his eyes.
He gripped at his loudly beating heart, waiting for the unexplainable pain to go away.
Moments passed as his beating heart finally calmed down, and he instinctively turned his left palm.
Shock!
That was all he could feel. The unsightly scar that was supposed to be there had gone as if it never existed.
Memories of his first day at the academy of a new world suddenly started to surface as he remembered how he had blown away his right hand. Again, his head moved instinctively as he opened and closed his right hand, forming a fist to check.
“Oh, you are awake?” An aged male voice came from his left as his eyes followed. An old man in a white dress came inside, his back hunched yet his eyes still looking as lively as ever.
After he was broken out of his reverie, Luke finally took a look around the place he was currently at.
It was sterile and white, the kind of place that was designed for healing and recovery. It was one of the many wards of the academy clinic, a place where students were brought after sustaining injuries during their training or missions. The walls were adorned with soft, calming colors, and the windows were draped with light curtains that allowed the golden rays of the setting sun to filter in. The room was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs, a comforting aroma that hinted at the healing magic that permeated the place.
Luke's gaze shifted to the neatly made bed beside him, the sheets crisp and white. On a small table next to the bed lay his belongings, neatly arranged. He remembered the fierce battle with the Silvermane wolf, the adrenaline, the fear, and the momentary lapse in judgment that had resulted in his hands being blasted. The memory was still fresh, and he flexed his fingers, marveling at how they felt as good as new.
A chuckle from the old healer brought him back to the present. "You should be more careful, young man," The old man said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But then again, that's what I'm here for."
Luke bowed his head slightly, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you for healing me, sir."
The old healer waved his hand dismissively, his laughter echoing in the room. "It's just my job, lad. And please, just call me Wang. 'Sir' makes me feel ancient."
Luke smiled, "I'll remember that."
Wang glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Good heavens! It's already 6:30 pm! You've been asleep for hours. You should get going; the academy grounds can be a bit tricky to navigate at night."
Luke nodded, quickly gathering his belongings. "Thank you again."
As Luke stepped out of the room, Wang watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He stroked his beard, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and pity. "Such a young soul, just what kind of suffering has he gone through to make those expressions while sleeping," he murmured to himself. "May the goddess Eve watch over him and guide his path."
The clinic's corridors were quiet, the only sound being the soft footsteps of Luke as he made his way out. The events of the day weighed heavily on his mind.
“I really need to do something about this whole gun situation before blowing up my entire body next time.” He had already let go of his nightmare and was back to recapping his fight with the Silvermane wolf. His first fight in this world. It was nothing like he had planned, nor was it satisfactory, but he was glad to have come out of it alive.
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“Should I just start dual-wielding guns? Or keep one extra with me?” They were possible options, but Luke shook his head. It didn’t solve anything in the long term. It was like being able to fire two extra bullets before the ultimate reload. If he was in a situation where he had to fight multiple enemies or an enemy that wouldn’t go down in just a few bullets, this wouldn’t help him much.
For the short term, carrying more than one gun seemed like the right idea, but he’d definitively need a better method for the long term.
Just then, he remembered the translucent screens that had popped up in front of him before he lost consciousness.
He instantly brought back those screens with a mere thought.
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Image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/852793029303468083/1153806871535296533/e65bc2f7-a4d9-49e4-a8d0-f57e4b558a52.png?width=984&height=823]
Sub-quest completed:
You have finally kickstarted your journey as a true Gunner and have passed the mock test!
Quest clear condition: Kill or subdue the beast.
Quest status: Completed!
Quest Reward: [Gunner Craftsmanship (Normal)] has been acquired!
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Image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/852793029303468083/1153827196490752000/9ffb9c26-a92a-47d0-84fd-77cea32f2513.png?width=1080&height=715]
Achievement Unlocked!:
Fire a gun for the first time!
Rewards: +2 Dexterity
Master of Guns (Beginner) (Passive)
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The evening sun cast long shadows on the academy grounds, painting the world in hues of orange and gold. Luke's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, primarily about the rewards he had just discovered. But as he stepped out of the clinic, another matter demanded his attention.
Trenton, with his back against a tree, looked up as Luke emerged. The setting sun illuminated his features, revealing a mix of apprehension and determination. As their eyes met, Trenton pushed himself off the tree and approached Luke with a brisk pace.
Luke's internal monologue was dripping with sarcasm. Of course, just what I needed. Another typical young master encounter. He rolled his eyes inwardly but kept his face impassive, not giving Trenton the satisfaction of seeing any reaction.
"Hey, wait!" Trenton called out, but Luke continued walking, his strides purposeful and steady.
"Wait up! I'm not here to cause trouble." Trenton's voice had a hint of desperation, making Luke pause and turn. The sight of Trenton, slightly out of breath and scratching his head in embarrassment, was almost comical.
Luke's eyebrows quirked up in mock surprise. Could it be? He mused dramatically in his mind.
Seeing that he had Luke's attention, Trenton took a deep breath, his face reddening slightly. "Look, I was out of line earlier. I shouldn't have mocked you, especially given how things turned out in the combat test. So... I'm sorry."
Luke tilted his head, feigning deep thought. "Oh?" he drawled, clearly enjoying Trenton's discomfort.
Trenton sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I was just being petty because of your high bid, that’s more money than what my noble father has spent on me till now. Well anyway, we would've been toast without you. So, thanks."
A slight smirk played on Luke's lips. A reasonable person in this world of mad folks? Miracles do happen. He mused. "If you're genuine, then we're good."
Relief washed over Trenton's face as he followed Luke who had already started walking again. "Great! By the way, you're in the C-ruby dorm, right? I'm in B-gold. We can share a tram since they're close."
Luke shrugged, his earlier amusement fading. "Do as you wish."
Trenton, not one to be deterred easily, grinned. "Come on, don't be so standoffish. Let's be pals."
Luke shot him a sidelong glance, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You know, I was half-tempted to shoot you earlier. Count your blessings."
Trenton gulped, the playful atmosphere suddenly charged with tension. "You're joking, right?"
The two continued their banter as they boarded the tram, the vehicle humming to life and carrying them towards the dorms. The journey was short, and soon Trenton alighted, waving Luke goodbye.
As Luke approached the C-ruby dorm, he noticed a few familiar faces from his class in the lounge. Their curious gazes followed him, but he paid them no mind, his thoughts already on the rewards he had yet to explore. He made a beeline for his room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. Collapsing onto his bed, he let out a deep sigh.
Soon after, he opened up the details of the rewards he had gotten.
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Image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/852793029303468083/1153819398855999608/533558ea-ac05-459f-b637-629128a6686f.png?width=891&height=823]
Master of Guns (Beginner):
Type: Passive Skill
You're on the path to becoming a true gun master!
Passive effects: Additional 5% range on top of a gun's range.
Bonus 5% damage to every ranged attack.
Additional 25% damage multiplier on critical hits.
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Image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/852793029303468083/1153821441704329296/4f0e60eb-27c5-4961-82ed-516a8714e381.png?width=750&height=823]
Gunner Craftsmanship:
Type: Class Skill
Rarity: Normal
As a gunner in this world of uneducated wand-wielding monkeys, it is your own duty to make sure you carry out the best weapons in your hands!
Active skill: Repair (Unlocked)
Active skill: Enhance (Unlocked)
Active skill: Craft (Locked) [Unlock conditions: Better understanding of guns]
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The description of [Master of Guns (Beginner)] was pretty straightforward, but the description of [Gunner Craftsmanship] was very vague. And no matter how much he tried, the system just won’t give him more details.
A better understanding of guns? Well, let’s try what we can for now.
And hence, Luke’s eventful day came to an end. The next morning, Luke woke up, almost forgetting that from today the academy’s time would be from 8 a.m. in the morning.
Thanks to his habit of waking up early, he made it just in time, even though he had to sacrifice his morning jog for that. Amazingly enough, everyone else was on time too.
Soon after, their homeroom professor, Elric entered.
“Today’s going to be a long day, I wish you all the best of luck,” Elric said in a passive tone, making a hushed chattering erupt in class.
Trenton, Luke’s seat neighbor tried to talk to Luke too, but the latter just gave him an uninterested stare and focused towards the professor.
“Silence. Today is the day you select your first partners that you might be with throughout your life.” Elric’s words caused even more confusion amongst the otherworlders, but the native Eldorians finally seemed to have caught on to something as their faces lit up with joy.
“Yes, it’s exactly as your fellow classmates have assumed. Today is Professor Martha’s class, and you lot will be doing your first familiar summoning.”