Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-48

The training ground was situated at a corner of Port Town. It served as a crucial facility for players to hone their skills and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead in the game.

It was thoughtfully divided into two distinct sections. The first part was an indoor hall designed for close-quarter combat. The second part was an expansive outdoor area dedicated to long-range combat.

As Alan made his way toward the outdoor compound, he was met with a familiar sight. The training ground was abuzz with activity, as it appeared to have been temporarily taken over by the US military. Numerous uniformed soldiers were utilizing the facilities, honing their combat skills in preparation for the game. Alongside their training, the military had also set up a recruitment tent, eager to scout talented individuals among the player community to fill up their ranks.

Noticing a familiar presence, Alan turned his attention to the entrance of the outdoor compound. There stood the redneck group, led by Merle the Crimson Gunner.

"I thought y'all chickened out already!" Merle quipped, brimming with self-assurance.

Unperturbed by Merle's antics, Alan calmly replied, "I'm here; we can start now."

"Alright! I can't wait to beat your sorry ass!!" Merle retorted, his competitive spirit evident.

His group of five redneck companions eagerly echoed Merle's enthusiasm, excited to participate in the training session. On the other hand, Alan's group seemed a bit hesitant, as they lacked experience with firearms. However, Alan encouraged them to give it a try, reminding them that every attempt would provide valuable practice. He emphasized that even if they didn't achieve high scores, the experience gained would be beneficial in the long run. Besides, reaching certain ranks could potentially earn them useful rewards.

Feeling motivated by Alan's encouraging words, his group decided to take on the challenge.

With Merle confidently leading the way, the group approached a camp where an NPC player, modeled to resemble a female officer, awaited their registration.

"Welcome to the training ground. Are you here to test your long-range combat abilities?" the NPC inquired politely.

Merle replied with a nod, "Yes, we are."

Without further ado, the NPC presented them with the details of the training mission. As the information appeared on their [Game link], excitement filled the air.

[You have joined the training mission]

[Mission One - Target practice]

[Mission Two - Obstacles]

[Reach a high enough total score to get a reward]

[1000 score - A Rank - 1000 Xp, 1000 survival points]

[900 score - B Rank - 500 Xp, 500 survival points]

[800 score - C Rank - 300 Xp, 300 survival points]

It was akin to a mini-quest, allowing players to accumulate rewards based on their performance. The beauty of this training mission was that it could be repeated multiple times during their stay in Port Town, motivating players to continuously improve their skills in preparation for future rounds.

After accepting the mission, the NPC guided them towards a panel where they could select their weapons for the training. Given the nature of the test, players were not allowed to use their custom-made or preferred weapons, such as the golden M16 that had been wagered in their bet with the redneck group.

Instead, the training ground offered a variety of rifles that were specifically designed for such testing scenarios. The weapons were categorized into three types: Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, and Automatic Rifles.

Considering the requirements of the training, most players opted for the Automatic Rifles, as they allowed for rapid and sustained fire, crucial for reaching high scores during the obstacle challenges.

[Medium Firearm - M16]

[Medium Firearm - AK 47]

[Medium Firearm - G36]

[Medium Firearm - Steyr AUG]

[Medium Firearm - SCAR]

The array of medium firearms displayed on the panel presented players with several popular choices, each with its unique advantages. Merle wasted no time in selecting his favorite choice, the M16. While most other players were suggested to utilize the Austrian-made Steyr AUG due to its superior accuracy, despite its lack of popularity in actual combat situations where damage output was critical.

Alan, however, had a different plan in mind. As everyone else took their rifles, he decided to venture into uncharted territory and shifted the panel to the [Small weapon] category and choose from the list of handguns.

[Small Firearm - M9 Baretta]

[Small Firearm - Glock 7]

[Small Firearm - Magnum 44]

[Small Firearm - Colt 1911]

[Small Firearm - 38 Revolver]

His eyes carefully scanned the options before settling on the [Colt 1911]. It was the handgun with the longest barrel, one with the best accuracy and range among the others.

Alan's unconventional choice drew surprised glances from his companions and laughter from the redneck group, who couldn't fathom why he would opt for a handgun in a long-range training mission.

"You are insane!! It's your loss!!" taunted one of the rednecks, unable to contain his amusement.

Alan ignore the man and walked towards the shooting range. As soon as he took his place, a commotion could be heard from the seats of participants and spectators alike. From their voices, it was clear the commotion was caused by the famous name that had just appeared in the field, 'Merle Rooker'. "That's a veteran! He's the Crimson Gunner!"

The title 'veteran' held great significance in the game. It symbolized seasoned players who had demonstrated exceptional skill and prowess during previous game iterations. As a result, the Crimson Gunner's presence added an extra layer of anticipation and tension to the already exciting training ground.

As the word spread among the spectators about the presence of the Crimson Gunner, murmurs of recognition and admiration echoed through the training ground. Many players had seen the Crimson Gunner's impressive skills in action during the previous year's game, and his reputation preceded him.

"Wow, to be in a group with the Crimson Gunner, that's some bad luck!" exclaimed a spectator, expressing the sentiment shared by many around him.

Merle approached Alan with a small, cocky smile, clearly reveling in the attention he was receiving. "Know what kind of man you're dealing with now?!" he boasted.