Chapter 332
Firearms are practically essential weapons in modern warfare. On Earth, they rank among the most powerful weapons a human can carry.
In FBO, however, the position of firearms can be summed up in one phrase: "Powerful, but cost-ineffective."
The reasons are simple. All guns are treated as ancient relics, meaning few people can maintain their complex mechanisms. Furthermore, unlike Earth, there are no established maintenance factories, so all parts and ammunition must be handmade and one-off creations.
Considerable effort is required to increase firepower—sourcing materials for bullet tips and primers, even changing the type of propellant inside—all of which drives up operational costs.
In this world, monsters are commonplace that can shrug off being shot in a vulnerable spot like an eyeball with a lump of iron and keep moving. There are even patterns where creatures have no eyes or other such snipe-able weak points to begin with.
Therefore, the mainstream tactic for firearms in FBO is to use large-caliber weapons, like anti-material rifles, to blast through scales, carapaces, and other armor.
This, of course, makes one's wallet even colder due to ammunition costs. FBO players who used guns needed to maintain two NPCs: a mechanic and a financier.
While one could call it an unfortunate position, it was proven that guns *were* strong if you set up the proper environment, so there was always a dedicated group of players who used them.
And now, right before my eyes, a Gatling gun—a weapon that makes you tilt your head and ask, "This *is* a fantasy world, right?"—is attempting to unleash its fury upon me.
If you built dedicated factories and facilities, the threat level of this Gatling gun would skyrocket, but an NPC like Boldrinde couldn't possibly arrange that. Besides, looking closely, it appears somewhat old and worn.
Probably, they just managed to acquire a well-preserved one excavated from some ruins.
Even if it's an antique-like weapon, getting hit by it would be disastrous.
So, let me teach you the close-combat fighter's method for dealing with firearms from FBO.
"Step 1: Watch the muzzle closely."
In FBO, the terror of firearms boils down to the problem of how to deal with projectiles approaching at tremendous speed.
It's utterly impossible for human reflexes to dodge a bullet after it's been fired.
Therefore, if the bullet travels in a straight line, you can reliably avoid it simply by moving your body out of the line extending from the muzzle.
"Step 2: Move your body according to the direction the muzzle is pointing."
And with the stats acquired in this world, you can replicate superhuman game-like movements with extremely high precision.
"The key here is to think not in two-dimensional left-right movements, but to consciously move in three dimensions."
The fact that I can see the fired bullets is probably a benefit of my stat-based abilities. It's much easier to dodge than it was in FBO.
Or am I able to dodge them simply because it's an unmodified Gatling gun? The thought of if this were a player-made Gatling gun sends a slight chill down my spine.
"By moving not just on the ground, but using walls, ceilings, or even weapons to make your movement trajectory irregular, you make it difficult for the opponent to aim. If you do this, firearms basically won't hit you."
While moving at high speed, I gradually closed the distance. The pressure plate traps in this hall were frozen and sealed, and I could advance without issue by using my spear to break through parts of the barrier maze to create a path.
"And when most shooters realize they can't hit you, they lay down a suppressive barrage like this, scattering shots everywhere."
As I advanced, they spread their fire, trying to prevent me from getting closer and making it impossible to dodge.
"But honestly, this kind of bullet hell isn't very scary."
However, that attack is a poor move in FBO.
"After all, while scattering bullets creates area coverage, it lacks density."
A single gun emplacement cannot stop a min-maxed FBO character.
Crossing my arms to protect my face, I charged straight forward.
By normal reasoning, this is nothing short of suicidal. Even tools designed to stop bullets, like ballistic fiber or vests, would find it difficult—no, impossible—to stop Gatling gun rounds. They would simply penetrate. Even if they didn't, the impact would shatter bones, tear flesh, and turn a person to mincemeat.
But, the armor crafted in this world is incomparably sturdier than Earth's materials, and my physique is absurdly robust.
"So, if you deploy Magic Edge on your arms and defend with mana like this, you can break through easily."
Fundamentally, there are tons of skills that directly challenge physical phenomena. Tank-type skills that increase shield strength could allow you to advance gradually, but it would probably be tough with the current quality of the knights' equipment.
However, with my stats and the strength of my Magic Edge, I can block the shots without issue, feeling only minor impacts.
Therefore, it's best to break through while taking minimal necessary damage.
By choosing to break through rather than dodge, they frantically tried to swing the muzzle back towards me, but it's too late.
"And the moment they start focusing on hitting me, you attack the shooter with a thrown weapon. This disrupts their aim, making them even easier to dodge."
I moved erratically in all directions to create confusion. Mid-movement, I threw a dagger at the shooter, forcing a support member to stretch out an arm to shield them.
"When there are obstacles like this barrier making movement difficult, using area attacks to clear space is also important. Also, if you know the layout of the obstacles, using smoke bombs to block their vision is effective."
While they desperately tried to aim and continue attacking me...
"Well, anyway, by preparing a close-range threat like this to draw the enemy's attention, it's time for the finishing move.""Hound Lightning!""Snipping them from behind in one go is the simplest method."
You mustn't forget my comrades.My relentless, bizarre advance probably filled them with the fear that they had to take me down quickly.
Of course, that was my plan all along, so everything went according to script.
"This is the basic tactic against firearms: a surprise attack enabled by hate management. A shooter whose attention is focused forward, forgetting the advantage of their range, is nothing to fear."
Pierced by lightning, the covert operative shooter slumped backward, spewing black smoke.They frantically tried to replace the shooter, but I wasn't about to let that replacement happen. I surged forward, swung my spear, and cut down the black-clad operatives surrounding the Gatling gun.
"And that's it. Area cleared."
Having secured the Gatling gun, I turned around to see Lady Esmeralda, staff in hand, wearing an exasperated smile.
"Simple, right?""I see. It is simple.""It might be simple for you, Lady Claudia, but for us mages, it seems easier to fight a battle of bombardment while defending with Magic Shield.""Wouldn't it be faster for me to advance while blocking with the axe-head of my halberd?""Hmm, this one believes he could manage by getting his eyes accustomed and cutting down a few bullets."
Upon hearing it declared 'simple,' Claudia nodded in understanding, while Lady Esmeralda judged that trading fire while defending with a Magic Shield was better than running around at high speed. I had asked them to attack during the opening I created while drawing attention by dodging initially, which made things go smoothly. But indeed, Lady Esmeralda's method is also correct, in its own way.
"Your method would work too, Lady Esmeralda, but it's dangerous unless you're certain the frontliners can block. There are also anti-magic bullets; if one of those penetrates, it would be bad. It's safer to avoid gunfire whenever possible. Also, Genjiro, if you misjudge the timing you'll get hurt, so don't try that 'cutting bullets' thing live for the first time. We can probably confiscate this Gatling gun, so we'll incorporate it into training later. Until then, prioritize evasion in your actions."
However, since their methods involved some degree of risk, I gave them various warnings before beckoning Nell and the others into the hall, instructing them to avoid triggering any remaining traps.
"Alright, we'll leave this Gatling gun in your care. We're moving ahead.""Sir!"
Entrusting the area to the saluting knights who would secure our rear, I led Genjiro and his red-armored warriors forward.The area ahead is unmapped, so we advanced cautiously.
"Ah, there's a trap there."
The fact that traps remain here and there suggests covert operatives are still around. We can probably expect one or two more troublesome encounters.
"Probably a hidden passage over there. If you operate that sconce, I think it leads to the area with the windows in the hall. Go secure it."
By observing the ruins, I can generally tell where traps are set and where hidden rooms might be.
"How do you know, Liberta? This is your first time here, right?""Maybe I can see a sort of pattern or habit? Plus, experience."
The ancient ruins in FBO surprisingly had tendencies or rules. When the architectural style is similar, the locations of hidden rooms and passages often follow similar patterns.I don't know if the same person made them or if they used the same blueprint, but if I keep pointing out spots that turn out to have hidden passages or rooms, even Nell will be surprised.
"How are you identifying the traps? I'd like to learn for future reference."
While amazed by the ruins, Claudia seemed deeply interested in how I was detecting the traps.
"You observe while considering the opponent's habits, and you'll find there's often a sense of incongruity. For example, the person who set these traps has a habit of hiding the real threat while making things look hastily prepared. If you search near this trap... see, here? The paving stones have been altered, disguised, but there are traces. There's probably a pressure plate trap underneath."
When it comes to trap detection, it really just comes down to the observational skills honed by conquering high-difficulty, brutal trap dungeons, but saying that wouldn't be very helpful.So, I taught them the theory derived from that accumulated experience.
"Also, there are signs they tried to use this ruin's existing traps as decoys, so pay attention to that area and disarm them...""You're quite skilled at this, even without a skill.""For magical traps, you'd need a dedicated skill, but for manually installed physical traps, you can disarm them without one. Oh, Ingrid, could you grab that wire over there?""This one here?""Yeah, if you tie it to this wire over here, the trap will be disarmed. Done."
Phew, quite a murderous collection of traps.Whoever set these was solely focused on repelling intruders, assuming they wouldn't be coming from inside.
I can tell that forcing our way through would trigger a chain reaction with disastrous results. I can also see the intent to buy time by making us disarm them. The person who set these has a quite twisted personality.Balancing the desire to buy time with the intent to kill is no easy feat.
As I disarmed trap after trap, the lack of enemy attacks since the Gatling gun felt eerily ominous.You'd think they'd place that Gatling gun in this straight corridor, where the traps would make it harder to dodge.
"Liberta, there's a strange smell.""Poison?"
While pondering the enemy's intentions, Nell detected a strange odor. I couldn't smell it, but Nell, being a beastkin, could.Frowning, she sniffed the air and pointed ahead down the corridor as the source.
"Probably not poison.""Ingrid, use Air Clean just in case.""Understood."
If it's a mist-type poison, Ingrid's Air Clean can handle it.The problem is if it's not poison, but something else producing the foul odor.
We know there are snakes here for sure, but if it's not them, could there be an ogre or something hiding?