Volume 1, Chapter 10 – Attempts to Be a Soldier
"Yes, sir," the Soldier snapped, as if I'd asked him for his breakfast instead of permission to shoot.
Hoo-oo-oh!
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM...
Click-click.
It was incredible! Such relief in my soul, as if I'd shot for a lifetime.
This is the coolest thing that's happened to me in this world so far. First item on the list — done!
I relaxed my hands, handing the pistol back to the Soldier. He mechanically emptied the magazine, inserted a new one, and holstered the weapon.
I was drenched in sweat. The sun was blazing, but the breeze was cooling my back perfectly, as if carrying away all the weight I'd carried until today.
I felt like I'd been reborn. Oh, right... I actually was reborn.
My eyes fell on the XM-7 hanging behind the Soldier's back. Maybe I should try that now? So exciting! I want to shoot more!
The sun, the breeze, the pleasant smell from the surviving forest — it all calmed me down, and I just wanted to keep shooting while my hands were itching for it.
"Give me the rifle," I said, filling my lungs with air, nervously rolling up the sleeves of my black shirt.
The Soldier deftly slipped the XM-7 off his shoulder and handed it to me. I took it. It was sand-colored, but covered in black attachments — it looked packed from all sides. I definitely need to get stronger, because holding it was already a bit uncomfortable, unlike the pistol.
I slung the thick strap over my shoulder — it immediately started pressing me down toward the ground, and the cold metal tingled against my fingers.
There was so much on it: several sights — one long, another small one on the side, a flashlight, a laser, a large underbarrel attachment below, a long black suppressor. I ran my fingers over it — the metal was matte and warm from the sun. And it all weighed about six kilograms. How does the Soldier carry this all the time?!
I looked around for something to shoot at. The fort wasn't interesting anymore — it was a wall I could hardly miss. Then I spotted the forest. That's what I needed.
I tried to sling the rifle over my back like the Soldier did — and it pulled me toward the ground, making me stagger backward. The sun blinded me, and I was already falling.
Grab!
I opened my eyes and saw the Soldier holding me by the shoulder — without bending his back, and quite painfully.
I lifted myself up, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand, and with effort brought the rifle back into my hands.
"Thanks..." I said, looking at the Soldier with a bit of guilt.