The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 58

Spring had arrived.

The once chilly weather had warmed significantly, to the point that I could shed the coat draped over my shoulders. No matter how casually I wore it like a cape, the warm sunlight eventually turned it into a makeshift sauna.

Since this world was crafted by a Japanese game company from a country with four distinct seasons, it only made sense that as soon as winter ended, the warmth came rushing in. My own homeland was like that too. Just when you start wishing for a reprieve from the heat, it turns bone-chillingly cold, leaving you digging out your heavy winter coat from the closet without a chance to enjoy the autumn clothes you'd just bought.

Now, however, it was the reverse.

I was also feeling warmer because I still had the winter fur on my coat, which I didn’t really need to keep attached anymore. But... it just looked too good. It wasn’t only for show, either—it was made from real high-grade animal fur, so I kept it on.

It hadn’t even been a full month since I enrolled in the academy, but I had adjusted reasonably well. It had been quite a while since I last attended any school, yet I adapted quickly, probably because I had an inner sense of familiarity with the people around me.

After all, I’d spent countless hours encountering these characters in-game. Even though it hadn’t even been a month, it felt like I was reconnecting with old friends.

Of course, the characters I’d seen in the game were low-res, low-poly models repeating pre-written lines, not “real people.” Comparing them to my current surroundings felt almost disrespectful.

But anyway.

By the time I enrolled, the plains were already sprouting green, and now they were even more vibrantly lush. Beautiful flowers of unknown names dotted the landscape in all their colorful glory.

And there, in the middle of this picturesque meadow, I...

*sigh*

...let out a deep sigh.

I was here to test the fire-attribute Marmaros I received as a reward from Jennifer two weeks ago.

The workshop Jennifer had recommended near the academy truly had remarkable skills.

They were remarkable, indeed, but...

"Are you sure you want to use a top-tier Marmaros on a firearm?"

The workshop master gave me a look as if I were some kind of oddball.

"Is that a problem?"

I asked, glancing down at the Ergensen rifle resting on the table.

I'd used this rifle for quite a long time, but it was still in great condition. In fact, you could say it was in pristine condition. I’d fired tens of thousands of rounds with it for practice but always rewound time afterward. The end result was a rifle in nearly perfect shape, saved for only the most crucial moments.

In fact, it was probably in such good condition that any battle-hardened soldier might laugh at how pristine it looked.

"Well... not exactly," the young craftsman said, scratching the back of his head with a gloved hand. If he weren’t wearing an artisan’s apron, he could almost pass as a hidden, powerful lieutenant of the Demon Army with those narrow, squinted eyes.

"Since it’s a firearm, there’s really no need for this kind of enhancement, is there? It’d be more practical to reinforce the barrel or adjust the powder load in the ammunition. Generally, a Marmaros like this is far more effective on close-combat weapons like swords or spears."

In the game, these enhancements would just increase attack power by a few percent or allow the use of certain spells, but reality seemed to have a bit more depth to it.

Apparently, a Marmaros could imbue a weapon with effects like trailing flames after a sword strike or supercooling the blade to freeze anything it cut.

"Even if the bullets are on fire, what difference would that make to the enemy?"

"...."

Hmm...

“Is there any way to make the bullet cause a small explosion upon impact?”

“If such a bullet existed, wouldn’t the military already be using it?”

Fair enough.

This world did have large-caliber rifles, after all. Back in the days when tank armor was barely any stronger than that of armored cars, people used massive rifles in anti-tank warfare. There were also high-explosive incendiary rounds for machine guns, though... that might be a bit of a World War I thing. I'm no expert on the evolution of firearms, and I'm not sure if this kind of ammunition would even be used for sniping.

"Could it be removed after being attached?"

"Oh, that’s possible, but...”

The young craftsman glanced at me with hesitation.

“There is an extra charge for removing it. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

"Have you served on the frontlines?"

“Yes.”

I already knew this. He had a character card in the original story.

He walked naturally, but one leg was a prosthetic—a very costly one funded by his old unit-mate, Jennifer. It was full of gears and springs, moving via a coiled mechanism that wound up with each step. There was even a side quest related to it later.

“I understand.”

As a gesture of respect to the retired soldier, I stood at attention. He looked uncomfortable, but not displeased.

He wasn’t a bad person, after all.

The northern frontlines had the nominal purpose of protecting civilians and assisting the legitimate government of the Riclant Autonomous Region. They’d actually requested help. So, while it hadn’t escalated into an all-out war, retired soldiers were still treated well... for now. But as time passed, the situation would change.

Many of those currently on the battlefield had initially joined with romantic notions, only to face harsh reality.

Leaving the awkward craftsman behind, I exited the workshop.

---

Back on the deserted road.

When I returned, a few beasts were wandering around again.

Earlier, I’d fired from a distance, but now I had a shotgun. Although the spread might allow me to feel some of the Marmaros’s power from a distance, it would be most effective at close range. The direct fire from the muzzle wouldn’t reach otherwise.

"Graar...."

It wasn’t as large as the Elemental Poison Beast I’d seen before, but it was still not something a regular person should approach unarmed.

If it stood on its hind legs

, it would probably reach chest-height on me. And if you count its long ears, it might even be taller than me.

It was broad and muscular, and a hand-to-hand fight would be deadly.

You could call it a rabbit... though a very large and vicious-looking one.

...Honestly, it was ridiculous that such a monster lived this close to a road frequented by regular people. At least it wasn’t openly prowling the road like in the game.

“Grrrr...”

...And, a rabbit should not be growling like that.

*Click.*

I raised the shotgun toward the rabbit.

“RAWR!”

With a not-at-all-rabbit-like sound, it kicked off the ground with its muscular hind legs—

I immediately pulled the trigger—

*Boom!*

“Wha—!?”

—and nearly jumped as a massive burst of flames shot out from the shotgun.

The fire reached three or four meters in front of me, engulfing the space.

*Thud.*

The rabbit, charging at me, was immediately struck by the spread of twelve fiery pellets, collapsing as it hit the ground.

Its fur was charred black.

The smell of cooked meat filled the air.

“...”

Uh... okay.

Now I think I understand why Marmaros-enhanced shotguns aren’t a common military choice.