TRPM 307

chapter 307

Before my regression, I had learned many weapon skills.

Starting with swordsmanship, then spear techniques, staff techniques… basically, if it seemed related to martial arts, I picked it up.

I even dabbled in archery.

Of course, the one I used the most was swordsmanship.

But even I had never fired a gun.

It’s not that no awakened person used guns, but among aura users—the ones closest to martial artists like me—those who used guns were extremely rare.

The reason was simple.

It’s hard to coat a bullet with aura.

Not only was the small size of the bullet an issue, but the biggest problem was that while you could coat the front part of the bullet, you couldn’t coat the back.

A bullet is struck at the back by a gun’s firing pin, which ignites the gunpowder in the cartridge, using that explosive force to propel the projectile forward. If you coat the entire bullet with aura, the firing pin might not ignite the gunpowder at all—meaning the shot wouldn’t fire.

And doing that kind of tedious adjustment for every single bullet…

Naturally, you almost never saw aura users using guns.

So when I learned various weapons, firearms training was the one thing I skipped.

“So… the reason that doll can’t shoot is because you, Gunwoo, have never fired a gun before?”

“That’s right….”

In other words—

“If you learn firearms training, then the doll’s shooting skills will also improve immediately, right?”

“Correct.”

As troublesome as it was, I needed to learn.

Otherwise, the Uzimin inside the doll couldn’t fully demonstrate her skills.

“Then let’s start right away. Luckily, we’ve got the perfect firearms instructor right here.”

“… Hm? Me?”

“Who else? Before the Black Fog appeared, you were a competitive pistol shooter, weren’t you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

At Shin Hanji’s words, Uzimin looked a little troubled.

“I’ve never actually taught anyone before….”

She explained that while she’d been coached, she’d never instructed anyone herself, so she wasn’t sure how.

“Don’t worry. I never expected you to be a perfect teacher from the start. If needed, I’ll help. Just watch how Gunwoo shoots and say whatever comes to mind.”

“Hmm…”

“Think of this as practice. From next semester, you’ll be teaching alone anyway.”

“… Wait. What did you just say?”

Uzimin blinked, not understanding.

Shin Hanji said it as if it were obvious:

“Did you think I’d let you just hang around after moving in with me? No way. Starting next semester, you’re the firearms instructor.”

“You never said that…!”

Uzimin’s eyes widened, but Shin Hanji just smiled and explained why she had no choice.

“You died and came back to life. Where else could you live? Obviously, either at my house or Gunwoo’s house. But it’d be weird for a grown woman to freeload at a student’s home, right?”

“Ugh… well, that’s true…”

“Plus, don’t you want to try all the foods of this era, like that hamburger earlier? That costs money. I’m not giving you handouts, so wouldn’t it be better to earn a fair salary as an instructor?”

“Argh…! Using food as hostage—that’s low…!”

And so, it was decided that Uzimin would work as a firearms instructor starting next semester.

“Enough talk about work. Shouldn’t you start teaching Gunwoo? Do well—your salary might depend on how good a teacher you are.”

“Fine! Fine, I’ll do it!”

Uzimin let out a big sigh and turned to me.

“So, Gunwoo, right? Since you’ve never shot before, I guess you haven’t done your military service yet? How old are you?”

“… Hm?”

Military service? Awakened ones didn’t go to the military….

… Oh. Two hundred years ago, that wasn’t the case.

Back then, awakened people had only just appeared. Anyway—

“I’m fifteen.”

“… What? You’re a minor?! Fifteen—so middle school?!”

Where should I even start correcting her? Should I point out that she thought I was an adult until now, or that she mistook me for a middle schooler?

Shin Hanji chuckled and explained:

“Gunwoo, two hundred years ago they didn’t count age the same way. Back then, fifteen usually meant you were in middle school, second year.”

“… I see.”

Another new fact learned.

“Uzimin. In our terms, Gunwoo is seventeen.”

“… Still high school. First year, then.”

“Yes.”

“… So you’re saying a high schooler who isn’t even an adult brought me back to life?”

“Gunwoo is very talented for his age.”

Anyway—

“Shall we begin the shooting lesson?”

“Ah, right. Okay.”

Though still confused by the time gap, Uzimin soon grew serious and began instructing.

“First, posture… I trained one-handed since I was a competitor. Should I make him use both hands?”

“Better ask Gunwoo.”

“I don’t plan on using guns much, so I’ll just learn in a way similar to how you shoot, Uzimin.”

She nodded.

“Alright. Extend your right arm with the pistol straight out…”

I did as she said, pointing toward the target.

“… Even at your age, the gun doesn’t feel heavy? This pistol’s heavier than it looks.”

“Don’t worry. Out of the three of us, Gunwoo’s physical ability is the best.”

“Hm? Well… in that case, fine.”

She continued guiding me. I adjusted the sights until the rear and front aligned.

“Wait. Your elbow bent when you lined up the sights. That’s wrong.”

“Yes.”

I immediately fixed my stance.

Once my posture looked decent, she said:

“Good. Now aim at the target.”

I focused on the small target in the distance. Though small, my eyes caught it clearly.

“Wow… Even while breathing, your stance doesn’t waver. Now hold your breath briefly to steady the barrel, then pull the trigger.”

I held my breath.

“….”

And when the barrel lined up perfectly with the target—

Bang!

I fired.

“… No need to fight the recoil. Better to let your arm bend a little than to strain yourself.”

… Maybe because I was nervous, I had been forcing my stance. I’d fix it next time.

While I thought that, Shin Hanji brought the target over.

“You were a little off.”

“That’s fine. The gun’s sights were misaligned anyway.”

Uzimin adjusted the sights, then handed it back.

“Try again.”

I took the corrected gun and fired once more—

“Oh… this time you hit.”

“Two millimeters off, but since this is a training pistol, some deviation is expected.”

Not a perfect bullseye, but close enough.

“My turn.”

Uzimin quickly took the gun, got into stance, and without hesitation—

Bang!

The bullet pierced dead center of the target.

“See? Now that Gunwoo’s learning, my body feels lighter.”

But she frowned slightly.

“Still not enough.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t do rapid fire like before. Gunwoo takes too long between shots.”

… Meaning, because I was too slow, she couldn’t unleash her full ability.

“… Hey! Why the long face?!”

Before I knew it, she was roughly ruffling my hair.

“???”

I didn’t understand why.

“Why look so down when you’re still just a kid?”

“…”

“I trained for years. If some fifteen-year-old caught up to me in a day, that’d hurt my pride.”

And besides—

“Thanks to this doll you made, even if I can’t rapid fire, my psychic-enhanced bullets hit much harder. Honestly, I’m stronger than before.”

So don’t look like it’s your fault. Just study and play like someone your age.

“Leave dangerous stuff like the Black Fog to adults like me, okay?”

“…”

I stayed silent at her words.

“Pffft… Hahaha…”

Shin Hanji struggled to hold back laughter watching us.

…

Does Uzimin seriously think I’m weak?

Well, I had fumbled with the gun, so maybe that’s why.

But hadn’t Shin Hanji just said my physical ability was the best?

And I blocked her attack back at the fast-food place too.

Had Uzimin forgotten all that?

As I was thinking—

“She’s simple-minded. Once she believes something, she sticks to it.”

Shin Hanji whispered via message magic.

I asked back in a whisper:

“So she’s just completely mistaken?”

“Pretty much.”

…

“And you’re not going to correct her?”

“Nope. It’s funnier this way.”

True. It’d be interesting to see what Uzimin did, thinking I was weak. Maybe this is why “hidden powerhouse” stories are so popular.

“If anything dangerous happens, call me right away, okay? I’ll come running to save you.”

“… Okay….”

I answered, glancing at Shin Hanji trying hard not to burst out laughing.

And for the record…

“Khhk… pfft…!”
“Ahahaha…!”

Some students had stayed in the dorms during break, and a few of them had filmed the scene of Uzimin telling me that—then uploaded it to online communities.

At least, Uzimin didn’t know yet.