Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 532 - 363: Preparing for Action (Part 1)

Chapter 532: Chapter 363: Preparing for Action (Part 1)

Mr. Dante used an assault rifle for the first time at the range; he switched the fire selector to the single-shot mode. He started off with an integrated muzzle brake trench warfare-style assault rifle, where the muzzle brake diverts high-pressure gases to either side of the barrel, providing the shooter with ample horizontal stability. As for muzzle rise, that called for a strong chap to manage it with a grip.

The reason it was known as trench warfare-style was that such a gun was used in trenches, where there was no need to conceal oneself. The good rate of fire coupled with the 7x54mm caliber bullets provided ample lethality—the reason for the use of the long 7x54mm cartridge was to ensure sufficient penetrating power to pierce through all sorts of Chaos armor.

Thus, the gunshot was loud and the bullet penetrated the target, the deliberately constructed wall, and a 4-millimeter square brick, before creating a bowl-sized hole in the torso of a Salo beast packed within a chest plate armor.

Mr. Dante was very happy as he emptied the 31-round magazine and then patted the piece in his hand with satisfaction, "I’ve just realized that the black powder firearm my grandpa gave me can now be hung up on the wall at home."

"Same goes for that single-action revolver of yours, lad from the Mercedes household. Take a look at this thing, I can empty eight bullets in two seconds." The old Dwarf said, and without a pause, he fired off eight bullets, hitting the seven ring with seven shots and the nine ring with one.

"I prefer those long-barreled shotguns, number 8 hollow point bullets. I’ve always wanted something like this; with it, I can smash the faces of all the green-skinned Orcs I encounter," said another Dwarf.

"Gold Ingots, my old friend, it’s not about the size of the weapon, but rather that it can punch a hole in a green-skinned Orc’s skull, have the bullet tumble inside, and then blow open the back of its head on the way out, that’s what counts," commented an Elf as he picked up a 24-inch barrel M14. "Look at this firearm; I can send bullets 700 yards downrange here. I’m starting to understand my brethren; indeed, if you want to avoid a footnote in history books, you must march forward relentlessly."

"For this mission, I’ll provide the firearms and bullets free of charge. If you’d like to purchase them afterward, I can give you a 50% discount and then send that long bill to the Archbishop at the Greyvale Central Church headquarters," Malin said with a smile.

"That old lady would surely have us hanged and whipped, but I like it; I never go to Greyvale anyway," laughed a Halfling, picking up a 14-inch short-barreled M14 specially made for Malin: "Can I buy this one?"

"You may, it’s my rifle, but I have two spares," Malin nodded in agreement.

For this operation, Malin felt it was best to arm everyone to the teeth, considering that the place was a nesting ground for the zombies: "Considering this mission, I personally suggest using weapons that can be fitted with suppressors, or that are inherently silent."

"I feel the same way. We didn’t have the resources before, but now that we do, I hope everyone can get acquainted with these weapons quickly within the next two days," Dante, as the person in charge, agreed with Malin’s heroic perspective.

So, they left these guys to Xingyan... If anyone had forgotten who she was, then Malin was going to reintroduce her grandly once more. She was the only daughter of the current Great Craftsman of the workshop; still, to this day, by her looks alone, she could pack a punch as powerful as Malin’s.

Of course, that last statement wasn’t to be taken literally. Xingyan had slimmed down a lot recently, and although she was still a Dwarf, at least she truly had no belly anymore.

"No problem, I’ll provide everyone with bullets and I’ll also adjust their firearms," said Xingyan, who had recently graduated—her journey as a Martial Monk had come to an end. Last year, during a trial, she took an arrow to the knee, and by the time her classmates dragged her back, she’d missed the initial treatment window. With an injured leg, she could no longer continue on the path of a Martial Monk.

So now, she was working reception at the workshop, a job Faye had helped pick for her.

"Please, and thank you," Malin said, giving Xingyan’s arm a gentle punch—truth be told, without any giant blood manifesting, Malin really couldn’t match this lady in terms of muscle.

"Leave it to me." With things settled here, Malin went back to Latindro City alone, gave instructions to the train crew—the train could depart on schedule, as Malin would leave the coordinates at the rear carriage and would return once things here were finished.

Then Malin returned to Carterburg, starting to prepare equipment for the operation.

This mission obviously required a quiet journey, so Malin gave up his M14EBR—its large caliber resulted in excessive penetrating power. While it might be handy for controlling corridors, Malin certainly couldn’t fire a shot that, after piercing three zombies, would continue to fly and then inadvertently kill a fourth unlucky person in the woods.

It wasn’t good to attract undue attention.

Therefore, the best choice was the 81 type with a foldable short stock and a 14-inch barrel.

With a long suppressor equipped with a silent array, Electrum ensured an extended lifespan, using the 7x39mm short cartridge for reduced recoil, maintaining sufficient lethality and accuracy within 150 meters.

As for recoil... in front of Malin, generally speaking, the gun didn’t really kick back at all.

Aside from this ’long’ gun, in selecting another ’long’ gun, Malin picked a combat shotgun.

With the same long suppressor, the same short barrel, the only difference being that it was loaded with hollow point bullets—effectively breaching walls and dispatching zombies, as unanimously agreed upon by the Church of Justice and the Mage Tower.

And lastly, the M1911, a pistol whose effectiveness and lethality had been proven by Americans over time.

After making his choices, Malin began to feel a headache coming on—because the girls all said they wanted to accompany him.

Malin kicked Lillim off the team first because the little lambkin really wasn’t fit for covert operations. He then had to console her, promising to make her something delicious upon return, effectively bribing her with food.

The second to go was Faye; the half-elf girl was not particularly robust, and it would be too exhausting for her to go into the mountain regions.

The third exclusion was Maya—there was no suitable forest terrain for her in the Dark Zone, and Malin consoled her with a head pat.

The final selections were Matilda, Jessica, and Clovis.

Matilda, despite her small stature, was a Paladin by nature and quite robust, so Malin didn’t need to worry about her.

Jessica, as an awakened Werewolf, also possessed enough strength to defend herself and could take care of Clovis.

Clovis managed to get selected because of the Mage Tower; Malin was prepared to exclude her, but she turned around and got in through connections with the Mage Tower.

This made Malin very angry.

He was then bribed by Clovis with the promise of being used as a hug pillow upon their return.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.