Chapter 39: Training Grounds [Bonus]

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Training Grounds [Bonus]

Daniel stepped forward.

The lizard was charging. Its massive legs kicked up sand. Its tail whipped behind it. Its mouth was open, revealing rows of sharp teeth. It was fast. Faster than before.

Daniel reached into his inventory and summoned his guns. Both of them. The Golden Jack pistols appeared in his hands, gleaming in the moonlight. He raised them, aiming at the approaching creature.

Then he stopped.

He lowered the guns. He looked at Lyra. Then back at the lizard. Then back at Lyra.

"Hey," he said. "You want to be an adventurer, right?"

Lyra blinked. "What? Now?"

"Yeah. Now." Daniel gestured at the lizard with one of his guns. "This is a good training ground. Perfect, actually. A real monster. A real fight. Real stakes."

Lyra stared at him. "You want me to fight that thing?"

"I want you to try." He held out one of his guns. "You have your own. Use it."

Lyra hesitated. Then she reached into her inventory and summoned her own Golden Jack. It appeared in her hand, gleaming and heavy. She looked at it. Then at the lizard. Then at Daniel.

"I don’t know how to use this," she said.

Daniel nodded. "I’ll explain. First, hold it like this."

He demonstrated. His grip was firm. His finger rested on the trigger. His other hand supported the base of the gun.

Lyra tried to copy him. She held the gun awkwardly. Her grip was wrong. Her finger was on the wrong part. She looked at the weapon like it was an alien object.

"That’s the wrong way," Daniel said.

"I know." She adjusted her grip. It was still wrong. "It’s not working."

Daniel walked over. He positioned her hands correctly. His fingers guided hers to the right spots. His body was close to hers. He could smell her hair. Lavender.

"Like this," he said. "Firm grip. Don’t squeeze too hard. Finger on the trigger. Other hand supporting."

Lyra nodded. She held the gun properly now. It looked natural in her hands.

The lizard was getting closer. Thirty feet. Twenty-five. Its footsteps were heavy. The ground shook with each stride.

"Okay," Daniel said, stepping back. "Aim and fire."

Lyra raised the gun. She pointed it at the lizard. Her hand was shaking.

She fired.

The bullet went wide. It flew past the lizard’s head and disappeared into the darkness.

"I missed," Lyra said.

"Try again."

She fired again. Missed again. The bullet hit the sand a few feet to the left of the lizard.

The lizard was closer now. Fifteen feet. Ten. Its breath was visible in the cool night air. Its eyes were locked on them.

"Daniel!" Lyra shouted. "It’s getting closer!"

"I know. Keep firing."

She fired. Missed. Fired again. Missed again. Her hands were trembling. Her aim was terrible.

The lizard was five feet away. Its mouth was open. Its teeth were inches from Lyra’s face.

Daniel grabbed her. He grabbed Fluffy. He ran.

He sprinted across the sand, carrying both girls, putting distance between them and the lizard. The creature skidded to a halt, confused, then turned and started chasing them again.

Daniel stopped. He set Lyra down. He set Fluffy down.

"Try again," he said.

Lyra stared at him. "Are you crazy?"

"Try again."

She raised the gun. Fired. Missed. Fired. Missed. The lizard was closing in again.

Daniel grabbed them and ran again.

They did this three more times. Each time, Lyra would fire and miss. Each time, Daniel would grab them and run. Each time, they would stop and try again.

Fluffy was whimpering. Her ears were flat. Her tail was trembling.

"Master," she whispered. "Fluffy is scared."

"It’s okay," Daniel said. "We’re fine."

He turned to Lyra. She was frustrated. Her hands were shaking. Tears were forming in her eyes.

"I can’t do it," she said. "I can’t hit it. I’m useless."

"You’re not useless," Daniel said. "You just need to learn how to aim."

He walked over to her. He stood behind her. He reached around and placed his hands over hers. His body was pressed against her back. His chin rested near her shoulder.

"Okay," he said. "Here’s a trick I came up with. Imagine a straight line from your gun to the target. Just a straight, invisible line. Then shift your hand until the line connects."

Lyra took a breath. She closed her eyes. She pictured it. A line. From the gun. To the lizard.

She opened her eyes. She adjusted her aim.

She fired.

The bullet hit the lizard’s leg. The creature roared. Its leg buckled, and it crashed to the ground. It tried to get up, but its leg wouldn’t support it. It collapsed onto the sand, thrashing and roaring.

Lyra stared. Her mouth fell open.

"I hit it," she whispered. "I hit it!"

She turned to Daniel. Her face was lit up with joy. With pride. With disbelief.

"I hit it!"

Daniel smiled. "Good job."

A notification appeared in front of his face.

[Skinny Big Desert Lizard (Level 2) killed by one of your members]

[Exp Gained]

[4]

[Member Gained 4 Exp]

[Current Level (4%)]