BXBX NOVEL Chapter 55: Formless are too versatile.
Fortunately, as I had {Reload} and {Rewind} stamina and ammunition were not a problem.
So far, none of the firing mechanisms broke down over the course of the day. The only exception was the barrel of the M60 which I replaced in the morning. Other than that, numerous issues presented themselves which needed my attention.
Firsts were the classes of my {kismet}, {Fighter} had horrible accuracy but handled recoil like champ.
{Thief} allowed me to move at speeds unthinkable with almost a sonar like perception, but it was brittle as fuck.
To collect kinetic energy for {Mage} I shot myself numerous times with various weapons.
{Fighter} was naturally the best at absorbing the damage, as it had {Regen} thus despite putting holes on my limbs, I still moved unhindered.
{Thief} which had no damage mitigation nor healing almost turned me into a cripple due to a leg wound with the 1887.
{Mage} which had {Withstand} was much more durable than {Thief}. And as expected, even the MP5SD could hit targets past 300 meters with {Counter}. A .22 LR from the MK II did as much damage as a .45 ACP if I was in {Mage}.
Accuracy wise, {Mage} was the best. {Thief} didn't augment my sight, but it allowed me to shoot without aiming due to superior senses. In terms of recoil, {Fighter} and {Mage} were just about even.
In summary the classes did what they were supposed to. The next problem was figuring out which weapon to use in which load out.
{Thief} allowed me to dual wield, so the Blade MAC-11s and the Punisher 1911s were perfect for it. Due to having {Pack} and {Carry} even the M60 weighed like a toothpick in this mode.
The P30L, Mk II and 629 didn't match well due to the difference in calibers. I could only use calibers my body could handle on its own.
{Fighter} was perfect for carrying the M60, the 1887 shotgun, and the 629 revolver. If I used this class especially when I was in close combat the loss in accuracy would be acceptable.
I belatedly noticed {Withstand} was given even to my guns in this mode allowing me to use them as clubs if needed. A downside was {Fighter} did not have {Carry} so the guns were heavy when I used this class.
{Mage} on the other hand worked with everything. Due to {Counter} depending on the situation I could use the energy stores to snipe a target from afar, suppress an entire area or assault a position with superior firepower.
"Another problem is how to fight while moving about," I contemplated.
I found that almost all the guns jammed when I fired them sideways. The shell casings would get stuck in the receivers due to gravity being tilted. This meant, I couldn't wildly swing the guns as I fired.
The M60 had the worse problem as the magazine belt kept snapping in two when I tried to move with it while firing.
"It seems a shame though. {Carry} and {Pack} gives me so much mobility but it seems I need to stay in place when using specific weapons. Hmm... Glad I got these bars from the counter."
No shooting range worth its salt would not have food in its premises. Delivering freedom naturally made one hungry.
I took a half a dozen Snickers bars and used {Eat} on them. Just a single bite restored my vitality regardless of if it made any sense.
In the ten hours that passed my body was pushed to the limit without a meal. I only managed to finish two bars but being re-energized from so little food would definitely mess me up in the long run.
{Eat} returned stamina it did not provide nutrients nor healing. So, I needed to be careful.
The sun already set about 2 hours ago. I got a pretty good idea of my abilities and weaknesses, but I still felt unsatisfied. I have been wondering how to isolate the problems and solve them.
For example. The M60 dealt a lot of damage but was heavy, loud and had poor accuracy. Trying to fix these using the classes was hard as each had drawbacks in exchange for their strengths.
"Hey {Carry}, how can I have your effects apply even when I don't hold it? From your explanation there shouldn't be a limit to only casting you on things that are in my hands, right? Now that I think about it {Withstand} is the same. Can I not put you in clothes or armor?"
To keep myself company, I began talking to my {fates} as I knew they could somehow understand me.
Whenever I hit slumps in my work, I normally began talking out loud to see how much of what I believed made sense. If I could apply {fates} to my guns the applications would be worthwhile.
{Carry} to reduce their weight, {Aim} on their sights or scopes, {Withstand} to reduce recoil and {Dampen} to turn them silent.
Just these four would turn the firearms to something like airsoft guns. If it was possible then these weapons would no longer need augmentation using the classes.
"None of you are answering huh? Let us just test it then. {Draw} 1887. M60 already had too much time in the spotlight, and you have the hardest kick among your sisters. {Withstand}, {Aim}, {Dampen}, {Carry}."
I invoked my {fates} on the Winchester 1887 shotgun. By using either buckshots or slugs I could fire 20 big pellets or a projectile as large as my thumb.
For the record a standard 9mm only has a projectile the size of your pinky's fingernail.
Output wise the 1887 slugs could not only pierce a zombie head but explode it completely. I grew excited at the thought of spin cocking this iconic weapon on zombies.
The Formless {fates} gave no indication if the {fates} got accepted, as my soul count dropped, I hoped they did. Normally no one would risk using souls on an item.
I mean {Withstand}, {Aim}, {Dampen} and {Carry} had a combined cost of 450 souls or otherwise $9,000.
Granting that a brand new 1887 was only $3,000, that would give anyone an idea of how insane my idea was. But it was already close to night, and I still had over 700 souls so why not?F
"Okay, moment of truth. {Reveal}."
___
Name: Winchester 1887 Level action shotgun
Condition: Excellent
Caliber: 10 Gauge
Ammo Capacity: 6 | Spare Ammo: 24
{Fate} Augments: {Withstand} 23 H | {Aim} 23 H | {Carry} 23 H | {Dampen} 23 H
___
I couldn't help but cheer out loud when I saw the status of my shotgun. For the next day the shotgun would fight with {fate} augments.
"Damn, Formless are too versatile! Well, no use in thinking about that. I wonder what would happen if I used Auto on an augmented weapon? {Draw} Armory. {Auto}."
To test my theory, I pulled out all my equipment and refreshed my {Auto}. I then noted the time limits on the 1887 and resumed shooting some targets with the MAC-11s.
"Hmm, I need to apologize to my dad, these weird looking compensators work like a charm."
Most guns when firing have the gases from the gun powder explosions travel down their barrels. This led to the end of the guns or the muzzles rising from the force.
Compensators were either devices attached to a gun's muzzle to either disperse the gasses quicker or divert them. The former were known as muzzle breaks the latter were known as flash hiders.
The 1911's, the AR15, P30L and the MAC-11 all had muzzle breaks on them. So, their accuracy was higher than normal guns. What was weird though was MAC-11s were rarely given compensators.
They had high velocity but used pistol ammunition, so the recoil was manageable with a stock and a vertical grip. But as Blade used his MAC-11s like pistols, he probably thought compensators would be a good idea.
I tried to maximize {Thief} by spinning or firing blind with the MAC-11s. I found that firing by sweeping them would always cause them to jam.
But shooting semi-auto at a specific target upside down did not. So long as the gun was straight the bullets didn't cause an issue.
With this I could use my right MAC-11 for the left and front. While my left MAC-11 would be for my back and right. Moving my arm back also prevented my arms for being tangled.
Even the 1911's worked well with this setup. This way even if I get surrounded, I could defend myself from multiple sides.
As I figured out new ways to fight, I fired weapon after weapon, round after round. After I used up everything, I proceeded to chuck a few grenades and found that they were recreated upon reloading or rewinding.
When I pulled the 1887 the timer for the {fate} augments were now at 20 hours signifying the passage of 4 hours.
To complete my test, I needed to see if my guess was correct. Originally, I though the timers wouldn't move inside my subspace like most things did.
Turns out {fates} broke common sense, even in a place where time stopped the {fate} durations still counted down.
"{Draw} Armory, {Save}, {Rewind}."
Rewinding in place I checked and saw that the magazines were all refilled. I quickly pulled out the 1887 and used {Reveal}.
__________________________________
Name: Winchester 1887 Lever action shotgun
Condition: Excellent
Caliber: 10 Gauge
Ammo Capacity: 6 | Spare Ammo: 24
{Fate} Augments: {Withstand} 23 H | {Aim} 23 H | {Carry} 23 H | {Dampen} 23 H
__________________________________
"FUCK YEAH! WAY TO GO REWIND!"
With the 1200 rounds I had, I fired them all none stop over the course of the day. As I rewinded and reloaded four times my total bullet count would be about 6000 rounds.
Yet I still went home exhausted with 1200 rounds. I slowly began to associate myself with the word limitless and tomorrow night, Hellsgate would too.