The double life continued. By day, it was Yuuka Hatsumina, high school student, ramen shop worker. By night, after returning to the small apartment, finishing homework and spending time researching the chaotic world outside, I faced the next challenge: the G17.
I sat on the bedroom floor, on an old rug. The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning and the sound of night insects from outside.
I took a deep breath. I focused my consciousness on the Spatial Inventory.
System, take out the G17.
[Command confirmed. Item 'Handgun: G17' has been removed from Spatial Inventory.]
A sudden cold sensation appeared in my right palm. Then a solid object materialized. The G17. It lay there, black, heavy. The feeling of first touching it in the dark alley returned. The coldness of the metal. The weight. And the terrifying truth: this was a tool for taking lives.
I stared at it. The G17. The familiar name from hundreds of hours of gaming. Now in my hand. In the small hand of a 16-year-old girl.
Unbelievable...
That strange feeling was quickly replaced by determination. Having it meant nothing if I didn't know how to use it. In this world, the only thing I could ultimately trust was my own ability to defend myself.
System, basic usage guide for Handgun G17.
[Basic operation information for 'Handgun: G17' is available. Initiating guidance.]
A series of text and blurry image instructions appeared in my field of vision, visible only to me. Like a digital technical manual.
[Step 1: Grip the pistol. Ensure a firm two-handed grip. The dominant hand grasps the pistol grip. The index finger rests along the frame, not touching the trigger.]
I looked at the System's illustration, then looked down at my hand. Yuuka's small hand. I tried to grasp the pistol grip. The G17 looked quite large compared to my hand. A firm one-handed grip was impossible. I had to use both hands.
My left hand wrapped around my right hand. Trying to create a stable support point.
So heavy!
Though not very heavy compared to a man's hand, the weight of the G17 in 16-year-old Yuuka's hand was still an issue. My arm trembled slightly.
[Step 2: Ensure weapon is safe. Check if the magazine has been removed. Pull the slide back to check the chamber.]
I followed the instructions. Found the magazine release button. Pressed it. The small metal latch. Quite stiff. I had to use more force than I expected. The empty magazine (thankfully it was empty when it 'dropped') fell onto the wooden floor with a small "clink".
Then to pull the slide. The metal block on top of the gun. I gripped it, trying to pull it back.
Gah! So hard!
This body was still weak. My arm strength wasn't enough to pull the slide back easily. I had to strain with all my might, my face contorted. Slowly, slowly... the slide moved...
Click. It locked back.
[Chamber is empty. Weapon is safe.] The System reported.
I sighed with relief. At least it was safe.
I continued to practice. Removing the magazine, reinserting it. Pulling the slide back, releasing it forward. Repeatedly. At first I was very clumsy, my hand shaking, movements stiff. But gradually, after dozens of repetitions, I started to feel "the flow". My arm trembled a little less.
[Body synchronization: 81.5%.]
Even this practice helps increase body synchronization? Great!
Next: Aiming.
[Step 3: Aiming. Align the rear sight and front sight.]
I sat up straight, holding the G17 firmly with two hands. Raised it to eye level. Aligning the three dots on the sights. They were tiny. It was very hard to keep them straight and stable.
My arms ached. The image of the sights in my vision kept dancing around.
Focus! Like aiming in the game! I told myself. But in the game, my hands didn't shake like this!
[Step 4: Breath control and trigger pull. Inhale, exhale halfway, hold breath. Pull the trigger slowly, steadily.]
Pulled the trigger. The smooth metal trigger. The G17's trigger pull wasn't too heavy, but pulling it "slowly, steadily" while trying to keep the gun stable... was a test of coordination.
Click. The small sound as the firing pin operated (dry firing).
I repeated the aiming and trigger pulling motion. Breathe in, half exhale, hold, pull the trigger. Dozens of times. Hundreds of times.
Sweat dotted my forehead. My arms, shoulders, back ached intensely. Muscle soreness I had never known in my old body.
Looked down at myself. A 16-year-old girl, in loungewear, sitting on the bedroom floor, practicing using a handgun late at night, under the guidance of an emotionless System.
This scene... it was really very... anime/manga. The thought crossed my mind, and I almost laughed. A wry smile, mixed with fatigue and helplessness.
[Practice progress: Grip/Aiming/Trigger Pull: 1%.]
One percent?! After a whole hour of struggling?!
Frustrating! I fumed in my mind.
[Practicing new skills requires time and patience. Current progress is normal for a host with no practical combat experience.]
"Normal"? For 30-year-old Hiroshi who played FPS games like breathing, 1% is too slow! Ah, but this is 16-year-old Yuuka. And it's reality.
I continued practicing. Repeatedly. The feeling of muscle fatigue gradually became familiar. My movements also became slightly smoother. Aligning the sights no longer jumped around wildly, though it wasn't truly stable yet.
After about two hours, my whole body felt exhausted. I couldn't concentrate anymore.
System, return G17 to Spatial Inventory.
[Command confirmed. Item 'Handgun: G17' has been transferred to Spatial Inventory.]
The gun disappeared. My hand was empty, but the numb sensation was still there.
I collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. The faint smell of sweat. Looked up at the dark ceiling. My whole body ached. But in my mind, there was a small satisfaction. I had started. The first step had been taken.
From a programmer who only knew how to shoot on a screen, I was learning to use it in real life. With the body of a 16-year-old girl. Under the guidance of a strange System. In a world where guns and strange items fall from the sky.
This was my new life. Ordinary mixed with the extraordinary. Difficulty piled upon difficulty.
But I wouldn't stop. I would keep practicing. Little by little. Until this body, this hand, could use the G17 skillfully.
Because I knew, there would be a day, when I would need it.
And when that day comes, I will no longer just run or be helpless. I will fight. With what I have learned.
The journey of the girl and the weapon, in the Drop Item world, had just begun with this late-night lesson filled with sweat and clumsiness.