Chapter:16 Bayonet
***An hour Later***
'Damnit! I really gotta increase my CP regeneration.'
Over the course of an hour, Renko created a flintlock pistol, fired it ten times before it got scrapped, and created a second flintlock pistol before firing it ten times as well. Now, she was facing her nemesis...
[CP: 20/100]
[CP Regen: 0.5CP/Per Min]
'God Damnit!'
[Damage: 6.5*20: 130]
[Maple Tree
Durability: 142.5/500]
[Notification]
[Firearms Mastery(1): +20 EXP]
[Marksmanship(1): +200 EXP]
[Level UP]
[Marksmanship(3): 90/300]
Description: Increase precision and accuracy with ranged weapons.
- 12% increase in accuracy when firing a firearm.
- 1% increase in chances of landing a critical hit.
- Critical Damage +30%]
[Inventory]
[1*Flesh-Cleaver(14/15): Grade Four Cursed Tool]
[1*Inferior Cursed Bayonet(5/5): Semi-Fourth Grade Cursed Tool]
[63*Paper Cartridges: 120 Grains or 7 Grams]
[63*Cloth Patch]
[43* Lead Ball Rounds]
[10*Minie Rounds]
[10*Nessler Rounds]
[20*Snicker Bars]
Renko sighed to herself, frustrated. She had fired a number of flintlock pistols until they were destroyed, but her CP reserve was running low. What should she do?
"There's not much to do but wait for CP to regenerate..."
Renko sat still, staring at her empty inventory, before grabbing hold of the cursed Bayonet, feeling the handle of the cursed tool. It was a little warm, she guessed that was because of the curse.
Renko looked around for a suitable target to practice against and sure enough, she found one.
[Bay Tree
Durability: 1000/1000]
The bay tree she had chosen as her target stood tall and sturdy, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. She slowly approached the tree, her grip firm on the cursed tool.
"How did it go again?"
She wondered how to use a bayonet after so many years, but the memories quickly came back to her.
"Ah, right. Whirl, long thrust, short thrust, withdrawal, parry right and left, vertical and horizontal butt strokes, smash, and slash."
But those were for a bayonet mounted on a rifle. However, they would do it for now. Renko took a deep breath, focusing on the bayonet in her hand.
She began with a series of precise movements, mimicking the motions she used to practice with a rifle-mounted bayonet.
"Whirl, long thrust, short thrust..."
Her movements were... murky to say the least, they didn't have the fluidity and precision she used to have. The Bayonet sliced through the air.
Yep, she was first practicing in empty air instead of attacking the tree.
As she continued her practice, she experimented with different techniques, incorporating variations into the routine.
"Withdrawal, parry right and left..."
Renko's focus intensified, her mind immersed in the rhythm.
"Smash and slash."
With a final flourish, Renko completed the routine, her breathing steady.
'Fuck, I am trash at it ain't I.'
Her body had neither the muscle memory nor the strength to properly execute the techniques.
[Knife Mastery(1) Detected]
[Congratulation]
[You have Acquired A New Skill]
[Knife Mastery(1): 0/100
Description: Allows the proper handling of Karambit, Kukri, Bowie, bayonets, and other knives, including a kitchen knife.
- 10% increase in attack damage with weapons categorized as knives.]
'Well, at least something good came of fumbling around like a fool'
Renko couldn't help but smirk at the unexpected skill acquisition. Despite her initial fumbling, it seemed like the cursed bayonet practice had its benefits.
"Well, look at that. Knife Mastery, huh? I'll take it."
Renko turned her attention to the sturdy bay tree she had chosen for practice. Gripping the cursed bayonet firmly, she approached the tree.
'Alright, remember, whirl, long thrust, short thrust, withdrawal, parry right and left, vertical and horizontal butt strokes, smash, and slash.'
Repeating the sequence again and again in her head, she initiated thrusts, slashes, and smashes. The bayonet sliced through the air, making cleaner cuts and thrusts.
[Skill Knife Mastery Active: +10% Damage]
[Long Thrust]
[Damage: 12+1.2(10%)]
[Durability: -0.1]
[Short Thrust]
[Damage: 12+1.2(10%)]
[Durability: -0.1]
[Parry Right & Left]
[Damage: 12+1.2(10%)
[Durability: -0.1]
[Smash][Damage: 12+1.2(10%)
[Durability: -0.1]
[Slash]
[Damage: 12+1.2(10%)]
[Durability: -0.1]
[Bay Tree
Durability: 934/1000]
[Inferior Cursed Bayonet: Semi-Fourth Grade Cursed Tool
Durability: 4.5/5
- Damage: 12]
[Notification]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
It took her about two minutes to complete one repetition as her body couldn't keep up with the usual rhythm. Moreover, there were times when she had to repeat the maneuver because she didn't do it correctly. Fortunately, the durability does not decrease in case of an incorrect maneuver.
Renko continued practicing with the cursed bayonet, each repetition was somewhat better than the last one, though to an extremely minute degree only. The bay tree endured the onslaught of slashes, thrusts, and smashes, its durability gradually decreasing with each successful hit.
[Durability: 868/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 4/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
[Durability: 802/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 3.5/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
The skill acquisition notifications continued to pop up, indicating Renko's progress in mastering the cursed bayonet.
[Durability: 736/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 3/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
[Durability: 670/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 2.5/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
You know what? She was kinda of getting the hang of it.
[Durability: 604/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 2/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
The bayonet's durability began to wane, but she kept going.
[Durability: 538/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 1.5/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
[Durability: 472/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 1/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
[Durability: 406/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 0.5/5]
[Knife Mastery(1): +5 EXP]
Renko paused, her breath slightly labored from the continuous practice. The bayonet, while durable, had reached its limit.
"Well, it looks like that's all for this one."
She carefully stored the damaged bayonet in her inventory, making a mental note to replace it later. As she sat by the stream, taking a moment to rest.
[Knife Mastery(1): 45/100
Description: Allows the proper handling of Karambit, Kukri, Bowie, bayonets, and other edged weapons.
- 10% increase in attack damage with weapons categorized as knives.]
[CP: 34/100]
[CP Regen: 0.5CP/Per Min]
'Better save up for a Flintlock Pistol.'
Instead of attacking the tree, she decided to free-swing it. However, not using a physical target to attack meant less experience but that also meant that the durability would last longer.
*One Repetition Later*
[Notification]
[Durability: -0.01]
[Knife Mastery(1): +1 EXP]
Renko gradually lost herself in the repetitive but satisfying practice. The durability of the cursed bayonet continued to decrease but at an extremely slow rate and it took her roughly a minute and a half to execute one repetition.
The rhythmic sound of bayonet cutting through the air filled the clearing but, Renko was feeling... sick, repeating the same moves again and again was tiring and at the same time rewarding.
[Notification]
[Durability: -0.01*49]
[Knife Mastery(1): +49 EXP]
[Knife Mastery(1): 94/100]
Description: Allows the proper handling of Karambit, Kukri, Bowie, bayonets, and other edged weapons.
- 10% increase in attack damage with weapons categorized as knives.
[CP: 65/100]
[CP Regen: 0.5CP/Per Min]
As the durability of the bayonet approached its final moments, Renko decided to give it one last powerful swing.
'Let's make it count.'
She executed a full-force slash, the cursed bayonet cutting through the air with a fierce determination. The blade detached from the handle and shot towards the Bay Tree, delivering a powerful blow.
[Damage: 12+1.5(10%)]
[Bay Tree
Durability: 392.8/1000]
[Notification]
[Durability: 0/5]
[Warning!]
[The Durability Of The Item 'Inferior Cursed Bayonet' Has Hit 0 Points]
[Item Is No Longer Usable.]
[Junk: Broken Bayonet
Description: A poorly crafted bayonet, further damaged due to wear and tear. Now there's a 100% chance of it breaking... wait... it's already broken so there is no need or way to use it again.
Salvageable: 250g Cursed Steel]
She carefully stored the remnants of the cursed bayonet in her inventory. The experience gained from the practice sessions significantly improved the skill of 'Knife Mastery.'
[Knife Mastery(1): 95/100]
Description: Allows the proper handling of Karambit, Kukri, Bowie, bayonets, and other edged weapons.
- 10% increase in attack damage with weapons categorized as knives.
[CP: 66/100]
[CP Regen: 0.5CP/Per Min]
Renko took a moment to relax by the stream, enjoying the tranquility of the mountainside. The sun was at its peak, casting its scorching rays over the landscape.
'Time'
[3:01]
*GROWL*
'Hmm. Is there a wild animal nearby?'
*GROWL*
'Nah, it's my stomach.'
The last thing she ate was a mochi and a cup of barley tea, now all she had was a box of twenty Snickers bars.
[Snickers Bar
Description: An unhealthy goodness made of a satisfying, savoring mix of chocolate, caramel, and peanuts.
- HP +20
- CP +10]
'Eh?'
So eating can also restore Curse Energy?