Chapter 415: Your Art Style Is Wrong, Isn

When the red-brick hospital began slowly consuming its patients, Leon, who had just arrived nearby, felt a sudden pain in his eyes—and the entire world before him went black.

"Wait! Don't go in yet!"

"What?"

The bandaged woman, whose arm he had grabbed, turned back in confusion—only to be stunned to see that both Leon and the black goat in his arms were tightly shut-eyed, tears streaming heavily from Leon's corners.

"This hospital is alive!"

Gazing at the black flames surging skyward in his soul vision, Leon, whose "eyes" had been scorched by the blaze, gritted his teeth against the searing pain and pulled the bandaged woman's arm to explain:

"Just now, the instant you were about to step inside, it received some signal—suddenly gained its own soul—and… it's roughly as strong as hundreds of ordinary souls combined!"

The entire hospital?

After hearing Leon's words, the bandaged woman nodded, understanding. Her eyes behind the mask narrowed slightly as she rapidly analyzed the situation.

The hospital suddenly gaining a soul could mean only three things: an anomaly directly fused to the building, an uncontrolled infectee capable of manipulating architecture, or the entire structure temporarily severed from the world and no longer bound by reality's rules.

But the first scenario wouldn't activate with such precision—right as I was about to enter. The third would require immense power and the ability to rupture the world's ontological layer; if its strength equals only a few hundred souls, it couldn't possibly achieve that.

So… it's most likely the uncontrolled infectee's ability is tied to architecture—perhaps even requires a building to manifest.

"You don't need to go in. Stay outside and help me."

After pondering for a moment at the hospital's entrance, the bandaged woman bent down, opened her suitcase, and pulled out several matte metal components, swiftly assembling them.

As the object took shape, Leon stared in utter shock—this thing looked strangely familiar.

A long brass barrel engraved with internal threads, a firing mechanism composed of a chamber, shock absorber springs, a locking device, and a trigger, a support bracket beneath the barrel, a shoulder rest shaped to fit the curve of the shoulder, and a single-tube telescopic sight mounted atop the barrel…

Wait… this art style isn't right, is it?

I thought you'd rush in with a Bible in one hand and a warhammer in the other, chanting incantations while using mystical artifacts to purify the anomaly—instead, you just handed me a sniper rifle?!

Under Leon's bewildered gaze, the bandaged woman, having finished assembling the rifle, pulled three small silver-white canisters from the very bottom of her suitcase. She clicked one firmly onto the side of the brass barrel, then opened the lower component—apparently a "magazine"—and showed Leon the bright white metal spikes inside.

"This is a portable nail gun the Director got me from the Military Department. It uses disposable gas canisters to propel the nails. Range and power are significantly weaker than standard models—only slightly over five hundred meters—but enough to pierce the hospital's outer walls and kill the target outright."

As she spoke, she handed Leon the other two gas canisters, her expression serious as she instructed:

"I'll go inside to find the uncontrolled infectee and try to eliminate it directly. If I can't, I'll do my best to engage it up close. If that happens, don't hesitate—shoot immediately!"

"Also, although there are still plenty of nails left in this gun, we only have three gas canisters. So you only get three shots. If you miss all three, evacuate immediately—run back to the Clearance Bureau and wait for the Director to return. Understood?"

"..."

I understood… but you trust me way too much.

Staring at the bizarre brass "sniper rifle" on the ground, Leon felt a wave of helplessness.

I may have eaten plenty of chicken in my past life, but back then I used a keyboard and mouse—I've never actually held one of these. Just firing it straight would be a miracle, let alone shooting while you're grappling with it up close.

Honestly, I'm terrified I'll fire and not only fail to kill the infectee, but take you out instead…

"You don't need to worry about hitting me," the bandaged woman said gently, sensing his hesitation.

"If I'm letting you shoot, I'm confident you won't accidentally injure me. I've just adjusted the sights and reticle for you. As for the exact operation, I'll walk you through it step by step…"

"About operation… I might know a little…"

Recalling films from his past life, Leon said uncertainly:

"Find a high vantage point with good visibility, spread your legs, lie flat on the ground, press your shoulder against the stock, and align the sight, muzzle, and target in a straight line?"

"Huh?"

Hearing Leon's words, the bandaged woman looked surprised.

"Prone firing doctrine? You have a military background?"

"Well… sort of?"

Leon's eyes flickered as he evaded:

"My parents were mechanics under the Military Department. They told me a bit about this stuff… uh… just a little."

I see…

The bandaged woman nodded in understanding, not questioning the origin of his knowledge—but quickly shook her head.

"Your answer isn't wrong, but that's the aiming method for a different type of medium-range rapid-fire weapon. Those guns have shorter ranges and sights aligned flush with the barrel, so the three-point alignment works.

But mine is different. Look closely—the scope is mounted higher than the barrel. If you use three-point alignment here, the nail will strike below your target."

Pointing to the scope mounted above the barrel, she drew an invisible diagonal line between scope and muzzle, then explained to Leon, whose expression cleared in sudden comprehension:

"Once fired, the nail's trajectory isn't straight—it dips slightly. To use this medium-to-long-range precision weapon, you must understand the nail's flight path, calculate its drop point, and adjust your scope and muzzle using a mil-dot reticle…"

"Zzz!"

【Through Emma Alman's clear and thorough instruction, you have successfully activated the Iron Badge: "Shooting Newbie"】

【Shooting Newbie: A novice shooter with minimal training and abysmal skill—accuracy is deeply concerning】

【Effect: Though only lightly trained, you're far superior to complete novices. When consciously correcting your aim, your shooting precision receives a slight boost】

【Upgrade Path: Complete 200 live-fire shots or 1000 simulated triggers to automatically upgrade to the Bronze Badge: "Shooter." Current progress: 0/200, 0/1000】

【Hidden Trait: None】

"Zzz"

【Through your own learning and reflection, you've acquired low-level firearms proficiency. The Chromatic Badge: "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" has activated.】

【Your understanding of firearms is "Low," but due to your aptitude for analysis, self-summary, and adjustment, each failed shot at the same target slightly increases your chance of hitting the next time.】

(End of Chapter)