<h4>Chapter 48 Training Ground</h4>


    The training ground was situated at a corner of Port Town. It served as a crucial facility for yers to hone their skills and prepare for the challenges thaty ahead in the game.


    It was thoughtfully divided into two distinct sections. The first part was an indoor hall designed for close-quarterbat. The second part was an expansive outdoor area dedicated to long-rangebat.


    As n made his way toward the outdoorpound, he was met with a familiar sight. The training ground was abuzz with activity, as it appeared to have been temporarily taken over by the US military. Numerous uniformed soldiers were utilizing the facilities, honing theirbat skills in preparation for the game. Alongside their training, the military had also set up a recruitment tent, eager to scout talented individuals among the yermunity to fill up their ranks.


    Noticing a familiar presence, n turned his attention to the entrance of the outdoorpound. There stood the redneck group, led by Merle the Crimson Gunner.


    "I thought y''all chickened out already!" Merle quipped, brimming with self-assurance.


    Unperturbed by Merle''s antics, n calmly replied, "I''m here; we can start now."


    "Alright! I can''t wait to beat your sorry ass!!" Merle retorted, hispetitive spirit evident.


    His group of five redneckpanions eagerly echoed Merle''s enthusiasm, excited to participate in the training session. On the other hand, n''s group seemed a bit hesitant, as theycked experience with firearms. However, n encouraged them to give it a try, reminding them that every attempt would provide valuable practice. He emphasized that even if they didn''t achieve high scores, the experience gained would be beneficial in the long run. Besides, reaching certain ranks could potentially earn them useful rewards.


    Feeling motivated by n''s encouraging words, his group decided to take on the challenge.


    With Merle confidently leading the way, the group approached a camp where an NPC yer, modeled to resemble a female officer, awaited their registration.


    "Wee to the training ground. Are you here to test your long-rangebat abilities?" the NPC inquired politely.


    Merle replied with a nod, "Yes, we are."


    Without further ado, the NPC presented them with the details of the training mission. As the information appeared on their [Game link], excitement filled the air.


    [You have joined the training mission]


    [Mission One - Target practice]


    [Mission Two - Obstacles]


    [Reach a high enough total score to get a reward]


    [1000 score - A Rank - 1000 Xp, 1000 survival points]


    [900 score - B Rank - 500 Xp, 500 survival points]


    [800 score - C Rank - 300 Xp, 300 survival points]


    It was akin to a mini-quest, allowing yers to umte rewards based on their performance. The beauty of this training mission was that it could be repeated multiple times during their stay in Port Town, motivating yers to continuously improve their skills in preparation for future rounds.


    After epting the mission, the NPC guided them towards a panel where they could select their weapons for the training. Given the nature of the test, yers were not allowed to use their custom-made or preferred weapons, such as the golden M16 that had been wagered in their bet with the redneck group.


    Instead, the training ground offered a variety of rifles that were specifically designed for such testing scenarios. The weapons were categorized into three types: Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, and Automatic Rifles.


    Considering the requirements of the training, most yers opted for the Automatic Rifles, as they allowed for rapid and sustained fire, crucial for reaching high scores during the obstacle challenges.


    [Medium Firearm - M16]


    [Medium Firearm - AK 47]


    [Medium Firearm - G36]


    [Medium Firearm - Steyr AUG]


    [Medium Firearm - SCAR]


    The array of medium firearms disyed on the panel presented yers with several popr choices, each with its unique advantages. Merle wasted no time in selecting his favorite choice, the M16. While most other yers were suggested to utilize the Austrian-made Steyr AUG due to its superior uracy, despite itsck of poprity in actualbat situations where damage output was critical.


    n, however, had a different n in mind. As everyone else took their rifles, he decided to venture into uncharted territory and shifted the panel to the [Small weapon] category and choose from the list of handguns.


    [Small Firearm - M9 Baretta]


    [Small Firearm - Glock 7]


    [Small Firearm - Magnum 44]


    [Small Firearm - Colt 1911]


    [Small Firearm - 38 Revolver]


    His eyes carefully scanned the options before settling on the [Colt 1911]. It was the handgun with the longest barrel, one with the best uracy and range among the others.


    n''s unconventional choice drew surprised nces from hispanions andughter from the redneck group, who couldn''t fathom why he would opt for a handgun in a long-range training mission.


    "You are insane!! It''s your loss!!" taunted one of the rednecks, unable to contain his amusement.


    n ignore the man and walked towards the shooting range. As soon as he took his ce, amotion could be heard from the seats of participants and spectators alike. From their voices, it was clear themotion was caused by the famous name that had just appeared in the field, ''Merle Rooker''. "That''s a veteran! He''s the Crimson Gunner!"


    The title ''veteran'' held great significance in the game. It symbolized seasoned yers who had demonstrated exceptional skill and prowess during previous game iterations. As a result, the Crimson Gunner''s presence added an extrayer of anticipation and tension to the already exciting training ground.


    As the word spread among the spectators about the presence of the Crimson Gunner, murmurs of recognition and admiration echoed through the training ground. Many yers had seen the Crimson Gunner''s impressive skills in action during the previous year''s game, and his reputation preceded him.


    "Wow, to be in a group with the Crimson Gunner, that''s some bad luck!" eximed a spectator, expressing the sentiment shared by many around him.


    Merle approached n with a small, cocky smile, clearly reveling in the attention he was receiving. "Know what kind of man you''re dealing with now?!" he boasted.