It’s already been a few days since Jenkins and Gunhild hauled ass out of the country. During the first day, they came across their first town and since they were not sure if they were being pursued. Gunhild decided it was best for her to arrange transport and food while having Jenkins wait on the other side of the town. Since Jenkins stood out way too much with his WWII combat gear, he realized the greenery blended him right into the scenery. He grabbed out his binoculars to scan the surroundings for pursuers. After Gunhild acquired the transport along with food, she rendezvoused with Jenkins a few miles down the road from the town’s gate and resumed heading east.

  The second day it was Jenkins first time to engage in combat. Not the kind of virtual combat that he was used to, but the kind he knows will end up happening soon. Gunhild sat on a rock in a small clearing of a dense forest watching Jenkins and wolf staring at each other.

  “Remember. Everything should be second hand to you. Just breath and think.”

  Gunhild is giving Jenkins some advice on how to use the system and she felt a bit worrisome as Jenkins outfit was riddled with bitemarks that belonged to the wolf. Jenkins already new how the system works but the issue currently at hand is that he never fired a live gun before so the recoil that follows caused him to miss the wolf.

  “I know! Gunhild, just let me have some quiet.”

  Jenkins decided to take a quick trip back down memory lane since he recalled having watched a documentary of the M1 Garand, the rifle that won World War II. He realized that the way he was griping the rifle was wrong along with the trigger response.

  “Ok. Ok. I need to firmly grip it and fire it at control burst. And mostly importantly control my breathing.”

  Jenkins raised the M1 Garand and controlled his breathing. An aim assist icon popped up as he aimed down the sight at the wolf. Wasting no time, Jenkins fired the rifle and the wolf evaded to the left in response. He quickly fired a follow up shot in the direction the wolf evaded to which nailed it at the neck, thus killing the animal.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Gunhild was impressed at how quickly Jenkins adapted to the situation and gave him a clap.

  “Nice job. Pvt. Jenkins. There will be tougher enemies as we continue our journey east to the mountains. I hope you are prepared.”

  Jenkins spent the rest of the second day going through his rucksack and his equipment. After confirming that his gears are still good, he called it a night and slept in the wagon that Gunhild had prepared from the previous town.

  The next town, according the Gunhild is the Port of Clive. Gunhild planned to restock on supplies and a new wagon. Jenkins thought it would the same plan from the first town but Gunhild needed him to sign up as an adventurer in order to pass through a checkpoint that’s between a fortress town and their destination. Jenkins asked Gunhild the reason of her decision.

  “Just recently, an order was issued to that adventurers are allowed past the checkpoint.”

  With Gunhild reply, Jenkins knew something big is happening if the order was issued and continued to ask more.

  “From what I overheard from the last town, there were reports of increased monsters and demon’s activity. If I were to guess, a demon general is probably there. But nothing to concern about. I know a shortcut that’ll cut our journey by a few days early.”

  Jenkins noticed Gunhild fidgeting her thumbs and tilted his head sideways. Gunhild saw Jenkins response.

  “Well. Adventurers who were patrolling the forests saw a demonic being with black wings wielding a bow and arrows. If that is who I think it is… Our journey might be a lot more difficult that is if that being knows about the shortcut.

  Gunhild got up and left the wagon, leaving Jenkins alone. If they ended up crossing path against the demonic being that Gunhild feared, Jenkins realized he need to come up with contingency and fast. Jenkins took off his rucksack and started taking items out of the sack.

  “Ok. I need this. That as well. O-hoho more bangs for your bucks….”

  One item caught Jenkins eye and a grin formed on his mouth.

  “Now this, THIS puppy is more like it! But how the fuck did it even fit in that small ass rucksack?”

  Jenkins reached his right hand into the rucksack and as he felt the surface of a large ordnance, he cackled meanly.

  “Small arms and big arms. I think I found my contingency plan.”