The Bamboo General's Second Shot
Possibility
— 05:29, 05:28, 05:27…
After confirming the sub-quest window had updated, a timer floated before my eyes. It started white but gradually shifted toward orange as a warning the longer it ran. Soon it'd turn red, signaling time was almost up.
"Hendrick, could you make something like a Three-Barrel Cannon or Victor's Cannon Assembly right now?"
I needed proper weapons. My brain kept running the simple math: Bamboo Generals are one-shots, and I had five, so one per monster gets me five kills. With sixteen total coming, that leaves eleven. No way in hell.
I had to come up with something extra in the remaining time. One Bamboo General took fifteen minutes, so if the others were similar…
[You think that'll work?]
Yeah, right? Just hoping against hope, but of course not.
[You've got talent in this field, lad, but don't treat blacksmithing like it's water. As the saying goes…]
Already on the verge of losing my mind, and here Hendrick was revving up his chatterbox mode. I tuned him out as best I could and kept thinking. Gathering more bamboo for extra Bamboo Generals? I'd run into those things on the path back from the beach and get wrecked.
"You said the weapons in the hold can't be used, right?"
[If you wanna get shredded by shrapnel from your own gun exploding, be my guest.]
"Hmm."
What the hell was I supposed to do?
"Fuck it."
Nothing I could do.
No options, so what did they expect from me? This wasn't my fault—it was the system's for dumping something beyond my pay grade.
[What the hell's wrong with you?]
Hendrick tilted his head at my weird vibe, but I had no time to explain. Hell, I just didn't wanna think anymore.
"Dunno. Suddenly, I just don't feel like doing jack shit."
He gave me a pitiful look, but figured I'd worked hard enough lately, muttered something about taking it easy today, and wandered off. No idea where a shipbound ghost even goes, but whatever—fine for now.
Sometimes, letting go and chilling helps. Pinning the blame clearly lightened the load a bit.
"It'll work out somehow."
—00:02, 00:01, 00:00.
Who knew when I'd eat again? Treated it like a last supper, scarfed all my stockpiled grub, took a power nap, and boom—peak condition for the sub-quest.
[Beasts of the Classic of Mountains and Seas 1]
The first wave begins shortly.
Hold your position and slay the monsters.
First Wave (Units: 2 / 0)
Second Wave (Units: 3 / 0)
Third Wave (Units: 5 / 0)
Final Wave (Units: 6 / 0)
Ah, this vibe? Thought they'd all swarm at once, but waves? Way better.
Still desperate, though. Last time proved even two barehanded was too much—math was grim.
Even rationing Bamboo Generals to clear the third wave, the final was hopeless. One per kill still left one, and I doubted I'd carry them all intact anyway.
Last time we got spotted from our noise, but now? They crossed the beach like they knew exactly where we were—those lizard-headed freaks from before.
[Lad! Big trouble. They're swarming the beach!]
"Yeah, I see 'em."
Right after his warning, I tried the deck gap—our old safe spot. No dice; invisible wall blocked it.
Hendrick sensed the weirdness too, lips sealed tight in tension. Nice to see you shut up for once, old man.
No holding back—I whipped out a Bamboo General. Why bother dodging when I'm screwed anyway?
But damn, great grip. Stroked the bamboo grooves appreciatively, aimed at the prow for practice.
Thicker than army guns—feels different.
"Kieeeek!"
"Mom! Holy shit!"
BOOM! Mid-thought, one lunged right up close, filling my vision—I blasted it on reflex.
"Kiiiii…"
Crude build or not, firearms are firearms. Point-blank Bamboo General pierced it clean; shrapnel-riddled, it tumbled back.
"Keeeek!"
Next one charged. Dropped the spent tube, yanked #2 from my back, fired.
BOOM!
"Kip."
First was lucky fluke; this aimed shot shredded it mid-screech.
Were they always this weak? Flashed back to fighting with the cutlass—back then, one took risking death. Firearms truly the great equalizer?
Black powder stench lingered on my hands, the rush of smashing monsters with a flick still tingling my palms. Mild recoil for the punch? Perfect.
Second wave in half a gak. Prepare.
First one didn't drop instantly—must've taken a sec to die. Notification popped after, snapping me from the afterglow.
Three Bamboo Generals left. Clear second easy, die in third. Gentle waves, nice breeze—perfect dying weather.
Strapping spares to my back for next wave, Hendrick acted off. Normally he'd brag, "See? Told ya."
[I told you something's weird! How's bamboo tougher than oak or pine? Ghosts weep at this.]
Aren't you the ghost? Bit my tongue. Oblivious, he inspected the spent Bamboo Generals, tone exasperated.
Finally clocked it—peered alongside him.
[Should've burst from pressure after one shot, but intact.]
What?
Singed tip, but solid as new.
[Refill, get a few more shots. Risky, might blow, but…]
Even pro gunsmith Hendrick baffled? Definitely special. Genius Engineer constellation perk?
Wuxia games were 99.9% cold weapons; no clue what firearm crafting talent did. But focus—not the point now.
[Better make fresh ones. Bamboo's plentiful… Huh? What're you doing?]
"They're coming back. Gotta recycle what I can."
Options? Boost odds however possible.
Ripped open a powder keg from the hold, scooped gravel in with powder, jammed into used barrel. Rag fuse, knot—done. Sloppier finish, but familiarity (or break-in?) restored it quick.
◈ Recycled one-shot weapon, revived by skilled hands.
◈ Durability: 3/2 | Range: 1-2 | Attack: 80-120
"Yes!"
Game changer. Eyes reignited; half-given-up spark back. This Genius Engineer? Gotta rethink this 'trash' constellation.
"All reloaded."
Caressed my returning Bamboo Generals like old lovers. Pretty babies.
Productive half-gak flew by; second wave hit. Three? Cakewalk.
Gripped one, waited for them to close. First taste hooked me—craving the next shot.
Beach erupted in blasts at steady intervals.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
Final wave in half a gak. Prepare.
Feels good. Thrilling. Fresh. And above all—power intoxicating!
"This shit's fucking fun?"
Earlier, killing time in dread; now, itching for the next wave.