Chapter 8: Surveillance?
As I exited the subway, I nodded to the girl next to me. Soon, I walked down the street, keeping my eyes open. For some reason, it felt like someone was watching me. I didn't know why, but the feeling wouldn't go away. After thinking about it, I looked at the map on my phone, which I was using to navigate towards the shooting range.
There was a park nearby, and because of the feeling, I decided to check it out first before continuing on my way. If I was being followed, I could roughly figure out who it was. If the target of the surveillance disappeared, then most likely, the person who was following would rub themselves and look around in search of a new target. It also depended on whether the person following was experienced. As I entered the park, I occasionally glanced back.
Observing my surroundings, I found a tree and accelerated my steps towards it. I quickly ran and hid behind it, cautiously looking out to see if anyone was following me. After a while, three more people came along the same path. Two were clearly a couple who were talking to each other, but the third was a man dressed in plain clothes. His actions made me realize that he was the one following me. From the way he was looking around carefully at first, and then very quickly and clearly a little worried, I knew it was him who had been following me.
While I was pondering what to do next, another description came into my eyes. It seems I already have some immunity to getting new skills for nothing. But opening the description, I was surprised.
Level: 1
Description: You have a basic knowledge of counterintelligence and can take simple measures to defend against reconnaissance actions. You can detect basic signs of intelligence and take elementary countermeasures.
I couldn't help but feel like I was being trained for some kind of army or special unit with this skill. However, having the ability to detect when someone is following me and taking appropriate action is a valuable asset.
As I looked around my surroundings, solutions gradually came to mind on how to evade an inexperienced tracker. I quickly formed a route and executed it flawlessly. It was easy with my skill in counterintelligence.
Soon enough, a large building came into view with guards standing at various positions. The main entrance was open, and there were people around. As I approached, the guards stopped me and asked for identification. After showing it, I was allowed to enter.
Inside, there was a square room with a glass registration area opposite the entrance. The glass looked thick, most likely bulletproof. There was also a microphone in the corner. A man wearing a simple T-shirt and camouflage pants greeted me.
"Miss, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"I'd like to know about shooting and what it takes," I replied.
In response, he pointed me to the prices and types of weapons available behind me.
I can't use the large-caliber weapons due to their high cost. In addition to the cost of bullets, time is also limited. Therefore, I plan to focus on learning how to shoot pistols first. If I can, I will also use other weapons. Most likely, the skills will be separate, like fist fights and leg fights before. From this, there is an option that they will also assemble something similar to a weapon master.
I turned to the man and said, "Sir, I'd like to try the guns. Ten rounds from each of them. Also, can I switch between pistols and machine guns in the middle?"
He was surprised for a moment, then after looking at me for a while he spoke, "Yes ma'am, you can do that. First, give me your ID card. Then go to the right, there's a door, and then go to Range 8. Since you are alone, I think you need a separate place for that. Other than that, I'll also teach you some safety precautions."
As he spoke, he looked at the computer screen in front of him to check for available seats. After handing over my ID, I waited for the instructions.
Finally, it was settled, and I went where he said. Behind door number 8, there was an arrow seat with several targets. After a while, a man came in holding a board with several types of guns placed on it. After placing them on the platform in front of me, he pulled out one by one and began explaining the safety precautions.
He showed me everything and explained what I needed to know, such as how to take the safety off or how to hold it properly. Finally, after explaining a few more things, he spoke, "So ma'am, I've explained everything you need to know to use these guns. But you should also keep in mind that there may always be guns with a special approach. Unfortunately, we don't have any of those to demonstrate. If you're ready, you may begin."
Looking at me, I nodded.
And so, I had an hour to try shooting. Even though I knew that, there was some confidence inside coming from the skills. Cheaters don't have to think that hard, really.
Taking the gun and then inserting a magazine of ammunition, I repeated the shooting pose shown by the man. Although it wasn't perfect, I repeated some things. But he didn't seem to want to interfere, most likely he only stayed to make sure I didn't do anything dangerous or fix the problems with the gun.
I took careful aim at a target not far from me, then pulled the trigger. Immediately, a fierce recoil came, dodging my hands a little. The sensation was unpleasant, but still, if you got used to it, you could contain it. The bullet rumbled out of the muzzle of the gun and pierced the very left side of the target.
There were no new skills as I thought, and so I concentrated and fired again. The sound was a little loud because of the enclosed room, but not loud enough to deafen me. After firing several times in a row, I still didn't get the skill. Not understanding why, I thought and asked the man about it.
"Am I doing it right? What mistakes do I have?"
He still didn't seem to want to intervene, but with a sigh, he approached me.
"One of the key aspects of pistol shooting is proper posture. You need stability and accuracy to reach your target. Let's discuss the basic principles of proper posture. Your grip should be confident and correct. Grip the handle of the gun tightly, making sure your thumb is behind the trigger. The other fingers of your hand usually wrap around the gun for extra support.
Stand steadily with your feet shoulder-width apart and distribute your body weight evenly between your legs. If you are left-handed, turn your right side slightly forward. Relax, but be ready for action.
Ensure that your eyes, sight, and target are in the same horizontal line. Center the gun's sight horizontally and vertically relative to the rear. Focus on the target, not the sight.
Try to control your breathing to minimize body movement during the shot. Take a breath, hold it for a moment, and fire the shot during the delay.
Smoothly and gradually release the trigger, avoiding any sudden movements. Gradually squeeze the trigger to minimize target shift as you fire.”
As I listened to his instructions, I slowly assumed a basic shooting pose and finally took aim at the head of the target. I had an easy time controlling my breathing, which I could manage delicately. After taking a breath and holding it, I took aim and fired.
The target, which was 7-8 meters away from me, got a bullet in the center of its head, right in the red dot. Immediately, there was some notice, not just one, but two at once. I also felt some discomfort in my posture. Although I managed to hit the bull's-eye, the problem still remained.
"Great, keep up the good work," a man's voice was heard standing to the side.
Standing in the same pose, I thought before I spoke.
"Seriously, I'd like to try the other guns, too. Can you let me know the price of the remaining guns so that I can use them at least a few times? I'll shoot all the bullets with this gun first."
I looked at him to check his reaction. As expected, his face showed a little displeasure, but he still exhaled and walked out of the place.
Meanwhile, I concentrated on my feelings and started shooting one bullet after another, not only aiming for the head but also the limbs and on the torso. As a result, several holes appeared on the target, improving my accuracy. To make the shooting easier and more dexterous, I changed from the standard pose to a more comfortable one.