After the orders were given, everyone left to carry out their orders. One more person sent to the task would barely add any chance of success, thereby leaving Marcus time for himself. Marcus leaned back in his seat, sipping tea as he thought about the big picture.

Further plans about their base would have to wait until they could find an appropriate location. Their economic situation depends entirely on each player’s contribution. If they manage to set up their own farms, their clan coffers will be funded by their profits by selling the mushrooms to the market. Marcus was still making credits hand over fist with almost a thousand percent markup from what he could source from Chief Tiul, but with Marcus being the sole source of the mushrooms, as far as he knew, it left him in a comfortable spot.

As for their combat capabilities; their setup works for the moment with players using NATO calibers while Marcus’ goblins settle into the Soviet counterparts. It allows caliber variety, which made sure that any ammunition looted would have a rifle being able to shoot it but cut down on commonality, barring players from sharing ammo with the goblins.

Of course, that could be easily solved by simply not allowing the goblins to run with the players, but that would effectively cut their available combat units in half.

Marcus sighed as he took another sip of his drink. It would have to be a problem he would have to keep in the back of his mind since he couldn’t for the life of him find a solution except making either of the group change calibers and rifles.

Still on the topic of caliber commonality, Marcus needed to get himself a rifle chambered in 7.62x39. Of course, he could just take one of the half dozen extra AKMs he had in storage, but he just didn’t want to.

Opening the player-run black market, Marcus looked over the listings looking for the more modern designs chambered in 7.62x39 with the added caveat that it could accept AK pattern magazines. As one of the most common calibers in the game, there was a selection of guns sold by other players but mostly AKs and their derivatives. With more money to burn now, Marcus thought that he should be able to treat himself with a nice weapon. Funny how he used to do the same IRL back then.

Anon 4006: Selling CMMG Mutant. Give me your offer. I know what this is worth. Don’t even try.

Anon 8861: Hey 4006. I’m interested. Let’s talk. Here.

Marcus sent the anonymous guy a link to a private chatroom then talked business. The CMMG Mutant, being an uncommon rifle in the ship, was more expensive than the common variety solely for its novelty. An AR shooting AK bullets. All the benefits of a gas impingement system in the heavier caliber of the AK. What’s there not to love? you get the best of both sides of the cold war.

The gun was a true mutant indeed.

In the market, uncommon rifles went around 10,000c. A bit expensive compared to the more common rifles, which went for half of that, but Marcus was willing to drop the money needed, that he was even willing to buy the rifle a little more than the going price. Still, with some haggling through the private text chat, Marcus was able to secure a meetup after agreeing at a 15,000c price, equivalent to three AKMs sold in the market.

The exchange was quick. Just like how he went about buying guns off people from Craigslist, Marcus took the rifle and checked it in his hands. It was the 16-inch barrel version, a little too long for his taste and the environment he would be using it. The player claimed that it hadn’t been used and so he checked the contact points and saw little scratches from parts rubbing against each other; he checked the barrel; it was clean of carbon. It looked fine. Marcus hasn’t had his weapons jam on him yet, but given the effort the developers put into the game, he expected for a jam to happen sooner or later.

With a quick change of credits. Marcus was now the new owner of the weapon.

Seeing at how Demented managed to get the drop rate of his weapon cut in half by spending money on it, Marcus planned to do the same. He already had a budget in mind; three times the value of the gun to be exact since attachments and upgrades usually cost more than the weapon when added up.

Stepping into the armory, Marcus took his spot at the back of the line, only to be waved forward by Stoner as he told the second in line to wait. As a result, Marcus had to cut the line, passing by a dozen people who were giving him looks.

“Sorry.” Marcus said to the girl standing second in the line. Then to Stoner, “You know I’m fine standing in line right?”

“Oh I know.” Stoner grinned, “So what do you need?”

“I need this customized.” Marcus said, pulling out the weapon. The sight of the Mutant caused Stoner to raise eyebrows, intrigued. “I want the barrel cut down to 10 or so inches, threaded for a suppressor attachment. The barrel cut to sleeve over the suppressor with cutouts on the side for taking it out, polished trigger, tuned gas port, increased buffer weight, ambidextrous mag release lever, foregip, holo sights, IR laser/illuminator with a flashlight, also, paint it matte black.”

“You want a handjob for it too?” Stoner said, handing him the scanner. Looking at the number, Marcus paused. 35,000c, over double the rifle’s price.

“Didn’t know you had a wife. Is she hot? If she is, I wouldn’t mind a massage first before the happy ending.” Marcus replied, scanning his chit. Another six pack of beer for a virtual gun.

“In your dreams kid.” Stoner said, ripping the paper off the pad he was using to list the specs, and taking the rifle. “You can have it tomorrow.”

“Actually, would it help for me to get it earlier if I help?” Marcus asked.

“We might be able to finish later tonight.” Stoner shrugged, “You know what? We could just start after I finish with these.” Stoner said. He then stepped out of the back of the shop and turned the sign saying that they were closed. Seeing the actions of the NPC, Marcus caught the players looking at him intently.

“Fuck dude.” Marcus muttered, hoping that Stoner’s actions wouldn’t come around and bite him in the ass.

“You really went out on this one huh.” Stone said, as Marcus entered Stoner's workshop.

“Yeah. I thought I’d have a gun personalized for myself.” Marcus replied, “The lowered drop chance was sweet too.”

Stoner grunted, gesturing at the rifle sitting in a vise block. “Are you going to help or what?”

Marcus nodded, standing nearby as Stoner worked. He acted as a second pair of hands for Stoner as he held things and did the menial jobs. By doing so, Marcus received another notification.

Attention!

Would you like to learn the skill: Gunsmithing?

Gunsmithing

Increases reliability, accuracy, and familiarity gain when repairing, modifying, and building guns. Higher levels unlock more advanced gunsmithing actions.

+ reliability

+ Accuracy

+ familiarity gain

Now, with a dozen fighters under him and the rest of the clan members, Marcus could use a gunsmith under his command, if only to save money on modifications. But it can’t be him. He can’t spend the time tinkering with weapons, all the while leading an offensive force. Marcus, again, chose to decline. Still, it gave him an idea. He could try to recommend someone to work under Stoner as an apprentice. Maybe even a goblin.

The modifications Marcus listed should have taken a week at the minimum. But this being a game, Stoner was able to finish it all in five hours. With a proud smile, Stoner handed Marcus the rifle.

Attention!

CMMG Mutant - Monster

Built from a CMMG Mutant with a 16-inch barrel, it has been modified by an expert gunsmith as per the owner’s specifications. It is modified to a cut down 10-inch barrel for better handling, suppressor for sound attenuation, heavier buffer weight for a lighter recoil impulse, tuned gas port for increased reliability, ambidextrous magazine release lever, and a crisp 4-pound trigger.

This is a custom weapon built for the specifications of the owner. Effects are:

-60% chance of dropping on death (Owner)

-30% recoil reduction

Lighter trigger for faster semi-automatic fire

Better handling

Weapon is named. Named effect is left blank. Increase familiarity and history with the weapon to infuse effects.

Named effect: None

Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Familiarity: 0

Requirement: 4 Str

Weight: 4.2kg

Firing Mode: Semi/Automatic

Mods:

Holographic sight

Suppressor

Foregrip

IR illuminator/Designator flashlight

% Drop chance on death: 40%*

*Drop chance is calculated with a base chance of 100% reduced by additional factors like weapon modifications and familiarity.

“It’s a named rifle.” Marcus muttered in awe, “With a blank trait.”

“Nothing but the best work from me.” Stoner replied. “Aren’t you lucky, huh?”

“Why? Why give me this?” Marcus asked.

“Let’s say you have a better appreciation of the tools of the trade compared to the common man. A toolmaker would want for his best tools to be used by the best artists.”

Marcus said nothing as he took another look at the rifle in his hands. He couldn’t help but smile. It was perfect. Charging the rifle, Marcus felt the trigger. It was light and crisp. He bet with enough practice, he could pull the trigger fast enough for it to sound full auto. “I gotta pay you back for this.” He muttered.

Stoner scoffed. “I don’t think you have the money if I charge you for my skills. So don’t even try to ask.”

“I was thinking about giving you another pair of hands for help.”

“I get plenty of people asking me to teach them. I always say no, and I’ll give the same answer to you.”

Marcus had to relent. The look in Stoner’s eyes betrayed that no amount of persuasion would change his mind. Whatever Stoner’s reasons why he chose the way he ran his shop would be up to him. It looked personal, and Marcus decided not to pry. “Thank you.”

“Good luck with your fights.” Stoner said, nodding. “Don’t lose it.”

“I won't.” Marcus nodded back. “And thanks again.”

“Just get out of here.” Stoner replied, waving him off. “I need to get some sleep.”

Marcus nodded, stepping outside the shop. He needs some sleep too to make sure that he keeps sharp for the job with Columbus. Thinking further, it might be the last one he would do.

In the range, Marcus packed his magazines. Pulling the charging handle and locking it back, he rocked a full magazine in place and pressed the magazine release button with his trigger finger, shaving half a second on his reload time.

Looking at the distant target at the hundred-meter distance, Marcus set his rifle on one of the benches lining the range and began setting his ‘battle zero’ for his rifle.

Attention!

[Familiarity increased to 15!]

Marcus spent a few magazines worth of ammo practicing and finding his zero. He felt content with having to only center his reticle on the target to guarantee a hit within a hundred meters. Given the ranges he expected to fight with the rifle, it was more than enough.

After packing his magazines once more, Marcus still had some ammo to burn. Just recently, the leaderboards on the CQB courses had been wiped. Marcus looked over at the entrance to the room and walked over in the direction. Might as well take a shot at the top while he was there.

Entering the course, Marcus took a beeline for the catwalks above, giving him a full view of the course with the locations of the targets.

The distances involved in the course ranged from 5 meters to 80 meters. Marcus then noted the locations of the targets and planned out his route from above and walked the course, once, twice, just enough to get a feel of the place before running it for the first time.

Walking back to the start of the course, Marcus patted his vest and tested his magazines to make sure they slid smoothly out of their pouches. He then practiced the motion of reloading his rifle and shouldering it. When he felt ready, pressed the button on the side to start.