The level up was much appreciated, but I did not have much need for it at that time. The rifle was considered a level one item and could have been crafted even without the upgrade.
I returned to my shelter loaded with scraps and upon arrival, I immediately crafted the Ghrut-50, bringing the daily tasks to completion.
The Ghrut-50 turned out to be a 'single shot breach-loading rifle', which in simple terms was a rifle that required reloading after every single shot. I was no gun enthusiast, but I could say that the weapon was antique in design. But that being said, its simplicity made it easy to learn.
After fitting it with the 4x scope I got as reward, and crafting rifle bullets, I tested it out atop the plateau. I laid on my stomach, dropped a small mound of ammo nearby, picked a target below, and then started.
Bang!
The gunshot sound from the rifle was louder and firmer than that of the pistol. And obviously, it was the more powerful gun. But my first shot landed a meter away from the target, and this was not immediately demonstrated for me.
The gun, however, was not to blame for the miss, nor was the boy's gun proficiency. I have failed to realize that bullet drop was not the only factor I should take into account. The planet's windy weather was surely any long ranged weapon's bane.
I reloaded again, observed the wind, and then made the second shot. Irritatingly, as soon as I pulled the trigger, the wind blew again, making me miss the second time.
The gusts were inconsistent and unpredictable, and paired with my inexperience and hesitancy, I struggled to make the mark.
I would fire several shots, with varying degrees of success, but none successful enough. The metal barrel below the plateau remained untouched, while the areas surrounding were peppered with bullets.
As the shooting practice progressed, the hues of the rays of the star changed and the planet slightly dimmed. The winds brought with it a stronger chill.
But the grimness of the warning was lost in the familiar and beautiful sight that was painted on the horizon. Even in the desert of trash, a sunset was still a beautiful sight.
I took a break and sat myself, cross legged on the rocky ground. A cup of coffee would have been perfect, but I contented myself with what was available.
I opened my inventory and the bright colored icons of the crops I have harvested were the first to greet me.
My stomach grumbled, reminding me that melons doesn't stave hunger for long. Relaxed and in a good mood, I decided to give the leeks a try.
I grimaced at the first bite, the leaf of the leeks tasted just as I expected it: bitter and grassy. There were games I have played where leeks were eaten raw, but it was likely that they were inaccurate.
Then I decided to eat the bottom part and was happily proven wrong. Not the tastiest yet the root had a sweet flavor and a more bearable grassy tang. Egged on by a rumbling belly, I proceeded to eat several more. It was unexpectedly filling.
After the snack, I continued with shooting the rifle and decided to spend another ten minutes on it. Reload, Aim, and Fire. This cycle continued, until my ears have gotten used to the piercing sound.
Yet, the bullets never hit the barrel, though some were very close.
The ten minutes expired, and I ended the practice unsuccessfully, but far from disheartened. There are plenty of chances to get to know the wind more.
The slow-moving star was about to touch the mountains of the trash, and so I decided to retreat to my shelter. I put the rifle back, back away from the cliff, walked past the newly planted planter and unto the metal door.
Behind it, the blandness awaited. Just the metal walls and the rock floor.
Thus, I burdened myself with one last task before I retire for the day: crafting the needed furniture and putting the resource acquired during the run into use.
First was a fireplace, the shelter needed heating, or I'd freeze to death.
[Fireplace
Crafting Materials:
Metal Plate x4 + Bones x4 = Fireplace x1]
[Craft]
[Fireplace x1 Crafted]
[Acquired 50xp]
And to place in front of it, I crafted a table and some chairs. Eating and sitting on the ground was unhygienic and uncivilized, not to mention, uncomfortable.
[Table
Crafting Materials:
Metal Plate x2 Metal Pipes x4]
[Craft]
[Table x1 Crafted]
[Acquired 40xp]
[Chair
Crafting Materials:
Metal Plate x1 + Metal Pipe x1]
[Craft]
[Chair x2 Crafted]
[Acquired 20xp]
I also crafted a closet. There was not much use to it since I was yet to have an array of clothes. But the room looks lacking without one.
[Closet
Crafting Materials:
Metal Plate x4 = Closet x1]
[Craft]
[Closet x1 Crafted]
[Acquired 50xp]
Then of course, the second most important thing, a bed. I reckoned I will not get a good night of sleep, just sleeping on the cold stone ground.
[Bed
Crafting Material:
Metal Plate x2 + Rat Fur x2]
[Craft]
[Bed x1 Crafted]
[Acquired 50xp]
Noticing I still have leftovers, I proceeded to craft chests should I run out of inventory slots.
[Weapon Chest :
Crafting Material:
Metal Plate x3 = Weapon Chest x1]
[Craft]
[Weapon Chest x2 Crafted]
[Acquired 40xp]
[Ammo Chest
Crafting Material:
Metal Plate x2 = Ammo Chest x1]
[Craft]
[Ammo Chest x2 Crafted]
After spending most of the metal scraps, the one-room shelter had started to look like a proper house.
Being a metal facility, florescent lamps would look better. The stone floor could use some carpeting. Appliances would be needed to give it a modern look.
However, these things, although craftable, needs more than metal scraps to be crafted.
I would need to scavenge not just small metal piles, but larger mounds of waste, and expose myself to greater dangers.