Along with the night vision goggles, Thomas found an AN/PEQ-15 illuminator attached to Ghostface's precision rifle.
[AN/PEQ-15 Illuminator]
Type: Combined Tactical Device
Size: 1x1
Description: A tactical device combining a visible laser, an infrared laser, and an infrared illuminator.
Modes: Visible Laser / Infrared Laser / Infrared Illuminator.
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At night, the AN/PEQ-15's infrared laser, invisible to the naked eye, produced a small red dot on the target, indicating the point of impact. With the night vision goggles, Thomas could engage targets in low-light conditions using the infrared laser.
These two items significantly enhanced Thomas's night fighting capabilities, extending his effective range from close quarters to short-medium distances, offering greater tactical flexibility and safety.
[HK417 Precision Rifle]
Type: Precision Rifle
Size: 5x2
Recoil: Vertical: 93; Horizontal: 258
Effective Range: 700 meters
Firing Modes: Semi-Automatic / Fully Automatic
Rate of Fire: 850
Accuracy: 1.53
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Muzzle Velocity: 789 m/s
Magazine: HK 7.62x51 20-round Translucent Polymer Magazine
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The rifle's handguard was sleek, featuring a Picatinny rail on top, seamlessly integrated with the receiver's rail. With quad rails, it could accommodate various tactical accessories. It was equipped with a UTG reflex sight.
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[Priest's Blade of the Heretic God]
Type: Rare Item - Melee Weapon
Size: 2x1
Description: A strangely shaped blade inscribed with cryptic symbols. Clearly used for some sort of ritual, but its uses don't end there. It appears to have been modified to deliver toxins, so it's best to avoid touching the blade.
Effect 1: Upon being struck, the target is infected with an unknown toxin that continuously burns their blood. This effect cannot be countered by an [Antidote Injector].
Effect 2: Upon being struck, the target becomes progressively paralyzed. The paralysis intensifies over time. This effect cannot be countered by an [Antidote Injector].
Effect 3: Can be used to conduct sacrificial rituals.
Note: Effects 1 and 2 can be used twice daily. Only the [Antitoxin Serum] from the CBS Laboratory can neutralize the toxins.
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[HRT Combat Boots - Black]
Type: Rare Equipment - Feet
Material: "Sympatex" membrane, abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon
Puncture Resistance: 2
Water Resistance: Excellent
Breathability: Excellent
Stability: High (Oil-resistant, Anti-slip)
Fall Damage Reduction: +25%
Movement Noise Reduction: +30%
Description: High-performance combat boots suitable for most environments.
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[Meix Wear Gloves]
Type: Rare Equipment - Hands
Material: Fur, Special Nylon
Water Resistance: Excellent
Abrasion Resistance: Excellent
Insulation: Good
Grip Strength: +25%
Hand Stability: +20%
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[XCET 500BT Digital Headset]
Type: Headset
Size: 2x2
Performance: Distortion +0.2, Footstep Detection +40, Equipment Noise Detection +30, Pickup Range +20, Environmental Noise Reduction -25
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Ghostface's loot replaced nearly half of Thomas's current gear. Boots, gloves, headset, and even his melee weapon were all upgraded.
The Priest's Blade of the Heretic God, in particular, exceeded Thomas's expectations. A single cut, and the target was essentially doomed without the specific [Antitoxin Serum].
The paralyzing effect was similar to Thomas's [Paralyzing Toxin], offering another tactical option.
The ritual aspect intrigued Thomas. Due to the [Nightwalker] title, he needed to perform a sacrificial ritual within seven days to avoid self-sacrifice. He wasn't keen on finding out what that entailed.
Speaking of rituals, Thomas retrieved something resembling the previous [Encrypted USB Drive] from Ghostface's loot. He checked the item information.
[Decrypted USB Drive]
Type: Rare Electronic Book
Effect: Can be read using an electronic device to learn specific knowledge.
Requirements: Heretic God Follower or Priest status, Electronic Device x1, Morphine Injector x1.
Description: A mysterious USB drive from the CBS Laboratory, containing hidden knowledge.
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"So this is the [Decrypted USB Drive]," Thomas muttered, producing a notebook marked with a large, symbolic eye. The pages were filled with cryptic symbols that made his eyes blur and his focus waver.
[Heretic God Follower's Notebook]
Description: A notebook used by Heretic God followers to record important information. Requires specific knowledge or the Decrypted USB Drive to decipher.
Thomas had acquired the notebook on his second day in the Apocalypse Game, after killing a Heretic God follower who tried to ambush him at the Crimson Cabaret. He'd almost forgotten about it.
He hadn't expected to find the [Decrypted USB Drive] on Ghostface, but it made sense in retrospect.
The [Intelligence Center] was still upgrading, so he couldn't use the USB drive yet. He figured the [Nightwalker] title would fulfill the status requirement. After all, the title's description stated:
—The old king is dead, long live the new king.
Like the previous Heretic God follower, Ghostface also carried a notebook filled with symbols. Thomas would decipher them later.
The last two items from Ghostface were completely unexpected.
[CBS Laboratory Keycard.Black]
Type: Laboratory Keycard
Size: 1x1
Use: Unlocks the door to the underground level 2 experimental area (G12).
Compatible Containers:
Simple Wallet: Yes
Key Organizer: No
Document Bag: Yes
Small SICC Bag: Yes
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[Anlute Museum Storage Key]
Type: Key
Size: 1x1
Use: Unlocks the door to the storage area behind the Anlute Museum.
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"A lab keycard!" Thomas now had two lab keycards: the [Laboratory Access Keycard] for one-time entry, and this black keycard.
He consulted the lab map, locating G12 in the bottom-left corner of the second underground level. G12 was next to a work area, the G11 experimental area, and the B12 server room. Stairs connected G12 and B12.
"G12 is quite large. I wonder what's inside. Probably high-value loot."
"The Anlute Museum storage is probably Ghostface's hideout!" Thomas recalled the key he'd found on Black Dog, which had led to a valuable stash.
He secured the keys, having processed all of Ghostface's loot. Next were Mad Dog, Caban, and the Butcher's belongings. He'd already taken their blueprints and books. Now, only their weapons, equipment, and miscellaneous items remained.
Mad Dog's weapon was a Remington M870 shotgun, slightly better than his MP-133, but Thomas had no immediate use for it.
Then came the Butcher's loot. Thomas was speechless when he saw the weapon.
[PR-Taran Baton]
Type: Rare Item - Melee Weapon
Size: 1x2
Range: 0.6 meters
Description: A PR-Taran baton with a side handle, used by law enforcement for self-defense and crowd control.
Effect 1: Striking an enemy using a firearm causes their weapon to jam.
Effect 2: Striking an enemy reduces their movement speed, turning speed, and attack speed by 90%.
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The weapon seemed downright cruel. A single hit would jam a gun and cripple the target's mobility, leaving them vulnerable. Thomas was glad he'd used the [Remote-Detonated Emulsion Explosive] on the Butcher. The consequences of being hit by that baton... shudder.
The Butcher's other gear was unremarkable, consisting of items found in the raided armory. His prized ammunition was already in Thomas's inventory.
Finally, Caban's loot. Two items caught Thomas's eye.
[XOGB Cigar]
Type: Rare Item
Size: 1x1
Description: A prestigious cigar brand favored by the wealthy and elite, known for its invigorating effects.
Effect 1: Grants the [Invigorated] status, lasting 180 seconds.
Effect 2: Focus +10
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[PKM Light Machine Gun]
Type: Machine Gun
Size: 6x3
Description: A simple, reliable, and powerful weapon.
Recoil: Vertical: 132; Horizontal: 819
Effective Range: 750 meters
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic
Rate of Fire: 650
Caliber: 7.62x54R
Default Magazine: PK 7.62x54R 100-round Box Magazine
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Thomas had witnessed the PKM's devastating power firsthand. The 7.62 rounds were brutal. The cigar's [Invigorated] status was a pain reliever, but Thomas had plenty of those. He valued the +10 Focus more. With the [Ammunition Workshop] and [Weapon Modification Workshop] under construction, along with the [Explosive Production]... no, scratch that last one. He needed more focus for crafting.
The remaining items were trinkets. Among them, Thomas found a letter signed "The Mechanic." He opened it.
[Caban, when are you coming to pick up your PKP machine gun? If you don't come soon, I'll start charging storage fees! ]
[Also, I have news about the "Underwater Assault Rifle Blueprint" you were looking for. Come see me soon! Don't forget your Calamity Coins.]
[As for the underwater assault rifle ammunition, I suggest you talk to the Butcher. I hear he knows a thing or two about ammunition. He might have what you need, no?]
A scrawled signature followed: Sergey Arsenye...
"Underwater assault rifle!" Thomas's heart leaped. Such a weapon existed in this world! He knew how ineffective firearms were underwater. Bullets lost momentum quickly due to water resistance and cavitation. An underwater assault rifle... and the Mechanic implied the Butcher had clues about the ammunition.
Ammunition clues... Thomas's eyes lit up. Besides the [Bullet Theory and Practice] skill book, what else could it be? He thought about the upcoming flood and his need for an underwater weapon.
"I have to find this Mechanic. But what was his full name? Sergey Arsenye... something."