Thomas left the room and closed the door behind him. He heard faint footsteps coming from inside and a soft screeching sound as Samantha or Anna set up the chair to block the door.
If only he knew that there would be people inside, he wouldn't break it. But given the circumstances of him assuming that everyone in this campus is dead, it was only a logical decision he could make.
He looked to the left and to the right. Fortunately, there were no zombies in sight. He breathed a sigh of relief before opening his system.
[User: Thomas Estaris]
[Level: 3]
[Experience Points: 6,100/8,693]
[Blood coins: 106,450]
[Skill: Weapon's Proficiency: Level 1, Combat Proficiency: Level 1]
"Only two thousand experience points away from leveling up," Thomas muttered under his breath. To be honest, he wasn't satisfied by how little the experience points he could earn from killing zombies. It should have been higher as dealing with one without a weapon was difficult and could result in death.
But since he was just getting started, who knows the system might get better in the future. For now, he has to focus on his goal. Leaving the campus. And after that, he must grind experience points and blood coins, set up an extraction team, rescue Samantha and Anna, and possibly others who they might find during the operation.
To do so—he needed firepower.
One thing he noticed is the MP5. Although it has a satisfying rate of fire, it's power was lacking. If it was humans, the MP5 would have been enough, but if it's against zombies that are resilient, one that won't die even if you exhausted your full magazine on its body, so long its brain is unharmed.
Thomas activated his system and browsed through the shop's assault rifle section, scrolling past an array of firearms. Each weapon came with detailed specifications and stats displayed on the system screen. He stopped at the first option, his eyes narrowing as he read through the description.
[M4 Carbine]
Type: Assault Rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Weight: 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg)
Damage: Medium
Rate of Fire: High
Effective Range: 500 meters
Accuracy: Medium
Cost: 3,000 Blood Coins
The M4 Carbine was a reliable, lightweight option. Its 5.56mm rounds were standard and widely available in the shop, making resupply easier. However, Thomas hesitated. The damage rating was listed as "Medium," and given his experience with zombies, he wasn't sure if it would have the stopping power he needed. The M4's high rate of fire was appealing, but if it couldn't consistently put down zombies with headshots, it would be more of a liability than an asset.
[HK 416]
Type: Assault Rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Weight: 7.9 lbs (3.58 kg)
Damage: Medium-High
Rate of Fire: High
Effective Range: 600 meters
Accuracy: High
Cost: 4,000 Blood Coins
The HK 416 caught his attention immediately. It was heavier than the M4 but offered higher damage and accuracy. Its piston-driven operating system made it more reliable, especially in harsh conditions. However, the increased weight was a downside. Zombies lunged unpredictably, and he needed a weapon he could handle swiftly without getting bogged down. Still, it was a strong contender.
[FN FAL]
[Type: Battle Rifle
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Weight: 9.4 lbs (4.3 kg)
Damage: High
Rate of Fire: Medium
Effective Range: 800 meters
Accuracy: High
Cost: 4,500 Blood Coins]
The FN FAL was a powerhouse. Its 7.62mm rounds offered significantly higher damage than the 5.56mm rifles, meaning it could take down zombies with fewer shots, even if the head wasn't hit directly. However, the trade-off was clear: it was heavier and had a smaller magazine capacity. Its rate of fire was also slower, which could be an issue in close-quarters combat against a fast-moving horde.
[FN SCAR-L]
[Type: Assault Rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Weight: 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
Damage: Medium-High
Rate of Fire: Medium-High
Effective Range: 600 meters
Accuracy: High
Cost: 5,000 Blood Coins]
The FN SCAR-L struck a balance between the M4 and the FN FAL. It had better damage and accuracy than the M4, with a manageable weight and high reliability. However, its cost was higher, which made Thomas hesitate. While he had enough Blood Coins to afford it, he had to be mindful of other purchases he might need later.
[G36C]
[Type: Compact Assault Rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Weight: 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Damage: Medium
Rate of Fire: High
Effective Range: 400 meters
Accuracy: Medium-High
Cost: 5,500 Blood Coins]
The G36C was lightweight and compact, making it ideal for tight spaces. Its accuracy and rate of fire were solid, but its damage rating was the same as the M4. Thomas considered that its lighter weight could be advantageous for prolonged encounters, especially since zombies often swarmed unpredictably. However, its shorter effective range could limit its versatility.
Thomas leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms as he reviewed his options. His circumstances demanded a weapon that was light, had sufficient stopping power, and could handle close-quarters combat efficiently. After a moment of deliberation, he made his decision.
He tapped on the system interface to confirm his purchase.
[Item Purchased: HK 416 – 5,500 Blood Coins]
[Remaining Blood Coins: 100,950]
The rifle materialized in front of him.
He picked it up, testing its weight. It was heavier than the MP5 but still manageable. The ergonomic design felt comfortable in his hands, and the increased accuracy and damage would be invaluable.
Next, he navigated to the ammunition section and purchased three boxes of 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, each containing 90 rounds.
[Item Purchased: 5.56x45mm NATO Rounds x10– 1,000 Blood Coins]
[Remaining Blood Coins: 99,950]
Thomas loaded a 30-round magazine into the HK 416, chambering the first round with a satisfying click. He slung the rifle over his shoulder, and as for the MP5…an idea popped in his mind.
He thought of the MP5 being stashed in his inventory, and the moment he did, the MP5 dematerialized and a notification informed him that it was successfully stored in his inventory space.
It was a convenient skill. But what if he needed it? He thought of it materializing in his free left hand and it materialized in his left hand.
It was good information, no need for him to carry a lot of weapons around his body when he could conveniently stash it in his inventory.
Of course, he restocked the M9 Beretta ammo and bought three fragmentation and stun grenades. Last but not least, a tactical knife.
That was it—he was ready for another confrontation.