𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 = 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
Chihaya was looking at the sale price of the Shepherd with a complex expression.
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“$2,070. . .”
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The Shepherd, a Lannoid model, was a very expensive machine.
However, due to a nearby explosion that damaged essential sensors and circuitry, its value had significantly decreased.
Furthermore, the All-Rounder that Chihaya had been using was also considerably damaged, even though it wasn’t completely destroyed. After deducting the repair costs, the sale price was $2,070.
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Since she had only seen sale prices in the tens of thousands before, this felt like a small amount. But in reality, it was a decent sum of money.
Moreover, there was another gain.
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“Sniper rifle, nice. . . . . .”
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Fu-He he, Chihaya looked at the AI-equipped sniper rifle 『Yoichi』 that she had taken from the Shepherd.
It was the Yoichi, repainted in camouflage. It had quite a sleek appearance, with a range of over a thousand meters, and its AI-assisted targeting was highly rated.
Until now, she had borrowed standard equipment and optional parts, but this Yoichi was genuinely Chihaya’s first personal weapon.
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“This contradiction of having to carry a weapon to protect myself even though I don’t want to fight . . . . . .May I never have to use it. . . . . .”
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In any case, there was no point in not knowing how to use it if she ever had to. There was no manual since it was a loot.
Reading instructions on Kaien Heavy Industries’ website, Chihaya connects it to the newly rented All-Rounder.
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She launches the All-Rounder from Wagawa Garage’s warehouse and heads to the shooting range outside the garage.
Buying not-so-cheap bullets, she enters the shooting range with the All-Rounder.
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The shooting range had wooden targets set up every two hundred meters. There was no ceiling. Many Actors deliberately trained on rainy days because Actanoid assignments might involve combat in bad weather.
She made the All-Rounder hold the Yoichi, reading the manual and checking the operation.
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“. . . . . .Can’t link.”
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Yoichi’s AI had the effect of enhancing accuracy by referencing the Actanoid monitor. However, the All-Rounder that Chihaya mainly used was a low-processing-power model, and it couldn’t link with the AI.
Thanks to the All-Rounder’s strength, there’s no shaking when shooting, so the accuracy would be higher than a human’s.
However, hitting a moving target would be extremely difficult since there was a lag.
The AI correction directly links to the Actanoid, ignoring lag, and allows shooting on the spot without involving Actors in Japan.
In other words, for Chihaya, Yoichi had become a sniper rifle that couldn’t shoot anything but stationary objects, with a useless AI attached.
Its appeal was completely dead.
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Though disappointed, it’s a gun she’s somewhat reluctant to part with.
Since she can shoot unilaterally from a distance, there’s less worry about damaging the mech. If she can somehow hit targets, it would be a reliable ally.
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“What should I do. . . . . .”
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There are a few mechs that can link with the AI.
A light rounder like Psycholon might work as an upgrade to the All-Rounder. Its wide field of vision is good for scouting, and it’s less likely to be caught off guard.
She might consider switching to a rented Psycholon. But the indecisive Chihaya kept dithering about it.
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First of all, Psycholon is an expensive machine. Although it’s not as cheap as the All-Rounder, Psycholon is a machine equipped with numerous functions related to video and image analysis, such as precise attitude control functions from videos.
Even if you use a sniper rifle, if there are many opponents, they will get close. In that case, you might use grenades to attack a wide range at once.
In short, it doesn’t go well with Chihaya, who often uses explosives.
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“But, perhaps, isn’t sniping something that shouldn’t be done alone?”
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Unless there is a reason to hide from others’ eyes, you need at least a partner for surveillance and protection around the area.
That’s right, a sniper rifle is too much for Chihaya, the socially awkward loner.
Even understanding this, Chihaya did not think about selling Yoichi.
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“I, I might use it someday…”
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Chihaya, being stingy, stores Yoichi in the warehouse like a squirrel preparing for winter. Like a squirrel, it’s probably forgotten, or so it seems.
After returning the All-Rounder to the warehouse and taking a break, Chihaya heads up to the living room on the first floor.
While climbing the stairs, the smartphone vibrated in the pocket.
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“. . .A study session for actors with a high frequency of repairs?”
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The message sent from the New World Resources Agency was a study session for Actors who frequently damage or destroy their mechs.
Though it’s described as a study session, the actual intent is more of a warning and lecture.
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Development in the New World isn’t just about the actors. It cannot function without Actanoids, who do the direct work in the New World.
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『And yet, you’ve broken so many Actanoids in a short period, come and see how delicately they are made, how carefully they are repaired, and reflect on your actions, you defective Actors』
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At the content of such a resentful study session, Chihaya looks away.
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“But, I couldn’t help it. . . . . .”
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