My Sniper System in a Zombie Apocalypse World-Chapter 28: Practice Makes Survivors

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Practice Makes Survivors
Yesterday, he had already checked the system store. It had bullets for pistols. Actually, it likely had bullets for every kind of gun he could ever need.
"You’re really good at this, Brother! I won’t lose. I’ll hit them too," Cindy exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.
"Good luck with that," Jaxon said, smiling. "Since we only have two pistols, let’s take turns."
"Don’t underestimate me! I’ll show you," Cindy said, determined. She raised her pistol and aimed. Natasha and Isabel followed suit.
One by one, they fired.
Nothing hit.
Clang, clatter. The cans barely wobbled.
Compared to Jaxon, who had the Marksmanship skill, they were starting from scratch. Every shot missed, but their determination didn’t falter.
Jaxon moved between them, offering advice. He adjusted grips, corrected stances, and patiently guided their aim.
"Keep your elbow steady," he said to Natasha.
"Lean a bit forward," he instructed Isabel.
"Relax your shoulders," he reminded Cindy.
Slowly, they began to improve, and the clanging of cans against stray bullets filled the quiet backyard,
....
After another two hours, everyone took a short break.
"Why is this so hard? This is absurd! How did you learn so fast, Brother?" Cindy complained, her cheeks flushed from frustration.
Natasha stayed quiet. She hadn’t expected that, in all those hours, she had only managed to hit five targets accurately. Cindy hit two, and Isabel... only one.
"Don’t get discouraged," Jaxon said with a calm smile. "This is just the beginning. You’ll get the hang of it soon enough."
His family busied themselves with snacks, trying to calm their frustration. Jaxon, meanwhile, turned his attention to the pistols.
’Now then, let’s see if this works.’
’Weapon upgrades.’
(Weapon Upgrades:
Glock 19:
Ammo Lv.0 – 19 coins
Magazine Lv.0 – 15 coins
Body Lv.0 – 20 coins
Muzzle Lv.0 – 16 coins
Grip Lv.0 – 17 coins
Suppressor Lv.0 – 11 coins)
’It works,’ Jaxon thought with quiet delight. ’So I can upgrade guns even if I didn’t buy them or receive them from the system.’
He scanned the costs. ’Cheaper than my DMR, and it doesn’t have a scope upgrade either.’
’System Shop.’
(Phantom Dot Pistol Optic - Type: Pistol Attachment – Cost: 20 coins)
’Now that’s useful.’ Jaxon’s mind raced. ’Besides suppressors, there are attachable sights too. But... damn it, I don’t have enough coins for the optic yet.’
He sighed quietly and glanced at his family. ’I’ll make these pistols even better.’
After another hour of practice, Jaxon decided it was time to continue his hunt. Their shooting practice might have attracted infected nearby, and he needed to take care of them. More importantly, he needed to earn coins for scopes, which would help his family improve even faster.
"You two are leaving again? I want to come too, Brother," Cindy said, pouting.
"Focus on your practice first," Jaxon replied. "If you can hit ten cans accurately, then I’ll take you with me."
"Okay, then I’ll get better first," she said, determination shining through.
"Don’t just use the gun by yourself," he reminded her. "Make sure to switch with Mom too."
With that, he slung his pack over his shoulder and left the house with Natasha.
Even though their practice had made some noise, they didn’t spot any infected nearby. The streets were quieter than before. Fewer infected wandered the neighborhood, as if most had moved somewhere else.
Jaxon glanced back at Cindy and Isabel, who were now practicing together. He wouldn’t let them come along today, they weren’t ready, and he needed the coins.
Still, he felt a quiet satisfaction seeing them learn. ’At least they’ll have the means to protect themselves,’ he thought, as he focused on the path ahead.
.....
"Where should we go now? Should we check on Burgors and the others?" Natasha asked, walking beside him.
"We’ll head that way," Jaxon replied. "Burgors messaged me. He spotted some infected lurking near their new house."
"I see. Then let’s go."
"Thank you, Natasha." Jaxon said suddenly, his voice quiet but sincere.
Natasha blinked, slightly startled, and looked up at him.
"You’re brave and decisive. I’m grateful you’re here to assist me," he added, meeting her gaze.
"So you’re not completely dense, huh?" she said with a small smile, her tone softening. "Hmph, I’m the older one here, so don’t carry all the burden by yourself."
Jaxon returned her smile, and together they walked on in silence. The words were few, but the trust between them grew stronger with every step.
.....
"I see the infected. It’s in the right corner, about two blocks away," Natasha said, standing atop a car and peering through her binoculars.
"Alright, let me handle it." Before the zombie even noticed them, its head exploded.
’All of their heads are almost exploding all the way down to their necks, just like the others. The bullet’s damage really has gotten stronger,’ Jaxon thought.
His teamwork with Natasha was improving. Every target he might have missed was already covered by her sharp eyes.
Soon, they arrived at Burgors’ and the siblings’ new house.
"You guys are here! Come in, come in," Hannah whispered, offering them snacks. By now, speaking in whispers had become the new normal to avoid attracting attention.
Behind her, Haris and Burgors stood quietly, alert.
"Thank you," Jaxon said casually, taking a biscuit and starting to eat. "How’s it going in here?"
"We’re doing fine. We owe you again for handling the zombies near us," Haris said, nodding slightly.
Jaxon nodded in return. "The infected outside have decreased drastically. Last time this happened, things didn’t turn out well."
Burgors and the siblings shivered at the memory, recalling the dread of that night.
"So before that happens, we need to prepare. Has anyone been to the mall since all this chaos started?" Jaxon asked.
"I did," Burgors raised his hand. "I was shopping there when everything went crazy. I ran as soon as it began. Why do you ask?"
"Do you think I could go there?"
"What?" Everyone, including Natasha, froze, surprised by his question.