Chapter 94

Looking around the scene, Bak roughly understood what was going on in this country with strict gun control, especially when he saw the bags of white granules in the corner and others filling magazines with the granules: "Is this... a paintball game? It's really realistic."

Hong Qi was quite pleased: "It's real-life CS, isn't it exciting?"

Bak hesitated to turn around, unsure if his ankle could still twist freely. Fortunately, others didn't notice. He took a large gulp from the water bottle Fang Lingying handed him, suppressing his rapid breathing, and showed a curious expression: "All these are paintball guns? Isn't that illegal...?" He looked at Hong Qi, clearly implying that he was a police officer.

Hong Qi was used to it: "In many places, police teams play this... It's actually harmless, but it's getting more and more realistic. There are even fools who try to rob banks with these!" Seeing Bak's eyes scanning the guns, he cheerfully took off the M4 rifle from his chest and handed it over: "This is the safety, don't open it, and don't point it at anyone... It feels heavy, right? It feels like a real gun, doesn't it? Look at the sights, the bolt, the barrel..."

Bak tried to handle the paintball gun clumsily. Indeed, in terms of weight and appearance, it was almost indistinguishable from a real gun. The metal muzzle gleamed faintly, and a familiar sensation ran through his fingertips as he touched the cold, worn external parts. Bak's hands began to tremble...

This was also why he preferred not to use that broken pistol on the island; he really would tremble when he held a gun!

Hong Qi was puzzled: "Isn't it heavy? It's only about seven or eight pounds. Try this pistol?" He took the rifle back and pulled out a similarly worn M9 pistol from his thigh holster and handed it to Bak. Bak had to use both hands to take it, barely resisting the urge to quickly pull back the slide to check the chamber!

Hong Qi was enthusiastic: "The rifles are electric, firing six-millimeter plastic BBs. The pistols are gas-powered, similar to a lighter, with the gas in the magazine, also firing the same BBs..."

While he was explaining, a man in green military uniform with a steel helmet and a mask stood up by the wall: "It's about time... Third round, get ready... Follow the usual rules, start the game at the whistle, and each team enters separately..."

Dozens of people, much like the scattered mercenaries Bak used to be with, grumbled as they got up, began to put on their masks and gear, and slung their guns. They had no military demeanor; some even wore dress pants and leather shoes, but their upper bodies were in cheap camouflage, following the well-equipped "bandits" inside. There were clearly women among them, and quite a few.

Someone called out to Hong Qi: "Qipiao! Let's go!"

Hong Qi patted Bak on the shoulder: "Want to join in? It's a man's hobby!"

Bak shook his head with difficulty: "I... I'll just watch. What's Qipiao?" He handed back the pistol.

Hong Qi put it back in his holster and explained: "Most people here are netizens, using their online names... Doctor Fang, what about you?"

Fang Lingying smiled and shook her head: "I'll just watch too. I don't have the gear, next time..."

Hong Qi nodded and ran off: "There are goggles in that corner, you must wear them to get close to the wall..." Behind the house was a long stone wall with two gaps about sixty to seventy meters apart. The two groups entered through the gaps one after another, and soon the large open area was left with only Bak and Fang Lingying, along with discarded water bottles, equipment, and a few guns, and of course, the white granules scattered on the ground—yes, the BBs for the game.

Fang Lingying waved her hand in front of Bak's eyes: "I didn't expect this reaction from you? I thought you would really like this... You seem very familiar with it?"

Bak finally managed to smile, turn around, and walk to the stone steps by the wall, sitting down: "I... didn't I tell you I've been exposed to some conflicts in those places? It's similar to many military clubs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, just that this is underground, while they are officially allowed." And they use real guns and ammunition.

Fang Lingying also sat down, picking up two transparent tool goggles and handing them to both of them: "The conflicts left some scars on you?"

Bak hesitated and nodded: "I have severe PTSD." He reached for an M14EBR rifle leaning against the wall, a rare and high-end American weapon in Eastern European battlefields. It was heavy, and he placed it on his lap, hesitated for a moment, but still skillfully pushed out the magazine and pulled back the bolt to check the chamber. The internal structure was just a realistic appearance, completely different from a real gun, and Bak couldn't figure it out. He raised the gun and aimed at the pond, and his hands started to tremble!

Perhaps because of her profession, or because she had saved him, Bak didn't seem to have much guard up. Of course, he didn't think his mercenary past was something to be guarded, just hard for most people to understand. The killings he had committed abroad were not being investigated.

Fang Lingying leaned back against the brick wall, watching the tall man put down the rifle in a daze, then slowly caress the gun, her voice soft: "The battlefield is really that terrifying?"

Bak leaned the gun back against the wall, turned to look at the dilapidated pond, feeling much better, and smiled genuinely: "It's a good way to impress naive girls, but... what's the biggest difference between the battlefield and our current environment?"

Fang Lingying hugged the water bottle and thought: "Killing? Being allowed to kill?"

Bak nodded: "The battlefield first shatters a basic belief, the belief that you won't be harmed. In any normal society, the concept is instilled that the world is fair and meaningful, and everything that happens has a reason, right?"

Fang Lingying nodded seriously: "As long as you follow the law and social rules, you can live normally."

Bak had no expression: "Those who follow the rules are good people, and those who don't are bad... But on the battlefield, this basic belief is completely overturned. I have a gun, so I can kill you and take the water that can save your life, and no one will punish me, not even for a reason. You can be happy or unhappy, but you can also kill me, as long as you have the ability to kill..."

Fang Lingying tried to imagine that world, finding it difficult: "So the collapse of one's worldview can lead to mental illness?"

Bak nodded: "In that environment, you are always on high alert, only by being cautious can you survive, cautious about everything..."

Fang Lingying took a sip of water, not noticing it was the one Bak had just drunk from: "Have you been like this for the past few years?"

Bak shook his head: "Most of the time, I thought I had adapted, even pretending my mental state was fine. But when it finally erupted, I realized I was already deeply ill. If it weren't for... well, that's why I walked for so long later..."

A sharp whistle suddenly sounded, and rapid, chaotic gunshots erupted from the dense forest behind the wall. Although much quieter than real gunshots, to Bak, they sounded like silenced guns, mixed with continuous shouts and curses...

It was as if everything was being awakened around him! He really thought he had forgotten, really thought he had moved on!

He closed his eyes in pain!