--
In hindsight, it should've been obvious. Nobody would willingly give or donate their belongings to someone else unless they saw the need to do so. And for an old man with a tragic past like Sr. Maxwell dying was a valid reason to do so.
The signs were there. Although TJ knew Sr. Maxwell for quite some time now, their relationship is nowhere near to the point where the old man would just casually hand him a treasure just because...
TJ should've felt more suspicious. Or at the very least, he shouldn't have let the old man leave just like that. He could have at least offered to escort him back to his home or something, at least.
The doctors said that the old man died peacefully in his sleep. He even had a smile, they said.
Something tells TJ that maybe this was what the old man wanted all along: to die peacefully like this. Him giving Hotshot to TJ might've been a spur-of-the-moment thing but not a burdensome matter.
He said it himself: it's better for Hotshot to serve as a tool in someone else's hand instead of being struck deep into the inventory of a dying man.
Actually, had Hotshot been in Sr. Maxwell's inventory when he died would've gone to the item pool. One day, it might appear once more as a reward to someone else with a new design, a newer body, and definitely a new name. All traces of Hotshot would fade, just like what would happen to its creator. It only gets to survive because the old man passed it onto TJ.
Nevertheless, TJ would miss that old man. He might've not known him too well, but the kindness he showed to him will never be forgotten.
**
Not wanting to be unworthy of Hotshot, TJ diligently trained the [shooting] skill during these past few days.
Actually, TJ was presented an option by the system once he successfully hit a target for the first time using a blunderbuss.
He was able to choose between [Basic Firearm Mastery] or the simple [Shooting] skill.
Had TJ been aiming to be a firearm specialist or something like that, he would've gone for the firearm mastery. However, since he isn't, he chose the latter.
There is a good reason why he's being careful with his skill choice. It's because his investments in the skills he has will have a great impact on his advanced class selection in the future.
TJ didn't want or need to derail his original plan just to become a worthy user of Hotshot. Sr. Maxwell certainly wouldn't want him to do that either.
Thanks to his efforts, though, plus having a decent and legit weapon to practice along with the skill, his mastery climbed fast.
• Shooting (Minor 10/250)
The [Shooting] skill gives him the initial perk called [Steady Aim], which automatically improves his aim by at least 5% in combat.
Despite this, though, Hotshot was still a pain to use. Literally.
She kicks way too hard. If TJ used her more than fifteen times, he would be left feeling like his arm was falling off.
Hotshot weighs seven kilograms at the base. That's not something that a novice and sixteen-year-old boy like him should be practicing with in the first place, anyway.
TJ didn't let his other skills fall behind either just because he's focusing on this. Well, not like they're actually falling behind since they're way ahead.
He still practiced them, but at a casual pace so that he could focus on shooting for a bit.
There weren't any suitable partners for him in the camp at his skill level anyway, so it doesn't really make any difference.
As for going back to the Dream Echo Battlefield, TJ postponed it for now. The last incident left him wary still, and he's not really in a rush.
Obviously, he knows that he can't run away from it forever. Eventually, he's going to have to return there. But for now, he's on a break.
Sr. Maxwell's funeral passed peacefully.
The whole Senior Citizen Lane mourned for him, but it wasn't too dramatic. These old people have already accepted that they don't have much time left. Death is a casual thing for them at this point.
Sr. Maxwell didn't have any family left. His parents were long dead, he's an only child, and his other relatives probably never heard from him or even remember him at this point. His wives and children are all dead, too. He's the only one they're waiting for.
It's sad to see him go, but that's just the nature of things.
As for his things and his house, Sr. Maxwell arranged something for it. The bulk of his equipment and any of his legacy left will be donated to the Lifestyle Guild. All the money he left behind will be split into three foster homes.
To TJ's surprise though, he also received some part of it along with a video message left by the old man himself. He recorded it on his deathbed.
Basically, he told TJ to not feel so burdened by his death and the presents he left behind. Apparently, he'd been delaying his death for quite some time now because he still wanted to take care of a few things. Once he was done with that, it was time for him to go.
He then reminded him that if Hotshot ever kicks the bucket, TJ was to wrap her remains in a fancy box, anything he could find, and bury her with him.
TJ received about 2.5 million geos (this world's currency) from him.
The amount scared the broke mindset of TJ. He never dared to imagine holding that much money, yet it was handed over to him just like that.
And the old man even apologized to him, asking TJ to forgive him for giving him too little and prioritizing the foster homes instead.
What kind of nonsense is that? TJ never expected anything to begin with!
While it's true for old and experienced pros like Sr. Maxwell, 2.5 million wasn't that much; for a 16-year-old novice like TJ, it's more than enough.
Actually, TJ was tempted to refuse it, opting to add it to the old man's donations instead. But he couldn't lie to himself. He needed money. He just can't rely on the allowance he's receiving from the government.
His deceased parents didn't leave much to him, either. In fact, it would've even been better if they didn't leave him anything at all, but that's another matter entirely.
With the second semester approaching, the real sprint towards his career was about to begin. He might be pulling ahead now because of his boon, but it won't always be like this.
Those with rich backgrounds, especially spoiled brats like William, will surpass him quickly due to financial disparity. And with how petty William's mindset was, the moment he pulls ahead, he will try to bully TJ to remove the stain on his reputation.
TJ obviously cannot let that happen. So, call him shameless or whatever; he's getting his hands on that money. He promised the old man in the afterlife that he will spend it well.
After this, the burial came. TJ was there all the way. He didn't cry. He's just sad.
He stayed behind longer than everybody else because he felt that he owed that much to the old man. After promising him that he will do his best to be a good professional in the future, TJ left as well and decided to focus on working for his future.
**
"I hear that you've been defeated."
"..."
"Not just once, but twice."
If looks could kill, William's older brother would already be dead with how hard he's glaring at him.
However, the older man pretended to not see that and continued mocking him:
"The first defeat was acceptable. You've been spoiled. Everybody's kissing your ass because you showed some promise, when we both know that's not really the truth."
"Alas, I warned you about letting that get into your head, but you didn't listen. Still, understandable. And I was hoping that your miserable and very embarrassing defeat against that commoner would teach you something."
"But man, you're just too disappointing."
"You're telling me that you couldn't defeat him even when he's ill? Tch. What a fucking joke! If I were you, I wouldn't dare show my face to anyone anymore."
"Honestly, how do you even sleep at night knowing that you've embarrassed us like that?"
William's older brother was relentless in his insults. He didn't care about what William felt. In fact, it even looked like he was having a good time mocking his little brother.
"Hell, even the maids heard about it. I have no doubts that Father already knew as well. Ooh, that's bad. If I were you, I'd start feeling real nervous right now. Hahahaha!"
The older brother didn't give William a chance to do or say anything back as he swiftly disappeared, leaving William simmering in his own rage and humiliation.
Unable to endure it, William ran to the dojo and began wrecking things to vent his frustrations, all while cursing both his older brother and that filthy commoner.