The lowest quality Tactical Assault Rifle, for example, required 7 Gunner parts, 40 pieces of wrought iron, 7 tapes, and 13 springs.
The required crafting materials had increased by about one-third on average.
Helpless, Shawn had no choice but to make one Tactical Assault Rifle for his own use.
The remaining parts were all crafted into quality five AK-47s and handed over to the army led by Shane.
With 7 AK-47s, plus the hot weapons the army was already equipped with, everyone having a long gun was clearly enough.
Holding the Tactical Assault Rifle, Shawn opened his skill panel and scrolled to a skill under the 'Fortitude Sequence'—Gunner.
Given that the 'Fortitude Sequence' basic attributes had only been increased by 3 points, Shawn only put one skill point into Lv1 'Gunner'.
…
[Gunner — Can become a specialized assault rifle commando]
[(Basic Infantry) Level 1/5, although it's a basic rifle, what you love most is crazy spraying!]
[Effect: Gunner damage increased by 10%, fire rate increased by 5%, reload speed increased by 10%]
[Additional Effect: When scavenging, there is a greater chance of finding machine guns, parts, and 7.62mm ammunition]
Fortitude Sequence Gunner Level Lv1
…
Only after doing all this did Shawn finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Are you perhaps too nervous?"
Shawn looked in the direction of the voice and saw Rick approaching.
He seemed to think that Shawn's reaction was due to excessive stress from the Prison's development recently.
"Don't worry, if you're too tired, you can rest for a while; we're still here."
Shawn knew Rick's words came from the heart.
He had never considered the question of whether Rick would seize power.
For Rick, he would rather Shawn find someone to replace him so he could spend time with Lori and Carl.
However, Rick's existence was irreplaceable; even if he wanted to retire, Shawn would not agree.
"Recently, I saw some Walker hordes when I was out, and I feel uneasy; I always have a feeling something bad is going to happen."
Shawn took a deep breath, trying to relax as Rick suggested.
After speaking, Shawn seemed to suddenly remember something and asked Rick in return.
"Excluding the army, everyone else should have started martial law and stopped going out, right?"
Rick nodded: "Even Hershel has stopped tending to those seeds and returned to the Prison."
"What about Michonne and Daryl?"
"The same; they are all in the Administrative Building right now."
"Didn't they feel curious? Why would I ask them to come back?"
"This…"
Rick shrugged.
"At least Hershel's reason for me was: Shawn has never been wrong, and this time will be no exception."
"Otherwise, how could he abandon his precious Farm and retreat to the Prison?"
It seemed Shawn's continuous questions indicated he was indeed a bit on edge.
Rick reached behind him and handed over a wine bottle labeled 900ml.
"Eastman suggested I could let you consume some alcohol, saying it helps you relax."
"I might not be completely at ease with others, but you and I understand that this amount of alcohol is far from enough to get you drunk."
Shawn's excellent performance at multiple gatherings was still fresh in Rick's mind.
Shawn took the bottle and, with some helplessness, took a swig.
How could he make Rick understand that this state was not something he could control, but entirely an effect caused by the approaching Blood Moon?
Compared to the previous Blood Moon, this time, there was still a whole day until the Blood Moon, but Shawn already felt a sense of tension.
Perhaps because the Walker horde was doubling, the system was using this method to affect Shawn's physiology, thereby achieving a warning effect.
In short, Shawn now had a feeling of amplified senses.
Especially his heartbeat; Shawn even felt as if an elephant was imprisoned in his chest, and it was currently using all its strength to pound his heart.
This made Shawn's every heartbeat feel exceptionally powerful.
The normal, imperceptible rhythm of his heartbeat was particularly distinct now.
His heart beating drove Shawn's entire blood circulation.
Even though it was autumn, Shawn's body was still hot, like a warm stove constantly radiating heat.
His heartbeat was a war drum, and accelerated blood circulation was elevating Shawn's overall state to its peak.
Taking another swig of wine, Shawn handed the bottle to Rick.
"Aren't you nervous?"
"Another half-month has passed; Lori's due date is getting closer, isn't it?"
Rick took the bottle, initially not intending to drink, but hearing Shawn's words, he, like Shawn, tilted his head back and took a big gulp.
Putting down the bottle, Rick's rational eyes suddenly became melancholic.
"I had a dream."
"That dream was very real, very terrifying, vividly clear."
"It was only one night, but I felt it was especially long, like an eternity."
Lori Dying
Shawn seemed to sense something and slowed his breathing.
Rick looked at the sky, chuckled softly, took another swig, and then handed the bottle back to Shawn.
"But no matter what, those weren't real."
Rick finished speaking and turned to leave, but the next second, he turned his head back, the golden sunset shining on his light silver right eye.
"Thanks, Shawn, thanks."
"You know I'm very sorry… for the things I said to you back then, right?"
This time, Rick truly left.
Shawn's eyes were unfocused, and he suddenly chuckled, 'Heh,' because of Rick's words, he suddenly remembered when they were still at the Farm.
At that time, Rick was already mature, but he was not as mature as he was now.
Drinking to memories while watching the sunset's afterglow, Shawn suddenly felt that Eastman was right.
Alcohol seemed to really work; the anxiety was no longer so intense.
…
The next day.
After 12 AM, the countdown to the Blood Moon's arrival officially began.
Seeing the Blood Moon, which seemed to hang right before his eyes again, Shawn felt a sense of familiarity.
Aside from the Blood Moon, it seemed no one else could be so punctual, even coming to see him for decades like clockwork.
With bloodshot eyes, Shawn personally went out with the army today to clear Walkers.
Seeing Shawn specifically bring his iron great hammer today and smash a Walker's head with one blow, Shane couldn't help but click his tongue.
"No wonder Merle always said that when he was outside, he often advised you to calm down."
"I thought he was just talking nonsense again, unable to control his mouth."
"My methods of dealing with things outside are always violent; I don't hide that at all; haven't you experienced it before?"
Shawn's words made Shane choke for a moment, then he obediently and wisely shut his mouth.
Today, Shawn seemed to have eaten gunpowder; wherever he passed, no Walker had an intact body.
Thus, from morning till night, sweat soaked his clothes.
Only then did Shawn hoist his hammer onto his shoulder and call out to everyone.
"Let's go, back to the Prison!"
There was one more thing Shawn didn't say.
—Back to the Prison, prepare to welcome the Walker horde!
-------------------------
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