My Sniper System in a Zombie Apocalypse World-Chapter 113: Command vs Survivor

Annie broke the silence, stepping closer, her eyes locked on the variant’s mangled remains. "How did you kill that thing?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

"I shot it," Jaxon replied simply.

Annie’s brows tightened. "How?" she asked again. Her hand slowly tightened around her weapon. It was not fully threatening, but it was clear she was pressing him for an answer.

Jaxon noticed the gesture. He remained quiet for a moment before speaking in a calm voice. "I approached quietly. Watched its movement. Predicted where it would go, then shot it dead."

Annie’s eyes narrowed, staring straight into his eyes. "That’s not how things work."

Jaxon did not respond.

"You’re not telling us everything," Annie continued, her gaze sharp.

Jaxon met the dark chestnut-haired girl’s gaze without flinching, his expression unchanged.

Annie’s eyes slowly shifted to the rifle in his hands. Her gaze sharpened, as if she was trying to see through the weapon itself, searching for something unusual.

Before the tension could grow further, Lina spoke from the side. "A variant reached this area," she said, her tone turning serious as she looked around the broken trees. "We need to notify the command."

Annie blinked once, her thoughts snapping back to the situation. She gave a small nod.

"I already did," Annie said, her tone clipped but calm.

Lina’s eyes flicked to Jaxon, studying him from head to toe. "Are you one of the survivors?"

Jaxon gave a silent nod.

"I can’t believe it," Lina murmured, a trace of awe in her voice. "So you really are. How... how did you get this skilled?"

"Jaxon shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I did what I had to do to stay alive."

Lina hummed softly, as if confirming her own thoughts. "Makes sense. People have to adapt if they want to live." She paused, then gestured toward the forest path. "Follow us. We’ll lead you to the safe zone."

Annie, however, couldn’t shake her suspicion. She kept glancing at Jaxon, trying to figure him out. ’He must’ve had training,’ she thought. ’No ordinary survivor moves like that.’

As the three of them walked toward where Thomas and the others waited, both Annie and Lina’s radios crackled to life.

"Lina, Annie, get here now! Infected engagement underway." A voice barked, urgent over the static.

Lina chuckled lightly, picking up her radio. "Do you really need us that badly? We’re escorting survivors right now."

There was a brief pause before the reply came, steady but urgent. "Multiple infected in the area, including mutants. We need both of you on site, immediately."

Lina exchanged a glance with Annie. Her face tightened.

"Roger that," Lina replied, her voice steady. "On route."

Without a word, they quickened their pace. Soon, they arrived at the clearing where Thomas and the others had gathered.

Lina spoke first, her tone sharp and authoritative. "Everyone hold position. Our unit is engaging the infected. We’ll pick you up once the area is secure."

As they prepared to move, Annie’s eyes landed on Jaxon. "Hold up. We’re bringing him along."

Jaxon frowned, taken aback. "What? Why?"

"You’ll fight with us" Annie stated, her grey-blue eyes locking onto his. It wasn’t a request.

Natasha frowned, crossing her arms. "Why him? We’re survivors, not soldiers."

Thomas, confused by Annie’s intention on Jaxon, stepped up. "We’ve been moving and fighting non-stop. He must be exhausted."

"I’m tired," Jaxon said flatly.

"You don’t look like it," Annie said, eyes locked on his. "This is an order, let’s go. Move fast."

Lina glanced at her best friend, noticing the unusual sharpness in her voice. Then it clicked. ’She’s curious... about how he took down that variant. Maybe she wants to test him.’

She spoke up, softer but firm. "She’s right. We need every hand we can get. Just come with us for now."

"If you’re taking him, then I’m coming too," Na-rin said suddenly, holding Sumiko tightly in her arms.

One by one, the others from Jaxon’s group spoke up.

"You can’t take him alone. He’s been fighting non-stop. If he goes, we go," Elaine said, raising her rifle.

Natasha, Elena, and the rest nodded in agreement, following without hesitation.

Thomas exhaled, taking in the scene. "I don’t know why you’re taking him, but he and his group have saved us more than once. If he goes, then take us along as well."

Lina looked at Annie, realizing their simple plan to test Jaxon had escalated into something far bigger.

Annie frowned, her voice cutting through the rain with authority. "No one else is coming. Just him."

’What’s her deal?’ Jaxon thought, frowning in confusion. But seeing that even Thomas treated her with respect, there was no point arguing. He let out a small sigh. "Alri..."

His words were cut off by Natasha, stepping forward. "No. We’re coming with him." She gripped her pistol tightly, her eyes locked on Annie.

Annie frowned, as she met Natasha’s steady, challenging stare. "...Do as you like," she said, though even she wasn’t sure why the words left her mouth.

"Annie..." Lina called, a hint of concern in her voice.

"We don’t have time. Let’s move," Annie said decisively. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Lina exhaled, giving up her argument, and turned to Jaxon and the rest. "Follow close behind us."

Jaxon glanced at Natasha and the group. "You all should rest. I’m the one they want. No need to..."

He stopped when he saw their expressions. Not one of them was backing down. He turned his attention forward, toward the two girls leading the way. ’What are they up to...’

Then he looked back at Thomas. "You stay here with your men. We can’t leave the other survivors alone. Jannah, Hiromi, Claire, Hae-in, you should stay too. I know you’re tired. Don’t push yourselves, take care of Sumiko for us."

The four hesitated, fatigue etched into their faces, but ultimately they nodded reluctantly.

Thomas stepped closer. "Will you be okay?"

"I can still fight," Jaxon replied calmly.

"I’m sorry about this," Thomas said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don’t understand why they’re insisting on taking you. I’ll get an explanation later."

"Thanks. Take care of the others for me," Jaxon said, then turned to Isabel and Cindy. "Let me hold onto your guns for a moment."

The two exchanged a puzzled glance but handed them over without question.

Jaxon quickly glanced at his updated stats, preparing himself for what was coming.

....

Name: Jaxon Hawk

Level: 14 (206/591)

Age: 24

Strength: 20.17

Speed: 18.79

Agility: 20.57

Intelligence: 12.84

Stamina: 16.19

Vitality: 10.67

Stat Points: 2

Skills:

Marksmanship (C+): Handling and control have improved. Aim faster and fire with greater stability. Recoil is easier to manage, and shots are more accurate even under pressure.

Stealth (F): Enables quieter movement by controlling footsteps, posture, and body motion.

Storage Space (E): A personal dimensional space that can store up to 6 cubic meters of items and upgrades as you level up.

Night Vision Learned (D+): Allows the user to see clearly in low-light or complete darkness without external equipment, revealing shapes and movements with enhanced visibility.

Coins: 1961

.....

(DMR Sniper Rifle:

Damage Stack

Current Damage: 2500 + (762)

....

Then he checked the M16 and Glock-19 in his hands.

’I spent a lot on the frag and smoke grenades... but this should be enough. Weapon upgrades.’

....

(882 Coins spent. Glock-19 has reached MAX LEVEL. Exclusive Skill Unlocked.)

Exclusive Skill: Rapid Fire

Requirement: Glock-19 Equipped

Each shot is followed by an additional shot. Each kill permanently increases the user’s Speed by 0.01. Effect is infinite

...

(973 Coins spent. M16 has reached MAX LEVEL. Exclusive Skill Unlocked.)

Exclusive Skill: Decisive Shot

Requirement: M16 Equipped

After every nine consecutive shots, the tenth shot is enhanced, dealing double damage. Each kill permanently increases the user’s Stamina by 0.01. Effect is infinite

(Coins remaining: 106)

....

’So it had the same skill for the same kind of gun. Anyway, it had the stat increase effect, this will do.’

Jaxon handed the guns back to Cindy and Isabel. Their appearance hadn’t changed, yet the moment they gripped the weapons again, the difference was clear. The guns felt lighter, smoother, and more precise in their hands.

They exchanged a look with Jaxon but didn’t ask questions. They understood he had adjusted something, and trusted he’d explain later.

"Let’s follow along, but maintain distance from them," Jaxon said quietly.

.....

Annie and Lina swung through the trees with effortless speed and precision, their hooks launching and retracting in perfect rhythm. Jaxon and his group deliberately slowed their pace, keeping a safe distance, but followed steadily behind.

A quarter of an hour passed. The howls of infected grew louder. Soon, the two girls reached their units, already engaged in battle with hundreds of infected.

"Annie! Lina! About time!" Their squad leader, a rough-looking man in his forties, barked as he fired his rifle.

"Yeah. And we brought some help," Annie replied.

"Help?" the squad leader frowned. "You brought the soldiers? Then who’s watching the survivors?"

"No, not the soldiers," Lina said in a low voice.

"Huh?" The commander blinked, confused, then his eyes widened as realization hit. "Wait... you brought survivors?"

"..." The two girls stayed silent.

The commander clicked his tongue, rubbing his forehead as tension tightened his jaw.

"Just get your asses in ready," the commander barked, wiping rain from his brow. " Explain yourself later. Right now, we’re getting slaughtered out here."

Annie glanced toward a distant tree, where Jaxon and his group had yet to arrive. For a moment, worry flickered across her face. ’Maybe I shouldn’t have brought them...’

She shook her head quickly, forcing herself calm. ’It’s fine. With him around, they should be able to handle themselves.’

Her grip on her rifle tightened. Then she swung forward, joining the fight.