Genius Club

(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)

“Hmm… it doesn’t seem like any particularly important day,” the man remarked as he glanced at the unremarkable date, unable to perceive any significance.

“CC, let’s search the other rooms. So far, this research institute truly looks untouched. Who knows, we might actually find something useful,” he suggested.

With that, the two left the computer room and began a thorough sweep of the underground level.

Sure enough, the place was full of treasures.

In a storage warehouse, the duo discovered an abundance of weapons and ammunition. The man tested them one by one, finding most of the weapons damaged. However, the bullets wrapped in oil paper were well-preserved.

After a series of tests, they confirmed the usable items:

Three handguns with ten magazines;

Two automatic rifles with six magazines;

Several boxes of bullets of various calibers.

Their firepower was now formidable.

“CC, this trip was a huge success,” the man said with a grin as he slung the two automatic rifles over his shoulders. “With these weapons, especially the rifles, we can defeat the Bad Guy Tribe and rescue your parents.”

CC nodded, stroking one of the handguns thoughtfully. “There are so many bullets here. Could you teach me how to shoot?”

“Of course,” the man replied without hesitation, gesturing upwards. “Let’s head back up. We’ll carry these supplies and practice shooting outdoors.”

…

Bang! Bang!

In the jungle outside the Ruined Research Facility, CC held the handgun with both hands, standing alert. She closed her left eye and aimed at a tree trunk several meters away with her right eye, pressing the trigger forcefully.

Two bullets fired but barely grazed the tree.

“That won’t work,” the bearded man said, shaking his head. “Using a handgun in combat isn’t like target practice. Precision isn’t as crucial. You’re taking too long to aim, and by the time you line up your sights, the enemy could’ve emptied their magazine at you.”

“Then… do I not aim at all?” CC asked, puzzled.

“It’s not that you don’t aim,” the man clarified, wagging his finger. “You just don’t rely on the gun’s sights. In combat, that’s meaningless.”

He stepped forward, standing behind CC, and gently adjusted her grip and stance. “The effective range of a handgun is just a few meters. If an enemy is over ten meters away, hitting them is almost pure luck. So in those cases, don’t hold back on bullets or worry about accuracy. Focus on observing your surroundings, finding cover, and judging the situation. Let your hands handle the shooting—just ensure the general direction is correct.”

“You don’t need to hit a bullseye with every shot, nor do you need to aim for fatal spots. Even if you empty a whole magazine and only hit their leg once, that’s enough.”

“Remember, real combat isn’t like a shooting competition. Accuracy isn’t the goal. If you have enough ammunition, overwhelming firepower is always the best strategy. Got it?”

CC listened intently, nodding as she committed his advice to memory.

“Good.” The man smiled and steadied her hands. “Now, let’s try again. Imagine that tree is a bad guy. Start shooting.”

CC took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes, her expression turning sharp.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

She abandoned precise aiming, using all her strength to counter the recoil as she emptied the magazine at the tree. Instantly, three bullets hit the bark, scattering wood chips. 𝐑𝘈ΝO͍𝐛Ё§

“Not bad,” the man praised. “Your balance is excellent. I can feel you adjusting your stance and force to counter the recoil. That’s your natural talent. With more practice, you’ll get better.”

“And always remember: never conserve bullets, don’t worry about cost-efficiency, and never aim for a one-shot kill. Bullets are plentiful, magazines are replaceable, but life is irreplaceable—there’s no room for error.”

Following his guidance, CC ejected the empty magazine, grabbed a fresh one from her waist, loaded it, and unleashed another volley at the tree.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

This time, her shots were steadier, leaving five new holes in the bark in a tighter cluster.

“Is this really okay?” CC asked hesitantly. “I thought shooting was about hitting one enemy with one bullet to avoid frequent reloading, which could leave me vulnerable.”

“Heh, if only it were that simple,” the man chuckled. “Enemies aren’t wooden targets. They’ll jump, dodge, and hide. They’re not just going to stand there and let you shoot. There’s no such thing as hitting the bullseye every time.”

“But you do,” CC said, her eyes wide with admiration. “When you shoot, it’s so fast I can’t even see you aim, and yet every shot is a headshot.”

“I…” The man paused, at a loss for words. He looked down at his hands and, after a moment of silence, said softly, “I don’t know why. Like you said, my shooting is very precise, but I don’t think it’s something I learned overnight.”

“I can’t explain the specific techniques either, because I’ve lost most of my memory. Before holding a gun, I didn’t even know how to use it. It’s all muscle memory.”

“That’s why I say you’re a sharpshooter!” CC’s eyes sparkled. “Your skills are extraordinary. I doubt I’ll ever meet another sharpshooter as amazing as you in my lifetime!”

“Not necessarily,” the man said, spreading his hands.

“There’s always someone better out there. Who’s to say you won’t meet someone even more skilled than me in the future?”

“Alright, time is tight. Let’s keep practicing. Tomorrow, we set off to rescue your parents. Those three tan-skinned brutes have gone out on a mission, and if they don’t return soon, the Bad Guy Tribe will start getting suspicious.”

CC nodded, reloaded the empty magazine with bullets, and continued shooting at the tree.

…

As night fell, darkness blanketed the land.

Fortunately, the moonlight was strong that evening, casting a soft, white glow that illuminated the valley’s heart. The two didn’t need torches to see their surroundings.

CC’s shooting practice had concluded by dusk. It was no surprise she had done so well—being a little huntress who had grown up tracking game with her father. Her natural talent shone through; she had excellent coordination, strong arms, and quickly grasped the fundamentals.

Though her training had lasted just half a day, it was more than sufficient for her to assist the man in battle.

In the face of kinetic weapons, human flesh and blood were so fragile.

It didn’t matter who pulled the trigger. Whether it was a little girl or even a dog, the bullet would be equally lethal, capable of easily taking a life.

This was the power of technology—the ultimate expression of humanity’s mastery over tools.

Later that evening, the two ventured into the mountains, picking some wild fruits before climbing up the outer wall to explore the second floor of the Ruined Research Facility.

In the second-floor storage room, they hit the jackpot: a stash of well-preserved canned meat.

Canned food was a treasure. In theory, as long as the packaging remained intact, it had no expiration date and could be safely eaten no matter how many years had passed.

Of course, for safety, it was still better to boil the meat before eating.

Even though this era wasn’t lacking in meat sources, the ancient seasonings used in the canned meat made it a rarity. Compared to plain roasted meat, both the bearded man and CC preferred the flavorful canned delicacies.

On the rooftop of the second floor, they enjoyed a hearty meal by the fire. As the flames gradually died down, they lay side by side on the concrete roof, gazing at the stars.

The autumn night air was crisp, and the silver river of stars stretched vividly across the sky.

Neither spoke.

They lay quietly, letting the gentle night breeze wash over them as they watched the stars drift across the heavens.

Grandeur and insignificance.

This small, isolated paradise, encircled by the Blade Mountain Range, was but a minuscule fragment of Earth. Insignificant, almost negligible.

But gazing at the night sky…

One could see starlight from billions of light-years away and marvel at half the universe.

“VV, do you often look at the stars?” CC asked softly, her head propped on her hands.

“I’m not sure,” the bearded man replied in a low voice.

“I don’t remember anything about my past. So many things feel both unfamiliar and familiar to me, but… it’s just a feeling. Nothing concrete comes to mind.”

CC’s gaze remained fixed on the sky, the starlight and moon reflecting as a faint glow in her eyes.

“I love stargazing,” she said. “Maybe it’s because there’s nothing much to do at night. Since I was little, my father often took me out like this, lying flat on the grass to watch the stars.”@@novelbin@@

“Don’t underestimate my father just because he’s a hunter. He’s actually very knowledgeable. He’s told me countless stories—about stars, constellations, the sun, and the moon.”

“In our village, he’s highly respected. Everyone admires him, and I do too. He knows how to do everything and seems to know everything. He could always answer all my questions.”

“I can tell,” the bearded man said softly.

“You’re young, but you’re thoughtful, polite, and kind. From all the little details, it’s clear your parents raised you well, which says a lot about the kind of people they are.”

“Right? Hehe,” CC giggled, her smile brightening at the man’s recognition of her father.

“When I grow up, I want to be like my father—someone capable and strong, someone who can contribute to the village and make life better for everyone! That’s why, in this situation, with everyone in the village captured, how could I just run away by myself? I have to do something to save them.”

As she spoke, a thought struck her. Tilting her head, she glanced at the silent man.

“Speaking of which… VV, do you have a family?” she asked, pausing before continuing.

“Do you have a wife? Kids? Even if you’ve lost your memory, didn’t you leave behind some keepsake or photo before going into hibernation? There must be some clue about whether you had a family.”

The man took a deep breath, gazing at the stars as he slowly exhaled.

“I don’t know,” he said, closing his eyes.

“When I woke up in that underground space, everything was a mess. I searched everywhere I could, but all I found was a shiny trash bin—nothing else.”

“No photos, no notebooks, nothing. So, I really have no idea if I had a family or children.”

CC sat up, supporting herself with her hands on the ground. She studied the man’s weathered, bearded face.

“You probably did have a family,” she said thoughtfully. “After all… you’re not young anymore. You look about the same age as my father.”

“Maybe,” the man replied. “But under these circumstances… where would my family be now? They’re probably gone.”

“I don’t know why I went into hibernation, but it’s clear it happened in a rush, in a panic. I can’t say if my family hibernated with me, but I think it’s unlikely.”

“And considering the mysterious global catastrophe of 2504… while I hope my family survived, realistically speaking, it’s unlikely. Even if they didn’t perish in the disaster, over a hundred years have passed. They’re probably long gone.”

He sighed deeply, his expression a mix of melancholy and resignation.

“This feeling of longing for something you can’t even remember… it’s the worst. I want to miss them, but I don’t know how. I want to recall them, but I have no memories—not even their names.”

The cool night wind carried a faint chill.

CC could sense the profound loneliness enveloping the tall man beside her.

Isolation.

This sharpshooter was trapped in a loneliness that words couldn’t capture.

No family,

no friends,

not even memories.

He didn’t know who he was,

where he had been,

or where he was going.

She reached out her small hand, placing it gently over his broad, rough one.

“VV,” she called softly.

“If you don’t have a family, then join mine. Be part of my family,” she said, her voice warm and sweet.

A bright smile spread across her face, her eyes curving into crescent moons, and two dimples forming at the corners of her lips.

“Once we rescue my parents, everything will get better. We’ll rebuild the village, and life will start again.”

“If you have no home, no memories, and nowhere to go… then come to our home! You’re our savior. My mom and dad will definitely welcome you!”

The man seemed surprised.

He sat up, meeting CC’s gaze, and let out a small chuckle.

“Your home?”

“Yes!” CC nodded earnestly.

“You need a place to live, don’t you? The world is full of dangers—where else would you go alone? Why not become part of our family and live with us?”

“I’m serious,” she insisted, her tone formal. “This isn’t a joke. I’m sincerely inviting you! You’re about the same age as my dad, and both of you are amazing. You’d definitely get along!”

“Of course, you’d also have me! And everyone in the village—they’d all be your friends. You could live happily with us!”

The man lowered his head, a faint smile crossing his face.

Joining a new family, a new village, and starting a new life—this was something he had never considered.

But…

In a world so vast, one had to find a place to call home, didn’t they?

“Alright,” he said, looking up.

“I don’t know where else to go, or where I belong. So, I might as well join your village.”

“Yay!” CC’s face lit up with joy. “It’s settled then! You have to keep your word!”

She took his right hand, her pinky hooking around his.

“Pinky promise!”

Their pinkies intertwined—one small, one large. CC looked into his eyes with a smile, saying:

“A pinky promise makes us family! A family that will never part!”