Chapter 41: High Noon in Real Life—The Spirit of Maigret Takes Over

Xing Xiaolong’s “R8 Tactical Revolver” was not standard issue for any army—it was a custom weapon for law enforcement. With its massive 12.7mm caliber, a bullet three times heavier than standard pistol rounds, and the revolver’s heavy powder load, it could easily kill an unarmored target within thirty meters in a single shot—even if the bullet only struck a leg.

Yet, no matter how devastating a large-caliber pistol was to the human body, it was still just a handgun. In Xing Xiaolong’s initial estimation, even with doubled attributes, even with a shot to the head, at most it might blow away half of the giant wolf’s skull. But now…

The pistol had become a hand-held cannon! One shot didn’t just shatter the head—it obliterated it entirely, leaving nothing of the basin-sized skull. Half the creature’s body was destroyed, and the bullet’s remaining force was enough to tear another wolf, meters away, clean in two.

This was no mere doubling of power. Even if you claimed it was ten times as strong, Xing Xiaolong would wholeheartedly agree.

“Could it be that this new Titan skin is some kind of incredible treasure? Like the Amethyst reward in the CF shop, does it come with its own special attributes?” Stunned by the revolver’s power, Xing Xiaolong suspected there was more to this skin than met the eye.

But the weapon had already been withdrawn from the arsenal—there was no way to check its data now, and with the wolves watching hungrily, returning it was out of the question. Suppressing his curiosity, he took advantage of the wolves’ hesitation after the gunshot to steady himself.

Using his right hand to support his left, he opened the CF shop. Familiar with the game, he navigated to the second option in the top right—“Personal Warehouse”—and clicked the fourth icon from the right, “Items.”

He entered a three-dimensional inventory room. On the empty shelves, he found the only remaining “Small Medical Supply.”

“I hope this thing helps heal my wounds. Otherwise, I won’t last long—I’ll be worn down and killed by these cunning wolves.” Xing Xiaolong prayed silently, clamped the R8 between his teeth, took out his last hope of survival, tore open his ruined suit at the chest, and injected it.

It had to be said—taking medicine was truly exhilarating, and every time it brought a different kind of pleasure. It was intoxicating, addictive, impossible to resist.

“Hiss—” Soaking in warmth as if submerged in a hot spring, gentle, boneless hands caressing his entire body, Xing Xiaolong gasped in delight. His body shivered, muscles convulsing with intense pleasure.

As the familiar, comforting heat spread from his chest throughout his body, the pallor from blood loss faded visibly, replaced by the flush of health. His exhaustion vanished, replaced by strength and vigor.

The only regret was that his left arm’s deep, bone-exposing wolf bite and the broken bone in his right leg did not fully heal. Still, it wasn’t without effect—the searing pain was suppressed, and the bleeding slowed dramatically.

“As expected, it can’t heal wounds, but stopping the pain and bleeding is enough. I can last until dawn, or maybe… gamble everything on one last stand…” Staring at the wolves, the frustration of long oppression flared into a desire for revenge.

He grinned, baring two gleaming white teeth—

Fierce!

Cruel!

Unrestrained!

Slowly, he raised the devastating R8, aiming at the pack of frenzied predators. The wolves, ever-vigilant, wanted to avenge their fallen comrade, but fear held them back. Driven by primal instincts, they circled warily, searching for an opening.

The moment Xing Xiaolong lifted his weapon, the pack recoiled several meters, growling, baring their fangs, hackles raised—sensing danger.

Yet, driven by savage wolfishness, they refused to flee, forming a standoff with Xing Xiaolong in the pouring rain.

“They say the best defense is a good offense. With this explosive revolver, I might as well test that theory. Instead of wasting time here with you brutes, I’ll take my chances before dawn—kill a few of you first. If I win, roast wolf for my first African feast. If I lose…”

He glanced at the revolver’s cylinder—just seven rounds left. Seven more shots.

He was betting everything that, within those seven shots, he could scare the wolves off.

“Damn, if only I had a few hundred bullets! Or, like in the game, a few dozen rounds of reserve ammo would work too.” Xing Xiaolong muttered, ready to fire—

Suddenly, the CS:GO arsenal interface popped up a dialog box.

[Do you wish to enter combat? Click OK to enable Assisted Combat Mode, unlocking powerful new features.]

“Assisted Combat Mode?” Xing Xiaolong was stunned, but trusting the CS:GO arsenal, he clicked OK without hesitation.

The dialog vanished. A small white finger appeared, pointing at the “Start Combat” icon in the top left of the screen—obviously prompting him to click.

He did so decisively, and the scene changed dramatically.

Most of the previous options vanished, replaced by the familiar HUD of every FPS game, specifically CS:GO: the central crosshair, ammo counter in the bottom right, minimap in the top right.

Everything was there!

From Xing Xiaolong’s perspective, the semi-transparent CS:GO screen remained parallel with his line of sight. This combat assist mode interface was far more practical than any computer screen—like wearing a full holographic VR headset, incredibly convenient and cool.

With such an awesome Assisted Combat Mode, the minimap in the top right clearly displaying the wolves’ positions, and, in the bottom right, the much-needed 64 rounds of reserve ammo—

Xing Xiaolong was stunned, his joy and excitement summed up in two words—

Holy hell!

With this incredible combat mode and ample bullets, Xing Xiaolong had no more hesitation.

“Bang!”

The gunshot boomed like thunder! He didn’t even need to align the sights—just followed the crosshair floating before his eyes, and wherever he aimed, he hit.

A third wolf fell, its head obliterated, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.

The wolves howled in terror.

This R8 Tactical Revolver wasn’t just devastating—it was frighteningly loud, louder even than an AK. Even through the downpour, the shots would carry for hundreds of meters.

“Bang, bang, bang…”

Shooting was as easy as playing a game. As a CF sniping expert and twice-experienced soldier, Xing Xiaolong was completely in his element. Each shot brought down a giant wolf.

Not a single bullet missed—like being possessed by McCree, unleashing his ultimate:

It’s high noon!

In this real-life version of an ultimate ability, the revolver thundered like a war drum, the wolves’ howls rising and falling, blood and flesh blossoming in the stormy night. Lightning, thunder, and the downpour formed the perfect soundtrack.

This wanton power—pure ecstasy!

When the gunfire faded, the surviving steppe wolves scattered in terror. Within his field of vision, at least thirty mangled wolf corpses littered the ground.

A scene from a blood-soaked hell.

Xing Xiaolong seemed to revel in the slaughter, unaware his eyes had turned red, his body radiating a murderous aura.

From that moment, his heart began to change, for the first time in ways beyond his control.

Just then—

“Vroom, vroom, vroom…”

As if summoned by the gunfire, the distant rumble of engines reached Xing Xiaolong’s ears, snapping him out of his bloodlust.

“Finally, someone’s coming? Is it the rescue team, or…”

At first, joy surged through him, but then, remembering the war raging in the region, anxiety and fear seized his heart, and his mind raced furiously.