493 A Sharpshooter (1/2)

Dai Li stood on a platform with a 50m rifle at a gun range. He was facing a piece of white paper with a coin-sized black circle in the center.

The judge, the jury, the notary, and Nick Reiss were all with him.

Wilfried had a coin in his hand and was comparing it with the black circle on the target. ”Everyone,” he said. ”This is the target sheet. The black circle in the center is as big as my coin. Does anyone disagree with this setup?”

No one showed any sign of disagreement. Wilfrid then took out an air rifle and spoke to the notary. ”Sir, this is a rifle specially designed for competition. Please check it.”

The notary took the rifle and checked it carefully. Later he returned it to Wilfrid and said, ”Nothing wrong with it.”

”Let me clarify one thing in advance. The scope on this rifle cannot magnify things. The target you see through the scope is as big as the real one. Am I right, sir?”

”Yes,” said the notary.

”OK. So, I think we can get started.” Wilfrid gave the rifle to Dai Li.

Members of the jury all looked at the target 50 meters away, excited to see Dai Li's attempt.They were disappointed, however, that they couldn't see the coin-sized black circle at all.

”Can you see the target clearly?”

”I can only see the target paper. I cannot see anything on it.”

”Same here. Shooting something you cannot see? Impossible for me.”

”I think it's hardly possible for anyone to shoot a coin 50 meters away. I don't think he can do it.”

”But why did he ask to do this if he can't? I think he can.”

”I will admit that he is great at shooting if he can shoot the target at such a distance.”

Members of the jury discussed in low voice. Meanwhile, Nick Reiss was very confident.he can't shoot the target if there's no magnifying scope on his rifle.”

Dai Li seemed calm. He used the copy card of Adam Holly and had gained the 70% of Adam Holly's strength.

A coin 50 meters away is out of the sight for an average person. From the perspective of a professional shooter, the black circle equaled the size of the ninth ring in a competition and the ninth ring was the lowest standard for such an athlete.

Adam Holly was the top shooter in the world. 70% of his strength equaled the strength of a normal Olympic athlete. It'd be easy to shoot the ninth ring with 70% of his strength.

Dai Li put up the rifle and aimed at the target. He pulled the trigger.

There was no gunpowder explosion because this was an air rifle. Its sound was clear and easily distinguishable. He shot, and the next second people refocused on the target.

”Did he make it?”

”I don't know. It's too far to see.”

Dai Li gave a signal to an employee of the gun range and the worker pressed a button to send the target paper to Dai Li and the audience.

”Oh my God. He made it for real!”

”It was such a long distance, but he hit it!”

”How did he do that? Does he have an eagle's eyes?”

Someone in the jury cried out.

Nick Reis froze. Dai Li had done it. It was beyond Reiss' imagination.

Soon, he calmed down. Then he said, ”Only once, it might be a coincidence.”

Dai Li seemed to read Reiss' thoughts. He said to the worker, ”Please set up another piece of target paper. I will shoot again.”

A new piece of paper was then set, and the worker pressed the button to send it to the spot 50 meters away. Dal Li again aimed and shot.

The second target paper was sent back. The bullet hole was clearly in the central black circle.

”He hit it again. Hitting the mark twice consecutively is not a coincidence, is it?” a juror asked. Several jurors nodded and agreed.

Reiss was embarrassed. He was proven wrong so quickly.

He refused to give up easily, however. He wanted to find some more excuses to argue.

Dai Li did not even give Reiss the opportunity to complain. ”One more piece of target paper, please.”

…

The third piece of paper was set up. After the first two shots, Dai Li had optimized his aiming. His third shot was close to the exact center of the black circle. This was even more impressive.

”He shot the center at such a long distance. It's unbelievable!”

”The defendant didn't lie. I must say he is a sharpshooter.”