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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Itaewon 2-dong, Gate Containment Operation - 2
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"Fifth Squad, listen up."
Inside the transport truck heading to the operation site, Lee Hyun-wook called his squad members to attention.
Here, among the troops in the covered truck, Lee Hyun-wook was the highest-ranking soldier. This was because the deputy platoon leader, a higher-ranking officer, was riding in the passenger seat.
"As you've already heard, today's operation targets a Kobold dungeon."
Kobold.
A small monster that lives in groups. In many ways, they were similar to goblins. But a closer look revealed they were a much trickier bunch.
"If you encounter a kobold, don't let your guard down just because of their appearance. They're incredibly cunning."
It was telling that casualties from fighting kobolds were higher than those from fighting orcs.
Of course, if you only looked at the death toll, the former would be overwhelmingly higher.
"Those bastards use all sorts of poison darts, especially paralyzing ones. So, roll down your combat uniform sleeves and pop your collars to minimize exposed skin. Park Jun-mo, I'm talking to you. You don't want your eyeballs plucked out while you're still alive, do you?"
"Gasp!"
Park Jun-mo hastily popped the collar of his combat uniform.
"And since kobolds are naturally burrow-dwellers, they use the sewers to move unpredictably. So you never know when or where they'll suddenly pop out."
"So you're saying even the rear, where we are, isn't that safe."
"Right. Today, we need to be more vigilant than ever."
The nine squad members looked into Lee Hyun-wook's eyes and nodded.
The Fifth Squad. A different kind of tension and spirit emanated from them. The atmosphere was distinctly different from usual. And they all felt that change.
To be precise, they were feeling it centered around the figure of Lee Hyun-wook.
'Since yesterday, he's been talking like a real squad leader. He's even very detailed. Like an expert.'
Perhaps it was just a small change. Their leader had become someone they could trust. But that alone had drastically changed the unit's atmosphere.
'With Corporal Lee Hyun-wook as he is now, I think I can trust him and fight.'
Even Ahn Min-tae, who had thought of him as a good guy but not someone he could entrust his back to, now saw Lee Hyun-wook in a completely different light.
Soon, the transport truck came to a stop. They had arrived at the operation site.
Thump! Thump!
Someone banged on the truck's body. It was the signal to disembark.
"Alright, let's get out."
Stepping out of the truck, the residential area of Itaewon 2-dong unfolded before them.
*Vroooom—*
A small vacant lot and the residential parking areas were filled with military vehicles, and a dozen or so drones hovered in the sky.
This was the 2nd Battalion's temporary base.
"Move it!"
Shouts echoed from all directions as troops moved in formation.
"Looks like the 1st Platoon is already preparing to enter."
Just as Ahn Min-tae said, the 1st Platoon, having arrived first, was standing at the entrance of an alley, squad by squad—the 1st and 2nd Squads.
They were, in effect, the core force of this operation. It had always been this way.
The support squad, on the other hand...
"Fifth Squad! What are you doing? Unload the gear, now!"
They were always just the sidekicks.
"The 1st Platoon needs to start the operation within five minutes, so distribute the antidote potion kits as quickly as possible!"
A first lieutenant approached, shouting.
First Lieutenant Lee Hee-min, the 2nd Platoon's leader.
Following his command, the members of the Fifth Squad began unloading gear from the truck.
It was then.
"...Lee Hyun-wook!"
Someone was looking for Lee Hyun-wook.
"Lee Hyun-wook, where are you?"
It was the company commander, Captain Gwak Yong-jun, and for some reason, he was rushing over breathlessly.
"Here, sir! What is it?"
"Lee Hyun-wook! The battalion commander is calling for you! Get to the temporary command post immediately!"
"The battalion commander, sir?"
"Yes, he said he has an order for you before the operation. Hurry!"
Gwak Yong-jun shouted, pointing toward the center of the base.
'Why is the battalion commander looking for me? And at this timing?'
A summons right before the operation begins.
Even for Lee Hyun-wook, who had experienced the future, he couldn't guess the reason. It seemed a new future had begun to unfold since their last encounter.
It was unexpected, but there was no need to worry. His goal, after all, was to change the future to his advantage.
'This must be part of that process.'
"Ahn Min-tae."
"Yes?"
"You take command of the squad and finish the supply distribution until I get back."
"Understood. Be safe."
Near where the command vehicle was parked, a military tent had been set up, and the battalion commander was inside. He was looking at a map with his staff officers.
But next to him was a familiar face.
'An officer from the Black Tiger Unit, Warrant Officer Cheon Myeong-ho.'
He couldn't fathom why he would be accompanying this operation, but right now, Cheon Myeong-ho was looking not at the map, but at Lee Hyun-wook.
"Reporting for duty! Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, answering your summons."
Kim Kang-seok looked up from the operation map to Lee Hyun-wook.
"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook."
"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook!"
"You have a different mission today."
The notice was incredibly sudden.
But Lee Hyun-wook, without any change in expression, nodded and watched Kim Kang-seok's lips.
"From this moment, you will take the place of the absent 1st Squad leader, command the 1st Squad, contain the gate, and carry out the mission to block the second and third surges."
At Kim Kang-seok's words, even the staff officers looked surprised.
"S-Sir, what do you mean..."
"Broad-Area Magic Controller, stay put. I have a plan."
"Ah, yes, sir!"
It was an unbelievably radical change of mission. To command the 1st Squad, the vanguard and core force of the 1st Company... and an F-rank at that?
Moreover, the absent 1st Squad leader he was told to replace was none other than Sergeant Choi Young-jun.
"You'll receive the detailed briefing from the 1st Platoon leader. A man who can recite the A.M.T. tactical manual in front of the battalion commander should know the basics of a gate containment operation, right?"
Lee Hyun-wook nodded confidently.
"Of course, I know it well, sir. However, Battalion Commander, may I ask one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"I don't understand the justification for why I must suddenly undertake this mission."
Kim Kang-seok brought his clasped hands to his chin and nodded.
"I intend to evaluate you."
With that one sentence, Lee Hyun-wook understood Kim Kang-seok's intention.
'Since our last meeting, he's rated me higher than I thought.'
He thought highly enough of Lee Hyun-wook to have expectations, despite the limitations of his F-rank.
It made sense.
He had, after all, recited lines that perfectly understood and targeted Kim Kang-seok's preferences...
'And the man standing next to him, Warrant Officer Cheon Myeong-ho...'
The two must have discussed him. And as they shared what they had witnessed, their expectations for Lee Hyun-wook must have doubled.
For an F-rank to receive such expectations from these big shots was, at this point, unprecedented.
But this situation wasn't entirely good.
Lee Hyun-wook looked Kim Kang-seok straight in the eye and opened his mouth.
"...Battalion Commander, as the current commander of the Fifth Squad, may I be so bold as to say something?"
"Uh, go on."
Kim Kang-seok nodded as if he'd been waiting, a peculiar light glinting in his eyes.
It was anticipation.
Having experienced Lee Hyun-wook's backtalk once before, he knew his words carried a considerable weight of judgment. Even in this moment, he was evaluating Lee Hyun-wook.
"From my unit assignment until now, I have belonged to the Fifth Squad, learning and carrying out 'support operations.' And I currently hold the most important role in that mission. The role of squad commander, the squad leader."
Lee Hyun-wook tapped the green epaulet on his right shoulder with his left index finger.
"Hmm, and so?"
"I believe the Fifth Squad will carry out its mission perfectly even without me. But to abandon my role in a real combat situation, not a drill, and to take responsibility for the lives of another squad without being proven..."
Lee Hyun-wook paused for a moment, then shook his head.
"...I do not wish to seize this moment as an opportunity, only to endanger two squads, and by extension, the entire operation."
"..."
Kim Kang-seok's expression didn't change in the slightest.
He didn't answer.
He simply stared at Lee Hyun-wook as if to pierce through him.
Lee Hyun-wook continued.
"...I believe a soldier is not an individual. And I believe that proving one's ability as a soldier isn't something that can only be achieved by gaining personal merit."
"..."
"Battalion Commander, thank you for thinking highly of me. But if I may be so bold, I do not wish to be evaluated now. Kobolds are cunning monsters with an intelligence score of 0.68, and they use a tricky weapon called poison. If we are not perfect, someone will get hurt."
Even the bit of knowledge about the monster slipped in at the end was, once again, a statement thoroughly tailored to the preferences of Kim Kang-seok, the true soldier.
"..."
Kim Kang-seok took a deep breath and leaned back against the field chair.
"So that's how it is..."
"Yes, sir. That's right."
The role of the 1st Squad's commander, the 1st Squad leader.
To be told to fill the vacancy left by Sergeant Choi Young-jun was undoubtedly a huge opportunity. With all eyes on him now, if he could properly fulfill the role of the 1st Squad leader, the heart of the company, his stock would soar.
But he didn't want to.
'In truth, today's main event will start not at the front, but in the rear.'
He knew from experience that today's 'big fish' would appear in the rear.
He couldn't miss it.
"...Fifth Squad Leader."
Kim Kang-seok didn't use Lee Hyun-wook's name, but his title.
"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook!"
"Alright. As you said, carry out your original mission. This is a real battle, so perfectly execute what you do best. We'll postpone the evaluation."
"Yes, understood."
"Alright, you're dismissed."
Lee Hyun-wook saluted and turned away.
The moment his back was turned, Kim Kang-seok smiled. Then he looked at Cheon Myeong-ho.
"...Did you see that?"
"Yes, that was quite entertaining. Not only are his movements good, but his way with words is impressive too. By the way, I'm surprised you gave in to his stubbornness, sir. Didn't you put in quite a bit of effort to ensure the safety of this test?"
It wasn't that he intended to recklessly throw an F-rank onto the front lines. To prepare for any contingency, he even had the 'Assault Platoon,' a unit directly under his command, on standby.
"What can I do when he speaks the correct answer? I can hardly say he's wrong."
Finally, a pleased smile spread across Kim Kang-seok's face.
"Lee Hyun-wook... he's more of a soldier than a warrior, indeed. A loyal and clever sheepdog."
Kim Kang-seok pushed his own assessment of Lee Hyun-wook.
But Cheon Myeong-ho didn't back down either. He slowly shook his head and smiled.
"But if you saw him fight in person, you'd feel he's closer to a warrior. A sheepdog... that boy is no dog. He's a leopard. A seasoned hunter who thoroughly exploits his prey's weaknesses."
"Hahaha... either way, he's a coveted asset."
The gazes of the two men were fixed on Lee Hyun-wook's back.
***
- *Ksshh!* This is 1st Platoon, entering the Red Ground. Over.
The voice of the 1st Platoon leader came through Lee Hyun-wook's walkie-talkie.
With that, the 1st and 2nd Squads of the 1st Platoon entered separate alleys in single file. It was a typical 'raid formation,' with 'tanks' at the front and rear, and 'dealers' and 'healers' in the middle.
And 'Red Ground' referred to the area where an evacuation order had been issued after a gate opened.
The likelihood of monsters being inside was slim. This was because Players from the civilian guild 'Cheonghwa' had blocked the first surge and were now guarding the gate's entrance.
But there were always exceptions, so they couldn't be complacent.
'Today is one of those exceptions.'
The report from the 'Cheonghwa Guild,' who were the first responders, stated that 32 kobolds had appeared during the first surge and all had been suppressed. However, they had simply responded as quickly as possible after the gate appeared.
'They must have dealt with all the conspicuous ones, and the count came to 32.'
In other words, if any had hidden or scattered far away at the moment of the surge, they would have inevitably been missed.
"Hngh-cha!"
Ahn Min-tae lifted a manhole cover.
"Ugh!"
A foul stench wafted up.
"The smell... do those kobold bastards really like splashing around in places like this?"
"Depending on the situation, you might have to go in there."
"Ah... I really hope that doesn't happen."
"Just hurry up and install the sensor."
"Yes, sir!"
The squad members began installing 'motion detection sensors' in the sewers around the temporary base. This was part of the standard procedure for dealing with kobolds.
Just then, a line of military trucks entered the temporary base.
It was the follow-up force.
"It's the 2nd Company!"
Someone said, and Ahn Min-tae, who was reaching into the sewer to install a sensor, turned his head in that direction.
"Oh! Then did that goddess from the 2nd Company's 2nd Squad come too? Was it Sergeant Kim Se-hee?"
The 2nd Company was composed entirely of female soldiers.
Serving in the A.M.T. according to the 'mandatory service period' as a Player of South Korean nationality—that applied to female Players as well.
"They're all wearing masks, so I can't see."
Regardless, the all-male members of the 1st Company gawked like high school boys on a field trip spotting girls from another school, and the female soldiers of the 2nd Company also glanced their way.
"Ahn Min-tae, what did I say before we started the operation?"
"Huh? Ah! You're right! Hey, what are you guys doing? Only move your eyes when you're scanning the perimeter!"
"Ahn Min-tae. You were the first one to turn your head."
"Ah, I detected movement and was just confirming it as a precaution. Haha..."
Meanwhile, the female soldiers of the 2nd Company began to disperse to the periphery to establish a cordon.
"2nd Platoon, we're moving out too! Lee Hyun-wook! Are the sensors installed?"
It was the 2nd Platoon leader, First Lieutenant Lee Hee-min.
"Yes, sir. Just one more to go. They're all operating normally."
He glared, sweeping his eyes over the Fifth Squad as they worked.
'No matter how I look at it, that's the face of someone looking for something to nitpick.'
Lee Hee-min was that kind of person. The type of officer commonly called a 'main enemy,' who never left his subordinates in peace.
Furthermore, as he was close with the senior soldiers who led the hazing, like Oh Sang-guk and Gwak Jin-cheol, he would surely find the current Lee Hyun-wook disagreeable.
But, unable to find any particular fault, he could only smack his lips in dissatisfaction.
"Hmph, alright... we move to the intermediate point immediately."
"Yes, sir."
- *Ksshh-* 2nd Platoon, moving to the intermediate point. Over.
After finishing the radio call, Lee Hee-min raised his hand.
The 2nd Platoon, including the Fifth Squad, fixed their gazes on him.
"2nd Platoon, move out!"
About five minutes after the 1st Platoon had entered the Red Ground,
the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Squads of the 2nd Platoon entered the residential alleys, moving in a line along the path cleared by the 1st Platoon.
The Fifth Squad entered at the very rear, with Lee Hyun-wook at the front, in a two-column formation.
"Ahn Min-tae."
"Yes."
"Make sure the guys stay vigilant."
"Understood."
Lee Hyun-wook walked forward and closed his eyes.
'...They're definitely here. And I can find them.'
With his eyes closed, he activated his ability, reading the metal in the area.
It was no exaggeration to say that the human world was made of metal.
Their weight, mass, and form were drawn in Lee Hyun-wook's mind. Thus, even with his eyes closed, he could perceive the surrounding geography as clearly as if reading a map.
'Not above ground. Below, deep down.'
He shifted his senses underground.
Pipes, wires, various pieces of trash.
He scanned past them.
'A little lower, to the sewer.'
And in that very moment, he caught it. A cluster of moving metals, tangled together.
'Kobolds. Fourteen of them in total.'
That was it.
The remnant monsters that hadn't been detected during the first surge were moving right beneath their feet.
"Park Jun-mo."
"Yes."
"Your lightning skill, what's the maximum number of shots you can fire?"
Park Jun-mo used a lightning skill as his weapon.
However, his method was very different from typical mages; he stored electricity in his body and then discharged it. And being an F-rank, his capacity was extremely small.
"Ah, that would be only four times..."
Park Jun-mo answered dejectedly. As was typical for F-ranks, his confidence tended to plummet when asked about his abilities.
"But if I really squeeze it out, I think five might be possible."
He scratched his head and looked at Lee Hyun-wook.
And he saw.
*Click-*
Just like during guard duty a few days ago,
Lee Hyun-wook was switching the selector on his K2C1 rifle from 'safe' to 'semi-auto'.