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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Itaewon 2-dong, Gate Containment Operation - 3
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About five minutes after entering the Red Ground…
"…Halt."
First Lieutenant Lee Hee-min, the 2nd Platoon leader, raised his hand.
A small playground came into view up ahead.
All sorts of toys were scattered about, as if children had been playing there right before the Gate appeared.
"This is the intermediate base."
An intermediate base.
It was a supply depot for immediate replenishment in case of a prolonged battle near the Gate, and it also served as a sort of bastion should they need to retreat from the Gate's vicinity.
And if nothing out of the ordinary occurred, it was where the support squad would be on standby.
"Lee Hyun-wook. Unload the supplies in that open area by the playground."
"Yes, sir."
At Lee Hee-min's command, Lee Hyun-wook gestured, and the entire 5th Squad moved in perfect sync, placing ammunition and other combat supplies in the center of the playground.
Lee Hyun-wook immediately issued further orders.
"Alright, same as before. Open the nearby manhole covers and install the sensors."
"Yes, sir!"
Of course, even without motion detection sensors, Lee Hyun-wook could sense the kobolds' movements.
Even at this very moment, he could feel the metal stirring beneath the ground.
*They've noticed our position.*
In the sewers, the creatures' movements had changed.
Seeing them spread out in three directions from the playground, he knew it was an encirclement strategy. As expected of creatures with intelligence reportedly up to 70% of a human's, they weren't going to charge in blindly.
*But they won't want to come out just yet.*
They were waiting.
Waiting for the humans to split up into smaller groups…
"…Right, it would be best to install one near those bushes, too."
"Yes, sir!"
As Lee Hyun-wook was commanding his squad, Lee Hee-min approached, glaring daggers for some reason.
"Hey, Lee Hyun-wook."
He called out to Lee Hyun-wook, his voice thick with displeasure.
"Your squad members… don't you think they're being unnecessarily loud?"
"…Sir?"
"'Sir?' You're the one who needs to get his head on straight, you punk. This is the Red Ground."
"…I'll be more careful, sir."
It was a blatant fabrication.
Objectively, the squad members' voices were not loud enough to be a problem.
*So, he's really out to get me.*
Lee Hee-min was the type to find satisfaction in hounding any subordinate he disliked. It seemed that Lee Hyun-wook, whose reputation had recently soared, had become his new target.
"…Lee Hyun-wook, let me give you some advice. Don't get too cocky just because you've gotten lucky a few times lately and the battalion commander seems to think highly of you."
"Understood, sir."
"You understand? Oh, and remember you're an F-class. Arrogance leads to carelessness. If you get careless and things go south… let's be honest, you're not at a level where you can survive that."
After his tirade of insults, he even clicked his tongue with a *tsk*.
"Ugh, the more I look at you, the more pathetic you seem…"
His vicious words were a clear attempt to get under the other's skin and break his spirit.
*He's really trying his best.*
But Lee Hyun-wook was not one to be affected by a few such words.
"That's enough. Get back to work."
"Yes, sir."
"Hey, Choi Seon-ah!"
"Yes, Platoon Leader!"
The deputy platoon leader, Sergeant Choi Seon-ah, ran over.
"We're moving out, so you stay here and manage things. The 5th Squad is all worked up, they might do something stupid, so keep a close eye on them. Not that… any monsters are likely to come this far into a corner, but don't get too comfortable just because you're coasting."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, let's move out."
Lee Hee-min led the 2nd Platoon's combat squads, the 3rd and 4th, deeper into the area. Their mission was to patrol the interior of the Red Ground.
Now, only the 5th Squad remained at the intermediate base.
"Um… Corporal Lee Hyun-wook."
It was Sergeant Choi Seon-ah, her voice cautious.
"Yes, Deputy Platoon Leader."
"Don't, uh, don't worry about it! What the platoon leader just said…"
Sergeant Choi Seon-ah patted Lee Hyun-wook on the shoulder comfortingly.
"I'm fine, ma'am. I'm not worried."
"Right, the platoon leader is just… you know, a very meticulous person, right? Hehe…"
Choi Seon-ah tried to frame Lee Hee-min in a positive light, but her words were tinged with bitterness.
She, more than anyone, was the biggest victim of Lee Hee-min's sharp tongue.
Choi Seon-ah was only twenty years old. She had practically just traded her school uniform for a combat uniform.
Having awakened a decent trait, she was commissioned as a non-commissioned officer instead of an enlisted soldier, but in many ways, she was a gentle woman, ill-suited for the duties of a soldier.
"Deputy Platoon Leader, we'll start setting up the CBs now."
"Oh, right!"
She smiled brightly.
"Ahn Min-tae. We're setting up the CBs now."
"Yes, sir!"
The Crystal Barricade, or CB for short, was an item that formed a defensive wall.
It was a round crystal item the size of a soccer ball. By placing four of them in the cardinal directions and having a synchronized mage Player infuse them with mana, a circular defensive barrier would be formed.
It was an item for the off-chance the Gate containment was breached and this place had to become a bastion.
"Phew! Installation complete!"
With the CBs installed, all tasks were finished.
Lee Hyun-wook ordered his squad members to stand guard and sat down on a bench at one side of the playground.
He then took out his newly acquired weapon, the Sword of Clouds.
[Item Information]
- Name: Sword of Clouds
- Effect: Absorbs water to release 'Water Mist'.
For now, that was all the simple information message said.
*But it will gradually change.*
Lee Hyun-wook took out his canteen and slowly tilted it over the blade of the Sword of Clouds.
*Trickle—*
Water flowed down the blade before seeping into it.
- The 'Sword of Clouds' is absorbing water. (11%)
"Corporal Lee, what are you doing?"
Ahn Min-tae approached.
"Hm, reloading."
"Reloading… a sword? Come to think of it, I've never seen that sword before."
"I received it as a reward from the battalion commander."
"Oh! So it's a pretty decent item?"
Just then, a message appeared before Lee Hyun-wook's eyes.
- The 'Sword of Clouds' skill 'Water Mist' is now available.
The skill was loaded.
"It's useful."
He said, raising the sword to catch the sunlight.
*…Quite useful, indeed.*
***
Near the operation zone.
Atop a ten-story building, figures in black combat uniforms were taking cover.
*Chk— No movement detected near the Gate. Over.*
They were A.M.T snipers.
"Hmm…"
And behind them, First Lieutenant Seo Eun-ha was seated in a field chair.
She wore black-painted full plate armor, with a greatsword strapped to her back. A massive shield was propped against a nearby wall.
This was her full combat gear, heavy armor befitting her Paladin trait.
"Sergeant Kang, do you see that over there?"
At Seo Eun-ha's question, a man with glasses approached.
He was Sergeant Kang Ik-jun, a mage Player from the Assault Platoon.
However, unfitting for a 'mage', he was currently shouldering a Barrett M82A1 anti-materiel sniper rifle, with blue smoke faintly rising from the muzzle.
"Jeez, you scared me! I thought something was on fire."
"Haha, my apologies."
"Do you really need to have a magic bullet loaded right now?"
Just because one was a mage Player didn't mean they only had to use magic. Mages who fought in close combat with enchanted swords and shields were common. Kang Ik-jun was a marksman who imbued his bullets with magic.
"The spell's already been cast, so it'll be another fifteen minutes before it wears off. Ahem, but Platoon Leader, what are you referring to?"
"Over there, take a look at the intermediate base, by the playground."
While Seo Eun-ha needed binoculars, Kang Ik-jun could see it with his naked eye. The lenses of his glasses were items made with magic engineering.
"Yes, they're setting something up. Looks like the support squad."
"That's right. And their squad leader, he was the subject of our mission today."
"…He was?"
Kang Ik-jun frowned, searching for a green armband.
"So you're telling me a soldier from the support squad… is a candidate for the youngest member of our platoon?"
Seo Eun-ha nodded.
"Probably."
A candidate for the Assault Platoon…
Of course, when Battalion Commander Kim Kang-seok had given the mission, he hadn't explicitly mentioned anything of the sort.
However, if he was a soldier the commander was keeping an eye on, it meant he had a high chance of being selected as an officer in the future. Among those, a transfer to the 'Assault Platoon', the commander's direct unit, was a logical and likely conclusion.
"No way, when the battalion commander told me to keep an eye on a soldier, I thought he meant that kid, Choi Young-jun."
Kang Ik-jun had also been an enlisted soldier. When he was the 1st Squad leader, Choi Young-jun had joined as the newest member.
"Choi Young-jun is on leave right now. Besides, the Black Tiger Unit already has their eye on him."
"Hmm…"
Kang Ik-jun stroked his chin, looking unconvinced.
Seo Eun-ha felt similarly.
*He's definitely an F-class.*
She had first encountered Lee Hyun-wook a few days ago while on duty.
No, she had probably seen him a few times before, but that was the first time he had made an impression.
That's how little presence he had.
*But that day, he took down a Goblin Shaman by himself.*
That much was true. She had been the first to confirm it.
"Tsk, is he maybe the son of some higher-up? Some kind of connection…"
"Sergeant Kang, is the battalion commander that kind of person?"
"Haha, I suppose my loyalty is a bit lacking. How can an enlisted man love an officer? Ah, excluding our dear Platoon Leader Seo, of course."
"Shut up. I just think… he must be mistaken about something."
Mistaken.
That's what she thought. Otherwise, there was no reason to pay attention to an F-class.
And as for taking care of the Goblin Shaman…
"…It must have been a coincidence."
"Huh? What was?"
"Ah, forget it."
Seo Eun-ha handed the binoculars to Kang Ik-jun and stood up.
"Anyway, keep a close watch and contact me if any problems arise."
"Yes? Platoon Leader, where are you going?"
"I have to meet someone for a bit. Take good care of my shield."
"If you keep leaving that expensive shield around so carelessly, I'm going to sell it to a junk dealer and buy myself some candy."
"Here you go."
Seo Eun-ha flipped him the middle finger over her shoulder as she walked down the stairs.
***
*Whoosh—*
A gust of wind blew through, scattering the fallen leaves piled in the flowerbeds.
"…"
Silence enveloped the playground, the intermediate base.
The 1st Platoon was containing the Gate, awaiting the second fission, so the commotion would start soon enough. But in this residential area, where an evacuation order had been issued, not even the slightest noise could be heard.
And…
*The noise won't start at the Gate, but right here.*
Lee Hyun-wook opened the sheath of the greatsword at his waist and undid the safety strap on the Sword of Clouds on his back.
He then securely fastened his combat helmet and stood up.
He slowly looked around.
"Park Jun-mo, come over here. Don't stand near the manhole."
"Yes, sir!"
A scene from the past flashed before Lee Hyun-wook's eyes.
*The chaos had started when a poison dart hit Park Jun-mo in the back of the neck as he stood in that exact spot.*
Of course, this time, he had warned him on the way here, so Park was protecting his neck with his collar turned up.
*Thump-thump, thump-thump.*
His heart was pounding.
It wasn't fear.
It was just that the bad memories were overlapping with the present moment, triggering an unconscious physical reaction.
Just then—
*Beep- Beep-*
A sharp signal began to sound from somewhere.
*Beep- Beep-*
Everyone turned their heads.
"…Huh, what's that?"
It was coming from the ground, from inside a manhole.
"The motion detection sensor is going off! It's manhole number four!"
Private First Class Choi Tae-yong from the squad shouted as he walked toward the fourth manhole.
"Choi Tae-yong, don't get close."
"Sir? But, I need to check…"
"Just forget it and come over here."
Lee Hyun-wook said, raising his rifle and aiming it at the manhole.
At this, Choi Tae-yong jumped back in surprise, and looks of shock spread across everyone's faces.
"Huh? C-Corporal Lee Hyun-wook?"
Sergeant Choi Seon-ah was no different. She stammered as she approached, her voice thick with tension.
"Deputy Platoon Leader, it's a sensor reading. There's something in the sewer."
"Oh! I-It's not a malfunction, is it?"
Lee Hyun-wook shook his head.
He then raised his left hand to get his squad's attention.
"Everyone, take cover near the supplies. And prepare your gas masks."
"Sir? Gas masks?"
"Corporal Lee, gas masks? What-what do you mean?"
"Kobolds use poison as a weapon. Not just in dart form, but sometimes they use a smoke-type weapon. Especially when they're launching a surprise attack through the sewers like this… it's highly likely they'll start with smoke."
The moment Lee Hyun-wook finished his explanation, every squad member placed a hand on their gas mask pouch.
*CLANG!*
With a loud crash, the lid of the fourth manhole shot into the air.
Immediately after,
"Holy shit!"
"Everyone, fall back!"
*FWOOSH—*
Just as Lee Hyun-wook had said, black smoke erupted like an explosion. It was clearly a gas lethal to humans.
It billowed out, beginning to fill the playground floor.
"…Gas! Gas!"
Fortunately, thanks to Lee Hyun-wook's warning, they were prepared and able to don their gas masks quickly.
But in that short time, the gas had already risen above their heads.
"Dammit, my vision is…"
Soon, they couldn't see anything.
"Take cover behind the supplies!"
In the darkness, only Lee Hyun-wook's voice rang out loud and clear.
"All units, hold your fire! Lower your muzzles to the ground immediately!"
"…Sir?"
"Don't question it, just lower your muzzles!"
With their vision obscured by the black smoke, raising their weapons carelessly could lead to friendly fire.
*…This is the skill of a Kobold Warlock.*
If the elite monster of goblins was the Shaman, for kobolds, it was the Warlock.
The difference in name implied that while goblin skills were a kind of unrefined, wild magic, kobolds used a more systematic form of magic with a clear lineage.
It was later discovered that the kobold race was one of the minions of the demonic race, the Demons.
"D-Dammit! I can't… I can't see!"
"Sh-Shouldn't we retreat?"
*Kekekeke!*
As they panicked, a series of evil laughs echoed from within the black smoke.
And they were getting closer.
"Ughhhhh…"
"W-We're all going to die…"
A few squad members moaned in despair.
It was only natural to fall into a panic when their lives were threatened with their vision completely gone.
"E-Everyone… c-calm… down…"
Even Sergeant Choi Seon-ah was the same.
But Lee Hyun-wook calmly went about his business.
His eyes darted back and forth.
He was tracking the movements of the enemies—the kobolds—that had emerged from the manhole.
*Kekekeke!*
They were mocking them.
Rejoicing that their surprise attack had worked perfectly.
*It did in my past life.*
Lee Hyun-wook drew the Sword of Clouds.
*This time will be completely different.*
And he used its skill.
- The Sword of Clouds releases a water mist.
*Fwoooosh—*
From the blade of the Sword of Clouds, a white mist began to pour out.
It was a water mist.
*Fwoooosh—*
Lee Hyun-wook wiped the moisture fogging his gas mask.
As the white mist spread, the movements of the kobold pack slowed. Their vision was now blocked as well.
From now on, no one could see with their naked eyes. All that could be heard were the panicked breaths from both sides.
"Ahn Min-tae. Raise your shield and get next to me."
Ahn Min-tae, a warrior class, came forward with his kite shield.
"…Yes, I'm here."
"They won't charge recklessly since we're grouped together."
"But we're in trouble with zero visibility. We can't do anything if we can't see…"
Lee Hyun-wook closed his eyes.
"No, I can see."
"…You can?"
"And…"
At that moment, Ahn Min-tae felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation near his waist.
*Ssk—*
It was as if someone had gently tugged at him with their fingers.
"…I'll be borrowing your greatswords."
Unseen by anyone, ten daggers rose into the air within the white mist.
Like a school of dolphins swimming in formation, they slowly rotated within the water mist.
And the next moment…
*Swish-swish-swish-swoosh!*
Like diving deep into the ocean depths, they shot out in unison, into the black smoke.