By Zephyria “I heard the story. I heard you stopped a terrorist attack recently.”
“It was nothing much.”
“The higher-ups seem to have been quite impressed. They told me to spare no expense for the budget needed for the lecture.”
Oh, great. They made a big deal out of it. It seems that the attention of the defense force is even more focused on the instructions that were obviously influenced by Gu-reum.
“However, the work of a mercenary and the work of the defense force are very different from what they seem, so it may be difficult to adapt.”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t sarcasm, but genuine concern. And it wasn’t advice that he couldn’t understand.
When they discover an Aberrant, the defense force goes to ‘clean it up,’ but a mercenary first considers how to run away.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll manage.”
He didn’t appreciate the condescending look that judged he wouldn’t even know that. Mu-hae nodded perfunctorily and walked down the hallway, following the employee.
Crossing the passage to the annex, a wide training ground appeared.
A small office nearby was the space allocated to Mu-hae. Leaving the words that the resting place for those outside the defense force was on the second floor, the employee handed over a stick with the defense force mark on it and turned away.
“Ha. Look at this.”
When he unfolded it, it was a pad for work. The schedule, precautions, and contact information to be given to Mu-hae were listed in an easy-to-read format.
“We’re teaching a newbie?”
“That’s what I heard… They scraped together even those in their second year and put them in the training.”
“Will they listen?”
“Probably not.”
The injury rate of the defense force has been increasing recently. Even though they get good scores in simulation training, accidents inevitably happen when they go out to suppress Beasts or Aberrants.
The lower the rank, the more pronounced this tendency is, and it is unusual for a closed group to invite an outside instructor, so the possibility that these people, who are full of pride, will properly follow the instructions of a young mercenary is low.
Still, there will be no one who openly rebels. Whether it’s the defense force or the security force, in these disciplined armed groups, obeying orders is essential.
If they are low-ranking defense force members, their age will be similar to Jin Mu-hae’s…
“Are you working today?”
“That’s right. It’s been added to the joint defense force training at 4 PM as an observer.”
The lifespan of a defense force member who is managed and grows is longer than that of a mercenary who disappears after a few years due to injury.
Nevertheless, the fact that veteran members are not used as instructors means that they already have more than enough work to do.
In addition, three people retired and one was killed in action in the past year. At this point, they really need any help they can get.
“I should be grateful that they give me time to unpack.”
Until then, Jin Mu-hae had to read all the confidential agreements and tactics books delivered via the pad.
He didn’t know if this inconsiderate schedule was normal or because of his background.
Before 4 PM, the two headed to the training ground without being late. Some of the members had already arrived and were warming up, and they glanced at the appearance of a stranger.
Someone was checking equipment on the platform in the center. According to the list of names received through Gu-reum, it was the shooting instructor who guided the members’ combat.
Firearms for suppression and killing, as well as even anesthetic needles and Taser Nets for capture, all consider shooting as a basic skill.
If you exclude the trainer for physical management, he is the real power in training. Mu-hae quickly approached the shooting instructor and greeted him.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Are you the ‘real combat’ instructor who was supposed to come today?”
The way he emphasized the two words, ‘real combat,’ was quite unpleasant.
“I’m Jin Mu-hae. This is Joo-oh. I’m lacking in many ways, so I brought an assistant.”
“Your eyes are cool.”
This bastard. Mu-hae hurriedly pushed Joo-oh behind him.
The shooting instructor’s one eye, which emitted a blue light, was obviously a prosthetic eye due to an accident. The sight of him immediately mentioning it made cold sweat run down the back of his neck.
But surprisingly, he didn’t look upset. The shooting instructor stroked the area around his scarred eye and shrugged his shoulders slightly.
“More than 20 years ago, a Class 1 Aberrant approached within 2 kilometers of Goryeo City.”
“Such a dangerous thing…”
“It was intelligent, so it used a diversion tactic. I was injured in a solo battle at that time. Thanks to that, I was excluded from field work, but…”
“To handle that alone. That eye isn’t a scar, it’s a medal.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go as far as a medal.”
A guy who you couldn’t find any sociability in was somehow adding sweet compliments. And how about those sparkling eyes as if he had met a welcome person.
When a man with a better impression than Mu-hae openly expressed his favor, the attitude of the shooting instructor, who had been on edge, softened to some extent.
“I’m Cha Jung-woo. You can call me Instructor Cha.”
“I look forward to working with you, Instructor Cha.”
Thanks to that, he even shook his hand, which was hardened with calluses. Mu-hae tried hard to fix his face, which was about to be strangely distorted, and put on a full smile.
He didn’t know if this would work, but it was an expression that looked ‘wholesome and harmless,’ like the photo registered in the city.
“Have you received information about the training?”
“No. But there was a brief explanation on the regular schedule.”
“Six teams of four will suppress three types of Aberrants. Today, since a new instructor has arrived, you will participate in the last team and give a demonstration.”
He had never heard of such a thing. The forced smile slowly stopped at the arrangement where he faintly felt malice.
It seemed like he was going to have a grand initiation ceremony from the first day. Mu-hae changed his posture, which had been docile for a while, and put his hands in his pockets.
“You must be curious about mercenary-style combat.”
“It must be nice to have a flower garden for a brain.”
He was such a gentle guy that the world seemed kind to him. Mu-hae ignored Joo-oh’s whisper and looked around the training ground, where preparations were slowly being completed.
The first team forms a line in the center without any weapons. Soon, light poured from the lights on the ceiling, and an Aberrant made of holograms appeared in the middle of them, making a vivid cry.
“You can select equipment with the device on the back of your hand, and you can only inflict damage if you exceed a certain amount of damage.”
Instructor Cha, who added an explanation from behind, confirmed the preparation signal and pressed the buzzer.
Waeaeaeang-!
With a short siren, the shape of the Aberrant began to move. 〈Level 3〉 Ironclad Turtle. It was a creepy sight just to look at, with a prostrate human figure, three pairs of legs, and a large shell on its back.
The members moved in unison to avoid the monster that was rushing in with a crackling sound. The Taser that had been laid out earlier left a red mark on the hologram’s leg.
Paak! The Aberrant stretched out its crouching forefoot, and the shoulder of the member who was close by also turned red. He raised his arm to block it, but there was no change in the hologram. It was a unilateral injury judgment.
‘So that’s how it is.’
He was curious about how much support they were receiving. It was more systematic than he thought.
If he could receive that kind of training for just a week, half of the mercenaries who were dying and falling would be reduced. But even so, they’re all the kind of guys who will run away as soon as an Aberrant appears, whether it goes straight to the city or massacres civilians.
Explosive firearms spewed fire several times, and a Taser Net covered the hologram. The ensuing gunfire suppressed the resisting Aberrant and created an opportunity for attack.
The moment a member with a sturdy physique reloaded his weapon, a gurgling sound was added, and a hologram of the same shape jumped out from one side.
The whole body of the member who was caught was dyed red, and he was judged to be dead. He was immediately excluded from the battle. The Tasers that were laid out in plausible locations exploded in succession, preventing further losses.
It took almost 30 minutes for the first team’s training to end.
“Good job. But one death. Two injuries. You should also develop the habit of checking the radar in consideration of unexpected intrusions.”
“I’m sorry.”
It’s not a situation that will never happen in reality, but it’s too difficult. If there are more than two Aberrants, the required power is more than three times that.
Immediately, a random type of Aberrant was projected, and the next team prepared for battle. Similar training was repeated, and about three hours passed in an instant.
The air, which had been a bit chilly, was now full of heat. The sight of the members scribbling notes while observing the battles of others created a very serious atmosphere.
“Team 6. And Instructor Jin.”
Finally, it was Jin Mu-hae’s turn. Interest and curiosity took the place of the tired expressions on their faces.
Mu-hae received the gauntlet, put it on his wrist, and checked the equipment one by one.
Landmine-type bombs, Tasers, grenades, drones, wires…
He felt a subtle satisfaction with the abundant supplies, even in the simulation.
Normally, he wouldn’t be able to have all this equipment, and even if he carried it all out, he wouldn’t be able to use it freely because he would be worried about the money.
“It’s a Class 1.”
“I know. It’s Bill Lame.”
It was a bipedal Aberrant with blade-like bone fragments on its limbs. It has never appeared near Goryeo City, but it is sometimes seen near Khan Rano.
From the perspective of someone who travels far and wide at the request of the Company, if you don’t want to die a miserable death, you have no choice but to memorize all the Aberrants that exist.
“Will you give instructions?”
A member with a sullen look spoke to Mu-hae first out of courtesy.
“Barricades on the left and right. Prepare rocks or trees to turn your back on the terrain, and install Tasers in front.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the terrain being projected changed to a forest with a wave of Instructor Cha’s hand. When a half-wall disguised as a barricade was installed in his field of vision, Mu-hae hung a wire on a large tree and pretended to select and hold a gun.
Zzhing. A small vibration was transmitted to the gauntlet, and a clumsy confirmation signal appeared.
Waeaeaeang-!
The buzzer rang and Bill Lame unfolded his crouching body. The huge body, reaching 3 meters, rushed towards the trainee at an unbelievably fast speed.
Kereureu-.
Jijiji- Zzeujeuk!
Bill Lame, sensing the impact, hesitated and stepped back. However, he soon swung around and neutralized the Tasers installed with broken tree trunks or stone fragments.
‘So even that works.’
So he could have hung a fake wire on a tree that was just a hologram. Puh-wuhng-! Mu-hae, who shot a small bomb, called the previous member and gestured with his chin.
“To the left, install the net and load the lethal firearms.”
“…Yes.”
Excluding Joo-oh, it had been a long time since he had experienced combat with others, so it was even unfamiliar to order someone around.
Leaving the Aberrant that was rushing in again, Mu-hae shot a hook to create an obstacle.
Piiing! Here and there, the Bill Lame hologram was dyed red. The surviving Taser spewed electricity from under the collapsing giant, staggering forward.
Only after confirming that one arm was incapacitated did gunfire fly towards him.
Gereureureu-! Kaaack!
A tearing scream rang out. He twisted his whole body as if he had suffered a fatal wound, but the hologram’s head tilted to the side.
Oh, great. Even though the level of implementation is high, the feeling of unease that seems to support the spine, as if the mouth only opens in a similar way, warns that it is laughing.
“I will activate the net if you come near.”
“No. Don’t.”
Forgetting that he had been using honorifics all along, Mu-hae firmly stopped the members.
The destruction rate of the barricade has not yet exceeded 40 percent. If so, it should be able to withstand some weight.
Kereureureuk!
Paak! Just as he was recklessly trying to throw a bullet, the wrist of the member turned red. Bill Lame, who had wreaked havoc enough to make him sick in a few seconds, met Mu-hae’s gaze.
“Then what…!”
“Threaten to shoot slightly below, no, a little higher than that, and retreat.”
Aberrants sense danger but do not feel fear. Whether that’s true or not, that’s what Mu-hae has experienced directly.
If a clumsy gunshot flies, instead of retreating, it will avoid it with minimal movement and run towards the human who showed his back.
Tatatang-!
The huge hologram flew in as expected at the gunshots that the members fired with half-doubt.
Mu-hae distracted the monster with a drone, then stepped to the side and quickly turned his body.
As soon as he jumped behind the tree-shaped, thick trunks were broken off. When the wire wrapped around the Aberrant’s body, he did not miss the opportunity to roll up and jump greatly to the barricade.
Taak! The gazes of those watching shook at the height he jumped, stepping on the half-wall and leaping up once. It was a nimbleness that was hard to believe came from such a large body.
The hologram, sensing Mu-hae’s movement, followed, tearing off the wire that was cutting into its body with bone fragments.
Hwaak! Zzeujeujeujeu!
The drone confused the Aberrant’s vision with light, and soon the net of the left member soared from under Bill Lame.
The net-type Taser wrapped around its prey like a leech. The Aberrant, whose vision was narrowed as it changed direction following Mu-hae, was helplessly caught in the expensive binding tool.
A moment of leisure was given. Jin Mu-hae turned on the radar to confirm that there were no approaching creatures and gestured to the injured member.
As soon as he sent a medical signal and retreated, the personnel who had been waiting in the optimal position launched a concentrated attack.
They had gathered talented people in their own way, so there was only one injured person even in the chaotic battlefield.
Bbi-! Bbi-! Bbi-! Bbi-!
Like an event, two more Beasts rushed in, but they became red bodies and sprawled out after a few attacks from the trainees.
Only the rough breathing of those panting remained in the simulation site, which ended quickly.
Clap clap clap clap!
He wondered who was clapping without noticing, but Joo-oh, who was sitting among the members, was waving his hand.
“…Thank you for the demonstration. It was a quick finish.”
“We have to hurry. If Aberrants and Beasts come out one after another in the same place, there must be more Class 1 Aberrants nearby.”
Those who have been chased without facing danger know. The fact that a weak individual jumps into land full of predators’ traces means that something even more chilling is happening behind them.
Mu-hae tilted his neck to loosen his tense muscles and threw the gauntlet to Joo-oh. It was because his sparkling gaze had been fixed not only on this side but also on his wrist since earlier.
As expected, he tried hard to hide his excitement and began to look at the equipment. He was also glancing at the hologram device while smacking his lips, and it seemed like he wanted it badly.
He shouldn’t just stuff that into his bag like food or a figure. Even though his eyes are still clear, he’s not a guy you can trust.
“It’s refreshing to use the wire like that, but it seems a bit reckless to use yourself as bait.”
Instructor Cha handed over a towel and spoke in a low voice so that only they could hear. Even though he said that, the admiration in his voice showed that he already knew Mu-hae’s thoughts.
If you are only sure of the Aberrant’s movements and how to deal with it, there is no faster and safer way than this. The best way to survive is to run away without leaving a trace, but the defense force’s top priority is to defend the city.
“I’m glad it helped.”
As he answered calmly and approached Joo-oh, he asked a question from behind.
“The reason you only turned on the radar in the middle to check was… what’s the reason?”
He didn’t seem to be picking a fight, but he really looked curious. When you think about it, Instructor Cha hadn’t been particularly nasty, except for putting him in this damn training.
How… should he explain this? Jin Mu-hae unconsciously recalled his actions and rubbed the back of his wet head a little.
“…To save the battery.”
Because the Blue Battery that goes into the radar is damn expensive. Instructor Cha’s one eye, who got an unexpected answer, became more dazed than his prosthetic eye.