55 – Recklessness (2)
I could feel my wrist gradually becoming numb.
Although I didn’t experience a stabbing pain or a sense of heaviness accompanied by groans,
I could tell that the injury was worsening.
However, the trigger was pulled, and I witnessed the head of the guy attaching a rocket launcher shattering into pieces.
And soon, all ten enemies turning towards my direction.
– Bang, bang…
Bullets, splattering orange flames, struck the air above my head as they pounded against the metal plate.
I knew it was dangerous, but perhaps the painkillers had dulled my senses –
They didn’t seem that terrifying.
Even though I should be scared.
Slowly reloading bullets into the empty magazine, I heard the footsteps approaching me, now transformed into the dull sound of a body hitting the ground.
Simultaneously, I saw Ilia sticking close to me, observing as she replaced the cylinder.
However, not in the direction of the scarce eyes but rather what was on my wrist,
I felt her concern.
Lifting the visor slightly, giving a wink, and closing it again.
Immediately, the screen showed an incoming communication request.
Yulia Maxwell, the head of the Mircis Technologies security team.
I blinked my eyes to acknowledge it.
[This is the Mircis Security Team. Please state your identity and affiliation.]
“The one receiving the communication is the independent mercenary Lee Tae-hyuk. Engaged in combat with the Nomads in the 12 o’clock direction of your location.”
– Flying.
Shrapnel, shattered, emitted a red light as it flew far away in a swirling motion.
When I tilted my head slightly, there was an enemy here, indiscriminately spraying bullets in this direction without even looking.
Bullets flying everywhere collided, scattering small flames in all directions.
Occasionally, feeling the stone fragments hitting like raindrops, I tightened my grip on the gun with my right hand.
Then, at the moment the gun trembled and stopped.
Extending my head, I pulled the trigger twice in the possible location of the guy hiding behind the car.
“Screaam – “
A scream erupted at the first shot,
“Click.”
It halted at the second.
Bullets flew straight towards me, but it was a futile attempt to target me.
[Independent mercenary Lee Tae-hyuk, what is your intention?]
“I have business in the commercial district, heard NoMads are causing chaos on Route 20. I’ll support.”
[And your other colleagues?]
“I’ve got an android on this side. Wearing the same helmet as me, so identification should be possible.”
Iliya, who returned to her position after reloading another magazine, looked at me, then turned her head forward.
Seeing a sparkling blue light on her ear, it seemed the team leader had also contacted Iliya.
[Confirmed. Former Mirsiss-affiliated Lee Tae-hyuk. We’ll accept your support. Friendly identification tag assigned.]
Should I call them former colleagues?
A man with a sturdy build, wearing a navy-blue helmet, emerged from the opposite side and climbed onto the vehicle.
In his hand… a mini-gun for infantry?
[Requesting entry after firepower support.]
– Wheee…
As the gun barrels rotated, the electronic sound of a motor began to fill the road.
Despite taking a few bullets, the one holding the machine gun, louder than the engine in the car, calmly turned the muzzle towards the enemies without a flinch.
“Confirmed.”
And whether it was my radio that became the signal,
With a sound resembling a collapsing building, flashes and smoke began to erupt from the opposite side.
– Brrr.
The red flare exploded towards the car,
The slow-moving grenadier, seemingly pushed away, had a support extending from the leg part of the exoskeleton suit, firmly holding onto his body.
Of course, it seemed like the exoskeleton couldn’t handle the recoil of the gun boasting its brute firing power.
“Quite a commotion for firepower support.”
[One second later.]
Just as the gun barrel was about to ignite in a crimson glow,
The devices that had gripped the car, crumpling it, detached and returned to their original positions –
The grenadier, slightly staggering, disappeared behind the car.
“Ilia!”
Immediately pulling out his shield, he moved decisively behind the guy, tapping his left shoulder with his left hand.
Although wielding a revolver instead of an automatic pistol seemed a bit awkward – in the current situation, it seemed reasonable.
There might still be a body intact behind the car turned into a beehive.
Even if it remained – would the scattered folks really come to their senses?
“We’re moving.”
Just as we exited the back of the car, someone aimed at the spot where the grenadier had been shooting from the direction.
…If my memory serves me right, that should be the Tonhu Group Construction’s ceremonial assault rifle.
Perhaps the transport vehicles that were leaving the outskirts weren’t just a coincidence?
“Uwaaa -“
Screaming, the act of pulling the trigger was immediately silenced with a single gunshot.
As always, when a Magnum round hits someone’s head, things don’t unfold neatly.
Iria continued to check the rectangular room as she moved forward, aligning her steps.
Now, firmly gripping her right wrist, which had begun to feel heavy, with her left hand.
Then, almost by chance, at the edge of the gradually brightening field of vision,
she saw the reflection of a gun barrel in the side mirror across from her.
Turning her body directly towards it, the gun reflexively approached her hip as she faced the enemy that appeared –
One pull of the trigger, and her left finger brushed the ball twice.
– Tadadang.
The three bullets that quickly exited tore through the chest, scattering blood to the back.
The trigger of the gun the man hadn’t released yet scattered bullets into the sky, then fell to the ground.
It was time to reload a bullet into the empty cylinder once again. However –
“Kkuwup…!”
It was tough, it was indeed tough.
As if by habit, the panning that went out finally seemed to shred her right wrist again.
The effect of the painkiller hadn’t ended. Her foot was still numb,
and she couldn’t even feel the sensation of the fabric brushing against her skin.
But clearly, the wrist underneath…
“Taehyuk, are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
She pushed the bullet-filled cylinder back, snapped it in, and switched the gun to her left hand.
And with the hand holding the gun, he tapped Ilyas’ back twice.
“Let’s go.”
Before taking a few steps, Ilyas’ shield, held immediately, resounded loudly.
It was impossible for mere amateurs to penetrate it, even though it had blocked the rifle bullets from the Omnus military industrial complex.
The hand that had been tucked behind the shield extended outward as soon as the gunfire ceased –
Instantly, six shots were evenly distributed to the two in front.
“I’m reloading.”
In the sky, a transport aircraft floated, displaying the Incheon Broadcast message on the billboard.
And it could be naturally inferred that the camera was pointing in this direction.
There was no way to reveal that the right hand was injured.
“Taehyuk, danger!”
Turning abruptly at those words, a No-Mads member, gun raised, was seen fallen.
Blood oozed, but unmistakably still moving.
Hastily reaching for the gun, pulling the trigger –
It missed.
– Bang, bang, bang, bang…
Was it the sound of the trigger I pulled?
Or was it the sound of the gun barrel flashing before my eyes?
Was I being pushed back because I got shot?
Even though I don’t feel any pain?
Bodies fell to the ground.
The gray sky held nothing. No clouds, no sun.
Certainly, there were times when looking up at the sky gave a piercing sense of liberation –
“Taehyuk, are you okay? Taehyuk!”
Checking the state by vigorously patting the layered bulletproof vest, even though wearing a helmet… Ilyah, perhaps.
Blinked his eyes several times, unfocused.
And the body… Fortunately, fingers were moving.
“The armor plate caught all the gunshots. No abnormalities in the body…”
Behind Ilyah, a transport ship was approaching.
The camera was pointing this way.
Is the gun still held?
“Get up, Ilyah.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“You need to stabilize. The wrist injury is severe.”
“Not today… Not today, I have to stand up today.”
Placing the right hand on the chest, pushing the body up with the left hand holding the gun.
Leaning on Ilyah, giving strength to the knee, no, to the prosthetic –
“Ugh – “
Dizziness.
The right wrist still hurts.
And,
In front of me, the guy who had been firing a gun was missing half of his head.
But did he manage to hit me?
[Independent mercenary Lee Tae-hyuk. Are you okay over there?]
“I’m… okay. Thanks to the bulletproof vest.”
Coming into view from the truck where smoke was billowing out, was it the Chinese soldier from earlier – Han-a?
Could it be, waving his hand over there, is that Julia Maxwell?
It’s just one Chinese soldier guarding two trucks.
Or… did the truck being shot at cause a problem for the security team?
[No issues here either. We safely secured the remaining cargo, but… it seems like my right wrist is injured.]
“…Don’t worry about it.”
It looks like it’s not in good condition enough to be seen even from afar.
Despite trying to stand tall, his right hand was shaking so much he couldn’t even hold a gun.
[The medical team is on the move. If you want, we can handle it from here.]
“I’ll take care of it on this end. For now…”
The lens of the camera floating in the sky was aimed at me.
And it seemed like it might be zooming in.
…Do they want me to say something?
Awkwardly, as if to salute with my right hand raised –
Before long, my thumb and index finger were extended while the rest of my fingers were folded.
“…Bang.”
Was it satisfied with that? The transport vessel gradually increased its altitude, heading towards the commercial district.
This should be well-suited for Gemini Arms’ sponsorship.
“Lord Taehyuk.”
With a gun tucked at my waist, I collapsed as Ilia approached me.
My wrist kept hurting.
[Medical team, we have an additional casualty. Independent mercenary – yes, that’s right. The only, no, unique survivor of that squad.]
I closed my eyes slowly, listening to the fading voice.
…I thought I had already forgotten after ten years.
Was Mirzis still remembering me?