12 – 13 Platoon (1)
Scarlet Peridot appeared in my dream.
A cozy cabin standing in front of a lake. The garden was filled with flowers. Birds chirped, and the study was filled with books.
“…Dracan.”
She called out to me. I tried to answer.
But I couldn’t respond.
Because it was all a lie.
…
……
A dreadful dream.
I woke up. Everything around me was blurry. I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t speak properly.
From my face to my whole body, something was wrapped tightly. It pressed down on me, making it difficult to breathe, as if I was being tortured.
“Sir, the dragonkin has awakened.”
“What astonishing recovery power. How are they?”
“It’s not normal… Overwhelming recovery ability. Look at the graphs.”
“Wow, really surprising. I wish this blood could be transfused to other species too.”
“Dragon blood is special. I know that even though I am not a dragon. It can’t be mixed with other blood. That’s why dragons can’t have children with other species.”
“How could someone as weak as you…?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, sir.”
“Don’t just focus on the male story. Concentrate on your work too.”
“Don’t nag me again. There’s no problem with my performance. Should I carry out the treatment as it is, sir?”
“Make your judgement according to the situation. I’m sure you can handle it yourself.”
“…Still, you give me credit in your own way. A fussy teacher.”
“Shut up.”
“Yes, sir.”
The hand didn’t move. Numerous acupuncture needles were stuck in the arms.
Peculiar fluids flowed down the tube.
I took a breath.
I forced my strength into my arm which had no energy.
Snap.
Thud!
The acupuncture needles pushed out from the skin along with the blood.
“What, what is it…?”
The senses were starting to return to my hand. It didn’t seem like a simple treatment.
The whole body felt sluggish. Some of the drugs that came in through the
“…Yes?”
“I… alone… here…”
Scarlet.
Scarlet Peridot.
“Nearby… tribe… another… one…”
“…Was there another member of the tribe nearby?”
“Where…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but there is none.”
“Why…?”
“Why? What’s the reason? You’re the only one I pulled out from the river.”
“No… can’t…”
“Oh. Seriously. Let go of my wrist first. You startled me.”
She released his wrist. The shadow of a person faded in his blurry vision.
“Teacher.”
“What?”
“The patient is asking if there were other members of the tribe around when he spotted that person.”
“He’s already regained consciousness…? I heard about a fallen Titan upriver. Harvest remnants were disassembling it. Some parts were salvaged… but I’m not sure about the details.”
Titan.
Flametail.
Then what about Scarlet Peridot…
“Other members of the tribe?”
“There weren’t any.”
“Hmm… could it be the work of the Harvest?”
“I don’t know. One thing is for sure, there was nothing there. If Scarlet was killed by the Harvest…”
I closed my eyes.
“We wouldn’t leave a single piece of flesh behind. Not being found is normal.”
I wanted to deny it.
But I couldn’t deny it.
Because I knew how dire the situation was, and why Scarlet Peridot had stayed alone.
I felt short of breath. My heartbeat grew louder.
“Teacher, are you okay?! You have shock symptoms…!”
“What?! Move!”
Scarlet Peridot is no longer here.
…She died for me.
She died like a dragon would.
Among the people I know…she did it the coolest.
As if she were the original Drakan.
…
Time passed.
Ironically, the wounds healed at a remarkable pace. The fact that there wasn’t a single scar left was both a blessing and a curse.
It meant that remembering her was all I had left.
“…Amazing recovery speed. Recovering from wounds that could kill you in just two weeks isn’t normal.”
The doctor quickly moved the chart, his distinct long ears twitching.
Elven city. Festal.
…I was saved by that place. Ironically, I became an illegal immigrant in the blink of an eye.
“Your body is almost back to normal. There’s no point in staying here any longer.”
“…What will happen to me?”
“You already know.”
I lightly tugged on the chain around my neck.
I heard the doctor in front of me.
This is a symbol of forced service.
“You will go out to the battlefield with the criminals here. On days without battles, you’ll have to work.”
“……”
“You’re surprisingly obedient. Well, you’ve never rebelled even once since coming here.”
The doctor clicked his flashlight. He shone it in my eyes to check for a reaction.
“There’s nothing wrong with your mind, right?”
“…No, there isn’t.”
“If you have plans to escape, give up. You can’t undo that chain’s lock with your strength. Disobeying orders means death. Even dragons can’t survive once their heads are separated from their bodies.”
The doctor turned off the flashlight.
“Your new home from now on will be right here, ‘Pestal’. It is an elven city and the forefront for our persecuted fellowmen. You are very proud to have been given this task. Be proud of yourself. If you cannot be proud, work hard for two years with the thought that you will endure. After that time you will be free to choose whether to stay with the resistance as a regular soldier or leave.”
Proud?
It’s just rhetoric, my status as a forced laborer doesn’t change. To be precise, I am a bullet catcher of the war they brought about.
Two years of being a bullet catcher. Two years of serving as a criminal.
I took a deep breath and composed myself. I was being drafted into this war against my will.
…but.
That doesn’t mean I’ll just die obediently.
I could hear the sound of my heart pounding. The bizarrely fast beating made me feel like there were two hearts, not one.
Yeah, I can’t die.
Because
The end of personal armament could be called ‘Armor’.
It is a kind of suit that is filled with unique technologies from each race. Along with its defense system, the ‘singularity’ possessed only by armor allows it to confront titans if the conditions are met.
However, the expensive price is the problem. As the ultimate personal armament, it required more resources to create than a titan.
While there are quite a few mercenary groups that possess titans, the existence of those who possess armor is very rare.
The major point is that the cost-performance ratio is low.
“Even just considering the number of humans Elliot has killed, it goes beyond dozens. He’s truly a slaughterer.”
“……”
“And if it’s Drakan, he probably won’t die either. Because Elliot is very kind!”
Kindness, huh?
I pondered on that word. It didn’t take even half a day for my impression to shatter.
“…Drakans, the dragon tribe.”
An elf with platinum hair glared at me.
“Keep your gaze down.”
“……”
“Come along quietly, if you don’t want to die.”
I followed his words. Silently, I walked behind him as he commanded.
The difference between a use and bravery is potential.
As long as there is a noose around my neck, I have to follow.
“…Surprising. I thought you would refuse being Dragon Tribe.”
For now, I will follow.
Until I find an opportunity to escape from here.
“My name is Elliot Mootda. I’ll give you basic supplies.”
A knife dropped in front of me. It was a tool that corroded, seemingly not able to cut through even a piece of meat.
“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re young. This is a battlefield.”
“Do you have a gun?”
“No. It’s an abundance only for mandatory conscripts. Don’t think about stealing during the war. If any stolen goods are discovered without permission, it’s an immediate execution.”
He grabbed my hair.
“Remember your position, Drakan. You are no longer a Dragon Tribe. You are now a proud member of the Resistance and also part of the punishment unit. Your place is in the 13th Platoon under my command. If you don’t want to die, fight. If you accumulate achievements, I will reward you accordingly. But until then…”
His threatening gaze was chilling.
“You are nothing more than livestock.”
“…”
“Fight with your life as a member of the resistance. Work with your life on days you don’t fight. Fill your quota no matter what. If you don’t work, you won’t eat.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”
He took me by the hand and walked towards a hut in the corner of the village.
Total of 9 people.
The ones checking equipment, whose origin was unknown, looked up.
“He’s a new recruit.”
Elliott Moot frowned.
“Give up your seat and teach him what needs to be done. Avakusa.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Yes.”
“Stay by his side for a while. Train him to be a respectable soldier.”
Elliott Moot left. The hut was silent.
Not a sound could be heard. They all stared at me with eyes filled with thoughts.
Not eyes that look at allies.
It felt as if they were looking at an interesting dog.
Why? Even though we were of the same status, they looked at me strangely. Unable to understand the reason, I lifted my foot and took a step.
I looked at the man who was called Avakusa. He was twice as big as me.
Horns protruded from his brown hair. But they were different from Scarlet’s and mine.
They looked like the horns of a cow.
“Where is my place?”
“Well…”
Avakusa’s muscles twitched.
“What’s your name?”
“Drakan.”
“Drakan. Alright. I knew a new recruit would come, but I didn’t expect a dragonkin. You look young, but…”
Avakusa smirked.
“We’ll just have to get the job done.”
Kwaang!
In an instant, a loud noise erupted from my ears. I stumbled backward.
My brain rang. My head hurt as if it would explode.
I heard laughter. As the silence broke for the first time, everyone passed me and left the barracks.
Abakusa, who had stepped on my waist, looked back at me.
“Welcome to Squad 13. Rookie. First,…”
Dirty, smelly clothes fell in front of my eyes.
“All squad members, finish the laundry.”
“……”
“Look at me. If you don’t want to die.”
My vision shook. I stood up shaking.
I spat out the blood in my mouth.
I hesitated for a moment.
Whether to stop it, or just take it.
It was always like this. When I started to think more, my body moved slower.
Confused, flustered again.
When I had to move, I couldn’t move.
…But.
I can fix it since I know the mistake.
“Laundry?”
I stepped on the smelly clothes in front of me.
The heart of Scarlet Peridot was beating with me. Two hearts. One body.
She is beside me. And she asked me to live.
Her dream is now my dream.
I will survive.
But I won’t live frustratingly as before.
No matter how many opponents there are, don’t be afraid. When you feel the need to stand up, stand up.
I won’t die, or live frustratingly.
As bravely as she did.
…Like a warrior.
Like a Drakan.
“…Damn.”
When it seems blocked, push through.
If you charge in, rebel with all your might.
Live with confidence. More confidently than anyone else.
And now, as a matter of course.
—The moment to tear off.
“Go ahead, little brat.”
“…Hmm?”
Avakusa laughed.
“A crazy bastard has entered.”
“What’s the crazy bastard.”
I gathered strength in my waist. My physical condition was almost perfect.
I put power into my anchored feet. Using my whole body as an axis, I utilized the hand-to-hand combat I learned in simulation.
The unique martial art of the Naga Kurta clan.
I erupted the distinctive strength of the Naga Kurta clan from my fingertips.
Kwaaahhh!!!
Avakusa rolled on the ground. His massive body crashed into the floor.
As his body slid down, I shook off the dullness that stuck to my fingertips.
It was the first time using it in a real fight.
There were some flaws here and there, but it was still usable. Not quite a skilled practitioner, but a beginner who has grown out of his novice fists.
The surroundings fell silent. The sound of laughter ceased.
Above the vile silence, I spat out contempt.
“If anyone wants to put me through laundry…”
Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. Unbeknownst to me, they flowed down my cheeks.
Let’s live.
“Come out now.”
Confidently.