13 – Squad 13 (2)
The response came one beat late.
“…Hyungnim. Are you joking right now?”
＂Hey, sir. Even if he’s from the Uyongjuk tribe… just because of one punch from that Abakusa…?＂
＂Hey! Get up! What are you doing?!＂
Supported by a stand, Abakusa got up. Breathing as if he couldn’t breathe properly in the chest, he drooled.
＂You… you bastard…＂
The momentum returned to his eyes that had gone blank. Muscles all over his body turned red and blue.
＂Bury him alive!＂
＂Come at me.＂
I clenched my fist. Took a leaning position.
＂I’ll squash you piece by piece.＂
First, I’ll take care of his spirit.
Now, no one can take anything away from me.
Not even this emotion inside me.
. . .
＂It’s noisy around the 13th platoon.＂
＂I apologize, platoon leader.＂
＂Apologize for what. Is it a daily occurrence for slaves to have fights among themselves?＂
Elliott Moot maintained the posture of attention. He didn’t let go of the tension even for a moment.
In front of him was Captain Besmoph Ritin, the commander of the punishment corps.
Despite accumulating enough expertise to leave the front lines, he is an exceptional figure who wants to remain a platoon leader on the front lines.
Truly a symbol of the resistance.
＂Well… I have to have a personal meeting with you…＂
The scarred face raised its head slightly. Besmoph Ritin chuckled lightly.
＂Our proud leader of the 13th platoon, Elliott Moot. How is the atmosphere in the platoon?＂
Our proud.
Elliott Moot really liked being called that title. Each time he heard the title “proud” from a great warrior like him, he was filled with emotion.
The only person who truly appreciated his worth.
And it was all thanks to him that he could receive armor.
＂Thanks to your attention, sir, everything is fine.＂
＂Your platoon is excellent. Not only are they well-trained, but their behavior is good too. Other guys cause trouble all the time, but… your platoon is exemplary.＂
Besmof Liton flipped through the documents.
“This time, we have a new recruit, right? A dragonkin… What is their age?”
“Still a child.”
“I see. If they reached maturity, they would choose death over capture. But it’s surprising. I haven’t seen a dragonkin in three years. Especially a young one. How are they doing? Are they competent?”
“I couldn’t confirm.”
“I see. With injuries like that, it’s rather amazing they managed to recover. Teach them well, Lieutenant. They can become a formidable force. Perhaps this time we won’t lose the Ascal Plateau again, right?”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“Good. Let’s see… then…”
Besmof Liton mumbled.
“The soldiers are all in excellent condition. Rarely any accidents. It’s all thanks to your efforts, Lieutenant. What about their equipment?”
“They all have cold weaponry. Once we engage in combat, they’ll be issued shields as well.”
“Just like the other platoons. Excellent. You handle them according to regulations. Your platoon is outstanding, but don’t get carried away and start distributing firearms on your own. You understand, right?”
“I understand, Colonel.”
“Very well. I trust you’ll manage. You’re an exceptional lieutenant, Elliot Moot. I trust you even with the plans we discussed earlier. You’re practically the main character of it.”
“I will do my best, Colonel.”
“Good. Lieutenant.”
Besmof Liton nodded.
“Maintain your position at the front line during the battle. Keep being the exemplary soldier of the resistance.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
Besmof Liton smiled broadly.
“If there are any troublemakers within your platoon, use your judgment on-site as usual. Don’t worry about the aftermath. Your judgment is equal to mine.”
Elliot Moot nodded.
Colonel Besmof Liton’s trust. It was an invaluable treasure to him.
He would work even harder. He would follow anything to earn recognition from him.
Unlike the one who abandoned him, Colonel Liton was like a real father to him.
“Colonel, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“When will we execute the operation to occupy Ascal Plateau?”
“Seems like you want more responsibility.”
“…”
“Nothing to worry about, Lieutenant. Don’t think too hastily. The plan is already proceeding step by step. The supply materials are also on their way. Although temporary, we have plans to arm all punishment units.”
“…Yes? What does that mean…?”
“You’re the only one who knows. We’re determined to capture the plateau securely this time. Don’t you know? Ascal Plateau holds a strategically important position. It’s connected to the entrance of a rich mine.”
A place where things are seized and taken away.
A strategic stronghold for battling human armies.
Ascal Plateau.
“It will be a massive assault. Many pilots will also support us. And leading the charge will be the punishment units. No matter how many die, we will firmly plant our flag on Ascal Plateau this time.”
“……”
“Don’t be tense, Lieutenant. Don’t you know me as well?”
Vesmoph Litten stood up. He patted his shoulder.
“If it were a losing fight, I would have stopped it from the beginning. Don’t you know how exceptional the commander of my division is?”
“……”
He was not wrong.
Elliott Moot nodded. The commander of the punishment units.
Just like the elf in front of him, he had experienced countless battles.
“…Understood, Commander.”
The resistance army is great.
From Noble mtl dot com
Elliott Moot made a deep commitment in his heart.
He himself would someday become the commander of that great army.
. . .
I held my breath. Squad 13, consisting of large-sized supers.
Three of them were rolling on the ground defeated. But the sub-super, Avakusa, was still standing.
He was drooling, but that was all. His endurance was strong. Even when hit with full force, he stood up again like a zombie.
“This…monster…!”
Instead of answering, I moved my head.
What was in front of me was reality. The more I used my hands, the more familiar it became. My kicks tore through the air.
The body of a dragonkin.
Among them, Scarlet Peridot had determined that he was a ‘natural genius.’
If only he had a cold weapon in his hand, there would be corpses rolling around. Everyone here could have been easily slaughtered.
But I was certain that Avakusa would take time to defeat, just like Abakusa did.
Innate strength and incredible toughness. When the brown hair shook over the charred skin, clear traces remained on the ground.
“This time, for sure!”
It was a charge like a bull.
Impossible to resist.
Heightening the senses. Gaps visible everywhere. It was an astonishing ferocity, but it was amateurish.
In an instant, he targeted three vital points.
The martial art of the Naga Kurta surged through his body.
“Grrr?!”
He dug deep enough for flesh to sink. The sensation of his hand was vivid.
A dull sound. Some bones must have been broken.
But Avakusa stood up once again. He roared, his body bruised and bleeding.
“This… rookie…!”
…His toughness is truly remarkable.
To stop him, should I break his neck? But if I do that, how do I deal with the aftermath?
And in the first place…
Am I willing to kill someone?
He played with the knife he received behind his waist. They also followed suit. Despite being cornered, they didn’t hastily draw their weapons.
They only rushed in barehanded. As long as they don’t cross the line, I don’t need to cross it either.
So…
“Crush him thoroughly.”
Beat him thoroughly, enough that even his toughness won’t help.
…
After more than thirty minutes of relentless beating, Avakusa fell to the ground. Several joints were dislocated, but his gaze remained unchanged as he dragged his broken leg.
“When you open your eyes… you’ll die…”
“Shut up.”
I pressed his head firmly, causing him to lose consciousness. This is the end.
I turned my head. My body was sticky. The flowing sweat soaked through the clothes I was wearing.
“You.”
“Yes, yes?”
The soldier who had been watching me was startled.
“I, me…?”
“Yes. You.”
I took off my upper garment and threw it in front of him.
“Suck it.”
I’ll pay back as much as I’ve received.
That’s my motto from now on.
A startled soldier stared at me. Trembling, he quickly picked up his clothes.
Soldiers rushing out all at once. I hesitated and sat near a tree stump.
“……”
The necklace around my neck was uncomfortable. But I couldn’t take it off.
I am now a slave to combat.
My life depends on an elf’s finger movement.
…So.
First goal. Let’s start by reclaiming my life that is held by someone else.
I will survive.
By any means necessary.
“Um, um…”
“What.”
“I was wondering if I can move to Avakusa…”
“Move.”
I kicked Avakusa.
“If she wakes up, tell her to come to me.”
“…Ah, got it.”
“My dream, I entrust it to you, Drakan.”
I remember it. Scarlet Peridot.
I will survive. I will adapt.
…But before that.
I will become strong enough to kill every single Harvest that took you away from me.
Watch over me.
…Just how immense my rage is.
How a life indebted to you can survive.
. . .
The next day, Abakusa returned with a roar.
“Newbie! This time, kill me!”
It felt like looking at a wounded beast’s wounded pride. But I had no intention of complying.
Elliot Moot said. To listen to Abakusa’s explanation.
“Teach me.”
“…What?”
“I won’t die here. I will survive. So teach me the rules of this place.”
“Is this a threat?”
“It’s a deal. Abakusa. If you dream of revenge, I will personally train you to become stronger.”
I had witnessed his movements enough yesterday.
Raw and unrefined movements.
If I could just provide a few more bones, he would become much stronger than he is now. If he could just get close to his armed opponent, he could shatter their pain.
And that was well within my abilities.
“If you make me useful, I’ll train you. You’ve taken enough beatings to know that you can’t defeat me now.”
“…What a brat.”
Abakusa mumbled.
“How old are you?”
“I’m looking at seventeen.”
“…Damn. You really are a brat, huh? Are all dragons like you?”
“Similar.”
“You guys aren’t just a bunch of lunatics after all. There was a reason why we all kept our distance when Albion was intact.”
Abakusa’s cold tongue snarled at me.
“You dug your own grave, brat. As soon as you become stronger, break the pain. I’ll give you the privilege of pulling out that arrogant tongue.”
“If I can. But until then, you have to teach me.”
“Fine. I’m Abakusa. I keep my word. If you teach me, I’ll teach you. I’ll help you adapt to this place.”
“Okay.”
Abakusa quickly turned his creaking body around.
“I never imagined I would be beaten down by someone like this…Tsk. Follow me, brat.”
The sound of a trumpet resounded. Abakusha spat out his teeth.
“Tell me what I need to do here.”
I asked, curious.
“How long have you been here?”
“Three years.”
“…Only three years?”
“Just three years. There’s no other elite who survived three years within flying bullets without a gun. You son of a b*tch.”
“…No gun? Then how do you fight?”
“Of course…”
Abakusha flexed his bruised muscle.
“This is my weapon!”
…He’s insane.
He was really just a bulletproof vest?