16 – 13th Platoon (5)
The inside of the barracks was noisy. People hastily picked up their backpacks, trembling as they drew their weapons.
“Oh god…”
“For f*ck’s sake…Even if I die tomorrow, I don’t want to die today…”
The barrack was filled with the fervor of survival. Abakusa swiftly grabbed his weapon and backpack.
“Since we don’t know how long it will take, make sure to pack everything, including combat rations, you little sh*t.”
Inside the backpack were combat rations that could only be consumed in emergencies.
“Move. We’re heading straight towards the weapons depot.”
“What’s there?”
“You’ll find out when we get there.”
I followed Abakusa as the 13th squad hurriedly kept pace behind us.
Many people had already gathered near the depot. Abakusa stood in line and gestured with his chin.
“If anyone tries to cut in line, it’s not a crime to beat them up.”
“Cut in line?”
“The faster you move, the better weapons you can get. They don’t just hand over a knife to former criminals turned resistance fighters.”
…Could it be firearms?
“You son of a b*tch! Where do you think you’re going?”
“Ack! Ah, my companions are ahead…!”
“Companions? Did you go shopping or something?”
Abakusa knocked down the soldier who tried to intervene. As a few more approached, he hit them hard and staggered back.
After that, there were no more attempts to cut in line. The queue that had been standing suddenly diminished.
We received only one piece of equipment.
“…A shield?”
“It’s perfect for bulletproofing.”
I raised the shield with a sense of trepidation. It seemed made of metal, but it felt lightweight at first glance. Can it really deflect bullets?
“Better to have something than nothing. Don’t throw it away just because it’s heavy.”
“It’s lightweight, though?”
“…Damn monster.”
In sync with Abakusa’s stride, I moved immediately. Bensens had gone ahead and was waiting.
“Bensens, what about the shield?”
“Not necessary.”
From Noble mtl dot com
The members of the 13th squad, seeming familiar with this, remained silent. Except for the three of us, they trembled and spat curses.
Elliott Moot revealed himself. He not only wore full armor but also appeared to be dressed in a special outfit.
A suit that seemed to combine clothing and machinery. With a helmet in place, a low voice mixed with mechanical sounds came out.
“Team 13 is on the move.”
Is that an Armor?
It’s the first time I’ve actually seen it. If it had been in the underground facility with Scarlet Peridot…
Maybe they would have lived together.
But it’s something that wasn’t in the underground facility. There’s no use thinking about it now that I’m here.
Armor is expensive from the start. Even if it’s a supply type, I heard that its value is very high. The underground facility we were in was just a backup Titan management facility, so it was natural that there was no armor.
Instead of regret, I chose to hold my breath and focus on the situation in front of me.
“We go up seriously right now.”
“Is it an attack?”
“Six teams were confirmed visually. One serious place has been captured.”
“…Damn it.”
Abacusa gritted his teeth. Elliot Moot turned his head.
“Move to the mission location.”
My feet were heavy. I took a deep breath.
It’s okay. It’s not different.
Hasn’t there been a time when I lost a limb before?
This is the second time.
It’s just that human life is involved.
…That’s all.
. . .
We were wedged into the position we had previously cleared. We spread out three people per tank.
Abacusa and Benzence fell back. It was the same as Bennett, who resembled a bald-headed Ethan and a mouse, as he lay low in the tank.
“Dammit… Damn it, damn it…”
Bennett muttered. He was trembling like a reed, as if he was tense.
I was also tense. But I tried not to show it outside.
Calming down is a priority. The radio that Ethan was holding rang.
“This is Elliot Moot. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Continue to monitor.”
Four teams of humans.
I heard that the number is roughly around 40. Compared to that, this side has a number that far exceeds several hundred.
Even by simply counting the numbers, it surpassed the capacity of my mind several times over. Yet, the reason why the criminals were trembling was simple.
The difference in technology.
Human civilization had reached its peak at this point. The equipment they wielded was also two or three levels stronger than the indigenous creatures here.
Automatic rifles and supply-type body armor that protected against shocks. Even if it was worn backward, the helmet was enough to make an ordinary infantryman look invincible.
“…What’s the use of such a shield…!”
That mouse Bennett swung his shield with disdain. I didn’t stop him. Even in my eyes, this empty shield seemed to have many issues.
I just held my breath and looked ahead.
As time grew darker. Bald Ethan whispered.
“Don’t you think they won’t come?”
“…I don’t know.”
I heard that the grave has been stolen. Not too far from this grave.
Is their objective simply to take the base and secure their line of sight? I couldn’t tell. Because I couldn’t tell, I gripped the shield even tighter.
…A strange feeling came over me.
Something…is about to happen…
“……!”
I immediately pulled Bennett’s body. It happened almost simultaneously—the moment his face hit the ground and a hole was pierced in the tree behind him.
Thud!
The sound of a rather low gunshot came after everything had passed.
“It’s the enemy!!!”
“Get down!!!”
Gunshots started ringing out all at once. Ethan let out a scream. I lowered myself onto the grave.
Bullets poured down. It seemed like the bullets fired together as if to sweep away the frontlines and destroy the terrain.
After one round, the gunshots finally ceased. Ethan cautiously lifted his head.
“Oh, I can’t see…”
“What?”
“I can’t see the enemy…!”
It seemed like others were also popping their heads out from different graves. They, too, seemed unable to locate the enemy’s position.
Now that I think about it, the gunshots were smaller than I had imagined. The flashes when the bullets were fired were almost invisible as well.
Most of the enemies were hiding in the shadows. It seemed like they were wearing some kind of special equipment.
[Is there a squad that has confirmed the enemy’s location?]
It wasn’t Elliot Mott’s voice that came through the radio, but another voice. However, no one could answer that question.
An order came through the radio after a long silence.
[Prepare for assault, everyone.]
“…In a situation like this?”
I froze at the commander’s crazed command. But before I could even act, the red light on the necklace around my neck began to flicker.
A cold voice echoed through the radio once again.
[Prepare for assault, everyone.]
Since we couldn’t determine the enemy’s location, they intended to launch another attack.
“…I’m really lucky to be bulletproof.”
I couldn’t help but snicker in disbelief. The signal from the blinking necklace was simple.
If we don’t advance, they’ll detonate the bomb.
My hand trembled. My feet trembled too. But even so, I couldn’t retreat.
Could I protect myself completely amidst the pouring bullets? A pungent smell tickled my nostrils. Bennett, the scaredy-cat, looked back trembling and wetting himself.
“M-My, my legs… have no strength…”
When you receive the signal, charge forward.
The sound cut off from the radio.
A crimson flare was launched into the darkened sky. In an instant, I dashed out of the brightened mountainous area.
Tudatadadadadadadadada!!!!
Within heightened senses, there was a sound that caught my attention before the gunshots. I turned back, and Bennett’s necklace had turned completely red.
“Hold o—”
Kwaaang!!
A fountain of blood erupted. I stumbled a few steps and collapsed to the ground.
I exploded.
“Damn lunatics!”
There was no time to curse. I immediately slid the shield onto the ground.
Bullets were flying towards me. I could sense them through all my senses. But if I block them head-on, they’ll pierce through.
I tilted the shield diagonally instantly. If I can’t do it head-on, I’ll bounce them off in all directions.
Kkaang!
With a sharp metallic sound, a shock reverberated through the shield. Grateful that it didn’t pierce through, I immediately moved my body.
Between the trees. I moved through the gaps. This time, it was clearly visible.
A silencer to diminish the flame and sound from the muzzle.
The shadow of a human wearing a special outfit that resembled bushes.
“Damn bastards!”
Abakusa, who had been hiding behind the tree on the opposite side, shouted.
“They only send bullets! There are no bullets being shot from this direction! Useless fools! We need to reveal our position!”
The resistance force that appeared at the forefront seemed to be just the two of us. I grinded my teeth at this.
Position?
How do we reveal that?
Even after searching our possessions, there was nothing. If only we had one damn flare, it would have been alright!
There was another explosion from behind. This time, it wasn’t a signal flare but a illumination round.
“Don’t stoppp!!!!”
Instead of a radio transmission, the commander’s yell rang in my ears. Numerous soldiers marched in unison, causing the ground to tremble.
The necklace started flashing again. It must be detected if you stay still. I exchanged glances with Abakusa. Without delay, we leaped back into the front line.
The next step was the realm of luck.
“Uuugh!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Numerous bullets hit the shield. I narrowly deflected all of them.
Thanks to my keen senses, I could somewhat cope if I predicted the trajectory of the bullets.
However, with such a disorganized weapon, it couldn’t block everyone.
Bullet holes started appearing on the shield. A fallen resistance soldier’s head got pierced through from the side.
A shield that lost its owner fell nearby at an opportune moment.
I firmly stomped on the ground. Turning my body forcefully, I used the recoil to throw the shield.
Crashhhhh!!!
One human who was lying down collapsed. I confirmed the splattering brain matter but felt no sense of elation.
I immediately rolled, caught the shield, and hid behind the tree again.
The bark scattered from the penetrated tree. It wouldn’t hold up for long either. No matter how thick the trees in this world were, the enemy was a fully armed human army.
Sqwaaak!!!
Timed perfectly, something exploded. The body of a resistance soldier, running while screaming, soared into the sky.
Exploding bombs and pouring dust. I spat a bit of saliva out of my mouth.
My mouth was dry. Although I had run diligently, the enemy was still fairly far away.
“B**tard!”
Avatar Kusa yelled at me, blood streaming down his shoulder.
“Behind the shield!”
“What?”
“Shie-e-e-eld!!!! Move back!!!!”
Avatar Kusa demonstrated by lowering himself down low to the ground and created a wall with his shield.
A movement designed to protect the rear rather than the front.
“Allies shoot!!!!!”
“…….!”
I immediately followed him. I raised my shield, leaning against a tree to cover my flank.
Bullets started pouring in. The first bullet fired by our ally.
But that was….
The punishment unit poured itself onto the battlefield mercilessly, without caring about the mixture of enemies and allies.