18 – Ascal Plateau (1)
Bald Edan asked me curiously.
“Drakan.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never touched a firearm since I was born. As you know, that’s quite rare, right? It would be better to spend that money on a few women. But well…”
He took out a gun from the weapons box.
“This looks different from the guns I know… Is this correct?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
I also lifted up the gun. Eight bullets fit into one clip.
It was far from an automatic rifle. When you pull the trigger, only one bullet flies out.
…In other words,
It was a semi-automatic type. An outdated firearm.
Moreover, all of them were stained with fingerprints. Some parts were worn out.
Someone used these.
Perhaps it means…
With the advancement of technology, they no longer use these weapons.
“These are products made in the homeland.”
Elliott Mutt summed up the problem concisely.
“Be grateful that they’re giving you firearms.”
…Sure.
Where are they?
I didn’t say anything unnecessary. I simply went straight into target practice.
Without even firing a few shots, I grasped the overall problems.
This gun has low accuracy.
Bullets were bouncing off in random directions. Once it went beyond 200 meters, it flew in entirely different directions than intended.
I wondered if the effective shooting range was 200 meters. The number of bullets that could go in at once was just 8, which was limiting.
If I go into battle, the lack of bullets will be a hindrance. The uncomfortable reloading method also took a toll on my hands.
The method of reloading from top to bottom. Plugging in a new clip, and at the moment of firing the last bullet, the clip was released with the spent cartridge.
“Be careful not to let in any foreign objects.”
I took to heart Elliot Mott’s words as he passed by. It seemed that the firearm itself was very vulnerable to foreign objects.
They gave each soldier two clips for their bullets.
Twice shooting with focus, and then the practice is over.
“Return all weapons.”
All the firearms used for practice were collected. The soldiers seemed disappointed.
“…Tsk.”
“Just keep giving it to them.”
“The stubborn bastards.”
A properly provided weapon after a long time was enough to stimulate the greed of the resistance.Each squad leader was managing the grumbling.
“Shut up and get into the barracks!”
“Don’t forget your necklaces!”
In the tense atmosphere, Benzance approached me. It was almost the first time he had started a conversation with me.
“Drakan.”
“What?”
“What do you think is the reason for receiving the firearms?”
The reason for distributing firearms to a punishment unit like us.
…There could only be one reason.
From Noble mtl dot com
“It’s probably to show that we need firepower.”
“… The Ascal Plateau.”
Yeah. That’s it.
The current unit was undoubtedly moving on a large scale to invade the Ascal Plateau.
This was not a small-scale invasion like before…
“… War.”
It seemed like a proper full-scale battle was about to unfold in front of us.
4 months have passed.
The base was literally buzzing. Harvest season in the fall had ended, and as winter approached, everyone prepared for the winter in their own way.
The supplies given to us. The cold seeped through the thick field jacket. A coat had been provided, but the thought of freezing to death when the real winter came made me uneasy.
“Darn, it’s so cold. Feels even colder than last winter.” Abarth complained. He sniffed and wiped his nose.
“Yeah. Dammit. Do you see it?”
“I see it. Sh*thead.”
I wrapped myself in the field jacket. I had to break the bank to have the given field jacket altered to fit my size.
Still, I was fortunate that I was growing bigger and bigger.
I measured 165cm recently. My bulk was increasing gradually.
I wish I could grow as big as Abarth…I might be a little greedy for that, though.
I lifted my head. Staring towards the direction Abarth pointed to.
They’re moving.
Gigantic iron giants.
Thud…..
Although they’re far away, I could clearly hear the sound of them moving. The Ents who are partially concealed by the sky.
Abarth snorted.
“They’re deploying Titans…seriously means a real fight this time. You know about Titans?”
“Don’t know. Sh*tty brat.”
“Stupid kid.”
“Go to hell.”
He lightly salted the Elven Titans. As far as I know, most of the game world’s settings are about dragons.
I’ve heard of the Elven Titans in passing. A vast sight. A strong strike. Along with camouflage capabilities…
I heard that they have long reload times and low mobility.
The cloth covering those Titans is also for camouflage. It’s probably to hide the Titans by using the colors of the surroundings.
They’re literally snipers. Titans that threaten air supremacy.
“The damn..”
Abarth cursed.
“We’re going to die really miserably this time. Nearly half of the disciplinary troops were killed in the Ascal Plateau conquest battle last time…”
“Hey, hyung-nim. What’s that sound? Are people really dying so much?”
“It’s a serious joke.”
“Jokes are for kids. Have you ever seen me joking?”
There were about six more soldiers in the squad. This time, I didn’t do anything and left the work to Abakusa.
The usual way of catching prey. The youngest, who had been responsible for laundry, complained, but I didn’t care.
There were those who showed their teeth towards me, but the newcomers who saw me fighting with Abakusa immediately backed off. There were also those who pretended to be friendly and approached with kind words.
Among them, there was one guy I liked.
“Drakan.”
He was an Orc named ‘Garsh,’ who seemed quite capable of fighting alongside Vensenz.
His large figure covered his face with a roughly patched cloth, hiding scars around his mouth. When I asked why he covered it so much, he said it was because his canine tooth was broken or something.
He seemed similar to Abakusa yet different. Rather, he belonged to the somewhat colder side.
Thanks to him, I gained another sparring partner during night training.
“Baldy. Looking for you,” he said.
I nodded my head in response to the somewhat rough Common Continent language.
“Thanks. Garsh.”
“Same warrior.”
“What warrior? A slave soldier.”
“Abakusa talks a lot.”
“So what? What should I do?”
“Record. I’m above.”
“You brat! If I win today, I’m on top!”
Leaving the chattering pair behind, I looked for the bald-headed Edan. He was standing in front of the barracks and smiled widely at me.
His foot didn’t have two toes. It was the first time I saw it, but I didn’t bother asking.
This place was like that. Not asking about disabilities. The reason why Abakusa was shocked when I asked about his criminal record was because of this unwritten rule.
“You found him?”
“Drakan. One of the prostitutes was asking about you.”
“Who?”
“The woman with a burn scar. She asked about your well-being since no one touched her. Have I secretly had a drink with her before?”
The woman with a burn scar.
I remembered the woman I shared some money with a few months ago.
“Really?”
Curiosity flickered in him. He wanted to know if she was doing well.
I nodded. Edan licked his lips.
“If you’re doing well, wouldn’t it be better to sleep with pretty girls?”
“Edan.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you spending all your money sleeping with women? Don’t you have any future plans?”
“Future? Who cares about the future? What if I regret not sleeping with women today before I die tomorrow? I like sleeping with women. It’s the happiest when their waist moves.”
Well, if he’s happy, that’s okay.
I wish I could find my happiness in such a simple place.
“No need to set me up with women.”
“Really? Let me know if you change your mind later.”
“…Sure.”
Why is he looking for me?
I’ll have to clear my schedule in about a month.
“Garsh. Are you here too?”
“Women. Not hugging. Feeling good.”
“You know something! You!”
Garsh and Edan.
The two who got along well each chose a woman and disappeared into the reed field. I casually moved along the reed field.
There were many women gathered. But among them, there were women who hadn’t been chosen, clinging to men.
I’m looking for a woman who is neither chosen nor clinging to someone else.
“Ah.”
I locked eyes with the girl in the upside down hoodie. Her scarred face softened for a moment.
“Hello.”
“You came looking for me?”
“That, from that time…?”
She reached out her hand and handed me a silver coin.
“…This is?”
“That’s what I received back then… to repay it…”
I gazed at the silver coins illuminated by moonlight. She had asked to meet me separately to repay the coins she had handed over a few months ago.
“…Did you find a job?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of job is it?”
“A bakery. And this too…”
She swiftly handed me the basket she was holding. Inside were bread loaves.
Freshly baked bread that couldn’t be obtained even with money.
“At that time, thank you for helping me.”
“…”
How long has it been since I received a proper word of gratitude?
I looked at the silver coins in my hand with an emotionless expression. Both the bread and the silver coins were passed on to her.
The woman was surprised and tried to refuse.
“It’s, it’s okay. I brought it to give… for real.”
“Do you have enough to get by?”
“Ye-yes, of course. So…”
*Sob*
Just then, the sound of cries echoed around us, and the woman’s face brightened. I grabbed one piece of bread and took a bite.
An empty bread with nothing inside. It felt plain without something warm.
But that alone was enough.
“So, one night was worth one silver coin?”
“…Really?”
I held her hand and led her into the reed field.
“A.. a…”
She followed me. I took a seat in the furthest part of the field.
As the woman cautiously approached me, she extended her hand towards her pocket. I shook my head.
“Just stay by my side until we finish eating the bread. You don’t have to take the basket.”
“…Really?”
“One night, one silver coin… adding the bread price, it should be enough.”
What a kind child.
“I will come all the way here to repay the favor I received with silver coins.
Shouldn’t there be a gift for a good child?
I added nine more silver coins on top of the basket. The woman’s eyes widened.
“This, this many…?”
“It’s fine.”
I quietly chewed on the bread.
“You’re good at baking. Talented.”
“…”
“Don’t ever come back here after receiving all that. This place is filled with losers. Including me.”
“But…”
“Don’t hesitate to take them all. It would be a waste if you leave any.”
The woman hesitantly sat beside me. She cautiously took a bite of the bread.
Munching slowly.
“…It doesn’t taste like anything.”
“Oh?,”
I chuckled.
It was a laughter that hadn’t been heard in a long time.
“To me, it tastes delicious.”
…
“Soldiers. Today is a very joyful day.”
The entire 13th platoon stood in formation. Not only us.
Elliot Mutt stood with concentration, looking ahead. From the 13th platoon to the 1st platoon.
The entire 4th company is facing forward.
Next to that company, there is another company. Several companies coming together to form a battalion.
On the podium stands the commander of the disciplinary battalion, Besmof Litton, who opens his mouth.
“An opportunity for us to recapture the Ascar Plateau with our own hands.”
Some soldiers tremble. The rifles they hold also shake.
I didn’t tremble. I simply searched within myself.
The possibility of my survival.
The way for me to survive.
“Glory to the Resistance.”
The necklace felt tighter than usual. So tight that it made my throat ache. But I knew that I would survive again.
I will not die. Never.