Night Raids on Ambush Sites
You have progressed the scenario. A new scenario has been assigned.
Scenario: Eliminate 20 or more Kyrria ambush sites and pioneer the advance route.
📍 Current Rank:D-
It was a battle that could truly be called a brief descent of hell. And the aftermath looked no different from hell itself.
The sight of blood soaking the ground wasn't even worth mentioning as it adorned the regiment's outpost. The absence of soldiers' sobs was probably because they lacked even the energy for that.
Though the Kyrria forces had vanished, it took about an hour after the fighting to collect bodies and tidy the outpost. The Kakil troops, holding their breath in terror of the next attack, only began reorganization after scouts reported the enemy had fully retreated.
After over four hours of combat, the victors were the Kakil forces. The Kyrria army had boldly ambushed the outpost with air and artillery support, but thanks to the Kakil troops' desperate resistance and my exploits, they were forced to fall back a step.
Of course, the Kakil side's losses were severe too. Of the 1,200 in the 7th Regiment, over 300 were KIA, with more than 500 wounded big and small. Over 100 were critically injured, unable to fight immediately. The company with the fewest casualties was ours, 1st Company.
"Damn! Officer! I knew I could count on you!"
Sergeant Rostador clapped my shoulder. Count on me, my ass.
He apparently didn't know touching the body of his sky-like officer was a court-martial offense. Maybe the recent battle had driven him mad.
The biggest hero of this fight was none other than me. The reason 1st Company's casualties were lightest went without saying—it was thanks to me.
"Dos! Incredible. That sight of you not yielding an inch against those madly charging Kyrria bastards! You could be called your country's hero. I'll make sure HQ hears of today's merits. You might even get promoted to Private First Class soon! But why do the others call you 'Officer'?"
Captain Johnson showed encouraging approval of my performance. The other seniors clapped my shoulder one by one, expressing admiration.
Except Coren—he wasn't particularly surprised by my feats. He just calmly said, "I knew it from you, Private Dos." Well, I'd been exceptional since training camp.
"With the regiment in this state, we'll get reorganized. Maybe we'll finally escape this godforsaken island..."
Someone said it hopefully. To everyone here, Olba Island was a little hell. Hell was right next door.
Contrary to someone's wish, we didn't leave Olba Island. HQ hurriedly sent reinforcements to reorganize the regiment. 1st Company, with the biggest merits, got a new mission: reconnaissance.
"Didn't expect much, but it's still shit. I miss my mom."
"Can we survive the next battle too?"
"Stick by the Officer, and odds are good. Saw it last fight? Bullets and shells seemed to dodge him!"
I'd fully earned my place as 1st Company's "Officer" among the troops. The officers just saw it as a nickname. I wondered what faces they'd make knowing I led nightly morale sessions.
Recon was split into day and night teams. Night was more physically draining, but I volunteered for it.
At night, I can kill more Kyrria scum.
I had the cheat skill Darkness Radar. Nothing like night-vision goggles.
"Alright. Night Alpha Team recon starts now. Keep your heads straight. If you spot Kyrria bastards, shoot without hesitation."
"Understood!"
The jungle night was quieter than expected—no, full of insect chirps and bird calls everywhere.
Occasionally, Kyrria shelled our outpost. Even if off-target, the blasts ruined sleep—highly effective. Luckily, none tonight.
"Today's sector is B. It's not short. Stay focused to the end."
Alpha Team's zone was north of the outpost, B Sector.
"Especially at night, watch for Kyrria ambushes."
Captain Johnson stressed it before ops. Alpha launched around 1 a.m. We advanced with live rounds chambered, sweeping the sector.
Insect chirps filled our ears. Coren scanned nervously, teeth chattering.
Totally spooked. He'd heard endlessly about stepping on booby traps or snares. Natural for a rookie. But in this sweep, we were the hunters, not the Kyrria.
Darkness Radar 6Lv (C-rank)
Consumes mana to scan 60m radius. Doubles in darkness.
At night, Darkness Radar's range hit 120m. Cover was useless against it. And as a non-attack skill, it didn't affect quest rank.
Activated it. Terrain popped into my head. I grasped the 120m radius like my palm.
Not short in the dark. Enemies spotted us around 50m for engagement. Depending on situation.
Nothing nearby.
Disappointing—no Kyrria. Too close to our outpost for them to ambush here.
A shame for me. After two hours patrolling the sector, we returned empty-handed.
1st Company's routes pushed toward Kyrria outposts. For a reason.
"In two days, Marines bring artillery support. Four days, air support for firepower. Four days from now, we hit their outpost. Need advance routes first."
"As you know, countless ambush sites around theirs. Bloody op."
"No choice. With our air superiority temporary, might never get another shot. Must exploit it."
I eavesdropped on officers' briefing at HQ. Post-battle, no one dumped chores on me anymore. Thanks to my morale sessions. Left me time to kill.
Good. Can progress the scenario.
"From today, split day teams into three night teams. Pioneer routes fast as possible."
"Understood."
Alpha got A Sector. Wider than night. Live rounds again, we swept.
"Careful, everyone. Real Kyrria from here."
Day meant weaker Darkness Radar. No ambushes found.
Night fell. Out again, B Sector this time.
There! First one.
Third sweep: Kyrria ambush site, 100m off.
They hadn't spotted us. Night, starlight only—impossible over 100m without gear. Why Darkness Radar cheated.
Jungle bugs masked sound detection. Only if they moved noisy.
Locked positions, I raised my rifle. They'd know us soon. Bullet taxi to hell anyway.
"Huh? Officer. What're you doing?"
"Kyrria over there."
"What!? Where!?"
"100m that way."
Sergeant Rostador looked dumb. Doubting his officer. Wanted to smack him, but no time.
"100m? You see that?"
"In my eyes. I'm nocturnal."
King of night, really. Not the point now.
No use explaining—better show.
Pulled trigger. Aimed same day or night. Roar pierced dark, spread everywhere. Hellbound flight.
Bang!
"O-, Officer! Sure!?"
"Of course."
One Kyrria ambush soldier dropped. Other two dithered; I headshot them too.
They dug in, but we ambushed. Irony.
"One site. Cleared."
Four more nearby. They opened fire hearing shots.
(Damn! Where!?)
(Sound and flashes there! Fire!)
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Shit! They were real!"
"Down first."
Blind fire missed us. Made them my targets.
Aimed at those blazing from sites. One-shot-one-kill intent, sniped one by one.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
They dropped, trusting cover. Night blinded them—dumb rookies poked heads out fearless. Fresh to frontlines.
Didn't notice neighbor sites falling, kept firing till dead. Hiding low would've boosted survival. Never dreamed of precision night sniping.
"Done."
Only bugs left; Rostador gulped, spoke.
"My god. What did I just see?"