Duran Dos 18: Two Birds, One Bullet
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Catching two birds with one stone always comes with risks. Win the gamble, and you get it all. Lose, and you lose everything. The key here is split-second judgment of the situation.
"Sergeant Helman. How about this?"
A brilliant idea hit me. I immediately pitched it to Sergeant Helman. He was the type who always listened to his men.
"What is it?"
"I'll draw the enemy's attention solo. The rest of you raid the lab while they're distracted."
"Solid plan, but can you handle it? Hell, what a stupid question to ask the hero of Olba Island. Alright, Corporal Dos. You're on. Finish this op, and you'll be pinning on a First-Class Silver Star just like Sergeant Walters."
Ass-kissing like this only gets me a Silver Star? How the fuck did Helman snag a Gold Star? Did he polish the commander's dick or something?
"Team lead. I'll move solo too and plant the bombs."
That was Trevino, our demo expert. Made perfect sense. True to the skills Helman bragged about, he knew exactly what to do.
"Good. Everyone wraps up their tasks and regroups here by 1800. If not everyone's back, the ones who are bug out. Trevino, detonate the second you're clear."
"Roger. Good hunting."
"Move out!"
Plan set. Now, where to?
Options swirled, but the answer was obvious. Head where I'd grab their eyes the most—even if it meant some risk.
Gripping Glyco, I pushed toward the research complex's center. Clock read 1630. Streetlights dotted the area, casting some glow, but it was still damn dark. Plus, these Kyrria guards had zero discipline—half-asleep at posts or bullshitting each other. Spotting us infiltrators? No chance.
"This'll do."
From the shadows, I raised Glyco and sighted a sentry at the white lab. Two at the front gate, two at the back.
Not one was on point. Back gate guy—looked like the senior—was dozing. Front gate idiots were yapping away.
Targeted the back first. Closer to the raid team's path.
Bang!
The bullet pierced the dark, streaking through the air. Its path ended under the dozing sentry's helmet.
Perfect trajectory, right through his nose, straight on. Flawless snipe. The dreamland dweller got shipped to the real dream world in seconds.
They say dying in your sleep is a good death. Fucker got a bonus that didn't match his shitty discipline.
(Huh?)
His rookie buddy clocked it a second later. Too late—Glyco was already on him.
Held my breath, eased the trigger. Second kill notched. Bullet flew true again, claiming another life.
Second shot rang out, and Helman's team bolted for the lab. Time to pull eyes my way. Easy: two rounds skyward.
Bang! Bang!
(E-enemy! Enemy sighted!)
Front gate sentries freaked, screaming. Gave 'em one each. Two more bit the dust without a fight.
(What!? Enemy raid!?)
(How'd they know about this place!?)
(Everyone up! Night attack! Grab rifles and move!)
Gunfire lit 'em up quick. Exactly what I wanted.
Armed troops poured from a west building—barracks, probably. Kyrria grunts panicked. I lobbed a grenade at the half-dressed rush.
BOOM!
"Grenades never fail. Reliable as hell."
※ Destroyed Facilities: 0
※ Researchers Killed: 1
※ Soldiers Killed: 7
※ Rescued Hostages: 0
※ Dead Teammates: 0/5
※ Research Progress: 89/100
Seven soldiers down already. These guards weren't elite. Makes sense—elites would be frontline.
'Easier than I thought.'
They didn't even hit the door. Sniped and grenaded every wave. Barracks entrance was a meat pile.
'Rifle Shooting' skill level has increased.
◇ Branch Skill
[Rifle Shooting 4Lv] (C-rank)
↳ Improves rifle shooting ability.
'Skill leveling up like a motherfucker. Love it.'
Barracks weren't just one, though. East side had another. Troops swarmed from there.
'Lights favor them. Dark favors me.'
They couldn't touch me in black. Sniped streetlights one by one. About ten scattered around.
Thirty seconds flat, all smashed. Pure dark now. My battlefield. I had Darkness Radar.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
(Shit! Return fire!)
(Can't see the enemy!)
(Shoot where the shots come from!)
Panicked Kyrria fucks sprayed at echoes. I slipped away. They muzzled their own in the chaos. No visibility, no friend-or-foe.
'Handling themselves nicely.'
Hunched low, darted building to building. Their battle royale? Ignore. But one building caught my eye.
"Huh? People inside?"
Through rusty bars, ragged-clothed figures. Not Kakil.
'Test subjects. Free 'em to slow research?'
Decision to action. Padlock on door—shovel smash fixed that. Flimsy wood flew open.
Inside: filthy, packed with jury-rigged bunks. Noise woke 'em—lab rats of all ages stared, terrified.
(Eek! Kakil soldiers...!)
(We're dead!?)
Gibberish. No talk.
Gestured 'out' and moved on. More cages like this. Smashed three doors total. Nice haul.
※ Destroyed Facilities: 0
※ Researchers Killed: 1
※ Soldiers Killed: 33
※ Rescued Hostages: 125
※ Dead Teammates: 0/5
※ Research Progress: 90/100
Hostages included Kyrria test subjects.
'No cute ones worth fucking. Shame.'
All starved skeletons—dick-killers. Shook it off, headed for the gunfire.
Battle royale over? Shots died down. Regrouped center to pull eyes again. Torch-bearing guards swept grimly.
(Kakils infiltrated for sure. Search your zones!)
(Sergeant Yoshida! Too many dead—short on searchers.)
(You unpatriotic shit! You refusing!?)
(N-no, sir!)
Resuming guards got lead. Torch idiots first.
(Attack again! Hide!)
Keep 'em off Helman till done. Went full auto. Overshot—wiped 'em all. Bonus.
Right on cue, Helman's crew emerged from the white lab. Mission success—vial in his left hand.
"No cemetery needed. Classic Dos. Turning this place into a slaughterhouse in under 30 minutes."
Helman gawked. Walters looked shocked.
"This all one corporal?"
"Who else? That's him. Lucky he's not the enemy."
Regrouped. Trevino joined post-bombs.
"Got what we need. Exfil."
Outgoing, blew the charges. Action flick exit—flames roared behind us. Perfect.
'One step closer to quest clear.'