Elite Brigade (Conclusion)
Elite Brigade (Conclusion)
[A quest has occurred.]
Objective : Destroy the Deathworm Spawning Ground.
Reward : Elite Capsule.
Time Limit : 30 days.
Failure Penalty : Collapse of Honor of Brothers.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard without realizing it. If we fail, the humans of Killing World will suffer catastrophic damage.
"Wait, are you really entrusting such an important task to a newbie like me?"
Kamyu sighed deeply before grabbing my shoulders with a resolute expression.
"This mission requires a physique-focused soldier like you. But all our physique-types have had their faces exposed to those bastards. We fight them daily, so it's inevitable."
Faces exposed...
Since we need to infiltrate enemy territory and gather intelligence, her explanation makes sense.
"Fortunately, Kalia-nim, being a mental-type, was stationed in the rear and hasn't had her face exposed. But she's vulnerable to sudden close-range attacks, which is why we need support from a physique-type like you."
I could feel most people in the meeting room looking at me with expectant eyes. Though I noticed Kalia giggling ('Pfft'), my mind was too preoccupied to feel angry.
Damn it.
I only came here to film Oist's invasion footage, but things keep getting more complicated.
I could ignore Kamyu's proposal, return to Aris, and just take the money. But if Honor of Brothers collapses, Killing World will be conquered by Oist. And humans will become their Livestock Slaves.
Human currency like Gelder would become worthless scraps of paper too.
Slave currency could never maintain its value. I have no choice but to accept this proposal.
I reluctantly answered.
"Guess I have to do it."
Kamyu grabbed my slumped shoulders and shook them excitedly.
"Thank you, 13th Brigade Member. If you succeed, I'll promote you to Captain. Let's do this."
Though "I don't care about rank games" nearly escaped my lips, I forced it down and mustered a strained smile.
After shaking hands, Kamyu cleared her throat and spoke seriously.
"We've intel that Deathworm Spawning Ground management executives will board Oist's supercarrier Mune in one week. Your team needs to extract the Spawning Ground's location from them and destroy it."
Each step sounds impossibly difficult. Barely suppressing the urge to punch Kamyu for making it sound so simple, I asked:
"How do we board the ship?"
"No worries. They welcome human slaves with open arms. Just don't get caught like Maki did."
"Huh? Who got caught?"
Kamyu answered nonchalantly.
"Our undercover agent. Her last mission was locating the Spawning Ground, but she went dark. That's why you're doing this now."
"Is she dead?"
"Death would be merciful. If she spills our intel, we're screwed. So either rescue her or kill her."
Her cold words carried resolve, yet her pupils trembled chaotically.
"Maki's probably enduring hell right now? Since she went dark, I imagine being tortured as her every night. Those bastards must be generously serving her despair and agony."
Kamyu grew aroused by her own words, shoving her hands under her clothes to violently rub her chest and crotch. She threw her head back, drool dripping from her mouth.
As everyone froze at her outburst, a winged woman flew over and stopped her.
"Brigade Commander-nim, please compose yourself. We're in a meeting."
"Hnggh... Hnn..."
Kamyu gazed dazedly before shaking her head vigorously and straightening her clothes.
"My, I've shown you something embarrassing."
I recalled Kamyu's perverted behavior at the arcade. This is her true nature. It's impressive she maintains her Brigade Commander persona by holding onto her sanity.
After awkward coughs, Kamyu announced:
"Meeting adjourned. In one week, Captain Kalia and Lieutenant Kelrot will deploy for the Spawning Ground destruction mission. It'll be tough, so you two have free rein until then."
A whole week of free time? Should I enjoy a newlywed fling with Yun Seol-ha?
Ding-.
Kamyu checked her smartphone alarm and gave me an apologetic look.
"Lieutenant Kelrot, Battalion Commander Sras requested Special Forces support. If you refuse, your colleague will have double the workload. Your call?"
Damn, just when I hoped to avoid it. Quest failure penalties always trigger. And since Yun Seol-ha would suffer otherwise, I can't refuse.
"Guess I have to..."
"Good. Handle the Special Forces tasks too."
The meeting ended. Since Elite Brigade doesn't do guard duty, members have free time except for meetings, elite monster hunts, and Oist subjugations.
"Hehehe, take care of me, partner."
"Shut up."
Kalia left with a sneering grin. Dusty hastily bowed to me before following her.
That fucking bitch Kalia. I'll definitely kill her.
Someone tapped my butt. Turning around, I saw a green-haired cat-eared girl-Reni. She beamed.
"Kelrot! So happy to see you again! Play with me lots, okay?"
"Of course~."
Reni's pure expression cleansed my mind. A stark contrast to her thunderous catwoman true form.
Does personality change with appearance?
While staring at Reni, an icy voice interrupted.
"Do your duties properly without inconveniencing this lady."
Despite her blunt tone, Baek Wol-hyang's face seemed oddly flushed. Her lips quivered as if wanting something.
"Want a kiss?"
My careless remark made her look like she'd been stabbed. She gritted her teeth, face contorted.
"How dare you!!"
Murderous intent radiated from her eyes. Baek Wol-hyang already moved to swing her sword.
"Hey, just kidding!"
Ignoring me, she slashed. A crescent blade energy shot forth.
"Aaaah!!"
Kwa-gwa-gwang!!
I barely dodged and bolted outside. Glancing back, I saw Just barely restraining her.
Winking and sticking out my tongue at the fuming Baek Wol-hyang:
"Nyah~."
"Grrk!!"
A blizzard erupted from her, sending Just flying.
This is dangerous.
Thinking I might die, I prepared to summon X-but other brigade members rushed to restrain her. I fled to the dorm without looking back.
Since I left work early, Seol-ha hadn't returned. I collapsed onto my soft bed, interlacing fingers behind my head.
Teasing Baek Wol-hyang is fun.
Though terrifying at first meeting, she's become an amusing woman.
Despite unforgivable bitches like Kalia, having Baek Wol-hyang and Reni makes Elite Brigade life tolerable.
"Should tell Aris too."
I called Aris to explain. She knew about a large-scale raid but not the hundreds of Deathworms involved.
"Kelrot, Honor of Brothers-no, humanity's future-depends on you. If the Spawning Ground isn't destroyed, we can't stop Deathworms attacking multiple regions simultaneously. Humanity would suffer catastrophic losses."
Kamyu made it seem trivial, but this could be humanity's deathblow.
And she assigns the Oist breast milk lunchbox role to our savior?
"Aris."
"Yeah?"
I considered asking her to exempt me from Special Forces duties but hesitated.
"Nevermind."
The Brigade Commander ordered concurrent duties. Overturning it would require Aris revealing herself-exposing me as her agent and risking my fake ID exposure.
After hanging up, I pulled the blanket over my head. Its soft comfort soothed me.
"Whatever."
I'll just power through the filthy Special Forces work. It's only a few days. Bonus-filming humans attacked by Oist in combat zones completes Aris' request too.
Click.
The front door woke me. I'd slept long-outside was dark.
"Seol-ha? You're back?"
Descending to the living room, I saw Yun Seol-ha standing frozen. Tears welled in her exhausted eyes. Something new pierced her nose-a bullring piercing.