Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: A Change of Plans
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Knock, knock.*
*Creeak.*
"Ah, sit down."
Do-jae sat down at one side of the round table in the captain's office.
Inside, the captain, vice-captain, and the leaders of each squad were already gathered.
All except for Squad 1.
"Everyone's here, so let's begin. Vice-Captain?"
"Yes, sir. Let's get started."
Vice-Captain Song Hoon unfolded a large map that lay on the table.
Then, using a long pointer, he began to report on the situation.
"The current operation is about 70% complete. The Red Orcs in Area 7, the Graymen in Area 1, and the Death Ents in Area 3 have been maintaining a balance of power. However, this morning, we detected some unusual activity."
Song Hoon pointed to Area 7.
The Red Orc zone that Do-jae had been in charge of until yesterday.
"Put up the photos."
At Song Hoon's command to a Suppression Corps soldier, a few clicks were heard, and photos appeared on a large monitor at the back.
"These are photos taken by Squad 2. Please take a look, and then I'll continue."
The photos showed a dense gathering of Red Orcs.
A significant number, even at a glance.
The next photo was taken from a closer distance.
The Red Orcs were each holding weapons and wearing crude, but functional, armor.
As if ready to march into battle at any moment.
"This was about four hours ago. They are currently at war with the Death Ents in Area 3, and the Red Orcs have the overwhelming advantage."
"I heard it's been just over a year since the dungeon break in Gaeseong…"
"Orcs have a high breeding rate and grow quickly. A year is enough for one to become a full-fledged warrior. You don't even know that?"
Captain Kim Hwan-soo chided Shim Young-jin for muttering to himself.
Shim Young-jin looked at Do-jae with a miserable expression.
"That's why we've been continuously conducting suppression operations in Area 7 to reduce their numbers. We believed that if we thinned their ranks, they would self-destruct, since they're known to prey on each other between tribes. But based on these photos…"
"Our judgment was wrong, and now we're facing a huge problem."
"That's correct."
The atmosphere grew heavy at Song Hoon's agreement.
The sudden turn of events made everyone feel that a major battle was imminent.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We'll engage them in an all-out battle at the edge of Area 3, just as their fight with the Death Ents concludes."
"What about Area 1?"
"I have something to report on that as well."
Song Hoon picked up a pen and drew a circle on the map.
Then he drew a curved line, moving the pen from Area 7 to Area 3.
"This is the Red Orcs' route. Instead of passing through Area 1, they detoured around it to reach Area 3."
"They intentionally avoided the Graymen's territory."
"Correct. They passed through an area our Chilgok Unit had already cleared on their way to the Death Ents' territory."
"Meaning there's a smart one among them."
"Yes, sir. Since the Graymen won't engage unless their territory is invaded, after they finish off all the Death Ents, we will be their next target."
"So you're saying we should strike the moment the battle between the Red Orcs and the Death Ents is over."
"Yes, that's right."
Song Hoon put down the pen.
Waiting for Captain Kim Hwan-soo's decision.
Before long, Kim Hwan-soo spoke.
"All squads will terminate their current operations and assume full combat readiness. With this many Red Orcs, their battle will surely end by tomorrow. We will strike then to suppress them. We'll be moving out at dawn, so squad leaders, ensure your members get adequate rest."
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
Finally, Song Hoon added one more thing to Kim Hwan-soo.
"And I believe we should recall the Squad 1 Leader."
"Understood. Everyone, dismiss."
As Do-jae left the captain's office with the other squad leaders, he thought to himself.
‘Come to think of it, who is the Squad 1 Leader?’
***
The next day.
The entire unit, save for a few personnel left behind, gathered in Area 5.
Area 5 was separated from Area 3 by a low mountain, making it a good spot to both maintain distance from the Red Orcs and observe the battlefield.
"This is practically a massacre."
"They're organized and disciplined. More than a tribe, this… looks like an army."
Kim Hwan-soo and Song Hoon watched Area 3 from atop the mountain.
The battle between the Red Orcs and the Death Ents was nearing its end.
The Red Orcs' momentum was even greater than expected.
"Vice-Captain, from what I can see, an all-out confrontation looks difficult."
The bodies of Death Ents were piled up like hills everywhere, but there were far fewer Red Orc corpses.
Given that Death Ents rely more on their sense of smell than sight, they should have had the advantage in a battle that raged day and night, but the Red Orcs had used fire.
One could tell just by looking at the half-burnt trees scattered about.
"The Red Orc shamans are nowhere to be seen."
"I see. They've forsaken their berserker state in favor of organization. For Red Orcs, of all things."
If they had used berserker magic, it would have turned them into living weapons focused solely on combat with amplified physical abilities, ending the battle quickly.
However, the fact that the Red Orc shamans hadn't done so meant they wanted to preserve their forces.
Ultimately, it meant the Red Orcs were thinking beyond the Death Ents, that this wasn't the end.
"If we charge in as planned, our casualties will be immense. It was my misjudgment."
"It's not a mistake. This all just happened yesterday. Let's revise the plan."
Kim Hwan-soo decided to abandon the all-out confrontation and come up with a different plan.
The current number of troops in the Chilgok Unit was at a severe disadvantage compared to the Red Orcs.
Even if he and the other officers fought like men worth a hundred, the average soldier would still have to face an estimated ten or more Red Orcs each.
Especially in an open field like this, without the cover of a city or obstacles, getting caught in a chaotic melee could lead to them being surrounded by Red Orcs and losing their lives without being able to put up a fight.
"Squad Leader Kang. Has Squad Leader Kang arrived yet?"
"He left at dawn and is on his way here. He should be arriving soon."
Kim Hwan-soo nodded.
The leader of Squad 1 was a formidable asset.
His arrival would be perfect for shaking up the battlefield.
"We're changing the strategy. Assemble the squad leaders."
After giving the order, Kim Hwan-soo stared intently at a particularly ornate wooden structure in the middle of the battlefield.
***
Song Hoon called the squad leaders, who were already fully prepared and waiting for orders, and they assembled quickly.
"The plan has changed."
Kim Hwan-soo explained the revised plan.
First, the full-scale assault by the entire unit was put on hold.
The members of each squad would form a semicircle formation to the south and wait.
Then, Kim Hwan-soo and the other squad leaders would personally infiltrate deep into enemy lines and begin hunting the Red Orcs.
It was a strategy made possible by the fact that the squad leaders could handle dozens of enemies on their own.
"Then, on the vice-captain's signal, the entire unit will push up from the south. The disadvantaged Red Orcs will naturally retreat north and eventually clash with the Graymen in Area 1."
It was a strategy of pitting monster against monster.
It was a perfect strategy, banking on the Graymen's instinct to defend their territory.
Just then, Do-jae carefully asked a question.
"What if they don't?"
Kim Hwan-soo countered with a look that said, "What do you mean?"
"What do you mean, 'don't'?"
"I mean if the Red Orcs don't retreat. The idea that weakened Red Orcs would fall back seems like a very human way of thinking."
Kim Hwan-soo nodded at Do-jae's words.
"True. They are monsters. But these ones are different. The fact that their tribes have united and are moving as one already sets them apart. Besides, they're trying to preserve their strength."
Kim Hwan-soo continued, stroking his sword.
"Right now, the best we can do is stop them from advancing south. It doesn't matter if they don't go up to Area 1. We just need to block their southern advance and buy time until the requested reinforcements arrive."
Faced with Kim Hwan-soo's firm stance, Do-jae had no choice but to concede.
However, it was undeniably a strategy that accepted the risk of casualties, as it hinged on the assumption that Song Hoon and the remaining troops positioned to the south could hold their ground.
"Forgive my presumption, but may I say one more thing?"
Do-jae asked another question.
Kim Hwan-soo looked slightly annoyed, but he allowed it.
"Go on."
"Vice-Captain, does the unit have any mana stones in its possession?"
The question was directed at Song Hoon, who thought for a moment.
As the one who handled the unit's overall management, Song Hoon had a grasp of their inventory.
"We have about thirty lowest-grade and low-grade mana stones. And one high-grade mana stone. Why do you ask?"
Mana stones were one of the most important spoils of war, essential for the unit's operations.
A single high-grade mana stone was worth a month's operating costs.
"I won't ask for the high-grade one. But could you provide me with all the low-grade mana stones?"
"What? Do you know how much that's all worth? No..."
Song Hoon waved his hands, about to refuse, when Kim Hwan-soo cut him off.
"Give them to him."
"Sir? What could he possibly use mana stones for in a situation like this...?"
"Squad Leader Lee, are you planning to make golems?"
Kim Hwan-soo asked.
Everyone in the unit who needed to know already knew about Do-jae's golems.
It was a fact unknown only to Song Hoon, who hadn't particularly mingled with the other unit members.
"Yes, sir. I want to use golems to better fortify our rear. I also want to use them as shields to reduce casualties."
"I heard you can be separated from your golems without issue."
"Active control becomes difficult at long distances, but I can monitor the golems' status up to four kilometers away. Anything beyond that is a bit difficult."
"Understood. Then we'll position Squad Leader Lee as close to the southern area as possible. Anyone else have anything to say?"
"No, sir!"
"Then we move out in thirty minutes. Everyone prepare and assemble..."
*Swhish.*
Just before Kim Hwan-soo could finish, someone opened the tent flap and entered.
"Oh, Squad Leader Kang! We've been waiting for you!"
The Squad 1 Leader had finally appeared.
Upon seeing him, Do-jae's eyes widened in surprise, and Shim Young-jin began to tremble.