Stealth's Deadly Edge and China's War Cry
After peace finally settled over the Polish Base, it began rapidly regaining its functions.
That was astonishing.
Normally, after such a catastrophe, even survivors couldn't perform their roles. Far from it—they'd often fall into panic, triggering even greater accidents or total ruin.
This wasn't just talk; there was an official term for it: space panic.
No matter the technical support, in a world where stepping outside bare-skinned meant you couldn't even breathe freely without risk, not feeling panic would be the weird part.
Still, the reason the Polish Base hadn't plunged into space panic was simple.
"From now on, we must survive and return to our homeland."
The hero who saved them—not by luck, but through sheer resolve.
"To do that, we need to pull ourselves together! We have to defend our base no matter what, and only we can do it!"
Yan Zabwotski, the major, had personally led his unit in a desperate charge against the Tank Worms at that critical moment, saving the base.
Of course, the biggest factor was...
"And we have the finest agents sent from Korea!"
The Polish Base now housed not one, but two of those incredible Psykers!
Though Kim Seo-jun hadn't been officially recognized as a Psyker yet, at this point, he thought to himself:
'My Status Window abilities are Psyker-level fair game.'
He couldn't use a Prophet's Relic, but his capabilities were no different.
And that wasn't an overestimation.
Skills:X-Ray Vision (D), Inventory (C), Stealth (F)
Talents:Dynamic Vision (C), Hawk Eye (E)
Points:178pt
After the battle with the infected Psyker, Kim Seo-jun's specs had upgraded to an insane level once more.
The Bronze Card bought with his accumulated 3,000 points granted +2 Strength and +4 Mana.
The Gold Ticket reward then boosted Strength by 10 points since it was under 30.
Now, while not quite matching Lee Hye-na's level, he'd surpassed human limits.
He could feel it the moment he picked up a gun. The Space Marine rifle, heavy even in a Battle Suit, now felt like an empty pistol.
And his skills were exceptional too.
'Stealth.'
Among them, the one that caught Kim Seo-jun's eye was Stealth.
This was an incredible skill.
From testing it himself, Stealth truly made him invisible—not just to the eye, but no reflection in mirrors either.
'Against Mogs, this is a sure hit.'
Mogs relied heavily on vision over other senses.
In the harsh void of space, smell was useless. Hearing was similar—only a few like Cyclops excelled at it, but most Mogs depended on sight. For them, Stealth was like poison to rats.
'It works on humans too.'
Humans were just as vision-dependent.
Even Kim Seo-jun would shudder and flee a base if an invisible Psyker infiltrated—not just creeped out, but all-out escape.
'Downside is only 10 minutes duration, and 6-hour cooldown.'
As an F-rank skill, it had flaws, but ranking up would fix them.
'Still, with Stealth, this battle's winnable.'
And what some might call a flaw—using it once mid-battle—was a huge merit.
Simply put, Kim Seo-jun's role was sniper-like, and the deadliest risk for snipers was position exposure on firing.
Once exposed, hiding was tough; even fleeing, your path was obvious.
But invisible? Unfindable!
'Use it to escape if needed.'
This ability would save his life at least once.
All in all, Kim Seo-jun felt confident for the coming fight.
Of course, he knew.
'Overconfidence is dangerous.'
Without knowing the enemy numbers, reveling in victory was suicide.
'If too many, we run.'
As Kim Seo-jun steeled himself with that resolve, Major Yan Zabwotski approached.
"We've identified the enemy forces."
"How many?"
"Around 6,000 confirmed."
"Holy shit, for real?!"
Private Park Bo-seop blurted out a curse despite the gravity of the moment.
Kim Seo-jun had expected more, but 6,000? Daunting.
But Kim Seo-jun was different. He knew.
'We already routed a force including three Tank Worms.'
His squad had halted the massive horde en route to the Polish Base.
'Mogs send three times the numbers after a failed assault.'
Their optimal response: overwhelm with numbers.
More importantly, whining wouldn't help.
Complaining to the Mog legion about fairness? No "sorry" from them.
That was key here.
"How many Tank Worms?"
Major Yan Zabwotski answered.
"Two."
Kim Seo-jun's eyes lit up.
'They sent three last time, now only two... this must be the final wave.'
Win this, and they'd have breathing room!
Block this, and peace for a while!
As that realization hit, he opened his mouth.
"This battle..."
About to say it was winnable—right then.
"Sergeant Kim Seo-jun, I know this battle won't be easy."
Major Yan Zabwotski cut him off.
"Poland is infinitely grateful to you and the Koreans. We won't throw you into reckless battle. You don't have to fight."
Feel free to leave.
He meant it.
Having received such immense grace, forcing more sacrifice from Kim Seo-jun's squad was beyond what his heart could bear.
Hearing that, Kim Seo-jun and the others only hardened their resolve.
To defend this place somehow.
Kim Seo-jun too.
"No prob..."
About to say no problem, it's fine, we can do it—right then.
"First, something to show you."
Major Yan Zabwotski turned and walked away.
Kim Seo-jun's squad followed silently, soon spotting it: a hover bike and an Agent Suit.
Major Yan Zabwotski, standing before them, said:
"Setup's done. No tracking device. Language pack set to Korean. Give it a bit more time for painting—any color you want, just say."
Kim Seo-jun looked stunned.
He'd asked, but these treasures becoming theirs?
And it didn't end there.
"Here."
Major Yan Zabwotski handed over a small metal box.
"Prophet's Relics recovered from the Psyker's body."
Invaluable beyond money.
"The Agent Suit needs more time to fit Sergeant Kim Seo-jun's build."
"No rush."
Before the Polish Base's utmost hospitality, Kim Seo-jun had one response.
"Plenty of time after the battle."
Turning, he said:
"Let's start the strategy meeting."
5.
When Kim Seo-jun began the meeting with just Private Park Bo-seop and Major Lee Hye-na, neither questioned it.
They knew.
'Sergeant Kim Seo-jun can pull off the impossible!'
'Any plan from Sergeant Kim Seo-jun, no matter how insane, I trust and follow.'
To them, Kim Seo-jun said:
"Facing the horde head-on at the base is too risky. We'll go as an advance team first and thin them out as much as possible."
A statement that could shatter minds.
"Advance team" often meant suicide squad.
Death marchers!
Yet neither Private Park Bo-seop nor Major Lee Hye-na flinched.
With Kim Seo-jun, they could laugh it off.
"Private Park Bo-seop, you have a big role this time."
"Yes sir, trust me!"
Park Bo-seop beamed brighter than ever, brimming with confidence.
"I'll drive that truck like a beast again!"
Kim Seo-jun replied to his zeal:
"I heard you can drive a hover bike too. Right?"
Park Bo-seop nodded.
"Ah, yes. Got the license—hover bike cert and racer license too."
As he answered, certainty hit.
"But not the truck... a hover bike?"
Even as he spoke, doubt crept in.
He'd driven military trucks not just because that's what was available.
Trucks offered combat advantages from the bed.
Hover bikes? Limited ammo capacity.
Though Kim Seo-jun's Inventory made mobility key.
"Shooting from a hover bike won't be easy, sir."
Most were one-seaters; rear passengers could only cling for dear life.
Firing? Impossible.
"No such thing."
Kim Seo-jun knew shooting from a hover bike was foolish.
"Your job: drop me where I want, wait, then pick me up on signal."
"Ah!"
Park Bo-seop nodded.
"Got it. Hover bike beats truck for that... way more ma—"
Then realization struck; he yelped in horror.
"S-Sergeant Kim! You plan to fight alone?!"
"Sergeant Kim Seo-jun."
Major Lee Hye-na, grasping it, interjected.
"That's insane."
"Not charging the Mog legion solo. I'll evade if needed."
"I know."
Even so, her face stayed stern.
"Still insane. Moment your position's spotted, the whole horde chases you."
She knew his marksmanship was unreal, but it relied on truck mobility.
Alone? He'd be hunted relentlessly.
"I have a way to evade."
Lee Hye-na scoffed incredulously.
"Run faster than a truck? Or go invisible?"
Kim Seo-jun answered:
"Yes."
They froze.
To them, he said:
"Anyone near me would just hinder. Watch from afar."
That was the plan.
"Time to launch the operation."
6.
"They left?"
Major Yan Zabwotski wasn't surprised hearing Kim Seo-jun's squad had gone out.
"May God's blessing be with them."
Knowing their goal—to thin the horde—he could only pray for their safety.
Of course, he knew.
'They're the best. No recklessness. Probably advancing to reduce numbers even a bit.'
No major issues for them.
'We're the ones in danger.'
Worry for the Polish Base instead.
Survivors were few; forces critically short.
To make do, they bustled in frantic prep, saving every second.
A day after Kim Seo-jun's squad departed.
"M-Major!"
A comms soldier rushed to Major Yan Zabwotski mid-external linkup.
"B-Big trouble."
"What?"
"Th-they declared war."
"What?"
He frowned.
"China declared war on all nations on Amotia Planet."
Then it hit: 'China's up to something.'
Something massive brewing on Amotia.
"Pretext?"
"Justified retaliation for hostile, inhumane attacks on the People's Republic."
Yan knew it was bullshit pretext-building.
'Damn it.'
China would now hit other bases.
No need for declaration if sitting idle.
'Comms are spotty. Can't stop whatever they're doing.'
No way to halt this madness.
'Something's up.'
With China suspiciously tied to the Mog virus, his mind raced.
'Tell the Koreans to return.'
First call: recall Kim Seo-jun's squad. He ordered a subordinate:
"Status on Korean support comms?"
"Not connecting well."
No hesitation despite no comms.
In crisis, waiting wasn't his style—act first.
He summoned Sergeant Viktor Lewandowski.
"Sergeant, hop on a hover and relay to Sergeant Kim Seo-jun's group: return immediately."
"Yes sir!"
Viktor sped off on his hover bike.
About six hours later.
"M-Major!"
Viktor returned in panic; Yan sensed disaster for the Koreans.
"What happened? Where are the Koreans?"
Staying calm, he asked. Viktor replied:
"I-It’s over."
Yan couldn't stay composed.
'No way...!'
That powerhouse squad, dead? Unthinkable.
Yet space was cruel—anything could vanish overnight!
'Pull it together. I'm the commander here.'
Survivors must do anything to endure.
With grim resolve, Yan heard Viktor say:
"Th-the battle's done. Th-the Mog legion heading for base... totally wiped out."