Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Not a Self-Deprecating Stream
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"This map is fucking awful."
"What the hell is this death wind hellhole?"
After resupplying at base, we headed back out to the battlefield.
Fortunately, I could grasp the entire battle situation at a glance through the company radio and PDA.
As expected, most of the front lines had stalemated into a test of strength.
Our squad's absence had let the allies get pushed back a bit, but they were holding strong without any sign of collapse.
Having assessed the situation, I turned to inspect each of the squad members riding in the truck.
These were the comrades who would now fight for their lives alongside me, and Ttalgwi stepped up as representative to ask about the plan.
"Sukka, which stronghold should we head to?"
"Hmm... We need to go to D Point from here on out."
"Huh? But D Point's already under allied control. Aren't we supposed to reinforce the ones getting pushed back?"
"The front line stretches out in a straight line. We need to focus on pushing one sector hard."
The current front had the allies and enemies splitting it evenly.
The enemy held A and B Points, we held D and E, and fierce fighting raged at the central C Point.
In a situation like this, it was better to break the balance than maintain it.
I continued explaining in detail to the puzzled Ttalgwi.
"Right now, D Point has our tanks too. If we break through toward the enemy lines, we can push to A Point alongside the tanks."
"You're saying we charge up and snatch the top point?"
"Yeah, exactly. It's a tactic where we plunge deep into enemy territory, cut off their support, isolate the strongholds, and capture them."
"Oh! I know what tactic that is! What was it again? Sickle and Hammer Operation? Right?!"
"......"
She seemed to be mixing up the 'Sickle Operation' and the 'Hammer and Anvil' tactic.
'Sickle and Hammer Operation.' Just the name alone sent chills down my spine—no other plan sounded quite so terrifying.
Of course, it wasn't wrong to call the tactic I described a sickle operation.
It was similar to the one devised by Nazi Germany's commander, Erich von Manstein—that damned bastard.
But I didn't want to compare this operation to Manstein's tactics.
And for good reason: Manstein was the horrific archenemy who'd nearly killed me at the Battle of Sevastopol.
Someone might tell me not to hate the man while hating his tactics.
Acknowledging the enemy's capabilities was important in war, so they might insist I respect Manstein's strategies at least.
But anyone who'd been hit by the 'Gustav Railway Gun' even once would think differently.
I had no intention of acknowledging—or forgiving—Manstein for ordering the use of such a monstrous weapon.
In that sense, Ttalgwi's 'Sickle and Hammer Operation' name appealed to me.
It had a Soviet ring to it, fitting our squad perfectly.
"Yeah, it's a really cool name. Let's call it the Sickle and Hammer Operation."
"Huh? It wasn't right? Then what is it?"
"It's not exactly wrong. We're the Red Army right now, so Sickle and Hammer works."
"Hehe, okay then. Oh, but Sukka! The viewers keep calling me stupid! Scold them for me!"
"T-Ttalgwi's not stupid..."
Before I knew it, we'd arrived at our destination amid the chatter.
It was D Point, barely held by our allies amid ongoing fierce combat.
Sandbags piled up in what must have once been a beautiful park, surrounded by ugly trenches dug all around.
It looked like a solidly built position at first glance, but with exposure on all sides, it wasn't safe.
Sure enough, constant enemy probes had pinned down our tanks.
My judgment to start pushing from D Point had been spot on.
"Hey! The Soviet soldiers from the start are here!"
"Argh! Team luck is shit, fuck! Still pisses me off every time I see 'em!"
"Whatever, just call for support! You brought grenades, right!"
As soon as we hopped off the truck, nearby allies shouted loudly.
Considering our outfits, their reaction made sense—but I hadn't expected zero welcomes.
To the obsessed fans representing the viewers, though, it sounded like a reward.
Maybe eager to amp up the stream's fun, cries of 'Suuuka!' and 'Uraaa!' erupted among the squad.
But wouldn't it be better to worry about the streamer than the stream's entertainment?
I shot a warning glare at the hyped-up squad and issued orders.
"Could you knock it off? We're gonna get reported."
"Oh."
"First, let's secure D Point for good. Focus fire to make the enemies retreat."
"No Ura Charge?"
"No need to charge. Just advance cautiously."
"Kinda disappointing."
"Come on, move out. The other allies look pissed."
The squad trudged toward the front, grumbling unnecessarily.
With PPSh slung crookedly over their shoulders, they looked like gangsters off to bury a rival crew.
I just couldn't understand the appeal of a Ura Charge.
It was nothing but mindless rushing while yelling.
"So we're just doing healing?"
"Yeah. You and Ttalgwi are medics, after all."
After sending the squad to the front, I moved to fulfill my own role.
Treating wounded allies—a hopeful task I hadn't done much even on the Eastern Battlefield.
I'd picked medic to avoid sexual harassment, but now it seemed like a pretty good choice.
No trauma from unfamiliar work, and staying busy should keep the PTSD at bay.
Just then, I spotted a wounded soldier among the allies defending D Point.
I clutched my medkit and dashed over.
"Where are you hurt? I'll treat you."
"Uh, yeah?"
"You're bleeding badly from your arm. Hold still for a sec."
"Th-thanks?"
The first patient had taken a bullet to the forearm.
High-velocity round had pierced clean through, I suspected—excessive bleeding and multiple fractures.
Combat stims wouldn't cut it here.
I started treatment, pulling various items from my medkit.
"Hang in there. I'll fix you up quick."
First, I tore off the cumbersome uniform and dusted on hemostatic agent.
Then I splinted it and wrapped bandages tightly, feeding him painkillers to ease the pain.
Normally I'd stitch the gaping wound, but since it was a game, skipping that seemed fine.
Finishing up in a flash, I checked on the wounded soldier with a concerned look.
"How's it feel? All good now?"
"......"
"Still hurts?"
"......"
"Hey?"
"Ah! Y-Yeah, good! I'm fine!"
Thankfully, the first patient seemed satisfied with my treatment.
A surge of pride welled up, and I gave him a faint smile.
For some reason, his face flushed, and he bolted back to the front.
Proud of saving one soldier, I asked the viewers.
"Everyone, see that? I did great for my first time, right?"
『Sukka, we're really argh why do you do this for real』
『Please stop! Please stop! Please stop! Please stop! Please stop!』
『Hey!!!!!! Don't be a medic!!!!!!』
『lolololol gonna lose my mind fr』
"Wh-why so scary... Did I mess up or something?"
『Nah treatment was good lol too nice is the problem lol』
『Worst scene in the world......』
『Why feed painkillers? Why feed painkillers? Why feed painkillers? Why feed painkillers?』
『So mad I wanna die』
"P-Painkillers... He was hurt, couldn't take 'em alone..."
『Left hand means nothing?』
『Just make Ttalgwi do it!!!!!!!!!!』
『Feed me too!!!!!』
『Sukka really doesn't get guys' hearts』
"No... I get guys' hearts just fine..."
『What the hell does that mean!!!!!!』
『Can I die now? Can I die now? Can I die now? Can I die now?』
『These kids are totally nuts lolololol』
『Sukka wanna see me go insane?』
"S-Sorry... Calm down..."
I panicked at the chat blazing hotter than ever.
I'd treated him perfectly—why the anger? I couldn't fathom it.
Even the usually sweet Shin Ara was sulking with no reaction.
No clue why, but I'd clearly made a huge blunder.
Wondering what was going on, I looked up at Ttalgwi beside me.
She was pinching her brow and groaning, then smacked my head.
"Ow..."
"What the heck are you doing!"
"J-Just treating him..."
"Why make him go 'aaang' with the painkillers!"
"'Aaang'?"
"Sigh... Whatever. Deal with them yourself."
"Huh?"
I followed Ttalgwi's pointing finger to the front.
The squad members who'd left earlier were rushing back, yelling 'Feed me too!'
Then it hit me what I'd screwed up.
I'd just given him one painkiller pill—had no idea it'd blow up like this.
Clueless on how to handle it, I grabbed Ttalgwi's pants.
She squatted down in front of me with a grin.
"Feed me too and I'll save you."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Or feed them bullets instead of painkillers."
"B-Bullets?"
"They'll riot worse if you don't."
"......"
Irresistible offer, and not hard anyway.
In the end, I pulled out a painkiller like candy and fed it to Ttalgwi.
"'Aaang'... Go on..."
"Aaaang."
What the hell was this situation?
Over one painkiller? Really?
I couldn't tell if the viewers or I were the problem.
Feeling unfairly wronged, I narrowed my eyes at the chat.
『Hmmm... Fine with Ttalgwi...』
『Kukudas plotting real-life 'aaang' gets a follow』
『Hah... Forgiven this once for polar bear sake...』
『Follow?』
『Kukudas incoming lolololololol』
『No wonder that guy's not blocked lololol』
『Wants it irl herself lolololol』
Looked like the viewers were the issue.