Kill The Dragons - Chapter 37

“Squad 7, do your best to step on squad 13. This will become a painful experience for squad 13. Squad 7 had been stuck in a rut, this is a good chance and motivation for them.”

All the cards were set for squad 13 to fail. Squad 7 is in bad terms with them, and it will be a squad aerial battle. Han is injured. Greseman compared the two groups’ data.

‘But if by chance squad 7 loses, and squad 13 is able to claim victory once again….’

Drill Sergeant Greseman was very strict. There might be squads superior to others, but units must not stand on a pedestal. Squad 13 is superior, but it would be troublesome if this becomes a platform for them to stand out. All squads must taste failure. Their superior image must be broken.

“Isn’t there a mistake? It’s been only three days since our last squad battle. We even suffered injuries, yet they’re sending us out again?”

Jose’s voice rang loud. Squad 13 checked their daily training schedules. Everyone’s faces had stiffened because they all realized the bad situation they were in.

“There are no mistakes here. The drill instructors do not wish for us to continue winning.”

Han said objectively. The cast on his left arm looked extra heavy today.

“This isn’t fair. Isn’t this the same thing as commanding us to lose?”

“Squad 7 would be wondering of the different ways they could beat us up.”

“This battle has a lot of problems. Let’s go file a complaint.”

Canute spoke like he was ready to stomp over to the drill sergeants anytime now. Han lowered his gaze for a moment. He grasped onto Canute’s clothes and forced him to sit down on a chair.

“Everyone be quiet. The drill instructors are not our parents or teachers. Their jobs are to test us and make us fall into despair. The only people Ark seeks are those who are able to climb up from these situations.”

The only person to understand this in squad 13 was Han. Heavy imposing air seemed to flow from Han’s spirit.

“So, what are we doing then?”

“There’s no use complaining. All that is left for us is to fight and then win.”

Han’s spoke in a low, but passionate voice. They felt a calm anger from his tone. Han also felt irritated from the drill instructor’s harsh treatment.

They only had two days left. This amount of time didn’t even give squad 13 enough time to breathe. The youths cut their sleeping time to practice maneuvering their airbeats. Han felt more restless than anyone in the squad, but he did not let it show.

‘If I express my anxiousness, my squad will also become more restless. Even if I don’t have a plan for them, I need to act like I do.’

When Han had been the leader of the homeless orphans, he had always spoke like he had some way to get more food for everyone the next day. Even if he had no real plan, he led all the kids with his strong words. When the children felt hope, they could cope with their hunger pains.

“Aerial battle, squad 7.”

Han brought up squad 7’s data to his mind. Squad 7 did not have an outstanding psyker like Kuro or Simon, but overall everyone excels in combat and personal skills. This had been the ultimate reason Han had never had a chance to utilize his skills.

‘Aerial battle, is in fact, similar to the game hopscotch. The number of airbeats one could utilize is limited based on personal skill. There were only 6 pillars which one could stand excluding all the airbeats.

Han could think up of a plan to win squad 7. They were inferior to squad 7 in every way. He quietly bit his lips.

‘Up to what point would the drill instructors allow? Up to where would they accept it as military tactics?’

Han did not plan to obediently lose like the drill instructors intended for them. He quietly called Jose over and drafted their plan.

“Jose, the core member of this round is you. Do you think you can do this?”

Han explained the plan he had drafted on his hologram to Jose. Jose’s expression had changed strangely as he quietly listened.

“This is an amazing plan, but would the drill instructors allow this?”

“Materials necessary for military tactics are allowed.”

“Is that so?” Wuxiaworld for visiting.

Han had memorized every little detailed rule of the squad battle competitions. So, he was able to decide what was allowed or not. He had felt that he was dabbling into the area outside which was allowed by the rules.

“Can you do it, Jose?”

“Of course. Trust in me, amigo.”

Jose confidently struck his chest. Han nodded let Jose return. They must finish preparing everything within two days. Han requested the necessary items they required through his data bracelet.

Two days later, squad 7 and 13 would hold their aerial battle. Squad 7’s eyes looked murderous. They prepared themselves while determined to obtain victory. Squad 7 had trained solely for the aerial battle the last two days. They had delayed all other training drills and lectures while dedicating themselves completely for the forthcoming competition.

“How is your arm doing, Han?”

Kato asked while he approached Han. The battle field for the Aerial battle was tiny, and so the two squads would end up meeting for small talk before the battle.

“It’s a little bad, but my right hand will probably be enough for today Kato.”

Han said indifferently. He also didn’t have the best impression of Kato. He had not confronted the other, but they had all joined together to beat up Kuro for leaving. Thanks to that, all sadness and apologetic feelings had disappeared.

“Stop bluffing. Aerial battles are not something you could master overnight. Any sort of hasty preparation will not be enough to gain victory. You’re smart, so you should know it already.”

Kato said teasingly. Han passively nodded his head.

“You’re right. We can’t win. So, we prepared something different today. Kato, if you don’t fight properly you will be completely humiliated.”

Han beckoned Kato with his finger. The other narrowed his eyes and sneered as an icy smirk hung on his lips.

“I’ll kill you, Han. Kuro as well.”

Kato said with his face flushed red. Han looked directly into Kato’s eyes.

“You’ve never even killed someone before. Coming from someone like you, it doesn’t feel threatening in the least.”

Kato twitched. Han’s eyes looked empty, but seemed to hold onto something deeper.

Amongst the North East Asian Alliance, Japan was one of the wealthier countries. Japan welcomed the financial bubbles of the booming market and climbed up to become one of the top economic power houses. It had been an isolated country, so they were not affected much by the first wave of aggression; most of their infrastructures remained intact. Korea and China had become impoverished, and provided the business to reconstruct the countries. Kato, who had grown up in a wealthy country could not grasp his mind around the everyday struggle for existence.

‘What’s up with his reaction and eyes…?’

Kato felt a sudden chill, and decided to return to his squad. His fighting spirit would be flattened if he continued to talk with Han here.

‘I can’t be influenced before the battle. We simulated this many times, there is no way for us to lose.’

Squad 7 and 13 gradually readied themselves. They equipped their own personal gear. Squad 7 wore their standard gear. They prepared their own airbeats, and equipped their close combat weapons. Using the airbeats required massive focus. The gears that would not contribute to this match were usually omitted.

“Squad 13 all has their maximum number of allowed airbeats?”

The watching second years commented while watching over the thirteenth squad. Squad 13’s buttocks and hips felt heavy. The airbeat catapulting gear was bulky. A single person was allowed a maximum of four airbeats, but unless they were supporters, they would only equip two at once.

“Squad 13 shouldn’t have mastered their airbeats yet. No matter how good Kuro is, it should be impossible to control so many.”

“What are they thinking to bring all those airbeats out? Doesn’t it just become unnecessary weight?”

The second years did their best to deduce squad 13’s strategy. Squad 13 had become well known for their eccentric strategies. To add, they always won. Squad 13 had become the student and drill instructor’s hot topic.

‘What are you thinking Han?’

The drill instructors also looked confused looking at all of squad 13’s gear.

“Has Kuro’s psychic level suddenly shot up again?”

“If that were true, we’d know immediately.”

“They have sixteen airbeats. Excluding Kuro, if everyone utilizes two, that leaves ten. There’s no way that Kuro would be capable of controlling all those by himself.”

“If he were capable, they would transfer him with the third years immediately.”

Everyone tried grasping at straws to deduce squad 13’s plans. Just then, the gun signaling the start of the squad battles rung. One person stood on top of the small wooden pillar. Just below, was the safety net. The rules were simple, one simply needed to drop their opponent onto the net to win.

Weeeng!

Each squad members started warming up their airbeats. The members on top of the airbeats got into position. Squad 7 had prepared an all out intensive surprise attack.

‘Our squad is superior in airbeat maneuvering skills and aerial battles. Don’t give them time to proceed with their schemes. That was the reason squad 9 had lost.’

“We will end this by thoroughly beating them.”