Kill The Dragons - Chapter 52

Sergeant Red called for Han separately before starting their tactical meeting. He had also met with Silence and Simon separately beforehand. Han had been the last. Sergeant Red was inside a room filled with thick smoke. A thick, musty smell wafted from the room despite the air vent spinning in the corner of the room’s ceiling.

“Why did you include me for this military operation?”

Han took the initiative to ask questions. Sergeant Red laughed.

“Why do you think so?”

“I’m not trying to brag, but I’m one of the top students amongst second years. However, there should be many more outstanding individuals stationed among the third years. There shouldn’t be a reason to include me for the superior results I have made so far.”

Han spoke his thoughts honestly. Sergeant Red nodded.

‘His analysis is always objective and on point, as expected.’

Sergeant Red peered toward Han.

Among those who had survived from the dimensional crack zone, the second years and squad leaders, had become greatly mentally disabled, and had not fully recovered yet.

However, every member from Han’s squad had survived, and Han himself quickly recovered and returned to his daily tasks. Only those who had fought actual battles would understand how difficult this feat is.

Humans are not robots. Humans are bound to break down at some point in battle while they try to cope with abnormal living conditions. The only difference is the training and mental condition.

‘He is a monster. He’s not too different when compared to experienced war veterans.’

He maintains his objectivity while making his decisions for the team. If a battle A.I. had been invented, Sergeant Red predicted it would be a being similar to Han.

There was a time when Sergeant Red had thought Han to be a psychopath. Han had not scored high enough to qualify as a psychopath in the psychology tests, but because he is so intelligent it could be possible that Han had purposely answered in a way to avoid receiving the diagnosis.

Han’s general battle prowess scored him as an outstanding candidate for ‘killer and soldier.’ Many factors had pointed him to the possibility.

He held no qualms about annihilating enemies. He could maintain distance from emotions that make humans weak.

‘However, psychopaths are unable to become respectable commanders.’

He has shouldered the responsibility of caring for a group of orphaned children, he has stood as a pillar of support for Kuro’s weak mental strength, and last of all he didn’t view his squad members as tools, and instead considered each person as a real human being first.

He holds a strong will to not run away from his responsibilities, nor does he try to blame others. Psychopaths are unable to emotionally connect with others to this degree.

Sergeant Red had sent Han’s data and records to an outside specialist to analyze his mental and emotional state.

‘He was probably originally a very sentimental and considerate person. His personality type strongly cares for those around himself. He’s used to shouldering heavy burdens for others. He experienced losing his family and close friends early on, so he has a tendency to obsess over every detail. He will use that mental prowess to identify his foes and block off all emotional attachments to protect his clique. He has a strong will to protect himself and his group from outside forces.’

Sergeant Red peered into Han’s eyes. What Han requires now is not training, but real battle experience.

“Our military operation is not a punitive expedition. We require excellent situational judgment skills over battle strength. Your insight and judgement excel over others. Do you have any other questions?”

“No sir.”

“If we consider overall battle strength, Silence and Simon have superior skills. What this team requires of you, is not battle strength, but your quick analytical skills for all situations. I’m sure you’re able to deduce your role in the team without further instructions, correct?”

“Yes sir.”

Han salute and exited the room. Han was able to extract a lot of information from this short meeting.

‘Sergeant Red’s goal was to obtain as much real life battle experience as possible for Simon and I. He added on many other small details, but the most important part of this operation is to acquire as much experience as possible. Silence has been added to this team to make up for our lacking battle strength.’

Silence has blink teleportation. This skill overpowers foes lacking intelligence. Werewolves will not even be able to put up a fight against Silence’s blink ability as they’re cut in two, one after another.

Han took a short nap during the remaining time period. He fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes, and then woke when his data bracelet alarm rang.

Wooong!

The plane engine booted. Unpleasant memories flashed in Han’s mind upon seeing the plane. He remembered all the second years who had died from the plane explosion.

Han momentarily closed his eyes and focused his mind. He opened his eyes again and stepped onto the plane.

A black crow was painted on the corner of the hanger deck. This was one of the four high speed assault transport planes in existence. The cost to construct this plane had been astronomical, but the maintenance costs that exceeded the budget many times were what almost lead it to be junked. However, Ark travels worldwide on a daily basis so they had made a special exception. This plane is operated by Ark on an extremely strict budget. The other two are out on a military operation, and the remaining one is being repaired.

The pilot and control tower repeatedly exchanged radio messages throughout the flight. Squad Whisky took seats inside the plane, as Sergeant Red began the team briefing.

“Our military operation name is Catching the Wizard*. This squad will infiltrate the dimensional crack zone, suppress the Elu mage that had bombed the planes, and capture it alive. The chain of command is me, Han, Simon, and then Silence.”

Silence has excellent battle strength, but his communication skills are poor. It would be impossible for someone unable to talk to lead a squad. Han had been a squad leader during second year so it was natural that Han was second in command.

“We will drop around eight kilometers from our destination. Elu mages have various unique psychic skills, including being able to teleport. If it is not able to oppress us, it is likely to escape immediately by teleportation.”

As the plane flew higher, the atmosphere grew heavier. Simon and Han were not the type to initiate light jokes, and they were not friendly enough to bother chatting.

Ta-tap, Ta-tap.

-Don’t be scared. Young brats (lol).

Silence typed out using his data bracelet. The text flashed on his helmet shield. Silence was a long time veteran of this field who had been deployed for countless military operations. He had remained in Ark as a student the longest out of everyone.

“There will definitely be Elu warriors guarding the Elu mage. If you wish for more information, you can read a more detailed report through your data bracelets.”

Han and Simon turned on the holograms of their data bracelets. Detailed information on the Elu mage and warriors popped u

Han had already read and memorized everything, but he read through it another time. Elu warriors had slightly less powerful psychic skills than the mages.

‘Though they are of lower rank, they’re as powerful as a strong psyker. Our only advantage is our advanced gear.’

The Elu tribe is speculated to be naturally talented at manipulating psychic energy since birth. The more powerful one is, the higher class they are ranked. Ark had differentiated the different ranks by specific names.

“We have arrived.”

The pilot said. The plane made a landing in a clearing amongst the dense jungle. The engine shook.

“The order will be Silence, Simon, and then Han. The direction orientation will be based on the plane tail at 12, 7, 3, and 6 o’clock. We will be in linear formation; the order will remain the same. Keep visuals of the front, right, left, and back.”

Silence opened the hatch and jumped off. He stood in position while keeping alert. Next, Sergeant Red followed him out. As ordered, the rest of the squad stepped out. After everyone got out, the plane departed. Hot air blew past the squad who were well hidden.

-Best luck to you, Whisky-1.

With that last message, the plane disappeared.