Bad Born Blood - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I felt the constriction of the combat suit around my neck. The chest protector was a blend of dull silver and black. The section protecting the chest was slightly thicker.

‘The important parts are the head and chest.’

I alternated between touching my helmet and chest protector.

As long as these parts weren’t blown off, a soldier of the Empire wouldn’t die. If you were still breathing and supplying blood to your brain, the Empire would somehow revive you through cybernetic technology.

Because of this, soldiers of the Empire—even low-ranking ones from poor backgrounds—would increasingly become close to full-body prosthetics the longer they served. Although rare, there were cases where someone started as a low-ranking soldier, survived one battlefront after another, and eventually rose to high-ranking officer status.

Clank.

I checked my gun and sword. They were perfectly clean. The gun gleamed without residue, and the blade’s edge was so sharp it could chill your ears.

“We’re moving out, Kodrak.”

I checked the time and stood up from my position. The resting platoon members followed my lead.

Step, step.

As we exited the barracks, the camp was bustling with soldiers on the move.

In the lead, I saw the armored brigade, wearing black full-body armor. Aside from special forces like the Imperial Guard, they boasted the strongest combat power.

Creak.

We boarded a heavy assault vehicle. Although it was meant to hold 50, it comfortably fit two infantry platoons and, if squeezed, could even take in three.

Thud, thud.

The assault vehicle’s caterpillar tracks rotated roughly.

Whirr.

The interior display of the vehicle activated. Through the eight cameras installed around the vehicle, the outside was visible in a full 360-degree view.

The atmosphere was somber. The platoon that boarded with us wasn’t saying much either.

“Lieutenant Luka.”

Kodrak, sitting next to me, spoke up. I turned my head to look at him.

“Say what you have to.”

I answered briefly. Kodrak let out a small sigh before he spoke.

“I know better than anyone that the Lieutenant is exceptional. I, too, thoroughly check the background of my superiors.”

Kodrak spoke to me with a conciliatory tone. He wasn’t the average personality. Even though I’d been aggressive toward him, he was keeping his composure and showing goodwill.

By this point, it was difficult for me to say anything harsh to Kodrak. It’s not easy to spit on a smiling face.

“…So?”

“When we’re in the field, I hope you’ll consider my advice. I’ve served in the Imperial Army for ten years. While I may not be on the Lieutenant’s level, I’m not entirely incompetent.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. If necessary, I’ll listen to anyone’s advice.”

I gave a slight nod as I spoke. Only then did Kodrak seem to relax, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Creak, creak.

The assault vehicle was advancing toward the front line. We would wait just beyond the turret range of the Arcane Fortress.

‘Once the armored brigade takes out the turrets… we’ll charge into the fortress.’

That was the outline of the operation. Surround the fortress, forming a siege, and conduct an annihilation mission. It was clear we were determined not to let a single rat escape.

Screech!

The assault vehicle halted. Not only our vehicle but dozens of assault vehicles lined up in formation. Between the stopped vehicles, a member of the armored brigade walked forward.

The armored brigade, equipped with sleek full-body armor, charged toward the Arcane Fortress. Their model of full-body armor was the mass-produced Myrmidon. The jet-black Myrmidons included a mix of second- and third-generation units. From a distance, it looked like a swarm of black soldier ants rushing forward.

Around a hundred Myrmidons entered the effective range of the turrets.

We couldn’t even swallow, staring at the display, watching the unfolding battle beyond.

The Arcane Fortress, half-collapsed from the ravages of time, compensated for its lack of structural defense with a Force shield.

Parts of the bluish Force shield were opening, as if crumbling.

‘The bombardment is about to begin.’

Due to the opaque Force shield, visually pinpointing the exact locations of the turrets was challenging.

Vroooom!

Within the Force shield, light particles were gathering and compressing, glowing brightly. Soon, a beam of energy fired from the Arcane Fortress, slicing through the ground in a straight line.

Boom!

The impact shook the assault vehicles.

Whine, whine.

Blue smoke began to rise over the ground. The Myrmidons scattered to dodge the beam. They continued their advance toward the fortress without slowing down.

Whirr!

Another energy beam shot out from a different direction.

While the full-body armor units were large, they were still humanoid in form. Compared to vehicles or ships, they were ridiculously small targets. Their agility and unpredictable movements made it difficult for turrets to hit them.

The Myrmidons dispersed, evading the energy beams. Some were caught within the beam’s range, but only about four or five units were lost.

Finally, some of the Myrmidons collided with the dome-shaped Force shield. They simultaneously drew spears from their backs and swung them.

The spearheads of the Myrmidons were crafted from a special mineral called Holystone. Holystone created a neutralizing reaction with Force energy, causing the shield to temporarily rip open. These weapons were specially designed for this operation.

The torn gap was narrow, and it would soon be restored. However, it provided the Myrmidons with enough space and time to infiltrate the fortress.

“They’ve breached…”

The silent platoon members murmured. In this battle, the success of the Myrmidons was crucial. If they failed, the situation on the battlefield would become dire.

We couldn’t see what was happening inside the Force shield. All we could do was wait for the Myrmidons to come out and report on the turret’s status.

A minute passed. According to the strategic computer, they had enough time to neutralize the turrets.

We focused down to each passing second. Even if the Myrmidons failed to handle the turrets, the Suppression Force would still advance. In that case, we would suffer massive casualties, and deaths would quickly follow.

The time limit was approaching. The faces of the platoon members were tense and rigid. Some were shaking, unable to control their nerves.

-Bzzzzt.

Noise crackled from the communicator. We stared at the screen. One Myrmidon emerged from within, tearing through the Force shield from the inside.

-Turrets have been neutralized. Proceed to the next phase.

Sighs of relief were heard all around.

Unconsciously, I felt the corner of my mouth twitch into a faint smile. The battlefield is a terrible place. Losing one’s life is a tragedy. Yes, I know that well.

But what could I do? I am the kind of person who finds enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment in this terrible tragedy. If I weren’t, I would have lost my mind long ago.

Now, it’s finally my turn to prove my skills.

* * *

The Arcane Fortress had a basic, straightforward structure.

The Force shield and a dual-layer metal wall protected the interior. However, with the wall now half-collapsed, its defensive function was practically nonexistent.

Vroooom!

With help from the Myrmidons, our assault vehicle also neutralized the Force shield and reached the wall. As soon as the hatch opened, we climbed over the wall and entered the interior.

Inside the walls, the Myrmidons, having neutralized the turrets, were already subduing the ground forces.

‘We will clear the underground interior.’

This was the mission assigned to me and the other infantry.

The rebels had modified facilities that were now located in the fortress’s underground levels. The entrance to these underground facilities was narrow, specifically to prevent entry by full-body armor units. This was the limit of the Myrmidons’ operation.

Beep.

I checked the tactical map displayed on my retina. The command had sent us the entry route. All infantry platoons would enter simultaneously through various access points. We would leave the rebels no place to escape.

“Once inside, use only anti-personnel firepower. Unauthorized use of heavy firepower is strictly prohibited.”

I spoke as I watched the entrance to the underground open.

The Empire had conducted a full investigation of this place in the past. A map of the underground was created back then, but now that the rebels had modified the interior, it probably wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

‘If anything, blindly relying on an old map could just lead us straight into a trap.’

The Arcane Fortress’s underground was structured like a maze. Entering without a map would feel like wandering a labyrinth. Even the known depth exceeded a hundred meters.

The entrance was barely wide enough for one person to pass through. We sent a reconnaissance drone inside to confirm the area’s safety before we entered.

As we descended the stairs, the passage gradually widened. Still, it was only enough for two or three people to walk side by side, and the ceiling was low enough that we had to slightly stoop our backs and necks to keep our helmets from hitting it.

Just getting inside took a considerable amount of time. Whatever the rebels had planned, this passage was ideal for stalling.

“Luka, we’re taking this path.”

The cadet platoon leader who entered through the same entrance spoke up at a fork in the path. I wished him good luck and moved in the opposite direction.

“I’ll take point from here.”

At my words, Lieutenant Kodrak flinched.

“…Taking point in a place like this is dangerous, sir.”

The chance of encountering traps or an ambush ahead was very high. In such cases, the lead scout was often the first to die.

“Are you worried about being reprimanded if I die?”

The lieutenant is also something of a guardian for a rookie platoon leader. I was well aware of this.

“To be honest, yes.”

Kodrak spoke without pretense. To be honest… I rather liked Kodrak. He kept up well with my capricious behavior. In many ways, he was a seasoned lieutenant.

“Hmm, that’s true. Even if I’m an Irregular, I’m still a cadet of the Imperial Guard.”

I spoke casually, as if giving his words some thought. A trace of relief flickered in Kodrak’s eyes.

“If you understand…”

I didn’t let Kodrak finish.

“But you see, Kodrak, I don’t care what happens after I die. Whether you or the platoon get demoted or penalized doesn’t concern me.”

I grinned savagely and grabbed the shoulder of the platoon member at the front, shoving him back.

“I’ll say it again. I’m taking point. Just watch my back and follow, you fools.”

I felt a chilling sensation, as if the platoon’s guns were pointed at the back of my head. Someone was likely indulging in a thrilling fantasy of killing their superior right about now.

But they wouldn’t turn that thought into reality. After all, they, too, were loyal soldiers of the Empire—just as I was.