A truck rattles and moves forward at a slow pace.
Through the gaps in the steel-plated window, the fortress’s scenery is reflected.
A sniper stands atop a hastily constructed watchtower made of steel frames, looking down at the surroundings.
Soldiers armed with rifles and worn-out exoskeletons roam the roadside in groups, keeping watch.
The atmosphere is tense.
A heavy sense fitting for a key stronghold and a fortress-like dungeon is conveyed.
As I survey the area, Kiron glances at me with a slight tilt of his head.
“By the way.”
“Yes?”
“This is just my personal opinion, but….”
Kiron, who struggles to express his thoughts, seems uncomfortable interacting with me, so I gently push his back.
“You can say it, it’s okay.”
“…Yes. I think we could easily solve the situation using that ship earlier instead of sneaking into the fortress and taking risks.”
At first glance, it seems like a reasonable logic.
As Kiron said, we possess strong military power in the form of a cruiser.
It’s a difference much beyond what even the strongest forces among the Fallen, the Iron Legion, can rival.
But that’s also a statement made from knowing one part while not knowing the other.
“Hmm, do you think Adamant will surrender easily, Kiron?”
“Yes? Is there anyone who would surrender when faced with such a monstrous thing?”
“Most would, but—”
I lightly flick my index finger to point at Kiron.
“Humans are not as rational as one might think.”
They always act logically and pursue the best option.
That’s easy to say.
In the world outside the Fangju, power is law and truth, an absolute value that exists above everything.
Someone raised in such a place, would they just throw away the status and power they have painstakingly earned? No way.
Therefore, Adamant, the owner of this fortress and leader of the Iron Legion, will most likely choose to resist.
The more one has achieved, the harder it is to let go.
He would probably only consider surrender after the fortress is burning and most of his subordinates are dead.
Such a victory holds no meaning for us, who have our sights set on the enemy’s soldiers.
Thus, we are here.
Assassination operation.
A tactic to eliminate the enemy’s command structure and weaken them by taking out their leadership.
This is the only way to swallow all of the fortress’s troops.
“Is that so…?”
Kiron tilts his head, seemingly unable to understand.
“Well, you’ll understand soon enough.”
As we have that conversation, a truck arrives at a garage filled with many vehicles.
From a technical with a small cannon in the cargo area to a makeshift armored vehicle constructed from a tractor with steel plates.
Cars modified to fit the concept of an apocalypse.
Passing through, Nisia parks the vehicle in a suitable spot and operates her exosuit.
[Disabling automatic driving function for large vehicles.]
A low rumble emanates from the exosuit.
While glancing around, I sense no presence.
“Alright, shall we go?”
“Yeah, but what about Edu?”
Nisia asks.
Unlike Kiron, who wears clothes that don’t draw suspicion, I’m dressed in a Fangju commander outfit.
Naturally, it stands out.
With my small stature and inability to walk alone, disguising is meaningless anyway, but still.
I respond to Nisia’s question with a sly smile.
“There’s always a way. Did you bring what I mentioned?”
“Yeah, you mean this?”
She pulls out a large canister and a mounted machine gun connected to a belt from the back seat of the truck.
They were heavy enough that even a strong adult would struggle to handle them, but the motors in her worn exosuit allow her to manage it.
The canister and machine gun are set between Nisia and me.
“That’s right, can you release this and press that?”
“Got it.”
Following my instructions, Nisia unlocks the latch on the top of the round canister and presses the opening button.
With a hissing sound, stale air bursts out, and the wide lid of the canister opens.
Although there are quite a few bullets left, there’s enough empty space inside the canister.
Confirming that, I stretch my arms towards Kiron.
“Kiron, could you help me get inside?”
“…Into this canister?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Kiron carefully slips his hands under my armpits and places me inside the canister.
If I squat down in that position, my body fits entirely inside the canister.
“Oh, that’s what you were aiming for….”
“Yep, I figured my small body would make it possible.”
This is a tactical concealment that fully utilizes my physique.
Isn’t this what the saying “use an asset in the right place” is for?
This is tactical….
“Isn’t that a bit dangerous?”
“It’ll be fine.”
It’s not like we’re charging head-on against the enemy and clearing them; this operation is about disguising and infiltrating.
“Oh, but just to be safe, should I summon a little drone? Kiron, is that okay?”
“What’s a little drone?”
Kiron tilts his head in confusion.
“Umm, let me show you. Summon, little drone.”
– Consuming MP to summon a familiar.
A blue wave rises, and a round drone appears in my hand.
“Whoa?”
Kiron’s eyes widen, as if it’s the first time he’s seen someone use a skill.
“This is how it looks; what do you think?”
“Ah, ummm….”
Kiron snaps back to reality at my question.
After quietly observing the little drone, Kiron nods.
“I think this will do. The Iron Legion uses similar equipment, but….”
As he speaks, he digs into his pocket.
What he pulls out after rummaging around is a scruffy piece of cloth and a nut that one wonders why he possesses.
“I’ll need to disguise it a bit.”
He covers the little drone with the cloth and hooks the nut onto the small antenna that’s exposed outside.
It’s a simple disguise, but that alone changes the little drone’s clean atmosphere to a dull one.
“That’s about right.”
“Looks good, shall we start?”
Kiron and Nisia nod at my words.
Once I tuck my body snugly into the canister, Nisia operates the button again.
The lid closes, and metallic sounds can be heard from outside.
– Edu, I’m waking up.
“Yeah.”
As I respond and wait a moment, the canister suddenly jolts.
Then, a metallic sound rings out as it connects with something, causing the canister to rattle rhythmically.
‘Looks like it’s walking after getting down.’
I sit cross-legged, using my left hand to check the little drone’s view in hologram form and unlocking skills I think I’ll need this time.
‘Main armament disarmed for the Marionette, KM16A1 5.56mm Assault Rifle.’
The M16A1, a Western-style assault rifle, is something that feels missing if not featured in a work involving guns, along with the AK.
The K in front, having no basis, reflects a game developer’s struggle not to pay licensing fees, as many FPS games do.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the main armament KM16A1 5.56mm Assault Rifle of the Marionette.
I check the notification and move on to the next one.
Since it’s a penetration operation, this level of armament should suffice; unlocking the supplementary armament and countermeasures should be sufficient.
‘Disarming supplementary armament of the Marionette, Micro KUZI.’
The Micro Uzi, a derivative of the Uzi submachine gun using 9x19mm rounds, is a smaller version of the firearm.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the supplementary armament Micro KUZI of the Marionette.
‘Disarming countermeasure equipment of the Marionette, Infantry Set.’
A set containing basic infantry equipment made up of a plate carrier, bulletproof helmet, leg pouch, and belt.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the countermeasure equipment Infantry Set of the Marionette.
‘Then with that, the important stuff is all set…’
As I collect my thoughts, I also unlock a few special modifications for the Marionette.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the special modification – Joint Parts Upgrade of the Marionette.
An upgrade that enhances the joint structure and components of the Marionette, giving it improved agility and mobility.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the special modification – Combat Algorithm Enhancement of the Marionette.
An upgrade that enhances the AI related to combat for the Marionette, dramatically improving its combat performance.
– Using 2 skill points to unlock the special modification – New Material Armor Plate of the Marionette.
An upgrade that improves the Marionette’s armor, making it lighter and sturdier to enhance its defense and mobility.
‘That should be good enough?’
As I ponder this, I hear someone’s voice from beyond the canister.
– What’s up, kid? Kiron, right? What brought you here?
A coarse male voice from a middle-aged man.
The shaking of the canister comes to a stop, indicating that Kiron and Nisia seem to be talking to someone.
I quickly shift my gaze to check the view from the little drone, and a figure appears on the screen.
A large individual.
His unkempt beard is not in the least bit groomed, giving off more of a crude feeling than a stylish one.
He seems to wear a patchwork of various military uniforms, giving the impression that he couldn’t find clothes to fit his size.
On top of his head rests a helmet wrapped in grimy fabric.
‘Ah, that guy…’
One of the mid-bosses of the 33rd frontline fortress.
The Giant Duralu.
He’s not a real giant; it’s just a moniker.
In AOE, he was merely an ordinary mid-boss, thus not much interest was held, but he appears to have a connection with Kiron.
– I have a matter to discuss with the unit commander.
Kiron replies.
Duralu, after emitting a chuckle, finally slowly opens his mouth without responding.
– Huh? Huh? You’re being a bit short on words, Kiron?
– Don’t bother me, just move aside! We’ve become commanders on the same level, haven’t we?
– Just because our ranks are the same doesn’t mean we’re equal. Right, guys?
At Duralu’s question, his underlings chuckle in response.
A clear attitude that ridicules Kiron.
I feel a strange sensation as this demeanor that wasn’t seen in the game unfolds, along with an underlying tension from the situation taking an unexpected turn.
– Don’t be in such a rush, Kiron. I’m just happy to see you after such a long time—
Duralu’s voice suddenly cuts off.
His large nose twitches.
– Sniff, what’s that? There’s a strangely sweet smell.
In an instant, Duralu’s expression changes.
His gaze turns towards the canister where I am hiding, captured by the little drone’s camera.
– Hey, Kiron.
Unlike earlier, when he was playful, his voice grows serious.
– What did you hide in there?
