Chapter 409: Greeting the Morning Together (2)

“You worthless idiot!” Vasili shouted into the phone.

“We have trained all the officers in Peru! How could the KGB not know that five hundred special forces soldiers have been deployed there?!”

He put the phone on the table. His riflemen watched him nervously, his harsh Russian making them anxious.

“Blazhenko!”

- Yes, sir!

“Have you suddenly decided that life isn’t worth living or do you just want to see your entire family murdered?”

- Absolutely not, sir!

“Are you trying to take over the KGB while I’m stuck in Mongolia with a measly bullet wound?”

- I’ve sworn my loyalty to you, Director Vasili!

“Then explain this incompetence! Even a monkey wouldn’t have been this sloppy!”

- I will take immediate action, sir!

Vasili glared at the phone as if it were Blazhenko.

“The KGB I know isn’t like this. It’s an organization that always has its enemy on a leash and puts a bullet in their mouth at the slightest sign of danger.”

- I will ensure we return to being that kind of organization.

“Blazhenko.”

- Yes, Director!

Vasili glanced at Yang Fan before continuing, “I’ll tell you how to save yourself.”

- Thank you, Director!

“Find out why this incident wasn’t reported, trace the funds transferred from Japan, and take appropriate action against those involved, then report back to me.”

- I will provide a report that satisfies you, sir.

“If you’re so tired of your family that you want to kill them all, then this is the perfect opportunity. In recognition of your past achievements, I’ll make sure your children and even your in-laws are completely wiped out.”

- I won’t disappoint you.

Thud!

Vasili slammed the end call button as if trying to gouge out Blazhenko’s eyes.

“I didn’t expect Ziegfeld to use the troops we trained! That bastard has thrown money around so much that everything is in chaos. He even transferred funds through Japan!”

The usually unwavering Vasili now vented his anger in front of Yang Bum.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“He’s bringing an aircraft carrier to America’s doorstep to seize the next-generation energy facility! This is why we need Monsieur Kang to establish a new order in the world of intelligence and finance!”

“We’ve received reports that the US is deploying troops.”

Vasili curled his lips into a cold smile. “They’ll make a show of it, but can they easily pass up the chance to eliminate Monsieur Kang?”

“I suppose we shouldn’t just stay put like this,” Yang Bum said, making Vasili glance at him. “If the KGB gets hit now, it won’t look good in front of Lanok or the US.”

With a smirk, Vasili reached for the phone. He then dialed a number.

Ring. Ring.

Hello?

“Prince Uzman, this is Vasili.”

- The influence of Monsieur Kang is truly remarkable. To think I’d be speaking with Russia’s highest authority.

“I trust you’re aware of the situation, so allow me to get straight to the point. I plan to retaliate by attacking Iran’s next-generation power facility.”

- Shouldn’t we prioritize supporting Monsieur Kang?

Their conversation was swift and intense. Vasili raised his head and gave Yang Bum a look that said, “Watch this.”

“I have already sent troops there. However, both Russia and the Arab world will benefit from breaking something that the US has been expecting before they arrive.”

-

Hmm

.

Uzman’s sigh seemed filled with years of experience.

- Targeting Iran could risk splitting the Arab world again. We’ve just managed to unite it. Have you considered that?

“This is retribution against Iran for siding with the US behind our backs. If we do this under the notion of driving out the US, then this could end up strengthening the unity of the Arab world.”

- So you’re confident that Monsieur Kang can defeat five hundred men?

“That’s not it. Rather, to be the protagonist, he has to at least overcome this level of crisis. Time is short.”

- You are as fearsome a man as I’ve heard. Even if we lose Monsieur Kang, the destruction of Iran’s facility will allow Russia and France to maintain their interests.

Vasili just smiled.

- I’ll contact Iran. Let’s make sure to completely destroy its facility.

“

Spasibo

[1]!”

-

Inshallah

[2].

Finally, the call ended. Vasili raised his index and middle fingers to call over one of his men.

“Launch the fighters on the carrier. Target Iran’s next-generation power facility.”

“

Da

(Да[3])!” the soldier firmly responded. He then quickly sprang into action.

***

Tat-tat-tat! Thud! Tat-tat-tat! Ping! Tat-tat-tat! Ping!

The advancing enemies were using MPi-KMS-72 rifles. Despite its intimidating name, though, it was essentially just a modified Russian AK rifle.

Tat-tat-tat! Thud! Tat-tat-tat! Thud!

Encountering the damned weapon again, Kang Chan thought,

‘I probably killed whoever made those AK rifles in the past.’

Pshoo! Thunk! Pshoo! Ting! Tat-tat-tat! Thud!

As the firefight raged on, the enemies closed the distance down to twenty meters.

Fucking bastards! Do they think they can take us down just because they’re coming in droves?

Kang Chan pulled out a grenade and threw it into the darkness. After a few more gunshots, a fiery explosion erupted amid the enemy ranks.

Boom! Boom!

Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!

Kang Chan’s men, now highly trained operatives, immediately followed his lead. They pulled out their grenades and threw them one after another.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The explosions devastated their opponents’ formation. Before their enemies could regroup, they quickly took aim and shot them in the head.

They had to kill as many enemies as possible before they could halve the current gap between them.

Ting!

A soldier beside Yoon Sang-Ki removed the grenade’s safety pin and swung his arm.

Pshoo! Thunk!

Blood splattered from his head. He fell backward, dropping the grenade on the rooftop wall.

Boom!

The loud explosion blew apart the wall and shook the whole building.

“They’ve got a sniper! Find them!” Kang Chan shouted as he dragged the fallen soldier to the wall. Unfortunately, he had already been unrecognizably mutilated.

Grrr!

Pshoo! Thunk! Thud!

Another soldier fell.

“

Gah! Ugh!

”

Kwak Cheol-Ho hugged the soldier, who was struggling to stop the blood spurting from his neck. He had no means of saving him.

Pshoo! Pshoo! Pshoo!

The longer they took to take out the enemy sniper, the closer the rest of their enemies got to them.

This is unsustainable.

Kang Chan pressed the Push-to-Talk button on his radio.

Chk.

“Machine guns! Now”

Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat! Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat! Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

As Kang Chan commanded, streams of death shot out from the windows on the second floor and the rooftop. Like water from a hose, bullets sprayed wherever the machine guns were aimed.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The enemies' shields shattered, and the bodies and heads of those hiding behind them were ripped apart.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Every man who falls in battle has their own story to tell. Even so, if it’s the lives of our men they want, then we’ll kill as many as we can before our machine gun ammo runs out!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Kang Chan, Kang Chul-Gyu, Cha Dong-Gyun, Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and the other soldiers fought back relentlessly. With their enemies so close, they no longer had trouble seeing and hitting them. However, although they felt as if their enemies should be easy to kill now, dodging incoming bullets while returning fire proved tricky. It made their accuracy drop.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Muzzles breathed out flames with each pull of the trigger, momentarily lighting up a part of the darkness. The recoil hit their shoulders, and the smell of gunpowder filled their noses.

Ratatatatat! Ratatatatat!

Amidst the satisfying gunfire, glorious streams of light shot out, hoping to break apart the enemy ranks.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Due to the close range, the machine guns tore bodies apart in the most gruesome manner. Arms were shredded, necks were ripped open, and heads exploded into pieces. They couldn’t even count how many they had taken out anymore. Mangled corpses just kept piling up in front of them, filling the air with the nauseating smell of blood.

What are these bastards fighting for? Why would they keep rushing at us with white face paint in the middle of the night even though machine guns are tearing them apart?

Why are we in this fucking Cuban land, unexpectedly fighting to the death with Peruvian special forces?

Ratatat! Ratatatat! Ratatat!

For South Korea, or the people in our hearts?

Kang Chan gritted his teeth.

Regardless, we have to survive. Only then can we ponder which of the two answers is correct.

The enemies were now only ten meters away from them. Whether they liked it or not, true hell was upon them.

Chk.

“On my command, we’re charging out! Give it everything you’ve got! Teams One and Two, head downstairs!”

As ordered, Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, Nam Il-Gyu, Cha Dong-Gyun, and Yoon Sang-Ki retreated.

To survive, they had to block the entrance. If the enemies managed to get inside, this small building would be taken over in an instant.

“Let’s go!”

With a roar, they ran downstairs. Kang Chan served as their vanguard, while Yoon Sang-Ki brought up the rear.

Pew! Thud! Pew! Thud!

Kang Chan ducked as bullets flew through the window and smashed into the walls.

Their rifles and equipment rattled as they made their way.

Ratatatat! Ting! Ratatat! Ting!

Ratatat! Thud!

As bullets smashed into the walls, one managed to pierce through a soldier stationed by the window. However, they had no time to look back. Kang Chan had to trust his other comrades to handle it.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Kang Chan and the soldiers who had come down with him pressed against the sides of the entrance.

Ratatatatat! Thud! Ratatatat!

Bullets flew through what was left of the front door. Beside it were two bloodied soldiers.

Chk.

“We’ll hold the main entrance! Don’t let them climb through the windows or over the walls!”

Ratatatat! Ting! Ratatatat! Ting!

Kang Chan pressed his head against the wall to avoid being shot. He then glanced to the side.

“Daye! Cover the rear!”

“Got it!”

“Gérard! Watch our left!” Kang Chan commanded in French, then immediately switched back to Korean. “Yoon Sang-Ki! Right flank!”

Ratatat! Ting! Ratatat! Thud!

Bullets hit what little remained of the kitchen sink, shattering it to pieces.

“

Hooah

!”

Survive first. Worry later.

Kang Chan steeled himself amid the chilling warcries.

“

Uwaah

!”

The enemies’ shouts had changed as they charged all at once.

Crash! Crack!

Soon, their vanguard burst through the front door.

Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk!

The enemies fell to the ground with holes in their foreheads, a testament to how reckless their advance was.

Ratatatat! Thud! Ratatatatatat!

However, as they fell, one managed to pull the trigger. A bullet hit one of Kang Chan’s men, sending him to the ground.

Crash! Crack!

Ratatat! Bang! Ratat! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Using their fallen comrades as shields, the enemies charged on. They knew they were going to die. Hence, they rushed forward with the determination to shoot Kang Chan’s team one last time.

Ratatat! Thud! Whoosh! Thud!

A soldier shooting from the stairs fell to the floor.

This is how an army of five hundred fight against 30 men.

Woosh! Woosh!

In their final moments, they threw themselves toward the rifles.

Kang Chan quickly drew his bayonet. Without it, everything would be over if their opponents managed to grab the barrels of their guns.

As he pushed away an enemy's rifle and plunged the bayonet into its owner’s neck, Gérard and Yoon Sang-Ki took care of the next wave of enemies.

Slash! Slash!

Pshoo! Thunk! Pshoo! Thunk!

On the other side, Nam Il-Gyu cut down the enemies’ throats, while Seok Kang-Ho and Cha Dong-Gyun covered the rear.

Ratatat! Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the middle of the crossfire, Kang Chan and Nam Il-Gyu drove their bayonets into the necks of the advancing hostiles. This was the only way to stop them from rushing toward their rifles. If they managed to block all of their lines of fire, everyone in this building would die.

Woosh!

Kang Chan grabbed an enemy’s helmet and pulled it.

You bastards! You didn’t expect us to fight like this, did you?

Shik!

He drove the bayonet into the enemy’s neck. At the same time, Gérard and Yoon Sang-Ki shot the next wave of enemies in the forehead and between the eyes.

You fuckers didn’t think the South Korean special forces could fight this well, huh?

Crack!

Kang Chan dashed toward the door and grabbed the chest of an enemy bursting in.

We’ve already fought a battle like this in Africa!

Thunk!

“

Ugh

!”

Why do you keep charging to your deaths?

As Kang Chan pulled out the bayonet, the foreheads and eyes of the advancing enemies exploded.

Whip!

Kang Chan urgently glanced outside. If he or Kang Chul-Gyu were to get killed here, the two men behind them would be left unguarded.

Ratatatatat! Ratatatat!

Thud! Thud!

At that moment, loud gunfire echoed from outside the door. Nam Il-Gyu and Cha Dong-Gyun shuddered violently before collapsing to the floor.

There was no time to tend to them. Even Seok Kang-Ho could die at any moment.

“Retreat!”

Clack! Clack!

Kang Chan raised the rifle slung over his shoulder and stepped back. He then switched to three-round burst mode.

Ratatat! Ratatat! Ratatat! Ratatat!

He fired three bullets with each pull of the trigger.

Clack.

It made his shots deadlier. However, it used up ammunition quickly.

“Daye!”

Seok Kang-Ho, Gérard, and Yoon Sang-Ki fired back relentlessly. At the same time, Kang Chan switched magazines without lowering his rifle. Afterward, he continued shooting opponents.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Reloading!” Seok Kang-Ho shouted. At the same time, the enemies began to focus on the door more intently.

Ratatatatat! Ratatat! Ratatatat!

Unless they were immortal, there was no way to survive being shot in the heart or head.

Woosh! Woosh!

Kang Chan, Gérard, and Yoon Sang-Ki hugged the wall to avoid enemy fire. Finding an opening, they then quickly retaliated.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Woosh! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Ratatat! Ratatat! Ratatat!

The enemies charged faster than Kang Chan’s team could pull the trigger. Moreover, they kept returning fire as they advanced.

Wham!

An enemy rushed toward the barrel of Kang Chan’s gun. In response, Kang Chan slammed his rifle into the enemy’s nose and blew up his head.

Woosh

!

This is why you need a bayonet.

Two more rushed toward him.

Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk!

The foreheads and brows of the enemies charging from behind exploded like fireworks.

Kang Chan didn’t have to look back to know who it was. He was well aware that only Kang Chul-Gyu could shoot with such precision in this dark building.

In that short period, Kang Chan quickly switched to single-shot mode.

Click.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Come at me!”

It would be great if they could keep shooting from the stairs. However, their enemies weren’t stupid. They’d just shoot up the stairs and turn it into a death trap.

“I said come at me!”

Bang! Thunk! Bang! Thunk! Tat! Tat! Bang!

The enemies charged, seemingly determined to put an end to all this. Kang Chan and his men had no time to drag Nam Il-Gyu and Cha Dong-Gyun off the floor.

Ratatatat! Thud!

As a soldier next to the window fell back, Kang Chul-Gyu managed to descend the stairs, albeit barely.

“Yoon Sang-Ki! Cover the window!”

If the enemy managed to through that window, everything would be over.

Pshoo! Pshoo! Pshoo!

In that dark room, barrels flashed endlessly. With each bullet fired, an enemy fell to the floor.

1. Spasibo (спасибо) means 'thank you' in Russian ☜

2. Inshallah (?? ??? ????) means 'God willing' or 'if God wills' in Arabic ☜

3. Da (Да) means 'Yes' in Russian ☜