Here is the translated text:
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Resolved? The matter that had most complicated my mind before the training was resolved. Besides this, other issues I didn’t know about and couldn’t figure out how to handle were also resolved, allowing me to maintain the highest level of concentration in the final stages of training preparation.
I thought I could live a leisurely life for a while after this training, so I didn’t let my guard down, and the day of the awaited training finally arrived.
“Please report on each team’s standby status.”
“Team 1 is ready.”
After hearing Esmeralda’s brief report, there was no sign of Team Leader Angelique from Team 2.
“Team 2 hold reporting. I’ll request a report from Team 3.”
“Team 3 is done preparing.”
“Team 4 is also done preparing.”
As I nodded at the consecutive reports coming in, I checked the positions of each team marked on the monitors inside the control tower.
The training conducted in the training ground set up in the mountains involves four teams randomly assigned to specific locations, aiming to capture a target point.
While this training isn’t directly related to Earth invasion, there’s no better way to assess each team’s combat and response capabilities.
Most importantly, as someone who has designed many high-ground capture trainings, this one was particularly straightforward.
This is a training that most people affiliated with the Seoul Branch have experienced, and knowing they are veterans, I understand how they respond in various situations.
Each team splits into two squads; one squad acts as headquarters, while the other moves to capture the high ground. Headquarters has facilities to oversee the overall situation and always informs the capture team of any developments, helping them resolve situations.
And I create specific scenarios to cause chaos among the teams once the training grounds are ready.
As the designer, I don’t participate in this training and don’t reveal any details to the participants.
There is only one thing they know: they must scatter to designated locations to capture the high ground, and during the training, everyone is an enemy, so they can interfere with other teams in any manner.
“It would be good if everyone prepares themselves.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at the monitor in the control tower.
I have had quite a bit of training experience, and there have been many instances where I thought the training was poorly designed.
Even imagining how my colleagues would react to the meticulously designed training made me laugh, despite trying to hold back the smile.
Since I’ve participated in many high-ground capture trainings, like my colleagues, I have extensive experience. Knowing how they react in different situations, I’m well aware of what they dislike the most.
“Team 2 is fully prepared.”
After hearing the report from Team 2, I sent a uniform communication to all team leaders.
“All teams are confirmed ready. I’ll inform you of the situation in 30 minutes. Please wait at your positions.”
Before starting the training, I began the final checks.
Usually, training at the Seoul Branch lasts three days with rest on arrival and departure days. All training typically happens on the second day, but this time it was different.
Training that runs through the night until morning of the next day is scheduled today.
“Facilities are in order.”
Sitting alone in front of the control tower monitor, I quickly checked the training facilities one last time. Thirty minutes had already passed since I told the team leaders to wait, and I informed each team to start the training.
“Maintain formation and immediately report anything identifiable ahead.”
Klugger, leading Team 3, gave instructions to his teammates and slowly moved through the forest.
All teams were divided into headquarters and capture teams, with team leaders exclusively part of the headquarters. Therefore, ordinary soldiers had to capture the high ground, and since Klugger had been assisting from the start, Team 3 wouldn’t face any issues.
“They wouldn’t make it that easy.”
Although this could be advantageous for Team 3, Klugger felt uneasy.
Aiden usually appears indecisive and powerless, but when given a task, he becomes sensitive and ruthless. Klugger was certain that Aiden planned this training with unprecedented ruthlessness, given the significant responsibility.
“This is 3-B. Nothing unusual ahead.”
“Confirmed. 3-A, C, D. Maintain formation and move.”
Upon receiving Theo’s reconnaissance report from further ahead, Klugger directed the separated teams to move.
“Why haven’t we received any contact?”
It was typical for a single situation to be presented at the beginning of the training. Klugger waited for headquarters’ instructions, expecting Aiden to act from the start, but heard nothing through the communication device.
Due to one-way communication, only headquarters could relay situations to the capture teams, and verifying each situation individually was impossible.
Therefore, waiting for communication and moving slowly was the only option.
“Hold it. Everyone stop.”
While crossing the forest step by step, Klugger sensed something amiss and halted his teammates. He then used his communication device to send a signal to headquarters. As mentioned, due to one-way communication, Klugger’s signal did not reach anyone.
However, stopping and waiting would ensure headquarters contacted them. Checking the situation and confirming moving teams were both tasks of the headquarters.
If people who should be moving weren’t, it would naturally raise concerns.
No communication came from headquarters.
“Could it be…”
Theo looked dazed, as if he had a hunch.
Klugger rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply, raising his head to look at the sky with a scowl.
“Aiden! This damn punk!”
The training from tonight until tomorrow morning aims to use communication to fulfill each team’s role and capture the high ground.
Communication would be crucial in this training, and every team would likely try to disrupt others’ communications.
But what if the most critical communication was disabled from the start? What if no means were left?
Among the training sessions I’ve undergone, the worst involved a complete breakdown of the communication system. In such an environment where identifying allies’ positions was impossible, every step became stressful, driving people insane.
The control tower monitor showed countless signals being sent by scattered personnel.
“I believe it will be resolved.”
Unlike other teams, Team 3 has a commander role even among regular soldiers. This could be a significant advantage in this training, although Klugger’s influence was more prominent before personnel changes.
How the new teammates will accept Klugger’s role will be decided in this training. And evaluating this would fall on Klugger, who recently returned.
Soon, the members of each team started moving.
Some teams might have detected communication failures, while others might still be unaware.
Headquarters of each team were busier than ever. They kept sending signals via communication devices, but the signals never reached their destination. The location receiver, showing each person’s position, indicated how busy the teams were moving.
“Now everyone knows.”
I raised my hand to the button controlling the training facility from the control tower.
Those who haven’t figured it out yet will realize there’s a problem with communication when they see no contact after the incident.
Pressing the button triggered a loud explosion in the mountain where the training was taking place.
Shaken by the explosion, Klugger stopped all his teammates and surveyed the surroundings.
“What’s that? Where did it come from?”
“The sound wasn’t just one.”
Initially, the team was split into A, B, C, and D for smoother movement. Upon detecting communication failure, they closed ranks and moved together.
Concentrating on the explosions nearby, they searched the surroundings and identified the blast location by the smoke rising above.
“Behind us?”
“This guy. Starting with this kind of crap.”
Behind them. An explosion occurred along the path 3rd Team’s capture team had just passed.
There are multiple routes to the high ground: forest paths that aren’t roads and cleared paths suitable for movement.
With the explosion disrupting the path, using it properly became impossible.
“Isn’t this more like a survival exercise?”
Theo, like Klugger, was stressed from the start of the difficult environment.
Food wasn’t a concern as the training lasted overnight. Regular soldiers, accustomed to many trainings, could endure the hunger for a night.
The problem was weapons.
The small electronic cannons provided for this training required battery replacements. Though some spares were carried, they would inevitably run out during intense combat.
Then, Aiden blocked the supply line from the start by causing explosions.
“Blocking communication and destroying supplies. Is he trying to provoke us?”
“Who knows what else will happen, but we need to stay alert.”
Returning was impossible. Moving forward, dissatisfaction among teammates about the given situation began to surface.
Since this was a common occurrence during training, Klugger didn’t pay much attention.
What Klugger was most concerned about now was direction.
“Don’t move too recklessly.”
“We just need to get to the target point. Other teams are probably confused too. Wouldn’t it be best to move as quickly as possible?”
“…!”
Before Klugger finished speaking, a small light flashed beside a tree ahead, revealing a large web-like object that enveloped the team members walking in front.
“Psycho Net?!”
Caught in the wide net, the suits of the team members failed to function, trapping them in place.
Those watching could do nothing but observe the scene unfold.
Aiden’s planted explosives caused physical damage but controlled the movements of those caught in the net.
Effectively, this meant they were out of the training.
But momentarily shocked, they listened to sounds from deeper in the forest and, upon regaining their senses, found themselves surrounded by gun barrels from all sides.
“Take cover!”
At Klugger’s shout, everyone moved simultaneously as numerous electronic projectiles flew from the guns, covering the forest area.
Despite finding cover, the shooting didn’t stop.
“Doing this kind of thing too?”
Recalling an old training session, Klugger examined the terrain struck by electronic projectiles. Trees and rocks remained unscathed, suggesting the output was low.
Yet, rushing out blindly was not an option.
“There’s no choice.”
Klugger took out an electronic cannon battery, hiding himself, and threw it high. The mounted cannon fired at the unexpected object.
Though the battery survived the impact, it fell to the ground. Klugger checked its condition from a distance.
Power only flows to the battery when inserted into the electronic cannon, but if there’s a problem, a safety light comes on.
However, no safety lights were activated.
“Be careful not to get hit. There might be issues with the equipment.”
Recognizing the special functions of the electronic cannon, Klugger observed the forest, his eyes glaring at Aiden.
“We can’t just hide forever.”
“Let’s retreat in a low profile. It looks like we’ll have to go around quite a bit.”
“Confirmed.”
Theo started moving from a low profile, and Klugger followed the team moving ahead.
Every time a body was exposed, the electronic cannon pinpointed the location almost instantly. Fortunately, thanks to quick concealment, they avoided being hit.
They continued moving for a while. Noticing Teo had stopped, Klugger wondered what happened and checked ahead.
“Teo, what’s going on?”
“Looks like it’s over.”
Curious, Klugger quickly moved to the front and spotted another team moving in low profile from a distance, similar to them.
“Did he plan for this too?”
Frustrated by the setup involving communication disruption, supply line blockage, and inability to advance, there was a way to overcome these challenges. Finding a method allowed movement, and Klugger wasn’t the only one thinking this.
Aiden created an environment forcing interaction with opposing team members during the training. Frustrated by Aiden’s continuous creation of such environments, Klugger cursed him again internally.
