Chapter 366 – Exile (8)
Because it was a video communication, I was able to see the representative of the warlord alliance.
Was he around 60 years old? A typical soldier has more wrinkles than his peers, a stern face, and dark eyes.
“Kirillov, can I call you General Kirillov?”
I saw the name badge and rank insignia on the military uniform he was wearing.
The Russian military is confusing because all its officers have stars on their rank insignia. Since he was old, they called him general.
[Krylov. His rank is lieutenant general.]
It was a much higher rank than expected.
“Seo Jin-su. “You can call me manager.”
[Everyone on this floor knows you. Because we cleaned up those damn Chinese bastards. Moreover, they modify Gulagbots and use them as combat units, right?]
“Is that what they call orthodontic robots there?”
During the War of Infection, many Soviet legacies were revived, the most famous of which was the Gulag.
[Any prison camp was on the verge of collapse, so the guards who worked 24 hours a day without sleep were useful. Although the number was small, those who had been to the gulag at least once would grind their teeth at the robot.]
“I guess that’s not why you refused our help? “There are people from the Gulag among the warlords.”
Krylov waved both hands.
[Nonsense! Would they reject the only strong military with air force power for that reason?]
There was envy in Krylov’s voice that could not be hidden.
To be honest, I felt proud of his attitude. If nothing else, the Air Force is a unique privilege of our shelter.
“Why are you rejecting us when you know so well our power? Even in this situation, is it burdensome to borrow power from foreign powers? “The distinction between countries is already meaningless.”
[It is not a foreign power, but a foreign army. Although these two look similar, there is a big difference.]
“I have no intention of playing with words.”
[It may be just a play on words to a strong person like you, but it means a lot to us.]
Krylov sighed.
[I tell you, I want to ask you for help. Other commanders are confident of victory, but honestly, I am anxious.]
“Because there are always variables on the battlefield. Especially if you’re fighting people you’ve never heard of before.”
The most frightening enemy is an unknown enemy.
I know enough to know that I’ve been fighting against infectious agents for 5 years, but Exile is a completely separate entity.
As a veteran who has been a soldier for a long time and has experienced all kinds of situations, he seems to be concerned about this.
[The problem is that this side also has all kinds of political interests, grudges, and responsibilities intertwined. Do you know that there was a commander who was kicked out of his position as a result of you saving the watermill village?]
“The village would not be under the influence of a particular warlord. “It was just a coalition of civilian camps, right?”
I couldn’t understand why the commander of an odd warlord who had no particular responsibility was kicked out.
[That guy has always held a lot of grudges. All he has shown is his incompetence in dealing with threats in his own area. Then, the residents and subordinates exploded at the sight of a foreign army rescuing their compatriots.]
“‘What on earth are you doing, pretending to be such an idiot?’ Or something like that?”
[Yes! Is it common there too? Well, it’s probably the same wherever people live.]
Krylov chuckled and made the shape of his pistol with his fingers. Put it on your head.
[I was in a situation where I would be shot if I messed up, so I admitted to my lack of ability and came down. Well, word got out, and he was deported with his family a few days later.]
“I guess there are a lot of people who are anxious that they might end up in the same situation?”
[That’s why you can’t miss this opportunity.]
It is a typical method of resolving internal dissatisfaction with external threats.
Moreover, the threat is not just a group of thieves, but monsters from hell that annihilate villages.
It is perfect for uniting subordinates and residents.
[The soldier who escaped after smearing his body with poop received three medals for this incident. What do managers think this means?]
“The balls are big, but three is too much. I guess it’s like a reward for protecting their position.”
Krylov must have seen the look of contempt on my face and gave me a straight face.
[The manager is not wrong, but I hope you don’t look at it too harshly. They will also have a lot of difficulties. The land is large, but communication and supply have been destroyed. How can we protect it all?]
The general defended those who were once his subordinates in his own way.
“Well, in that respect, our country is more comfortable.”
As of before the war, the Korean army numbered 500,000 and the Russian army numbered 1.5 million.
The size of the army is three times that of the army, but the amount of land to cover is dozens of times greater, not to mention the terrain and cold.
In a conflict between humans, you only have to protect certain points, but if the opponent is an infected entity, you have to protect the entire country, so it is completely impossible.
It must be unfair that Russian warlord commanders are also criticized for being incompetent.
But what can you do? Being a leader means having to embrace such irrationality.
“I understand the situation. Still, you are a general, a lieutenant general, right? Can’t you persuade those below you with that influence?”
[Under! What use is this in the world right now?]
Krylov grabbed his rank insignia and crumpled it roughly. The rank insignia has been damaged more than once.
[There is no military police or military court now. It’s like returning to a tribal society. In times like these, battalion commanders and regiment commanders who lead hundreds of subordinates in their unit wield the real power. A general is such a bright apricot.]
“How many troops are directly under you?”
[There are only 42 people. Because you deserted so many times.]
“For a general without an army to lead… It’s pitiful.”
[I’m so jealous of you I can’t stand it. Has it already been 5 years since I rode a helicopter? I wish I could fly in the sky even just once.]
Krylov sat down in his chair and looked at the ceiling with faint eyes.
[Hehe, I didn’t take up your time just to complain like this.]
I responded one step ahead to the man scratching his head.
“Where shall I guess? “Are you planning on handing over internal information about the Exile bastards’ base and subjugation operations?”
[How did that…]
Krylov looked surprised.
“Isn’t it obvious? Because I would have done the same to you. “If I can’t persuade my disobedient subordinates, I have to take out insurance on my own.”
Mikhail, who relayed the information, also did not know where the Exile headquarters was or when the operation would begin. Because it was confidential.
[You can bet with peace of mind because the manager is quick-witted.]
“But if we start preparing based on this, won’t the warlords there notice? “There is a spy inside.”
[I wouldn’t really care. Because their goal is to drive out monsters among themselves and make a mark. Rather, you’re hoping to provide subtle help based on that information, right?]
“They are such shameless people.”
[You have to be that tough to be the boss here. I’m not disrespecting your country, but the difficulty of being a head is much higher here.]
I received the materials he sent through a secret line.
“Are you participating in the war too?”
[Of course.]
“Whether I take it or not, it probably won’t have much of an impact.”
[He’s a general in name, but he can’t get lost in such an important fight.]
“You don’t even have command authority, do you? Become a totem from the rear?”
[… Stop beating me up.]
I didn’t want to send a leader who could communicate well into an uncertain battlefield.
This is because it would be convenient to have a conversation with someone like Krylov in future exchanges.
But he persisted. His argument is that when the land and people are in danger, we should at least take a club and go out.
“Still, it looks like we have a good chance of winning.”
The power of the joint punitive force sent by Krylov was beyond imagination.
In terms of size, it was less than a Chinese brigade, but it had many armored units.
Although it was not possible to pursue the Chinese brigade due to problems with fuel and repair parts, it was possible to attack the Exile nest within the territory.
[This is also a place where people live. I don’t just send my subordinates to the extreme out of greed for power or to protect my position. Since it’s really worth a try, they don’t want to involve foreign forces.]
“It’s all good, but are you sure about the number of Exiles?”
It is said that the soldier who escaped after covering himself with poop did his best to check out the nest.
The number he guessed was roughly between 500 and 700. He assured that even taking into account the error, there would never be a thousand.
[Because if you doubt that, the operation itself will be impossible in the first place. That soldier was elite enough to be included in the investigation team, and since he returned from their lair alive, his keen eye is guaranteed.]
Looking back, the largest number of group activities was around 100, and the rest were all small-scale activities.
As Artemis said, it is a species in its infancy, so it may only number in the hundreds.
“We also have information to share.”
It was reported that not all Exiles discovered so far are adults, that immature individuals are also pregnant and can hibernate at will, and other physical information obtained through dissection.
[Thank you. I will definitely pass this on to everyone.]
“Okay. I hope I live to see you again.”
[Like a general without command, he will be hiding in the rear. Our main mission is to provide cooking support.]
“Oh, was it Jjambap? Actually, it would be the perfect thing for the current general to do.”
I ended the communication while looking at Krylov’s crumpled face.
* * *
“Are you really going to take a wait-and-see approach?”
Artemis asked.
“They say they will take care of it, but there is nothing they can do. If we go in with a strong determination and then point guns at each other in front of Exile, it will be neither oatmeal nor bread.”
It is not just the unification of the command system that is important. Unity of operations is also important.
“Just be ready to leave at any time.”
“That’s over. “Our military doesn’t need to go to the bathroom or sleep like humans do.”
I checked the video of the strike force in formation and in sleep mode at the outpost.
Everyone is standing and waiting under the tent wrapped to block the wind and dust.
Certainly, leading an army of machines is convenient in this respect. This means that all troops can be operated on standby for 1 minute.
And so the quiet time before the storm passed.
Drone carriers floating in the sky captured Exiles intermittently active.
Interestingly, they seem to have a taste for hunting infectious agents.
In some ways, infectious agents are easier prey than animals that are small and fast, hide well, and have good sense of awareness.
They don’t hide, they’re relatively slow, and they rush at you aggressively.
Watching the bloody battle between the infected and Exile was much more enjoyable than expected.
This is because it is exciting and there is no sympathy or underdog effect.
Just say ‘Come on! Now, let’s kill each other!’ Just enjoy it.
Exile, running with the posture of a lizard and the momentum of a gorilla, passes by the walker and swings his hand.
[Keeeee will williee!]
Walker, with his hair cut off, knelt and leaned to the side. Because of the cold, steam rose from the cut section of the neck.
Exile bit the head of the rolling walker. The mouth is so big that it fits in one bite.
Kwasik!
It trembled for a moment, and then the hard skull broke all at once.
Once, a three-way battle broke out.
[Growl!]
[Karrrr-!]
Three wolves were surrounding and attacking one slave dog, but Exile suddenly invaded.
[Quick!]
The wolves quickly retreated, but Slave Dog lunged at Exile as bravely as a Chihuahua.
Hot!
And then the body was bitten.
Every time Exile chewed like a crocodile, blood poured out and Slave Dog’s struggle intensified.
However, Exile doesn’t care and continues to tease his jaw joint.
Then, at some point, it broke into two pieces! The severed lower and upper body fell to the ground.
“As expected, it is no match for low-ranking infectious agents.”
Aggressiveness is acknowledged, but the difference in specs is too severe.
On the other hand, the variants did quite well.
Exile, who encountered Reaper one-on-one on a rocky mountain, did not hastily attack him.
A body bigger than a walker, tightly built and muscular, and a dangerous smell!
The sense of a predator immediately told him that he was not an easy opponent.
The one who attacked first was, of course, Reaper. The two tangle and roll as one lump.
Did they say that a fight is led by the one who strikes first?
Although Exile was superior in terms of weight and strength, it was Reaper who took the mount position.
As Reaper screamed, scratched, and struck, Exile’s face instantly became covered in blood.
In the process, Ripper was also bitten and several of his fingers were cut off, but he did not stop punching.
Just when I thought Reaper was going to win like this, his punch split the air.
[Kehaaagh-!]
Ripper groans and grabs his neck.
Two tentacles sprout from Exile’s back. The hook attached to the end cut off the Ripper’s neck and shoulders from behind.
Reaper tried to attack the crushed Exile, but was unable to lower his upper body due to the hook on his neck.
Facet!
Exile’s hand took advantage of that opportunity and cut through the defenseless neck.
Blood pouring from the half-cracked neck and dripping down Exile’s face.
It opened its terrible maw wide and drank the blood. The black tongue licks around the snout and enjoys every ounce of the victor’s nectar.
Reaper didn’t stop breathing, but Exile’s hands were holding onto his arms tightly.
While lying underneath, he used the two tentacle hooks to open the wound on the Ripper’s neck and squeezed out the blood and drank it.
At the same time, it makes a strange crying sound, as if mocking it.
Only after Reaper died from excessive blood loss did Exile crush him and tear into his meat.
The highlight of the surveillance is the incident with the Juggernaut.
He was a nightmare that often threatened my life when I recaptured the shelter, but as the shelter army developed, its status went down significantly.
However, even if it is rotten, the Juggernaut is still a monster.
A 3:1 encounter with Exile.
The Exiles looked embarrassed, as if this was their first time experiencing a situation where they were being pushed aside in terms of size, weight, and momentum.
Naturally, it was Juggernaut who attacked first.
Exile, whose entire left upper body was caved in by a single nuclear punch, spun around like a top and was thrown 6 meters down.
Meanwhile, the other guy went behind and tried to attack, but Juggernaut threw his body backwards without even turning around.
Boom!
“Kerrruk!”
Exile, who was struggling with being hit on the back, shook his head and tried to come to his senses. However, a large shadow has already been cast over his head.
It is the shadow of a juggernaut with both fists raised high in the sky.
Kwaaang!
It wasn’t enough that Exile’s head was smashed, and his upper body was slammed into the ground.
However, thanks to the sacrifices of the two compatriots, the last one succeeded in climbing on the Juggernaut’s back.
[Kwaaaaah-!]
Even the juggernaut of the world cried out in pain as dozens of teeth over 10 cm long were stuck in his neck.
As Exile was far behind in his weight class, he persistently aimed for the vital spot.
The Juggernaut struggled and rolled around trying to get it off, but it wasn’t easy.
Then he gave up trying to pull it off and instead closed his huge fist.
Puck!
Punch behind your shoulder and hit the guy’s face like a leech.
But he failed to deliver a valid hit. This is because his posture was so bad, and he only hit his cheek, not the top of his head.
Puck! Puck! Puck!
But he didn’t give up and kept punching.
When Juggernaut’s neck was tattered and blood was leaking, Exile couldn’t hold on and fell off.
He tried to escape, but he is not a tyrant who will allow it.
Juggernaut, who narrowly caught Exile’s ankle, began to attack him left and right.
The sound of bones breaking and the sound of Exile singing rang out here and there.
The majestic sight of the battle was enough to make his hands sweat.
Obviously, both of them are enemies of humanity and the Great Heaven, but for now, I forgot about it for a moment and watched from the perspective of a third person.
[Screaming!]
Exile stuck his hooked tentacles into Juggernaut’s neck and shoulders, temporarily stopping the beating.
However, even by human standards, it was a thick tentacle, but from the perspective of the Juggernaut, it was nothing more than a handful of rope.
Kwasik!
Kujik!
As I squeeze and pull, the tentacles break off one by one.
When the Juggernaut’s fist plunges into the snout of Exile, whose strength is exhausted, many broken teeth pour out.
Two clumsy hands entered between them and began to open them up and down.
Ahh!
The incredibly thick arm muscles trembled and Exile’s face was torn in two.
Juggernaut’s gaze, which was looking at the torn off jaw guard, shifted to one place.
There was Exile, holding his collapsed shoulder and struggling to escape.
The situation ended when Juggernaut, who followed the guy, raised his huge foot and crushed the back of his head.
The epic 3:1 bloody battle has ended.
The Juggernaut, with blood dripping from his neck, roars in victory in the snowy field.
“Kill that thing? Save me?”
He considered killing Juggernaut, who was seriously injured by the drone carrier he was filming, but decided to save him.
There were no people living nearby and the smell of blood was strong, so I thought another Exile would attack.
I would only be grateful if we could catch and kill even one more person and destroy them together.
* * *
As the brief entertainment preceding the large-scale subjugation ended, the fateful day arrived.
The central control room screen was filled with remnants of the former Russian Federation Army.
Flying their respective unit flags, they lined up in battle formation and stared at a cross-section of the snow-covered mountain.
“Hwiyu~ This is no different from an armored exhibition.”
A variety of armored vehicles and tanks were mobilized.
During the Infection War, the main force was concentrated on Moscow, but because the distance was so far and the transport line collapsed, there were quite a few new tanks left in the east.
Of course, there were a lot more old armored vehicles.
“There is also a T-34 tank.”
“What?”
When Artemis stretched out her pretty index finger, a specific part of the screen was enlarged.
The legendary tank that was active in World War II boasted its majesty.
Because it was such an old tank, I only knew the name and couldn’t tell the design apart, but Artemis recognized it like a knife.
“Is that famous?”
The line that “I just made a lot while making it” Is as famous as the three laws of robots among those interested in military.
“Huh. The eastern Russian warlords even take out the tanks on display at the military museum and roll them out. Those in good condition are used as is, and those in bad condition are technically remodeled, focusing on the turret.”
“Even though it may sound like a joke at first, it’s actually, actually pretty good.”
The opponent is not an army of fellow humans.
In human-to-human, the difference between the old and new models is absolute due to differences in armor, radar, and fire control systems.
However, if the opponent is a monster, being able to fire at least one more shell is always advantageous.
Likewise, even light armor that can be penetrated by a medium-caliber gun is still just a piece of metal.
It was able to function sufficiently as a barrier to block the monster’s teeth and claws.
Whether new or old, securing a large quantity of armored troops and forming an armored army is very effective against monsters.
“Where do you get the oil?”
“There are several remaining oil fields, including Sakhalin, so they are supplying there. “It is not enough to be distributed to the civilian population and is only used for military purposes.”
If the Chinese brigade was a corps with elite infantry units, the eastern Russian warlords were the last armored units of this era.
The field that would soon become the battlefield was eerily quiet.
The drone carrier lens in the sky captured every scene on screen.
