Chapter 19: First Mission (2)

"It's today."

At Marhan's words, silence fell once again.

Perhaps because we were already calm, we weren't as surprised as before, though we were still a bit flustered.

"Loosen up a bit in the morning and pack your bags. We'll set off right after lunch."

With the official mission briefing, we all focused and listened intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"Our target is the Hoje Dmitri gang. They are scum with fifteen counts of murder and numerous rapes. They are currently hiding in the Kaiden Mountains."

The first mission's target being such notorious criminals seemed intentional.

It was likely a process to get us accustomed to killing.

An agent must follow orders from above and not feel repulsion toward any task.

It's probably something like killing bad guys and then less bad guys.

"Is there still a rookie who feels repulsion toward the mission?"

Just the use of the word "rookie" was telling. It wasn't a term Marhan usually used.

It seemed intended to make us recognize the targets as bad guys and to stir our competitive spirit.

"No!"

Denif's strong response was proof of its effectiveness.

His cheeks were slightly flushed with excitement, indicating that Marhan's strategy was working well.

"Don't be complacent. They may be scum that corrupt the nation, but their skills are not to be underestimated."

Marhan advised Denif, which was natural given that it was a joint mission.

After all, with a bit of exaggeration, Denif, Orhen, and I could defeat most adults with our eyes closed.

"Today is entirely your day. You must prepare and complete the mission on your own."

"Yes!"

"Meet at the training ground after lunch."

Marhan said this and turned sharply.

When Marhan's back was no longer in sight, Denif exhaled loudly and exclaimed,

"Phew! Finally, the first mission!"

His face, slightly flushed with excitement, was filled with enthusiasm, showing no signs of tension.

Is he really that imperial terrorist, Denif?

Orhen seemed a bit tense, his face more rigid than usual. Well, he's usually a reserved kid.

I responded in a conventional manner.

"Don't get too carried away. You might make a mistake."

"Mistake? That word doesn't suit me, Denif."

Denif, smirking, narrowed his eyes and glanced at me.

"I'm so excited, but you seem worried?"

Where did he learn such cheap provocation...

Sigh. I mentally composed myself. Maybe it's because I'm in a young body, but sometimes my blood boils, and this was one of those times.

"I'm not worried, but this is our first mission, and Marhan said not to underestimate the target, so we need to stay alert."

"I can handle it."

Denif grinned.

"Don't worry, little brother. Trust your big brother. And if anything, we have a sister too."

There it was, that "big brother" nonsense again. What a brat.

I deliberately sighed loudly and shook my head, but I noticed Orhen nodding slightly.

Even you, Orhen...

I felt a slight sense of betrayal, but my expression eased a bit compared to before. Maybe he was less tense?

Well, if he's trying to make me less tense, that's a good thing.

I decided to be understanding, like an adult.

* * *

Although the mission was sudden, the preparation was not difficult.

We had already learned how to pack for infiltration training, so we gathered simple rations and necessary items for the mission.

Afterward, we gathered at the training ground and followed Marhan into a carriage.

It seemed that 13-year-olds carrying weapons would attract attention.

Fortunately, the rain stopped halfway, and we arrived at the mountain range by evening.

The journey by carriage took about 7 hours.

After getting out of the carriage, Marhan handed us a map, calling it the final mission briefing.

"The location is here. There are five people. As I said, from now on, it's up to you. I won't interfere."

Marhan, with a serious face, emphasized this again.

"Remember, I will be watching you from nearby, but I won't interfere. Even if one of you dies, it will be the same."

"Yes."

The mountain was quite large, but we answered in low voices, as we were on a mission.

The mission was entirely ours from start to finish, with a surprisingly high degree of autonomy.

We had always been taught that preparation is crucial, so I expected there to be a detailed plan, but...

I felt the pace was faster than I anticipated.

Perhaps, the more the duke raises us, the more he wants to increase our autonomy.

After all, he's not just raising us to be disposable tools.

Denif still seemed a bit excited. Marhan, who had been watching us, added,

"Always think rationally. The first real mission can trigger combat excitement. Your head gets hot, and you only see what's in front of you. Remember that even noble heirs, who are superior to you, have met tragic ends on the battlefield. Always maintain your composure."

I took this to heart. These were words that become flesh and blood only through experience.

Always think rationally.

Incidentally, today was the most talkative day I've seen Marhan.

Even his final advice suggested he was quite worried.

'I thought he was cold and sharp, but he seems to have a lot of care.'

Marhan ended with these words and watched us from a distance.

We had a quick dinner and, under the camouflage net to prevent light from escaping, examined the map with a mana-powered flashlight.

"Since there are five, I'll take two, and Orhen will take two."

Denif said this with a relaxed expression. Orhen and I ignored him without responding.

He's just that kind of kid.

Actually, there's a good chance he's doing it on purpose, being a playful kid.

He's not simple-minded. In the game, Denif was a terror.

Imperial terrorist.

The terror Denif caused inflicted severe damage on the empire and he was never caught.

"There are five, but we don't know their layout. It might be better to climb from the back of the mountain and gather more information."

I pointed at the map and explained.

I wanted to circle around to the back of the hideout to gather more information. The map only showed the location.

"It seems like a good idea."

Orhen nodded, and Denif suddenly spoke with a serious face.

"Hmm. Won't that take too long? We could go straight to the front."

Hmm. Is he really that thoughtless?

Maybe he really is. The Denif in the game was already grown up.

The current Denif might be lacking. He's talented but not deep in thought...

He grew up over time.

'There might have been someone else who played the role of the brain next to Denif in the game.'

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions based on the Denif in the game.

Considering what I've learned here, it's hard to believe one person could cause such terror.

Anyway, since Denif spoke quite seriously this time, I decided to respond.

Actually, Denif's words weren't entirely wrong.

The back of the hideout is a high cliff.

It takes time to climb up, plan, and then come down.

We also need to consider the physical toll of going back and forth.

But preparation is crucial for a mission. We need to be prepared to make a plan.

"This is their hideout. We're unfamiliar with the area, but they are. There might be traps. It's better to circle around and confirm."

"Hmm..."

"Besides, we are fewer in number. The best time to strike is when they are asleep. If we're going to wait, it's better to confirm first."

"I agree with Kalin."

Orhen agreed with me. It was a 2-1 vote.

Since it was a majority decision and his words weren't wrong, Denif grunted and nodded.

"Fine, let's do it that way. I prefer the front, but I guess I have no choice."

"Let's plan the rest when we get up there."

I said this and folded the map. We lifted the camouflage net and repacked our bags.

Now it was time to climb the mountain.

Denif led the way. He has sharp senses, and leading is important.

Especially on mountain paths, he has to find the way.

It's not just about looking at the map, but also about the path we will walk.

Even though we are all 13, our strides are different.

The leader must find a gentle path and consider the stride of those behind.

This is a way to maintain the group's stamina.

'He's like a pace setter.'

Orhen was in the middle, and I was at the back.

Orhen held the map and kept watch, while I had to erase our tracks.

As humans, no matter how careful we are, we leave traces...

But we need to minimize visible ones.

For example, where we have to step hard to climb, our footprints will be deep.

We need to stomp and flatten these areas. Of course, the wind made it easier for me.

'Well, I don't know if it's necessary to this extent here.'

It's our first real mission. We need to use everything we've learned and be thorough.

Marhan also said that minor complacency can lead to major disasters.

Although we couldn't see Marhan, he was probably watching us from somewhere.

Hmm. Just walking makes me think a lot.

He said he wouldn't help, but if something happens, will he help?

...Will he?

I have a mysterious ability, and Denif and Orhen are not ordinary talents.

But that doesn't mean I'm not worried.

According to Denif, there was originally a 15-year-old kid. He lost an arm during a mission and disappeared.

In the end, we have to solve it ourselves.

'Even if he helps, it's the same.'

If a knife flies at you from right in front, it's hard for someone far away to stop it.

We might survive like the missing kid.

Anyway, we climbed the mountain in silence. It was a real mission, so even Denif had a serious face.

We didn't forget to stop and check the map from time to time.

"Let's stop and check the map again."

It was essential, but Denif, who has a bit of a poor sense of direction, checked carefully.

He's not stupid, but he lacks thought and is a bit reckless.

We arrived at the target location a little after 10 PM.

Through the telescope, we could clearly see the hideout below the cliff.

They had a fire going, either out of confidence or lack of thought.

There were three makeshift tents around the campfire.

'One is probably that Dmitri guy, and the other two are for his subordinates.'

The setup looked temporary, not a long-term stay.

After all, they are a criminal group.

"Hmm..."

I scratched my neck. Compared to my worries, they seemed very vulnerable.

Two were playing a card game, and the other three were drinking by the campfire.

There were five, but even after checking the surroundings more carefully, no additional members were visible.

No sentries either?

"Compared to what I thought..."

"They seem very lax."

Orhen picked up on my muttered thoughts. He also looked a bit disappointed.

Denif scolded us.

"See, I told you. We could go straight to the front."

I, on the other hand, was reassured by Denif's words.

I momentarily thought we had wasted our efforts, but complacency is always forbidden.

The fact that they committed fifteen murders and numerous rapes and haven't been caught means they are skilled.

Their current appearance might be a sign of confidence. I raised my tension again.

"Shouldn't we just go down now and sweep them away?"

Naturally, the sigh that escaped was from Denif.