Chapter 20: First Mission (3)

“No. Later. I already told you earlier.”

I immediately shook my head. We had decided to launch a surprise attack at dawn before we even started climbing the mountain.

The most vulnerable moment for animals, including humans, is when they are sleeping.

That's why targeting dawn was the best option.

With them drinking, it might even be possible to move a bit faster.

'They'll fall asleep earlier.'

It was all part of the training and standard procedure, so no further explanation was needed.

“Idiot.”

Orhen agreed by scolding Denif.

Denif nodded, seemingly just testing the waters, though he looked a bit disappointed.

Given his love for fighting, he probably felt antsy.

I sighed inwardly.

'How did this kid become an imperial terrorist?'

He might have grown and matured, but knowing his in-game persona, it felt like a huge gap.

Looking at Denif now, I imagined he would have stormed the palace recklessly.

How did Marhan raise Denif?

I felt a renewed sense of respect.

In any case, from the situation, it seemed we would have to wait quite a while here.

We needed rest after climbing the mountain.

“Let’s rest a bit. We need to see the situation later to make a plan. If you’re hungry, eat something.”

Denif and Orhen nodded simultaneously.

Hmm. It’s not a big deal, but I feel a sense of responsibility.

If we’re not in top condition, the kids are much better than me.

But perhaps because of the difference in mental age, I ended up taking the lead without explicitly deciding.

I wondered what would have happened if I wasn’t here.

Denif and Orhen would have come together. Would they have gone straight in, as Denif suggested, or would Orhen have taken my role?

I think the latter.

Even though Denif talks without thinking and is playful, he usually ends up yielding to Orhen.

While observing the situation, I kept having pointless thoughts, but I didn’t deliberately suppress them.

A moderate level of tension is necessary, but excessive tension is not good.

'Of course, we shouldn’t be too relaxed either.'

I consciously calmed my mind.

What’s important for me now is my mindset. I must not hesitate before the mission.

A moment of hesitation could cost me my life, especially since this is our first real mission.

I need to be careful about battle excitement, as Marhan advised.

'The kids too, of course.'

I think they’ll do well. I’m not worried about Denif since I’ve seen him alive in the future.

I’ll just need to pay a bit more attention to Orhen, who seems a bit tense. He’s a rather introverted kid.

Of course, I have my own issues to deal with. I need to do my best and pay attention to Orhen.

Despite the shock this morning, I didn’t feel any resistance during the mission.

Is it because the situation hasn’t fully hit me yet?

Or has my personality slightly changed since entering this body?

I’m not sure.

Maybe all of this is just my imagination. Maybe it’s my original personality, and I just didn’t realize it before the situation arose.

* * *

The fundamental principle of espionage is preparation.

If you don’t prepare in times of peace, you can’t respond properly in times of war.

Those who neglected preparation during peace have all disappeared into history.

This was one of the beliefs held by Haisen’s espionage chief, Hwan.

Thanks to this, he could quickly identify the seeds of division at the heart of the empire during times of peace.

He also sent the children on their mission earlier than usual for this reason.

Their performance in the coming turmoil within a few years was crucial for Haisen.

Among the children Hwan had observed, they were the most talented.

Their abilities were so remarkable that it felt like the gods had blessed Haisen’s golden age.

Therefore, the duke had no intention of raising them like flowers in a greenhouse.

A useful tool needs to be well-maintained, but it also needs to be sharpened.

On the other hand, with many tools at his disposal, he could afford to lose one or two in the process.

Of course, he hoped this worst-case scenario wouldn’t happen.

Marhan knew all of this. He observed the children with all his attention, though he didn’t realize his face was filled with worry.

First missions are typically given at 15, but these talented children were very dangerous.

He sincerely hoped nothing would go wrong.

While it’s said that plans are the first to go in real combat, this one was nearly perfect.

Dmit’s gang is stronger than the children, but considering the situation, it’s about even.

Their dissolute lifestyle and the element of surprise.

If the children follow what they’ve learned, the mission is unlikely to fail.

Marhan, with his sharp senses, didn’t miss a single whisper from the children.

It was to check the stability of the plan and evaluate them.

‘As expected.’

Despite the seriousness, Marhan chuckled inwardly.

In fact, the first mission was given two years earlier because of the children’s abilities.

If it were just Denif and Orhen, they wouldn’t have been given a mission.

But Kallin’s arrival changed things.

Not only did the numbers increase, but Kallin’s exceptional intelligence made it possible.

Though by children’s standards, Kallin had the qualities of a leader. Even now, he was naturally taking the lead, controlling Denif and guiding Orhen.

Marhan’s expectations grew.

Sometimes, one real combat experience is more valuable than several.

A soldier who has been through a few minor battles is not as skilled as a new recruit who has experienced a hellish battlefield.

As the moon began to wane past midnight, the children took turns on watch.

Soon after, an unexpected mist started to rise from the mountain peak.

‘Is it because of the rain earlier? Good luck. We should start preparing to move soon.’

Just as Marhan thought this, Kallin got up from his spot.

He might not have seen the mist while observing below, but it was a sharp observation.

‘If Kallin encounters problems during the mission, as long as he’s alive, he can think his way through it.’

Marhan smiled in satisfaction.

* * *

Seeing the mist coming down from the mountain peak was almost pure luck.

I had been looking down for a while, and out of boredom, I glanced at the sky, where I saw it.

We were slightly above the middle of the mountain.

If we go down now, we can use the mist.

‘I need to pay more attention to my surroundings from now on.’

We were taught to use environmental factors, but I hadn’t thought about the mist.

It wasn’t there originally. You learn a lot in real combat.

Dmit, who seemed to be the leader, and one of his subordinates went into the tent, but the other three didn’t.

They were drinking and playing cards. I quietly woke the kids.

“Time to move?”

“Hmm. We might need to change the plan.”

I pointed to the mist and explained my idea, and Orhen agreed, saying it was a good idea.

Denif felt the same.

“I’m all for it!”

We packed up and erased our traces, then carefully descended the gentle part of the cliff.

Despite moving slowly, it didn’t take long because we were on the cliff.

The mist was still there.

It was moving down slower than when I first saw it. We waited at a distance.

“Is it not coming down?”

After observing for a while, Denif yawned silently. Orhen also looked tired.

Well, I was too.

‘At 13, I used to go to bed before 11 every day.’

It was time to make a decision.

We didn’t need to waste our energy waiting for the mist. I whispered.

“Let’s wait a bit more. I’ll keep watch. If the mist doesn’t come, we’ll go in at 2:30 as planned.”

“You? You look exhausted. Why don’t you sleep? I’ll keep watch.”

I immediately shook my head at Denif’s suggestion.

“No. This is better. Orhen is a mage, so he should rest, and I’m better at deciding the moment to strike than you.”

I said this because I was implicitly acting as the leader.

I also trusted my judgment more than Denif’s.

“Don’t you trust me now?”

Denif asked with a pout.

“It’s not that. If the worst happens, the strongest one, you, needs to conserve energy.”

“Hmm…”

Denif was taken aback by the sudden compliment.

It wasn’t a false statement. Denif nodded, looking a bit embarrassed.

“…Alright. Then I’ll do a bit more when the time comes.”

“Sure. Get some more rest. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Orhen and Denif leaned against the tree and closed their eyes.

A spy should sleep when they can and eat when they can.

You never know when you might need to flee. Always be prepared.

I can fall asleep quickly, but I’ve also trained to sleep when necessary.

I watched the kids fall asleep and then resumed my vigil.

The opportunity came not long after.

‘About 30 minutes have passed.’

The mist was moving faster and growing larger.

In the moment I looked away, it was already close. I quickly woke the kids.

The kids, who had just woken up, seemed to understand the situation as the mist approached.

Soon, the mist enveloped us, and even Dmit’s gang was no longer visible.

“Damn. What the hell is this?”

“Whatever. Let’s go to sleep.”

“Damn. Let’s do it again tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Didn’t you spend all your money today?”

“Shut up. I have a bit left.”

“I don’t deal with small change.”

I could still hear their voices.

Sound travels through the air, and as someone who can control the wind, I’m sensitive to sound.

The tent flaps fluttered, and the sound of sleeping bags being shifted followed, then the sound of snoring.

While waiting, I came up with a few backup plans.

“Let’s go with Plan 3.”

Orhen and I would enter the tents one by one, and Denif would enter the other tent and take care of two.

If there’s a problem with Denif’s tent, it would be a 3 to 2 situation.

We didn’t target Dmit directly because he was the strongest and went to sleep first, making him more dangerous. He hadn’t drunk as much.

We waited for about 15 more minutes and then moved carefully.

Since we came down the cliff behind the hideout, there were no traps.

Still, we moved cautiously.

The sound of a twig breaking at night is much louder than you imagine. My neck was stiff from tension.

I took a deep breath to calm down.

‘Stay calm.’

In front of the three tents, Orhen and I made eye contact with Denif and nodded.

This was the real start. We opened the tent flaps silently and went in.

It seemed they hadn’t washed much, living in the mountains, so the strong smell of alcohol mixed with a faint stench.

I frowned and checked the ruffians.

They were snoring, so they didn’t seem to notice. I made eye contact with Orhen.

I was a bit worried; his face was more tense than I expected.

I watched Orhen. Denif would probably do well on his own, but I was worried about Orhen.

Killing people. Even if they are the worst of humanity, it’s not easy to overcome the resistance.

‘I’m tense too, of course.’

Still, seeing my younger brother like this, a sense of responsibility rose in me.

I pulled out my dagger silently. My arm felt heavy, and my movements felt awkward.

I raised my left hand and looked at Orhen. Orhen’s hand was trembling slightly.

‘...’

I signaled with my fingers. One, two, three. I turned my gaze back to the ruffian.

My heavy arm moved awkwardly. Swish— The dagger cut the sleeping ruffian’s neck. A clear sensation remained in my fingertips and palm.

“Hic...”

The ruffian only made a sound like the wind escaping, and that was it. It was a very simple task.

My breathing was shaky.

‘Orhen?’

The thought popped up, and I immediately turned my gaze.

Orhen was frozen, still holding the dagger. The dagger hovered above another ruffian’s throat.

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t difficult for a 13-year-old girl to stab someone.

Especially for an introverted kid.

I hesitated for a moment.

Should I take over for the sake of the mission’s speed, or should I give Orhen some time for her future?

‘...I don’t know.’

My head felt a bit detached. Was this the excitement in real combat that Marhan talked about?

Or was I still affected by the sensation just now?

I noticed Orhen’s body shivering. Orhen was 13. What was I like at 13?

I was playing soccer on the playground.

Yeah, fuck. Only crazy people would do this.

Instinctively, I approached Orhen from behind and held her hand.

“Close your eyes.”

I considered doing it for her, but I couldn’t. It was best to help her.

Overcoming this is Orhen’s responsibility.

Though I couldn’t see, I felt Orhen clench her eyes shut. Her hand was trembling.

I tightened my grip. The dagger moved. The sound of the wind escaping was followed by blood splattering on the back of my hand.

I endured the discomfort and turned Orhen’s body. Orhen, with her eyes closed and trembling, looked very pitiful.

I was in the same situation, though.

“It’s okay. It’s over.”

At the same time, I thought that if we had to fight Dmit, I should exclude Orhen.

I felt like I was being too cold, but...

‘Is Denif done?’

It took a bit of time. Maybe he’s already finished and waiting outside.

Still, Orhen seemed to be calming down a bit. If we could handle Dmit the same way, it would be good.

“Gah!”

Suddenly, a scream came from outside.