Ubermensch – Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Thump… Thump… Thud…

Every time the earth-shaking roar of cannons echoed, shells soared through the sky. The skilled artillerymen’s aim never missed, crashing into the ranks of monsters.

Boom! Bang! Bang!

Thanks to the barrier, few monsters were instantly killed. However, monsters caught in the aftermath of the shelling were flung about, falling behind their ranks.

The Keshig intercepted the straggling monsters like hawks snatching prey with their talons, firing upon and dividing the ranks where they were thin and blocking their path with motorbikes.

They were truly a modern cavalry.

A barrage of artillery fire and magic rained down on the charging monsters, while the Keshig slowed their pace, picking off the divided rearguard one by one.

The Keshig’s maneuvers were the most spectacular, but they weren’t the only ones participating in the battle.

“Concentrate fire on the straggling monsters!”

“Pour bullets until their barrier is completely depleted!”

Behind the Keshig were not only players but also technical vehicles modified with heavy machine guns and motorbike cavalry armed with rifles and grenade launchers.

Mongolia, a small country, suffered from a severe shortage of players. Their levels and core equipment were inferior. Moreover, they lacked sufficient supplies of modern weaponry such as artillery and tanks.

The only advantage they had was a high motorbike penetration rate thanks to the vast steppe environment.

They lacked everything needed for war, from population to ammunition.

But complaining about what they lacked wouldn’t make things appear.

They had to gather everything they had and fight somehow.

This was a skill born from their desperate efforts to compensate for their lack of power with mobility and tactics.

Mason was impressed, but his admiration was overshadowed by a sense of bitterness.

‘It’s desperate.’

And yet, he watched as most of the monsters broke through the trailers.

Having finished their interception, the Keshig returned to the front line and began to unleash beams at the Great Eater.

This fierce resistance was just a part of their daily lives…

“…”

It seemed that others shared a similar sentiment.

Steve frowned, his expression uneasy.

He spoke.

“They don’t wear player armor?”

Although defense varied depending on the class, player armor was essential gear. Even light armor was more effective against monster attacks than ordinary armor because of the flow of core energy.

However, most of the Keshig only wore military uniforms. They didn’t have core armor, and only a few senior soldiers who appeared to be officers wore some infantry equipment.

Their core equipment was limited to firearms.

‘Are they confident they won’t get hit even once?’

No, that couldn’t be it.

There was no need to perform such a feat. Especially not a life-threatening one.

Batkhishig’s adjutant spoke.

“…Our country lacks national defense budget.”

If they were fighting battles like this every day, the cost of each battle would be substantial. It would be an even greater burden for the Republic of Mongolia, which was neither a developed nor a powerful country.

They were all fighting monsters while also battling their insufficient funds.

Chong Daolong asked the adjutant.

“Why are there only riflemen?”

“We don’t train tankers, melee dealers, or healers.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a tactical decision.”

Jean Bosung, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

“Most battlefields in the Third World are like this. Only developed countries with abundant resources have the luxury of choosing their tactics. They have to adapt their tactics to the resources they have.”

Tankers and melee dealers were the classes that relied most heavily on equipment, and their equipment was also the most expensive. Not only was the equipment itself expensive, but it also had to be replaced every time they leveled up.

Mongolia was a small and underdeveloped country with a population of just over 3.5 million. Their finances couldn’t support providing melee combatants with equipment that matched their levels.

Fighting without melee combatants meant abandoning close combat, and if they were abandoning close combat, there was no need to train healers either. All that was left were ranged dealers, a class they had to maintain to whittle down the Great Eater.

“Not every warrior can have the equipment they need.”

It wasn’t that Batkhishig or the Mongolian government wanted to use the Keshig. They had created the Keshig class and their tactics to fight somehow with their limited environment and resources.

Jean Bosung continued with a calm expression.

“To these warriors, to the heroes of this land who cannot protect their homeland even if they fight with all their might, we are their only hope.”

All those gathered here could do was watch.

“…”

And it was harder than they thought.

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That evening.

Batkhishig, with a tired expression, gave a briefing.

“We managed to shave off about 1% again today.”

Steve Queen spoke calmly.

“That’s too slow.”

“…”

Batkhishig looked dejected, but Steve Queen wasn’t finished.

“This battlefield needs more support.”

He looked at Batkhishig and said.

“I’ll start by looking into player mercenary groups. Let’s gather everyone we can contact quickly.”

Steve Queen turned to Chong Daolong and asked.

“Can China provide heavy weapons or artillery support?”

“Most of the Mongolian army’s equipment is from the former Soviet Union, so they’re not compatible.”

The battle with the Great Eater would last two to three months at most. Even that was considered too long, and they were trying to finish it faster.

Changing weapon systems and conducting new operational training would take at least a quarter, even if it was done quickly. Even if they provided new equipment, there wouldn’t be enough time for training.

“I’ll try to procure equipment from the former Soviet Union through Russia, but don’t get your hopes up.”

Chong Daolong looked at Mason.

“Park-hyung, doesn’t Korea have any equipment they can provide?”

“Well… there is something, but…”

Mason looked troubled.

“It’s a prototype that hasn’t even been tested yet…”

“Bring it anyway. We’ll work on improvements and modifications in the field.”

“Alright, then.”

The atmosphere had completely changed from the pessimistic and cynical mood of the previous day. Batkhishig was both pleased and puzzled by the raid leaders’ cooperative attitude.

“Why…?”

Jean Bosung smiled and said.

“We witnessed your battle, General.”

The Mongolian people’s desperation had moved the hearts of the warriors.

“Now, let’s each go back and do what we can.”

“Good.”

Back at his quarters, Mason called a meeting of the raid leaders.

Deroa was also included in the meeting.

“…Why are we being summoned again?”

When Deroa grumbled, Mason said with a serious expression.

“It looks like we’ll have to use… that prototype.”

Before Deroa could react, Han Areum burst out in anger.

“Prototypes are samples, not something you use in actual combat!”

“But… the situation is urgent…”

“Even so, that’s not right. If it breaks while we’re using it, who’s going to take responsibility?”

“I will.”

“Oh, then it doesn’t matter.”

“…It doesn’t matter?”

“No.”

Han Areum said with a confident expression.

“Accountability is important.”

“…”

“Did I object?”

Mason grimaced.

‘So as long as I take responsibility, it’s fine…’

Anyway, once Han Areum was satisfied, Deroa stepped up.

“Ultimately, I’m the one who’ll be using it. If something goes wrong, I’m the one who’ll be screwed, right?”

“That’s true, but… there’s no other way than to use it well on site.”

“It’s easy to say ‘use it well’…”

As Deroa grumbled, Mason cleared his throat.

“Well, that’s true, but… Deroa, you’re a genius mage. I believe you can do it.”

“Huh, huh?”

Deroa was flustered by the sudden compliment.

“Umm… I am a genius mage, but…”

“No. If not you, Deroa, then who else can do it? If I didn’t believe in your skills, I wouldn’t have even suggested using it.”

“…”

Deroa was a responsible person. She was also weak to praise. In the end, pressured by Mason, she sighed.

“Ugh, fine. I might be doomed.”

Mason nodded.

He said to Liza.

“Tell Kacha to send the prototype.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Great Eater was visible through the window.

It was a monster that had swallowed an entire nation and instilled despair in countless people.

‘I’ve acknowledged your strength. Now, show me our strength, monster.’

Glaring at the Great Eater through the window, Mason slammed his fist into his palm.

“Let’s do this. By any means necessary.”

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The next day, new personnel and equipment began to arrive at the camp.

They were player mercenaries summoned by Steve Queen and heavy equipment airlifted from China by Chong Daolong.

Chong Daolong narrowed his eyes at the mercenaries Steve Queen had brought.

“Didn’t you say you were bringing freelance mercenaries?”

Chong Daolong was also a member of the military. He could tell whether someone was a soldier or not just by their movements. And… how skilled a soldier they were.

At a glance, they were Green Berets or Delta Force. They were at the level of elite special forces currently active.

Moreover, they were also players.

They couldn’t be just a mercenary group. They were clearly a secret special forces unit directly under the command of a nation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Steve Queen said leisurely.

“I just said I’d call everyone I could reach.”

“…Humph.”

“Aren’t you pushing it a bit too far yourself?”

The problem with Mongolia was that its military system was outdated. Even if they were provided with new equipment, it would take considerable time to train them to use it.

If they couldn’t use the equipment even if it was given to them, there was only one answer.

“Aren’t you going to get in trouble for sending active Chinese soldiers into battle?”

Chong Daolong had even transported the equipment operators.

“The Sweep Brigade are my subordinates. As long as my country has granted me the authority to command them, they will follow my orders.”

The teleportation cost alone was billions. The cost of the shells they were firing was immeasurable.

Steve Queen and Chong Daolong were polar opposites. Their goals in life, their methods, even their personal feelings repelled each other.

But if there was one thing they had in common, it was that they were warriors, champions of their respective nations.

So they could empathize.

With Batkhishig’s desperate struggle, and the Mongolian people’s yearning for peace in their homeland.

No matter what situation they might face after this battle, here and now, they were just warriors.

Warriors who had been moved by the fighting spirit of an old soldier.

Staring at the Great Eater, not at each other, the two spoke quietly.

“Let’s win this, Steve.”

“Yes, Chong Daolong.”

After a moment of silence, Steve Queen frowned and said.

“By the way, where’s Mason?”

“He must be preparing the prototype.”

“Will that thing be any good?”

“It should be.”

Chong Daolong said with a calm expression.

“It’s a trump card from the leading nation in the Super Soldier System.”