I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 225 – War Game

-[Record: November 3rd // Recording device in operation….]

-[Record: Final Championship Scrim – No absentees. Proceeding to the next step. Synchronizing server.]

-[Notification: The scrim will begin in 15 minutes. Spectators are now entering.]

“Ah, Wiseman. A rare guest. Have you come to breathe some American air again this year?”

“Got tired of Hereford long ago, so I needed a walk. Missed my face, huh? Should’ve sent you a picture to keep you motivated during your workouts.”

“Typical lunatics who eat toasted bread between slices of bread—your jokes are just as crazy.”

It was utter chaos.

Like the middle of New York, the surroundings were unbelievably noisy. Spending time alone in a place where I knew no one was quite disorienting—though it wasn’t easy for Logan, considering her identity.

Frankly speaking, a lot of people approached her even when she did nothing.

This was the reality of the North American scrim waiting room that so many were curious about. A meeting place, or a reunion venue. Although it wasn’t the original intention, it was undoubtedly becoming so over time.

The reason was clear.

The meetings between the top ranks of North America and Europe were not so much for the unity of pro gamers, but rather for exchanging information and greetings among former special forces members.

‘There are quite a few people I don’t know….’

Unlike other countries, overseas, especially here, people reveal their true selves and avatars without hesitation. That’s why it was possible to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar faces.

Anyway, that wasn’t the important part—the fact that there were many unfamiliar faces was inevitable. None of them were current military personnel—although Logan’s connections didn’t strictly distinguish between current and former members, the people gathered here were literally from all over.

GIGN, SAS, JTF-2, GROM, and numerous other special forces—of course, former members—gathered to exchange greetings. It was quite a sight. Such an exchange of opinions could probably only be seen at ISTC, the International Special Training Center. Suddenly, past memories crept up.

Anyway, there wasn’t much time left until the first scrim started. Fortunately, Logan herself didn’t show much interest in others, so they gradually turned to their own activities. Some were even chatting with what seemed to be spectators.

Hmm.

“I guess the goal is to survive as long as possible.”

Probably, if she did that, she would naturally meet Yoo Jin. No matter how much she thought about it, it was hard to imagine that he would be eliminated in the early or middle stages. As she contemplated these thoughts, she felt her body tensing and her combat instincts awakening.

Since it was the first scrim, it was better not to take it too seriously, but well, a good punch exchange could be seen as a reconnaissance in its own way. In this manner, countless scenarios formed and disintegrated in her mind.

Of course, this analysis wasn’t limited to Yoo Jin’s play. It was broader, even encompassing Yoo Jin’s disciples. Likely, she would face not only Yoo Jin but also the Korean participants, naturally leading to skill verification.

In essence, Logan was trying to harvest those whom Yoo Jin had sown. Though it was natural that they were not trained to be harvested by others, if the opponent was stronger, they would inevitably be forced to yield.

If they yielded, well. That wasn’t her concern.

-[Notification: Map selection complete. // High-value research facility]

-[Notification: 7 minutes 30 seconds until scrim begins.]

“….”

But, of all maps, it had to be the worst one.

Along with the Poplar Ridge correctional facility, it was a map where nearly every place had a ceiling. Cramped, complex, and the easiest place to hunt or be hunted—looking back, she had plenty of experience with such indoor battles, but she couldn’t guarantee she would have the upper hand against anyone she met.

Even so, her tasks were clear. Assume a general engagement structure, set the final goal, and then consider the minimum hurdles to achieve that goal. Find ways to overcome them.

And the rest… would be improvisation. The simpler the goal, the more ways to achieve it, which essentially meant personal discretion. The rest was practical experience. There were bound to be countless variables in combat.

Once the general method was somewhat set, a flood of previously suppressed issues began to spring up.

‘What should I say when we meet?’

Glad you’re alive?

You look much better?

I missed you?

That soft-hearted guy would like any of those, but since it was a reunion, wouldn’t it be better to choose a more memorable line?

Thinking about it, during the Indian Point nuclear plant recovery operation, no one thought it would be the last, so no one conveyed their final words to Yoo Jin. The most plausible last conversation might have been telling him to come back alive.

If only they had known it would be the last, they would have treated him better.

Though she had no doubt she wouldn’t cry upon reunion, that didn’t guarantee she could speak easily when meeting Yoo Jin, as if it were old times.

In that sense, maybe diving into the first match without any exchange was the best way. Instead of awkwardly chatting, it might be better to break the ice with bullets and gunpowder.

A perfect plan.

Of course, from another perspective, it wasn’t perfect and could invite a lot of unsolicited advice.

It was time for uninvited guests to arrive.

To her dismay, she knew them all.

-[Notification: Spectator ‘AnthonyOwens’ has joined ‘Loganthepolarbear’s’ private session.]

-[Notification: Spectator ‘Laurentina’ has joined ‘Loganthepolarbear’s’ private session.]

“What?”

Two names she recognized welcomed her.

But unfortunately, it didn’t stop there.

-[Notification: Spectator ‘Wellerman’ has joined ‘Loganthepolarbear’s’ private session.]

-[Notification: Spectator ‘Morganandwine’ has joined ‘Loganthepolarbear’s’ private session.]

“These idiots, where did they leave their work….”

It was driving her crazy.

But this was just the beginning.

-[Laurentina: Came with high expectations, but where’s our cute youngest?]

-[Wellerman: I was willing to allow a hug, but you haven’t met at all? Prepare a statement for disobeying orders.]

-[AnthonyOwens: Do well.]

-[Morganandwine: I’m at a restaurant and feeling like the main dish is missing, it’s truly an honor to experience it in real time XD]

“Please keep quiet and watch, or I’ll kick everyone out of the session before I meet Yoo Jin.”

Everyone was overly excited about meeting the youngest who returned from the funeral. They tried not to show it, but their urgent tone betrayed their feelings.

Alright then-

-[Notification: The scrim for November 3rd, in preparation for the Final Championship, will commence now.]

Time to meet the person in question.

“Haah.”

I had returned.

I had finally come back.

Not as the soft Dice from a year ago, who wore a mask of interest, anticipation, vagueness, and fear, but as a participant in the Final Championship, sharpened countless times by Yoo Jin’s grindstone. I, Dice of November 3rd, stood here now.

It had been a truly long journey. As the hatch of the transport plane opened and people began to jump one by one, an overwhelming flood of past memories flickered before my eyes. Memories from last year, when I had entered unprepared and crashed against the wall of the scrim, were superimposed.

Moreover, the high-value research facility was the same map I had first encountered last year. It felt as if I was back on the continuation of the past.

But this time, it was different. It had to be different.

Yet, I couldn’t be absorbed by such thoughts. I had to discard the obsession and entrust myself to what I had learned so far.

───Kwaaaa!

But at that moment, the hatch opened and the cold air rushed in. The view of the high-value research facility was eerie, with no sign of life and shrouded in thick fog. Everyone began to jump out sequentially.

Time flowed like a dream afterward. As one by one disappeared into the base, the Juggernauts occupied the ground. From now on, the ground was as good as a forbidden zone. But as always, without paying attention, I began to roam around the facility and start farming.

“….”

Hoo.

As long as the firearm wasn’t too difficult to handle, it would be fine. The best recommendations were essentially SMGs or assault rifles equipped with high-penetration rounds. Of course, large-caliber sniper rifles were also seen occasionally, but they weren’t for me.

And today, something more important than that was at stake.

-[Notification: The skill activation zone will be deployed in 3 minutes.]

Skills.

As could be expected by now, Yoo Jin had said that skills were the only ace in the hole to gain an advantage over the opponent in the scrims for the Final Championship, which could be described with the term ‘supernatural realm.’ Of course, that’s if used well – which was naturally a given.

It wasn’t that I lacked skills.

Yoo Jin declared that, based on what I had learned so far, if I applied them well and systematically engaged in combat, I could at least rank in the top tier. However, the goal this time was beyond that. Whether I could achieve it was uncertain.

It had to be. Given that I was participating in the scrim in preparation for the Final Championship, it was fair to say that what I could do, others could also do. In fact, it was more likely the opposite.

Special forces members, who had been meticulously honed through countless training and real battles, whether they had meals or not. These people had come into society and gotten a chance to recreate their past skills in virtual reality. Shooting, maneuvering, instantaneous judgment, tactical and strategic insights—all were no exception.

But skills were different.

───Tududududu!

Even the gradually approaching gunfire from afar couldn’t stop the recollection as I finished farming.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Yoo Jin was also a proper special forces member, having trained extensively in similar conditions – judging by what I had seen so far, imagining Yoo Jin training without eating was impossible – and she had taught countless creative skill usage methods befitting her.

Over several weeks of intense training, the Korean representatives managed to document which skills should be used on which map by traversing eight different maps extensively.

For me, the skills to be used in the high-value research facility were the nanomachine oxidizer and the bombardment drone—an extremely offensive setup.

It was time to move.

-Peeng!

“Ouch.”

The air-piercing sound that skimmed past my ears involuntarily made me let out a groan. It was a mix of relief that it hadn’t hit my head directly and an unconscious shock that automatically came out.

I immediately attempted a counterattack. I already had both the gun and the armor, and now it was time to engage. Amidst the heavy thud of a metal object hitting the wall, it was definitely a grenade – at times like this, one had to be cautious of enemies flanking or charging directly amidst the explosion.

Even though the explosion and the ensuing roar impacted my whole body, I nonchalantly pulled out a grenade and rolled it a few meters ahead.

In the next moment, a figure appeared abruptly in front of me, but too bad for them.

“Goodbye.”

Boom!

A flash of light in an instant. And a much longer-lasting storm of fragments. The enemy, caught in the midst of it, struggled to get up, but the initiative was already mine. The muzzle flared as it sent a life out to the lobby.

The destination was the now operational skill activation zone. As expected, chaos was breaking out everywhere. Clearing out all these people would be almost impossible, and waiting for a moment without anyone was equally unrealistic.

In that case, there was no choice but to put into practice what I had heard countless times.

‘If things aren’t going well, just flip it once. Using the variables created from that is up to individual ability.’

Just as those words said.

Whether it was because it was the first round, which was also a reconnaissance, or for some other reason, the nearby control room was completely empty. Not even common booby traps were there, so I entered with ease.

The task was simple. Despite the seemingly complicated equipment and panels with hundreds of unknown-purpose buttons attached – just load a new magazine and spray on the panel. Dozens of holes were quickly pierced, and crackling noises filled the air.

How long had it been?

As if orchestrated, the gunfire from all around ceased, and an ominous voice started to come from the speakers attached to the ceiling.

Of course, it was what I had hoped for.

-[Warning: Irreparable damage detected to the Zulu sector server control room panel in lower section 2.]

-[Warning: Security team will arrive in 2 minutes for cause identification. Researchers should evacuate the area within 1 minute or lie down with identification means visible. Non-compliance may result in immediate elimination.]

From now on, it was a race against time.

Carefully opening the door and heading out, I directed myself to the skill activation zone shown on the PDA, which was easily picked up around. Unless someone else with huge guts was around, people would likely choose to escape from this vicinity.

But as I said, I wasn’t one of them. I could handle this level of risk, and I had experienced similar situations multiple times. Thus, my consensus was that there might be a possibility after all.

So—

“Hehe.”

Get out of here quickly, you guys.