Loved by the War Machine

5 – From Corporate Soldier to Renowned Mercenary (2)

“Are the goods certain?”

The land, dried up by war and ruthless development, had accepted death.

Once a ground that embraced life and served as their foothold –

Now, it had become sand that would engulf anything, no matter what it embraced.

“Yeah, that’s right.

Damn it, why do we have to trade on a day like this?”

One side wore a protective mask that transparently revealed the face,

While the other barely covered the nose and mouth, wearing work goggles over the eyes.

Despite looking like someone who would handle machine parts, wearing a shabby outfit as if just out of a factory –

They were facing a company employee dressed in a suit that didn’t lose its luster even in the sand.

Behind them, soldiers wearing shining exoskeletons and helmets that concealed their faces.

The parts of the equipment where the company logo should have been were taped over.

“Avoid the eyes of others,

No need to bother securing the surroundings.”

The flash embedded in the phone blinked a few times.

In the yellow air, the white light quickly immersed itself.

The product covered in dust appeared in the photo.

“Damn, it’s undoubtedly authentic.

Risking my life to bring it out, and now it’s just dragging on for hours…”

“You don’t need to worry about that.

Didn’t we agree to pay from this side anyway?

The danger pay must be included for sure.”

Calling it a typical deal, one side nervously surveyed the surroundings,

while the other casually spent time sending texts to someone.

On the metal box in front of them, the words ‘TECHBOIZ’ were written.

“Whether it’s danger pay or nonsense, what good is the money if you’re dead?

Rest time is over, hurry up and send the payment!”

“We won’t pay until the product is thoroughly verified.

There’s no evidence that you brought something genuine.”

“Damn, I brought it straight from there.

I handed over everything from the box to the product manual, and the suit-wearing jerk – um, uh?!”

The excited one’s speech was cut off, and the caught jaw was lifted in an instant.

The soldier standing silently was single-handedly bearing the weight.

“The guy who knows money is useless if your life is cut short is urging the noose.

Maybe we’ll be suspected, nonsense. The guy who brought it, already caught and activated the backdoor…”

A hand wearing black synthetic leather gloves tightened around the neck.

Then, the soldier took out the pistol he had tucked into his waistband while keeping the submachine gun slung over his shoulder.

With a sharp object slicing through the air, gray smoke spread.

The goggles shattered, blood splattering.

“Is there anything else you’ve stolen? Like a tracking device or a bomb?”

The feeble body lying on the ground shook violently in the hands of the two men.

The pockets were sticking out of the clothes, and the worn-out coat easily tore apart.

“No, there isn’t. But we managed to escape before taking any further action.”

“Well, then what are we going to do? We’ve caught them stealing and it’s turned into a huge mess. We have no idea what those bastards were making and got themselves into. Now, what the hell are we supposed to report to the higher-ups, damn it…”

A shabby wallet fell to the ground,

and the screen of the dirty-handed phone shattered into pieces.

In the picture of someone laughing with friends or brothers,

the gold had faded away.

The once shining screen had gone dark like that.

“Now what do we do? Do we retreat?”

Gunshots occasionally echoed in the surroundings.

But perhaps due to the harsh weather, the sound of sirens did not ring out.

It was Incheon, completely ruined since the war.

Is there anything more we can do by staying here?

…The tracking device probably won’t stick in this weather.

Let’s get out of here.

Chemicals coloring the sky.

Dark yellow dust splattered on it.

Even if you stare at the sky, you can’t know what’s above it.

Even if it’s a high-performance camera.

“How do we deal with the stuff -“

“Don’t bother and throw it away.

Don’t mess with that unnecessarily; nobody knows what might happen.

The four new members in the team next to us got involved in the activation of the backdoor and had some trouble.”

The one who was sifting through the dust that had piled up on the box, holding a gun with settled smoke, was surprised and stepped back.

The man standing next to him chuckled and quickly approached, moving his lips.

“Beep. Beep. Beep.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t do that. It’s bad luck.”

“I heard it wasn’t a bomb but a robot arm that went wild inside the plane.

They said they smacked the pilot’s head and made it crash from the air.”

“Can that happen?”

“We don’t know, so aren’t we taking it with us just in case?”

As we tapped the screen wrapped around the wrist, like a watch, twice, a blue light flashed with noise.

Gradually vibrating and dusting off, it was an aerial transport with six thrusters.

However,

“What’s going on? Why did it suddenly turn off?”

The deafening roar of the engines that had filled the ears suddenly fell silent.

The lamps that illuminated the yellow darkness followed suit.

“There’s nothing on the screen. What’s with the sudden noise interference?”

Soldiers of the company, perplexed as they tapped their helmets.

A man in a suit, constantly tapping his wrist.

A gunshot cut through the two.

“Damn it -“

Once again, the vehicle, now starting to be covered in sand, became a mess of blood.

The red liquid, swallowing all sorts of filthy things, thickly fell to the ground.

From the blood-soaked mask, air escaped.

[Air leakage. Air leakage. Air leakage.]

“Where did it come from?”

“It’s definitely nearby. Damn it, why does the screen keep getting noisy?”

“Take off your visor!”

“Take it off? Hell no!”

Facing the wind full of dust, they peeked outside behind the thrusters of the aerial transport.

However, all they saw was a sea of yellow in their field of view.

Nothing could be seen clearly.

[Air leak. Air leak. Air leak.]

“Turn that off, it’s driving me crazy with the noise.”

“Do you know where the enemy is and why are you blabbering like that?”

The hands holding the guns were all trembling.

As the enemy didn’t appear despite waiting, those who were ambushed lost their patience.

“Could it be that we’re not getting any signals or something like that?”

“Don’t you see that chaos? If we let our guard down, we’ll end up in a mess like that too.”

“Well, still. It’s been quite some time already, and they’re not showing up.”

“…That’s true, though.”

“We’re screwed. I’m going first.”

Tapping the visor of the helmet, one of them, who had grown impatient with the incessant noise, quickly aimed forward.

As they took a step forward and stretched their foot to put on the camouflage mask quickly.

“Bam!”

With a sound like thunder, their body hit a steel plate.

Due to the impact and pain, the trigger was pulled, scattering bullets,

And the exoskeleton collapsed to the ground along with its owner.

“Dylan!”

“Click, gurgle, clunk…”

The sound of blood rising echoed through the communication channel.

I didn’t even know where I was injured, but my trembling hand scraped the sandy floor.

The remaining person was engulfed in fear.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo.”

He pressed his fingers on the trigger and took in breaths rapidly.

The safety had long been released.

Since the screen was still flickering, he closed his eyes.

“I can do it, I can, damn it, if only I can get on the transport…”

But those words couldn’t continue.

Amidst all the chaotic noise, there was something that sounded the loudest.

– Thud.

Something heavy hit his sturdy helmet.

The frightened soldier turned his head and there was someone holding a sleek and elegant revolver.

“Sav, save -“

Gunshots echoed through the open space filled with sand and wind.

But in the bustling city full of turmoil, it was just a tiny tremor.

***

Pulling the trigger once more, I finished off the person bleeding out.

Whether it was lucky or unlucky, I couldn’t say.

Because of the aim at the waist that happened to go towards the chest, it pierced through both lungs.

The big motion of taking off the mask created an opening.

“Three with this. There won’t be any more.”

He didn’t bother tearing off the part covered with tape.

Whether it was a sapphire or a laser device, it was obvious that the company name had been erased.

Instead, he lightly wiped away the dust accumulated on the aerial transport with his hand.

Testu was also an affiliate of Mirsis.

I wonder if they’re aiming for tech boys here as well.

I thought they were good at imitating on the Tonhu side, but maybe Mirsis needs them too.

However, it didn’t seem like they were trying to pull out the technology with all their might.

That’s because they didn’t even call for support – the number of personnel was too small.

Seeing that they couldn’t respond properly even after setting up electronic warfare…

It was doubtful whether the guys who came to retrieve important items were correct.

If there’s one thing that bothers me, it’s bringing back a pretty expensive aerial transport.

Maybe because it could be noticed if moved on the ground.

Even if the weather is like this, being overly vulnerable to different attacks on the ground rather than in the air might have been a concern.

But it seems like the level of the people about to board is too low.

“There’s no need to think too complicatedly.”

After all, the request is to bring back the stolen items by road.

The sooner we return, the sooner we can tease Ilia.

Buying something tasty with the allowance is just a bonus.

‘Site secured. Items obtained.’

Leaning against the transport vessel, I sent a message using the keyboard of the cool smartwatch on my wrist.

Normally, I would have tapped on my phone, but today’s weather was truly unusual.

‘Requesting the collection of on-site recording devices.

Additionally, if there are casualties and vehicles, please provide photos as well.

As the pilfered items contain built-in location trackers, kindly place them in inconspicuous locations. Thank you.’

No, why do they assign so much work?

The balance of Suji-tasan is off –

‘We will settle additional fees for the collected memory chips and devices.’

Well, I guess I have to do it this way.

Being a mercenary means doing anything for money.

This way, besides necessities, there’s extra money to spend on something else.

…How about buying new clothes for Ilia?

Not only is her face pretty, but her body – well, it’s quite well-shaped.

Anything would look beautiful on her.

One phone, fallen on the ground with its gold worn off,

Three phones from the Tessuto personnel,

And the memory chips from the jamming masks and helmets were taken out and neatly placed in a bag.

The issue was the recording device inside this transport vessel.

After taking pictures of each of the bodies, I transmitted photos up to the aerial transport vessel.

‘What about the black box of the transport vessel?’

‘Well done. Our team will handle the situation appropriately.

If you could please move only our items shown in the photo to the back of the transport vehicle, we will arrange to transfer the deposit from our building.’

Oops, the box.

Hastily dragging it onto the ground, I placed it inconspicuously in a suitable spot.

With this, today’s work is done –

‘I’m Ilia.’

‘Mr. Taehyuk, are you okay?’

…Ilia?

How did the message get sent?

I never even told anyone how.

No, did Ilia really send it in the first place?

‘Ilia, who are you?’

‘I am CI-125. I contacted you using the number registered under Mr. Taehyuk’s name in Mirsis Corporation.

Is this the correct person, Mr. Taehyuk, affiliated with Mirsis?’

The reply came immediately after sending,

and the introduction of that number.

He was correct.

‘I’m fine. Just finished a job. How did you send the message?’

‘I connected to the internet through system synchronization.’

Certainly, yesterday, I alone turned the lights on and off at home.

In many ways, it seemed to be equipped with various functions.

‘Video’

‘I’ve organized everything at home. It’s fortunate that you’re safe.’

On the screen, it was indeed our house.

The neatly organized rooms looked not gloomy or heavy, but surprisingly bright.

Perhaps it felt that way because I turned on the lights every time I showed the rooms.

Finally, Ilia, with the bathroom light on, glanced around, reflecting herself in the mirror.

Indeed, I chose a good face.

Beautiful.

Everything about her was like that.

‘I’ll be back soon.’

‘I’ll be waiting.’

With a quick response as the last, I closed the screen.

My mood became strange.

Someone waiting for me at home.

Having lived alone for so long, just Ilia reaching out made me feel warm.

Anyway, she worries… huh.

Is this enough to be truly human?

Or is it an extension of a program that routinely checks if I haven’t frozen to death in the middle of the night?

One thing was clear – even with a few simple messages, I felt a warmth spreading.

Hmm, should I buy some chicken and take it with me?