Chapter 298: End Like This? (2)
Close-quarters combat often took place at distances closer than many imagine. An example of it being closer than imagined would be when you’re on the rooftop of a two-story structure, shooting at an enemy running in front of the neighboring building’s entrance. In simpler terms, one would likely assume that if the enemy was right below, a few pulls of the trigger would be enough. However, the reality was starkly different.
The presence of another enemy aiming at one’s head dramatically altered the situation. How could one describe the chilling sensation of bullets destroying the wall they were hiding behind shattering? Had it been just slightly higher, a bullet could have gone straight through their forehead. Survival hinged on quickly aiming, firing, and ducking before an enemy had the chance to respond.
This marked the distinction between special forces teams and regular troops. Special forces teams underwent grueling training that pushed them to their limits, including exercises designed to severely humble them. However, that intense preparation was what instilled a deep sense of pride within them.
Special forces soldiers were often presented with the option to quit.
"If anyone feels unsure, raise your hand now!" they would be told.
That question was the ultimate test for those selected for special forces training. Opting out at this stage meant being relegated to the status of 'il-bbang-bbang’[1] despite the apparent shortcomings of the regular troops' training.
The Jeungpyeong special forces team, composed of soldiers who had excelled in the Airborne division and the 606, stood as South Korea's finest. Hence, witnessing their seniors charge into enemy lines with C-4s made them feel a mix of gratitude, pride, immense regret, and profound frustration.
The DMZ team members, seasoned by their years of experience, resonated deeply with the feelings of the Jeungpyeong team. A unique excitement, better suited for a charge than a firing order, filled the ranks.
Amidst the darkness and silence, everyone awaited their next order. However, Kang Chul-Gyu remained silent for unknown reasons, his gaze intently scanning the enemy’s location.
What's happening? Why is he quiet?
Both the Jeungpyeong and DMZ teams looked at Kang Chul-Gyu with concern.
"Do we have a sniper?" questioned Kang Chul-Gyu amid the silence.
"There's one above," Kwak Cheol-Ho quickly responded.
What's going on?
Kwak Cheol-Ho's confusion lingered.
Chk.
"The trees in front of the building," Kang Chul-Gyu directed, prompting everyone to hastily examine the indicated trees.
He continued, "There’s no wind, yet they showed movement. Our enemies seem to have camouflaged themselves, waiting for the perfect moment to attack."
Considering they were quite deep into the night already, Kwak Cheol-Ho couldn’t help but ponder, ‘What do you mean they 'moved' without any wind?’
Wearing night-vision goggles, he scanned the trees but didn’t spot anything unusual. Meanwhile, Kang Chul-Gyu claimed to have noticed movement without the assistance of the goggles. As the DMZ King, his observations couldn’t be taken lightly. Their entire team could have been wiped out the moment they breached with C-4.
Chk.
"Yang Dong-Sik, I want you and ten others to enter the oil rig separately. Let me know when you're ready," ordered Kang Chul-Gyu.
Chk.
“Yes, sir.”
Afterward, Kang Chul-Gyu looked at the structure in front of him.
Smirking, he continued, "We often had to deal with this back at the DMZ. Unfortunately, unlike back then, the camouflage they’re using right now doesn’t seem to be the ordinary ones.”
Kwak Cheol-Ho scrutinized the trees in front of the oil rig once more. "What if our sniper targets them?"
Kang Chul-Gyu sighed softly. "Hmm. We will probably need at least two more snipers, and who knows how many more enemies are hidden in those buildings. We could end up wasting time on them."
"But what about the sunbaes you’re sending to the oil rig?"
"They have undertaken missions like this in the DMZ before. You can trust them."
"Yes, sir," answered Kwak Cheol-Ho. He then inadvertently shifted his gaze up toward the area where Yang Dong-Sik was.
Why did South Korea discard and waste these experienced and skilled people?
"Tsk... we need at least two more snipers..."
Hearing regret in Kang Chul-Gyu's voice, Kwak Cheol-Ho swiftly understood the situation. Snipers were needed to support the teams of Nam Il-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik.
Chk.
“We’ve got a vehicle approaching us from our six,” Yoon Sang-Ki radioed in.
Kang Chul-Gyu and Kwak Cheol-Ho turned around, finding the lights of a truck swaying as it approached.
"Ah, so then the sniper issue is dealt with," Kang Chul-Gyu murmured.
Chk.
“This is Kang Chan. We’re in the truck approaching your location,” Kang Chan said, identifying himself.
Hearing his name was like a breath of fresh air. Kang Chul-Gyu, Nam Il-Gyu, Yang Dong-Sik, and the rest of the DMZ team gazed at the Jeungpyeong special forces team with awe. Hearing Kang Chan’s voice completely changed the aura around them.
"Seems like we can proceed now," Kang Chul-Gyu murmured to himself again as the truck stopped.
Kang Chan and his team then walked over to their position. Kang Chul-Gyu genuinely smiled at him as he approached.
Click-clack! Click-clack! Thump! Thump!
Kang Chan glanced around the area and then directed Lee Doo-Bum and three of his men to go up the hill. Moving to the spot that Kang Chul-Gyu had moved away from, he examined the oil rig that their enemies had occupied.
"Do you see those trees in front of the buildings?"
"They're camouflaged, aren't they?"
"We think so, yes.”
Like Kwak Cheol-Ho, Nam Il-Gyu was astounded.
How did he notice that with just a glance? He's still so young! The blood on his head hasn't even dried yet! [2] Nam Il-Gyu thought to himself.
Oh Gwang-Taek, who hadn’t properly greeted them yet, sighed deeply.
"Do you have a sniper in your team?"
"I’ve sent him up," Kang Chan replied.
"We have two snipers now, then. If you and I take those guys down, we can send our boys in."
Kang Chan and Kang Chul-Gyu smirked at the same time.
Feeling as if something was off, their enemies found themselves in so much of a panic that they couldn’t bring themselves to move.
Kang Chan pressed the button on his helmet's radio.
Chk.
"This is Kang Chan. Snipers, focus on taking down the enemies near the right of the oil rig first. Once the battle resumes, I want those who will be infiltrating the enemy lines to use their best judgment to move and act. Everyone else, provide cover and make sure the enemy can’t retake the 20mm machine gun.”
The mood in the area changed with a single transmission.
Choi Jong-Il exchanged glances with Kwak Cheol-Ho and Oh Gwang-Taek. He then prepared with the others.
Click-clack! Click-thud!
After checking the magazine loaded in his gun, Kang Chan firmly pulled back the firing pin, sending a definitive order to attack.
Click-clack! Click-clack! Click-thud! Click-clack!
When Kang Chan took aim, Kang Chul-Gyu and everyone else did as well. At the same time, Kwak Cheol-Ho finally noticed the branches of the trees shaking despite the lack of wind.
Whoosh!
A soon spark burst from Kang Chan's rifle, sending a long white streak of light through the pitch-black night.
Thud.
The tree struck by the light fell sideways and sprawled on the ground.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Woosh! Whoosh! Woosh! Woosh!
Without hesitation, the rest unleashed a volley of fire. One of the camouflaged enemies attempted to retaliate, but they were already too late. Kang Chan, Kang Chul-Gyu, and their two snipers had brought down all the trees they could see.
Their platoon, consisting of the Jeungpyeong special forces soldiers, National Intelligence Service agents, twenty battle-hardened DMZ veterans, and a former gangster, proved to be quite formidable.
Whoosh! Bang! Whoosh! Bang! Whoosh! Bang!
Another enemy tried to retaliate against them, but just like those who had gone before him, they swiftly put a bullet in the middle of his eyes, knocking back his head.
"Aaargh!"
Another enemy, grasping their cracked skull, twisted in agony.
Boom! Crash!
All of a sudden, an explosion erupted from one corner of the fence.
Boom! Boom!
A similar explosion then echoed from the opposite side.
Crack! Crack! Whoosh! Bang! Whoosh! Bang!
Their opponents’ counterattack had been disrupted and thrown into disorganization. Moments later, bright muzzle flashes lit up the oil rig. Nam Il-Gyu’s and Yang Dong-Sik's teams had begun eliminating the enemies who were in hiding.
About five minutes of this one-sided engagement had passed.
Chk.
After about five minutes of their one-sided massacre, the teams inside the oil rig finally radioed in a report.
“This is Nam Il-Gyu. We have cleared the buildings. Should we blow up the place or hit the tangos at the main gate from behind?”
Kang Chul-Gyu looked at Kang Chan, signaling him to make the decision.
Chk.
"We’re getting our revenge. I want one team setting up the C-4s. The rest are to attack the main gate.”
Chk.
“Yes, sir.”
Although it seemed like a daunting task, they at least weren’t outnumbered, which made it worth the effort.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Crack! Whoosh! Crack! Whoosh!
The dynamics of the battle dramatically shifted. Kang Chan’s platoon took cover near the structure and opened fire, prompting a desperate retaliation from the enemies.
Crack! Whoosh! Bang! Crack! Whoosh! Bang!
The more their opponents resisted, the faster they were taken down.
In a flash, several shadows darted into the oil rig.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Even the snipers couldn’t help but stop to observe Kang Chan and Kang Chul-Gyu, who were seamlessly taking down foe after foe.
"Cease fire!" Nam Il-Gyu shouted behind the enemy lines.
Click-clack! Click-thud!
Kang Chan and Kang Chul-Gyu rushed forward, followed by their team members. Nam Il-Gyu’s left arm was bleeding heavily, a bullet having pierced into it.
Bang!
As Kang Chan walked over, Nam Il-Gyu forcefully kicked the person in Islamic attire lying in front of him.
"Ugh!"
"The nerve of this bastard!"
Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash!
"Ah, you fucking bitch! You shot my fucking arm!"
Crunch! Bang!
Despite having already subdued the enemy, Nam Il-Gyu kept kicking their chest in frustration, preventing his colleagues from approaching him and treating his wound.
"Huh? Why are you holding that? Why not ask us?"
Nam Il-Gyu fixed his expression and extended his left arm to his colleague. Oh Gwang-Taek didn’t find this scene strange at all anymore.
A few moments later, Yang Dong-Sik walked over to them, coiling spare wires around his arm and casually holding the detonator. "The C-4s have been set up. We've also taken eleven prisoners."
Kang Chan turned to Kang Chul-Gyu, questioning what they should do with the prisoners.
"We’re here to take revenge, aren’t we?"
Kang Chul-Gyu's soft voice reached everyone, including their enemies, who didn't speak Korean.
He added, "Can we do it our way?"
Seeing Kang Chan nod, Oh Gwang-Taek wondered, 'Could it be...?'
"Tie them up,” Kang Chul-Gyu commanded.
The group immediately sprang into action. The DMZ team, except for Nam Il-Gyu and Yang Dong-Sik, suddenly charged in.
The sight was so chilling that Kang Chan couldn’t help but smirk.
Crunch! Bang!
There was no room for resistance. The DMZ team members started hanging the enemies they had dragged, suspending them upside down from the structure.
"Do we really need to do this? Won’t they die anyway when the C-4s explode?" Kang Chan asked.
"The guides who led us here will spread the word. From now on, anyone who wants to cross South Korea will think twice, knowing they will have to confront us first."
Kang Chan sighed softly. He hadn't thought as far as Kang Chul-Gyu had.
"Everyone involved in this will surely be shocked. Despite suspecting an ambush, we pushed through with our operation and eliminated all targets, including this oil rig. More importantly..."
Kang Chul-Gyu paused and quickly scanned the surroundings.
"... we did it with almost no casualties.”
At that moment, their enemies realized this was where they’d die. One of them resisted being hanged, but the DMZ team’s powerful punches quickly put a stop to it.
Kang Chul-Gyu turned to his juniors. "Once we’re done here, people will fear your strength. They’ll pause and think twice before confronting you all."
Bang! Thud! Thud!
The brutal scene added weight to his words.
"For as long as you all live, nobody will dare take anyone from South Korea lightly."
Their captives, now hanging upside down, struggled as everyone turned to them.
"The real fight starts now."
The DMZ team lined up behind Kang Chul-Gyu, and the Jeungpyeong special forces team and the National Intelligence Service agents did the same behind Kang Chan. Kang Chan and Kang Chul-Gyu smirked.
Yang Dong-Sik walked around the perimeter, extending the wire wrapped around his arm, and then walked toward the back from Kang Chan’s position. With their mouths left ungagged, their enemies, suspended in the air, predictably cried out in agony.
"This is it," Yang Dong-Sik said, inserting the end of the wire that he had unwrapped from his arm into the detonator.
Click. Click.
"Technology has certainly improved."
Although unnecessary, the situation seemed to be demanding a more dramatic approach. Yang Dong-Sik, holding the detonator, looked back and forth between Kang Chan and Kang Chul-Gyu.
"Shall we start the timer and retreat?" Kang Chan suggested.
Yang Dong-Sik’s eyes widened as if asking, ‘How long?’
"Five minutes should be enough."
"Got it."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Squeak.
After pressing the button, Yang Dong-Sik looked up.
"Hey! Why did you start the timer?" Nam Il-Gyu shouted.
"Huh?" Yang Dong-Sik glanced at the timer in surprise, finding it already counting down. Quickly looking back up, he asked Kwak Cheol-Ho, "Can't we reset this?"
"I switched it to Type A earlier. Pulling out the wire now would spark an immediate explosion."
Kang Chan quickly glanced back. As a safety precaution, they had parked the trucks a good distance away.
"To the trucks! Go!"
The mood suddenly shifted. Four team members carried the injured, swiftly aiding the wounded as they all ran.
The C-4 explosion would send gusts of wind rushing past the nearby empty fields, followed by air being sucked back into the vacuum it would create. It was the reason signs or metal structures sometimes bent toward the explosion instead of away from it.
However, they were in an oil rig. The real danger was not knowing how far the flames rising into the sky would spread.
Rrring.
“Start the engines! Now!”
The sudden intensity of the situation might have seemed laughable under different circumstances, but right now, it nearly drove the soldiers and agents to madness.
Vroom. Vroom.
Kang Chan reached the truck first.
"Get on! Faster!" Kang Chan urged. His subordinates quickly boarded the trucks.
Vroom! Vroom! Clank! Vroom!
They drove off roughly. This likely sucked for the wounded, but they had no other option.
Thud! Thump!
Speeding away, the trucks jolted so hard with each bump that their buttocks were lifted off the seats.
"You should have been a bit more careful!" Nam Il-Gyu scolded.
Yang Dong-Sik nervously scanned his surroundings. "There used to be a red button and another one below it!"
Kang Chul-Gyu remained silent, showing only his signature smile.
Vroooom!
Roaring, the truck exerted more power, causing its speed to surge.
This should be safe enough...
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of daunting explosions soon erupted, illuminating the area so brightly that it looked as if the night had turned into day.
Crack!
The vehicle's windows cracked and shattered into pieces. Their ears rang from the blast. It felt as if the space around them was shaking.
Whoosh! Crash!
The vehicle was thrust high into the air before crashing back down.
Whish!
A blindingly fierce wind then swept past Kang Chan.
Boom! Crash! Boom!
Only then did their hearing return and the world felt real again.
Whish! Boom! Whish! Boom!
Fiery debris cascaded from the sky, resembling meteors.
Screech.
Kang Chan brought the truck to a stop. Exiting from the passenger side, he was joined by the agents in the cargo bed and those in the other trucks. They all turned their gaze toward the facility, the flames belching black smoke catching their attention.
In the distance, the wild flames and smoke from the oil rig blanketed the sky. The flickering flames illuminated Kang Chan and those around him as if to say that they would not forget.
1. ???(100) is the colloquial term for the South Korean Army's specialty number 111101. It is the default assignment for the majority of conscripts who do not have specific branch preferences or skills, making them riflemen by default. ☜
2. The phrase metaphorically signifies extreme youth, akin to a newborn. It implies that the person is so young that the metaphorical blood from their birth hasn't dried yet. ☜
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