The war knows no holidays or celebrations.
The ruthless merchants who roamed around Times Square, forcing the sale of useless goods, the people who took commemorative photos and then demanded tips, and even the police who were supposed to regulate such things.
The people running restaurants, boasting outrageously expensive prices, and the Wall Street suits, who made billions by trading other people's money and profiting from the margins.
The New Yorkers, sitting with hollow eyes, holding a hot cup of coffee in the filthy subway platforms—everyone vanished. Over Manhattan, only blood and steel remained.
What people who had struggled to survive in that hell needed was comfort, but it was also true that such comfort didn’t come easily.
However, the fact that it didn’t come easily didn’t necessarily mean failure.
From December 20th to 23rd, Task Force Dagger and Aricon were deployed in all directions.
The 24 or so personnel, split into 8 operational teams, took as many micro-explosive drones as they could, leaving the remaining spaces filled with reconnaissance drones.
At Westchester Airport, hundreds of drones took off and landed repeatedly for three days, and thousands of decoy drones flew into the air to complete the map of enemy air defense systems.
Each time one was shot down, the enemy's location and the type of missile they were using were identified, allowing the United States to formulate a meticulous counterattack plan.
Then, not long after, when two Task Forces aboard Valkyries split up and scattered across New Jersey and Long Island, no one in the Allied forces had any idea that their air defense systems would be dismantled in just three short days.
"You're using American assets however you like, huh? Well, I suppose now it’s time to pay the rental fee, right?"
"W-what...!"
The Allies realized through their conflict with the U.S. that taking and using another’s property was one of the most effective strategies. Changing the target of surface-to-air missiles was not even that difficult with some adjustments.
In addition, the portable surface-to-air missiles they brought, along with the air defense battalions included in their airborne units—New York’s skies were slowly becoming not American at all.
At least, up until December 20th.
From the U.S. military's perspective, there was no need to go around killing everyone in sight. The task was simply to launch microbomb drones from a distance, landing them on missile pods and other equipment.
When the warhead of a surface-to-air missile inside a pod exploded, the vehicle would shake, debris would fly in all directions, and secondary damage would be caused. However, the Icarus operators didn’t need to worry about such things.
That wasn’t the end. The Dagger team was able to faithfully fulfill its role as special forces, carrying out sabotage only on locations like rear ammunition depots.
Though it was also felt in the Northeastern U.S., sometimes a wipeout operation could bring about unexpected results.
And as it was—
"Alright, let’s wrap this up... and get ready to head back."
"...We're heading back sooner than expected?"
"It wouldn't be right to bury bullets into the Slavic friends’ brows on such a holy day, would it? Sometimes taking a brief rest can be a two-step forward, you know."
By around December 23rd, the Icarus operators deployed in all directions seemed to vanish like smoke.
While the Allies raised their alert levels to the maximum, thinking there were enemies in the rear, and even planned to use Iskander ballistic missiles, this too was a thoroughly calculated situation.
After the Icarus operators wiped out the enemy forces deployed in Manhattan, the Allies were at the peak of their nervous breakdowns. There was no element to disperse the missile explosion damage in the building jungles, so those Icarus operators, deployed in such a high-risk area, had no reason to take unnecessary risks.
The strategy chosen was because no one knew what extreme decisions the Allies, fueled by anger, would make if they were wiped out in the same way again.
How much time passed?
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
"The Allied forces in New Jersey and around the airport seem to have stopped their offensive and are focusing on internal cleanup."
"Of course. After getting thoroughly beaten, they’ll have to sit tight for at least a week. I wonder when those guys will stop their useless antics and surrender quietly."
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"Even now, the enemy is still landing forces on Newfoundland Island. It doesn’t seem like it’ll be that easy..."
"Well, that's true. They say a Columbia-class ship will arrive in the Atlantic in about two months. Let’s wait for that."
The entire New York front seemed to have entered a temporary lull, and during this time, the Icarus operators from the Central Park HQ returned to base.
The scars of war had scratched through the base, and the southern wall had collapsed as though it had never existed. A large crater was left where artillery shells, which the anti-air lasers couldn’t intercept, had hit, and only the wreckage of collapsed buildings remained.
Such scenes left a lasting impression not just on the operators but also on the civilians' hearts.
If this place was destroyed as well, there would be no place left to go.
Nearly a year had passed, and Central Park HQ had become the second home for many.
Civilians, understanding this fact, voluntarily began clearing debris and even helped with the reconstruction of broken infrastructure, doing their best in the situation.
"The participation rate in the construction is increasing."
"It's a good thing it's not a proper warehouse. If the warehouse was hit in this situation... hold on. By the way, where’s the wolf pup?"
"He’s probably carrying something around right now."
"He's quick, isn’t he? Let’s get him something to eat when he gets back to his dorm. I think there’s still some cheese from Missouri, a whole ton of it. Give him some of that too."
"Understood."
The HQ responded sensitively to the attacks.
Officially, it was claimed that the supplies would be provided in exchange for food and other necessities, but the amount was significant enough that no one was unaware of the true meaning: to ensure a prosperous Christmas.
Normally, the Icarus operators, who had just returned, would also have to take their supplies, but that wasn’t the case now. It had only been a short time since all the operators returned from their mission.
So, only those who could move were the ones who did. To be more precise, Lapland, who represented the alpha-class mutants, had taken on the role of carrying all the supplies.
"I told Lapland to take as much as he wanted, but... he won’t take everything, right?"
"...If he takes everything from the warehouse, that would be impressive, wouldn’t it?"
"Well, the mutants probably eat a lot, so whatever. Anyway, once we’re done, let’s take turns and leave the rest to the control AI and get some rest. It’s killing me to survive on naps for two weeks."
"Alright. Would you like to go eat something, Chief Operations Officer?"
"Yeah."
Even though they ventilated the rooms, it was inevitable that a stinky smell would permeate the entire space when working at the same spot for too long.
There were many people who hadn’t even shaved properly and some with messy hair. Those who were able to wash their face and sleep on time were part of the top 30%.
The operations officers had to be ready to return to the field at any time, just like the on-site operators. Fortunately, the Dagger team made sure there were no issues and continued to crush the Allied forces until the very end.
Even the operations officers, who made an irreplaceable contribution to the defense of the HQ, couldn’t help but show their respect.
"At this rate, if something flies in on Christmas... I wonder where will be annihilated next?"
"I think the operators going out on mission are probably the ones suffering the most."
"That’s why I’m talking to myself like this. Don’t go around saying it."
"I’ll pretend to be drunk and tell Lapland everything, don’t worry."
"What? Hey, hey! I was wrong! I’m sorry!"
Where would Lapland choose to go between the operations officers’ Christmas party and the on-site operators’ party? Chief Operations Officer Kane thought briefly about this, but quickly forgot about it.
After all, Christmas Eve was coming soon.
With the snow falling from the sky.
"A white Christmas like I’ve never experienced before."
Would it be a blessing, or misfortune?
No one knew whether the heartfelt wishes of all would reach the sky.
"...No, it looks like Santa came a couple of days early. Why are there so many groceries?"
"If you're awake, heh, huff, please help me out a bit...!"
"Yeah, yeah, our wolf pup really went all out."
Meanwhile, Lapland was struggling to gather enough food for the whole Dagger team.
"...Ah, I’m dying. I’ve reached a point where sleep can’t even shake off the exhaustion."
"After spending the entire day flying drones, I'm exhausted... Ah, that feels good. Press down there a little, wolf pup."
"I carried all the groceries..."
"Yeah, yeah. You did well. Good job."
"It's too late to be pampered now!"
On December 24, 2030, at 8 AM.
I distinctly remembered going to bed around 9 PM yesterday, but even after sleeping for a full 11 hours without dreaming, the fatigue didn't seem to go away. It wasn't completely gone.
It was the first time since becoming a mutant that I felt muscle aches and exhaustion like this. I wondered if my body could feel this too, and suddenly, I found myself desperately wishing for some pain relief patches.
Rolling my eyes, I glanced around. It looked like I had woken up the latest since everyone else seemed to be getting massages from Lapland.
On days without missions, people usually woke me up forcibly for physical training, but now, the fact that I was allowed to sleep as much as I wanted told me just how much of a hard march we had been through.
Rustling.
I got up, clenched my fists, stretched my neck, and rotated my body as I turned toward the bed, pulling my knees up to check if my ankles were functioning properly. My feet were throbbing.
I shook off the remaining sleepiness. Of course, even though I said that, I knew I’d probably just fall back asleep if I felt tired later. Based on how the others were reacting, it looked like the seniors were in a similar situation.
I heard Owens’ team and the Eagle team were still fast asleep. I could understand why. If mutants like me were struggling with fatigue, I could only imagine how much worse it must be for the others.
While thinking this, I noticed everyone else was already back in bed, possibly having finished their massages.
It didn’t take long for me to lock eyes with Lapland.
"...Why? You want one too?"
"I'm fine. I’ll let the Captain have it."
"W-what? What are you suddenly saying!? What the hell?!"
Heh, surprise!
In an instant, Lapland's face turned red. I had made him angry! I could control Lapland’s emotions!
A few seconds passed, and I couldn't tell if it was out of frustration or embarrassment, but Lapland forcibly laid me down and, instead of a massage, tickled me under the guise of it. I couldn’t bear his delicate, bony fingers, and I laughed uncontrollably.
How much time passed, I don't know, but the conversation continued.
"Yujin. If that person were injured, Lapland wouldn't be here. He'd be off tending to them. Isn't that right?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, you're right."
"I’m not going to care for him! What do you think I am!?"
"Come on, don’t lie. Word around HQ is that the youngest has a crush on that guy. What, trying to cover it up now?"
"Me!? No way!!"
Why is this happening to me!?
More importantly, I don’t look at Captain Parkwoon like that. What on earth are they talking about? Of course, he’s the most reliable and good person I know... but... well, I don’t know.
If I hadn’t gotten the Icarus Gear earlier, I might have been a bit more open with my emotions like Lapland, but anyway, the timing was off. They say love is all about timing, after all.
That being said,
"I wonder if any of ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) us here likes to date men..."
"There’s definitely no one, even if you die."
"If Logan ever asks someone out, I’m going to drain my savings for a wedding gift... Aaaaagh!"
"I’ll seize it. You can give me your life too, right?"
"That guy’s got the nerve to joke around like he’s got nine lives. I wonder if he’ll even see the sunlight on Christmas day."
"...We’ve seen nothing, Lapland."
Lapland and I, as newbies—well, I’m not entirely sure we’re considered "newbies"—are definitely people who are completely unrelated to such dangerous scenes.
Anyway, we headed down to the first floor, leaving behind the amphibious battle. The dryers were whirring, filled with equipment missing magazines, grenades, bulletproof plates, radios, and wires.
Nearby, there was a large capacitor supplying electricity to all places requiring power, like heating, cooling, lighting, and Wi-Fi. Next to it, there was a sign indicating the possibility of charging the capacitor through a microwave.
As soon as the gear was applied, conversation began nearby.
"It seems Lapland has been charging it consistently. Good job. It’s important to charge on time, especially in winter, or else it’ll drain from the cold."
"I’ve been doing it whenever I had free time. I was at TOC until recently, so the charging really only started recently..."
"As long as you do what you're supposed to, it's fine. It's rare to get 120% results every time you go on mission. As long as we don’t set the target too high."
"I’m not sure why the conversation shifted that way, but anyway, let’s do our best."
"Right."
The conversation continued.
"With the blackout, there’s no Christmas tree, how depressing. Even in prison, they let you spend Christmas, don’t they?"
"Well, we just had a tree in the hallway and decorated the doors... I didn’t do much more than that. Honestly, I don’t really think about it now, since my childhood was the last time I spent a proper Christmas..."
"Is that so? What about you, youngest?"
"I don’t dislike Christmas, but I don’t celebrate it in a grand way..."
"I see."
Pat, pat.
I didn’t expect to get patted on the head at a time like this. By the time I realized, Olivia had been patting both my and Lapland's heads.
Hmm... A brief silence followed.
"I'm sure it’ll be fun. When you go back to Korea and meet your friends, you can share the happy memories you had here with them."
"...Yeah."
...Could I really do that?
How could I tell someone that this world isn’t the same place I came from? I briefly thought about it, and then Olivia, perhaps noticing the change in my expression or sensing this topic shouldn’t be touched, quickly shifted the conversation.
She tried to do so, and succeeded.
The reason was simple.
"Reminds me of old times. When I spent Christmas in Alaska, I used to put a stuffed reindeer head on top of the tree..."
"...Isn’t that a bit wild?"
"Not really. We ate bear meat and caribou meat pretty often back then. It was actually quite fun. The younger ones should have those kinds of experiences to really call it fun."
Suddenly, Logan barged in, dropping bombshell after bombshell.
For a moment, I think everyone at the table thought, "Is this guy really talking about bear meat...?" I know I did, but I didn’t say it out loud. It was obvious from the intense sparring he had just come from with Laurentina.
But, well...
"...It does sound like it could be fun."
"Right?"
One thing was for sure, though: being around these people, there was no way it wouldn’t be fun.
The anticipation for Christmas Eve was beginning to build.