mission one : part 2

[Emergency Quest – Buy Time Against Tier 3 Monsters]

Quest Giver: XQuest Type: Time-Delay MissionMission Brief:"One of our bases has just been attacked by five Tier 3 monsters. Your mission is to buy time for your unit leaders to secure the base and formulate a counterattack. You are not to engage in direct combat with the monsters or attempt to kill them. Your task is simple: survive and delay the monsters until the leaders can complete their mission."

Mission Details:

Assignment: Each unit will be given one Tier 3 monster to deal with. You will have two buses available to your unit. On these buses, you will find weapons suitable for delaying the monsters, not for killing them.

Objective: Your primary goal is to hold the monster off and ensure your unit leaders have the time they need to act. You must not attempt to kill the monster, but instead, focus on survival and keeping it occupied.

Failure Consequence: Failure to buy time and protect the base will result in your entire unit being sent home.

Time Limit: You must hold the line for X hours (determined based on the situation). The more effective you are, the more time your unit leaders will have.

Equipment: Each bus will provide specific gear for dealing with the monster, including traps, explosives, and barriers to delay its movement. The weapons are designed for crowd control and defense, not lethal damage.

Rewards:

Successful Completion: Increased reputation with your unit, special perks for combat training.

Failure: Demotion, penalty to reputation, and potential reassignment.

Mission Start:The mission begins immediately upon receiving your orders. You will be deployed to your assigned monster with your unit. You are expected to use tactics and strategies to delay the monster's progress toward the base. Any attempt to confront or kill the monster will lead to mission failure.

Seon read through the quest details as the buses began to pull up. The other units quickly moved onto their buses, but Seon didn't rush. He inspected each bus and checked the weapons available before assigning them to the units. He made sure to allocate weapons that his members already knew how to use. Once that was done, he sent out the quest and gave the order for the unit to board the buses.

He noticed the skeptical stares from those who knew him. They questioned his authority, but after some time, they followed his instructions.

Seon climbed aboard the same bus as the tanks and long-range shooters. He discussed the plan with them. Since their mission was to buy time, the strategy was simpler. He assigned the scouts to search for survivors, while the medics would take care of the injured. He divided the tanks and long-range shooters into smaller groups. At first, half the bus ignored him, but as soon as they heard the rest of the plan, they started to listen.

The plan was to evacuate survivors and then begin dealing damage to the monster. As the unit inspected their weapons, Seon studied the site and the monster's details. After finalizing the plan, he sent each member to their designated positions. He reviewed everything one last time before the buses finally arrived at their destination.

They stopped a few kilometers from the site. Once the buses halted, the scouts were the first to move into the forest. They were equipped with Celestial detection glasses, location trackers, and high-tech boots that worked like Seon's stealth step. Seon activated his Danger Sense and moved out with the scouts. The long-range shooters followed closely behind, covering the scouts' movements.

As the scouts began rescuing survivors, the medics set up their stations in the buses, and the tanks moved to the front lines. The monster noticed the tanks immediately and began its attack.

Seon gave the order to activate the shields and for the first group of shooters to close in.

The scouts were moving cautiously, searching for survivors in the rubble-strewn area. The place was a mess—concrete and debris everywhere, with most of the buildings destroyed.

[Tactical Foresight activated]

Seon issued the command for the long-range shooters to begin firing as the tanks moved closer. The goal was to push the monster away from the campsite. However, the monster countered by attacking the rear of the tanks, sending half of them flying. Seon quickly pulled out his gun and used Stealth Step to run to the weakened side of the tanks.

He gave orders for the tanks to follow his lead and aimed at the monster's stomach. The scouts rushed behind him to help the injured members. The monster staggered back as they attacked, and the long-range shooters followed suit, aiming at its eyes.

[Warning! Threat is activating its ability – Fire Blast]

"Pull up your shields!" Seon yelled, activating his own shield as he moved toward the monster.

The monster paused, and Seon seized the moment to take advantage of the lull. He pulled out his katana and leaped over the collapsed walls, landing directly on the monster. With a swift motion, he drove the katana into its eyes.

The monster let out a screech that sent Seon and his unit flying back.

[Warning! Threat is activating its ability – Fire Blast]

"Move back and start firing at its stomach again!" Seon ordered, struggling to get back to his feet.

The monster seemed unaffected by the attack, its wounds already healing. Seon used Tactical Foresight to analyze the situation and signaled the long-range shooters to target the other eye. Meanwhile, the tanks repositioned to avoid the monster's blast range. The creature cocked its head back and released another powerful blast from its mouth.

Once the blast subsided, the long-range shooters aimed at the monster's other eye, while the tanks pushed forward to force it back. The monster waved its hand in front of its face, trying to block its vision, but the shots kept landing.

Finally, the creature began to stumble back.

Suddenly, an unexpected blast hit the monster with enough force to knock Seon off his feet. He quickly ordered his unit to clear out. As they moved back, more blasts hit the monster, causing it to collapse.

"You guys did a really good job, seeing as no one died," Grim said, grinning with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. His satisfaction was evident as he surveyed the fallen members of Seon's unit, some of whom had passed out.

Seon didn't reply. He felt weak. Though his unit had barely managed to hold the monster still, Grim had destroyed it in just a few hits. The realization stung—he was still far from the kind of power he aspired to.

The scouts moved in with the medics and began treating the injured. Grim looked over the situation and pulled out his tablet.

"Looks like the other units are still occupied, so let's take this time to make a report," Grim said, turning to Seon.

Seon accessed the data from the system and started reading through it. The unit had suffered casualties, but they managed to rescue everyone. Still, there were quite a few injured. As Seon went over the numbers, Grim appeared surprised, not only at how detailed the report was but at the impressive statistics. The mission had been a clean success with only half the unit injured and no fatalities.

[Quest complete]

[New Ability: Dominance Aura]

Ability Name: Dominance Aura (Active/Passive)Type: Active → PassiveActivation Cost: Requires focus, energyDuration: 10 minutes (Active) / Permanent (Passive once mastered)Effect:

Active Effect: When activated, Seon emits an aura that instills a sense of fear or respect in those around him, especially his unit. Enemies within his aura experience doubts, hesitation, and fear, making it harder for them to act decisively against him or his team. Unit members feel an increased sense of trust and obedience, naturally drawn to follow his commands.

Passive Effect: Once activated and practiced over time, the aura becomes a permanent part of Seon's presence. His mere existence in a battle or command scenario causes those within a certain radius to subconsciously respect his authority, increasing the likelihood of obedience. The effect strengthens in high-stress situations.

Limitations:

High Cost of Activation: Frequent use of the aura causes mental fatigue, requiring Seon to rest between activations.

Limited Range: The aura's effect weakens with distance.

Resistance: Strong-willed individuals or those with high mental fortitude can resist the aura's influence.

How This Works for Seon:As Seon's authority grows, his ability to lead and command his unit will become more effective. The Dominance Aura helps him maintain control over his team, ensuring they follow his orders, even in chaotic situations.

After the report, and once the medics were finished, the unit boarded the buses to return. This time, the buses felt livelier. As it was announced that there would be a celebration involving meat and beer, everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Seon noticed the change in the atmosphere—everyone was talking and laughing, a stark contrast to the tension just moments before.

But Seon felt differently. He realized he had severely overestimated himself. Despite barely being hit, his health was at 30%, and he had made little contribution to the fight. Seeing how easily Grim had taken down the monster, Seon didn't feel like celebrating. Instead, he felt weak and outclassed, his sense of inadequacy only growing.

The others were celebrating, but Seon was lost in his own thoughts