Chapter 5 Strike team Trial

I addressed the assembled survivors in the waiting area, my voice clear and firm. "Alright, listen up. Everyone here will be assessed. I need to know what you can do, what skills you have, and what kind of shape you're in." I gestured around the room. "This isn't a free ride. We all have to contribute if we want to survive. Those of you who can fight will be trained and integrated into our defense force. Those who can't..." I paused, letting the unspoken implication hang in the air. "...will be assigned to other essential tasks. Kitchen duty, cleaning, maintaining the living quarters, preparing accommodations for future arrivals of suvivors – all of it is vital to the smooth running of this fortress." I scanned their faces checking their reactions, I looked for any sign of resistance. "We'll start with physical aptitude tests, then move on to skills assessments. Let's get to it." I'm not asking. I'm telling. Their is no such thing as free lodging here we should contribute on thing we can for our fortress any objection your free to leave my fortress"

I focused my mind, extending my senses, using the ability I'd honed over countless trials: mind reading. I scanned each of the ten survivors I'd brought back, probing thru their thoughts, their intentions, their underlying motivations. It is a necessary precaution. Trust is a dangerous commodity these days, and I can't afford any surprises.

To my relief, I found no hidden agendas, no simmering resentment, no treacherous plots. They were scared, yes, and uncertain, but they were also cooperative, grateful even. It seemed my instincts had been right about them. All ten were genuinely willing to contribute and follow my lead. A wave of relief washed over me. For once, things were going smoothly. Ten new, potentially valuable members for my fortress. It is a good start.

After settling in the new members, I took stock of our growing group. It is crucial to understand everyone's strengths and weaknesses if we were to survive and thrive. I assessed each individual, noting their skills and abilities. Several, including Han So Chul and his friends, showed a natural aptitude for combat. These individuals were given weapons and began regular firearms practice on our base firing range. We also incorporated daily sparring sessions to hone our fighting skills and build teamwork. It is essential to be prepared for any eventuality.

Those who weren't suited for combat were assigned other vital tasks. Some took on cooking duties, ensuring we had regular meals. Others were responsible for cleaning and maintaining the living quarters, keeping our environment sanitary and organized. We also worked on preparing additional accommodations, anticipating the need for more space as our group grew. Everyone had a role to play, contributing to the overall survival and functionality of our growing community. We are building not just a fortress, but a self-sufficient unit, each member vital to the whole.

I would like to form a strike team this team will be my special force specialize in rescue mission assault mission.

As our group settled into a routine of training and preparation, the need for a more specialized team became clear. We needed a strike force, a dedicated unit capable of handling high-risk missions, particularly rescue operations and targeted assaults. This team would be my special forces, operating under my direct command.

I gathered the individuals who had shown the most promise in combat training, including Han So Chul and his friends.

"I'm forming a strike team," I announced.

"You've all demonstrated the skills and the mindset necessary for this kind of work. You'll be my special forces, specializing in rescue missions and assault operations."

I outlined the responsibilities of the team – infiltrating hostile locations, rescuing hostages, eliminating threats, and gathering intelligence. It is a dangerous work, but it is necessary. These missions would be crucial for our survival and for the survival of others. I emphasized the importance of teamwork, discipline, and absolute obedience to my commands. This team would be an extension of my will.

Our training continued relentlessly. Three weeks passed, and the world outside our walls descended further into chaos. The reports coming in were grim – the infected hordes were growing, and the Evolved and Hybrids were becoming more prevalent, posing an even greater threat. We can't afford to be complacent. We have to be ready.

I equipped my special forces team with advanced drones, allowing them to survey the surrounding areas and gather crucial intelligence before embarking on any mission. The armor kits I had received as rewards from the system proved invaluable, providing added protection for the team. They trained rigorously, honing their skills, becoming a well-oiled machine. Sturdy, sharp, and quick-witted, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Even the non-combatants received basic self-defense training. It wasn't as intense as the strike team's regimen, but it was essential. Everyone needed to be able to protect themselves if the base was ever attacked. Survival was a collective effort.

Amidst the training, I noticed Yi Tong, the 10-year-old boy I had rescued with his mother. He was always watching us, his eyes filled with admiration. Despite his age, he was eager to participate in the training, mimicking our movements with surprising enthusiasm. I had told him that I wouldn't allow him to participate in combat missions, that it was too dangerous. But he remained determined, telling me that he wanted to be as strong as I was. His unwavering spirit and admiration, while touching, also worried me. This world was no place for a child. But I understood his desire to protect himself, to contribute. I decided to channel his energy into less dangerous activities, perhaps focusing on skills that could be useful in other ways. His determination, if properly guided, could be an asset to the community.

Our numbers had grown. We were now a group of thirty, a small but resilient community carved out of the chaos. Our scouting missions, which had become a regular part of our routine, had yielded more survivors. Each rescue was a victory, a small beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.

A week ago, I had sent the strike team on their very first mission. It was a carefully planned operation, targeting a small outpost overrun by infected. I knew they were ready, but I also knew that experience was the best teacher. This mission was designed to give them that experience, to test their skills in a real-world scenario. I monitored the operation closely through the drone feeds, ready to intervene if necessary. They performed admirably, their training paying off. They moved with precision and coordination, taking down the infected with ruthless efficiency. They returned to the base successful, not only having cleared the outpost but also having gathered valuable supplies. It was a promising start. They were becoming the force I needed them to be.

A piercing alarm shattered the relative tranquility of the base, jolting everyone into a state of heightened alert. Simultaneously, a new mission notification flashed across my system interface:

Mission: Subdue the Evolved

Evolved kills: 0/2

Reward:

Unlock skill - I cool (Pasive) descryption ability keep mind cool and to remain calm even in unfavorable condition

Even before I could fully process the notification, the AI's holographic projection materialized, displaying a chilling scene. A horde of infected, their numbers vast and their movements frenzied, and rapidly approaching our perimeter. And leading them, is towering figure, its form distorted and its eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence – an Evolved.

My heart pounded. This is it. The true test. The trial by fire. "Everyone to your stations!" I commanded, my voice echoing through the base. "We have incoming!"

This isn't just a random encounter. The Evolved, with its heightened awareness, is clearly targeting our base. This was a deliberate attack, a challenge. And we will meet it head-on.

"Strike team, prepare for perimeter defense!" I ordered. "Drones, provide real-time surveillance and target acquisition. Non-combatants, move to the inner shelter. AI, activate all automated defenses."

I surveyed the holographic projection, assessing the horde's movements and the Evolved's strategy. This is a perfect opportunity to evaluate my team's capabilities under pressure. Their training, their teamwork, their resilience – it would all be tested now. We would defend our fortress, and we would subdue the Evolved. This is not just a mission; it is a statement. We will not be broken.

The Evolved, two hulking monstrosities, reached a massive tree trunk and swung it like battering rams towards our main gate. The impacts shook the entire fortress, and I could hear the reinforced steel groan under the strain. Our automated gatling sentry, positioned atop the watchtower, opened fire, spewing a hail of bullets towards the Evolved. But to my dismay, the rounds seemed to have little effect, bouncing harmlessly off their thick hides. These creatures were tougher than I anticipated.

"We can't rely on the automated defenses alone!" I yelled to my team. "Strike team, engage! Flanking maneuvers, prioritize the weaker infected. We need to thin the horde before they overwhelm us."

We launched a coordinated assault, our movements swift and decisive. Han So Chul and his friends, armed with a combination of firearms and melee weapons, cut through the horde like a scythe through wheat. Each member of the strike team moved with a precision and ferocity that was both impressive and terrifying. But the sheer number of infected was overwhelming. They surged forward relentlessly, their hunger for flesh driving them onward.

I focused on the female Evolved, the one slightly smaller, but no less dangerous. I had to find a way to exploit its weaknesses. As it swung the tree trunk again, I saw my opportunity. With a burst of adrenaline, I sprinted towards the creature, dodging its wild swings. Just as it was about to bring the trunk down again, I leaped, propelling myself upwards with a force I didn't know I possessed. I landed on its back, my fingers digging into its thick hide for purchase. The female Evolved roared in fury, its movements becoming even more erratic as it tried to dislodge me. I clung on, my mind racing. I needed to find a way to bring this beast down.

Clinging to the female Evolved's back, I knew I had to act fast. Its erratic movements were making it difficult to maintain my grip, and the horde below was still a significant threat. I reached for the specialized short sword at my hip. This wasn't just any blade; it was forged from a rare metal ore meteorite, a reward from the system. I had personally smithed it, shaping it into a razor-sharp, short sword, its edge capable of slicing through almost anything.

With a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the blade into the female Evolved's back, aiming for the base of its neck. The impact was jarring, the blade sinking deep into its flesh. The female Evolved roared in pain, its body convulsing violently. I twisted the sword, trying to sever the creature's spinal cord. The female Evolved thrashed wildly, attempting to throw me off, but I held on, my grip tightening.

The creature's movements became weaker, its roars fading into guttural groans. I pulled the sword out and plunged it in again, this time aiming for its head. The blade pierced through its skull, and the female Evolved's body went limp. It collapsed to the ground, its massive form shaking the earth.

The male Evolved, witnessing the demise of its companion, let out a deafening roar of rage. Its eyes blazed with fury, and its movements became even more frantic. It seemed to have lost all sense of strategy, driven solely by a primal desire for vengeance. The horde of infected, now leaderless, began to scatter, their frenzied movements becoming aimless. My team, seeing the female Evolved fall, surged forward, their attacks becoming even more relentless. They quickly overwhelmed the remaining infected, clearing the perimeter.

The remaining male evolve is now the main threat.

The male Evolved is a whirlwind of destruction. Enraged by the death of its companion, it tore through the remaining infected, flinging them aside like rag dolls. Its strength was monstrous, its rage uncontrollable. We tried to subdue it, but our attacks seemed to have little effect. It shrugged off bullets and blades, its focus solely on causing as much damage as possible.

"This isn't working!" I yelled over the din, dodging a swipe of its massive claws. "We need a new strategy!"

But before I could formulate a plan, I saw one of my team members, Kim Min-ho, go down. He'd been too close, and the Evolved had caught him with a backhand swipe, sending him flying into a wall. He lay motionless, blood pooling beneath him.

"Min-ho!" I cried out, my heart clenching. I couldn't lose anyone else. Not now.

"Strike team, focus on rescuing the injured!" I ordered, my voice firm. "Get them to safety. I'll handle the Evolved."

They hesitated, their loyalty battling with their concern for their fallen comrade. "But Su Yan…" Han So Chul began, his voice laced with worry.

"Go!" I yelled, cutting him off. "That's an order!"

They obeyed, their training kicking in. They moved quickly, retrieving the injured and carrying them towards the safety of the fortress. I watched them go, a wave of gratitude washing over me. They were good people, brave and selfless. I will not let them down.

I turned back to the Evolved, my gaze hardening. It was just me and the monster now. A one-on-one battle. And I'm ready.

The male Evolved was a force of nature, a raging storm of muscle and fury. Even with the enhanced strength and reflexes granted by the system's potion and my rigorous training, I was struggling to keep up. Its monstrous strength was overwhelming, each blow a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves through my body. I dodged and weaved, trying to anticipate its attacks, but it was relentless, its rage fueling its every move.

I landed a few blows with my short sword, but the thick hide of the Evolved seemed almost impenetrable. The blade left shallow cuts, barely slowing it down. I tried to target its eyes, its joints, any vulnerable point I could find, but it was too fast, too unpredictable.

Each clash was a test of my limits, pushing me to the edge of my endurance. I could feel my muscles burning, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I'm getting overwhelmed. The system's enhancements, while significant, are not enough to bridge the gap between human and this monstrous creature. I'm outmatched.

I knew I couldn't sustain this fight much longer. I needed a different approach, a way to exploit its weaknesses. But with each passing moment, the Evolved's attacks grew more ferocious, more desperate. I'm running out of time.