41 Squad Leader, Han Lee 10 (1/2)

”Today our opponent is squad 6. This battle is easier than all the battles we have fought thus far. Their squad had suffered too many injuries from previous squad battles so they won't be able to deploy their core members. It's very likely that they're ready to throw the towel already. But, don't let your guard down. Let's obtain a perfect victory.”

Squad 6 had left many of their members injured. Han thoroughly evaluate every squad battle. Squad 6 should be capable of only half their military strength for this round.

'There is no reason to lose as long as we don't make any big mistakes.'

Han had no thoughts to carry out today's battle with a lack luster lazy battle plan. They're trying to make me fail so that I lose my confidence and get myself stuck into a slump.'

Han chuckled bitterly.

'I just dislike losing. I already experienced enough of that.'

Han had experienced countless failures. Each time, he had to pay a terrible price for them. He has long been trained to not tolerate failure to his bones.

”Squad 13, let's go.”

Han said standing at the forefront. The start of the squad battles signaled. The dome fell into darkness. Only a faint light lit up the battlefield.

”Wha, what is this? It's night time.”

”I can't see at all.”

This was a turn of events that had never been trialed. They had turned day into night. Han rose his hand and stopped his squad from moving forward.

”Calm down. We will wait a bit until our eyes become accustomed to the dark. Since we never heard of this kind of thing, Squad 6 should be in the same situation as us.”

Han calmed down his anxious squad members.

'He's truly a natural squad leader. He always maintains his cool to make calm judgments. He must understand that if he were to lose his cool, his squad would fall down along with him.'

The instructors scored Han highly for his squad leadership skills. They had purposely added an unknown factor for Han. Han had responded perfectly toward the changes. After time passed, the youths had become accustomed to the darkness and began moving once again.

-Canute's group will strike first. Jose will be the backup. We will strike from their flank.

Han made hand signals. The squad members moved forth with their battle plans. Han moved his team to the side. As soon as Canute retreats, his team will immediately strike and finish them.

-Engaging enemy.

Canute sent a message. A scream echoed from the far distance of the darkness. Han paused his breath and moved in the darkness.

'As I predicted. Since their core teammates are not able to participate, squad 6 chose the defense tactic. They must have thought to pick off our squad one by one until nobody is left. However, we won't have any frontal attacks. This darkness makes it easier for surprise attacks from the back.'

Han peered behind himself. Kijo was in his team. Contrary to Han's worry, Kijo followed through strictly with Han's commands.

'Kijo is also a second year of Ark after all. He's not stupid. His personality isn't the best, but he still does his job thoroughly.'

If he's one to let his emotion get the better of him then he would not have survived in such a place like Ark.

”Remain in standby. We will wait until Canute retreats.”

Han lowered his body and waited. Usually, Canute would have retreated by now, but he's been dragging out the battle for some time now.

-Canute, retreat.

Han directly sent a message. Canute didn't answer. Han's eyes narrowed.

'What happened? Canute is straying from my original battle plans. He's not one to randomly charge off by himself. Either, he's been done in or he's in a tight situation.'

Instead of Canute, Jose had sent a message.

-Canute's team had fallen. It happened in a matter of moments. Should my team proceed with attacking them? Should I retreat and rejoin with your team?

Han momentarily agonized and sent the renewed battle plans.

-Jose, continue forth. We will combine our team in front of our enemy's camp.

Han sent the message and proceeded forward. He could see his opponent's defense team. Jose's team was in the middle of fighting against them. Some of squad 6 were already injured. It seems his squad's situation wasn't as good as he thought.

'Squad 6 destroyed Canute's team even though they have injured soldiers fighting. What happened?'

Kuro who stood behind Han blinked. Blue light glowed from Kuro's eyes. His immediate foresight skills had alarmed.

”Han, get down!”

Kuro pressed Han's head down onto the ground. Han's body got pinned down onto the ground in this confusion. Something swished above his head.

Swaa!

A menacing sharp sound passed. Han peered up. A youth wearing a skull faced mask stood spinning twin swords.

'If Kuro didn't push me down, it would have been the end of me. However, nobody was within a visible range of me. Who is that masked guy? Had there been such a person in squad 6?'

Han's mind worked fast. A skull masked youth who welds twin daggers, he had never heard of such a student in year 2.

”Surround the enemy, keep your distance.”

Han's squad surrounded the skull masked man. The skull masked man stood in a relaxed form. Psychic energy swayed from his body.

Pah!