30 Years Have Passed Since the Prologue

What does the term “line of fire detection” mean?

The concept of “line of fire detection” is pivotal in defining what truly constitutes a superhuman. It goes beyond mere attributes like speed and strength, delving into a realm where individuals surpass human limitations.

Superhuman (超人). The designation that transcends the realm of humans implies that one has reached a level that humans dare not breach.

When a person, who is designed solely to ‘hunt’ other humans using the most powerful weapons devised solely by human technology and wisdom, reaches a point where they possess almost complete immunity to it, they are classified as superhumans.

-Click.

Ivan loaded his gun and slowly exhaled.

Biologically, humans in this world are completely identical to Earthlings. There are no internal organs attached for mana perception like Earth’s creations, nor are there special functions acting on the transmission body of the brain.

Everything from blood volume, muscle tissue, structure and function of internal organs, to the functioning of limb joints is identical to that of Earthlings.

So, the only reason why people in this world can perform unimaginable feats with their bare bodies on Earth is fundamentally one. It’s because there is unimaginable power on Earth.

Magic.

-Swish…

Ivan took a deep breath and accelerated magic in his neural network. This inexorable power is the driving force behind transforming humans into superhumans.

As mentioned in the past, magic is a utilitarian force that is like a nose ring when hung on the nose, or an earring when hung on the ear. Therefore, most ‘otherworldly beings’ thought of it so naturally.

A power that anyone can wield if they have talent. A power that enhances the body, weaves magic, and produces strange commodities.

But not for Earthlings. If one knows the absence of magic, one must consider how it ‘works’. After all, there must be a fundamental principle behind all actions in the world.

Therefore, Ivan has conducted various experiments since he realized magic during his long military service.

How does magic strengthen the human body?

What are the limits of enhancement due to magic?

What effects does excessive or significantly deficient magic show?

An experiment on one’s own body. Numerous samples collected at the crossroads of life and death called war.

At the end, two things were obtained.

Outstanding levels of mana response ability and understanding of the interaction between mana and the body.

It is natural, of course. It was a sensation obtained by pushing one’s nerves to the limit.

Therefore, Ivan is confident.

Superhumans can be mass-produced with appropriate guidance and talent.

Since the curriculum for superhuman production means that excellent agents can be endlessly replenished, Ivan confidently introduced this education process to the Cleanup Unit.

Unfortunately, the Cleanup Unit couldn’t even exceed 800 members in total, and even those were completely oxidized.

‘Those kids are different.’

The bloodline of the hero party, the nature and talent tested for six months, are top-notch. Those little ones undoubtedly had enough qualifications to complete his education.

Furthermore, let’s add one more thing, Ivan was a rational educator, so he didn’t commit the folly of forcing his students to experience things he hadn’t experienced.

If he could handle demons with just a handful of mana in front of their eyes, there was no reason those kids couldn’t handle it in this far more unsettling situation.

He is such a merciful person.

Ivan strapped the gun to his waist and flicked his hand.

Starting from the signal reception point, the directive to start action began to spread to agents throughout the forest.

It’s the first day of the exciting summer vacation.

***

“Achoo! Ffftchoo!!”

“Why do humans cover their mouths when sneezing? Isn’t covering your mouth when you sneeze basic hygiene? Hands aren’t meant for playing in the dirt.”

Ecdysis sniffled, ignoring Elphiera’s words.

Ever since she realized that Elphiera was dozing off in the carriage while everyone else was experiencing something terrible in the forest, she had been upset.

And to top it off, didn’t she sleep soundly under a warm magic spell even when the campfire went out and woke up refreshed!

“What the… Ffftchoo!”

“There’s… a note…”

Oscar absentmindedly picked up the note rolling on the floor.

The note was written in neat standard script.

[“Even a small flame is poetical at night. Don’t light a fire on the enemy’s ground.”]

“When did Krasilov become the enemy’s ground?”

“Uncle surprisingly enjoys this sort of thing. You wouldn’t understand.”

Isabelle muttered, pressing her temples.

“So, shall we go down or up? Anyone confident in finding the way?”

“The path we were on yesterday to gather firewood with Miss Ecdysis happened to be in the direction of the descent route. I have a strong feeling about it.”

“Huh?”

“Down there is hell.”

Oscar’s expression turned dreadful.

“There’s a trap before every three steps. If you discover and disarm or avoid a trap, there’s another one in that direction. I’ve heard of it. This… is the skill of the Cleanup Unit.”

Among the numerous special military organizations of the United Kingdom, Krasilov’s military institution was particularly famous for its peculiar behavior.

Unlike other countries that focused on force and resilience regardless of the purpose for which they were created, Krasilov’s military organization had only one basic principle of action.

In simple terms,

‘How can we infuriate the opponent even more?’

To put it more elegantly, let’s call it a master of psychological warfare. A dirty operational planning that throws all available resources without hesitation, aiming only to confuse the judgment of enemy headquarters by information preclusion, targeting vulnerabilities, sometimes explosives, sometimes biochemical, sometimes hostage dramas.

A legendary strike force of Krasilov. Rumored to have handled the rearguard of hero parties during wartime. And famous in the industry for its short lifespan and corresponding grim rumors…

The Cleanup Unit was an organization that left a significant mark on intelligence agencies around the world with its combat records and honors alone. As a member of the Tylesse Intelligence Bureau, Oscar was aware of the Cleanup Unit.

“What’s that?”

“It’s an old intelligence unit of this country, nothing important. What’s important is the current situation of having to deal with people from that side.”

Oscar said with a bitter smile.

“There must be a reason they told us to go up. Either the process itself is training, or if we go up, the real training begins. Then what’s the reason for allowing us to go down?”

“We know we won’t be able to go down anyway.”

“Exactly.”

“It’s always like that, anyway.”

Isabelle stretched and chuckled softly.

“I never thought of falling behind. Giving them a hit no matter what they prepared might ease the tension a bit.”

*

Two hours later, the students were sprawled on the ground covered in mud and fallen leaves.

– Bang!

Whenever gunfire echoed in the distance, they shrieked and huddled down. Even if it wasn’t live ammunition and they wouldn’t get injured even if hit, it still hurt like hell!

“Shoot! Shoot the gun!?”

“We got shot yesterday too! Get down!”

– Bang!

As soon as the gunshot was heard, a blue spark flew, and Elphiera fell with a thud. It was because the protective spell was broken.

“We’re out of mana!! Stop shooting!! You crazy humans!!”

Elphiera groaned and crawled to find cover on the ground. She crouched behind a large rock, peered around, and cautiously lifted her head.

“Are they gone…?”

“They’re probably still around. Seems like they’ll keep shooting whenever we let our guard down.”

“What kind of training is this? Aren’t they just doing shooting practice themselves?”

“Seems like line of fire detection training.”

Oscar surveyed the forest from behind a tree.

“They attack suddenly with gunfire when we’re not tense. Looks like they want to wake up our line of fire detection by repeating that…”

“Do they really train like this in the military?”

“I doubt it.”

Oscar sighed with a dismal expression.

*

“Captain, Unit 4 has returned.”

“Good job. Assign Unit 8 to surveillance, and Unit 4 gets 8 hours of rest.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Ivan, who was looking at the map in the field tent, noticed that the responsible soldier who had finished reporting hadn’t left and raised his head.

“Do you have a question?”

“Yes…! If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to inquire about the operational details!”

“What is it?”

The soldier swallowed hard. He had at least five years of field experience, but the figure in front of him was truly a legendary figure.

The author of the detestable ‘training’ plans of the counterintelligence headquarters. The author of the infamous ‘new recruit interrogation guide’. The fear he felt now could easily be anticipated given that such a person was directly training ‘civilians’ right now.

“I don’t understand the significance of introducing the village at 12 o’clock and withdrawing the troops from that area for this operation!”

“Hmm.”

Ivan glanced at the operational map following the soldier’s gaze. The direction of 12 o’clock in the operational area based on the center of the mountain.

It’s a pointless mountain ridge with a small mountain village, and at the same time, it’s opposite to the movement radius of the ‘trainees’.

In other words, it’s an area that the trainees cannot reach no matter what they do. It means he doesn’t understand why manpower was wasted by introducing the village in that area and why troops were deployed there in the first place.

The 12 o’clock area has become literally a ‘no-man’s land’. In a typical military operation, such an area should not be created. At the very least, one surveillance outpost should have been assigned.

“What’s your name?”

“Uh, I-I’m Mikhail… Mikhail Soromovich!!”

“Excellent. Mikhail. What do you think?”

Although this operation is a training situation targeting students, that doesn’t mean the learning of field operatives should be neglected.

Any rational educator would need to maximize the acquisition capacity of the responsible students.

In response to Ivan’s question, Mikhail spoke hesitantly with a stiff demeanor.

“It seems more like a mock battle training targeting external simulated enemies, not for the internal trainees.”

“A mock battle?”

“Yes, it seems like just digging a route that would be good for enemy infiltration…”

“Accepted. Your rank?”

“Sergeant!”

Ivan nodded satisfactorily. Rising from a civilian to a sergeant in the counterintelligence headquarters strike unit meant he had enough real-world experience.

“After this operation, you’ll be promoted to an officer. Report to headquarters.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“And if we answer the question, your thoughts are correct.”

Ivan spoke softly as he looked at the empty section of the operational map.

“It’s a mock battle training to lure enemies. You’re right.”

A proficient agent never formulates an operation with just one objective in mind.

Even if the training plan is for the students, it’s unlikely that such a large-scale mobilization of personnel would be driven solely for that purpose.

Ivan slowly checked his weapons while replying.

“Because it’s common sense for the academy training sessions to be attacked.”

“Pardon?”

The Crown Prince Faction.

The remnants of the disgraced nobility.

The demons.

Or perhaps rebels from another country, or an international terrorist organization. Whatever it may be.

Let’s see who comes this time.

Since Ivan was a sensible person, he also prepared torture plans when preparing for such types of attacks.

And at this moment, there were at least 50 more ‘field operatives from the counterintelligence headquarters’ to support him.