Three Black Crows landed twenty kilometers away from the dimensional crack. This place was originally a university, but now only old ruins remain. The country of Albania has been decimated, and is governed by the Balkan Alliance. Though in reality, it's only governed in name and now has become the slums for runaway criminals.

The soldiers on the Black Crows hopped off one by one. They set up their tents and geared up. The field logistics center was completely set up within 30 minutes. The remaining two Black Crows shortly landed not too long afterwards.

"We're part of the Balkan Alliance." A high ranking Greece military executive approached and said. They ran through the finer complicated aspects of today's military operation. It seems their opinions clashed as each party's voices grew progressively louder and aggressive.

'Are they fighting again?'

Han frowned. Corporal Zhai immediately noticed and spoke.

"They always start talks with a power struggle. They're trying to fight for the higher right to command. This would be a large grand scale war and so, if there is no one in the center command position, it only spells trouble and chaos. I'm assuming that the Balkan Alliance will give way to us for the main command position, but they won't make the process easy for us."

"I thought you said we were on a tight time constraint? This isn't funny."

"Saving face is an important aspect of adult life."

Corporal Zhai was well aware of the responsibilities which comes along with the positions of higher power. Ark had always carried out these types of diplomatic conflicts for most joint military operations.

Once the leading members of the government transfer command rights to the field commander, the squad leaders would come to participate in the conference. Han was one of the members amongst the squad leaders. The Balkan Alliance advisor took out a photo and spoke.

"This is a satellite picture. The majority of the Elu mages are scattered within the psychic shield zone and in the progress of an awakening ritual. We don't know which is the real Elu mage, at this point even nuclear missiles are useless against the psychic shields. Other Elus and grunts are surveilling around the Elu mage. Ogres have also been spotted, many species of minions are on standby in their immediate surroundings. There are many grunts who are excellent pigsty diggers. This is a city landscape and so air bombing forces won't be able to provide as much assistance. This comes from first hand experience."

The advisor said trying to add some light laughs, but not a single person laughed. The advisor coughed awkwardly and moved onto the next topic. The Balkan Alliance would handle the minions at the perimeter while Ark's special forces would breakthrough into the dimensional crack zone. After the squadron arrives to the center point of the dimensional crack zone, each squad will scatter to eliminate each Elu mage.

Han's eyes moved across the map quickly.

Once the military operation conference concluded, Han reiterated the same information once again for his squad members.

"That's reassuring. If we ever fall into a pinch, a psychoframe will fall from the sky to help us out." Simon said while pointing to the sky. Silence lightly hit Simon's back.

-That's our last resort.

Corporal Zhai agreed with Silence.

"Their tactic is to lure us to use our psychoframes as fast as possible to deplete our military resources and strength. This is how the dragon military forces usually battles. After they took note of our psychoframes, they have always used this tactic. This is a test of endurance. The side with stronger perseverance will be the winner. Though there will always be sacrifices."

"Well, if that's the case.." Simon became frustrated for looking so foolish after saying such words. Han brooded over Corporal Zhai's words.

'The side with stronger perseverance will be the winner.'

In Sinuiju Dimensional Crack Zone, Han had used such tactics of preserving the most of their military strength until the end to exterminate the Elu hunters. The side with superior military strength will always be the winner. They will be pulling out every trick and strategy possible; the commander to make the right choices will be the winner.

'The right choices. I'm the squad leader once again.'

Han felt the weight on his shoulders. His eyes gleamed with a chilling aura. The more responsibilities he carried, the stronger he became. It helped to strengthen his mentality. His every decision held the lives of his associates and peers. Han had realized this to his bones long before.

A part of his heart felt light during their military operation at the chinese psychic research center. It had been the same when he left on his first military operation with Sergeant Red. He had another squad leader to depend on for the choices of battle.

'This time, I will be the one to carry the full weight.'

It felt as if a shock ran down his spine. Han had always been the strongest when he carried the responsibilities of others. He currently carried his squad's life on his shoulder. So, Han could not afford failure.

"Let's go."

Han commanded in a low voice. Silence and Simon nodded. Corporal Zhai hesitated for a moment and observed Han's eyes.

'Is he the same youth that I know?'

Corporal Zhai could remember the youth that he had been with during the mission at the Chinese Psychic Research Center. His decision and command skills were excellent, and his rationale always remained objective. He was an excellent soldier. However, at the time, Han didn't seem like he carried much weight to his decisions.

'Han carries himself heavily.'

He looked like no matter what sorts of hardships came his way, he would not falter. It was hard to find someone who carries themselves in such a way even amongst the long time war veterans. Even if this youth was but a young child..

'The position makes the person.'

Corporal Zhai mumbled and took his position as the rear guard. Squad Easy looked like ants amongst the grand military. The war would start soon.

Grunts were green skinned ground walking monsters that appeared to resemble a mixture of a mole and turtle. They were two to three meters tall, and enjoyed the use of any heavy and strong weapons. They could crush a human with their bare hands and their jaws were strong enough to easily mash a sword. As grunts grow in age, their skin would become further keratinized. These keratinized portions of their skin are tough enough to easily fend off bullets.

"Waruwa! Jak! Ajak Ajak!"

The grunts formed into a group and charged into the squads of human soldiers. The grunt hoard charged from the front and were baptized in bullets. Grunts never moved in groups or tactically without an Elu's command. This raw simplicity is also one of the grunt's most feared qualities.

KKANG!

The grunt pulled out a telephone pole and smashed a tank. Even after around forty grunts died taking down a single tank, they didn't show an ounce of fear. These minions would have easily taken over this world if they were gifted with a higher reproductive ability.

"So these are grunts. They are just lunatics." Simon said watching the grunts. It was his first time to see them in person. Simon used his telekinesis to move the iron mace the grunt carried.

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KWAJIK!

The iron mace critically hit the grunt's head.

"AJAK AJAK!"

The grunts let out a strange sounds as they grind their teeth. It sounded like hard stones were being grinded. The sound resonated to the other grunts which worked to buff their mental suppression.

"WAJAK!"

Han peppered the charging grunt with shots from his gun. Once the grunt momentarily paused, Silence swung his sword.

DdengGang-

His sword flew and passed through like butter as the enemy's head rolled. The grunt continued to grind its teeth even after it was decapitated.

"They're not too scary as long as we remain cool headed." Han said.

The main aspect to be feared from grunts was their sheer power of madness as a group. Individually, they're nothing to be feared. However, modern close combat weapons are not effective against them.

'Squad Alpha will take the lead. We're currently in the middle of most of the squads. I see that they positioned the third years as closely to the center as possible. They're doing their best to protect the third years in such a situation as well.'

The soldiers of Ark understood very well that the third years were the last remaining hope for the existence of humanity in the future. Even if today's military operation were to fail, they must have the third years return to Ark alive.