Hong Yeon designated Yusin as captain. The large-scale regular army forces that had been stationed in Mtwara were all deployed for an operation that would decide the fate of Tanzania. It had to succeed.

Two magical transport helicopters sped across the sea.

"Check your gear and comms! We could be attacked at any time, from anywhere!"

"Yes, sir!"

Squall, commander of the Alliance Special Forces, expertly directed his soldiers. Then he saluted the man sitting in the far corner with his arms crossed.

"It is an honor to fight with you again, Hunter Kim Yusin."

"The honor is all mine."

Yusin returned the salute warmly. Beside him was the rank-5 Karim, who had come along as his adjutant. He activated his earpiece and spread out the operation map.

"Alright, all units, prepare! We're going in!"

The three magical helicopters were flying over Dar es Salaam, a Tanzanian city now covered by the living field. The battle below was fierce. Tanks crushed the grotesque terrain as they fired their cannons relentlessly, and ground special forces had taken control of building rooftops, blowing away monsters with heavy firepower.

And then, the most overwhelming sight of all— a giant clad in special armor, over sixty-five feet tall, was striding between buildings, slaughtering monsters.

"What kind of magic did you use?" Karim asked in disbelief. "To get the cooperation of Giant, the certified rank-3 hunter stationed on the Gulf of Aden front…"

Yusin chuckled. "Connections, I guess."

'Kzzt.' A burst of static came from the earpiece before it connected.

"This is Giant. I have occupied Dar es Salaam as promised."

Yusin grinned and replied, "This is Captain Kim. Excellent work, Giant."

"Are you the Archmage? The Archbishop spoke highly of you."

Just then, Giant could be seen extending an arm toward a swarm of monsters. A wave of divine power shot out with a 'thwack', vaporizing the charging beasts.

"The Archbishop has high hopes for you."

"Thank you."

"In any case, I wish you luck on this dispatch."

Giant strode through the city he had laid to waste. In truth, bringing him here had been a pure gamble. Hearing that a hunter from the Vatican was in Somalia, Yusin had casually prodded Marcello, who contacted Giant on his behalf. As it happened, Giant had just cleared his target dungeon and was resting. He readily agreed to cooperate, crossed the sea, and captured Dar es Salaam for them.

It was a significant gain. Yusin had originally estimated he would use fifty percent of his stamina just retaking the city. When things were meant to work out, they really worked out. So this was the importance of diplomacy.

"A connection to the Vatican… I'm speechless," Karim muttered.

"It's not that big of a deal," Yusin said. "I just helped them out when they came to Korea."

"It feels like you live in a different world from me."

Dar es Salaam was back in human hands. Alliance forces moved quickly, clearing away the living field. Yusin looked at the map and raised his earpiece.

"Commander Hong. How are things on your end?"

"We've arrived at Songia and are fully prepared."

Hong Yeon was personally leading a tank division and a large contingent of troops, having landed on the Songia front. Songia was a key area on Tanzania's southern front, home to four plants. Centurion commanders and company captains, already under the legion commander's orders, were gathering to protect the core region.

Hong Yeon walked forward as she communicated with Yusin. Zhang Wei, walking behind her, let out a groan.

"Agh, of all the places, we get the toughest one… I hate this."

Hong Yeon, still on the line with Yusin, turned to him, her red hair flying.

"Hunter Zhang Wei, your hemokinetic ability is specialized for multi-opponent combat. I determined that among Tanzania's rank 4s, you are the most suitable for this battle. That is why I am entrusting my back to you."

At her words, Zhang Wei paused, then cleared his throat with an awkward ahem.

"Well, of course. At least the Commander knows what she's doing! Hahahaha!"

"I'm counting on you."

While Zhang Wei was laughing boisterously, Hong Yeon swiftly turned her head and switched to their private channel.

"…Was that how I was supposed to say it?"

"Yep, you did great."

"It's hard to say things I don't mean."

"He seems skilled, though. And I think he's interested in you, so sweet-talk him and make good use of him."

"…Ugh, I really don't want to."

"You can do it!"

Yusin switched channels to give his next order. She let out a light sigh and looked ahead. Monsters were visible even from here, hiding in the shade of the trees, crouched and ready to pounce. The regular soldiers moved busily, forming ranks, while the tanks raised their cannons in preparation for the advance.

"Then, let's go."

Hong Yeon walked out to the very front line, alone.

'Shing!'

With a clear ring from its scabbard, her beloved sword was drawn, reflecting a brilliant light. She held the sword before her face, closed her eyes, and breathed as if performing a sacred ritual.

For a moment, a perfect silence enveloped the battlefield. A lone woman, standing proudly before countless monsters lurking in the jungle, her sword drawn. It was a strange, captivating sight. The soldiers swallowed hard, their eyes fixed on her back. It was a fantastical scene, yet everyone present felt it was a perfect fit. The moment the idea that 'this person is our leader' was cemented in their minds, the soldiers were seized by an unfamiliar sense of elation.

'I want to follow her. I want to protect her back.'

How selfish human beings are. To an individual, their single life is more precious than anything else in the world. How difficult it is to make them fight, to make them offer it up. But commanders who could boost morale simply by stepping out in front of everyone certainly existed.

One whose destiny was to lead people and fight monsters. The soldiers were purely inspired by her noble presence.

An aide, who had been staring blankly at Hong Yeon's back, belatedly came to his senses and reported.

"C-Commander! All troops are ready!"

"Understood."

Despite the impending battle, her voice was perfectly calm. There was no need for complicated rhetoric or flowery words. She pointed the tip of her sword at the monsters and said:

"For humanity."

A fire ignited in their chests. As if unleashing their surging emotions, the soldiers responded with an explosive roar.

"For humanity!"

The main force, led by Hong Yeon, advanced toward the monster encampment.

* * *

"Captain. Commander-in-Chief Hong Yeon has engaged the enemy."

A call came from headquarters. Yusin immediately turned on his earpiece.

"All units, launch."

"Roger."

While Hong Yeon drew attention in the south, the magical helicopter unit that Yusin led flew in a straight line from Dar es Salaam.

"I've been told there are entities that can detect the magical helicopters' camouflage mode, so be extra vigilant."

"We'll detour around the hill to the left. Hornet-1, you're up."

"Hornet-6, please stand by at your point until instructed."

Yusin's commands were dazzling. Soon, soldiers were deployed at all four planned routes. He also disembarked from the helicopter, stepping out with Karim and Squall.

"It really is like a road," Karim said.

Just as the map had shown, the living field stretched out in a straight line. Of course, it looked like a line on the map, but seeing it in person, it was more widely distributed than expected. It seemed large enough for an army to pass through without issue.

"Is Hunter Samia here?"

No sooner had Yusin spoken into the radio than Samia, sitting in a chair, revealed herself. This time, she was in a wheeled, throne-like chair.

"That was fast, princess."

"Do not call me princess! I would prefer you just call me Samia."

Yusin had wondered about her way of speaking. It turned out Samia was royalty.

After the Overlay, the world saw a global trend of reviving monarchies, where a single, charismatic leader ruled the nation, rather than republics based on democracy. A prime example was Egypt, which revived the Pharaoh dynasty that had ended with the 32nd ruler, starting anew with the first Neo-Pharaoh. Tanzania was the same, changing its official name from the Republic of Tanzania to the Kingdom of Tanzania and instituting an iron-fisted monarchy.

However, the royal palace was completely obliterated by a Disaster that fell in the heart of the kingdom, and a provisional republic was re-established by the then-rebel leader. Samia was one of over twenty royal princesses, and while her rank was somewhat low, she held the title of 'Princess.'

Of course, she didn't seem to care much. She was more interested in being a hunter than a princess and had become Tanzania's representative hunter.

"Your role is the most crucial in this battle, Samia."

"Hmph. I am aware."

She replied, opening her jacket. Countless Blue Elixirs were dangling from it.

"I have plenty of the potions you gave me, and my condition is excellent. I shall do my best to meet your expectations."

"I'm counting on you."

Yusin activated his earpiece again.

"As I explained during the strategy meeting, eliminating the living field is our top priority. Of course, there may be interference from monsters. Rank-4 and below can be handled with magic rifles, but from rank-5 centurion commanders onwards, do not try to face them alone. Call for Hunter Samia. She will teleport to you immediately. Has everyone acknowledged?"

A series of acknowledgments came through. He took a light, deep breath, then said, "Then let the operation begin."

At his signal, all infiltration teams moved out.

"Monster! Fire!"

Squall's special forces unit shot and eliminated the monsters loitering on the living field with their magic rifles. The other members began to spray defoliant on the terrain.

"Rank-4 horned monsters are coming!"

Mutated taves, having noticed the commotion, were rushing toward them. He extended his arm.

<Fire Cannon>

Fireballs fell from the sky, setting the route ablaze. The parts of the living field touched by the fire quickly contracted, cutting the path and revealing the pale ground beneath. The monsters growled from the other side, but they couldn't cross the severed living field to charge.

"Now, Squall! Don't worry about the monsters. Continue south from here and clear the living field. I'll go north and burn it from my end."

"Yes, sir!"

"Hunter Karim, accompany Lieutenant Squall and focus on eliminating high-rank monsters. This is going to be a long fight. Conserve your strength as much as possible."

"Understood, Captain!"

Karim gave Yusin a sharp salute and left with Squall.

'Kzzt!'

"This is Hornet-4! There's a centurion commander on the living field!"

Yusin looked at Samia. She nodded and brought the radio to her lips.

"I'm on my way. Fall back as far as you can."

Her body vanished with a 'swish'. Yusin turned back to face the monsters glaring at him from across the severed living field.

"Well then," he muttered, "shall I get to work?"

Fireballs, blazing hotter than the sun, appeared one after another.

* * *

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