The air in the primeval forest was heavy with moisture.
The trees were tall.
Their trunks rose straight upward.
Branches and leaves intertwined high above.
Sunlight was broken into patches.
Falling onto the ground.
The ground was uneven.
Dead leaves piled up.
Stepping on them made faint, crisp sounds.
The air was quiet.
Occasionally, wind passed through the forest.
Leaves brushed softly.
Producing a continuous, low sound.
The operation had begun.
The unit stopped at a relatively open area in the forest.
Not fully exposed.
Still covered by surrounding trees.
The strategy was simple.
Mike stood at the front.
His posture leaned slightly forward.
Head lowered slightly.
As if sensing something.
His breathing was steady.
No extra movement.
Based on Deputy Company Commander Mike — Life Detection (100 meters).
His gaze had no fixed direction.
Yet remained steady.
The formation spread around him.
Those with enhanced physiques and defensive abilities took the front line.
Several soldiers stood ahead.
Feet slightly apart.
Knees bent.
Center of gravity lowered.
Arms relaxed at their sides.
Ready to move at any moment.
Muscles tense.
Breathing slightly heavier.
The middle consisted of mid- and long-range ability users.
Positioned slightly behind.
Spread out evenly.
Eyes shifting between front and flanks.
Some adjusted their footing lightly.
The sound absorbed by fallen leaves.
At the rear were support ability users.
Their movements were lighter.
Breathing shallower.
Some crouched.
Fingers touching the ground.
Moving quickly.
Support abilities included healing, trap setting, and concealment enhancement.
Their actions were dispersed.
But rhythm unified.
Few in number.
But critical.
No one spoke.
Only minimal hand signals were used.
Fingers moved slightly.
Eyes met briefly.
Information transferred instantly.
Because the traps were non-lethal, capture-type—
The ground was lightly dug.
Soil loosened.
Quickly covered again.
Movements fast.
Almost no trace left.
Materials allowed rapid production.
Tools rotated in hand.
Small components assembled.
Making faint clicking sounds.
Quickly completed.
After production, concealment ability users set them.
Movements low.
Bodies close to the ground.
Almost silent.
Leaves moved aside.
Then restored.
Mike's breathing paused for a brief moment.
Then continued.
His head turned slightly.
His gaze fixed in one direction.
He sensed more than ten people.
His finger lifted slightly.
A short signal.
The front line moved immediately.
Steps lowered.
No urgency.
Lure, then trap, then ambush.
One person moved ahead.
Steps slightly heavier.
Deliberately snapping a twig.
The sound spread faintly through the forest.
But enough.
The enemy reacted.
Shadows moved behind trees.
Steps approached.
Distance closed.
Several entered the zone.
The next moment—
The ground sank slightly.
Their footing failed.
Bodies lurched forward.
Movement interrupted.
The team closed in from both sides.
Fast.
No hesitation.
Breathing shortened.
Arms raised.
Attacks landed.
Tight rhythm.
No delay.
When only a few remained,
the last one fired a signal flare.
A hand rose quickly.
The device activated.
A streak of light shot upward.
Through the canopy.
Bursting above.
Strategy changed instantly.
Hand signals shifted rapidly.
The previously tightening formation dispersed.
Scattering in all directions.
Footsteps spread out.
Soon vanished into the forest.
The forest returned to stillness.
The battle was not as simple as expected.
The air tightened.
The rhythm slipped from full control.
Though no casualties occurred,
breathing grew heavier.
Steps lost perfect synchronization.
Before sunset,
they only eliminated two squads.
Light dimmed gradually.
Shadows stretched longer.
Patches of light decreased.
Visibility dropped.
Breathing became clearer in the silence.
Sweat cooled against the skin.
After sunset—
Temperature dropped.
Air turned colder.
The forest became quieter.
Two more squads attempted a sneak attack.
Their movement was extremely light.
Almost inaudible.
But Mike's head tilted slightly.
His breathing did not change.
His ability was unaffected by day or night.
He raised his hand.
A tiny signal.
The front line adjusted instantly.
Side steps.
Bodies lowered.
The next moment—
The enemy closed in.
Distance shrank sharply.
Contact.
Movements erupted in the dark.
Breathing intensified.
Footsteps crossed.
Bodies collided.
Dull impacts echoed.
After losing two men,
they eliminated the enemy.
Two figures fell.
Did not rise again.
The surroundings quieted.
Only breathing remained.
Morning came.
Light returned to the forest.
Shadows divided the ground again.
The air was cold and damp.
Mike led the team forward.
No pause.
The formation followed.
Spacing maintained.
Eyes alert.
The enemy had sixty left.
As long as they were eliminated one by one—
The rhythm returned.
Movements unified again.
Breathing steadied.
However—
The trees ahead began to thin.
Light grew stronger.
The ground opened up.
They were lured
into what was once a forest—now an open field.
No trees.
Only exposed ground.
No cover.
Sunlight fell directly.
Vision opened instantly.
Before anyone could react—
They stepped out of the forest line.
Exposed.
The air suddenly felt empty.
The trap-making ability user reacted first.
Because he understood ambushes best.
He stepped forward instantly.
Raised his arm.
Shielded Mike.
The next moment—
A faint piercing sound cut through the air.
Almost inaudible.
A straight trajectory approached.
Blocked.
Impact hit.
His body trembled slightly.
Mike paused for a moment.
Then stepped back.
The trap-maker was sniped out.
The field froze briefly.
Then—
Movement erupted all around.
From every direction.
Footsteps closing in from the edge of the field.
Fifty remaining enemies surrounded them.
They were locked in the center.
No cover.
No concealment.
The air tightened instantly.
Mike issued a rapid command.
Formation change. Engage.
Hand signals swift.
Voice low.
Clear.
Front line expanded.
Steps forward.
Bodies lowered.
Middle split to both sides.
Rear filled in.
Completed almost simultaneously.
No chaos.
Result of hard training.
Breathing accelerated.
But rhythm held.
A direct clash was not a problem.
First contact—
Enemies rushed in.
Distance collapsed.
Fists and kicks erupted.
Air tore with dull impacts.
Enemy numbers were fewer.
The unit held ground.
No retreat.
They pushed forward instead.
Front line tanked the impact.
Feet planted.
Arms blocking.
Force dispersed.
Rear attacks followed.
Continuous strikes.
Dense rhythm.
The enemy compressed.
Space shrank.
Movement restricted.
Breathing broke.
Steps faltered.
The fight ended quickly.
The last enemy was suppressed.
Lost balance.
Fell.
Silence returned.
Breathing gradually steadied.
Air flowed again.
In this exercise,
the ability-user company lost 12 people
and annihilated an entire enemy company.