At 9 a.m., the sky was clear and cloudless.
Shen Yi stood under the blue sky, his neck craned upwards, gazing at the heavens.
The sunlight was so intense that it was hard for him to keep his eyes open, yet he stubbornly kept looking up, refusing to lower his head.
"Hey, what are you looking at? Waiting for pies to fall from the sky?" Wen Rou approached, nudging him with the butt of her standard-issue light machine gun.
"Just checking the weather, it's another good day," Shen Yi muttered.
"What's so good about it?" Wen Rou didn't understand the fascination with the weather.
"A Dutchman was listening to the radio yesterday. The weather forecast said there would be heavy rain today. Look at this weather; does it seem like a downpour is coming?"
Wen Rou also looked up, then shook her head: "That's impossible."
"Normally, the meteorological station seldom makes mistakes about storms. But this time, their prediction is outrageously off. Don't you find that strange?" Shen Yi's neck was sore from looking up, and he finally lowered his head.
"What do you mean by that?"
Shen Yi walked to the road, casually taking Wen Rou's binoculars and peering into the distance: "It's because the city doesn't allow it. If there really was a storm, the German attack would be greatly affected, and our last day would be much easier..."
"You mean the Germans' offensive is completely under the city's control?"
"Yes. If this were a game, then the city would be the GM, constantly manipulating the progress of the game," Shen Yi handed the binoculars back to Wen Rou. "It's nine in the morning now, with twenty-three hours left until the end of the mission. The Germans haven't arrived yet. Judging from the intervals between their previous attacks, they should have launched an offensive an hour ago. But up to now, we haven't even seen a shadow of them."
"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" Hong Lang and Jin Gang approached with big strides.
"Weren't you also thinking it was good that fewer tanks appeared before the bombers showed up?" Shen Yi responded.
Jin Gang immediately realized the implication of Shen Yi's words: "Are you suggesting that the city is deliberately delaying the German attack, not to help us, but because the final offensive is going to be incredibly fierce?"
"I'm afraid so." Shen Yi frowned deeply. "So fierce that the city is worried we can't withstand the assault, hence the delay."
"Damn it, they're not really going to send two tank divisions, are they?" Hong Lang scowled.
"They shouldn't. Judging from the previous waves of attacks, the city has been controlling the strength of the offensive, incrementally increasing it. This indicates our earlier predictions were correct; the sooner we seize the bridge, the stronger the German attacks we face later. But today is the last day, and I'm afraid they won't continue with the incremental approach. In other words, a major offensive is inevitable. It's just a matter of to what extent."
As Shen Yi finished speaking, everyone's Bloodline Medals simultaneously emitted a 'ding' sound.
The Bloodline Medal alerted: The German offensive will commence at 2 p.m. This will be the final assault. Defend against this round of attack until the remaining time ends, and if the bridge remains intact, the mission will be complete.
For this assault, the German forces will deploy twenty-five bombers, sixty tanks, one hundred and twenty self-propelled artillery, and one thousand five hundred soldiers. All adventurers, please prepare.
"Motherfucker! Bastards!" Seeing this alert, all the adventurers exploded in anger, rushing over and shouting: "What the hell is the city thinking? Twenty-five bombers, sixty tanks, one hundred and twenty self-propelled artillery – are they trying to kill us all? They might as well tell us to commit suicide!"
Hong Lang panicked as well.
This offensive was so massive it could destroy an infantry division in one fell swoop. With just a few hundred guns from the 2nd Airborne Regiment and the remaining fifteen adventurers, two of whom were non-combatants, what could they possibly use to defend?
Even Shen Yi was stunned.
Despite his mental preparation, he hadn't expected the final wave of the offensive to be so massive, so insane. The military power had increased tenfold.
Was this really a beginner-level mission? It clearly treated them as veteran adventurers.
"It's unreasonable!" Shen Yi shook his head repeatedly. "How could it be so strong? It's simply indefensible. Hong Lang!"
Shen Yi rushed over, grabbing Hong Lang's neck and demanding, "Didn't you say the Bloody City never assigns impossible missions?"
"I don't know!" Hong Lang shouted. "All I know is what those veteran adventurers have said. They claimed
that the Bloody City never gives impossible missions. As long as you're careful enough, there's always a way to get through!"
"So, you're saying there's always a way?" Shen Yi pressed.
"Yes!" Hong Lang yelled back.
Shen Yi slowly released Hong Lang, nodding his head: "I hope what you said is true. If that's the case, it explains why the city notified us five hours in advance about the Germans' final attack, even detailing their specific military strength. They want to give us time to think, prepare, and solve this problem. If so, there should be a way, it's just a matter of whether we can find it."
"What way?" Hong Lang asked anxiously.
Shen Yi helplessly spread his hands: "I don't know either. Let's put our heads together. If we can't figure out a solution before the Germans launch their formal attack, I'm afraid there's only death waiting for us."
As time ticked away, everyone racked their brains, pondering how to complete this seemingly impossible task.
Shen Yi sat on a tank cover, smoking one cigarette after another, his brow furrowed into a deep frown.
Wen Rou ran over and sat beside Shen Yi, asking, "Have you thought of any solution?"
Shen Yi shook his head, a gesture that sent a chill through Wen Rou.
"However, there is something that strikes me as odd. Maybe it could be a starting point," Shen Yi said.
"What is it?" Wen Rou inquired.
Shen Yi didn't respond immediately. He flicked the ash off his cigarette and then called out, "Jin Gang!"
Jin Gang strode over. "What's up? Thought of something?"
"Not yet, but something doesn't add up. Have you noticed... the composition of this attack force is a bit strange?"
Jin Gang nodded. "I was just thinking about that. In the final assault, the scariest part isn't the tanks or the planes, but those one hundred and twenty artillery pieces. That number is terrifying."
"That's the issue. It's two tank divisions stationed by An Heng, so it's not strange they have artillery. But it's odd if the artillery plays a major role. After all, it's not an artillery division."
"You mean..."
Shen Yi waved his hand. "I feel this is the key. The city must have left us a clue, and these one hundred and twenty pieces of artillery are an obvious sign."
After pondering for a while, Jin Gang nodded. "Share your thoughts."
"I used to read war books a lot. I remember a general saying: 'Defense without the capacity to counterattack is doomed to fail, as you can only be suppressed by the enemy. During defense, seizing the key moment to counterattack can sometimes produce good results.'"
Wen Rou and Jin Gang exchanged glances. Hong Lang and a few other adventurers, having heard Shen Yi's words, gathered around.
Someone called out, "Brother Shen, do you mean that the city's given opportunity is actually to counterattack? But how can we counterattack?"
"Take out their artillery," Shen Yi replied decisively.
"How? There are one hundred and twenty of them."
"I don't know," Shen Yi admitted helplessly, spreading his hands. "I only know this should be key to the problem, but I don't know how to solve it."
Posing a problem is always easier than solving it, and this time Shen Yi couldn't come up with a solution either.
But Wen Rou's eyes lit up.
She said, "I remember a real case from WWII history. Once, the German and American forces were bombarding each other. To strike the opponent harder and faster, the Germans brought all their shells to the frontline artillery position. The American artillery position was on the verge of collapse. Then, someone accidentally fired a shell into a nearby woods, hitting an ammunition depot, causing a massive explosion. All the artillery shells were destroyed, along with dozens of guns, and hundreds of German soldiers were killed. That battle ended in a resounding victory for the Americans."
Everyone was stunned.
Someone exclaimed, "You mean this time the Germans might also bring all their artillery ammunition directly to the front line? To reenact a real WWII scenario?"
"It's possible," Shen Yi immediately responded. "The city wouldn't leave us without clues, nor would it make them too obvious. It doesn't give us an easy chance to survive, but it does give us a chance. Considering the probabilities, it's very likely. And from the Germans' mindset, they indeed have no fear of our counterattack."
"But what if it's not the case?"
Shen Yi shrugged. "Sometimes, a trap and an opportunity are the same thing."
His words made sense, and everyone fell into deep thought.
Jin Gang pondered and then said, "Shen Yi, so you mean we take the initiative to destroy the German ammunition depot?"
Shen Yi nodded. "We have no other choice."
"Who will do it?" Wen Rou asked.
As soon as she said this, everyone fell silent.
Everyone knew that destroying the artillery position was a nearly suicidal mission, right under the nose of the Germans.
Shen Yi's gaze swept over all the adventurers, who all looked down at their feet.
Shen Yi smiled. "Since none of you want to go, I will."
Everyone was stunned.
Hong Lang roared, "Are you out of your mind? Going alone to charge the German artillery position?"
Shen Yi retorted, "If I really blow up the depot and take out some artillery, how much contribution would the city give me?"
Hong Lang's face fell. "Brother, are you too greedy for money over life?"
Jin Gang added, "Brother, listen to me, don't do this. Let someone with a better chance of escaping do it."
Shen Yi coldly said, "This can only be voluntary. For a mission akin to a death sentence, you can't force anyone. Even if forced, the mission can't be completed. Since no one volunteers, I have to step up."
"I'll go with you," Wen Rou called out.
Shen Yi's expression hardened. "Don't add to the chaos."
Wen Rou coldly smiled, "You need me for reconnaissance."
"We need it here too."
"But here we have room for failure. You don't... you must succeed on the first try!" Wen Rou's tone was resolute.
Wen Rou was right. Since only one or two people were going on the mission to destroy the artillery position, they couldn't afford any mistakes. Her scouting abilities could be a huge advantage for Shen Yi, helping him consider all contingencies during the mission.
Shen Yi nodded reluctantly, "Alright, who else is coming with me?"
Jin Gang was about to speak, but Shen Yi stopped him, "Jin Gang, you must stay here. This is the main position and needs a commander. In my absence, it's up to you to lead everyone through this."
Jin Gang was about to say something when Shen Yi whispered in his ear, "I can't trust anyone else here except for you guys. I need you to protect the fatty. My life and death depend on what rewards he can bring."
Shen Yi punched Jin Gang in the chest. Jin Gang, slightly stunned, eventually nodded with a smile, "Alright, if we all make it back alive, no matter what reward you get, everyone here owes you a favor."
Hong Lang sighed, "In that case, Shen Yi, I'll go too."
"No, you stay as well. Wen Rou and I are enough," Shen Yi said, whispering to Hong Lang, "Come on, we've got a bunch of guys here and only one lady. You really want to compete with me for her?"
Hong Lang stared blankly at Shen Yi, understanding that this was just an excuse. Shen Yi's instructions to Jin Gang, including the concern for the fatty, were also mere pretenses.
Hong Lang gave Shen Yi a thumbs up, "No need to say more, I know you're loyal. You two go. As long as the artillery can't fire, I assure you this bridge will be safe."
"Twenty-five bombers, sixty tanks, fifteen hundred German soldiers... don't make it sound so easy. Of course, we're taking a risk, but you here... it won't be easy either," Shen Yi coldly said. Even if a significant amount of artillery was destroyed, the remaining attacking force would still be three times stronger than before. Shen Yi didn't care much for the others, but he didn't want anything to happen to Hong Lang and Jin Gang.
Thinking this, he whispered to Jin Gang, "Use your authority when necessary. Now you're the boss here, and Hong Lang is your deputy. Assign others to dangerous tasks, and if anyone disobeys, you can't kill them, but let Frost handle it. As long as the bridge is safe, and you two and the fatty survive, don't worry too much about the others. I'll talk to Frost and ensure his full support."
Jin Gang replied quietly, "I knew you were no saint."
Shen Yi chuckled and said through clenched teeth, "Thanks for the compliment. Take care of yourself and Hong Lang."
"Don't worry."
With that, the task of attacking the artillery position was officially assigned to Shen Yi and Wen Rou.
As they were leaving, Frost, upon hearing about Shen Yi and Wen Rou's mission to destroy the German artillery position, was deeply moved.
He specially found Shen Yi and took off a Medal of Honor from his chest, placing it in Shen Yi's hand.
"Honorable Shen, though you are not a professional soldier, your courage deserves the title of a hero. Please accept this small gift from me."
Following Frost's words, the Bloody Badge once again displayed a notification: Due to the 2nd Airborne Battalion's admiration for your courage, the intimacy level increased to 500 points, and you received a Medal of Honor from the 2nd Airborne Battalion.
[2nd Airborne Battalion Medal of Honor: A summoning type medal, allowing the summoning of soldiers from the 2nd Airborne Battalion for airborne operations in other worlds. The maximum limit of soldiers from the 2nd Airborne Battalion is five hundred. After this mission, surviving soldiers will be promoted to Level 1 Elite Soldiers, upgradeable and equipment-enhanceable. Summoning requires 30 Bloody Points per level. Soldiers killed in action permanently disappear. Replacement soldiers are ordinary and can be enhanced but not upgraded. They can be resummoned after being killed in action, requiring 15 Bloody Points each. Every death of an ordinary soldier reduces intimacy by 1 point, and every elite soldier's death reduces intimacy by 2 times their level. The Medal of Honor disappears if intimacy drops to 0 points. Compensation for fallen soldiers can make up for lost intimacy, costing the same as their summoning price.
]