The grinding of gears filled the room, but Kai Hunter paid it no mind. His attention was fixated on the Iron Man movie playing on his computer screen. "After Avengers: Infinity War was released, everyone rushed to catch up," he remarked, glancing at the flood of comments on the screen. Most were variations of 'catching up,' 'Avengers: Infinity War revisited,' 'first lesson,' and 'next lesson: Invincible Hulk.' Kai couldn't help but smile.
Unlike the others, Kai had already watched the entire Marvel movie series. Now, he was simply revisiting them.
As the grinding gears finally came to a halt, Kai turned his attention to another screen displaying a familiar game: Dungeon & Fighter (DNF). His encounter with this game had been a twist of fate, and after going through its ups and downs, it had become something he played to pass the time.
"Announcement!" The system notification flashed on the screen.
"Disassemble equipment successfully!"
"Colorless Crystals *103."
"Rare Soul."
"Boring..." Kai yawned, preparing to log out when suddenly, the computer screen began to shake abnormally, and the Massive Disassembler started emitting a red light.
"What the heck is going on?" Kai was startled, but before he could get up, there was a thunderous explosion, and the Disassembler blew up!
"Even if the durability was reduced to zero, it shouldn't explode like this. What's going on?"
Before Kai could process his thoughts, he was enveloped in the red light produced by the explosion. The computer screen went dark, and Kai... vanished without a trace!
Images flashed before Kai's eyes. In a daze, he saw scenes of battles, explosions, and desperate shouts, one after another. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, feeling relieved that it was just a dream.
"What are you doing, soldier?! Get up, get up! These damn bastards broke through our defenses!"
"This is a sneaky ambush. Damn it, fight back!"
Before he could comprehend what had happened, Kai was stunned by his surroundings. He found himself in the middle of a chaotic battlefield, filled with trenches, distant smoke, gunfire, artillery fire, cries of pain, and wailing, all interwoven in a nightmarish tableau.
Kai was completely dazed. What was going on? One moment, he was at home playing games and watching movies, and the next, he was in the midst of a battlefield filled with real danger.
A burly young soldier was pulling him along, running and babbling something incoherently. But before the young man could finish his words, a gunshot rang out, and a bullet pierced through his almost worn-out helmet, nailing him in the head.
One moment, the soldier had been running alongside Kai, seemingly searching for something. The next moment, he was a lifeless corpse on the battlefield. Blood soaked the ground, and Kai sat down, his mind in disarray.
"What the hell is going on here?" Bullets whizzed above his head, and Kai crouched in the trench, his mind filled with inexplicable and surreal sensations. "Is this... a transmigration?"
Having read numerous novels, Kai was well aware of the concept of transmigration. However, he had never heard of anyone, let alone someone like him, crossing over directly onto a battlefield without meeting any god-like figure!
'If my life as a transmigrator were a novel, this was an incredibly intense start,' Kai thought silently.
"Calm down! I have to stay calm!" Kai slapped his face lightly. The first thing he needed to do was regain his composure. Glancing around the battlefield, he saw tanks and cannons in the distance. The symbol on them left Kai dumbfounded. It was a reversed swastika flag!
Historically, only one regime used this symbol as its flag.
"What the heck, is this World War II under the rule of that mustachioed dictator?" Kai's head was spinning from the influx of information. He was just an ordinary guy, and he might even be a bit of a homebody. Ending up on a battlefield filled with corpses from World War II was the last thing he expected.
Dodging bullets that grazed his head, Kai quickly lowered himself into the trench. He scanned his surroundings. Everyone was armed, and anyone still alive was using their weapons to fire at the enemy. To survive, his only option was to fight with a bayonet. The only thing he had was...
"A gun!"
Kai, who had never handled a firearm, began to search his body for a weapon. As a soldier, he must have had a gun on him. It was slung over his shoulder, a fact he hadn't noticed before. When he picked it up, he couldn't even recognize the model.
Just as he was about to observe others' actions to learn how to handle the firearm, he heard a familiar sound of gears grinding.
"Am I suffering from auditory hallucinations?" Kai wondered. He paused for a moment, the sound was too familiar, reminiscent of the Disassembler's noise in Dungeon & Fighter (DNF). Then, a virtual dialogue box appeared before him. It read, "Would you like to Disassemble the M1 Garand rifle?" With two options: "Yes" or "No."
"Is this some kind of joke? Am I being pranked?" Kai was utterly baffled. "Wait... could it be a 'Cheat system'?" In the next moment, it suddenly dawned on him.
And then, he was even more perplexed. Typically, these 'Cheat systems' were all overpowered, like systems or divine weapons. How did he end up with a Disassembler from DNF?
Scanning the battlefield, he saw a lot of corpses, and everyone had weapons. Disassembling one wouldn't be a big loss. Without hesitation, he chose "Yes." After all, it was a 'Cheat system,' and he needed to figure out its purpose to increase his chances of survival.
The sound of gears grinding resumed, and Kai huddled in the trench, gritting his teeth. Bullets whizzed above him, and the occasional flying mud splatter landed on him.
Before today, he never could have imagined the suffering he was currently enduring. He almost shed tears in the trench.
However, he persevered. After all, he was now a member of the transmigrator army. Running away in panic would only bring shame to the entire transmigrator community. He didn't want to feel embarrassed when meeting other transmigrators in the future.
"But I probably won't encounter any other transmigrators here, will I? It's like sending razor blades to the readers." Kai muttered to himself, seemingly talking to no one while the sound of gears grinding continued.
"Why isn't it done yet?" Kai started getting impatient.
Just as he said that, there was a hissing sound like steam being released. Immediately after, another virtual dialog box appeared.
"Announcement!"
Seeing those two words, Kai felt exasperated. "What's the point of making an announcement now? Who's it for?"
"Equipment Disassembled Successfully!"
"Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience *6."
"Beginner Rifle Close-Combat Experience *3."
"Damaged Battle Soul."
"Disassemble Experience +1."
"Disassembly complete, would you like to extract at once?"
The voice echoed in Kai Hunter's mind. He couldn't believe the absurdity of the situation, but there was no turning back now.
"Extract!" he muttered, his face grim as he braced himself for whatever was coming next.
Suddenly, Kai found himself holding nine books, bathed in an eerie white light. He groaned in frustration. "Really? You expect me to fight on a battlefield, then go to college, get a master's degree, fall in love, marry Ms. Perfect, become a CEO, and reach the pinnacle of life? Seriously?" he complained, but deep down, his instincts told him these books weren't meant for reading.
The chaos of the battlefield raged on, but only a few minutes had passed since this strange ordeal began. Taking advantage of the soldiers' distraction, Kai quickly concealed several of the books behind his back. Without overthinking it, he touched one of the books, and it instantly transformed into a white light, seeping directly into his mind.
Suddenly, he knew how to handle a rifle with precision, and all the associated insights flooded his thoughts.
"Just as I thought!" Kai nearly leaped for joy but quickly reconsidered, bullets whizzing overhead reminding him that celebrating could make him an easy target. Instead, he methodically touched each book, one by one.
By the time he had absorbed the knowledge from six books on rifle shooting and three on close-combat techniques, Kai felt like he was becoming a master marksman. But then, there was a final burst of white light. As soon as he slapped the last book, it dissolved into tiny specks of light, enveloping him entirely.
A peculiar sensation spread throughout his body—a slight tingling, swelling, and numbness in his muscles and bones. It was fleeting, but when it passed, Kai felt an overwhelming surge of strength.
"This is definitely a 'Cheat System'!" he exclaimed, even though he couldn't fully comprehend the mysterious process that had just occurred. Somehow, a broken rifle had turned into something as enigmatic as 'Battle Soul,' and now Kai felt invincible.
Ready to stand and face the enemy, Kai reached for his gun, only to realize it was gone. "My gun… disassembled!" he muttered, the realization hitting him hard.
With no time to waste, Kai crouched low, frantically searching for another weapon among the fallen soldiers. Finally, he found an M1 Garand rifle, fully loaded, and ready to fire. He gripped it tightly, his mind racing.
"Would you like to disassemble the M1 Garand rifle?" the voice asked again.
"No!" Kai barked. He wasn't about to face the enemy empty-handed. Without hesitating, he lifted his head, aimed at the enemy, and pulled the trigger.
The gunshot rang out, but Kai didn't have time to check if he had hit his target. His heart pounded in his chest, the reality of the situation sinking in. Less than ten minutes ago, he had been an ordinary guy, living a quiet life, and now he was in the midst of a deadly battle.
The sight of death all around him, coupled with the fear of being next, pushed him to pull the trigger again. This time, he didn't look away. The bullet struck the enemy squarely in the face, and Kai watched in horror as blood splattered and the life drained from his foe's eyes.
Kai's entire body trembled, unsure if it was from excitement or terror. He raised his weapon again, firing repeatedly, each shot filled with desperation. Most of his bullets found their mark, though not always as precisely as he wanted.
The battlefield was a place that could drive anyone to madness, especially someone new to its horrors. The conflict between Kai's ingrained values and the brutality of war was overwhelming. But something primal had awakened in him after that first kill, and it was driving him forward.
It wasn't until he heard the ominous clicking sound of an empty rifle that Kai realized he was out of ammo. Panic set in as a new wave of fear washed over him. Almost instinctively, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a bullet that seemed to be aimed directly at him.
"Is someone targeting me?" Kai's heart raced as he ducked into the trench, not daring to lift his head. He knew snipers were on the battlefield, their weapons like scythes of death, reaping lives with cold precision.
Kai couldn't be sure, but it felt like someone had their sights set on him. Desperate, he remembered a trick he'd seen in movies. To his left lay a fallen soldier, and Kai carefully removed the steel helmet from the corpse.
With one hand, he cautiously raised the helmet above the trench, exposing only a small portion. A deafening bang followed, and the helmet flew out of his hand.
"I really am being targeted!" Kai thought, his suspicions confirmed. If he raised his head even slightly, his brains would be blown out.
"What should I do?" Kai took a deep breath, his mind racing for a solution.
Despite the newfound knowledge from those nine books, Kai knew he wasn't a sharpshooter. His aim was still average at best, and he couldn't rely on sheer skill to take down an enemy sniper. But desperation called for drastic measures.
"In that case…" Kai whispered, looking down at the rifle in his hands. "Disassemble!"
The gears in his mind started to turn again. He could almost hear the mechanical grinding as the Disassembly machine went to work. Thirty seconds later, it was done.
"Announcement: Equipment Disassembly successful! Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience * 7, Beginner Rifle Close-Combat Experience * 5, Damaged Battle Soul."
"Disassemble Experience +1. Disassembly complete. Would you like to extract at once?"
"Extract!" Kai ordered, his determination unwavering.
With red-rimmed eyes, Kai crawled forward, scavenging weapons from the fallen, his resolve hardening. "I'll improve my shooting skills… Damn it, even without a sniper rifle, I'll still blow you away!"
Kai Hunter lay flat on the battlefield, teeth clenched as he crawled forward, his mind racing. He needed to find weapons, disassemble them into skill books, and improve his marksmanship to take out that damned sniper. But just as he muttered "Extract," twelve books and a strange Battle Soul appeared beside him.
In that instant, a soldier nearby noticed him crawling below. Time seemed to slow as Kai watched the soldier's reaction in horror. Beads of sweat formed on Kai's forehead as he desperately tried to think of an explanation.
"Hey, buddy, even in the middle of a war, you can't forget the importance of studying, right? After all, knowledge is the ladder to progress!" Kai's forced attempt at humor was met with confusion.
Of course, knowledge was essential, but flaunting twelve books on a battlefield was beyond absurd. And what was he supposed to say about the Battle Soul? Claim it was a new type of smoke grenade he was experimenting with? What if the soldier asked him to demonstrate?
In a moment of panic, Kai willed the system to collect items. To his surprise, they vanished instantly.
The soldier, now staring directly at Kai, seemed confused about kai's weird expressions .
Kai, still on edge, forced an awkward smile, hoping the soldier would dismiss what he had seen. Kai kept casually crawling on ground.
But the soldier, still dazed, say kai crawling on ground with his lifted face pointing to his bum, suddenly reached back to cover his buttocks, his expression turning to one of despair. Before Kai could react, a bullet struck the soldier's forehead, and he collapsed to the ground. The look of despair remained frozen on his face, but Kai knew it wasn't just from the fear of death.
Kai took a deep breath, closed the soldier's eyes, and reminded himself: this is war. The battlefield was a brutal place, where life and death could change in an instant. The sight of blood, the stench of gunpowder, the lifeless bodies—it was all too real.
Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, Kai took the soldier's gun and continued moving. After the close call with the books, he became even more cautious in his approach. He had to stay low, blending in with the other soldiers, while constantly being aware of the bullets, shells, and shrapnel flying overhead.
Kai moved from weapon to weapon, disassembling them as discreetly as possible, slapping skill books one by one into his Disassembler. He could feel himself getting stronger, his marksmanship improving with each book. But he knew it wasn't enough. He needed to survive this war.
As time passed, the chaos of battle raged on. The enemy had launched a surprise attack, but the soldiers on his side were holding their ground. Kai kept his head down, picking up guns, disassembling them, and quickly moving on. No one seemed to notice him, which suited him just fine.
But then, just as he was feeling a bit more confident, a series of notifications from his Disassembler shattered his concentration.
[Announcement!] [Equipment disassembled successfully!] [Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience *10] [Damaged Battle Soul] [Disassemble experience +1] [Disassembler experience is full. It is now upgrading! The Disassemble function is not available during the upgrade process. The Extract function can be used normally.] [Disassembler upgrading…]
Kai stared at the notifications in disbelief. The Disassembler could upgrade? Now? Of all times? He hadn't even fully explored its functions, and now it was locked in an upgrade process. With nearly a hundred skill books already stored, Kai felt a momentary relief, but it was short-lived.
Another notification popped up, making his heart sink further.
[Beginner Rifle Shooting Skill upgrade!] [All Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience is being combined into Intermediate Rifle Shooting Experience!]
In an instant, over fifty skill books were reduced to just thirty-two, with only two remaining as Intermediate Rifle Shooting Experience books. And there was no telling when the Disassembler would finish upgrading.
"Am I going to die here?" Kai muttered, his eyes filled with dread. He felt the panic rising within him. He needed to find that sniper and take him out before it was too late. But just as he was about to lose himself in thoughts of revenge, a soldier suddenly appeared, rushing up to him.
"You, come with me!" the soldier ordered.
Kai blinked, confused and ready to snap, but the soldier's next words caught his attention. "We need to leave this area!"
Without a second thought, Kai followed. The idea of charging into enemy lines or going on a suicidal revenge mission no longer appealed to him. He wasn't ready to die—not yet.
The soldier led Kai through the trenches to a small group waiting nearby—two men and a woman. The man, who appeared to be a Sergeant, addressed Kai directly.
"We're about to carry out a mission that requires a sharpshooter. I've been watching you for some time, and you're the person we need. We leave now. You'll get the mission details on the way!"
Kai didn't argue. Any mission was better than staying on the front lines, waiting for a stray bullet to end him. The group moved in a tight formation, slipping away from the main battlefield, where the enemy's presence was less pronounced.
As they moved, the Sergeant briefed them on the mission. "We're executing a Decapitation Strike! Special Agent Carter will lead us directly into the enemy's rear. We're going to turn the tide and send them packing. Soldiers, we don't have much time. Based on the current situation, our position will collapse by midnight. Victory or defeat lies with us!"
Kai's heart sank. So much for getting away from danger. It seemed he had just signed up for a suicide mission. He wanted to ask if it was too late to back out, but he knew better. There was no turning back now.
As they continued to move, Kai steeled himself for what lay ahead. He didn't know what the mission would entail, but one thing was clear—he needed to survive, no matter what.
Kai Hunter couldn't believe how crazy his life had become. Just over an hour ago, he was your typical otaku, sitting at home, watching movies, and playing video games. And now… he had become a member of a U.S. soldier decapitation squad on the battlefield of World War II? Who could explain how this drastic transformation had occurred?
It seemed that one shouldn't take lightly this whole "transmigration" business. You think you might get a perfect life, but in reality, your life might become a complete mess because of it!
At this moment, Kai was largely pessimistic. Mainly because the experiences from movies and lessons from novels were silently conveying a message: Decapitation operations like this were usually one-way trips! Moreover, on their side, they had only… five people!
Just as Kai was thinking this, the sound of gunfire erupted. Five people… became four!
"Lie down, take cover! We've got a sniper!"
"Hide behind those rocks!"
"Where is he?"
As the shouts of his teammates filled the air, Kai had already hit the ground. His eyes observed the surrounding environment through the gaps in the grass. The experiences from movies and novels had taught Kai that gunshots could help estimate the general direction of the enemy, and the glare from a sniper scope could be used to precisely locate the shooter.
Then… he didn't see anything at all!
"Do we have a sniper?" he whispered.
"Yes," The sergeant replied in a hushed tone, "But he just died!"
"…" Kai was speechless.
At long distances, the only one who could contend with a sniper was another sniper. And their one and only hope… was gone!?
"Kai!" A woman's voice suddenly reached his ears, and Kai turned his head to see Agent Peggy Carter standing right next to him.
Huh? Wait a minute! What did she just call him? Kai?
"If you can pinpoint the enemy's location, do you have confidence in making a headshot?" Agent Carter asked, her question direct and resolute.
Kai's response was equally cautious as he pondered, "Within 500 meters, I'm confident of a headshot. At 600 meters… 70% certainty. At 700 meters, it drops to 50%. At 800 meters, the effective range of my rifle is 730 meters. If the enemy is beyond 800 meters… it would depend on a different shooting technique!"
"What kind of technique?" Agent Carter asked.
"A 'go-with-the-flow' technique!"
"What does that mean?" Agent Carter was puzzled. She had never heard of such a shooting technique.
"It means… whether I can hit the target, or where I hit, it all depends on luck!"
"That's enough!" Agent Carter smiled and said, "Kai, I take back what I said earlier; you're a very skilled soldier!"
Huh? What did she mean by taking back what she said? We've only just met, and we've only said a few words, right? This taking back what she said makes me quite uneasy!
Kai thought quickly. Based on the typical pattern of being "transmigrated," if he hadn't been reincarnated, he had most likely directly replaced someone else. Moreover, if it were reincarnation, it should come with inheriting memories. But he had no such memories, so the latter seemed more likely. Had he taken on another person's life? And this person's name was Kai? Were they acquainted with Agent Carter?
Kai felt that things were about to get complicated. However, right as he was contemplating this, Agent Carter did something that left him dumbfounded.
"Stay observant!" The moment these words reached Kai's ears, Agent Carter, with an acrobatic leap, rolled away in another direction.
Bang!!!
The crisp sound of a gunshot almost coincided with her movement, and a splash of blood burst into the air.
Kai needed only a fraction of a second to realize Agent Carter's intention. Taking a deep breath, he paid no attention to Agent Carter's life or death and locked his gaze in the direction from which the gunshot had come.
The sound of Agent Carter landing nearby and the sergeant's calls were all naturally blocked out. In that instant, Kai entered an unprecedented state of focus.
He raised his M1 Garand rifle, and in the next moment, he whispered, "I've spotted you!"
Kai took another deep breath. "The distance… about 750 meters!"
The effective range of the M1 Garand rifle was 730 meters, so the additional 20 meters would have to rely on fate.
In his mind, all the knowledge about rifle shooting, including types and characteristics, raced through his thoughts. Suddenly, he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
Bang!!!
The slightly deeper gunshot sounded, and almost simultaneously, a streak of crimson passed through his line of sight.
On the battlefield, life and death hinged on a split second.
Kai took another deep breath, his eyes slightly fatigued. This level of intense concentration, combined with his upgraded Battle Soul-enhanced physical condition, allowed him to spot the hidden sniper at nearly 800 meters away. Even if the enemy had remained concealed within the foliage the entire time, his enhanced physique would have made it difficult to locate the sniper. There were too many elements of chance involved. In the same circumstances, Kai didn't even know if he could replicate the shot he had just taken.
But there was no time to celebrate. He hurried over to where Agent Carter was. To his surprise, he found her crouched on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"Just grazed me a bit. Quick, get down! We don't know if there's another sniper hiding nearby. You're too exposed like this!" Agent Carter whispered.
Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He then heard the sergeant not far away exclaim, "Well done, soldier! You're like a savior sent by God to rescue us!"
Agent Carter whispered, "The danger isn't over; everyone should be cautious." Then she turned to Kai. "You've truly impressed me with your performance!"
"I thought you took the risk because you were confident," Kai said, looking at Agent Carter in surprise.
Agent Carter smiled faintly. "If there was confidence, it wouldn't be a risk. In the situation we just faced, we had no other choice."
Kai was at a loss for words. Was this woman… insane? Nevertheless, he felt a slight urge to laugh. A woman so daring on the battlefield was something he had never encountered in his original world, within his original circle of life. But… why did Agent Carter seem so familiar?
This thought emerged just as Agent Carter spoke, sending a shiver down Kai's spine. "Have you ever heard of the 'Super Soldier Plan'?"
Keywords: Agent Carter, 'Super Soldier Serum,' World War II battlefield, U.S. soldiers.
When Kai Hunter connected these keywords in his mind, his face paled. Any one of these keywords alone would suggest a typical "crossed over" experience with a touch of danger. But when combined, they could only mean one thing: Captain America!
Before "crossing over," Kai had been watching "Iron Man." Yet, instead of finding himself in the era of Iron Man, he had somehow ended up on the World War II battlefield alongside Captain America. Was this a sign that he had crossed into the Marvel Universe?
The Marvel Universe?
Kai's thoughts turned bleak. What kind of world was this? The universe was filled with aliens, and battles raged endlessly. Major villains seemed to treat world destruction as a hobby. What was wrong with just living in peace?
Having watched Avengers: Infinity War, Kai couldn't help but recall Thanos and his infamous snap, the one that decimated half the universe. At that moment, all he could think was: WTF!
How had he ended up in this world? And worse, was this the movie universe or the comic universe? If it was the movie universe, that might be manageable. But the comic universe? That was another story entirely—filled with beings capable of destroying Earth, and countless unimaginable entities traversing different universes and dimensions.
On a mere World War II battlefield, Kai believed that with his Disassemble ability, the skill books he had acquired, and his enhanced physique from Battle Soul, he had a fair chance of survival. He could excel on the battlefield, earn accolades, and maybe even become an officer, ensuring a comfortable life.
But now? Kai realized he had been naïve.
"The Super Soldier Serum is a formula developed by Dr. Abraham Erskine. It enhances a person's physical capabilities, turning an ordinary soldier into a Super Soldier," Agent Carter explained softly when she noticed Kai's silence. "This isn't the place to discuss it. Let's complete this decapitation mission, and afterward, we can talk in detail. I believe that if it's you, you might qualify for this experiment."
At that moment, the sergeant, who had moved ahead, signaled that it was safe to proceed.
Agent Carter patted Kai on the shoulder. "Keep going, soldier!"
Kai was left with his thoughts. Could he really survive in a world where threats like Loki, Ultron, and Thanos loomed? In this World War II setting, considering Captain America's scenario of being frozen for seventy years, would Kai even make it to the modern-day battles, or would he end up an old man, too frail to fight?
Despite his enhancements, what good would they do him if he was an elderly man fighting with a cane?
He couldn't help but sigh in relief. Compared to the epic battles of the future, the current World War II battlefield seemed less terrifying. At least here, there wasn't an Infinity Gauntlet capable of wiping out half the universe with a single snap!
For a brief moment, Kai's confidence surged. He even thought that he could look down on these World War II opponents, charge into Berlin, and make a name for himself by lifting Hitler's head!
Of course, that was just a fantasy.
But then, Kai had another thought.
"Perhaps... our main adversary next isn't the little mustache man, but Hydra!" Agent Carter's presence suggested that even if this wasn't the movie version of Captain America, it was profoundly connected. During this period, Captain America's primary opponent was Hydra, right?
"Why am I getting ahead of myself?" Kai tapped his head, realizing it was pointless to think too far ahead. He had to take one step at a time.
So, the next step was to keep moving forward.
The journey ahead was relatively quiet, with no sniper ambushes. The sergeant believed the earlier sniper encounter had been a fluke, but they still moved cautiously, doing everything possible to avoid detection, especially from the enemy planes occasionally passing overhead.
The hardships of the journey were evident. Without the significant enhancements from the Battle Soul, Kai would have been exhausted long ago.
Even with these enhancements, he felt like his entire body was covered in sweat and mud. As a modern-day otaku, Kai had never experienced such hardship.
But now, whether it was to win this battle or simply to survive, he had to persist. As for running away? Kai had considered it. However, just like the determination he had made in his previous life, he now clung to the belief that "people are like birds flying to the sky, undying for all eternity."
Running away might seem like an option, but on a World War II battlefield where he was unfamiliar with every corner, how far could he really get? If he was lucky, he might run into his current unit, get slapped with a desertion label, undergo reformation, and be sent back to fight.
If he didn't want to return to battle, a military court-martial awaited him. Whether he would live or die after that was uncertain.
If his luck was bad, he might run into Hitler's forces, where "too young, too simple" would be the perfect description of his fate.
So instead of all that, Kai decided to give it his all. This decision wasn't just based on his experience from movies or lessons from novels; it was equally rooted in his enhanced physical abilities and marksmanship. Plus, the experiences of a day on the battlefield had granted him the courage to fight to the death.
Beneath the steel helmet, Kai Hunter listened intently to Special Agent Carter's briefing. However, when she mentioned Jasper Bell, Kai realized he had no idea who that was. Trying to calm himself, Kai adjusted his breathing. He couldn't quite tell whether the jittery feeling coursing through him was from fear or excitement. His mind raced, and his limbs felt unusually tense. To top it all off, he had a sudden, pressing need to use the restroom.
The urge was distracting. Who goes into battle with their bladder full? But everyone around him seemed so serious that he was embarrassed to bring it up. What if they thought he was a coward?
"…Alright, I've finished. Does everyone understand?" Agent Carter concluded, her voice snapping Kai back to attention.
Everyone, including Kai, nodded. The sergeant then stepped forward, his tone turning stern. "Remember, this Decapitation Strike is about assassination. With just four of us, charging in guns blazing isn't an option. We need to stay calm and unseen until we have Jasper Bell in our sights."
The sergeant scanned the faces of his team, a slight smile curling his lips. "So, take a moment now. If there's anything you need to deal with, do it. I don't want anyone's first action in front of the enemy to be shooting… or wetting themselves!"
The team exchanged glances. The sergeant's attempt at humor fell flat, but it lightened the tension, if only slightly. Finally, one of the soldiers, whose name Kai didn't know, cracked a smile and chuckled softly.
Kai, Agent Carter, and the sergeant all looked at him. Realizing he was alone in his amusement, the soldier awkwardly stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."
Grateful for the excuse, Kai quickly followed. They didn't go far, just far enough to find a nearby tree and relieve themselves.
"Are you scared?" the soldier asked, his tone casual.
Kai hesitated, unsure how to respond. Of course, he was scared. These soldiers had been in the thick of battle for who knows how long. But this morning, Kai had been home, relaxing, watching movies, playing video games. Now, here he was, thrown into a real battlefield.
The internal conflict was real, but all he could manage to say was, "Yeah, a little."
The soldier nodded. "Fear is good; it keeps you alive. You're a good shot, Kai, even if you have some odd habits. Just try to stay alive through this damn war."
Kai blinked in surprise. "Odd habits? What do you mean?"
"Well…" The soldier hesitated. "When the sergeant, Agent Carter, and I watched you before, we noticed that after you kill someone, you clap your hands. I mean, they're our enemies, sure, but it's like you're celebrating."
Kai's mind raced. Clapping his hands? He had no memory of that. But then, realization hit him. The books—those strange books he had seen and the Battle Soul—had been invisible to everyone else. To them, it must have looked like he was clapping for no reason. No wonder they thought it was strange.
Before he could dwell too much on this, the soldier leaned in, speaking in a low voice. "What do you think of Agent Carter? Isn't she stunning?"
Still processing his thoughts, Kai blurted out, "I don't see it. Her face is too… square."
The soldier looked at him like he was crazy. "Your sense of aesthetics is beyond me. If I make it through this war, I swear I'm going to find a woman just like her."
"Then go for it," Kai replied. "She's right behind you."
The soldier froze for a moment before sighing. "Even if I caught her, I'm pretty sure she'd shoot me the first time we had an argument."
"If you're afraid of death, why bother with girls?" Kai teased.
"Are we talking about dating or suicide here?" The soldier gave Kai a baffled look before stowing away his gear. "Man, you had a lot of urine."
"Good kidneys," Kai grinned.
Their light-hearted banter somehow deepened the camaraderie between them, despite not even knowing each other's names. But soon enough, they would be fighting side by side, infiltrating enemy lines on a perilous mission.
As absurd as it all felt, Kai couldn't deny that the soldier's words had given him a useful insight. If the things he disassembled could only be seen by him, it would make things much easier to handle.
When they returned to the group, Agent Carter checked her watch. "It's time to move out."
The soldier took the lead, darting ahead and signaling the others when the coast was clear. As they approached the enemy camp, a heavy tension settled over the team. All conversation ceased, replaced by a series of hand signals. The gestures were simple enough, and even though Kai didn't understand them at first, he quickly caught on.
Their approach went smoothly, save for one tense moment when they encountered an enemy soldier sneaking out for a smoke. The soldier leading their group quickly neutralized him, slitting his throat from behind. As expected, Kai promptly confiscated the fallen enemy's weapon.
The oppressive tension made the ten-minute journey feel like an eternity, but they eventually reached their contact.
The rendezvous was simpler than expected. After exchanging a few code words, the contact confirmed their identities. Kai found the code words unnecessary; surely no one in the enemy camp would walk around in full American military gear unless they had a death wish.
The contact, a young man in his twenties, led them to a secluded corner of the camp. "This area's only patrolled by me, so it's safe," he assured them as they entered a tent.
The contact pulled out four enemy uniforms from under a bed and handed them to the team. "Move quickly and blend in. Here's the camp's defense layout. Good luck."
As Kai reached out to take his uniform, a familiar prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Disassembly upgrade complete!]
[Do you want to disassemble the military uniform?]
Upon receiving the first prompt, excitement surged within Kai Hunter's heart. In this perilous environment, the Disassembler was his greatest asset—his strength entirely derived from it. However, as he read the second prompt, his enthusiasm faltered slightly.
Military attire… could that even be disassembled? What would one even get from disassembling it? Linen? Kai shook his head, pushing the thought aside. Now wasn't the time to ponder the upgraded functions of the Disassembler. Special Agent Carter had just handed out military uniforms, signaling the next phase of their mission.
"Let's go over the operational plan once more," Agent Carter commanded. "After changing into these uniforms, we'll infiltrate the enemy camp separately. Each of you must memorize the patrol routes marked on the map. Avoid enemy patrols as much as possible. But remember, if luck isn't on your side, these uniforms should keep you under the radar. Stay calm, and above all, do not blow your cover."
Kai was taken aback. Agent Carter had mentioned the plan before, but at the time, he was too preoccupied with more personal matters to pay attention. Now he understood the gravity of their task—this was a true infiltration mission.
At first, the idea of infiltrating separately seemed overly risky. But on second thought, even if the four of them stuck together, they would be just as vulnerable in the midst of hundreds of enemies. If they were discovered, four people would be just as defenseless as one. On the darker side, if one of them was caught, it might create a diversion, allowing the others to complete the mission or escape.
Kai imagined the scenario where he was captured. Would he withstand torture? He quickly realized that he likely wouldn't—he'd probably spill everything at the first sign of pain. It was better to avoid capture at all costs.
"Alright, let's start changing clothes!" Agent Carter ordered.
Kai stared in disbelief as Agent Carter nonchalantly started to change into her military attire in front of everyone. Before he could entertain any inappropriate thoughts, she swiftly pulled on the uniform under her original clothing, covering herself efficiently.
Catching his dumbfounded expression, Carter quipped, "Judging by your face, you were expecting something else."
"…I think we all were," Kai muttered, glancing at the other soldiers, who were hurriedly donning their own disguises. The sergeant barked, "Hurry up! We need to find and eliminate the target quickly. Time is not on our side—we have to neutralize the enemy commander before midnight!"
Kai rolled his eyes and began putting on his uniform. Layer after layer, the clothes felt bulky and uncomfortable, but after some adjustments, he looked the part of an enemy soldier. The map was spread out before them, and Kai was surprised by how quickly he memorized it. His mind had never been this sharp before. The enhancements from the Battle Soul seemed to go beyond just physical strength—they might have improved his mental acuity as well.
Unfortunately, Kai hadn't had a chance to explore these new abilities in depth. Ever since arriving in this world, it had been non-stop action: fighting, traveling, and now, this stealth mission. There had been no time to study the Disassembler properly. But that would have to wait.
With the plan set, the sergeant gave them a final nod. "Good luck. Move out!"
The four of them left the tent, each heading in different directions. A cold wind blew, and Kai shivered. Saying he was ready was one thing; actually doing it was another. No matter how much he tried to stay calm, his body was shaking with a mix of fear and excitement.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on the map details in his mind. Slowly, he began to calm down, but his nerves spiked again when he heard the rhythmic march of footsteps approaching. A patrol team appeared in front of him, and he instinctively remembered Carter's advice to avoid contact with the enemy.
But when the patrol passed him without so much as a glance, Kai realized the power of his disguise—it was like a talisman, protecting him from suspicion. He sighed in relief, thankful he hadn't done anything to give himself away.
Kai wandered through the enemy camp, searching for the target but finding no clues. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. Frustrated after checking several places, he lifted the flap of a tent, intending to take a brief rest and maybe enhance himself using the Disassembler. But as he stepped inside, he froze—face-to-face with a military officer.
Both men stared at each other, equally shocked. The officer was the first to react, his hand darting towards the pistol at his waist.
"Shit!" Kai cursed under his breath. He had no choice now. In a flash, he lunged at the officer, moving with a speed that surprised even him. Before the officer could draw his weapon, Kai tackled him to the ground.
Kai had no formal training in hand-to-hand combat, but none of that mattered now. This was a fight for survival, a test of brute strength. The officer struggled beneath him, but Kai's Battle Soul-enhanced body was too powerful. He pinned the officer down, one hand covering the man's mouth and nose to prevent him from calling for help. The officer's hands flailed weakly, trying to push Kai off, but it was no use.
As the officer's struggles grew weaker, Kai hesitated. Should he kill him? Could he? But this was war—hesitation could mean death. Gritting his teeth, Kai tightened his grip, ignoring the officer's futile attempts to break free.
Finally, the officer went limp, his life extinguished under Kai's suffocating hold. Kai released him and sat back on the ground, panting. "This is much harder than playing a stealth game," he muttered to himself.
The reality of taking a life hit him hard, but there was no time to dwell on it. He needed to regroup and complete the mission. The fate of his team—and perhaps much more—depended on it.
Kai Hunter couldn't recall who once said, "The perfect infiltration is to eliminate everyone who sees you." While the exact words might differ, the essence remained, and Kai felt he was inching closer to that grim reality.
Surrounded by lifeless bodies, Kai sat amidst the carnage. The unseeing eyes of the dead seemed to fixate on him, a silent testament to his lethal efficiency. For a fleeting moment, Kai felt disoriented. In the past, he had always killed from a distance, with a gun. This time, however, he had used his bare hands to suffocate his target—one hand, if he remembered correctly.
Yet, that wasn't the most surprising part. What startled Kai more was the absence of overwhelming fear within himself.
"Could it be that somewhere in my genetic makeup, there's a predisposition for cold-blooded killing?" he mused, shaking his head to clear the thought.
He examined the military uniform of his fallen adversary, then glanced at his own attire. After a brief contemplation, he stood up and began stripping the uniform off the dead soldier. Kai wasn't well-versed in the insignias of the Third Reich, but it was clear that this soldier held a higher rank than him, judging by the uniform's ornate design.
Not only was the uniform fancier, but it also bore numerous badges, signaling a higher status. A higher rank could grant Kai access to areas that were previously off-limits, provided no one recognized him.
Kai wasn't sure of the fallen soldier's identity, but he had a gut feeling that, as long as the person wasn't his primary target, not everyone in the camp would recognize him. This presented a rare opportunity.
Earlier, while reviewing the deployment map, Kai had noticed one place that piqued his interest. However, it had been inaccessible before. Now, with this new uniform...
Stripping off his own clothes and donning the fallen soldier's uniform, Kai mentally commanded, "Disassemble."
He intended to disassemble the previous set of military clothing he wore. The ability to disassemble military clothing was an oddity, but if something could be disassembled, it had to be valuable, right?
As the sound of gears grinding together echoed in his mind, Kai took out the only remaining two books of Intermediate Rifle Shooting Experience and began to flip through them. A flood of knowledge about rifle usage filled his mind, causing his eyes to subtly change.
"Is this for real?" he wondered as the disassembling machine emitted a deflating sound, followed by a prompt.
Kai quickly rubbed his eyes, half-expecting to see something as mundane as "Linen Cloth *3" appear.
[Announcement!]
[Equipment Disassembled Successfully!]
*[Beginner Military Combat Technique 5]
[Faint and Tattered Battle Soul]
[Disassemble Experience +1]
[Disassembly Complete. Would you like to extract at once?]
The results of the disassembly exceeded Kai's expectations.
Firstly, he hadn't anticipated that a set of clothing could disassemble into a combat technique. What kind of logic was that?
Secondly, the unexpected find—a faint and tattered Battle Soul—was a mystery. It seemed even worse than what he had obtained from disassembling rifles before.
Without hesitation, Kai extracted the items and clapped his hands one by one. Immediately, a surge of Military Combat Technique skills embedded themselves into his mind, integrating seamlessly.
Even the battle-hardened Kai couldn't help but be impressed. Although the clapping action felt a bit foolish, the effect was immediate and convenient.
As for the faint and tattered Battle Soul, after clapping, it was evident that it wasn't as powerful as the previous enhanced Battle Soul. But it was better than nothing.
"If every set of military clothing can yield a Battle Soul after disassembly…"
It was a terrifying thought. Boundless enhancement possibilities lay ahead.
"I wonder if there is an endpoint to Battle Soul enhancement?" he pondered before shelving the thought. Kai then reached for his waist, retrieving a handgun—the very one that had forced him to suffocate his previous victim.
[Would you like to Disassemble the 'Walther P38 Pistol'?]
"Yes!"
The sound of gears grinding echoed once again, but this time, footsteps from outside caught Kai's attention. His heart tensed as he quickly hid at the entrance of the tent. The footsteps drew nearer, and his enhanced hearing confirmed that there was only one person. Their destination seemed to be the very tent Kai was in.
Knowing it was just one person brought Kai some relief, but a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Holding his breath, he waited. The footsteps stopped right outside the tent.
As soon as the person lifted the tent flap, before they could see inside, Kai grabbed their hand, pulled them forward, and quickly maneuvered behind them. With his right hand, he seized their neck.
Snap!
A crisp sound echoed as the recently acquired Beginner Combat Technique came into play. The person's body went limp before they even realized what had happened. A pile of documents they had been carrying scattered to the ground.
"War makes people cruel. I'm becoming less and less kind," Kai muttered, not bothering to check the documents. He was more concerned with the changes within himself.
After placing the body on the ground, he began stripping the clothes off. If clothing could be disassembled, why waste it?
[Announcement!]
[Equipment Disassembled Successfully!]
*[Beginner Pistol Shooting Experience 6]
[Faintly Glowing Battle Soul]
[Disassemble Experience +1]
[Disassembly Complete. Would you like to extract at once?]
As Kai stripped the clothing, the disassembly of the P38 pistol completed. The result left Kai slightly stunned—a faintly glowing Battle Soul?
"What logic is this based on?" he wondered. Examining the new Battle Soul, he noticed it emitted a faint white light, and the faintly glowing Battle Soul was almost transparent, yet noticeably brighter than the tattered Battle Soul.
After pondering for a while without grasping any peculiarities, Kai simply patted it. Instantly, he felt a soothing comfort wash over him.
"Indeed, this faintly glowing Battle Soul seems to be of a slightly higher level. And… it seems that the Battle Soul of a weapon is considerably higher than that of clothing."
With that thought, Kai continued with his tasks. Once the second set of clothing was stripped and disassembled, Kai obtained six Beginner Military Combat Techniques and another faintly glowing, tattered Battle Soul.
However, he chose not to disassemble the second P38 pistol, instead holstering it at his waist.
Time was ticking away. This tent had served as a brief rest stop, but it had turned into a site of two consecutive killings. Hiding the bodies under the bed, Kai suddenly had a thought.
"What would happen if I set a fire…?"
The idea sparked a dangerous urge within him. It seemed like a good plan. But, considering the potential consequences, he forcibly suppressed the thought.
Realizing he was contemplating both killing and arson, Kai acknowledged that this war had changed him. He was becoming less kind and pure.
Stepping out of the tent filled with sorrow and resentment, Kai noticed that the camp remained quiet. His companions hadn't discovered any traces of the target, and no one had discovered the bodies.
This was good news.
With time slipping away, Kai set his sights on his next destination—the one he had been eagerly anticipating.
Kai Hunter's destination was the ordnance depot. The sight of it on the deployment map made his heart race with excitement. However, years of watching movies and reading war stories had taught him that such places would be heavily guarded. Gaining entry wouldn't be easy. But now, dressed in a stolen military uniform, new possibilities opened up for him.
His plan was straightforward. Since he was searching for a legendary target, who could guarantee that this target wasn't commanding everything from within the ordnance depot? It was worth checking. Besides, he could find plenty of enemy weapons along the way. Rather than leaving these weapons for the enemy, why not disassemble them and enhance his own abilities?
With this in mind, Kai walked forward with renewed confidence. But then, an urgent alarm echoed through the entire enemy camp.
Kai immediately crouched, slipping into the shadow of a nearby corner. His expression was puzzled. "What's happening?" he thought.
The alarm was urgent, transforming the once-calm military camp into a scene of chaos. It felt like something as grave as the death of the brigade commander had occurred. As he watched a group of soldiers hurriedly pass by, Kai decided to act. He grabbed the last soldier in the group.
Clad in his military uniform, Kai adopted a serious expression and asked, "What's happening?"
"The Brigade Commander is dead!" The soldier, seeing Kai's military uniform, didn't question him. He saluted and blurted out, "Commander, you were just assassinated!"
The soldier's voice was loud, but after saying it, both men froze. Their minds struggled to process the overwhelming information.
Kai was quicker to react. Seeing the odd look in the soldier's eyes, he stepped forward and delivered a swift punch to his neck. Enhanced by his physical strength, the blow silenced the soldier before he could utter another word. The soldier staggered back, pain evident on his face.
The soldier, quick on his feet, didn't opt for a rifle. In close-quarters combat, there wasn't time to aim. Instead, he pulled out a short knife from his leg and thrust it toward Kai!
Kai dodged the incoming blade, simultaneously reaching out to grab the soldier's wrist. With a swift kick aimed at the groin, he showed no mercy. In a life-and-death struggle, there was no room for hesitation.
The soldier, highly skilled, responded quickly. As Kai sidestepped, the soldier clamped his legs together, deftly shifting the knife to his other hand. He then raised the blade, aiming it at Kai's forehead.
The soldier's movements were fluid, almost graceful. But before the knife could reach its target, a twisted and pained expression crossed the soldier's face. He hadn't anticipated the strength behind Kai's kick.
The soldier had miscalculated. He judged the kick based on the strength of an ordinary man, but Kai was far from ordinary. The powerful blow forced the soldier's legs apart.
A sickening crack echoed through the area, a sound that could make any man wince. The short knife, now weakly held, slipped from the soldier's hand.
For any man, Kai's kick would have been enough to render him completely combat ineffective. The soldier's body contorted in agony, resembling a curled shrimp. In the next moment, Kai's arm wrapped around his neck. With a swift twist, there was a loud crack.
"I killed another one," Kai muttered, dragging the corpse into the darkness. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
This infiltration had been seamless so far. Yet, outside, the chaos persisted. Kai squatted in the darkness, wrestling with his thoughts.
First, he couldn't comprehend why the enemy commander hadn't been in a well-equipped combat command room with telegraph machines and communication personnel. Instead, he had been in a shabby tent with nothing special inside. Kai's theory for searching the entire camp had been based on this assumption, yet the enemy had chosen an unconventional path. Now, the commander was dead, killed by Kai in an equally bizarre manner.
Second, Kai wasn't sure what to do next. Despite the strangeness, his mission seemed complete. Should he leave?
The word "mission" stirred excitement within Kai, but he quickly shook his head. Experience from novels and movies taught him one crucial lesson: in chaos, opportunities arise. The entire camp was in disarray. In a movie, lower-ranking officers would struggle to regain control temporarily. However, with military ranks, it was only a matter of time before they regained their footing.
The current turmoil, while advantageous, would eventually lead to a pursuit of the killer once they regrouped. If Kai stayed, he risked being chased back to the U.S. military camp.
To leave in style, he had to escalate the chaos in the camp.
The current level of chaos wasn't enough.
Recalling the deployment map, Kai knew the ordnance depot was nearby. This was his chance.
Gritting his teeth, Kai stuck to his motto: "Like a bird soaring to the sky, undying for eternity!" He decided to go all out.
Without further delay, Kai realized his current attire was too conspicuous. He stripped down, tossing the clothes into the Disassembler space, intending to disassemble them later. Now, he wore the uniform of the soldier he had just killed.
He also disarmed the short knife and gun, throwing them into the Disassembler space. Then, he pretended to be flustered and hastily ran toward the ordnance depot.
Perhaps most soldiers were on the frontlines, leaving the rear defense vulnerable. When Kai arrived at the ordnance depot, he was surprised to find only two soldiers guarding the place.
Taking a deep breath and adjusting his mindset, Kai hurried over, excitedly speaking in a language that even he didn't understand. It was entirely made up, something not found in any contemporary language.
The two soldiers looked dazed, clearly not understanding what Kai was saying. Seizing the opportunity, Kai approached one of them. By the time the soldier attempted to stop him, it was too late.
The fight unfolded in two swift moves. First, a punch directly to the unsuspecting soldier's throat. Second, Kai grabbed the soldier's head, pressing downward, followed by a brutal knee strike to the face.
Blood splattered.
The soldier collapsed without a sound. The other soldier, now realizing what was happening, raised his rifle to shoot.
In that fleeting moment, Kai found himself holding a P38 pistol. At close range, a pistol was more effective than a rifle. Without much aim, he raised the gun and fired.
Bang!
A shot to the head.
Kai Hunter casually retrieved the pistol, not bothering to check if the two soldiers he had just shot were dead. Time was of the essence. The moment the gunshot rang out, the entire military camp would be alerted. If he got trapped here, it would be a fight for his life. Without hesitation, Kai sprinted toward the ordnance depot.
As soon as he stepped inside, a vast array of weapons filled his vision. "It's like stepping into a treasure trove," he muttered to himself.
But he knew this heaven wouldn't last long. The forces of hell would soon be upon him. If he didn't move fast, he might end up having tea with the Devil. "Collect, collect, collect!" he commanded under his breath. As he moved through the depot, weapons on both sides of him vanished into his collection space with a simple command. The Disassembler's item collection function was practically a divine gift.
Just as he was about to grab a Mauser 98K with a scope, his acute hearing picked up the sound of hurried, disorganized footsteps outside. "They're coming," Kai muttered, his heart racing.
He turned to flee but hesitated just as his foot lifted off the ground. Running now would likely ensure his escape, but it would also draw too much attention. It could easily become the worst choice.
A daring idea suddenly sprang into Kai's mind—something he'd seen in a TV show long ago. In the show, a murderer had committed a crime and instead of fleeing, had hidden near the door, faking a scream to draw others in. Then, he seamlessly blended with the crowd. The plan was simple but incredibly risky.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Kai thought, "No one here has probably seen 'Death Reaper Elementary School.' They won't expect me to pull a stunt like this."
Kai's courage had grown after the day's events. Deciding to go for it, he quickly moved to the main gate of the depot and adjusted his breathing. Less than thirty seconds later, the gate swung open, and a group of soldiers rushed in.
Kai smoothly merged into their ranks, surprising even himself with how naturally he did it. He kept his head down, silently observing the chaotic scene. The soldiers were clearly on edge, still reeling from the tense atmosphere following the commander's mysterious death.
The group stormed into the depot, frantically searching. The death of their leader had left them jumpy, and the looted ordnance depot only added to their confusion. "This is the perfect opportunity," Kai thought, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Just as he was about to slip away unnoticed, he heard someone bark out orders, "You guys stay here and continue searching. The rest of you, follow me!"
Kai inwardly cursed as he found himself in the group that was ordered to follow. With no other choice, he joined them.
The group exited the depot, and their leader paused at the entrance, studying the dead bodies. Kai's heart skipped a beat. Anyone who could remain calm and observant in such a situation was definitely not someone to be underestimated.
"What if this guy figures out I haven't left?" Kai wondered, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes.
But before Kai could act on his thoughts, a towering flame suddenly erupted from the southeast corner of the camp. The officer didn't waste time, shouting, "Follow me!" Then, pointing at Kai, he ordered, "Convey my orders: lock down the camp, no one leaves!"
Kai didn't hesitate. He nodded, pretending to comply, and then walked briskly away. He wasn't about to risk delivering the message himself. Once he was out of sight, he broke into a sprint toward the northwest. The camp was in complete disarray, so no one questioned why he was running.
Meanwhile, the officer who had given Kai the order watched him go, a puzzled look on his face. Something didn't feel right, but with so much happening—the commander dead, the depot looted, the fire—he couldn't put the pieces together.
…
Kai hadn't even reached the rendezvous point when gunfire erupted from the southeast. He frowned, wondering if the enemy had turned on each other after their commander's death. The thought seemed absurd, but he couldn't think of another explanation.
Just as he was about to continue on, he saw someone sprinting toward him. It was Agent Carter.
"You're here! Thank God!" Carter exclaimed, visibly relieved.
Kai was surprised by her excitement. "Why are you so thrilled?" he asked.
"You did a fantastic job!" Carter praised him, clearly impressed. "How did you manage to kill their commander?"
Kai was taken aback. "How did you know it was me? I didn't even know who I killed at the time."
Carter smiled. "We were a group of four. If it wasn't the three of us, who else could it have been? But that doesn't matter now. We need to get out of here, fast!"
"What about the sergeant and the soldier?" Kai asked.
"They're causing chaos in the camp and will meet up with us soon," Carter replied, pulling Kai toward the direction of their escape route.
"Are they responsible for all this gunfire? Are they on a rampage?" Kai asked as they ran.
"No," Carter said, glancing back at him. "Our backup has arrived."
"Backup?" Kai was puzzled. "I thought this was just a four-person assassination mission?"
Carter sighed, realizing Kai had been kept in the dark. "There were always backup forces in place. They've been lying in wait, ready to strike. Our job was to create enough chaos for them to move in. Whether the assassination succeeded or not, the confusion in the camp would provide the perfect opportunity for our people."
Stopping for a moment to catch his breath, Carter looked at Kai seriously. "We were just one part of the plan. They… well, they arrived right when the enemy ambushed us."
Kai nodded, processing the information. The mission was far from over, but now he knew they weren't alone. With reinforcements in play, they had a fighting chance. And with that thought, Kai Hunter was ready for whatever came next
After listening to Agent Carter, Kai Hunter quickly grasped the situation.
It all began with a surprise attack from the enemy, forcing the United States to scramble for a counter-strategy. They assembled a team for a direct raid on the enemy's base, but due to the haste, their preparation was lacking. Consequently, the initial plan failed, leading to a secondary strategy: a decapitation strike. If executed successfully, it would throw the enemy into chaos, allowing the troops a chance to strike at the enemy's base, leaving the attack force isolated and vulnerable.
Even if the decapitation strike failed, injuring the enemy's leader would still be a significant victory for the troops. Kai wondered why they hadn't employed the decapitation team from the start. War is chaotic, and decisions are influenced by personal interests and the larger context.
After some thought, Kai asked, "Given that we have people on the inside, why didn't we just launch a direct assault instead of planning this decapitation strategy?"
Agent Carter explained, "If too many people use our route, the enemy will notice. By the time they realize it, it might be too late."
Kai chuckled at the explanation. Was it just a rush or a flaw in their strategy?
For now, Kai didn't dwell on the details. The outcome was favorable, and that was what mattered.
They regrouped with their allies and awaited updates from the soldiers and the sergeant. Eventually, Agent Carter decided it was time to retreat. Kai didn't argue. The absence of their comrades didn't necessarily mean something had gone wrong. The initial wave of troops had already launched their attack, distracting the enemy, which lowered the risk for those who stayed behind. Moreover, waiting here was pointless if something had gone awry. This was why Agent Carter decided to retreat, and Kai had no reason to refuse.
As they departed, some of their allies joined them. After a brief exchange with Agent Carter, they saluted and headed back to camp.
Kai wasn't sure about his next steps and had little to say. Watching their ally leave amid explosions from the camp, he felt an odd urge to laugh.
This morning, he had been a regular guy, lounging at home, drinking soda, and indulging in movies and games. And now…
In the afternoon and evening, what had he been through?
"Life… is pretty wild," Kai murmured to himself.
"Stay with us!" Agent Carter called out, prompting Kai to hurry and catch up. He could ponder life's meaning later; for now, he just wanted to find a place to rest and get some sleep.
When Kai opened his eyes, he found the room dimly lit and glanced out the window to see the sun setting behind the mountains.
He was hungry. He and Agent Carter had returned to camp around four in the morning. Upon arrival, they went straight to the command center. Kai had struggled to stay awake, and before he knew it, he was assigned to catch some sleep right there.
Now, it seemed he had slept through the entire day. Standing up and stretching lazily, a surge of energy flowed through him. Feeling invigorated, he playfully mimicked movie characters, throwing a few punches into the air.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Agent Carter walked in, carrying two cans of food. Seeing Kai so lively and striking various poses, she couldn't help but chuckle, "Feeling like a martial arts master, huh?"
Kai blushed deeply. Despite having graduated from high school years ago, he didn't expect to feel embarrassed by his occasional childish antics in front of someone from another country.
"You've been out cold all day; it's time to get some food in you," Agent Carter said, noticing Kai's awkward expression. She approached and handed over the cans, saying, "Can't have our hero going hungry, can we?"
"Hero?" Kai rubbed his nose, feeling the title didn't quite fit.
"Absolutely, a hero," Agent Carter affirmed. "Your role in last night's mission was pivotal. You took down the enemy commander, saving many of our comrades!"
Kai neither confirmed nor denied it, recalling that when he had taken out the enemy commander, he had no clue about the commander's importance. It had been a moment of pure coincidence!
There had been no time to strategize last night; he had been too exhausted. Reflecting on his actions now, there had been a string of fortunate events!
Who would have thought the enemy commander would be holed up in a regular tent with minimal security?
Kai's risky move to the ordnance depot and the sudden, daring idea at the end could only be described as crazy. In fact, if the enemy officer hadn't unexpectedly tasked Kai with relaying orders, making his escape wouldn't have been as smooth.
The ambush by the first wave of troops, the sergeant and soldiers setting that fire... All of it, combined, had been the key to successfully completing the mission and making a clean getaway. Without these strokes of luck, Kai felt his "hero" status would have been short-lived.
"Do you remember what I mentioned earlier?" Agent Carter suddenly interjected.
"About what?" Kai inquired teasingly, "Not about love, I hope?"
"We can delve into matters of the heart later if you'd like. But for now, I'd rather discuss the 'Super Soldier Program' with you," Agent Carter said with a resigned smile. "Though it seems you've completely forgotten about it by now."
Upon hearing Agent Carter's words, Kai Hunter's memory was jolted back to their previous conversation. But he couldn't shake the feeling that this whole situation wasn't his cup of tea. He wasn't a Captain of the United States, nor did he aspire to be one. He had arrived in this world as a simple otaku, and the idea of transforming into a "Patriotic man with grand ambitions" simply didn't align with his agenda. To Kai, it all boiled down to one word – nonsense!
Instead of diving into such discussions, Kai figured it was best to focus on figuring out how to open the cans in his hands. Agent Carter sensed Kai's indifferent demeanor and was somewhat taken aback. "You're not seriously telling me you have no interest in becoming a Super Soldier?"
"How super are we talking about here?" Kai replied without lifting his head. "Can this Super Soldier snap his fingers and take down the little mustache bastard in Berlin?"
"That's impossible!" Agent Carter shook her head. "Even a Super Soldier is still human. What you're suggesting is something only a god could do. But do you truly have no desire to become a hero? We... need heroes."
"There are always people eager to be heroes, right? After all, with glory comes the adoration of countless individuals…" Kai chuckled. "But count me out of it."
If he had his way, Kai's philosophy was to simply survive World War II and return to his peaceful life. Since unexpectedly arriving in this world yesterday afternoon, he had been thrust into a whirlwind of fear and shock. He wasn't an assassin, a mercenary, or a martial arts expert. He was just a regular, slightly nerdy guy. From an incredibly peaceful environment, he had been abruptly thrust into a world of death and chaos, facing all sorts of terrors and unforeseen challenges. And yet, he hadn't been driven mad by this harsh reality! Honestly, Kai felt a bit proud of himself. So, to heck with becoming a Captain of the United States, to heck with Hydra... he resolved to face these ordinary adversaries here with honesty. He had no interest in getting entangled with beings that transcended human limits.
Before Agent Carter could say another word, the door swung open once more, revealing a middle-aged man this time. His demeanor was serious, devoid of any trace of a smile. He entered with a stern expression, casting a glance at Agent Carter, who promptly rose to her feet and saluted. "Colonel Phillips."
At the mention of the name, Kai's memory instantly recalled the man's identity. A Colonel, likely Agent Carter's superior, with a history of disagreements with Captain America. In the movie, he had initially opposed selecting Steve Rogers as the subject for the Super Soldier Plan, deeming him too frail. During their training, he'd thrown a grenade to test their reactions. When panic ensued and others fled, Steve, without a second thought, hurled himself onto the grenade, saving everyone. This act of selflessness had convinced everyone of Steve's worthiness for the experiment.
Saluting alongside Agent Carter, Kai couldn't help but wonder why the Colonel had shown up... Was he also here to pressure him into accepting the plan?
"You can go, Carter," Colonel Phillips instructed.
Agent Carter exchanged a glance with Kai, then with the Colonel, before reluctantly exiting the room. Once alone, the serious façade on Colonel Phillips's face softened. He approached Kai, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "Take a seat."
Kai blinked in confusion... What on earth was unfolding before him? Sitting down somewhat nervously, Colonel Phillips began, "I'm sorry. I never imagined that Agent Carter would pick you for that mission. The enemy's ambush caught us off guard. By the time I remembered you, it might've been too late to send someone to find you. Later, I found the soldier I dispatched to locate you in the trench. His helmet was smashed, and there was a bullet in his head."
As Colonel Phillips spoke, a flurry of images flooded Kai's mind. Firstly, it dawned on Kai from Colonel Phillips's words that 'he' was somehow familiar to him! Furthermore, for reasons unknown, this person seemed to have taken a particular interest in his well-being. During the chaos of battle, soldiers had been sent to locate him, presumably with the intent of ensuring his safety. Simultaneously, Kai couldn't help but think of the soldier who had guided him through the trench when he first arrived in this world. Wasn't that individual dispatched by Colonel Phillips?
Though the situation remained hazy, Kai opted to hold his tongue for the time being. Colonel Phillips continued, "But, such is the nature of war! Accidents happen every minute, every second. Today it's him, tomorrow it could be me. Your parents entrusted you to my care before they passed, but then damn war broke out. What could I have done? I wanted to shield you, but you went and secretly enlisted yourself!? If you hadn't been assigned to my unit, I wouldn't have even known!"
Kai took a sharp intake of breath, feeling incredibly awkward about the unfolding scenario! This middle-aged man, whom he had only glimpsed in movies and held no significant memory of, was now standing before him, claiming to be his godfather... What on earth? He needed advice urgently, like, right now!!!
Kai remained silent, causing Colonel Phillips's expression to sour gradually. He abruptly rose to his feet. "Forget about the Super Soldier Plan! It's not your concern because you're not even American. They won't let a foreigner become America's Super Soldier! Whether you agree or not, from tomorrow onwards, you're headed back to the rear! Unless I'm dead, you're to stay away from the battlefield!"
With that declaration, the middle-aged godfather... no, Colonel, spun on his heel and strode away. It seemed he had no intention of giving Kai a chance to argue!
Kai sat there for a moment, contemplating the absurdity of it all, nearly bursting into laughter! These people came and went as they pleased, and now, for some inexplicable reason, he was off the hook from fighting! Who in their right mind would willingly plunge into war? Escaping the frontline was the best outcome imaginable.
For now, all Kai hoped for was Colonel Phillips's continued health and well-being. Once the excitement ebbed, his stomach growled insistently. After devouring the can's contents, he sat on the bed, lost in thought. Then it struck him that he hadn't fully explored his own "cheat system" and resolved to delve into it.
When it came to cheat systems, Kai Hunter was no stranger. Countless movies and novels had depicted such artifacts, showcasing them as either instruments for world-altering feats or vital tools for saving humanity. These tools, often called "cheat systems," varied widely in function. Some were designed to enhance skills, transforming even the most mundane tasks, like cooking noodles, into masterpieces fit for royalty. Others facilitated the cultivation of extraordinary plants, yielding rare herbs and guiding one to the pinnacle of existence.
Some cheat systems went even further, capable of absorbing negative emotions and leaving the host overwhelmed by heart-wrenching remarks. It was quite the emotional rollercoaster! In summary, the types of cheat systems were as diverse as the fish in the sea.
Yet, the real intrigue lay in the "crossed over" genre of cheat systems. As widely known, these types of tools often came as systems. Kai Hunter marveled at who could have created so many systems and scattered them across parallel worlds. Once hosts received them, however, not a single one complained. They cherished these gifts, guarding them from discovery to avoid dissection or worse.
Kai suspected that his cheat system belonged to the "crossed over" category. His cheat system, the Disassembler, resembled a system setting. It would suddenly display information, catching him off guard with an unexpected flood of data.
In his thoughts, Kai called out to the Disassembler, and it appeared in his mind. This was his first close examination of the device. The verdict? Aside from being significantly more worn than its virtual counterpart from the game DNF, it showed no substantial differences in appearance.
Thus, Kai concluded that the Disassembler he had brought was indeed from DNF. However, its functionality differed greatly from the virtual version. Hovering above the Disassembler were sizable characters: "Newbie Intermediate Disassembler!"
Clearly, the level had changed, and at the bottom was a bar resembling a progress indicator. What baffled Kai was that the text on the progress bar didn't follow the usual 'XX/XX' format but read '∞' instead.
"What in the world? What kind of format is this?" Kai pondered, bewildered. "Could it be that my Disassembler is already at max level?"
After a thorough inspection, he confirmed it was still labeled as "Newbie Intermediate Disassembler." It was evident it hadn't reached its peak advancement. Moreover, no high-tier Disassembler should look like a worn-out piece of scrap metal awaiting recycling.
The issue was the '∞'—how had it appeared? Experimenting with his thoughts was a skill that anyone could master, but after a while, the Disassembler remained unresponsive.
Kai realized, "It seems this thing lacks touchscreen capabilities." Continuing to fiddle with it, he discovered that the Disassembler was extremely 'aloof,' practically exuding an air of 'disdain' toward him. Despite his efforts, it remained unyielding, lacking any advanced AI or similar components. It simply ignored him!
Kai was perplexed. Other cheat systems, especially those of the system type, would respond instantly, issuing tasks and even making playful threats like, "If you don't complete the quest, I'll erase you!" They might also come with cute images attached.
But this thing wasn't a system—just a lump of iron, the Disassembler. Aside from occasional announcements and a few skill books, it offered little else. "Well, it's better this way. It saves me from being startled when dealing with things I can't discuss with anyone," Kai mused. He found that a high-and-mighty cheat system that didn't speak was more comfortable to use. As long as the functions worked, the lack of speech was a minor issue.
In fact, Kai had sometimes found talkative system genres annoying while reading novels. So the current state was quite satisfying. However, he still couldn't figure out the various functions of the Disassembler, particularly the '∞' experience bar, which left him baffled.
Unable to glean new information, Kai decided to halt his exploration. He recalled the weapons he had retrieved from the enemy's ordnance depot and felt a surge of excitement. Opening the Disassembler space, he extracted a rifle. When the prompt appeared, asking whether to disassemble the 'G43 rifle,' a curious question crossed Kai's mind.
During his time in the enemy camp's ordnance depot, there had been no language barriers in speaking or understanding. Now, reflecting on it, this seemed problematic. He couldn't recall learning any other languages, and his English proficiency wasn't great.
Now, not only were listening and speaking fluent and natural, but even writing seemed effortless. Kai pondered whether certain hidden functions of the Disassembler were responsible or if there was just one universal language throughout the world.
As this thought arose, Kai suddenly chuckled. In movies, even Thanos with his 'finger snap' communicated in English. Finding himself preoccupied with language issues in such an absurd world seemed unnecessary.
[Announcement!] [Equipment Disassembled Successfully!] [Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience *1] [Disassemble Experience +1] [Equipment Disassembled. Would you like to extract at once?]
"Uh!"
Kai, who had just been chuckling, was instantly dumbfounded when he saw this prompt. What in the world?
There was only one Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience and not a single Battle Soul. Did he just disassemble a dud weapon?
He pulled out another one and examined it—there were no issues at all!
"A brand-new, shiny gun!" Kai muttered, then chose to disassemble it.
However, the result of the disassembly was the same as before. Aside from the consolation prize of [Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience *1] and [Disassemble Experience +1], there was nothing else!
This left Kai dumbfounded. His primary purpose for venturing into the ordnance depot was to enhance himself, but now?
"Is it a fake gun?"
This thought seemed absurd, as his knowledge about firearms told him that all these weapons were genuine and brand new!
"Brand new?"
Kai suddenly froze. "Could the problem be here?"
Searching through the Disassembler space, he found a weapon he had stripped from a soldier and tossed it into the Disassembler.
A dozen seconds later, Kai stared at the seven new Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience books and a battered Battle Soul in his hand, his expression one of mild confusion.mAfter upgrading the Disassembler, Kai Hunter noticed a dramatic reduction in disassembly time. What used to take over thirty seconds now took just over ten.
It became apparent that to obtain valuable items from disassembling weapons, they needed to be used ones. Brand-new weapons only yielded consolation prizes. What a frustrating twist!
Kai was left at a loss. He had hoped that raiding the ordnance depot, even if incomplete due to time constraints, would significantly boost his strength. But now?
He reviewed the weapons in his Disassembler space. Among the forty weapons, only two had been disassembled previously. The collection included 26 G43 rifles and numerous 98K rifles with high-powered scopes.
Kai was torn. "Should I just disassemble them now, or find another solution?"
There were alternatives, but they seemed unlikely to work. All the weapons in his Disassembler space were brand new. Having accumulated so much Beginner Rifle Shooting Experience, Kai understood that the G43 rifle's performance was on par with the M1 Garand.
If he attempted to trade these new G43 rifles for M1 Garand rifles with American soldiers, would they agree? The bigger issue was providing a reason for the exchange. Trading weapons without justification, even if they were superior, was unlikely to be accepted. Military regulations governed weapon distribution, even in chaotic times.
After much deliberation, Kai realized the proper method might be impossible. The only feasible option was to sneak into the tents under cover of night and take the weapons.
Kai resolved that despite the extremity of the plan, it was a rare opportunity. He planned to return to the rear area tomorrow and would never face the frontline again. It was crucial to become stronger now.
"Even if it's a struggle, I need to be strong enough to face it. Otherwise, I'll be at a disadvantage," he reasoned. "From a strategic perspective, tonight's actions are necessary!"
This logic reinforced Kai's determination. After a full day of rest, he wasn't tired at night, making it perfect for his plan.
With time to spare before dark, Kai also had some weapons from enemies. He had acquired an enemy sniper's 98K, a P38 from the commander's tent, a patrolman's short knife, and another rifle from the enemy camp. He had previously disassembled these items.
Utilizing his free time, Kai decided to disassemble each item. The disassembly times varied: military uniforms and short knives took just over ten seconds, sniper rifles a bit longer, and pistols next.
Here's what he obtained from the disassembly:
[Beginner Sniper Rifle Shooting Experience *9][Beginner Military Combat Technique *3][Beginner Bayonet Fighting Technique *7][Beginner Pistol Shooting Experience *4][Pathetic and Broken Battle Soul][Broken Battle Soul *3][Disassembler Experience +4]
After collecting the spoils, Kai felt more powerful. The enhancement of physical strength, combat techniques, and shooting skills gave him immense satisfaction.
"I wonder if it can continue to grow indefinitely? If so, there's no need to struggle at all... With just a snap of my fingers, I could defeat anyone!" Kai mused, feeling his soul expanding with his growing strength. He reminded himself to stay alive and not be afraid.
As time passed into the deep night, Kai's resting place remained undisturbed. He stepped outside the tent, looked up at the dark sky, and noticed the clouds and humid air suggesting rain was imminent. The gloomy weather actually improved his mood—ideal for his covert mission. Bright daylight would have made his plan awkward.
Standing under the night sky, Kai felt a strange melancholy. "The world I knew... is probably out of reach now," he sighed. Among the myriad of crossovers, few managed to return to their original worlds. Most built lives and careers in their new worlds, reaching the peaks of their existence. Some faced untimely ends, often at the hands of the author.
Shaking off these thoughts, Kai focused on his mission. He slipped into the darkness, pondering his next steps but hit a snag. "In the enemy camp, I had a deployment map. But where do I get one in our camp?"
Kai grew frustrated. In the enemy camp, he could navigate through various obstacles and escape unscathed. Yet, in his own camp, he was stuck without recognizing anything.
"How do I solve this?" he thought, embarrassed. He walked out of the darkness, relieved that no one witnessed his predicament. At least, being in his own camp meant he could move around freely without being mistaken for an intruder.
Before he could settle on this thought, a voice behind him shouted, "Don't move!"
Kai froze. Couldn't they recognize their own people? Looking down, he realized his mistake—he was still in the enemy's military uniform. He called out, "Captain, don't shoot! It's me!"
Turning around, he saw Agent Carter standing behind him, a smirk on her face.