Dawn was breaking as Izzan Min-hoo and his partner, a woman with short black hair named Liana, hid behind a small hill. In the distance, a small settlement came into view. A few wooden houses, makeshift tents, and larger buildings stood amidst the grassland, surrounded by a wire fence. From afar, the settlement seemed tranquil, as if there were no threats. Yet, today's mission required them to raze the place to the ground.
"Athena, perform an area scan," Izzan ordered in a low voice. A holographic display appeared before them, showing a thermal map. Red dots appeared around the settlement, indicating human presence. Some people seemed to be moving inside the tents, while others were outside, gathered around a campfire. There were no signs of heavy weaponry or defensive fortifications.
"No significant resistance detected," Athena reported. "The settlement appears unarmed. The operation can proceed."
Liana glanced at Izzan, her expression cold. "Shall we destroy it from here, or do you want to get closer?" she asked while adjusting her rifle.
Izzan nodded. "It's better to ensure no one can escape. We'll attack from multiple directions." He set up an assault rifle on the ground, aiming it at the settlement. Beside him, Liana calmly prepared a grenade launcher. The mission seemed straightforward, like a routine task. However, an odd feeling began to creep into Izzan's mind.
"Ready?" Liana asked, eyeing Izzan.
Izzan nodded, and they both began their assault. Bullets rained down on the settlement, accompanied by explosions from the grenades launched by Liana. Flames began to spread, burning tents and buildings, creating thick black smoke that billowed into the air. Panic screams and cries were heard from within the settlement, creating a chaotic scene. Izzan and Liana continued shooting, ensuring no one survived.
"Athena, thermal scan," Izzan said amidst the noise. The holographic display reappeared, showing several red dots still moving within the smoke. "There are still some people alive," he reported.
"Understood, let's move in and confirm," Liana replied as she put away the grenade launcher. The two of them quickly descended the hill, approaching the now-destroyed settlement. Fire and smoke obscured their view, but with the help of thermal technology, they could see the remnants of human movement.
As Izzan got closer, he began to see bodies scattered on the ground. The small body of a child lay beside its mother, who had tried to protect it. Their faces were scorched, the child's small hand still clutching a nearly burnt doll. Elsewhere, an elderly man knelt, his body riddled with bullets, blood flowing from a wound in his chest. Izzan saw women trying to protect their children, medical personnel still holding first aid equipment, and disabled individuals helplessly lying on the ground.
The sight hit Izzan like a hard slap. His chest felt heavy, and the warning beep from the chip in his head sounded again, signaling that his emotions were surging.
[WARNING: UNCONTROLLED EMOTIONS]
Izzan closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. However, the cries of children, the screams of the wounded, and the pleas for help from the victims echoed in his head. Guilt and regret overwhelmed him, making him want to scream. "This is wrong... This is all wrong..." he muttered hoarsely.
Liana approached, patting Izzan's shoulder. "Hey, it's war. We're just following orders," she said flatly. "They're all considered threats by the organization. Don't let this affect you, Izzan."
But Liana's words couldn't erase the pain in Izzan's heart. He looked at the faces of the innocent victims, recalling their final moments. Children who should have been playing, parents who should have been protected, women who should have been honored, and medical personnel who tried to save lives—all ended in tragic death.
"We're wrong," Izzan whispered, his voice filled with pain. "They weren't a threat. They were just people trying to survive."
Liana sighed, then turned to face Izzan. "Izzan, in war, nothing is truly fair. We're all just pawns moved by a bigger hand. If you can't accept that, you won't last long."
Yet, for Izzan, those words only deepened his guilt. His conscience rebelled, refusing to accept that he was an emotionless killing machine. As they left the settlement now ablaze, Izzan knew this was the beginning of a greater internal struggle. This mission, which should have been a routine task, had opened Izzan's eyes to the unfair reality of war and planted seeds of doubt in his heart about what was right and wrong.
And, despite his efforts to suppress his emotions, Izzan could not shake the guilt that enveloped him, nor the haunting faces of the innocents he had killed today.