NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Into the Line of Fire
Rapi explained, "Without a Commander, we lost contact and couldn't receive location updates."
"Where's the Commander?"
"Commander?" Anis feigned a look of confusion, then pretended to realize. "Oh, you mean those bigwigs who hide in the Ark, living it up while leaving all the dirty and dangerous work to the Nikkes?"
Her tone was so sarcastic that even a blind person could pick up on it.
Hey, are you forgetting there's a Commander right here?
Mo Chen's mouth twitched.
Also, commanders in this world really were corrupt—doing little more than the bare minimum, while getting paid the whole time.
Wasn't that his dream job?
Damn, I'm so jealous!
"Anis!" Rapi scolded sharply.
Anis huffed, clearly unrepentant.
"I'm just telling it like it is! When was the last time a Commander actually came to the front lines? We risk our lives here, while they relax in comfort."
No Commanders on the front lines?
Mo Chen was stunned.
This didn't quite match what he remembered from the original story.
While it was true that the other Commanders in the original didn't get much screen time, there were still many Commanders present.
But according to Anis, Commanders here didn't seem to make it to the battlefield?
As Rapi and Anis bickered, he quietly asked Marian next to him,
"Is that true?"
Marian hesitated, then nodded.
"That's the situation now. When the mission coordinates change, only a Commander can contact the Ark's navigation satellite to confirm them, but the Commanders are nowhere to be found, and communications are dead."
Anis spread her arms with a cute smile and cheerfully added,
"True enough! Such a prestigious rank as Commander—why would they bother coming to a backwater like this?"
The resentment was thick… and Rapi remained silent.
It seemed Anis was right.
How irresponsible must the Commanders be to not even provide mission coordinates?
Anis turned to Mo Chen and asked, "So, dear Commander, do you know the coordinates?"
"I do."
"Of course, I figured as much—straight out of the academy and… huh?"
Anis was mid-sentence when she suddenly registered what he said, turning around with wide eyes.
"You know the coordinates?"
"Yes, I do," Mo Chen replied, then asked, "Is that strange?"
When command is transferred, the mission details are supposed to be as well.
"Are you bluffing?"
Anis stared suspiciously at Mo Chen.
It wasn't prejudice, but inexperienced commanders ordering around veterans was all too common.
Finally, Marian couldn't hold back.
"Please show respect. The Commander came here risking his life, just like us, to fight for humanity's future. I'd prefer not to hear any more questioning of him."
Anis widened her eyes dramatically. "Wow, what's with the tension?"
"Anis!"
Rapi called her name sharply, and only then did she reluctantly quiet down.
Rapi then addressed Marian solemnly, "That was out of line on our part. We apologize."
Marian, however, did not accept Rapi's apology, keeping her expression cold.
"No need to apologize to me—apologize to the Commander."
True to her character in the original, she's so protective!
Mo Chen felt touched, though he knew Anis and Rapi weren't really against him personally.
At that moment, Rapi's communication finished, cutting off their conversation.
"Pardon the interruption. The Commander's ID code has been verified," Rapi said, hand to her earpiece as she worked. "Command has been transferred to Commander of Unit 04-F."
"Wait! Rapi!" Anis started, suddenly alarmed. "Isn't that a bit fast?"
"The situation is urgent. Radar shows a large number of Raptures heading this way."
Rapi calmly analyzed the situation, looking toward the southeast, where the city lay.
"But... this feels too casual," Anis muttered, loading her grenade launcher.
Though reluctant, Anis had no better choice with the enemy at their doorstep.
Mo Chen, noticing Anis's resistance, sensed there was more to the story, but realised now wasn't the time to ask.
The ground beneath them trembled slightly, confirming Rapi's report—a large swarm of Raptures was indeed approaching.
"Given the situation, I'll explain everything in detail after the battle," Rapi saluted Mo Chen. "For now, please give the combat orders, Commander."
"Me?"
Mo Chen was taken aback.
Technically, he wasn't even their Commander.
Then he remembered Rapi's transfer of command just now.
No wonder Anis objected.
"...Well, there's no choice," Anis sighed, hefting her grenade launcher. She understood the best move was to fend off the Raptures. "Commander, what's the plan?"
Marian gripped her submachine gun, standing ready.
"Commander, please give the order."
Mo Chen gazed at the dust rising in the distance, the Raptures swarming toward them like a tidal wave. Knowing the battle was inevitable, he quickly devised a strategy.
"Everyone, move to the right side of the building ruins. Marian and Anis, set up a defensive line using cover at the front. Rapi, support the flanks, and Rose, break into their ranks from behind to scatter them so they can't coordinate."
Having played many strategy games, Mo Chen was used to planning for small-scale battles like this.
He added a final note.
"And make sure to keep yourselves safe."
Although he had seen Raptures before, it was his first time facing so many.
"Yes, sir!"
Rapi saluted and immediately engaged in battle.
Anis followed, but couldn't resist glancing back after hearing Mo Chen's parting words about safety.
"What a strange guy."
After all, they were Nikkes.
The battle went smoothly.
Despite the Rapture numbers being several times higher than before, the assistance from Rapi and Anis allowed them to clear them out even faster.
Rose, as the spearhead, struck straight into the heart of the Rapture forces.
Soon, amidst explosions and flames, the fight ended.
The Rapture forces were completely eliminated, with zero casualties among the Nikkes: it was a beautifully executed fight.
"Piece of cake!"
Anis struck an exaggerated peace sign, puffing out her chest proudly. "Raptures aren't that big of a deal after all."
Talk about thick-skinned.
Mo Chen's mouth twitched slightly. Clearly, most of the work had been done by Rose.
Still, he couldn't complain too much. One battle had netted him over 3,000 points.