Fenrir Translations
In the past, specifically a distant one, when I served in Gangwon Province and guarded the ammunition depot, my superiors would often ask me whether I preferred winter or summer for guard duty. At the time, I didn't think there was much of a difference. However, I hated insects so much that I answered winter. I also wasn't a fan of humidity.
But after those superiors were discharged and winter came around, I learned the hard way just how terrifying cold and winter could be. Thus, the seasons I disliked grew from one to two.
"…Cough…"
"…Why do you keep laughing?"
...And today, I feel like winter might become even more unbearable for me.
That expression on her face, as if she had caught onto something amusing, was… Well, let’s just stop there. If I explain it further, it’ll only aggravate me. At least it’s much warmer now.
-[Endure: -21°C // Current Temp: -29°C]
The problem was that despite the layers of clothes, this weather was still unbelievably cold.
Even with so many layers, the cold still seeped in from the extremities, leaving no solution. And my ears, being larger than average, were even more susceptible… Let’s stop there.
All this frustration would have to be taken out on the enemies.
Clack.
The M249 light machine gun in my hands made a heavy, satisfying loading sound.
Whether it was for balance or to prevent a dull game of fistfights, this mode was generous with parts scattered around.
While other guns might require adjusting the gas regulator in this freezing weather, the M249 had no such option. This made me worry about potential malfunctions.
But that’s a concern for later.
-[Notification: Significant landmark detected ahead. Multiple enemies present.]
"Let’s clean that up first."
"That doesn’t sound like a great idea…"
"Then let’s go."
Of course, she only shook her head slightly before following me closely. A disciple needs to be trained harshly; coddling only leads to weakness.
There’s no personal grudge involved, of course.
The UI showed 32/40 participants. The Survival mode session could host 40 players simultaneously, with unlimited PVP potential, and fierce battles were taking place all over.
Until now, I had deliberately avoided combat to get used to the system and mode, but that would change.
It was time to fully experience the skirmishes.
Gunfire mixed with the howling wind began to reach my ears.
An unprecedented snowstorm swept across New York, blanketing the world in white.
The biting cold and skin-cutting winds were beyond what any person could endure, and even the hostile forces that dared to step into New York were no exception.
Vagrants who couldn’t adapt to the new world, escapees who had been imprisoned before the virus outbreak, and soldiers from foreign nations invading America with superior equipment—all were powerless against nature’s wrath.
Those who were well-prepared and equipped with survival skills acted first, finding the most suitable places to conserve their strength and making them temporary shelters.
Those who weren’t as fortunate wandered outside, fighting for survival in the brutal cold, struggling against others even in conditions where surviving the night seemed impossible.
Thus, as the night passed and midnight came, Manhattan became a bloodstained labyrinth on top of white snow.
However,
Clack.
Even the elite who occupied the most strategic locations couldn’t survive a barrage of 5.56mm rounds fired at 900 rounds per minute from an M249 into their soft sides.
Drrrrt!
"Ahhh!"
"Enemy! Get down!"
The patrol unit that had been making rounds outside was the first to fall like autumn leaves.
Due to Manhattan’s current weather, with temperatures fluctuating around -30°C, the barrel, which would normally overheat, maintained an optimal firing temperature.
This meant that the gun didn’t expand as quickly, allowing for more effective firepower.
But that was just the beginning.
Like disturbing a hornet’s nest, enemies began pouring out from inside.
"…Now what do we do?"
"I’ll lay down suppressing fire. Target those trying to exit through the main door."
In the heart of dark Manhattan, countless sparks lit up.
The bullets aimed directly at the entrance traced narrow, glowing arcs. The rounds fired at 900 RPM created a continuous stream of light, like a glowing string.
Several enemies who rushed out were quickly mowed down, leaving behind a pile of items, but this was only temporary.
Those who took cover behind the outer walls immediately returned fire.
Bullets hitting the surroundings caused concrete shards to fly everywhere as Eugene quickly swapped out the 150-round ammo box after a brief pause in shooting.
As Harmony, who had become somewhat accustomed to these situations, attempted to return fire, Eugene smoothly pulled back the charging handle and added:
"Pull back while I’m shooting. From here on, we’ll just pick off those coming out."
"Okay!"
The second barrage of fire followed, the heat from the barrel cutting through the overwhelming cold.
Harmony signaled her retreat. The sound of her footsteps gradually faded as she hurried away, her muffled tail swinging as she went. It didn’t take long before she grabbed a grenade from her utility pouch.
The black object sailed through the air.
Boom!
The retreat was successful, and the two managed to reach a safe position without any losses after completely dismantling the hornet’s nest.
Although the snow began to erase Harmony’s footprints, they were still visible.
Quickly maneuvering with her weapon to the prearranged holding point, Harmony spotted Eugene’s muzzle peeking out. Upon seeing the green IR marker light up, she lowered her gun.
In the cold weather, where even her breath disappeared in the wind, Harmony spoke in a voice still tinged with excitement.
"Uh, I think we got… six or so?"
"Yes, but I think there are about ten more inside. And this skirmish likely drew a lot of attention…."
Sigh.
Her breath scattered like mist in the freezing air.
"The ideal scenario would be if other agents, attracted by the commotion, engaged the Russians coming out, allowing us to flank them… but it’s unlikely."
"If we’re not careful, we might get stuck between two factions."
"Your instincts have improved."
"Hehe."
She smiled softly, clenching and unclenching her fists to ward off the cold. Even with all the layers, it was still difficult to withstand -30°C.
All they could do was delay the onset of hypothermia; the time they could survive the cold outside was steadily decreasing.
Through the holographic sight, Eugene scanned the possible routes enemies might take. Other than a few silhouettes in the distance closing in, there was no movement.
The wind was so loud that it drowned out any gunfire; aside from the approaching figures, there were no signs of life.
The decision was swift.
"…Since we’ve stirred up the hornet’s nest, let’s finish off those over there… gather what we can, and head to a safe house. If the system here ends like this, there’s nothing else for us to do."
"Got it. Should we be as quick as possible again?"
Eugene silently nodded.
The two of them stood up.
The primary role of a machine gunner, as expected, is fire support.
While riflemen in the squad, armed with lighter weapons, flank to attack the enemy, the machine gunner uses firepower to pin them down at a specific point.
Therefore, their guns are heavy and thick because their objective isn’t direct engagement.
While sustained fire was easy from a stationary position, machine gunners faced various practical constraints when attempting to suppress enemies through aimed fire.
However,
Drrrrt!
"They’re flanking! Their speed is—Ahhh!"
Eugene shredded through the enemy’s lines like a storm, following the meta that as long as one had the strength to control a machine gun, direct engagement was possible.
The metal hulk, weighing well over 10kg with the ammo box, moved as easily in her hands as a stick in a child’s.
Ignoring even the inertia caused by rapid point-of-aim shifts, she used the light machine gun as if it were a carbine, delivering at least six rounds to the stomachs of every enemy in her path.
"…No matter how I look at it, she’s not human…."
Behind her, Harmony, who had now evolved into a beast, found herself muttering unconsciously.
Even as she wondered how to assist, Eugene, efficiently utilizing cover and overwhelming firepower to mow down the enemies, was truly… well, let’s just say the visual was bizarre.
With every pull of the machine gun’s trigger, the small fur pom-pom at the end of her hat wobbled, an irony not lost on anyone.
Meanwhile, Harmony busied herself looting items Eugene left behind, filling her inventory to the brim until her bag was stuffed.
As the chat exploded with strange nicknames like “greedy,” “pig,” “greedy pig,” and “Gluttonmoni,” the front yard had been completely cleared.
Whether this was a display of true skill or not, Eugene was undoubtedly impressive.
Carefully approaching Eugene, who hadn’t yet entered the building, Harmony took cover against the wall.
"Are there many inside?"
"About seven, but their defenses are tight."
The building interior was lit. Despite the weather, the power grid, which the operators had desperately restored, was doing its job.
There was likely another entry point besides the main entrance, but without knowing the layout, a wrong move could result in getting shredded.
After a brief consideration, Eugene activated her skill.
A pulse radiated outward, detecting everything around.
And Harmony knew exactly what she needed to do.
"I’ll go turn it off."
It was as if a perfect chain of command had been established.
As she swiftly moved to the back of the building, Eugene began to move slowly. She mentally estimated the number of lights and how dark it would get once they were off.
Securing her machine gun, she set it down momentarily. Without the need for dark adaptation, carrying the gun wasn’t necessary.
In her hands were a tactical tomahawk and a handgun.
It had been 35 seconds since the skirmish ended, and she was approaching the back door.
Flick.
The lights went out.
As darkness engulfed everything, Eugene silently entered the building.
The night vision function of her Icarus gear activated, casting a white glow from the lenses, and urgent Russian voices echoed from all directions. While the enemies likely had night vision too, darkness wasn’t something easily conquered.
Starting from the rear pillar near the back door, where an enemy lay in wait for an ambush, Eugene moved closer.
And—
Crack!
"Guh!"
Her inhuman strength, far beyond that of ordinary humans, smashed the Russian soldier’s head like a watermelon with a single ax blow.
The body immediately went limp and crumpled to the floor. The noise was minimal—just the sound of the ax strike and a brief gasp, far quieter than gunfire.
Infrared lasers and flashlights flickered chaotically from the top of the stairs. Two more enemies were rushing down to investigate the situation.
The next moment, two shots shattered the femur of the lead enemy, sending him tumbling down the stairs.
"Ahhhh───!"
Thud!
Unable to support his body, the leading enemy rolled down the steps. But a second enemy was following closely behind, wielding an AS-VAL. His Russian binocular night vision goggles gleamed eerily.
But before he could even fire, three shots tore through the darkness. Unfortunately for him, one hit the T-zone of his face.
As the body collapsed onto the floor, Eugene swung her tomahawk at the still-breathing enemy.
Only four enemies remained, but soon there would be none.