[From: Kyle Laurence, Embassy of the United States of America]
[To: Jarnet Glowin Harper, United States Secretary of Defense]
[Ready to Send and Encrypt…]
[Auto Translator is now on───]

[…On behalf of the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, the following message is sent to the Department of Defense.]

[Detached Unit Snakekeeper // Operation Code: INK-AV-338 // Kill Code for Operation Halt: ABRTMISNAV-10 // Detached Unit Identity Key: -----------------]

[Task 1: Assessment of Data Leakage.]

• Based on the findings, the critical data potentially leaked via Yujin’s personal broadcasting—referred to as “streaming”—appears minimal. Only two individuals have been influenced by the curriculum crafted by Alpha-level operator Yujin.
• Physical abilities of these two do not significantly surpass the average for their age and gender, so they are assessed as low threats. Predicted assignment to the treatment list is N/A. Data leakage risk assessment level = Acceptable.

[Task 2: Possibility of International Controversy Related to the Operator.]

• After a week of legal consultation, it appears there are no issues since Yujin has not publicly confirmed her military background and no harm has resulted.
• Hypothesis: Given the ambiguity around her actual military service, it’s unlikely that the South Korean military would initiate contact. Although unofficial approaches are possible, the risk far outweighs any potential benefit.
• Conclusion: To preemptively secure federal administrative support, it may be necessary to offer implicit, indirect backing for the operator’s stance in the future. Predicted assignment to the treatment list: A. Priority recommended.

[Task 3: Handling of Former and Active U.S. Military Personnel Contacting the Individual.]

• Findings indicate that nearly all individuals contacting Yujin sought to verify her service history through unauthorized means. Analysis of recordings revealed that some methods involved classified information (Level 3, Level 2). All data files have been destroyed, and exposure risk is deemed nonexistent.
• Suggestion: Issue a general warning regarding such actions. Indirectly endorsing the operator’s legitimacy via federal administration could be beneficial. Predicted assignment to the treatment list: A+, highest priority.

[Sending Complete.]
[Associated Data Auto-Deletion in Progress….]

[Loading Additional Mail.]

[DARPA Emergency Report]
[From: Jordan Loythen (Research Engineer) - Network Development Division // DARPA Electronic Certificate Code: DP-EMC-RP-AB-EUGANDICGER-2 // Identity Key: --------------]
[Subject: (None)]

[…Excerpt…]

• Recent data streams during the brief connection between Icarus Gear and the DARPA network confirm the gear’s authenticity. If its backup functions remain intact, all data and features utilized by the operators are likely preserved.
• This suggests that the gear contains specifications and operational details for nanotechnology, shield technology, and other skills aiding the operator. The technology’s performance, aimed at maximizing operator survivability, is estimated to be 30+ years ahead of current capabilities.
• The aggressive skill and limited physical enhancement functions of the Icarus Gear hold astronomical value. Therefore….

“Hmm.”

The pile of tasks suddenly seemed to have grown.

In the Secretary of Defense’s office, swift hands moved across a mahogany table, immediately responding to decisions on processing these matters. Unfortunately, the line between feasible and infeasible was clear.

Icarus International. The exact nature of its operations in the Dark Zone remained unknown—even beyond her comprehension. The integration of partial AI in game operations was a double-edged sword.

Additionally, digging into the backgrounds of those contacting Yujin would make excellent fodder for political wolves in congressional hearings. Such an approach could destroy all they’d built. So she removed this task from the list.

But,

“Implied and indirect support from the federal administration.”

That wouldn’t be too difficult.

Simple, really. Even if Yujin’s military background were indirectly referenced, the Department of Defense could ignore it without issues. People would start wondering why the federal administration wasn’t acting.

If they went a step further and told those who filed reports that “there’s no issue with this individual,” rumors would spread naturally. Now, she just had to figure out how to convey this straightforward approach to the lower departments.

With the method decided, it was just a matter of passing the information to deep-cover agents in Korea. Time solved many problems, and this would be no exception.

As Janet, the Secretary of Defense, briefly wondered why Yujin didn’t simply stop streaming, the thought quickly vanished. It was her right, after all.

Besides, a more interesting topic lay ahead.

[Notification: Logical Analyzer Activated.]

“Check the personnel losses over the last five years in deployments and the costs for guarding key figures.”

The countless windows filling the air swiftly organized into numbers, graphs, and visuals.

Advancements in personal gear have reduced the U.S. military death rate, but it never falls below a certain point. Technology has made lethal weapons that current armor can’t defend against.

However, nanotechnology…

She knew the capabilities all too well.

Fully deployed, a two-person shield could completely stop incoming rockets. Though the barrier shattered afterward, blocking it without injury was something else entirely.

“If implemented, it could drastically reduce the death rate….”

Applying that level of performance to everyone was a long shot. It was an exclusive privilege for Icarus operators, whose survival often required it.

Nevertheless, this data was priceless—something all who understood it could reward generously.

With limited time to talk to Yujin about such classified matters, given the secrecy involved, there was no choice.

“No other way, then.”

Determined, she resolved to do whatever she could now.

It was a late October night.

At the same time, the Streamer Tournament was about to begin!

“Good luck.”

“Of course!”

Meanwhile, Yujin was focused on cheering for her disciple.

“Hello, everyone! It’s an honor to be here for this occasion. I’m Unreal, and I’ll be your caster for the Streamer Tournament that’s just about to begin!”
“Likewise, it’s great to be here. I’m Rust, a current pro gamer and the assistant coach. It’s a privilege to be part of the Streamer Tournament today.”

-Leeeeet’s goooooooo!!!!
-Screeeeeeaaaaammmmm!!!
-So, they’re planning to absorb all the bored viewers post-Asia qualifiers?
-OMG, 450,000 viewers?!
-Forget my diet, I’m grabbing snacks. How can I resist this?!

The place was in an uproar.

While modest compared to qualifier ranks or KSM and Asia qualifiers, hundreds of thousands were tuning in, creating a population rivaling a small county, all for one stream.

It wasn’t a trivial feat, though not incomprehensible. Besides the 24 streamers, countless viewers bored after the Asia qualifiers had flocked here.

The virtual space allowed room flexibility. With the crowd split, the two teams entered from opposite sides. Amid thunderous applause, Yujin, seated nearest the stage, exchanged a brief wave with Harmony, who quickly refocused.

Each team’s leader took a few steps forward for introductions and handshakes.

The first to speak was Kim Manager.

“Ah, it’s an honor to be here. I don’t have much to say, but I’ll show everything I can.”
“Thank you! That was Kim Manager’s statement. He’s determined to prove himself through skill rather than words. So, can we expect great results from you in this tournament?”
“I think we’re ready. We spent close to 30 days building a cohesive squad operation system and refining it through numerous trials. I can’t say I’m 100% confident, but I believe we’re prepared to handle our opponent’s strategies.”
“Wonderful! We look forward to seeing that. Now, let’s hand it over to the opposing team leader, streamer Harmony!”

Cheers erupted as Harmony took the mic.

Despite her avatar, which looked more like an idol than a fighter, her intense teal eyes reflected a fierce determination.

Facing the crowd, she spoke firmly:

“I’m prepared to fight as if losing means death.”

-Wait, what??
-Did she just bring a general from the Three Kingdoms era?
-What the heck, Yujin, did you give her mental conditioning?
-Haha, look at Kim Manager’s face. He’s shocked!

The hall buzzed with murmurs, but Harmony didn’t care. Only Yujin, in the front row, recognized the madness in her gaze.

This was the outcome of what she’d been taught—a relentless determination to complete main missions without dying, even if she’d faced close calls.

Though known to some, the past two months of relentless training had unleashed this battlefield fury in Harmony’s eyes.

Her statements complete, the map selection and rule explanation followed, mainly for the audience’s benefit, as the participants already knew.

As the host announced the start, helicopter rotors whipped through the virtual winter winds. Despite it being summer in the main timeline, the map allowed for seasonal changes.

Crunch.

The 24 footsteps left fresh prints in the snow, and ISO’s mechanical voice signaled the start of the match.

The host’s voice boomed.

“And now, let’s begin the first match!”

Cheers filled the air.

And then—

“Wow.”

Unfortunately, the organic squad operations Kim Manager mentioned shattered within seven minutes, dissolving into fragments under the winter skies of New York.

Trying to block railgun rounds with a net had disastrous results.

The week’s start, and the first match, had already proven to be eventful.