-[………(Excerpt)………]

-[??? : …Please provide the current Icarus Task Force roster.]

-[??? : Aricon, Violet, and Razor are available. Elysium Team has been marked as KIA and is being restructured. Dagger Team is currently engaged with terrorists at the Central Park HQ and will be deployed to additional missions afterward.]

-[??? : Leave that to them. I’m not fully informed, but be sure to review each team’s fatigue levels closely. According to a recent report, I heard Dagger Team’s kill count surpassed 40,000 over the past three years. Is that correct?]

-[??? : …Yes, it is. Dagger Team is essentially the firefighting unit across all zones, so their deployment rate and operational risks are the highest. We’re maximizing support and rest periods, but we’ll take an even closer look.]

-[??? : I trust you’ll handle it. Let’s hope for only good news moving forward.]

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“What were you thinking about?”

“Just wondering what to eat when we’re in New York next.”

-Stop lying. I know you’re mentally rehearsing drills. -Thinking about how to cook up your enemies instead? LOL -Wait, PVE time????? This is gonna be good. -I can’t watch any streams now unless it’s these two together LOL -Aren’t they playing in the finals? And they’re still running PVE missions? LOL

Right on cue with the reactions. Some might think it’s not the best time to be running missions, considering there are only about six weeks until the finals. Even though I’ve consistently delivered good results, people never stop worrying.

But I’ve never really cared about that. Besides, there’s a bigger reason behind all this.

-[Notice: Synchronization Progress // 0.03%]

Ever since I cleared the main missions in the Dark Zone, this odd marker has been displayed on my Icarus Gear. I’ve mentioned before how the main mission followed a sequence of events eerily similar to my own past. It’s as if this bizarre game was crafted with my history and world in mind. There are still plenty of secrets it hasn’t revealed.

During the final championship, I plan to visit Icarus International’s headquarters, based in New York. The company’s name likely references my past, and now seems like the perfect time to uncover the hidden truths behind this game.

Separate from that—

“It’s pretty complex.”

“Yeah, the whole thing’s messy. I checked some stuff out before playing today, and it’s like a whole farming system for modules, weapons, armor, ammo…everything’s super detailed.”

“Maybe you could ask the viewers if there’s anything essential before jumping in?”

Technically, this game is a looter-shooter, or so they say. I haven’t had much time to delve into PVE, but I’ve glanced over some comments. Apparently, as you progress, enemies get better armor and weapons, so you need to farm modules, ammo, and armor to reduce damage and kill them more easily.

It’s not essential, but it certainly helps.

‘…This module system also feels familiar.’

The original Task Force team was designed to operate without support, roaming around for long periods. We had to rely on gear that boosted physical abilities, reduced fatigue, and allowed us to function with little sleep. Eventually, our equipment evolved to include targeting and tracking systems, grenade disarmament, and even a 3D printer for ammo.

These elements appear as modules and armor in this game. But that’s not the main point.

“Well, for you, it might be necessary.”

“You never know. Maybe it’s designed to be impossible without it. Anyway, let’s give it a shot.”

I pull up the New York map. A 3D holographic image of the city fills my view, with various missions waiting on the right side of the UI. Most are harder versions of the main missions.

Party recruitment notices are everywhere, with groups forming for missions that require four to eight players on the hardest difficulty settings. Each party’s description is more chaotic than the last.

-[21st Attempt: This time, Omega rank or bust. You’re our last hope! 7/8 (1/8)]

-Yo, welcome to the DMR Penetration Module Farm Bus! Hope is lost, so get ready! (5/8)

-Don’t leave~ We’ll fail without you~ (3/8)

-Underarmor Concept Party, entry restricted to benching below 500 (8/8)

-Our game is running smoothly~ (5/8)

“What a mess.”

“Seriously, my head’s spinning…”

-Party descriptions are killing me LOL -Penetration modules are hot right now, but these names tho LOL -7/8 (1/8) LOL -This is Pulitzer-worthy stuff LOL -I feel dizzy just looking at this

My gaze shifts across the map. As I scan through the missions scattered across New York, my eye catches on a “raid” marker in Central Park, glowing bright red. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, I reach for the mission. Harmony glances my way but doesn’t seem too concerned about my choice. Meanwhile, the chat reacts in a frenzy.

-What????? -Incursion? Incursion? Incursion? Incursion? Incursion? Incursion? -Going for the true scenario? Are they actually doing it? -This mission usually takes 8 people 10 hours. Are they trying it with just two? LOL -Everyone quiet down!!! Shut your mouths!!!!! -Unpopular opinion: these two might actually pull it off

“Uh, Yujin? Chat’s losing it. Feels like we’re about to do something we shouldn’t…”

“Well, there’s no such thing as impossible. If it gets too hard, we can always bail, so let’s just dive in.”

Harmony agrees, and with that, we dive in. Ignoring the flood of warnings, I press accept, triggering the mission’s activation. Suddenly, ISO’s urgent voice rings in my ear.

Something feels familiar.

-[ISO: Are there any operators available? This is a top-priority matter. If you can hear this, respond immediately.]

Beep.

As soon as I respond, a tense voice comes through.

-[ISO: Operator code confirmed. There’s no time to lose. Intelligence reports indicate suspicious activity across New York. With the recent influx of refugees, gaps in our security have allowed an ominous plot to unfold beneath the surface.]

-[ISO: Additionally, there’s intel that several anti-air outposts along the Long Island coast have been neutralized. Once we confirm the details, you’ll need to deploy. We’ll have an MH-60L DAP ready for you. Prep and let us know when you’re ready. Your target is the Long Island outpost, so steel yourselves.]

The inventory screen pops up, showing my weapons and armor. I disregard the module slots scattered everywhere. My go-to HK337 and Mk.18 Mod.1 Mjölnir with green-tip ammo are enough for me. After checking my loadout and ensuring I’ve got over a thousand rounds, I board the Blackhawk with Harmony. We prep the minigun on the side, ready to go.

As the massive helicopter takes to the sky, voices overlap in a rush.

-[Pilot: We’re taking off. Buckle up, everyone.]

“How rough will this trip be?”

I can’t shake the feeling of familiarity as summer sunshine merges with winter memories. Turning my head slightly, I speak.

“Who knows? It’s gonna be one hell of a day.”

“Pardon?”

And at that moment—

—KABOOM!!!

The east barricade of the Central Park HQ explodes, sending hundreds of kilograms of dirt into the air. As the IED detonates, unleashing a blast of sound, fire, and shockwave, Harmony’s mouth drops open in disbelief. Comms traffic spikes instantly, with requests for support filling the air, but the situation only worsens.

-[ISO: What the hell is going on?]

"The southeast barricade of HQ has been blown up. There’s about a ten-meter breach. Additionally, two unidentified mechanized infantry battalions have been spotted moving up from East 60th to 62nd Streets, approaching Central Park."

-[ISO: They’ve neutralized the outposts and moved up the Long Island roads. Damn them. Are you airborne? If possible, delay their advance as much as you can.]

Harmony and I exchange a look, and I tap her shoulder, pushing the side hatch open. Cold wind rushes in as I mount the minigun and gesture for her to take position.

“Ever fired a minigun?”

“Of course not!”

“Well, now’s the time to try.”

The pilots signal their readiness as I pick up Mjölnir and attach it to the mount next to the minigun. Memories flood back—it’s chaos from the start.

"Flares, flares!"

"Dodge between the buildings! Hold tight!"

With flares scattering, the Blackhawk bucks like a wild horse, except this airborne beast is armed with rocket pods, a 30mm chain gun, and a minigun. In real life, you’d be bouncing all over the place unless you held on. But we manage to ID targets through the side windows and pour bullets downrange.

The biggest threat is the MANPADS—those handheld anti-air missiles. They’re a pain, worse than BMPs, which makes them my priority.

—Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Despite the turbulence and shifting pressure, I’m still landing shots. Harmony watches as enemies fall one by one, but there’s no time to marvel. I bark orders, pushing her to fire.

“Suppressive fire! Why are you hesitating with a weapon like that? Just look through the scope and shoot!”

“Fine, I get it!”

The endless stream of shells decorates the New York skyline. Tracer rounds whip down, carving paths across the ground as enemies melt under the hail of bullets. The pilots maneuver gracefully, marking BMPs and other vehicles on the integrated UI. Then they charge down the avenues, raining fire, lightning, and 30mm rounds over everything.

"Feels like we’re gonna crash into a building!"

-???????????????? -Why aren’t they landing to refuel? -This is why they’re Omega rank LOL -So they have to take down all those MANPADS to keep the chopper intact? Insane. -Please stop!!! You’re blowing our minds!!! I can’t watch other streamers after this!!! -The chopper’s still going strong??? Are they about to hit the true scenario?

To the viewers, it’s a storm, but to us, it’s just another day on the job.

It was the beginning of yet another legendary stream.