I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 66: The Most Demanding Level

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“Then, from now on, we’ll go in… How familiar are you with the highest difficulty level? Have you ever cleared it?”

“I just found out there’s a highest difficulty level.”

“What!?”

…For some reason, it seemed like a lot of people—almost everyone, actually—didn’t realize that I hadn’t experienced much of Dark Zone’s PVE content.

Simply put, if I said, “I haven’t even completed the main missions yet,” everyone would be surprised. And they would be even more shocked if I reminded them that my playtime had already surpassed a hundred hours.

Typically, completing all the main missions in Dark Zone and reaching the max level takes around 20 to 30 hours on the faster end, and about 40 to 50 hours on the longer end.

From that perspective, I was quite… to be blunt, uninterested in pushing through the main missions. It wasn’t a common case, but not unheard of either.

Especially because, aside from a few, most of the PVP content treated all skills as unlocked for that session. So, players who preferred fighting against real people rather than virtual enemies or those who created secondary characters weren’t very interested in the main missions.

Perhaps, if I had to compare, I leaned more towards the former. It wasn’t so much that I was focused on PVP, but I had set my goals in that direction….

Anyway, it wasn’t incomprehensible why people were surprised.

Up until now, the only skill I had unlocked was Pulse, and that was the basic version.

If we assumed this game retraced my journey and the growth of the ICARUS system linearly, skills provided substantial convenience in every battle, and there were prerequisites to reach that stage.

To put it simply, in this highest difficulty mission, I might only be able to shoot my gun.

Honestly, considering the West Point battle I did with Harmony or in the workshop, it wasn’t hard to assert that this wouldn’t diminish my value… but with the grand title of highest difficulty, who knew?

“…Then should I take some support skills?”

“If you consider the purpose and effectiveness of the practice we talked about earlier, there’s no need to. It’s not a mission you can only attempt once in your life.”

“That’s true, but….”

The decision didn’t take long.

Dice skillfully changed her skill set and started selecting the types of ammunition and module systems for the operation. Dark Zone typically allowed these detailed choices before a mission.

Speaking of which, considering that Dark Zone basically advocated a VR looter-shooter FPS… did that mean I had to farm all that stuff later?

That seemed like a hassle.

“Let’s just dive in then. For you, Yoo Jin, starting without knowing anything… there’s nothing better for developing your adaptability.”

“It’s not exactly like that… but okay, let’s go.”

Fast travel.

The pixels that made up everything in a 360-degree radius turned white simultaneously, then soon reconstituted the location, initiating synchronization.

In front of a city blanketed in white snow, a fairly old-looking power plant stood firmly, retaining its past form.

Before starting the mission, I asked.

“How difficult is the highest difficulty?”

“…It’s easier to think that all the enemies’ AI is based on humans. They collected all the motion and engagement data from mock operations by actual special forces.”

“That’s impressive. I wonder if anyone has cleared it.”

“I’ve heard there are professional strategy teams. If you play with a skill-focused strategy, it’s not unimaginably difficult, but it’s very tough with a straightforward approach.”

That’s what I heard.

The explanation continued a bit further, but it wasn’t anything particularly crucial—like how it’s the only difficulty level where scaling doesn’t apply, up to eight people can attempt it simultaneously, or that the enemies don’t use skills.

But even while listening to those details, simulations kept running in my head.

Based on my personal experience, if the AI was based on US Tier 2 special forces, ordinary people would find it impossible to clear. Dark Zone probably balanced it through the psychological burden alleviated by nanomachines, skills, and virtual reality.

If they used Tier 1 special forces as a standard, well….

It might be more realistic to roll a seeker mine from a place invisible to the AI and clear it that way.

Anyway.

“…It’s a bit awkward to say this, but according to our analysis, Yoo Jin, you seem to have a lot of external experience in this field… so maybe you’ll do well.”

“Just say it plainly.”

“You seem like a former soldier.”

Squeak.

With that conversation, we walked forward.

[Notification: Commencing power plant recapture // Difficulty: Highest]

[Notification: Good luck.]

As the heavy background music played, as soon as we took a few steps, enemies began pouring in from the entrance of the power plant.

It had begun.

───Tududududu!

───Dudududuk!

“No matter how many times I come, I can’t get used to this….”

Dice’s voice echoed through the intercom.

While breathing regularly, I carefully observed the enemies’ movements. With my senses working at full capacity, it felt like I was stepping back into the past.

This wasn’t just to figure out the enemies’ movements, but also to help Dice with her practice, which required a meticulous analysis of the current situation.

Based on what I had learned before, potential enemies of ICARUS could be US military. Specifically, rogue US military, but nonetheless—we had to be ready to face those who were comrades just yesterday.

This applied not only psychologically but tactically as well, which I could explain with a basic principle:

Breaking the enemy’s coordination.

When fighting in a major city, unlike in places like Afghanistan or Iraq, operators always had to keep this in mind.

Given the characteristics of a large city where large forces couldn’t move all at once, enemy forces often moved in sizes from platoon to squad or smaller, meaning each individual’s capability increased.

In other words, the importance of one person in the formation grew, and any loss posed a greater risk than before.

This applied accurately even now.

Thunk.

Dice and I were both users who mainly did AP soloing, so we didn’t communicate much. The goal was to increase survival odds in highly unfavorable situations.

In simple terms, it was survival of the fittest. But in solo play situations where survival was less likely, I would discreetly assist.

Quick and precise aiming, holding my breath momentarily, and firing at the right moment resulted in silencing the machine gunner providing suppression fire.

As I mentioned earlier, disrupting their coordination. By removing the suppressive fire, we secured a broader field of view and a bridgehead to eliminate more enemies.

In modern urban warfare, where firepower was roughly equivalent, the key was how much you could force unfavorable situations on the enemy. Formulating that plan was the commander’s role, but executing it relied on individual skill.

In AP soloing, neither physical ability nor operational principles could be left out.

Two assault soldiers, armed with powerful Saiga shotguns, charged towards us at breakneck speed through the fire grid.

I easily identified them upon their appearance, but Dice, who was hiding a short distance away, spotted them when they were about 10 meters away. The surrounding area was filled with explosions and sharp noises, so it must have been difficult.

Carefully adjusting my aim to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, the assault soldier, now within 6 meters, began firing his shotgun.

As 12-gauge pellets ricocheted off the nanomachine barrier, Dice leaned out from an unexpected angle and fired, rendering that enemy unable to walk again.

After buying some time, she then fully neutralized the approaching assault soldier with a burst of full-auto from her MK47.

“Aaagh!”

[Notification: Friendly Operator Down.]

However, in the process, she exposed herself too much and was hit multiple times by a rifleman waiting near the entrance, collapsing to the ground.

After providing suppressive fire and hiding behind cover, I roughly pinpointed the enemies’ hiding spots and threw a grenade.

Stabbing an emergency survival injector into her thigh, I gently grabbed her arm and helped her up.

“Your improvisation skills are excellent. Have you learned this somewhere?”

“I’m not even remotely related to the military. I couldn’t even take cover properly after such a long time… but it’s better having someone to save me. Today, there aren’t many unjust situations either.”

“Haha.”

I had already taken care of those who could create such situations.

Machine gunners, grenadiers, snipers—those who put users in extreme binary situations of dying whether they stayed put or moved—served to toughen the players.

However, facing such situations alone was a different story—since I was here to help with the practice, I intended to assist without completely undermining the enemy’s power.

Since I was drawing all the attention upfront, it was relatively easy to pick off enemies one by one from behind.

As the enemies entrenched at the power plant entrance slowly dwindled, I had more time to observe their skills.

Having participated in only one scrim so far, I wasn’t certain of the average skill level of Tier 2, Tier 1, Medal of Honor, or professional gamers, but Dice’s performance was quite impressive.

Her posture during engagements, quick thinking, and all the small actions showed she was prepared for any additional encounters. Her reaction speed, aiming accuracy, and shooting precision were all commendable.

To improve further, she needed a few more things, but that wasn’t my concern yet.

“Until a couple of months ago, I used to practice here for three hours before scrims, but it’s been a while since I’ve done it with someone else.”

“Is it manageable?”

“I don’t know if it’s because you’re here, Yoo Jin, but there aren’t many

sudden deaths today. Actually, I practice here expecting those too… if it comes to that, I’ll let you know.”

After skillfully checking the gear and weaponry, confirming the remaining ammunition, she spoke up.

“There’s still a long way until the scrim, so let’s go as far as we can.”

Dice would regret saying that.

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