Chapter 280: Doomed Strategies

Along the narrow coastline, Awakener soldiers are methodically deployed, constantly patrolling the entire defensive line.

An azure teleportation vortex hovers silently in mid-air, while in the distance, a vast swath of ocean is enveloped by a system’s light barrier.

This is another entrance to the Counterplay Dungeon.

As a strategic resource dungeon, a large number of Awakeners are stationed here year-round.

Yet during routine patrols, every squad member wears an unusually grim expression.

“Captain, I heard we’re being withdrawn?”

Trailing behind a Third-Stage Awakened, an Awakener armed with a battle knife asked in a low voice, his eyes clouded with confusion.

“Probably…”

“They’re not sure yet. But there are already rumors from the Military about scrapping the dungeon—maybe we won’t be needed here anymore…”

Flying at the forefront, the Middle-Aged Man hesitated for a moment before replying in a deep, somber tone.

The news spread quickly.

Since the Military meeting ended yesterday, new orders have been issued almost immediately.

Although the Squad Captain couldn’t grasp all the details, he had a nagging feeling about what was unfolding.

With the Captain’s confirmation, his words sent a jolt of alarm through his team.

“Why?!”

“Aren’t we supposed to back the dungeon squad?!”

“This place is so critical—why would the Military just abandon it?!”

The Squad Captain froze as he listened to the barrage of questions from his men, momentarily at a loss for words.

Honestly, he couldn’t understand the Military’s rationale either.

While this dungeon entrance isn’t a strategic stronghold in itself, its value is immense because of the crucial spirit energy ore found here.

Without troops stationed here, even if a team returns fully loaded, they could be easily ambushed by enemy forces. Their role is to secure the area and provide immediate rescue for the injured.

In the silence, the Squad Captain let out an inward sigh.

“I heard it’s because of too many failures.”

“The higher-ups think sending more people in is pointless.”

“Rather than wasting manpower guarding this spot, they’d rather abandon it.”

A bitter expression crossed the man’s face as he continued:

“Our previous gains weren’t impressive. It’s understandable they’d think that way.”

“Pointless?!”

“But Captain, wasn’t one team just sent in? I thought the Military was taking the escort mission seriously! It’s only been ten days—haven’t they returned yet?!”

“What if this time we actually achieve something?”

As ordinary soldiers, they didn’t really know who comprised the new team entering the dungeon.

Yet from how seriously the Military treated the mission, they guessed that this team must have invested heavily—and would probably perform better than before.

Typically, it takes about a month for a team to return.

But if we pull out now, what about the team’s safety once they finish the mission? Is that going to be ignored?

Seeing his team’s confusion, the man shook his head and, with a wry smile, revealed the unsettling truth:

“That team is probably doomed.”

“According to our intel, we were set up in this dungeon.”

“Japan, Korea, and seven Battle Zones in Southeast Asia banded together to ambush us. Those bastards… they’ve probably wiped out our men…”

“…completely wiped them out.”

He clenched his fists in silence.

A wave of sorrow welled up in the Squad Captain; he wasn’t eager to push the conversation further.

In truth, there was no need to keep this information secret.

When the news broke, the entire Capital’s high command erupted in fury. Rumor had it that many top officials, enraged by the blunder, immediately ordered a full investigation into the Intelligence Department. In the wake of such a massive failure, whispers spread throughout the city.

In a daze, all the soldiers instinctively stared at the calm teleportation portal.

“They… they’re all dead?!”

“Those bastards actually teamed up?! What’s the Intelligence Department even for?!”

Shock mixed with rage.

As warriors, they wouldn’t stand for beating around the bush. Once the Captain’s news sunk in, everyone understood the grim reality.

Sighing heavily, the Squad Captain’s eyes flashed with reluctant determination as he signaled his team:

“That’s not all.”

“You might not know this…”

“The Military had been so intent on this mission because Yenir was on the team.”

“Think about it… with losses this heavy, the Military has utterly lost hope.”

The revelations came one after another, each more staggering than the last.

The team exchanged looks, suddenly recalling the Youth they’d seen ten days ago. Though his features were obscured by layers of protection, they now realized—it was Yenir! The very Yenir who topped global charts!

For such a prodigy to have been lost inside, it explained the eerie atmosphere in recent days.

“Damn those bastards!”

“They use sheer numbers to bully us when we’re few—what kind of skill is that?!”

“And the Intelligence Department—they’re idiots! How can they screw up so badly, practically pushing us into a death trap?!”

Anger surged among them.

Though these Awakeners were always stationed here and didn’t participate in missions, none of them wanted to see their Battle Zone suffer another crushing defeat. Repeated disappointments had everyone hoping this time would be different—only for it to turn into the most devastating setback yet.

In their heated state, none of the patrolling squads noticed that the usually serene sapphire-blue teleportation portal behind them had begun to shudder slightly.

……..

“Colonel Chen Ming, are we evacuating immediately? Aren’t we going to wait any longer?”

On the defensive line, several soldiers tasked with guarding the dungeon entrance glared at the young man who had just been air-dropped in.

He had arrived here last night aboard fighter jets.

Without even a moment’s rest, he ordered them to withdraw from the frontline and demolish any immovable defensive structures.

“That’s right.”

“There’s no further need for this place.”

“With manpower stretched thin, new orders from the Military are imminent—everyone, report immediately to the Southeast Border!”

He stood with his arms crossed, his face unyielding.

Chen Ming, who had rushed over as fast as he could, flashed a look of impatience as he urged them on.

In his eyes, a bunch of Third-Stage Awakeneds guarding this dilapidated dungeon was a blatant waste of manpower. With so few results, they’d be better off sent to the frontline!

His gaze faltered for a moment.

Four senior officers on the defensive line exchanged worried glances and couldn’t help but blurt out:

“But it hasn’t even been a month yet!”

“What if someone emerges—for instance, if by some miracle Yenir comes out? If he’s injured or spotted alive by an enemy force, they’ll undoubtedly hunt him down!”

“Without any support, he’s as good as dead!”

“The distance between our two entrances is only about three hundred kilometers!”

Positioned along the border coastline, this spot lies barely 300 kilometers from South Korea—otherwise, why would it be so heavily defended?

Clinging to a final thread of hope, several high-ranking officers couldn’t help but object. If they withdrew, any weapons or equipment left on the defensive line would have to be destroyed to prevent enemy reuse. Not to mention, if Yenir were to emerge without support, it would be a tragedy of epic proportions!

“He won’t be coming out!”

“If he was going to, he’d have by now! The Military has commanded a withdrawal—there’s no time for debate!”

They shouted sharply, their eyes brimming with impatience.

Seeing the reluctance among his men, Chen Ming fought to conceal his irritation, a flicker of something inscrutable darkening his gaze.

Indeed, the Military intends to withdraw—but not immediately. The order he mentioned was merely a time-delay tactic.

They’re pulling out from here first so that the Special Operations Group loses its raison d’être.

Even if, by some miracle, someone from Yenir’s team escapes, it wouldn’t change anything.

With nations uniting, even if Yenir emerged alive, it would be tantamount to a mission failure—it simply wouldn’t matter.

“How about this—I’ll allow a few of you to stay behind while the rest come with me.”

“But I still advise you not to pin your hopes on it. Just follow orders and support other battlefronts!”

“If…”

“Hmph!”

Before he could finish,

Chen Ming, who had planned to pull everyone out, suddenly froze—his words caught in his throat.

“That sound… is it?!”

In the very next moment,

the once serene blue teleportation portal began to tremble incessantly.

It was as if something was about to emerge.