An explosion thundered from the deepest part of the casino—the place where the mafia bosses were gathered.
My comrades and I from the organization took our positions, fully equipped with bulletproof vests, helmets, communication devices, and long-barreled rifles in our hands.
Within seconds, the people inside the casino poured out, escorted by heavily armed bodyguards. It seemed they had already realized that an ambush was coming these past few days.
There had to be a traitor among us.
This was bad.
Even so, the operation could not be stopped. I was not the battalion commander with the authority to make such a decision.
"Attack!"
The command came through our communication devices. That single word signaled the start of the assault on our targets.
Assigned to the front line as the leader of Team A, I signaled my subordinates to engage the bodyguards who appeared first. Meanwhile, I searched for the mastermind behind this operation—the casino's owner, who was also a major dealer of illegal goods and had been a target of law enforcement for years.
My weapon was reloaded. The moment the target appeared from behind the door, I prepared to strike from behind the wall, advancing slowly due to the narrow terrain.
Gunfire and explosions became unavoidable. Several bodyguards fell, as did some of my men.
"Report! The right wing has been secured."
A report came through the comms. I briefly shifted my attention while engaging enemies behind the wall.
"Good. Immediately assist the left wing. Surround them from the outside—don't let a single one escape."
"But what about you, Captain?" A worried voice came from the right-wing team.
This was not the time to worry about others.
If we failed this mission, more of our comrades would die meaningless deaths.
I hardened my resolve.
"You don't need to worry. I am your captain. It is my duty to ensure you return safely. Do what you must. Keep moving forward—never look back. Remember that."
After that, I cut off the communication.
Now, only a few of us remained at the forefront of the ambush.
Just as I had expected, most of the criminal leaders had already escaped, leaving the casino boss behind as their trump card. He boldly appeared in the middle of the assault, accompanied by his bodyguards.
"David! Come out! I know you're the one leading this operation!"
I recognized that voice. It was the casino's owner—the man I had injured years ago during a brutal fight.
His shout echoed throughout the casino building, but I didn't fall for it. I remained hidden, ready to strike.
"So you don't dare to show yourself, David," he said, raising the remote control high in his hand.
He pressed a button.
At that instant, a massive explosion erupted from the right wing. Fortunately, the right-wing team had already neutralized the enemies and evacuated the area. They should be safe.
"Captain, don't listen to him. It's a trap."
I heard my subordinate warn me through the comms.
I knew it was a trap. But the remote control in his hand—and the explosion—proved they weren't bluffing.
"I know. You should all retreat. This is no longer an assault. They may have planted bombs throughout the casino. As captain, it's my responsibility to bring you back alive. If someone has to move forward… it will be me."
"But, Captain—"
"No arguments. Retreat now. I'll divert their attention while you escape the building. THIS IS AN ORDER!"
I gave an absolute command and forcibly shut down the communication.
"David! If you don't come out in three seconds, I'll make sure your men die!"
The enemy issued another threat. I had no choice but to step out of hiding, raising both hands.
"You've got me, Arnold! Let them go!"
I warned the enemy leader holding the remote control—only to be met with booming laughter.
"Hahaha… you dare threaten me?"
"I'm not threatening you. You already have me, just like you wanted. Let them go!"
"That depends on how you act."
He removed the mask from his face, revealing the grotesque scars left by my attack years ago—permanent damage.
"Look closely, David. This is what you did to me. You ruined my face forever. My handsomeness is gone! Do you really think surrendering will set you free? Dream on!"
Arnold was insane. He was obsessed with his looks. I never imagined that the leader of the wealthiest armed criminal group—built on illegal casinos—would have such a fixation. It made me sick.
"Then what do you want?"
"You have to die in front of me, David. Then I might let them go." He grinned.
I fell silent.
"Don't do it, Captain! We're trying to get out. You need to buy us time—"
The communication connected briefly—then cut off.
'Damn it… I knew Arnold wouldn't let us go so easily.'
"What's wrong? Too scared?" he taunted.
There was no way back for me now. Death was the only path left.
I exhaled heavily. "I'll do what you want. But before that—"
As I spoke, I put away my rifle and prepared my pistol. The distance between my hiding spot and Arnold was only a few meters. The real problem was the subordinates surrounding him.
With careful calculation and preparation, I sprinted forward, firing at Arnold's chest until he collapsed. I also shot down several enemies blocking my path, leaving only one bullet in the chamber.
I didn't waste the remaining time. Amid the hail of bullets from Arnold's men, I grabbed the remote control and crushed it.
I fired the last bullet into Arnold's head to make sure he was truly dead.
I smiled weakly. Several bullets pierced my body despite the bulletproof vest.
My body staggered, weak and unstable, before collapsing to the floor.
"My mission is complete, Commander. I leave the rest to you."
Those were the last words I spoke to them through the communicator.
Slowly, my consciousness faded. Fresh blood soaked the floor as my body lay motionless.
The chaotic sounds around me gradually disappeared.
'Ah… is this what it means for death to finally come?'
My eyes slowly closed—
DING!
[ SYSTEM ACTIVATED! ]