Chapter 24 : Siege (Part-2)

They were all part of the same team anyway, bound together by their shared experiences and challenges that they faced together in the line of duty.

Occasionally, individuals from different teams would join forces and come together for various missions that required a diverse range of skills and teamwork.

It was evident that the sniper had suffered a significant beating for attempting to betray them once more—Team Leader Choi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him, as he pondered the circumstances that led to such a harsh consequence for his actions.

[It’s almost time for the department store to open.]

“We don’t have time to waste. Start the roadblock.”

[Understood. Oh, by the way, a civilian vehicle just entered the department store parking lot.]

“Must be some unlucky guy, huh?”

At 06:00, the roadblock surrounding the department store commenced its operations, effectively halting all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the vicinity.

The rationale provided for this disruption, which was the filming of a movie, encountered no administrative challenges or complications during the necessary permitting and coordination processes.

In the realm of global challenges and difficulties, it is often observed that a significant portion of these can be addressed or alleviated with financial resources.

Moreover, in situations where the existing monetary resources fall short of resolving the issue at hand, it has been found that an infusion of additional capital can frequently provide solutions to even more substantial and complex problems.

About fifty percent of the members of Team 1 were strategically positioned and stationed in the vicinity of the Dongyang Department Store, effectively encircling the entire structure.

Despite encountering various obstacles and challenges in previous operations, the total number of personnel who assembled for this task had surpassed the significant threshold of one hundred individuals.

This accumulation of personnel was more than adequate to launch a successful takeover of the department store.

“Connect me to President Han Si-rin.”

“041.”

“President Han Si-rin of Dongyang Department Store. It’s me.”

[…How should I take that?]

“Come out. Let’s talk face to face.”

[Is this an ultimatum?]

“If you want to think of it that way, sure. I told you there would be explosions like in a blockbuster movie, but I don’t actually want to set anything off. I’m just trying to save your staff…”

The line cut off.

“Damn half-baked Chinese bastard…”

“Team 2, move in.”

Vehicles began to make their way onto the deserted streets, each one doing so slowly and deliberately, one after another, creating a steady yet cautious formation.

The design of the department store was such that it lacked any windows, leaving only a few key access points for individuals attempting to enter or exit.

The main entrance at the front, the back entrance positioned for staff and deliveries, the entrance that connected to the expansive parking lot, and the access point on the roof were the only ways in or out of the building.

While it would prove to be a challenging task to effectively block off all of these access points, the presence of superior firepower coupled with a significant numerical advantage would eventually allow them to force their way inside, despite the difficulties they might encounter.

Team 1’s members cautiously and deliberately advanced toward the main entrance, strategically utilizing the vehicles that were moving at a slow pace as shields to protect themselves from any potential threats or dangers that may lie ahead.

“Wait a minute. This structure is strange.”

He had not focused on the details in the past, but now that he took the time to examine it more thoroughly, he realized that the arrangement of the Dongyang Department Store was rather peculiar.

From a bird’s-eye view, the design of the Dongyang Department Store resembled the letter “H.”

Both the main entrance at the front and the secondary entrance at the back were enclosed by solid walls, creating a sense of enclosure, meaning that patrons had to proceed a considerable distance into the building before they actually encountered the internal spaces.

Typically, department stores don’t have windows, right? However, the walls of Dongyang Department Store featured sporadic holes punctuating their otherwise solid surfaces.

These openings didn’t quite fit the conventional definition of windows; rather, they resembled gun ports, suggesting a design that served a purpose more akin to providing limited viewpoints or defensive positions than allowing for the standard interaction between the inside and the outside world.

They were something similar to that.

“Oh! This crazy—send reinforcements!”

Tatatatatatatatang!

From within the depths of the holes, a number of sticks unexpectedly began to emerge, cutting through the air with a suddenness that caught everyone off guard, soon followed by the loud, reverberating noise of gunfire ringing out sharply.

A machine gun!?

Have the security guards from the Chinese department store armed themselves with such a formidable weapon? How is it possible that they have acquired a machine gun?

[Ahhhh! They’re shooting from all sides!]

[The vehicle’s completely pierced! Aaaah!]

“Pull back! Provide cover for them! Is smoke useless? Clear it all! Don’t be gentle, just clear it!”

The gunfire originated from multiple directions: directly in front, to the right, and from the left flanks, creating a chaotic symphony of violence.

Despite the fact that more than 20 individuals were valiantly pushing forward in an attempt to advance their position, they found themselves utterly powerless and exposed against the relentless and coordinated attack that was being rained down upon them.

Even when they mustered the courage to attempt to return fire in retaliation, they quickly realized that the enemy was employing a highly cautious approach—only revealing the very tips of their firearms through strategically placed gun ports.

This tactic rendered it nearly impossible for the defenders to target and strike back effectively.

Taking refuge behind the vehicles that were intended to shield them from harm, the defenders could still see the protective cover around them being systematically pierced and compromised by the incoming barrage.

This was a telling indication that the source of the fire was not from simple handguns, but rather from more formidable rifles that could penetrate their makeshift defenses with ease.

If the situation continued to unfold at this alarming rate, it became clear that even if they were to dispatch a contingent of 100 people to reinforce their position, the overwhelming firepower of the enemy would likely prevent any significant breakthrough or advancement from occurring.

The back entrance of their position, marked by its symmetrical structure, proved to be equally vulnerable to the onslaught, leaving little hope for a successful defense or escape.

When the personnel who were armed with anti-tank weapons attempted to fire their shots through the solid barriers, their efforts ultimately proved to be futile and ineffective.

How substantial was the thickness of these fortifications?

“Seriously… What kind of fortress is this?”

Since entering Korea, there had been persistent and unrelenting rumors circulating regarding the aesthetic displeasure of the Dongyang Department Store, which was often described in unflattering terms.

Despite its modest size, it was frequently claimed that the financial investment required for its construction rivaled that of a towering skyscraper, a statement that many found hard to believe.

Could it be that the whispers portraying it as being constructed with the same robustness and fortification as a fortress held some merit and truth?

Observing the initial entry team being overwhelmed and cut down before they even had a chance to mount a defense, Manager Choi found himself unable to suppress a bitter laugh, filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

“The front and back entrances are off-limits for reinforcements. We’ll attack from the roof.”

[Understood!]

If the overall structure resembled that of a fortress, did it also mean that the roof was entirely obstructed? Thankfully, that was not the case.

Similar to a conventional department store, there was an open rooftop area that featured trees cultivated upon it.

This design meant that they had the opportunity to infiltrate using a helicopter, descend via rappelling, and gain entry through the door located on the roof.

In accordance with the directives given by Manager Choi, two UH-1 helicopters took flight and arrived directly above the area designated for vehicle control.

From their vantage point in the air, they could observe plumes of smoke rising in all directions, thick black smoke billowing upwards, accompanied by the sounds of people screaming—it was reminiscent of a chaotic battlefield scenario.

Viewed from a different angle, it almost resembled an intense scene from a dramatic film production.

The pilot, who had been quietly muttering in amazement, abruptly became still, paralyzed by shock.

[What’s this? Why is there a lock-on warning?]

[Flare! Flare!]

[Where’s the flare? Damn! The helicopter’s stripped of all weapons!]

Infrared lock-on alert?

This must be a mistake, right? It had to be, right?

The pilot tried to calm himself, but then, from the roof below, a rocket shot up with a whoosh, trailing smoke.

[Shit, shit, shit! Evasive maneuvers! Evade!]

The two helicopters split apart, sharply changing direction as they descended.

However, a rocket trailing behind followed the first helicopter and exploded right at its tail.

Spinning and tumbling, the helicopter crashed in front of the department store, engulfed in flames.

[Helicopter 1 hit! It’s down!]

[There’s a manpad over there! Helicopter 2, retreat!]

“Sigh. I miss Manager Jeong.”

As soon as Helicopter 1 crashed, Helicopter 2 changed direction and fled.

Ah, damn it—was this what Manager Jeong always felt like?

Manager Choi was dazed.

There was no other way to handle this situation.

“Bring me a helmet. I’ll lead the first team in. I’ll draw their attention, and we’ll rescue the pilots from the crash site.”

Siiiii- The gray sword gleamed beautifully as it was drawn.

Indeed, as soon as it was unsheathed, a cold aura emanated from it, sending a chill down his spine.

How many people had this sword killed? He couldn’t even guess.