869: Chapter 859 Flamethrower Dragon 869: Chapter 859 Flamethrower Dragon The team continued to advance, but their pace had slowed considerably.
The enemy was keen and adept at hiding.
Lucica’s hearing could no longer play a decisive role; everyone had mounted their thermal imaging night vision devices on their guns.
Even though they couldn’t detect enemies from a distance, in the thick of the jungle, it was possible to walk right past an enemy without noticing.
Therefore, the thermal imaging devices were still useful and quite necessary.
Gao Yang’s thermal imaging device had the strongest performance, with a long detection range and clear imaging, so he still followed behind the spearhead.
Gao Yang’s position was critical, able to detect targets and support the spearhead while also directing the trajectory for those behind him the quickest.
As they closed the distance, their safety increased.
The enemy had flamethrowers, which imposed a significant psychological burden on the members of Satan Mercenary Corps, so they advanced very cautiously.
Being dead was just that—dead.
It didn’t seem to matter how one died, but in fact, people could easily accept dying from a gunshot but not being burnt to a crisp, even though dead was dead.
They were getting closer to the Friend of Nature, and the gunfire sounded even more intense.
“I’m Jackal, I’ve been shot in the left leg!”
Suddenly, hearing Huan’s shout over the radio, Gao Yang’s heart sank, but more so, something felt off.
Soon, Huan’s voice came through again.
“Be careful, the enemy purposely let me go; they shot at me while I was changing my ammo, but chose not to kill me, instead hitting my leg!
They’re trying to use me as bait.”
No need for Huan to remind him, Gao Yang already knew the drill.
Enemies wounding rather than killing to lure in rescuers and inflict heavier casualties was an old tactic; Gao Yang himself used it frequently.
Moreover, such tactics were no secret, an obvious ploy forcing tough decisions regardless of whether you were aware or not.
Gao Yang didn’t know the one needing rescue, so his decision was relatively easier to make.
Even if all the rescuees perished, it would only mean mission failure.
They had already tried their best.
They could forfeit the payment, but there was no need to accelerate the rescue at the risk of their own lives.
Gao Yang whispered into the radio, “We have a doctor, hang in there.
Also, the enemy has a flamethrower, which slows our approach.
Be extra cautious on your end.”
“Flamethrower?
That must be Flamethrower Dragon on site!
Mate, be careful; Flamethrower Dragon is huge, at least 2.1 meters tall, a giant.
He likely has two flamethrower tanks.
The flamethrower model is the M2-2, a refurbished World War II relic, and he has a pistol as a secondary weapon.”
Hearing Huan’s reply, Gao Yang was startled and asked, “You know that person?”
“Yes, heard of him, Flamethrower Dragon; don’t know his real name, but the guy is a free mercenary working for the Commercial Alliance Security Company since the Green Tide began.”
The more Gao Yang heard, the more confused he became; he urgently asked, “What’s going on?
Can you clarify?
Why are there people besides the Iron Madonna?”
“No time to explain.”
“Alright, hang in there.”
After finishing his communication with Huan, Gao Yang murmured in a low voice, “The ones above, you must have heard.
Why are there enemies other than the Iron Madonna?”
The tense voice of Friend of Nature came through.
“I’m still here, but I don’t know why others are involved.
I know just as much as you do.”
Gao Yang whispered, “Alright, I must inform you, the enemy’s numbers exceed expectations.
We have the option to retreat, but I won’t do that just yet.
I’ll call Justin right away, maybe he can shed some light.
I must remind you, if you concealed the true strength of the enemy, leading to our casualties, you will bear the consequences.”
After warning Friend of Nature, Gao Yang waved his hand, signaling the team to proceed.
The team resumed their advance, and after not traveling far, Jansen, who was responsible for monitoring the electronic equipment, suddenly said, “Only a hundred meters, very close now.”
Gao Yang disliked leaving things half-done, and since he had already wounded one of the enemies, most importantly, he still planned to rescue everyone, so he didn’t want to withdraw immediately.
But if the enemy’s numbers truly far surpassed expectations, he would order an immediate retreat.
Gao Yang began to consider how to solve the current predicament; he didn’t want to continue this nerve-wracking progression.
Fighting in the jungle could age a person by ten years because it was extremely draining, especially if one encountered a strong opponent.
Jungle warfare was a torturous journey through hell, every minute, every second of it.
It was time to employ some tricks to draw out the enemy, but unfortunately, Gao Yang couldn’t think of anything useful.
Gao Yang sighed and spoke irritably, “The enemy has definitely noticed our equipment that could change the course of the battle.
They’ve taken measures against thermal radiation, and I can’t think of a good solution.
Does anyone have any ideas?”
Lucica replied softly, “There’s no good solution, and we certainly can’t hope that the enemy is simply foolish.”
At that moment, Andy He spoke softly, “I have an idea.
I’ll go to the flank, a bit farther from the main force.
When you engage in fire again, I’ll attack from the side.
It’s not a great plan, but it’s the only way to catch the enemy off guard.”
In the jungle, a slight distance was enough to lose sight.
Once spread out, the challenge was coordination because, after separating, teams moved at different speeds.
It was easy for two separate units to lose track of each other, and it wasn’t just about coordinating actions, even regrouping was difficult.
Fortunately, the coordination within the Satan Mercenary Corps was very high.
Even if they couldn’t see each other, maintaining a consistent pace was enough to keep the flank members from drifting apart.
Gao Yang had no better ideas.
Expanding the formation’s width and attacking from the flanks to encircle the enemy seemed like the most appropriate solution, but it was very risky for the people on the flanks.
To keep the enemy fully engaged by the main force in the center, it was necessary to maintain sufficient numbers, so there were very few people on the wings—a single person on each side.
When the main force engaged the enemy, suppressing or distracting them, those on the flanks could then strike, catching the enemy off guard.
Gao Yang spoke in a grave tone, “We can’t just place people on one flank.
We’re preparing a two-flank encircling tactic.
There needs to be someone on each side.
Quick Hand, you take the right, and I’ll handle the left.”
Frey whispered, “Boss, with just you on the left flank, is the firepower enough?
You can only use your Shotgun.
Perhaps I should join you on the left flank.”
Gao Yang patted the Shotgun on his shoulder and chuckled, “Don’t you trust my Shotgun?”
Frey shrugged and said, “Alright, your Shotgun is different from others.
Sustained fire isn’t an issue for you.
So, manage the left flank alone then.
Don’t worry, if you engage in fire, I’ll provide support as quickly as possible.”
Gao Yang smiled, positioned his Shotgun for easy access, and continued to carry his rifle, ready to use it for sighting but to quickly fire with the Shotgun.
After getting ready, he waved his hand, then walked to the sides along with Andy He, each taking a direction.
Gao Yang began to advance alone, maintaining the lowest speed of progression in the jungle.
If someone signaled to speed up or slow down, he’d adjust accordingly.
If he heard noises, it indicated he was too close to the main force, and he would shift a bit to the left.
No one knew which of the three splits would encounter the enemy first.
Other than staying alert, Gao Yang had no other choice.
After advancing over fifty meters, he was close enough to meet up with the Friend of Nature members.
At this distance, even if he couldn’t physically join them, he could already provide indirect fire support.
Gao Yang suddenly spotted a red line through his sight.
Ever since Gao Yang had shot an enemy from more than sixty meters away, the enemy had been very cautious about their Thermal Imaging Night Vision.
They chose to ambush from water bodies, hiding their bodies in the water or behind cold objects to avoid heat radiation and infrared signals.
Gao Yang was thrilled because the enemy had not hidden well—judging by the situation, he believed the enemy was lying in water on the ground, but one person’s back was exposed too much.
Even though the body temperature in water dropped, it was still detected by his Thermal Imaging Night Vision.
“Enemy, about forty-five meters ahead on my right.
The enemy has cover, possibly hiding in a ground puddle.
The night vision can’t easily spot it.
I only saw a line.
Considering what Jackal said about the person using the Flamethrower being very large, I think they are together, but only the one called Flamethrower Dragon is exposed.”
After Gao Yang quietly finished speaking, Lucica whispered, “Is it you who will shoot from a distance, or should we come?”
Gao Yang replied softly, “Too many obstacles, I’m not confident I can shoot him.
Don’t advance any further, you’re already within Flamethrower Dragon’s kill range.”
After a moment of thought, Gao Yang whispered again, “On my command, you all open fire to suppress the enemy, keeping them pinned.
Then Quick Hand and I will strike from the flanks.
Listen for our signal to cease fire to prevent friendly fire.
Get ready, 3, 2, 1, fire!”
Suppressive fire meant fiercely sweeping the area ahead, not aiming to hit but to prevent the enemy from standing and escaping.
As gunfire erupted violently, Gao Yang disregarded the obstacles ahead, allowing branches and vines to tear his clothes and slash across his face.
Gao Yang simply lowered his head and charged.
The gunfire would mask his footsteps, and Gao Yang had to get close to the enemy quickly.
Advancing first, then starting to search to his right, Gao Yang, who had already switched to his Shotgun, finally spotted a foot.
As he moved another step forward, he then saw a person lying in a puddle, aiming a gun but not firing.
(To be continued.
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