Reincarnation In Another World With Blackhearted Military System Chapter 5: Chapter 3-The Price of a Rescue

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> [Summoning Complete.] [Units Deployed: Imperial Infantry ×10 | Total Infantry: 20] [Remaining Command Points: 350] Twenty German WWI soldiers now stood in disciplined formation across the meadow, their gray coats fluttering lightly in the wind. Steel helmets gleamed under the orange sunset. Rifles clinked in their hands like a choir of metal. Alex stared at his nearly empty point counter and felt his soul leave his body. "...Three hundred and fifty points left. I'm effectively broke," he whispered in despair. The system chimed: > [Host is advised to refrain from impulsive spending.] Alex glared at the interface. "YOU made everything overpriced!" > [............] "Why become silent now Say something !!" The soldiers pretended not to hear their commander arguing with a floating blue screen. Hans stepped forward, stoic as always. "Kommandant, all twenty infantry are assembled. Patrol routes updated. MG08 crew awaiting position orders." Alex straightened his posture and pointed toward the western treeline. "Set the MG08 on that ridge. I want firing coverage across the forest entrance. Second squad holds the perimeter. First squad comes with me." Hans saluted. "Jawohl!" The troops moved efficiently - the MG08 team jogging to set up their heavy weapon on the slight incline, others forming proper formations and spacing. Alex opened his map. > [Unidentified Energy Signature - 400 meters west] He swallowed. "Great. Either it's treasure... or something that wants to kill me." The system responded politely: > [Probability of lethal threat: 62%.] "WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THAT?!" > [Host requested statistical transparency previously.] "When?!" > [Ten minutes ago. Internal log: 'System don't sugarcoat things.'] Alex covered his face with both hands. "...I hate myself." The system remained silent - which somehow made it worse. --- Scene - Western Forest Edge The forest grew darker as they approached. Birds scattered, and the leaves rustled with unnatural energy. Hans raised a fist, signaling halt. "Kommandant," he whispered, "the air feels... charged. Like a storm that does not break." Alex felt it too - a strange vibration, like magic humming through the roots of the earth. His system pinged: > [Warning: Mana Distortion Detected] [Source: Unknown Artifact / Creature] "Artifact or creature... ," Alex muttered. Something flickered in the shadows. The infantry tightened formation, rifles raised. Hans whispered, "Orders?" Alex steadied himself. "Advance slowly. Weapons ready. No one shoot unless I say so." The soldiers nodded. Branches snapped. A low, pained growl echoed through the forest - not human, not animal, something... in-between. The bushes in front of them erupted. A large figure stumbled out - cloaked, bleeding, limping. Long ears. Slender build. Alex's eyes widened. "...An elf?" The figure collapsed onto the forest floor with a heavy thud. Hans signaled the men to lower their aim but keep caution. Alex rushed forward. The elf was young - maybe Alex's age - with long silver hair, sharp features, and clothes torn by claw marks. A strange glowing mark pulsed on their shoulder. Alex scanned him. > [Race: Elf (Highborn)] [Status: Severely Injured | Mana level Detected] [Threat Level: Low] The elf coughed, eyes half-open. "You..." Her voice was weak trying to say Something but collapsed. The elf lay motionless except for the unsteady rise and fall of his chest. Alex checked the pulse again-weak, but present. "Kommandant," Hans said quietly, "her injuries run deep. If we delay, she may Not last long" Alex stayed crouched beside the wounded elf for a moment longer, listening to the ragged breaths and feeling the unnatural heat radiating from the glowing mark on her shoulder. Alex leaned closer, trying to understand the strange light pulsing from the elf's shoulder. But before he could touch it, the system chimed again: > [Unknown Energy source identify ] [Scanning...] [Source located: Satchel attached to subject's waist.] [Object identified