These simple five words were like pressing the start button of a precision instrument.
Almost in the exact microsecond the word "begin" fell—
"Whoosh—"
A faint, almost wind-covered sound, like ripping silk, came from the eastern highlands.
It was the unique sound of the Cold Blade's VSS suppressed sniper rifle firing specialized subsonic ammunition.
In the view of the binoculars, the sentry leaning against the railing on the roof suddenly jerked his head back, a tiny mist of blood exploded at his temple, and the entire person, like a puppet with strings cut, silently slumped down, disappearing behind the rooftop platform's railing.
"Cold Blade reporting, rooftop target eliminated."
On the channel, Cold Blade's voice was as calm as a still lake, as if he had just completed a routine exercise.
The moment after the rooftop sentry fell, Petrovsky's assault team exploded like a spring compressed to its limits!
"Assault team, advance!"
Petrovsky leapt up from the shallow trench.
Like a leopard that discovered its prey, he charged towards the south wall of the courtyard with astonishing speed.
The five team members behind him maintained perfect tactical distance, moving swiftly like lightning, pouncing on the building like ferocious tigers.
Inside the courtyard, the three armed men dozing off by the wall seemed startled by the barely noticeable thud from the roof, groggily lifting their heads—
They were met with precise and lethal short bursts from different directions.
"Pupupupu!"
"Pupu! Pup!"
The sound of the V-AR rifles equipped with highly efficient silencers became muffled and soft, like punching a thick, heavy quilt.
The bullets precisely drilled into the heads and chests of the three insurgents, they didn't even have time to fully display a shocked expression before their bodies jolted, slumping to the ground, their AK rifles slipping from their hands, making a few clattering sounds.
"Courtyard secured."
The muzzles of the six V-AR rifles swept every corner of the courtyard rapidly and methodically, under the vehicles, piles of firewood, the shadows of doors and windows, missing nothing.
"Listen to my orders!"
Petrovsky spoke rapidly: "Team One, clear the left rooms on the first floor! Team Two, the right rooms! Team Three, secure the stairway and proceed to the second floor after it's clear! Move quickly!"
The team members moved like gears in a precision machine, instantly engaging and dispersing.
Iron Hammer and Petrovsky formed a mutual support, one kicking open the left door, the other instantly slipping inside; Thunder God and Angel moved towards the right with the same coordination; Shadow and Frost swiftly took over the stairway, pointing their guns towards the second-floor stairs, seizing a favorable position to control the ascent route.
Several suppressed gunshots along with the dull thud of bodies hitting the floor immediately sounded below.
"First floor, left side clear. One killed."
"First floor, right side clear. Two, all dealt with."
The reports were brief and cold, completely devoid of emotion.
"Stairway secure! Move to the second floor!"
Petrovsky made a forward gesture, being the first to step onto the wooden stairs leading to the second floor.
The old staircase creaked under the strain of his heavy combat boots, sounding particularly piercing in the deathly quiet building.
The second floor was a short, dimly lit hallway, flanked by wooden doors to several rooms.
At the end of the hallway was the eastern room with its heavy curtains drawn.
Just as Shadow and Frost were spreading out at the stairway, their guns aimed toward the depth of the corridor—
"Creak—"
The door next to the eastern room was suddenly pulled open from the inside without any warning.
An armed insurgent, wearing only a dirty white T-shirt, was rubbing his eyes groggily as he stepped out, hitching up his trousers, looking like he wanted to use the bathroom or check on the commotion downstairs.
His gaze locked right onto the guns aimed down the hallway by Shadow and Petrovsky!
Time seemed to freeze for half a second.
The insurgent's eyes instantly widened in shock, his sleep vanished, and a shout reached his throat—
"Pupu!"
Shadow's V-AR rifle barely aimed, relying entirely on muscle memory and honed shooting instincts, released a perfect double-shot.
The bullets, with a faint whoosh, entered the insurgent's chest.
His body shuddered violently, making a strangled sound in his throat, he staggered back two steps, hitting the door frame heavily, then slid down softly, silent forevermore.
"Damn! We've been exposed!"
Petrovsky cursed inwardly, realizing the situation he least wanted to see had occurred.
Sure enough, the moment that insurgent fell, a panicked shouting came from the eastern room at the end of the corridor, immediately followed by the clattering of overturned tables and chairs, and items falling!
"They're onto us! Full assault! Full assault!"
Petrovsky no longer held back, growling into the microphone, signaling Shadow and Frost to follow as the three formed a tight assault arrowhead, charging down the corridor wall directly to the room at the end!