Those Who Carry the Burden

"Buzzz!"

The roar of helicopters filled the sky.

These were the heavy-lift helicopters carrying "Taishan" on their triumphant return journey.

However, Xiao Shou wasn't in the mood for it right now.

The usual roar of helicopters, which normally sounded like war drums to Xiao Shou, was now a grating, unbearable noise.

His once uplifted mood had become incredibly heavy.

All because of the wreckage of the fighter jets on the large salvage ship below.

There, the souls of twenty-two heroes rested.

The weapon installed on the "Mad Ape" that interfered with electromagnetic waves had never been used by "them" before.

The Sky Breaker Squad was caught completely off guard; this was not a failure of command.

The sacrifice of heroes, how could it ever be in vain?

As long as they could delay for one more minute, even if it meant total annihilation.

Everything was for the safety of the people.

Soldiers stepping forward first was their duty, their responsibility, their honor.

At that time, the Sky Breaker Squad couldn't lock onto the "Mad Ape" with their automatic targeting systems because of the abnormal electromagnetic waves emanating from it.

They could only manually control their aim with their eyes, flying in close to fire.

But who could have predicted that the "Mad Ape" would have a weapon on its back that interfered with electromagnetic waves?

After all, there had never been a precedent before.

Kaiju were biological creatures, and for one to possess a weapon was beyond current human technology.

This wasn't as simple as attaching a claw to its hand.

With the electromagnetic waves disrupted, the fighter jet's control systems failed, losing all power. Coupled with being too close to the "Mad Ape," they essentially crashed into it, causing explosions and their demise.

The weapon on the "Mad Ape's" back activated quickly and had a wide range. Even if the Sky Breaker Squad hadn't charged in, they would have been within the range of its electromagnetic wave interference.

This disaster was unavoidable.

At best, they might have had a little time to react, allowing the pilots to eject.

And even then, not all of them.

It could only be said that "their" methods were becoming increasingly bizarre and unpredictable.

Perhaps, "they" had finally decided to get a little serious.

A beam of light from a searchlight shone on the display screen in the cockpit of "Taishan," breaking Xiao Shou's train of thought.

It was the searchlight from the lighthouse at Lushun District port.

Finally, they were home.

Xiao Shou felt utterly exhausted, only wanting a good night's sleep.

The port had been taken over by the military, and all unauthorized personnel had been cleared.

Many people had gathered on the dock, waiting for them.

Xiao Shou knew that welcoming their return was only a small part of the reason; the greater reason was for the fallen heroes.

What set us apart from the Kaiju was that we understood mourning, we understood dedication, we understood sacrifice.

We held the belief of fighting for every inch of land, and the principle of protecting without abandoning or giving up.

Our sacrifices were not meaningless.

There was no such thing as a peaceful era; it was simply that some people were carrying the burden for us.

And the price they paid was unimaginably heavy.

What they went through was far more perilous than any novel or TV drama.

Yet, we would just point fingers, discussing how unrealistic one part was or how fabricated another seemed.

But in reality, life and death could be decided in an instant.

Some numbers were not publicized, and we were unaware of them, but that didn't mean they didn't exist.

Because the fact that we are living well is the best proof of that.

Peace was never given; it was always fought for.

As they got closer, he could clearly see who had gathered on the dock.

Most of them were in uniform, some black, some dark green.

The black uniforms belonged to the Jaeger Combat Department, and the dark green ones were from the military's Eastern Theater Command.

There were also some in plain clothes, likely the families of the Sky Breaker Squad.

The landing of "Taishan" caused no commotion, nor was there any cheering.

Because celebrations have their time and place.

As soon as "Taishan" touched down, the Eastern Theater Command's fleet also arrived at the port shortly after.

Tourists and expatriates evacuated from Hawaii were orderly led away from the area, with other arrangements made for them.

After the initial excitement of surviving the ordeal, they quickly composed themselves.

Because a somber atmosphere was starting to spread.

Our victorious return was not without cost.

Their ability to stand here now, returning home from distant Hawaii, was bought with the lives of those who threw themselves into the jaws of death.

Some of the more emotional individuals couldn't help but tear up.

This was not an act.

Back then, the words "81192, I have received your message. I can no longer return. You proceed, repeat, you proceed!"

Tore at the hearts of the entire nation.

It was a profound sorrow.

Who would want to experience such a thing a second time?

They were made of iron, but also of flesh and blood, living, breathing human beings.

They were also someone's husband, father, and child.

We live in a peaceful environment, spending our days chasing after money and often complaining about stress, which is hardly a genuine hardship.

We have forgotten what this world is truly like.

It is a world that devours people.