The city felt different.
Arjun stood in the middle of the destroyed street, the remains of the Elite Unit still fading into particles of blue light.
For the first time since the invasion began—
There was a pause.
Not silence.
But a gap.
Like the system itself was… recalibrating.
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"…I actually did it."
The plasma rifle in his hand dimmed, its energy output stabilizing after the overload.
His combat suit flickered briefly.
[Suit Integrity: 39%]
"Yeah… I felt that."
The drone hovered beside him, scanning the surroundings.
[Area temporarily clear]
Arjun looked around.
The street was gone.
Buildings collapsed.
Cracks spread across the ground like scars.
This wasn't a battlefield anymore.
It was a grave.
And yet—
He was still standing.
The system interface appeared again.
[Commander Rank: D]
Authorization Level: 2
Arjun's eyes sharpened.
"Level 2 already…"
A new panel opened automatically.
New Functions Unlocked
Tactical Map Expansion
Squad Command Access
Orbital Strike Beacon (Limited Use)
Arjun focused on the third option.
"Orbital Strike…"
The system responded.
[Orbital Strike Beacon allows temporary access to satellite-based weapon systems.]
Charges Available: 1
Arjun let out a slow breath.
"One shot… one chance."
The drone projected a map in front of him.
This time—
The scale was different.
The city expanded.
Beyond that—
Multiple zones appeared.
Each one filled with red markers.
[Global Tactical Map Initialized]
Arjun stared.
"…This isn't just my city."
The system spoke.
[Correct.]
Earth-wide invasion is active.
Arjun clenched his jaw.
"So this is happening everywhere."
The map zoomed slightly.
Five large markers appeared.
Each one pulsing.
Each one labeled:
ELITE UNIT
[Incoming Elite Units responding to previous combat signal]
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"Five of them…"
The drone added:
[Estimated arrival time: 3 minutes]
Arjun looked down at his weapon.
Then at his status.
Low suit integrity.
Weapon stability reduced.
Energy reserves… partially recovered.
"…I can't fight five."
The system remained silent.
Then—
A new option appeared.
[Squad Command Access Available]
Arjun blinked.
"Squad…?"
[Allows Commander to assign and coordinate allied units.]
Arjun looked around.
The destroyed city.
Scattered civilians.
Panicking survivors.
Untrained.
Unarmed.
"…Allied units?"
The system responded.
[Nearby compatible individuals detected.]
Small blue markers appeared on the map.
Humans.
Ordinary people.
But—
Potential system users.
Arjun frowned.
"So I'm not the only one…"
The system didn't confirm.
But didn't deny either.
Arjun took a deep breath.
"Alright…"
He opened the command interface.
[Select units for temporary squad formation]
Three nearby markers blinked.
Close.
Within 200 meters.
Arjun made his decision.
"Send signal."
[Signal transmitted]
Seconds passed.
Then—
Movement.
From the end of the street, a figure appeared.
A man.
Mid-twenties.
Holding a broken metal rod.
His eyes were filled with fear.
But also—
Determination.
"Did you send that signal?" he asked.
Arjun nodded.
"Yeah."
Another figure appeared behind him.
A girl.
Younger.
Holding a small knife.
"…Is it safe here?" she asked.
Arjun didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"No."
A third figure joined them.
Older.
Calm.
Observing everything carefully.
"…You're the one fighting those things, right?" he asked.
Arjun met his gaze.
"…Yeah."
Silence followed.
Then the system spoke.
[Squad Formation Complete]
New interface appeared.
Temporary Squad
Leader: Arjun Mehta
Members: 3
Arjun looked at them.
Three normal humans.
No armor.
No system weapons.
"…This is what I get."
The drone hovered beside him.
[Recommendation: Assign roles immediately]
Arjun nodded.
"Alright, listen."
All three focused on him.
"Those things are coming."
He pointed toward the sky.
"They're not like the others."
"They're stronger."
"Faster."
"And they won't hesitate to kill you."
The girl swallowed nervously.
"…Then what do we do?"
Arjun raised the plasma rifle.
"We don't fight them head-on."
The older man nodded slightly.
"…Then what's the plan?"
Arjun's eyes sharpened.
"We survive."
"And we buy time."
The system flashed.
[Elite Units entering zone]
The sky cracked again.
Five pillars of blue light descended.
The ground trembled.
The pressure returned.
Heavier than before.
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"…Positions."
The three moved instinctively.
Fear visible.
But they didn't run.
Arjun looked up at the sky.
Then at the interface.
Orbital Strike Beacon.
One charge.
Five enemies.
"…One shot won't be enough."
The system remained silent.
Arjun tightened his grip on the rifle.
"…So I'll make it enough."
The first Elite Unit stepped out of the light.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Five in total.
All watching.
All waiting.
The air itself felt like it might collapse.
Arjun steadied his stance.
Squad behind him.
Enemies ahead.
"…Now it becomes a real war."