18

Beyond the Veil: Kiran's Supernatural Hunt

Chapter 18: The World's Current Situation

As soon as Kiran entered the room, he glanced at the elderly man seated on a sofa, sipping a cup of coffee, seemingly calm but with a silent expression that contradicted it.

"Save the formal greetings for when we're in public, and only if someone boring enough cares about such things. You know very well, I don't like being compared to those foolish old men." Edmund looked at Kiran seriously, drawing attention to these details that always bothered him.

"Of course not; I consider you part of my family." Kiran knew that being too informal with someone who dedicated their life to the military might not be ideal, so he always used short sentences that clearly expressed his thoughts.

Saluting like a soldier every time he encountered a superior was natural; Kiran forced himself to do it since most people got upset over the slightest error, older people calling him 'ill-mannered or disrespectful' towards age, rank, and duty.

From a foreigner's perspective, the idea that elders have more social weight simply due to their age might seem unfair or illogical. In most cultures, it's true that young people are expected to show respect to their elders at all times, even when treated unfairly or unethically.

However, from a broader perspective, it's essential to consider that different cultures have different values and social norms. In some cultures, hierarchy and respect for authority are highly valued, while in others, equality and individual autonomy may be more important.

This latter point was something Kiran understood after many years of struggling to adapt to life in South Korea; he had expanded his mind and adjusted to this more socially closed lifestyle.

Ultimately, what may seem unfair or hard to understand from an outsider's cultural perspective can be an integral part of the identity and values of a particular culture.

After closing the door, Kiran walked naturally towards a chair and asked directly, "How are the families of my fallen comrades?"

At this point, Kiran had recovered most of his memories, recalling the numerous faces that had accompanied him on numerous missions. So, this question was somewhat personal, although he already knew the answer.

What followed after losing his entire team? What is the reaction of the families? Should he apologize to everyone affected, as he had done before?

Yes, this was not the first time Kiran had lost soldiers in past missions. Since becoming a captain, dozens of soldiers have died continuously. All of it was painful, but Kiran focused on what came next with the help of his comrades, but now they were all gone.

So, he sought answers or, beyond that, support to lean on.

"How do you want them to be? Devastated, they lost their relatives. The silver lining in all this tragedy is that everyone, including you, was prepared to die in each of the incursions."

With a long sigh of bitterness, Edmund, facing Kiran, muttered some indistinguishable words under the veil of a devastated voice. All he could do with his useless and old body was select soldiers capable of killing and dying without even thinking of a retreat.

"It's true," Kiran replied upon hearing the answer he already knew.

Losing a loved one is a painful and traumatic experience for any family. However, when it comes to losing a military family member, the experience can be especially heartbreaking and confusing when living in a country where there is no war or terrorist attacks.

When a family member is deployed to a conflict zone, tension and anxiety become constant for the rest of the family. They worry about their safety and well-being constantly, waiting for each call or message to make sure they are okay. But sometimes, that call or message doesn't come, and the family's heart breaks into a thousand pieces.

In South Korea, there is always that fear when soldiers, in fulfillment of their military services, are deployed to the border against North Korea, where conflicts could erupt at any moment.

But all this is very different when they join this secret organization unique to repel all corporeal dark entities in the country, as a meticulous selection process takes place where a soldier is chosen, and they know the possibility of death exists in each elimination operation.

This way, the soldier is subjected to a series of regulations specifying exactly what kind of suicide, farewell, or love letter they should leave. Yes, the general agreement of all governmental countries demanded the maintenance of the anonymity of these dark entities, so it was not surprising that anything could happen within the family understanding as long as it was required.

But this time, a catastrophe happened. How do they explain the death of a loved one to more than twenty confused families and friends? Strikes, explanations, and spreading on social media are things that can easily happen.

How is this combated? Easy, with a confidentiality agreement that the soldier signs before belonging to this secret government organization. It's not surprising that it is announced that a group of soldiers died in a plane crash, only to cover up the deaths of soldiers.

But always, the NIS and other scattered departments ensure they remain an absolute mystery.

And the news of the death of a military family member is devastating and difficult to process. There is an initial shock that feels like a punch in the stomach, followed by deep sadness and pain. Tears are uncontrollable, the heart feels heavy, and the mind is filled with unanswered questions. The family remains in a state of shock, struggling to accept the reality that their loved one will never return.

In normal situations, funeral ceremonies are an especially challenging time for the families of deceased soldiers. Services are often very emotional, with speeches and tributes recalling the bravery and sacrifice of the deceased. Families often cling to photos and memories to keep the memory of their loved one alive.

But this does not exist for soldiers who die at the hands of dark entities because the bodies of the deceased must be incinerated to prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria, or undetected living organisms.

There are no honors or public mentions for soldiers like Kiran who fight in the darkness so that dark entities can always remain anonymous.

Kiran had learned that dark entities had always been here, but thirty years ago, they suddenly and aggressively emerged without prior warning. This caused governments to initiate the first step, which is the operation. So, the second was to intervene with the army to eliminate the threats, but this method still proves effective.

An example would be the NIS, the CIA, or another intelligence organization operating in different countries around the world. When dark entities emerged, guided by the Light Association, these organizations 'focused on their own country' with the aim of identifying a dark entity before it emerged.

But losses, mistakes, and deaths were something that always happened. Kiran was forced, as a requirement, to start recording a farewell video for his loved ones in case he died in a raid.

It can be said that he participated simply because he wanted to be part of a fight that was just beginning, but most joined for the benefits that this position offered.

These benefits were that, in the event of death, the relatives of the deceased were assured monthly benefit payments so that they could live comfortably without working.

Today, money is a luxury, and sometimes most are willing to do anything to get it.

"What nonsense..." Kiran murmured softly, emerging from these inappropriate thoughts in this situation.

"I give you the option to leave the life of a soldier. I can erase you as a captain and make you live peacefully as a normal citizen for the rest of your life. You won't have to worry or suffer from the loss of subordinates after this; what do you think?"

Upon hearing these words from the elderly man beside him, Kiran was initially surprised, but then he chuckled and said, "It's very tempting of you, Colonel, but I'll refuse your tempting proposal. What would my subordinates think if I stopped fighting now that I am stronger against what we swore to destroy?"

Feeling that his comrades were watching him right now, Kiran nodded slightly and thought, "I will never give up until I die."