January 01, 2024, 03:10 (New China time: 02:10)

  20 kilometers southwest of Puning County, Hebei Province, New China (11th Artillery Brigade, 40th Army Group)

  The New China Army began to fire a large-scale bombardment at the scheduled time of the attack, while, among them, the 11th Artillery Brigade belonging to the 40th Group Army, stood silently on standby.

  “Is it ready?”


  Brigade Commander, Liu Jiahui, who had been waiting impatiently in the command armored vehicle at dawn, couldn’t see more than ten meters ahead due to the most severe yellow and fine dust levels. He glanced at his wristwatch and asked the operational staff Jin Wei- chung.

  “No, the attack order has not yet been issued from the Army Group Command.”


  Speaking of them, an attack order was just then issued from the Army Group Command.

  “This is an order from the command. This is an order to start bombardment at the present time with the specifications that had been entered in advance.”


  The communications officer reported loudly.

  “The time has finally come! In one minute, each battalion will start firing TOT (Time On Target) as per the pre-operational plan.”


  “Yes, all right.”


  When Liu Jiahui’s command was issued, the operational staff, Jin Wei-chung, gave an attack through the receiver connected to the subordinate artillery battalion.

  Accordingly, the remaining six artillery battalions, except for the 71st Artillery Battalion, started firing simultaneous TOT after one minute. A gunshot that seemed to tear the eardrums began to resound all at once.

  TOT shooting is an artillery shooting tactic that hits a large number of shells at the same point at the same time.

  As a huge amount of shells flew in one direction in a parabolic pattern, the C-1000 Haitai Unmanned Alert Robot, which was performing guard missions around the border, entered the intercept procedure. However, it was impossible to intercept all shells of various calibres flying simultaneously. The artillery shells of the New China Army flying across the border were not the only shells fired by the 11th Artillery Brigade. All artillery units of Army Group 7 were firing shells of various calibres.

  Numerous flashes of light flashed continuously over the border. However, due to the yellow dust and fine dust, it could not be seen by the human eye. If it had been a clear night, it would have been like a spectacular fireworks show.

  The C-1000 Haitai unmanned robot belonging to the 355th Guards Battalion of the 75th Mechanized Guard Division, which was performing guard missions at a distance of several hundred meters, was busy intercepting incoming enemy shells.

  The 12-millimeter laser Vulcan beam sprayed a beam of light toward the sky while maintaining a high angle of up to 70 degrees, and the nine (3*3) launchers mounted on each side was also aimed toward the sky and fired 50-millimeter multi-purpose projectile Black Dragon missiles.

  Most of the Black Dragon missiles flying in blue light intercepted rockets fired by the MRLS artillery battalion, and the 12-millimeter laser Vulcan beam intercepted self-propelled artillery shells.

  The problem was the number of enemy shells flying. The 18 Black Dragon missiles armed with one Haitai unmanned robot were quickly exhausted. Now, they were faced with a situation where they were intercepting the constantly flying enemy shells with only the 12-millimeter laser Vulcan beam.

  In addition to the Haitai unmanned robots of the guard company, the 355 guard battalion also had Biho and Chunma belonging to the company headquarters, but they also raised their hands in the number of enemy shells that exceeded the intercept range. As a result, the shells that escaped the interception net began to land on the impact formation one by one.

  The 11th Artillery Brigade, an artillery unit of the 40th Group Army, which started attacking with TOT firing, continued to fire without moving from their position. Finally, the 71st Artillery Battalion that was equipped with plasma shells began firing as well.

  Rocket bombs were fired from 18 273-millimeter Type 8 MRLSs simultaneously, with a tremendous burst of firepower. In less than 10 seconds, a total of 144 273-millimeter rockets exited the launch tube and flew northeast with an inclination of close to 40 degrees. The 144 273-millimeter rockets were combined with two rockets equipped with plasma bombs.

  January 01, 2024, 03:20

  B2 bunker, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Namju (ROK Army Joint Command and Control Center Situation Room)

  All staff, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were present in the situation room of the Joint Command and Control Center to understand the current situation of the New China Army, which had launched a surprise attack in line with the general offensive of the Russian Army.

  On the third screen, Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin, commander of the 5th Corps, who was in charge of the border area of New China, was projected via video communication.

  “I should have known this was going to happen. These New China b*stards have been acting strange lately but they have always behaved this way. This time, we definitely have to ensure that they start behaving the way they used to be.”


  A little while ago, Deputy General of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yoon Gi-yoon, who had returned to the dormitory after changing getting off from his commander’s duty, was fuming mad. The rest of the generals nodded their heads or greeted him in a soft voice.

  “Lieutenant General Kim! What is the current military situation?”


  Meanwhile, Shin Sung-yong, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who entered the situation room and gave the order to call the commander of the 5th Corps first, posed a question to Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin. Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin, who was waiting in video communication, said in a firm tone.

  “Currently, simultaneous bombardment by the New China Army is being fired, but the mechanized security forces in charge of each area are intercepting them as much as possible. However, since the number of enemy shells is larger than expected, the damage seems inevitable. However, the damage is expected to be significantly reduced by applying artillery fire, and the units under the bombardment are also quickly leaving their current garrison.”


  In response to the ambitious reply of Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong nodded his head and asked additional questions with a satisfied expression.

  “What is the enemy’s main attack route?”


  Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin continued his answer without interruption.

  “There are a total of three enemy main units currently identified, and the first main unit is 40th Army Group, which is expected to head in the direction of Xeonan (Qinhuangdao) close to the shores of Bohae Bay, where the 6th Mechanized Infantry Division will defend it. The second main unit is the 39th Army Group, which is expected to head to Seongwon (Qingrong) connected to the S252 road, so the 3rd Armored Division has entered into an emergency maneuver toward Seongwon. Accordingly, the 8th Mechanized Infantry Division will replace the 3rd Armored Division’s defensive base and will move from Wusun (Jinzhou) to the Wuseon-Seonan Expressway. Finally, the third is the main unit, the 16th Army Group, which is expected to invade using the current G45 highway and S253 road and has requested support from the 1st Armored Division of the 1st Corps.”


  “Well, that’s an appropriate response. The problem is that I am worried about the 38th Army and 27th Army Group, which can be seen as the rear air units. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will come up with a response strategy for that part but until then, Lieutenant General Kim please continue to work hard.”


  “Yes, all right.”


  After Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin’s reply, Chairman Shin Sung-yong turned his attention to Major General Oh Jong-gil of the 6th Mechanized Infantry Division (Cheongseong) belonging to the 5th Corps.

  The 6th Mechanized Infantry Division (Cheongseong) was a very important unit that had to block the invasion of the 40th Army Group, which was the first main force of the New China Army, as mentioned by Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin.

  “Warden Oh!”


  “Yes, 6th Division Commander Oh Jong-gil!”


  “I think the offensive of 40th Army Group is going to be very rough. In addition, it would be even more so if the 27th Army Group, the rear air unit, joins them as well. It is said that the 75th Mechanized Guard Division is blocking the border but it is absurd that the Guard Division in charge of 300 kilometers concentrates and blocks the incoming units. This is why your division’s mission is so important.”


  “So that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is not worried, we will make sure to block the invading enemy units.”


  Director Oh Jong-gil answered with a confident voice.

  “Yeah, I only believe in you. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will mobilize all forces to support it.”


  “Yes, I understand.”


  In an instant, the appearance of Director Oh Jong-gil disappeared from the split screen at the same time as it crackled. Embarrassed by this, the situation manager hurriedly approached the operator in charge of communication and asked.

  “What happened? Communication problems?”


  The operator in charge of communication operated the console and answered with a tone of voice that was uncertain.

  “A strong magnetic field appears to have caused us to lose communication.”


  “Magnetic field? Does that mean communication is lost?”


  At this time, following Major General Oh Jong-gil, the screens of other commanders also began to turn off one by one. As a result, the situation room became chaotic. This is because they’ve never experienced video communication problems before.

  The bewildered head of the situation office, Major General Na Kyung-hyeon, shouted at the operator of the lieutenant rank in a voice that almost sounded like he was scolding him.

  “Try connecting it again! Hurry!”


  “The current satellite communication line does not appear to be a problem, so it appears to be a local issue.”


  He tried to reinstate the connection by operating the console several times but there was no response from the site where communication had been lost.

  At this time, Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin who was still on the screen had a serious expression on his face and made a grim report.

  “It has been reported that a huge explosion similar to a nuclear bomb has occurred in the area currently deployed by the 6th Mechanized Infantry Division.”


  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong jumped up from his seat and asked.

  “A nuclear bomb? What does that mean?”


  “Currently, the details are unknown, but according to a report from a nearby subordinate unit, a huge mushroom cloud has risen with a huge explosion in the area where the 6th carrier has been deployed.”


  In response to the report, like a thunderbolt, Lieutenant General Yang Min-chun, head of the operations headquarters, approached the communications officer and gave instructions.

  “Connect the overseas reconnaissance bureau immediately! Have them film the area around by the 8th carrier and send it to the control room.”


  After a while, the scene filmed from the reconnaissance satellite unfolded on screen four. For a moment, everyone in the control room could not help but feel shocked.

  The sight on screen four was terrifying. Due to what could have been a huge explosion, a massive mushroom cloud rose several hundred meters toward the sky, and the ground around the explosion center rose like a tectonic shift, while red flames scorched like magma through the cracks.

  “Hey, what is that? Doesn’t it look like it was hit by a plasma amplified bomb?”


  Director Yoon Gi-yoon was surprised and pointed his finger at screen number four and said. The situation room froze momentarily.

  “What! What is this happening? Why was there such an explosion in the area where our forces are…”


  Shin Sung-yong, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also stood up from his seat at the horrific scene within an eight-kilometer radius that had almost devastated everything in its path. He was unable to speak and had a serious expression on his face. Then, as he remembered something, he sat down and covered his face with both hands.

  <I think that the ammunition with the plasma core technology stolen by New China has been developed…>

  Professor Woo Jin-gil’s leak of plasma core technology was classified as an S-class matter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong was the only one from the Joint Chiefs of Staff who knew about it.

  “Listen well! It seems that New China developed a bomb similar to a plasma-amplified bomb.”


  “Yes? Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff! What do you mean? How could New China develop such a weapon?”


  When General Kim Yong-hyun, who had a bewildered expression on his face, asked a question, Chairman Shin Sung-yong sighed deeply and got up from his seat.

  “I want to deny it too but as you can see on the screen, it’s true, isn’t it? Because of this, I think the current defense plan needs to be completely revised. Lieutenant General Kim!”


  “Yes, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!”


  “You should check the situation of the 8th Guards as soon as possible and give the order to the rest of the subordinate units not to deploy on a scale larger than a battalion level.”


  “Yes? In that case, it would be impossible to block the enemy’s main attack.”


  “The enemy’s main unit will conduct a massive retaliatory attack primarily through the air force and aerospace force. So first, give that order to all units in the border area, and above all, check the damage situation of the 8th Corps.”


  “All right. Salute!”


  As Lieutenant General Kim Il-jin disappeared from the screen, Chairman Shin Sung-yong of the Joint Chiefs of Staff turned his head toward his staff and said with force.

  “Captain Yoon controls the situation room, and Captain Kim, along with all his staff, have to re-establish the defense plan under the assumption that the New China Army has plasma ammunition.”


  “So, what about the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?”


  When asked by General Kim Yong-hyun, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong answered while adjusting his hat.

  “I’m heading to the Blue House……”