Two days ter, a suppression force was organized in the small vilge where the hospital was located. Their sole objective was to completely eliminate the sniper who had cast a dark shadow over the vilge and spread fear. Composed of elites boasting extensive experience and exceptional combat skills, the suppression force waited with bated breath for the most advantageous time to approach the sniper: the arrival of thick fog that would bnket the entire world in white, severely limiting visibility.As time passed, the sky finally turned gray, and damp fog began to envelop the entire forest like a vast curtain. In the increasingly dense fog, where it was difficult to distinguish even what was in front of one's nose, the suppression force members began to move stealthily. Like shadows, they quietly encircled the deep area along the edge of the forest, believed to be the sniper's hiding pce. They held their breath to avoid making even the sound of stepping on a twig, and took each step with extreme caution. Amid the tense atmosphere, they began to approach the darkness where the sniper was likely hiding, slowly and carefully, as if led by an invisible string.Inside the hospital, a space usually filled with the groans of patients and the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment, was now heavy with silence and unease. The doctor and Mingu stared bnkly at the forest outside the window, which was filled only with thick fog. In their hearts, a fervent wish was constantly repeated. The tragic procession of helpless victims, struck down by the sniper's bullets and brought to the hospital, had to end now. They wholeheartedly prayed that the cold and cruel shadow of death would no longer engulf the vilgers in a pce beyond their medical reach.As if piercing the silent depths of the forest, a single, eerie, and sharp gunshot shattered the stillness. Like a long-awaited signal fre, that momentary gunshot triggered a fierce and merciless barrage of counter-fire from the entire forest. As if a violent storm had struck, the continuous stream of bullets tore through leaves and broke branches, accompanied by a series of dull and heavy explosions that shook the forest. The explosions were not mere detonations. The sounds, which seemed to vibrate the ground and compress the air, made them instinctively realize that pre-installed deadly booby traps had been activated. Amid the suffocating tension that pressed down on the entire forest, a desperate battle ensued for over ten minutes, with relentless exchanges of gunfire and echoing explosions. And finally, the intense noise vanished as if it were a lie, leaving only a heavy and uneasy silence in the forest. In a complex mix of hope and despair, relief and anxiety, the doctor and Mingu, who remained in the hospital, could only wait with bated breath, their lips tightly sealed and their eyes anxiously trembling, for the darkness to lift and the truth to be revealed.Time flowed relentlessly, and as deep blue darkness swallowed the entire world in the evening, a few faint, small shadows began to appear one by one, piercing the darkness of the forest. As they drew closer, they were none other than the members of the suppression force. However, their tired faces, despite minor injuries, were etched with deep despair and frustration. Covered in dirt and with bandages here and there, their appearance was miserable, and their tightly closed lips and dark expressions clearly indicated that the operation had failed. The moment their weary steps reached the hospital courtyard, deep disappointment and helplessness also washed over the faces of the anxiously waiting doctor and Mingu.It was a tragic outcome. The first suppression force had colpsed helplessly before the sniper's unpredictable and ruthless attacks. Amid the hail of bullets, only a very small number of individuals managed to barely survive and escape the forest, resulting in a devastating failure. Deep sorrow, along with anger and anxiety, seethed throughout the vilge. Discussions for forming a second suppression force immediately began, but the shocking testimonies of the first suppression force survivors and the difficulty in pinpointing the exact location of the sniper, who had vanished like a ghost, caused a much longer dey than expected. Despite careful discussions and insufficient information, the vilgers desperately organized a second suppression force, driven by the urgent need to stop the sniper at all costs. Hastily equipped with basic weaponry, they attempted to narrow the dangerous encirclement once more in even worse weather conditions – heavy rain. Unfortunately, this operation also ended in a disastrous failure. The rainy weather had actually given the sniper an advantage. Approximately 70% of the deployed personnel lost their lives, and only a very small number managed to escape the forest in a desperate situation, facing tragedy. However, even amidst the gray despair, there was a glimmer of hope. During the fierce exchange of fire, faint news finally arrived that the sniper had also been injured.In a chaotic situation mixed with despair and hope, a third suppression force was cautiously formed. A few brave survivors from the second suppression force, the hospital doctor, and Mingu joined the third suppression force. They meticulously analyzed the specific area where the injured sniper was most likely hiding, and cautiously began to approach, searching as they went. The primary objective of this operation was not simply annihition. If the sniper was severely injured to the point of threatening his survival, safely rescuing him was also an important goal. Although he was the sniper who had taken the lives of so many people, there was a consensus that simply leaving him to die was wrong in terms of human compassion and morality. There was also the hope of obtaining useful information from the sniper. Rather than driven by revenge, they made a difficult decision amidst rational and humane anguish and headed into the forest.In suffocating tension, the third suppression force cautiously stepped into the darkness of the forest. Suppressing even the sound of their feet treading on damp soil and fallen leaves, they carefully surveyed their surroundings for any trace of the sniper. Not long after, a few distinct red bloodstains, as if recently fallen on the dark earth of the forest floor, caught their eyes. The group paused briefly, exchanged gnces, and slowly began to follow the direction of the bloodstains. The forest was deep and eerie, and the fog hanging from the branches amplified their unease. After a long period of tracking, they finally managed to spot the figure of the sniper, faintly colpsed in the darkness. He was already losing consciousness due to severe injuries, but upon seeing them, he mustered his st remaining strength and began to resist fiercely. The rifle in his hand was still threatening, and in his desperate struggle, unfortunately, all the remaining members of the suppression force fell, losing their lives to his final desperate act. In the end, only Mingu and the doctor remained around the sniper, and no more gunshots were heard.After hesitating, the doctor cautiously approached the sniper. He first raised both hands high, clearly indicating that he was unarmed. Then, slowly, very carefully, he took steps towards the sniper. At that very moment, a fsh of sharp gunfire tore through the silence of the forest, and the doctor colpsed to the ground limply, like an old tree with rotten roots. The bullet fired from a small pistol in the sniper's hand accurately pierced his head, and he slumped to the ground like a rotten log, without even a chance to feel pain.Filled with rage and sorrow, Mingu picked up a gun held by one of his fallen comrades with trembling hands. Without hesitation, he approached the sniper and aimed the muzzle at his side. The sniper no longer had the will or the strength to resist. He simply leaned against the ground, barely managing to let out ragged breaths. As Mingu carefully approached and confirmed the face of the man who had resisted until the very st moment, a chilling shock ran through his entire body. It was an unbelievable sight. The sniper before him was the very young soldier whom Mingu had found on the brink of death at the scene of the fierce battle a few days ago, and whom he had healed with his own hands. Upon seeing Mingu, he gave a faint, bored smile. Faced with an incomprehensible reality, Mingu trembled with deep confusion and betrayal."Why... why kill doctor?"Mingu asked with a bewildered expression, his voice barely audible, as if his soul had left his body. The sniper faintly smiled, his hazy eyes fixed on Mingu, and whispered softly."I did it... I... because he is a DOCTOR."At that short and chilling reply, Mingu finally understood the sniper's horrifying intent. For the sniper, killing was not just an act, but an end in itself. A doctor, who respected and saved lives, was an existence directly opposed to his purpose. Since his goal was to take as many lives as possible, a doctor who saved lives was an obstacle that had to be eliminated first. Overwhelmed by his utterly irrational and cruel way of thinking, Mingu was gripped by a deep shock and a chilling tremor, as if all the blood in his body had turned cold.Lost in confusion and despair, unable to regain his composure easily, Mingu saw the sniper reach out a desperate hand with his st remaining strength, even as his consciousness faded. His pale, trembling gesture was a final plea for a touch of life, just as Mingu had once given him. Mingu was torn by extreme conflict. The person he had brought back from the brink of death with his own hands had now ruthlessly killed countless innocent people before his very eyes, and even murdered the doctor he respected so much. If he saved him, countless others would die. Compassion and anger, confusion and despair, swirled violently within his heart.In the end, Mingu left the forest in heavy silence. Behind him, no one followed. His heart was filled with deep sorrow, unresolved questions, and bitter regret.