Iron and Blood, 1931: The Ghost Troop

On the night of September 18, 1931, at Beidaying in Shenyang, Lin Ye wakes to the deafening roar of artillery and the chaos around him. At the same time, a cold mechanical voice sounds in his mind: “Ironblood Soldier Spirit System activated. Initial mission: Survive, and launch the first effective counterattack against the invaders within 24 hours.”

He looks at the old Liaoning-made rifle in his hands, then at the silhouettes of Japanese armored vehicles in the distance. The confusion in his eyes gives way to steely resolve. “Counterattack?” He works the bolt and snarls at the terrified recruits beside him: “If you want to live, do as I say. The hunt begins tonight.”