Chapter 76: Late-Summer Sea, Training, and... (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Late-Summer Sea, Training, and... (1)
Summer is inherently hot, and no matter how much you complain about the heat, it won't change. Even though it was mid-September, the sweltering weather—still hovering near 30 degrees Celsius—made it hard to keep a clear head. I had hoped the weather would cool down after the late monsoon season, but instead, a scorching heatwave had settled in.
Thinking that the weather might suddenly snap and turn cold at any moment, I figured I should probably start preparing for the chill too.
With temperatures this high, even though we’d technically entered autumn, it felt more like a "hot fall" than summer. Regardless, there are moments when even this kind of heat is welcome. Specifically, when you're at the beach.
"The weather is nice."
Looking at the coastline where the hot sun beat down and the waves broke against the shore, my first thought was: So, we’re back again this year.
"Let's go. The lodging is that way."
The accommodation wasn't that far from where we got off the bus. These facilities, managed by Spacetro, are used by various units depending on the season, or by Spacetro team members active in the region.
Since they are essentially communal, they are most frequently used by units visiting from other regions for training.
"Let's move."
At Luche's word, my teammates and I, who had been admiring the sea, began dragging our suitcases toward the lodging. A house right in front of the ocean... It seemed like it would be wonderful to live in a place like this, but I quickly gave up on the idea, knowing there would be plenty of inconveniences in reality.
Summer Combat Training. Since coming to Earth, this is one of the few training sessions organized by Spacetro. Held semi-annually, it evaluates the combat capabilities of each team.
"What about the teams ahead of us?"
"They said they already checked in."
Each of the four teams at the Seoul Headquarters consists of about thirty people, so we traveled separately by bus. As Team 3, we were the third to arrive, and Team 4 was expected shortly. This was the first time nearly 120 people from all four teams would be conducting training simultaneously. To be honest, I wasn't sure how it would turn out.
The lodging was large enough to accommodate far more than 120 people. It was so massive that one could easily believe Spacetro was running a resort business in the area.
Located on the West Sea, this place consisted of three islands connected by bridges; though they were islands, traveling to and from the mainland was very convenient. The more remote parts of the islands were secluded, making them perfect for training. Since the training grounds were private property, there was no risk of outsiders wandering in.
And so, our team, having arrived for this year's summer training, quickly changed into swimwear and headed out to the beach.
"Are grown men really that excited about being at the ocean?"
Luche, wearing a thin windbreaker over her swimsuit, watched her subordinates frolicking from under a parasol. Meanwhile, I was busy setting up the parasol and sunbed so she could rest.
"There. All done."
Once the spot was perfectly prepared, Luche looked satisfied and lay down on the sunbed.
"Thanks."
"I'm only doing this because you actually asked nicely for once instead of just ordering me around."
I sat on the ground next to Luche’s sunbed and watched my colleagues, who were having the time of their lives. Fortunately, since it was a weekday, there were no other people around, so it wasn't conspicuous even though they were playing while wearing black masks.
"Isn't that uncomfortable?"
"Of course it is. But what can we do? Our situation is different from you executives."
The Team Leader-level executives have their identities exposed to the public. To be precise, they don't really bother hiding them. However, since ordinary soldiers often have to carry out missions like infiltration or surveillance as ordered by the executives, wearing a mask or helmet to hide their faces is mandatory during organizational activities.
"Aren't you going to play?"
"Since when was I such an active person?"
As I just said, I don't have a very active personality. If I'm going to rest, I prefer resting at home; if I'm going to have fun, I prefer doing it indoors. It's not that I hate playing outside—I just don't particularly enjoy it. That seems like the right way to put it.
Compared to when I went on a trip with Hayoung, the weather was much better for playing now, but I actually preferred that trip to Gangneung. Since the purpose of that trip was to rest, I got plenty of it, and the children I brought along had a great time too.
"I suppose that's true."
"You've already set up a spot?"
At the sound of a voice from behind, I turned my head to see the 1st Team Leader, Esmeralda, standing there in a bikini that accentuated her voluptuous curves.
"Good afternoon, Team Leader Esmeralda."
"Don't salute so loudly in a place like this."
I had reflexively jumped up to salute the moment I saw her, but she gestured for me to sit back down. Feeling a bit embarrassed by her gesture, I sat back on the ground. Behind Esmeralda, the members of Team 1 came running out. Unlike our team, their ranks included some women. Of course, they were all wearing black masks.
"But still, don't you think 120 people wearing masks en masse looks a bit suspicious?"
Even with just two teams combined, the sight of people in swimwear wearing black masks felt incredibly out of place against the backdrop of the sea.
"It's just to prevent personal information leaks. For instance, even if we ran into the Earth Defense Union here, we wouldn't fight."
"I guess that's true."
Duels only take place on set dates, at set times, and in set locations. Attacking outside of those parameters is a rule violation, and a loss is recorded for the attacking side regardless of the outcome.
Esmeralda spread a picnic mat under the parasol, and I helped her, feeling awkward just sitting still. Luche glanced at Esmeralda as she settled in.
"How do you think this training will go?"
"Who knows. Though I do have high expectations for Team 3."
While we lacked actual results in the field, our team's performance in training was consistently good every year. Esmeralda knew this better than anyone. She brushed back her bright, almost white platinum-blonde hair and looked at Luche.
"Not that. I mean the overall proceedings."
"I already told you everything about the training. You can check the details tomorrow."
Spacetro's combat training is called "training," but out of the three-day, two-night schedule, the actual intensive training only happens on the second day. The first day is designated for travel, rest, and acclimating to the site while re-confirming training details. However, since the Seoul Branch is full of experienced veterans, the preparation process was highly efficient. Because they prepared so thoroughly, they were able to have a full day of rest on the first day.
"My team has a lot of people pulled for site control this time. Like A."
I flinched slightly when my name was called. I didn't think she called me because she expected great things from me; she probably just mentioned it because I was right there.
"Still, Team 3's training results are always good."
"Easy for you to say since it's not your team."
"Well, I am the Head Team Leader."
Esmeralda was the one in overall command of this multi-team training. Since experienced soldiers had been deployed under her for site control, I would have to move under Esmeralda's command for this training.
"A, this is your first time doing site control, right?"
"Yes. I've done a lot of different things, but being on the supervisory side is a first."
"Now that I think about it, you really have done a lot. When you were at the home base, you were infantry, and when you were under me in space, you were a sentry and a maintenance soldier, right?"
"The sentry duty was only because other guys dumped their shifts on me. My base was always maintenance."
Esmeralda usually gives off an intimidating aura, but in this relaxed atmosphere, her energy felt much lighter, making it easier to speak freely.
"Right. You were in maintenance for a long time."
Following Esmeralda's gaze as she glanced at Luche while mentioning maintenance, I looked at Luche too. When our eyes met, Luche turned her gaze back to the sea. For a moment, it felt like she was avoiding my eyes.
"Hello."
Angelica approached us, her long silver hair tied up, wearing a one-piece swimsuit that revealed her midriff, sides, and waist. She greeted us as she drew near, startling me slightly.
"Hello."
As she gave a light smile and greeting, I saw Seira behind her. Despite being at the beach, Seira was the only one among the numerous team members and executives who wasn't in a swimsuit.
"What are you doing? All gathered like this."
"Just talking. A is just staying still."
Luche gave a casual answer. When I made eye contact with Angelica again and muttered, "I'm just hanging around," she gave me a little eye-smile.
Then, she and Seira sat down on the picnic mat Esmeralda had spread out. I had intended to just sit here, look at the sea, and rest, but in an instant, the spot had turned into a gathering of Team Leaders.
I tried to find a good moment to slip away, but then I saw my teammates in the distance whispering among themselves. They were definitely saying things like, "I wouldn't go over there if my life depended on it," or "What is that guy thinking, sitting among the Team Leaders? He should just come over here."
It's not like I'm sitting among the Team Leaders because I want to. I was just sitting here resting, and then they all swarmed in. It was an act of God, wasn't it?
"Team 4 is quite late."
"Their bus took a wrong turn midway."
While I was debating when to escape from the conversing Team Leaders, the teammates playing in the distance waved toward us.
"Luche! Don't just sit there, come join us!"
Seeing the teammates shouting at the top of their lungs, Luche stood up with a resigned smile.
"What about you two? Staying here?"
When Luche asked the other Team Leaders, Esmeralda and Angelica waved her off, but Seira stood up.
"I'd better go supervise before the idiots on my team cause an accident."
No matter how experienced the soldiers are, they all turn into children the moment they start playing. To ensure proper supervision as a Team Leader, Seira followed Luche toward the water.
In the end, only Esmeralda, Angelica, and I remained under the large parasol. Since these two were the most senior members of the Seoul Branch, someone else might have found this situation uncomfortable, but for me, the absence of Luche and Seira was enough to make me feel at ease.
Was it because they were both my former superiors? I didn't feel any awkwardness sitting here.
"A, you still don't like moving around much, do you?"
"They say if a person changes, it's because they're about to die."
"You say that, but you've changed a lot compared to the old days. Is it because you're about to die?"
Even back at the home base, whenever our units went to a resort, I wasn't one to favor moving around. When I laughed and replied to Angelica, who was reminiscing about my past self, Esmeralda—recalling my somewhat more aggressive days—spoke jokingly. A thin laugh escaped me.
"By the way, are those two playing out there wearing sunscreen?"
Angelica asked, watching Luche and Seira frolicking in the sea. Since I had the sunscreen Yubin picked out for me, I had applied it everywhere below my neck before coming out.
"It didn't look like they were. Angelica, did you put any on?"
When Esmeralda asked after seeing Angelica's skin, which showed no trace of sunscreen, Angelica shook her head and pulled a small bottle of sunscreen from her bag.
"I should put some on now. But my back..."
She couldn't reach the exposed, circular opening on her back to apply the sunscreen.
Then, both of their gazes turned toward me.
"Pardon?"
Though they hadn't said a word, I instinctively sensed something and couldn't hide my flustered expression.
"I'll need a favor."
With that, Angelica pressed the sunscreen into my hand and lay face-down on the mat. It wasn't like she was asking for much; applying sunscreen wasn't difficult, so I immediately squeezed some onto my palm.
"But this is a really strange swimsuit. It's a one-piece, but the sides and back are all exposed."
"Isn't it pretty?"
As I applied the sunscreen to her exposed white back, I felt Angelica flinch slightly at the sudden cold sensation on her skin.
"It's pretty, but how should I put it? It feels more suggestive than the one Team Leader Esmeralda is wearing."
Esmeralda, who had been sitting quietly beside us, turned her gaze toward me and narrowed her eyes.
"What? Is that how you've been looking at your superior?"
"It's not 'looking at you like that,' it's just an observation. An observation. Your swimsuit is pretty too, Team Leader Esmeralda."
As I lightly shared my impressions while applying sunscreen along the line of Angelica's spine and lower back, Esmeralda broke into a smile and lay down as well.
"I'll need a favor too."
"Yes, yes..."
My reply was half-hearted, but since she asked, I decided to do it. There was no reason not to.
Unlike Angelica's swimsuit, hers was a clear two-piece bikini, making it much easier to apply the sunscreen overall. I placed both hands on their backs and spread the sunscreen wide. Since I had to rub it in until the white cream was absorbed into the skin, I remained in that position for a relatively long time.
"They're having fun."
My gaze drifted toward Luche and Seira, who were still playing. As someone who doesn't favor being active, I watched my teammates and the two Team Leaders with a sense of wonder, and my eyes met Luche's.
"She's coming this way."
"So she is."
The moment our eyes met, Luche, who had been playing, came out of the water and ran toward us. Sensing that I had applied enough sunscreen, I took my hands off the two Team Leaders' backs.
"A!"
"Yes?"
Luche, who had called my name loudly as she approached, stopped once she entered the shade of the parasol. She looked back and forth between the still-prone Esmeralda and Angelica, and the two Team Leaders smiled at her. Not quite grasping how the situation was unfolding, I just watched their reactions. Deciding it was time to leave, I stood up.
"Well, I'll go buy some drinks."
I stepped out from under the parasol and walked toward the mart located above the beach. Luche followed and walked alongside me.
"? Are you coming to buy drinks too?"
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, not at all."
Arriving at the mart with Luche, we decided to buy enough for the other teammates and Team Leaders as well. We gathered an armful of drinks and placed them on the counter.
Beep, beep. The sound of barcodes being scanned filled the air. Although there were few people because it was a weekday, it wasn't empty, perhaps because it was the last stretch of the summer season.
"It's going to be packed on the weekend."
Suddenly, the members of Hunter Killer, who had gone on a trip, came to mind. Having settled my little spat with Yellow, I had been able to watch them leave for their vacation with a lighter heart. Of course, I didn't see them in person; I just received messages from all the members saying they were going.
"Huh?"
"Huh?!"
Hunter Killer had also gone to the West Sea for their trip, but I didn't think there was any chance of running into them in this vast area.
"Hunter Killer?"
"Spacetro?!"
Or so I thought.
This place consisted of three islands connected by bridges, allowing for smooth travel from the mainland. When I heard about their destination, I confirmed they were going to a different island, and I figured even if we were on the same island, we wouldn't cross paths in such a large place.
But why? I thought I had checked everything thoroughly. Why on earth did I end up running into the members of Hunter Killer while buying drinks at a mart?