Subjugation Company Commander
Clearly, we were supposed to head to the Intelligence Agency's secret base, so why the hell was he leaving the restaurant?
I couldn't exactly grab him now that he'd already stepped out, so I followed suit.
"Where are you going? Why head outside all of a sudden?"
"Huh? What do you mean, all of a sudden?"
"Wasn't that the place?"
I couldn't blurt out "Intelligence Agency secret base" with the risk of someone overhearing.
"We're not going now?"
Eden turned and pointed to the building across the street.
"Pardon...? Isn't this a restaurant?"
"You just scarfed down that delicious meal, and now you're saying this? Do you think we're some supply company?"
"No, that's not it. It's for concealment—to avoid drawing attention."
"You've read too many novels, Captain. Who the hell runs a food business just to hide a location? Cut the nonsense and follow me."
Eden strode into the building directly opposite, which had no sign whatsoever.
Military Security Facility
Punished by Military Law for Unauthorized Entry Attempts
As soon as we opened the door and stepped in, another one loomed ahead, boldly marked as a military security facility.
This doesn't look hidden at all.
It was impossible not to feel a pang of disappointment at how utterly different it was from what I'd imagined.
"Is it really okay for it to be this exposed?"
"We put in all sorts of efforts to disguise it, but whether we run it openly like this or not, most spots get exposed due to external factors anyway. Pouring massive budgets into camouflage is just a waste of money."
"Ah, I see."
"That said, it's not like there are zero security measures. For instance, go through that door, and a trap triggers—instant death."
Eden pointed to what looked like it would open any second, dropping that terrifying truth.
That's... pretty clever.
Anyone who even knew the Intelligence Agency was here would trigger it without fail.
"So where's the real door...?"
"Right here."
Rumble.
Eden sidled over and pressed firmly on the wall, and astonishingly, the section I'd thought was solid wall slid away, revealing a passageway.
Oh... yeah, this is more like it.
My heart finally started pounding at the sight I'd been craving.
"Follow me."
"Yes, sir!"
Eden led the way down the passage, and I trailed behind.
It was longer than expected.
At the end stood yet another door.
"If I open this one too...?"
"You've read way too many novels, Captain."
Eden casually opened it this time, finally unveiling the Intelligence Agency's clandestine space.
"Uh... um..."
I'd pictured a shadowy, secretive hideout—claustrophobic and shrouded in mystery.
But the ceiling was lined with lights, making it bright as day.
And what's with all the flowers?
Potted plants dotted everywhere, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance.
Intelligence Agency? This felt more like a neighborhood community center.
"You're here? Faster than I expected."
As I stood there flustered, a woman from deeper inside rose from her seat and addressed Eden.
"No point lingering long in Rimir Castle now that the situation's wrapped up, so we departed quickly."
Eden using honorifics.
She must be his superior.
Did she lose that eye?
Her right eye was covered by a leather patch—not a medical one, so probably permanent blindness.
But she looks younger than Eden. Glowing skin, no blemishes—makes me want to ask her skincare secrets.
"Hmph, that's not the reason. You just ran off to avoid meeting me."
"Please refrain from baseless speculation."
"I've known you for years—it's not baseless. Whatever. Is that the famous new Oclo family recruit beside you?"
"He's officially on board now, so not exactly 'new.'"
Eden was inflating my seniority a bit—maybe indigestion from that meal?
"What class is he?"
"130.5, so treat him as 130th."
I'd just learned my own class number.
"Class means little in the Intelligence Agency anyway, but his promotion speed is insane. Faster than you, isn't it?"
"About a year ahead."
"A monster. Nice to meet you. I'm Major Orpia, currently heading the Gork Mountains investigation team. I'll be promoting to lieutenant colonel soon, so feel free to call me that."
"Captain Palan Oclo reporting!"
Knowing I'd be working here, I raised my voice to make a strong impression.
"You've got some power in that voice. Eden gave you the rundown, right?"
Orpia eyed Eden as she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I had him read the latest compiled report."
"Good work. As you'll have seen, the mountains have gone haywire lately."
Orpia shook her head wearily, diving into work talk.
"Never seen anything like it in history, and the timing? I'm convinced it's man-made."
"I agree, ma'am."
The timing was too perfect.
No one who'd seen the full picture could call it natural.
"Follow it to the end, and it'll lead to the Aditz Empire. That's our job—find it. Sound fun?"
Everything was great until that final glint of madness in her eye.
Why ruin the vibe at the end?
It had felt promising, but expectations were a mistake.
"So what will my duties be, ma'am?"
"Good question. Come here."
Orpia placed both hands on my shoulders and guided me deeper inside.
"This is the current military deployment around the Gork Mountains."
The space she led me to featured a sprawling map on a table, marking the mountains and nearby units.
And on the map: purple pawns.
One per unit at least, up to three—easy to guess what they represented.
"Those are the Intelligence Agency agents deployed now, right?"
"Spot on. Eden's trained you well—sharp instincts."
I've been drilled to survive without them.
The bitterness rose in my throat, but I swallowed it.
"Lately, monster incursions have spiked here."
Orpia pointed with a baton to a spot marked by a single purple pawn.
That's my spot.
I could already predict the pitch.
"What kinds of monsters?"
"Goblins twice, orc once in the last week. Not huge groups. The frequency's the issue."
Three times in seven days? Even I could see that was bad.
"Sounds busy."
"Yeah, but that means plenty of data. Head there and check it out. Eden says you've got good eyes."
Orpia tapped the leather over her right eye, sending a chill down my spine.
"Just got lucky."
"Luck matters. We've lost enough agents to bad luck to fill a few wagons."
"...Understood."
Sensitive topic—I kept it short.
"Anyway, by tomorrow, Captain Palan, you'll be taking command of the 3rd Battalion's Subjugation Company in the 32nd Division Defense Regiment."
What a mouthful of a unit name.
Everything else was fluff—the key was Subjugation Company.
So I'm fighting monsters after all.
To investigate, I'd have to encounter them directly—makes sense.
"First time fighting monsters. Not sure if I can handle it."
"The company's over 200 strong. Can't have the captain lacking confidence."
"Pardon...?"
200? That was no company—practically a battalion.
"Was around 100 originally, but they've bolstered it since the anomalies started. Manage it well."
"Wait, what the—"
200 was three times my old supply company—battalion-sized.
Captain in name only—a battalion commander, really.
And a combat unit, no less. The responsibility would be off the charts.
"You can do it, right? Word is you refuse nonstop but nail it every time you're ordered. This'll be the same."
A headache brewed at Orpia's words.
Eden, how much have you hyped me up?
I desperately wanted to refuse, but on second thought, company command fit my rank perfectly.
Three diamonds—undeniable.
"Hoo, got it. I'll make it work."
"Smart choice. Oh, your deputy company's already there—he's the trainee you sponsored for captaincy. Show him the ropes."
"That purple pawn's the trainee?"
"Yep."
Damn it.
This was doomed.
"Sir! As of today, Captain Palan Oclo reporting as Subjugation Company commander!"
After a day at the Intelligence Agency's secret base, I set out early morning and arrived at my third? Fourth? Whatever—new posting.
A quick scan on entry: a quaint rural outpost in the mountains.
Do they call this a battery?
Battalion-sized, but tiny compared to my old division.
"Rough road here—glad you made it. I'm Major Kelvin, battalion commander."
Major Kelvin.
Per intel: a 7th Legion lifer since commissioning—a monster expert.
Looks tough as nails—like a hunter ready to go Viking with a leather coat.
"Things are rough lately. You know the situation?"
"Yes, sir. Monsters causing havoc."
"Damn right. Heard you shone at Rimir Castle."
I hadn't done much fighting, but the feats were real.
"Nothing that impressive."
"Humble for a young guy—refreshing."
His eyes lit up—he clearly approved.
Humility meta is unbeatable.
From tiger-smoke era Korea to modern day to this isekai world.
Stay humble, and you score points upfront.
"You'll figure it out, but ask if you're unsure. Mistakes here mean death."
A warning I couldn't ignore.
I nodded instinctively.
"Will do, sir."
"Good. Let's do great things. Haha! Loosen up those shoulders."
Thud thud.
Kelvin dropped the stern face, clapping my shoulder with his massive hand.
"Lucky you—the deputy company's a pro. Skilled and capable."
Has to be. Top of 170 trainees.
Just call him a monster.