Captain's Care and the First Lust Quest

After the lust quest roll call ended, Seo Joo-hwan headed out to smoke with the other soldiers. Among the smokers, lighting up one last cigarette before bed was an indispensable ritual.

I won't be able to contact my family for another two days.

External calls were prohibited until training wrapped up. And from what he'd heard, today marked the third day since it all began. Practically speaking, with today almost over, he just had to endure one more day to reach out to his family.

Lost in such thoughts, he was climbing up to the third-floor barracks when he spotted Jeong So-ra waiting in front of the living quarters. Seo Joo-hwan saluted on behalf of the group returning with him.

"Steel Platoon. Captain, what's the occasion?"

"Ah, Joo-hwan. I've been waiting for you. Let's talk for a sec."

Jeong So-ra led him into the administrative office. She sat down in a chair and gestured to the one opposite her, as if telling him to take a seat.

What's this about? Oh, maybe it's from what happened earlier today?

Women held grudges forever, or so they said. Was she saving it up until now just to chew him out? But the words that actually came from Jeong So-ra's mouth were nothing like he'd expected.

She cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Ahem. Nowhere hurting?"

"Sorry, didn't catch that?"

"I asked if anywhere's hurting. You tumbled down that hill during training today."

"Ah."

That jogged his memory. The nagging pain that flared every time he moved.

No wonder my whole body's bruised to hell.

He'd checked in the shower—dark purple blotches everywhere. Thinking back now, yeah, he'd definitely rolled down the mountain around this point in training.

"W-well, my right shoulder and leg are a bit sore... but it's bearable."

"Bearable my ass. I saw you spacing out during training earlier. That from the injuries too?"

It wasn't wrong if you nitpicked, but it wasn't the main reason either. Honestly, most of his daze came from the Lust System. Still, he wasn't about to deny her good intentions.

"Haha... yeah, I'm really fine."

Seo Joo-hwan just gave an awkward smile. But apparently, Jeong So-ra misinterpreted that grin. She sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"Haa. Sorry. I should've paid more attention to that. Even if it wasn't, I shouldn't have called you out on it... Joo-hwan, my bad."

It was astonishing. What company commander in the world apologized so straightforwardly to a lowly private—not even an officer?

Seo Joo-hwan gazed at her, a strange feeling welling up.

That's just who she is. The best officer I ever knew.

Back before his regression, during his active duty days, Seo Joo-hwan's reputation was trash—not just among the grunts, but the officers too. Yet Jeong So-ra had treated him without favoritism. Praised him when he did well, chewed him out when he screwed up. She hadn't gone out of her way for him, but that equal treatment had meant the world.

He waved his hands hurriedly.

"Captain, I'm seriously okay. It was my fault—why're you apologizing?"

"...Thanks for saying that. Did you hit the infirmary during personal maintenance time?"

"Uh... haha."

Seo Joo-hwan laughed sheepishly, and Jeong So-ra clicked her tongue.

"Tch. Figured. Good thing I brought some patches—just slap these on. Or spray? Got both."

"Thanks. Patches, please."

"Alright, then take off your top for a sec. I'll put 'em on."

"Pardon?"

The unexpected request slipped out as a blunder. Jeong So-ra's face hardened.

"Pardon? Did you just say 'pardon'?"

"S-sorry, didn't hear right?"

He backpedaled quick, and she let out a small laugh, like it was all a joke.

"Pfft. You heard me fine—take it off. You mentioned your shoulder blade earlier. Can't reach back there, right?"

"Can't reach, but..."

"I'll do it. C'mon."

Seo Joo-hwan hesitated a moment before shrugging off his top. Honestly, it was a little embarrassing, but she was so nonchalant about it that balking felt like overreacting. Still embarrassing, though.

Gotta shed this fat after training ends.

Status window said he was barely 170cm but tipping 90kg. He'd always been a bit chubby, but in his final year, gorging like mad had maxed it out.

"Yup, bruising on your back too. Bones hurting anywhere?"

"Nah, just muscle shock."

"Good. Report it right away if anything crops up later."

"Got it. Thanks."

"Sticking it on."

With that, a cool sensation touched his back. Her hand felt colder than the patch.

"Done. Now roll up your pants. Might as well do your leg too."

"Thanks."

He hiked his pants to his knees, and Jeong So-ra squatted in front, gently peeling the patch backing. It stuck, so she scraped it with her nails a few times. The angle felt oddly intimate, and Seo Joo-hwan glanced down at her, embarrassed.

She's stunning.

Even caked in camouflage cream. Staring like that, their eyes met. She tilted her head, like what?

"Something up?"

"Oh, uh, were you in meetings until just now, Captain?"

"Huh? Yeah."

"Your camo isn't off properly. Must be beat."

"Haha. Everyone's the same. Just wiped it with wet wipes after. Gotta shower now that I'm off."

"Thanks for the hard work today."

"What's with you all of a sudden?"

"Touched that you're looking after my injuries."

"Pfft. Over nothing."

Jeong So-ra chuckled like it was lame.

"Ah, finally off."

She slapped the patch on with a crisp snap. The sharp menthol scent spread, and she suddenly asked, curious.

"Joo-hwan, you got zero leg hair?"

"Yeah. Not much body hair in general."

"Lucky. Smoother than mine."

She ran her hand over his leg in wonder. Her slender, cool fingers trailed a pleasant chill. Before he could react, she patted his leg.

"There. Now hit the sack. Don't sleep in tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am. Thanks again. You too—great work today."

"Haha. Yeah. Just two more days of this."

"Roger. Good night."

"You too. Sleep well."

Seo Joo-hwan saluted Jeong So-ra and left the office. He patted his chest in relief. Something felt off—his lower belly tingled oddly. Then, a message popped up before his eyes.

"What the... ah."

Seo Joo-hwan clamped his mouth shut. Jeong So-ra was still inside the office. He hurried into the barracks, lay on his bunk, and pulled up the message. The quest details unrolled.

What the hell is this nonsense...

Seo Joo-hwan was speechless at the quest. He'd been dreading the tutorial—didn't have the confidence to pick up women, so he'd planned to hit some sketchy joint he'd never visited. And now this insane difficulty?

How the hell do I even touch her?

Jeong So-ra was a total knockout, sure, but more manly than most men. A Korea Military Academy elite, she'd risen fast and, rare for a female officer, commanded a combat company—not medical. Maybe that's why: she was stricter on FM than male officers and hated being treated like a woman instead of a soldier. Touch her wrong, and it'd be straight to the stockade.

Even with the Lust System...

Most functions were locked now—what could he do? Impossible. Still, he racked his brain for a way. At least his attraction to her wasn't fake.

*

Heading to the operational area, Seo Joo-hwan reviewed the plan he'd mulled over all night.

The ops commander ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and division commander swapped out a few months back.

He didn't know why. No need for a grunt like him. But the sudden shake-up at the top had shifted the whole division's vibe. Soldiers didn't care much about a new division commander, but officers did. They overperformed to impress the new brass—classic "look at me" antics. That zeal meant stricter FM and bigger exercises, tormenting the privates.

This winter training was the same. Way harsher than usual.

That's why, even in his final year, he'd suffered hell. Discharge just two months away, his mental broke hard. Some idiots even blamed his bad luck. Thinking back still ground his teeth.

But now, it was the perfect opportunity.

Capture the enemy squad!

From memory, the enemy squad leader this winter training was Sergeant Yoon Jung-soo of the 3rd Company—pro-level, nicknamed for his experience. True to it, he'd ghosted through, wiping out 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Companies. 1st barely hung on—not caught, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but training halted due to darkness.

What if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠our understaffed company snags that Sergeant Yoon?

Especially with Seo Joo-hwan at the center? Bound to rack up massive favor with his direct captain, Jeong So-ra.

Just no screw-ups. Knowing the future's a cheat code.

He already knew the enemy squad's route, targets, and approach. Half the win right there. Plus, the whole company wipe wasn't just strong enemies—the ops schedule was botched.

That idiot ops officer.

Still pissed him off. Scheduled winter training for snowy days, then night ops against the enemy today. Why pick night—enemy's huge ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠advantage? No clue. Totally got steamrolled. Other officers might have reasons, but that guy was trash from start to finish.

Not this time.

Seo Joo-hwan checked his watch. 18:30. Plenty of time to prep for the enemy squad.