The Light Trap That Lit Up Victory
Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan ordered his platoon mates to build an even more perfect defensive position. Thanks to him, the soldiers of the 4th Company were sweating bullets on this snowy winter day. The sun had set long ago, and dusk had already deepened into night.
"Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan, do we really need to go this far?"
A few of the juniors grumbled in dissatisfaction. It wasn't just about shaping the position—it was a hassle gathering fallen leaves and branches for camouflage, a backbreaking task.
But Seo Joo-hwan was firm.
"The enemy squad's deploying this time. If we do it like usual, we're getting wiped out 100%. This training's division-level, and if we screw up even a little, it's a disaster."
He explained calmly and logically. The juniors' faces softened a bit, their complaints fading.
But one guy kept rebelling to the end.
"With the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Companies up front, no way the enemy squad's coming all the way here. They'll get handled upfront. Isn't this just pointless work...?"
Kim Jong-hak trailed off, muttering loudly enough for everyone to hear—not quite a whisper to himself. When Seo Joo-hwan stared in disbelief, the guy shot back with challenging eyes, like he'd said nothing wrong. He'd been griping nonstop, and now it felt like he was picking a fight.
Seo Joo-hwan let out a disbelieving chuckle.
Man, they really underestimated me bad.
Honestly, he'd expected some grumbling. Who likes extra hardship? If he were in their shoes, he might've complained too.
But not like this during training.
If you had beef, wait till after. At least come whisper it quietly. Who talks back to a senior with half a year more time in service—the top guy and squad leader no less—glaring like you're itching for a brawl?
Backing down here would make him look like a total pushover, not even a squad leader.
"Kim Jong-hak."
Seo Joo-hwan tossed the branch in his hand and strode toward him. Caught off guard, Kim Jong-hak's face tensed up.
"Kim Jong-hak."
"......"
"No answer?"
"...Yes."
"Where'd you leave your rank and name? Aren't you my junior? Or am I yours? Is that why you're talking down to me like that?"
Seo Joo-hwan scowled. His already narrow eyes looked even sharper when furrowed—not the friendliest look on a good day, but perfect for this.
Kim Jong-hak averted his gaze and mumbled.
"No, when did I ever talk down...?"
"You're doing it right now. Won't drop the act till the end, huh? You think I'll just let it slide if you pretend it's muttering to yourself?"
Seo Joo-hwan came on strong. He'd already done the timid, spineless life in his past one—he wasn't living this life that way too.
And most importantly...
If we follow Kim Jong-hak's thinking, we're all done for.
Contrary to what Kim Jong-hak thought, the enemy squad would hit the 3rd Company first, then come here. Normally, training followed an unspoken rule of taking companies in order from 1st, but not this time.
Unspoken rules were just that—unspoken, not official.
In the end, Sergeant Yoon would circle around the mountain base and wipe out the entire 1st Battalion. That was the scripted endgame.
To change it, he had to act aggressively.
It didn't suit his style, but sweet talk wouldn't cut it now.
...But what do I do next?
He'd started chewing him out, but now what? The mood was set, he was right in Kim Jong-hak's face with momentum, but nothing else came to mind. Just keep glaring?
The heavy silence dragged on for about five seconds.
Then Lee Jeong-hoon, who'd snuck up, bowed his head deeply in Kim Jong-hak's place.
"Sorry, sir! I failed to manage my direct junior properly! I'll drill him hard when we get back!"
The 4th Company soldiers' jaws dropped at the sight. The 25-year-old eldest brother, who carried more weight than squad leader Seo Joo-hwan, was apologizing.
Seo Joo-hwan was just as shocked and flustered when Lee Jeong-hoon pressed down hard on Kim Jong-hak's head.
In a low growl, Lee Jeong-hoon whispered harshly to him.
"You gonna keep digging your grave? Wanna keep embarrassing your senior? Quit rebelling and end this quick while Sergeant Seo gives you an out."
His voice, usually warm and easygoing, was laced with menace now.
Finally, Kim Jong-hak stammered.
"S-sorry."
It wasn't a heartfelt apology—just flustered panic. But the fact that he apologized mattered now.
Seo Joo-hwan had no intention of pushing further. No time for that.
"Hoo. Fine, get back to fortifying. Make the camo solid."
"...Yes."
"Once yours is done, help the juniors with theirs."
"...Got it."
"Alright, show's over—back to work, quick."
"Yes, sir!"
Seo Joo-hwan clapped, and the company sprang into faster, sharper action than before.
He returned to his spot and murmured to Lee Jeong-hoon.
"Hyung, that was awkward—thanks."
"Thanks my ass. You had real gravitas there, Joo-hwan. Scary charisma."
"Ah, cut it out. Charisma what?"
"Ahem. Hey, Kim Jong-hak. No answer? Where's your rank and name?"
Lee Jeong-hoon mimicked the earlier scene in a low voice. Seo Joo-hwan got chills.
"Ah, hyung!"
"Whoops, sorry, squad leader!"
"Ugh, seriously. You too, get your position done. More to do."
"More stuff left?"
Lee Jeong-hoon blinked curiously, back to polite speech.
Seo Joo-hwan grinned and pulled a cutter knife and L-shaped flashlight from his pocket.
"This'll be our reward."
"Reward? With that?"
"Yep."
Instead of explaining, Seo Joo-hwan got to work.
Scrape, scrape.
He carved the pre-marked spot on the flashlight till a hole formed—right over the batteries.
Soon a slit appeared. Slip paper between the batteries there, and done.
He tested the finished product. Flick—no light.
Pull the paper—batteries connect, bright light floods out.
"Perfect. Glowing obstacle complete."
Finally done. Time: 8:15 PM. He didn't remember exactly, but they were due soon.
Seo Joo-hwan stood and stepped out of the position.
"Everyone stay sharp. I'll set this up."
"Got it... Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan? Obstacles go that way."
Lee Jeong-hoon corrected, pointing the standard direction.
"Nah, this way's right."
Seo Joo-hwan flashed a confident smile.
Sergeant Yoon Jeong-su, dispatched from the 3rd Battalion as the enemy squad specialist, took pride in his nickname.
Today's the day I set a record.
He was dead certain he'd shatter records. He'd prepped thoroughly, and the conditions were perfect.
Nighttime—huge edge for the enemy squad.
Scouted enemy supplies.
Everything lined up for victory. No way to lose.
Especially intel that the 1st Battalion had no glowing obstacles. Snow started yesterday too.
The thick snow muffled footsteps to faint crunches but hid branch snaps and bush rustles.
Only sound obstacles left to watch for. Unlike glow ones, even if tripped, they wouldn't pinpoint position easily.
"You guys ready?"
His platoon mates behind him replied.
"Ready for rewards?"
"That? Done ages ago, sir."
Sergeant Yoon chuckled at his reliable crew.
"Don't worry. Wipe two companies or more, I'll hook you up with rewards myself."
"Hah, Sergeant Yoon delivers."
"Shh. Prep up. Ghost mode, got it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Move out."
Sergeant Yoon led his five-man enemy squad up the mountain. 3rd Company already swiftly taken.
Now 4th, then 2nd, 1st—plan on track to wipe all in time.
Kinda dirty, but... orders from above.
Normally, hit 1st Company first per unspoken rule. Not this time.
New division commander and ops chief meant pushing training results hard.
His rival and buddy, 3rd Battalion CO, tasked him directly.
Hey, Sergeant Yoon.
Sergeant, Yoon Jeong-su!
Since when's '1st Company first' a rule? In the military code?
Uh, no, sir!
Get it?
Yes, sir!
So he'd scouted paths ahead. Unknown shortcut up the mountain—no obstacles, straight to target.
But where's the position? Should be around here.
Target zone, no sign of defenses. Night-adapted eyes should've spotted something. Weird.
Tch. No choice.
Sergeant Yoon edged closer.
Kids, flank left and right like before. Stay stealthy.
Hand signals issued, soldiers nodded and spread out.
How long did they creep silently?
That it...?
Something ahead. Hard to tell if scenery or position.
Sergeant Yoon crept forward to confirm.
Then—
Flash!
"Hngh?!"
"Hep!"
Short yelps with blinding light.
*
Flash!
The planted glowing obstacle triggered. L-flashlight blazed, exposing the enemy squad's position.
"Get 'em!"
At Seo Joo-hwan's shout, three soldiers charged.
Swift moves—they sprinted toward the light, mouths barking gun sounds.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Defeat dawned on the enemy squad's faces. Fake guns or not, this blatant—no arguing unhit.
"One's following! Another over here!"
Seo Joo-hwan yelled, bolting toward the farthest light.
Lee Jeong-hoon chased.
The runner: Sergeant Yoon Jeong-su. He'd bolted at the flash, before even mouth-shooting.
No excuses.
Seo Joo-hwan gritted teeth, pounding the trail.
Huff, huff. What the—how's he so fast?
Sergeant Yoon's back receded. Special forces speed lived up.
Quick call: No catch if chase. Seo Joo-hwan eased pace, grabbed radio.
"This is... uh..."
Damn, position name blanked. Owl? Eagle? Magpie?
No time. He blurted.
"Company commander, compa—!"
Static.
Radio spat a voice suppressing fury. No time for apologies.
He keyed again.
"Six hostiles spotted! Five down! One fleeing!"
"Fleeing hostile: brown parka, black beanie! Me and one soldier pursuing!"
Jeong So-ra sounded urgent. Then another radio cut in.
Seo Joo-hwan sucked breath. Battalion CO? Why!
Checked radio—meant company channel, but battalion-wide. Chase must've bumped it.
Whole battalion heard his off-script yell.
Ah, screwed.
No wonder Jeong So-ra sounded lethal. She'd held curses for open channel.
Later tongue-lashing incoming.
As he self-recriminated, battalion CO spoke.
Seo Joo-hwan hesitated. Battalion CO's search might miss Sergeant Yoon. Sure, they'd get him eventually with numbers, but inefficient. If he hid for real, who knows when.
Hesitation brief. He'd gone this far—see it through.
Keyed in.
"Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan here. Sorry to butt in. Battalion CO, sir, just searching won't work."
"Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan, yes."
Seo Joo-hwan swallowed. What started to impress Jeong So-ra ballooned huge. Damn radio.
Thankfully, his voice stayed calm and clear despite inner chaos.
"Enemy path differs from expected. They used a subtle side trail. Fleeing one's escaping via it too."
"Yes. Side trail location is... And we need to reassess each company..."
Seo Joo-hwan relayed the side trail coords, urging company status checks. Enemy here meant 3rd Company likely fallen.
Battalion CO confirmed, formed plan fast.
Seo Joo-hwan and Lee Jeong-hoon pursue Sergeant Yoon.
Jeong So-ra leads troops to predict and intercept escape route downhill.
2nd Company—biggest—searches flanks for evasion.
Simple, solid.
Soon after, Sergeant Yoon fell to 4th Company commander Captain Jeong So-ra's hands. Game over since the glow trap.
Seo Joo-hwan and 1st Battalion returned to base earlier than expected.
"Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan, epic."
"Serp—insane. Never thought you'd make a glow trap."
At the base smoking area, 4th Company juniors thumbs-upped him.
They explained to other platoons.
"No doubt our platoon had the toughest position in the battalion."
"Serp pulls a cutter outta nowhere, grinds that L-flash..."
Listeners gawked admiringly at Seo Joo-hwan. He backed off sheepishly.
Super embarrassing.
Not bad, though. Honestly great. First time getting this positive spotlight.
Grinning inwardly, puffing smoke—static buzzed, base PA blared.
"Ooh, Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan—off to grab that reward?"
Lee Jeong-hoon grinned mischievously.
Seo Joo-hwan thumbs-upped back, heading to Command Control.
Time for his hard day's reward.