Battalion Exam and Special Privileges
Baek Jaesung #14
Thinking it over, I could understand Sujin's dad's attitude. It was only natural to worry when the daughter you'd raised with such care was marrying a guy like me. If anything, her mom's detached reaction was more surprising.
Anyway, my meeting with Sujin's parents went decently enough. At least that's how I saw it. Her mom said she'd convince her dad, so I'll trust that.
"When are Yeonji and Rina coming back?"
Sujin asked me with a beaming smile, probably because things with her parents had gone pretty well in her eyes.
"Sometime within the next week, I think. Rina's basically locked up at home, but she says she'll sneak out if she has to. Her parents are probably pissed as hell."
They run a dojo, so if anything, her folks are probably stricter than Sujin's dad. I'd better brace myself.
"I'm heading to the Association for a bit. Master Kim Minyoung summoned me."
"What's it about?"
"Probably enlistment... stuff."
Sujin's face darkened at my words, but Jueun was the one freaking out the most.
"Ughhh! The military? I never thought I'd end up enlisting."
"It's a blessing in disguise. If we pass the 1st Landing Battalion exam, at least we won't get scattered all over. You're studying hard too, right, Jueun?"
"Yeah... but they say the admin soldier exam for the Landing Battalion is brutal. I don't know if I can pass."
"The competition rate's pretty low, though."
Unlike combat roles, most applicants for admin spots in the Landing Battalion are regular hunters. Dungeon hunters tend to go all-in when they enlist, gunning for the toughest units, but civilians just want the easy ride—serve comfortably and call it a day.
"Anyway, I'm off."
I headed to the Dungeon Association using public transport. Once I get my license, I'll borrow Jueun's new car.
I met Master Kim Minyoung right away at the Association. Just as she'd hinted, it was about the military.
"Ugh... Do I really have to go?"
"Of course. Military service is a hunter's sacred duty."
Sacred my ass.
It was just the state's leash to exploit us slaves. Not that my bitching would change anything.
"But this is so sudden."
"It's not sudden—they just delayed the announcement. Anyway, it's good news. After that Level House mess, the Association's planning to throw some support our way."
"Any chance of an exemption...?"
"Doubt it. Hunters who've already served would riot, and with all the draft dodgers using loopholes every year, special treatment like that would spark public backlash."
Fuck.
Should've just emigrated? A whole year of my precious time down the drain spinning my wheels. No, think positive. They promised perks, so it won't be that bad.
"We've sorted out the internal details. During service, you'll get approval for profit-making activities related to the Dungeon Entertainment business."
"Appreciate the specifics."
"Mm-hmm. To ensure the Dungeon Entertainment venture succeeds, selected dungeon hunters designated as Special Business Designators will receive 3 days of leave per month, plus a total of 8 weeks of profit-making activity periods during their service. These activity periods are temporary leaves conditional on working with Association-approved external companies, clans, or parties on Dungeon Entertainment-related business."
In simple terms: Enlist, get 3 days off monthly (36 days total), plus 8 weeks of conditional "leave" (really just work periods). That's unprecedented favoritism.
"That's huge."
"Yes. But the Association will handle the Special Business Designator selections via exam to avoid fairness issues in business designations."
Keeping public opinion in mind, huh?
"I have no doubt a disciple like you will pass with flying colors."
Master Kim Minyoung said it with full confidence. I agreed—no exam I'd fail existed. At least among enlistees.
"Don't forget! You're my disciple!"
"Haha, right. Any chance you could share the exam details...?"
"No cheating! If you can't pass that, you're no disciple of mine!"
Her tone turned firm. Groan. Fine for me, but I wanted my other girls to pass too.
"I can read your mind. If your other party members are as skilled, they'll pass easily."
She's sharper than I thought.
"Good to know. How many Special Designators total?"
"Internally, we're aiming for 10. It could change, but around there."
Hunters enlist 300-400 per year, so that's about 3% elite status.
"Oh, and I have the 1st Landing Battalion exam too..."
"Ah, right! Don't worry—I'll handle it!"
Her eyes lit up at mention of her unit.
"My other party members and our analyst are taking it too."
"Perfect! Admin roles are always short-staffed, so we pull from elsewhere. General admin? You'll pass if you show up."
Jueun would love hearing that.
Yeonji and Rina returned. Yeonji looked serene, but Rina was totally drained.
"Ugh... Barely escaped."
"You okay?"
Yeonji eyed Rina with concern.
"Yeonji, your Insta showed Guam, right?"
Yeonji grinned and pulled out a shell-shaped keychain souvenir.
"Cute, huh? It was so warm there. Totally recharged."
"Your parents didn't grill you about me?"
"Of course they did. I just said, 'He's the one,' like this."
She held up her pinky. Straightforward as ever.
"Met Sujin's parents. Her dad's got beef with me."
"Heh! Jaesung, you couldn't stick to one or two girls? Any normal dad would worry."
"That so?"
"Put yourself in his shoes. Our daughter brings home some guy who's banging every chick in sight. Pissed? Hell yeah."
Just imagining it was nightmare fuel. I'd probably smash the guy's skull. Empathy in action.
"My dad was chill. Slipped him 100 million in pocket money. We made bank this time, right? Heh!"
Nearly 20 billion from the Level House raid. Financial therapy for the win.
"Oh, heading to Busan next week for the 1st Landing Battalion exam."
"Ugh, military talk? Hate it."
Jisu pouted. Me too. But taxes and draft notices wait for no one.
A week passed like that.
We went down to the Hunter Association branch in Busan—the same place Sujin and I had come for that workshop. The hotel-like exterior looked even more luxurious than before. Remodeled since then?
Last time was sweltering summer heat; now it was crisp autumn breeze. Time hadn't flown that fast.
"Exam hall... that building, I guess."
I followed Master Kim Minyoung's guide to the exam building—new to me from the workshop.
A line of people like us snaked in front of the closed building.
"More people than I expected."
Yeonji scanned around. Plenty of applicants, yeah. The 1st Landing Battalion exam ran quarterly; fail once, try again. Ambitious dungeon hunters loved the challenge.
Pass, and you enlist with other hunters on October 10th. All that year's draftees train together—numbers are low, sometimes under 100.
"Huh? That guy..."
One face in the long line caught my eye. Hwang Cheolmin, academy buddy. What the hell was he doing here?
"Hey! Jaesung!"
He spotted me and waved wildly. Tough little bastard—figured he'd bite it in some dungeon by now.
"Jaesung, here for the exam too! Real men go 1st Landing Battalion!"
He yelled joyfully, like reuniting with a bro.
"Cheolmin, aren't you exempt yet? Got your draft notice already?"
Drafts hit at 8-rank or two years post-licensing. Him at 8-rank already?
Our party's fast climbs skewed my sense, but average dungeon hunters took two years for 8-rank.
"Just volunteered. Better early than late—lots to learn in the service."
Fair enough. Might teach him something; for me, pure time sink.
"Plus, my cousin's in the 1st Landing Battalion. Following his lead."
"Ah, hunter family. You mentioned him bragging about his unit before."
"Yeah, Hwang Geun-chul. Anyway, good luck on the exam, Jaesung. Doors opening—let's go."
The exam hall doors swung open. People shuffled in slowly. Then, from afar, someone strolled toward us.
"Huh? That guy's..."
Han Seungjin.