Sergeant Baek Jaesung's Port Elizabeth Encounter
Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa's most famous tourist cities, they say. Even looking across the whole continent, it doesn't fall short in fame or quality.
Africa tourism? Never done it, never even thought about it. So it was a totally unfamiliar city to me.
Usually, when Koreans think of African tourism, it's savannas or Kilimanjaro. I wasn't much different—vaguely imagining a city where wild animals and black people mingled. People really do need to learn more.
The military harbor where we docked stretched long along the coast, right next to a coastal expressway.
At the end of the harbor, shuttles ran constantly into the city. English worked fine, so we asked around and made it to the stop. We boarded the shuttle bus to downtown.
As the beauties with their various charms climbed aboard, nearby eyes locked on instantly. I was used to it by now. If we hadn't been in uniform, there would've been a ton of hassle. Hell, even in uniform, it was the same.
A black guy shuffled toward Sujin out of nowhere. The curly, twisted hairstyle you picture with "black guy." Pretty tall—over 185cm, I figured.
"@#$%^%$#@"
The bastard spat something at Sujin. Not English. South African language?
What languages do they use in South Africa? English works great, so it's probably official, but mixed with others.
Thanks to the language capsule, I'm an English master, by the way.
"What?"
I tossed out a word in English, and the black guy's face swung my way. His eyes twitched—he was spooked by the uniform. But with a beauty in front of him, he puffed up his chest.
"@#$%^%$#!"
More unintelligible shit. The tone got rougher—not anything nice.
The company commander's warning about no trouble locally popped into my head. Good thing it came quick. A second later, and I'd have smashed his face.
"#@$%@"
Suddenly someone else barked at the guy. Still gibberish to me. Woman's voice.
I turned toward it—a black woman with a crossbody bag, glaring at the guy with a scowl. Fierce vibe. Tall for a woman, maybe 175cm?
Yeonji's over 180cm, so it doesn't stand out, but women over 170cm are above average.
Her hair was long straight locks down to her waist. Unlike the guy's, no curls. Slight mixed heritage vibe.
"@#$%^%$$#!"
"@##$%^&^%%!"
Suddenly the bus erupted in a black guy-woman shouting match. Other passengers just shrugged it off and looked away.
Not wanting to get involved in the hassle?
Same here.
"What're they saying?"
Rina whispered to me.
"No clue."
"Hmm. Looked it up—South Africa has over 11 official languages. Probably Afrikaans."
"Yeah. No idea what they're saying."
But I could tell the argument was heating up. Their tones had changed.
What'd that black woman say to the guy?
Whatever it was, she jumped in for us.
Screeech!
The bus slammed to a halt.
"@#$%^%!!!!!!"
The driver blared the horn like a motherfucker, yelling at something ahead. Some shitty driver cut him off, probably.
The sudden stop sent the standing black prick kissing the floor hard. The black woman burst out laughing at him. Language barrier or not, that came through clear.
"@#$%^%!!!!"
Blood gushing from his nose, the guy staggered up, pissed as hell, lunging at the woman. She pointed and yelled back.
Seemed like "back off." The guy's vibe was straight-up murder.
Shit. I stepped up and grabbed his wrist just as he raised a fist.
"!?"
Simple move, but civilian speed? No chance.
The guy gawked at me suddenly in his face. The others, who'd backed off quietly, all looked shocked.
"@#$%%%!?"
What the fuck are you saying, you prick.
Wanted to deck him so bad, but causing a scene might kill our leave. Instead, I crushed his wrist. Purple handprint bruise bloomed instantly.
"@#$%%$#!!!"
I shoved the screaming bastard back and returned to my seat. Perfect timing—the shuttle hit downtown. We got off.
"Being this pretty makes going out a hassle. Beauty is a curse, huh."
Jisu shook her head. Spot on. Too many clueless assholes in this world.
"Excuse me?"
We were chatting about lunch spots when that black woman's voice called from behind. She got off with us?
"Oh. You speak English."
"Yes. Sorry about earlier. Let me apologize on his behalf."
Flawless English, slight British accent.
"Nah, no need for you to apologize for that rude prick. But what'd he say?"
"Nothing much. Just hit on that lady for coffee. Pfft. Pathetic. If you're gonna flirt, at least use proper English. Oh, I'm Shara Swanel."
"Baek Jaesung. From Korea."
"Oh! Knew it. So, hunters?"
Anyone worldwide probably thinks "hunter" first with Korea. Plus, my bus stunt.
"Yeah."
"Here for the big dungeon break north of Port Elizabeth?"
"Uh... probably?"
Didn't get exact details on our 1st Landing Battalion's mission. Jueun