Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Snail Hunt (1)
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Martin Platoon, Encampment.
When today's training wrapped up, every single guy under my command dropped to the ground like they'd planned it in advance and passed out flat.
The fresh recruits who'd just joined our mercenary corps started yapping away from their prone positions, trash-talking up a storm.
"Ha, fuck... Our platoon leader's training always feels like it's gonna kill us, doesn't it? Is this even training a human can survive?"
"I can't take another step, but then he goes, 'Alright, just one more kilometer.' Yeah, right—like that's not straight-up torture."
"If he calls for more training today, I'll kill the platoon leader and then kill myself."
One of the veterans watching them chatter quietly covered his mouth with one hand and whispered.
"Those dumbass rookies have no idea how sharp our platoon leader's ears are. Keep it up, and they'll get 'extra training' again."
Sure enough, once the distance between me and them stretched past fifty meters, they seemed to think I couldn't hear them anymore.
'Ever since hitting Expert level, I can hear a leaf falling a hundred meters away if I just focus a bit.'
Watching those rookies squawk like that was so damn cute, it made me want to chomp down on them.
So I signaled the veterans to stay quiet, then crept over silently and loomed down at the rookies.
"Platoon Leader, sir?"
At someone's shout, the faces of the guys who'd been blabbing away happily just seconds ago went ghost-white.
"You cute little shits. Seeing you gossip like that behind my back makes me think another set of calisthenics is in order."
"Sp-Spare us, please!"
"Nah, watching you all yap makes me think fifty reps of exercise number eight would do the trick. Right, Baker?"
At that, the wiseass Baker smirked all the way to his ears as he looked down at them.
"If you've got breath left to flap your gums like that after the platoon leader's orders, more training's exactly what's needed. Back in the day, I couldn't even imagine this."
That punk only agrees with me unconditionally when it's time to mess with the newbies.
I know we're just screwing around, but it annoys me enough to want to smack him upside the head.
But the rookies were already beyond pale—they were trembling like drowned rats.
"Number eight... please, anything but number eight... We'll die if we do it now."
"We swear we won't gossip behind your back ever again. Please spare us. Not that..."
"Platoon Leader, sir, we'll really die. We don't wanna drop dead mid-training."
Looking closely at their pleading faces, their eyes were hollow—they'd probably collapse or worse if I pushed them any further here.
No one would chew me out like in the Korean military if a soldier got hurt or died during training here.
'But these are my soldiers. What's the point if I kill them off in training?'
"Fine, I'll let it slide just this once."
Freed from the terror of calisthenics, they let out sighs of relief, and a few even sniffled back tears.
"We won't do it again."
Even the calisthenics were toned down for the rookies—just enough not to kill or injure them—but they acted like it was the end of the world.
Anyway, badmouthing superiors is human nature, so those punks will get caught gossiping again somewhere and repeat this exact scene.
"Yeah? I'll take your word for it."
"Thank you, Platoon Leader, sir..."
With that, I looked down at the sprawled-out guys.
"I'll give you plenty of coin, so head over to those merchants and stock up on food. Pork, chicken, beer, bread—the works."
The mention of booze and meat had them springing up like old men who'd just swallowed ginseng roots.
"Yes, sir!"
They bolted off like horny boars, all traces of exhaustion gone, chattering away.
"Our platoon leader drills us to death, but damn if he doesn't treat us to good eats."
"Otherwise, I'd have deserted already."
"No pig feet this time—let's get some thick pork belly slabs. That's already the second time this week for pig feet? Can't bring back anything lame."
Humans change with the times, but soldiers? Give 'em booze and meat, and as long as they're not actually dead, they'll bounce right back. What the hell is that about?
'Ridiculous.'
Still, seeing them so lively meant I could probably push for one more set tomorrow.
"Martin, why the evil grin?"
"Karin? Nah, nothing much. Just thinking about drilling these punks harder. Sweating buckets now means less chance of dying in real combat."
She sighed and puffed out her cheeks.
"Even so, wasn't that a bit much? Weights for four hours of conditioning, two hours running laps, two hours spear drills—that's eight straight hours of hell, not counting the small stuff like drill practice. The whole damn day. It wasn't just the rookies; I thought I was gonna die too."
I had to admit, I'd worked the platoon pretty hard.
But we needed this baseline so when those rookies hit their first real fight, they wouldn't flail their spears at empty air like other merc idiots.
Or piss themselves in fear of enemy spears and whimper like babies.
Karin sidled up and whispered in my ear.
"You worked me this hard, so brace yourself. You know what tonight's gonna be, right?"
She'd been incredibly shy at first, but after that initial time and all the effort I'd poured into experimenting since, she'd turned into a woman who not only enjoyed sex with me but even suggested new positions sometimes.
Of course, her staying ice-cold to other guys—never even glancing their way—was still her charm point.
"Yes, ma'am. No training this weekend, so I won't let you sleep tonight."
She gave me a quick hug.
Even after all this time fondling them, her breasts pressing against me always felt fresh and electric.
Through her clothes, I couldn't feel the warmth, but that signature softness and weight sent a jolt of pleasure racing up my spine.
Blood rushed straight to my groin in an instant.
'Is this why they say just looking at tits makes you healthier?'
"Don't drink too much. It's no good if you're wasted."
"Got it, Karin."
I peeled her off and glanced around—Baker and the others were smirking, lips twitching.
"Aigoo, looking at the platoon leader hurts my eyes... Who knew living with both eyes open could be this tough?"
"Fuck, if you're jealous, level up. Single guys like us have it rough enough."
"Getting frisky in broad daylight, eh?"
I waved them off.
"Jealous? Go find yourselves some girlfriends then."
Surprisingly, romance or even marriage wasn't banned in the mercenary corps.
Other platoons and companies had their share of internal couples too.
'Though most are mercs with support staff women, not both fighters like me and Karin.'
"But dating means we couldn't cuddle Sara anymore, so I'll wait till retirement."
With that, they headed off to chow down on the meat and beer the rookies had fetched.
A bit farther off, I spotted Lucia.
She was pursing her lips tight, tail straight up, staring at me and Karin. Adorably so.
'The way she looks at me is just like a puppy.'
Seeing her like that stirred less of an urge to make her mine and more of an impulse to pet her sometimes.
Maybe nibble her a bit or stroke that tail like crazy.
Karin was focused on me, so she didn't notice...
But Lucia kept staring holes through me, her lips pouting.
She knew I wasn't done with just making Karin mine.
"Go ahead and eat without me, Karin. I need to wash my hands."
"Sure thing."
Using the bathroom excuse, I slipped away toward Lucia and stroked her head.
Not too hard, not too soft.
She wagged her tail and grinned at the touch.
"Ehehe..."
If Karin was sexy and cool, Lucia had that charm like a dog that just loves human touch.
"Thanks for keeping up with the training even as a mage. Without you, drilling the rookies would've been a nightmare."
Blushing with a smile, she replied.
"You trusted this half-baked mage and gave the orders, Platoon Leader. I'll follow whatever you say, no question."
"You're the one doing great, Lucia."
I couldn't fault a mage for skipping conditioning, but since she joined in without complaint...
The rookies had no choice but to shut up and follow my lead.
Lucia met my eyes with a bright smile.
"No, it's all thanks to you, Platoon Leader. Now I'm a proper mage people respect. Oh, and the priestess messaged me yesterday—I've been sending my pay home regularly, and she said the kids are eating well without worry. She was so grateful. It's all because of you."
I could push things further here, but to fully win Lucia's heart...
'Better wait a bit. No need to rush before it's ripe.'
Plus, with Karin already mine, I at least needed her okay before claiming Lucia.
"Still, thanks as always, Lucia. Let's go eat."
As I turned to head back, I spotted Vice Captain Heinz waving at me from afar, striding over.
His grim expression screamed incoming workload...
"Captain Dalton's got something to say about the war. Hurry up and come."
Hearing that, I knew the new war was about to kick off for real.