Ryu Observation Journal # 2
Ryu Observation Journal # 2
"The otherworldization issue in Gangwon-do is quite serious. The tendrils of otherworldization spreading from Former China are descending through North Korea as we speak."
Instructor Maikes conducted the theory lesson using a PPT. Today's lecture was about otherworldized land and Gangwon-do.
"Therefore, a war zone is permanently established in Gangwon-do. This is irrelevant to us Awakened cadets who are exempt from conscription, but our non-Awakened friends are drafted the moment they turn twenty and dragged off to Gangwon-do... Fifty percent of the entire ROK military is concentrated in the Gangwon War Zone. The reserve force corps is the same."
Just hearing about it was horrifying.
Didn't they say military service in this world lasts over three years? I heard that both men and women got drafted at a rate around ninety-five percent. I even knew they ran the reserves for something like ten years.
That's how you end up operating not just a reserve division, but a full-blown reserve force corps.
"Oh, and one more thing."
It really is an amazing world. As an Awakened cadet, I'm having a great time here, but this world is never kind to ordinary people.
First off, doesn't the absolute monarch, the Sovereign Commander himself, openly favor the Awakened?
"Anyway, even now, heroes and soldiers are working hard to recapture Gangwon-do. Likewise, they are diligently exterminating the monsters coming over from North Korea."
The rugged mountain ranges of Gangwon-do are easy routes for monsters to ride in on, and the 38th parallel that divides Korea has now become a defensive line to hold back monsters.
The moment young soldiers are stationed there, they get run ragged for three years, shooting the low-rank monsters crossing over with the live ammunition they're issued. They literally spend their entire service shooting at monsters, get discharged, and then get thrown right back into the reserves.
"During the first-year semester, there’s a class field trip to that war zone, so make sure to go have a look then. And let’s take some time to think about how hard the soldiers are struggling—and how hard our veteran Heroes are struggling."
They sure do a lot of these field trips.
—Scribble, scribble.
Anyway, I listened and took notes on the lecture.
"..."
I turned my head slightly to glance back at Ryu, who was studying.
Ryu was listening to the lecture at that moment with his arms crossed, not even taking notes. He had a slightly dissatisfied look. This guy's expression was just perpetually rebellious.
But surprisingly, he didn't sleep. He was listening to the lecture itself.
But was this delinquent-looking bastard actually paying attention? I noted down the question that came to mind. Come to think of it, I heard his test scores were insanely good.
"Hmm."
Looking at his expression, he seemed bored.
This little shit... He dares to be bored while the instructor is working so hard to give a lecture? This must be reported to Ryuna immediately so she can administer a 'proper education.'
A sister who takes good care of you means, in other words, a sister who scolds you, interferes, and cracks the whip. And a sister on the level of Ryu A-ra would make overpowering her little brother look like a piece of cake.
She'd be fully capable of 'Mun-Minning' him.
"Reporting... snitching immediately..."
As I was jotting down everything that came to mind.
"You bastard...!"
Ryu, who had been pretending not to notice, spoke through gritted teeth.
"Hey. Ryu. We're in the middle of class. Be quiet."
"Don't give me that bullshit...! What kind of crap are you pulling...!"
"Beep. Analysis complete. Even Ryu possesses the concept that making loud noises in class is inappropriate. Beep."
The moment I delivered the data analysis like some artificial intelligence robot.
—BANG!
"I said shut the hell up!!!"
Ryu, his face flushed bright red, slammed his desk and shot to his feet. The classroom froze instantly. Every gaze turned to Ryu.
"Ryu...! Sit down, quick! You have to be quiet during class!"
"It's all you—"
"Cadet Ryu Cheon-hwi. Would you please be quiet during class?"
"That is—!"
When Instructor Maikes singled him out, the flustered guy stammered and jabbed his finger at me.
Still, he drew a line when it came to the instructor.
"Even at this very moment, the heroes and soldiers on the front lines are enduring all manner of hardship... so that Cadet Ryu Cheon-hwi can attend class safely. Please sit down."
"Dammit!"
Ryu sat down reluctantly.
"Kekekek."
Watching him, I felt like I was going to die laughing.
"You and me, during the break, you Taliban bastard...!"
"Sounds good. Want to go to the snack bar together?"
"Who said anything about the snack bar!"
—BANG!
Ryu slammed his desk and stood up again, grabbing my shoulder tightly!
"Gahk! G-Gahk!"
"What! Kim Geun-cheol! And Ryu Cheon-hwi! Why on earth are you acting like this during class! Calm down!"
"No, Leona! That's—!"
The moment I made an excuse to Leona.
"Quiet!!!"
Instructor Maikes shouted heavily...!
"...!"
"..."
We immediately shut our mouths and sat down.
"Then I will continue with the lesson. Please do not talk too much."
"Yes..."
W-Well, nothing can be done.
Come to think of it, even though he was the theory instructor, Instructor Maikes was also a veteran Hero from way back. Obviously, he was strong as hell. So I should listen to the lecture.
—Scratch, scratch.
Class started again, and I resumed taking notes while also resuming my memos on Ryu. I turned my head again to steal a glance at him.
"Kgh...!"
Ryu was glaring at me, going "kgh" like some scorned lady. Wait, but this guy wasn't studying?
"Ryu. Not taking notes?"
"Do not speak to me...!"
"I'm bringing it up because I'm worried you aren't taking notes. We should study hard together."
"Is this content so difficult that it requires taking notes?"
"What? Did you just insult the instructor's lesson?"
"What?"
"You just said Instructor Maikes's lecture isn't even worth taking notes on...! That's really, totally too much...!"
"Wh-Who said such a thing...!"
Flustered, Ryu started to stand but checked his left and right. Still, talking at this volume was fine.
"Tch!"
In the end, Ryu pulled out his notebook and started taking notes.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Yep. I'm satisfied. Friends should study together. I looked after you because you weren't studying, man. Hehehe."
"Who's your friend...! Spouting this absurd crap again...!"
Clenching his teeth, Ryu spat the words out as he continued taking notes.
I also jotted down a memo about Ryu.
"Beep. Ryu. Has considerable confidence in his own intelligence."
I've got to earn those ten chickens. Today, I'll confirm Ryu's every single move and send it to Ryuna.
* * *
And then, break time.
"You damn Taliban bastard!"
Ryu shot up and lunged at me!
"Gahk! Hey! Hey! What's wrong with you! This is too much!"
"What's too much! Why the hell are you staring at me!"
"Staring at you! I just looked!"
"Don't bullshit me!"
Now that it's come to this, all bets are off!
"Hey!"
I shouted right back at Ryu.
"What?"
"Am I not allowed to look at you a little?"
All while talking nonsense like that.
"Can't I just look at Ryu Cheon-hwi's face!"
"Huhk! What did you say!"
Startled, Ryu let go of my shoulders. Whatever else, I knew this bastard had seriously weak verbal skills.
"I said, can't I look at you! Huh! I looked because I wanted to! What are you gonna do about it!"
"Y-Y-You...! Have you truly gone insane!"
"You're the one driving me insane right now, Ryu!"
"You crazy bastard! You're a madman!"
"Yeah! I'm crazy! Crazy for you, Ryu Cheon-hwi!"
"Aaaaargh!"
Screaming, Ryu recoiled in disgust and stepped back. The moment I tried to press the advantage—
"Kim Geun-cheol! What on earth are you saying!"
Leona jumped in with an utterly serious face and shouted.
"Crazy for Ryu Cheon-hwi! What exactly did you mean by that, Kim Geun-cheol!"
"What do I mean? You really don't know?"
I said it earnestly.
"I-I don't know! Things like that! What do you mean!"
Leona, flustered, answered.
"I am currently crazy about Ryu!"
To observe and report his every single move, I mean!
"Good heavens...! Wh-What are we supposed to do about this!"
Leona covered her face with both hands.
"Leona Kainus! Y-You, do something about this!"
Ryu yelled that and walked out of the classroom. This bastard. He ended up blowing it off onto Leona and running. As if that'll work. It's all in the palm of my hand. Running away here? Beep. Memo: Skipping class. Such a Ryu will be subjected to 'Mun-Min' by Ryuna.
Imagining Ryu getting Mun-Minned was so delightful I almost burst out laughing.
"Hehehe, that good-for-nothing guy. Uh, but Leona?"
"Follow me!"
—Snatch!
In an instant, Leona grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside!
—Stomp, stomp!
"What? No! Leona! What's going on! Where are we going!"
"We need to talk!"
"Let's talk in the classroom!"
"We absolutely cannot do it there! Crazy for Ryu Cheon-hwi! What on earth does that mean!"
What?
"What does..."
After dragging me all the way next to the drink vending machine, Leona shouted again.
"Answer me properly!"
"Huh?"
What's this? This serious expression?
"Answer what?"
"Why on earth did you go crazy over Ryu Cheon-hwi! You crazy person!"
Ah.
"No, Leona."
I caught on roughly.
The moment I realized, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What exactly are you misunderstanding!"
"What did you say?!"
"You just had a weird thought, didn't you!"
"Wh-What weird thought could you be talking about?"
Leona immediately folded her arms and played dumb.
"Don't play innocent! You misunderstood things between me and Ryu!"
"Misunderstood? Th-That's because you, Kim Geun-cheol, said you were crazy for Ryu Cheon-hwi..."
"It's not that! I just have some business going on!"
"Business?"
Leona immediately looked left and right before stepping closer to me.
"What do you mean? Try explaining. You, Kim Geun-cheol."
If it's Leona.
I can trust Leona.
"Well, it's like this, Leona. I received a sort of mission, you see."
"A mission?"
"Well, you see. It's about monitoring Ryu and reporting how he's doing."
"Monitoring... Ryu Cheon-hwi? Why?"
Leona expressed her doubt.
"No, more importantly. Who on earth is giving you such an order? Monitoring and reporting on an individual cadet. Isn't that clearly illegal?"
"It's probably not illegal."
"It has to be. Speak properly. Who exactly gave the order?"
Leona, now serious, stared into my eyes and spoke.
"That, well."
"Who?"
"Ryu's older sister."
"Ryu Cheon-hwi's older sister?"
"Yeah. She contacted me today and asked me to do that."
"What?"
Leona expressed doubt for a moment.
"Ah!"
She let out a startled cry.
"Kim Geun-cheol, you're in contact with Ryu Cheon-hwi's older sister?!"
"Yeah."
"What did you say!"