Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: 15. The Tenth Trial (10)
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Kim Chun-sik looked flustered.
It was a completely unexpected turn of events, but the people seated around the table didn't seem fazed at all, as if they had already known.
Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo spoke up.
"As this incident proves, the military is like frogs in a well. We actively step in to resolve incidents and accidents happening in South Korea, but when it comes to monsters beyond our capacity or events in worlds from other dimensions, we leave it entirely to the Hunter Management Bureau. I believe the negative views toward the military stem from that very gap. Our capabilities are limited and have clear boundaries, so naturally, the perception is that the Hunter Management Bureau sits at the top with the military following below."
It was bittersweet.
In this unbalanced system, a few in the military, like Lee Cheol-woo, dreamed of change.
"Truth be told, this wasn't my original plan. But watching Corporal Kim Chun-sik carry out his mission with such boldness made me think that maybe I could push forward with that project I'd only contemplated in my mind. The Hunter Management Bureau operates special units like the Rangers and shows all-around prowess, doesn't it? The root of public perception actually owes a huge share to the Rangers' roles. In that sense, I want to establish a special forces unit within the Capital Defense Command that performs the same kind of missions. Of course, the military does have special forces made up of former 'hunters,' but they're such rare human resources even within the military that they're strictly managed and deployed only when absolutely necessary. What I envision is a special forces unit that can engage in more all-around activities, just like the Rangers."
Special forces.
It was Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo's ambition.
If a special forces unit made up of regular soldiers like Kim Chun-sik proved active, the military could exert influence in even more areas than now. This wasn't about seizing power. As a soldier brimming with pride, Lee Cheol-woo simply wanted to balance the uneven system with the Hunter Management Bureau, even if just a little.
"The special forces unit will be platoon-sized. Your current rank doesn't fit a platoon leader, so considering the special circumstances, we'll convert you to an officer and promote you to second lieutenant. And if the unit shows sufficient results, I promise not just promotions but rewards as well. What do you say? I, Lee Cheol-woo, am not one to overlook your dedication to this country. I will personally pull you up from above."
It was unprecedented.
In this changed world, 'officer ranks' were secured through a rigid system, yet Lee Cheol-woo was using his authority for an extraordinary appointment. It was a tempting offer. In today's world, a second lieutenant's salary was no small sum, and the benefits—from welfare to pensions—were enough to support a family.
The problem was...
It was dangerous.
The missions Lee Cheol-woo described demanded true devotion and sacrifice—ones you couldn't handle without them.
That's why the rewards were so substantial, and for Kim Chun-sik, who wanted to live a long life with his grandmother, it was hard to accept.
'But...'
He fell deep into thought.
A life of jumping into flames every day.
Couldn't he gain something in return?
And above all, carrying out this operation had taught him that living in this world required power—no matter for Kang San or his grandmother. Enough strength to resolve the crises looming around him. If he hadn't been a soldier, he couldn't have done anything to save Kang San.
Perhaps, truly...
From the moment he chose to enlist as a soldier, this might be the life he had wanted.
After much deliberation, Kim Chun-sik spoke.
"...I'll accept the offer. But I have one request."
Kim Chun-sik's request.
It concerned Kang San.
After Kim Chun-sik left, Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo received a detailed explanation from Major Choi Sung-jae.
"...In fact, that person named Kang San played a huge role in this mission. From what I heard, he once risked his life to save Corporal Kim Chun-sik. For Corporal Kim Chun-sik, it seems he judged he couldn't abandon his lifesaver to die."
"Kehahaha, is that so?"
Lee Cheol-woo laughed as if pleased.
The final demand.
It actually appealed to him.
The true soldiers in Lee Cheol-woo's mind weren't those blindly devoted to the group.
"I don't believe a nation's true strength is determined by the number of S-Rank hunters or our military's firepower. It's the ordinary citizens who support the country—what they think and how they view the nation—that decides whether a towering state crumbles in a light breeze or withstands a typhoon. History has proven countless times that nations controlled by a select few eventually get tossed around by them and perish. If the Hunter Management Bureau turned malicious, our military could do nothing about it."
"You're right."
"That's why I like people with individual wills. Not that I'm saying they must sacrifice for the country. A fierce determination to protect my family, my people—that's what unites to form a nation. Beside the person I protect stands a citizen of this country, and in safeguarding my own, I end up saving them too. That accumulation becomes the nation, becomes national strength. Grant Corporal Kim Chun-sik what he wants. And when forming the platoon, push whatever he desires within reason."
Creeeak.
He leaned back.
Twitch.
Watching Kim Chun-sik reminded him of his own vigorous youth.
"If Corporal Kim Chun-sik—no, Second Lieutenant Kim Chun-sik—demonstrates sufficient ability, I'll pull him up with all my might, just as promised."
National Military Hospital.
A group hurried through its halls there.
"Where is he?"
"In a private room right now."
At the forefront.
Was Major Lee Ho-jun.
A military doctor and ability user specializing in mental treatments, he was only in his late twenties but had rocketed to major on his merits. The reason this normally sedentary man appeared at the National Military Hospital was an order from Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo.
To treat Kang San.
It was Kim Chun-sik's request.
Kim Chun-sik had accepted the special forces mission on the condition of maximum support to help Kang San wake up.
Major Lee Ho-jun glanced at the chart as he walked.
"All vitals are normal, yet he's not regaining consciousness? That could mean some mental factor is blocking the patient from waking. By the way, who is this guy that orders are coming from above? He's just a D-Rank hunter in the end."
"...I'm not sure of the full details either, but I hear he's a Ranger who earned merits in this isolation incident."
"A Ranger?"
Interest piqued.
This isolation incident.
Rumors had spread even in the military about how dangerous it was, with an A-Rank Werewolf Lord suddenly appearing.
Especially since the Capital Defense Force's 3rd Battalion received commendations, it was natural to view a mere D-Rank hunter who contributed differently. In any case, Lee Ho-jun's role was to treat with all his might, and he arrived at what was presumed to be Kang San's room per the guide.
But.
"You?"
"Long time no see, Major Lee Ho-jun."
A familiar face was there.
Park Jae-man.
An A-Rank hunter affiliated with the Hunter Management Bureau, a healing ability user.
Like Lee Ho-jun, he rarely showed up for minor issues, yet here he was at the National Military Hospital out of nowhere.
Lee Ho-jun reacted sharply.
"What are you doing here?"
"What else? The Hunter Management Bureau sent me rushing for a patient they want specially treated. But if you're stepping in too, the military must view this patient as special?"
"None of your business. Move."
Swish.
He passed by.
The door opened to an empty room.
An empty sickroom.
Lee Ho-jun scowled and turned to his adjutant when, oddly, Park Jae-man's voice came.
"They said he was emergency-transferred out ten minutes ago? That's why I couldn't treat him either and am just standing around."
"Emergency transfer? With you and me here, where to?"
It made no sense.
Park Jae-man and Lee Ho-jun.
At least in healing, they were top ability users, so bypassing both for a transfer? Park Jae-man had reacted the same at first. But once the destination was revealed, his anger subsided.
Park Jae-man chuckled.
"Hunter Emergency Center. The director there insisted on taking him to save him at all costs. What choice did we have? When someone of that caliber says they'll save him, no better option exists in South Korea."
"What?"
Director Yeon Gyu-seong.
Lee Ho-jun's face filled with dismay.
A little earlier.
Yeon Gyu-seong checked Kang San's condition.
A day had passed with no signs of waking, so he shot up and shouted.
"What have the military doctors been doing all this time? Request him transferred here immediately. We'll save him somehow."
Kang San.
He was important.
The only person his sole son truly trusted, and Yeon Gyu-seong wouldn't entrust his son to anyone else. Especially after hearing about this incident, his trust solidified. Kang San had collapsed from overexerting himself to protect his Ranger comrades during a mission—not some trivial matter.
He was truly remarkable.
Rangers couldn't be done with ordinary self-sacrifice.
Even during that previous test, Kang San had thrown his life away like a mere trifle to protect others. If he were even a bit more selfish or self-caring, he wouldn't have gotten hurt like this today, and Yeon Gyu-seong wouldn't have allowed his son's raids. That's why he couldn't sit idle. Having risen to his position, Yeon Gyu-seong had met countless people and knew how rare Kang San's type was.
He had to be saved.
For his son, and for the life Kang San had lived.
Thus, Kang San arrived.
The medical staff swarmed him.
As South Korea's top medical facility, they mobilized experts not just for physical but mental issues too. Yeon Gyu-seong was certain. Kang San would shake it off and rise soon. This confidence, born from national pride, had rarely been betrayed.
But.
"...We can't identify the cause."
"Explain precisely."
"Even with mental magic checks, the patient's state isn't clear. No physical or mental issues, yet he's unresponsive like in a coma. It seems... like an issue beyond our knowledge. Given the sudden appearance of an A-Rank Werewolf Lord, it wasn't a normal situation anyway."
"Damn it."
Yeon Gyu-seong's face twisted.
What on earth?
According to witnesses, Kang San had overdone it, but the situation resolved and he collapsed from exhaustion. No signs of special problems. But he wouldn't have brought Kang San here if he planned to give up without pinpointing the cause.
"Find the cause somehow. If Kang San doesn't wake like this, how will I face Woo-bin?"
"Understood."
The medical staff bustled frantically.
Every one of them.
Spent the day in a frenzy to save Kang San.
Yet contrary to their coma diagnosis, Kang San's mind was fully alive even now.
Precisely.
The moment the mission completion message rang out, Kang San's world twisted.
Scattered fragments of memory.
One of them seeped into Kang San's mind.