Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Idol of the Battlefield
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"...So you're saying I have to do that?"
"Yeah. Do me a favor."
"Ah..."
Shin Ye-bin, a corporal serving in one of the units, let out a sigh at her company commander's words.
"What, you don't wanna?"
"...No, sir."
I hate it. I really, really hate it.
'Sigh... Orders are orders...'
Her newly assigned mission was simple. A new comfort troupe was being set up nearby, and she was put in charge of managing them.
Managing them—yeah, right. It was basically playing servant. Handling their requests, fetching their meals, and all sorts of other crap...
God, at the very least, I hope they're hot. That might make this shitty army life a tiny bit bearable.
"Alright, get the details from the 1st Platoon Leader."
"Yes, sir."
At least they assigned an officer. Meaning she didn't have to shoulder all the responsibility herself. Shin Ye-bin saluted with a sigh of relief and stepped out of the office.
She headed straight to the admin section, where the 1st Platoon Leader sat at a computer, half-assedly tapping away at the keyboard.
"Um... Platoon Leader, sir?"
"Huh? What is it?"
"Well... The company commander assigned me a mission..."
"Ah, that."
The platoon leader yawned lazily and waved her off.
"Handle it yourself."
"...I think I misheard."
"You heard right."
He replied in a tone dripping with annoyance. His face said it all—pure irritation and hassle.
'Oh, fuck...'
If even this end-of-service lieutenant—who could out-slack any retiring sergeant major—was acting like this, it had to be a massive pain in the ass.
Realizing she was in deep shit, Shin Ye-bin started racking her brain.
"Sir, Platoon Leader."
"Yeah?"
"Can I pull a few guys to help? I don't think I can handle it alone..."
"Whatever... Fine."
"Thank you, sir."
She snapped a crisp salute and stormed out of the admin section with heavy steps.
"Hey."
"Private First Class Han Seung-ah, sir. What is it?"
"You and a few others—help me out with some work."
"...Work, sir?"
"Got a problem with that?"
"No, ma'am!"
Why did this usually sharp girl always act like she was allergic to work...? Still, she was the only reliable one around. Shin Ye-bin sighed.
"Round up a few. It's for the comfort troupe."
"Got it. Thanks for your hard work!"
God, that greeting was always so lame. Shin Ye-bin nodded vaguely and turned away.
'...Gone?'
Once Shin Ye-bin was fully out of sight, Han Seung-ah shook her head and slipped out to the smoking room behind the barracks.
"Haa..."
"Ah, thanks for your hard work!"
"Thanks for your hard work!"
That lame greeting again while smoking. Han Seung-ah waved it off in disgust and pulled out her cigarette pack.
Click, flick—
She lit one up and paused just as she was about to exhale.
"...Hey, you guys. Help me with some work."
"Work...?"
"...This is the place?"
"Yes. A guide will be here shortly."
"Alright then..."
Big Sis Hana grabbed my cheeks and rubbed them.
"Do-yun, the sisters have to go now... You gonna be okay on your own?"
"Yeah."
I'm not a kid, after all.
"Good... See you at dinner."
"Sure."
This desolate desert wasteland wasn't what I'd picture as Korea. Gritty sand blew across my cheeks.
Serving here would drive anyone insane...
Word was it was due to mana. Deserts turning to jungles, lush forests withering overnight.
Just gotta hold out till the war ends. But living in a place like this from now on? My future already looked pitch black.
"This way."
"Ah, yes...!"
Following Yang Geum-hee's lead a short way, we came to what looked like rows of container boxes lined up.
"......?"
"Looks rough on the outside, but it's decent inside. Proper heating and all."
Compared to the massive penthouse I'd just left? Yeah, no contest, obviously.
"The early arrivals are waiting. They'll brief you."
"Got it."
In the building we entered, guys with exotic, foreign faces from all over were settling in.
"Ah, you're here."
"Whoa... What's this, a kid?"
"Haha! Nice to meet you, friend!"
"......"
What the hell is this? I wanna go home...
After a bit of minor commotion, we at least exchanged names.
First up was the cheerful guy with striking blonde hair—Liam. From some poor Southern European country, here for the money.
Apparently, most guys from his nation were like him, selling themselves for cash. Not info I cared to know.
"Haha, maybe I'll just stay here! Look, I even know some Korean now."
That's 'cause the translator's running...
It was wild, though. Just sticking something in your ear and boom—understanding everyone perfectly.
Next was the lean, calm black-haired guy named Willer. Same deal as Liam.
From a struggling Eastern European country, he saw Korea's job posting and jumped at it without thinking.
"I'd love to settle here like him... But Korean citizenship's no joke to get."
...Korean citizenship? Why?
I'll look into that later. Doesn't sound like a joke...
Last was a boy about 1-2 cm taller than me, with reddish-brown hair and green eyes.
He was the loudest and called me "friend" the second he saw me—super friendly.
"Percy, from Ireland. Age is a secret."
Percy grinned and waved. No clue why he was so hyped, but at least he didn't seem like a jerk.
"Everyone done with intros?"
Yang Geum-hee cleared her throat and touched something on the wall.
Flash— A screen lit up on the wall like a beam projector.
Comfort Troupe Operation Plan
"...Whoa."
Percy's quiet admiration. The others didn't say it, but they looked impressed too. Same for me.
"You've heard the briefing already, but there's one job you'll do here."
<Comfort Troupe Mission Operation List>
1. Comfort Performance Operation
2. Comfort Counseling Operation
"?"
I rubbed my eyes, thinking I misread, but nope—same thing.
"Uh... What's a comfort performance operation?"
"Get on a special stage and show something you've prepared. Singing, dancing, talent show—whatever."
"And the counseling one...?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. One-on-one chats with soldiers who request it."
Don't people just call that a show or counseling?
Why slap 'operation' on the end...?
Military's the same everywhere, huh.
"Um, can I ask something?"
"Sure."
Percy, now wearing mystery glasses, shot his hand up brightly.
"How exactly do we handle the mental health care?"
"Hmm..."
Instead of answering, Yang Geum-hee tapped the screen twice.
"Any other questions?!"
"Go ahead."
Percy tilted his head.
"Do they assign what to perform, or do we prepare ourselves?"
"Ah..."
Yang Geum-hee's face turned a bit troubled.
"We'll probably prepare it. Any preferences?"
"Nah... No!"
"Got it. Speak up if anyone has questions or suggestions."
"Yes."
The presentation continued a bit, then came knocks. A few uniformed women entered and saluted.
"Sir! Corporal Shin Ye-bin reporting."
"Yeah, at ease."
Yang Geum-hee waved off their salutes and nodded at us.
"New comfort troupe members. Take good care of them."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Alright, I'll head out."
She gave us a light bow and left, barely acknowledging the salutes.
"Uh, this way then..."
The soldier who'd introduced herself as Corporal Shin Ye-bin hesitantly led the way.
...This gonna be okay?
Nah, probably not.