Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Private First Class
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Even when I was an instructor at basic training, I could tell—this guy wasn’t your average hunter.
“You could’ve gone officer or NCO with skills like that. Why didn’t you apply for it?”
“I forgot the application date!”
“You lunatic. Lucky bastard.”
I returned from another world, and the very next day was enlistment day, you idiot.
Plus, NCOs needed a vocational college degree, and officers a four-year university.
You think I’d live miserably with just high school?
“How’d you handle thirty Middlebats without a weapon?”
Sergeant Lee Seung-ho, who usually ignored the rookies, was showing intense interest in Kim Min-jun.
“And your situational response was quick. First time I’ve seen a private snatch a stun baton from a sergeant’s hand.”
“Sorry, sir!”
“That was a compliment. Anyway, just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Yes, sir!”
With that, Lee Seung-ho leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed.
“Kim Min-jun!”
“Private Kim Min-jun!”
A moment later.
The platoon leader burst into the duty officer’s room with an excited look.
As soon as Kim Cheol-min entered, he clapped Kim Min-jun hard on the shoulder.
“I heard from the duty officer. You swept out all those Middlebats, Min-jun?”
“Private! Kim Min-jun! Yes, sir!”
“Good job! You punk. Even the battalion commander knows. You handled it so well, he’ll do something for you.”
Just promote me—that’d be plenty.
“Lee Seung-ho, head out first. I need to talk to him. You did good too.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll head out then. Loyalty!”
“Alright. We’ll hear the details later. Good work today.”
Once Lee Seung-ho left, Kim Cheol-min continued.
“Min-jun.”
“Private Kim Min-jun.”
“Why’d you come to the regular Hunter Corps instead of applying for officer?”
Because I returned to Earth the day before enlistment.
And because I only have high school.
“I forgot the application date too, and I figured I could promote just fine in the regular Hunter Corps.”
“Ugh... You’re just too damn cool.”
The platoon leader looked thrilled at Min-jun’s answer.
“Just between us, keep this to yourself. You’re probably getting bumped to private first class.”
“Really, sir?”
“Yeah. You handled thirty Middlebats near the fuel depot that cleanly—no way they overlook it, even with stricter special promotion rules.”
Kim Cheol-min patted Kim Min-jun’s shoulder, telling him to crash out since he’d earned some shut-eye.
‘Private first class, huh. Nice.’
Promoted faster than expected.
A grin crept onto his face.
**
The next day.
Kim Min-jun had become a hero in the unit.
The private who single-handedly pulled aggro from monsters to defend the fuel depot!
The platoon leader was so pumped he excused Min-jun’s squad from afternoon duties.
“Hey, Kim Min-jun. Sucking honey thanks to you—feels good.”
“Private Kim Min-jun! Thank you, sir!”
“Thanks, my ass. From now on, gear up properly. It worked out yesterday, but if you’d gotten hurt, it would’ve been a disaster.”
“I’ll be careful next time, sir!”
But the seniors’ joy didn’t last.
-Attention. Platoon leader announcing! The division commander will visit our unit. All hunters, assemble at the parade ground. I repeat!
Two hours from now.
Because of the division commander’s visit.
The 104th Division commander of the invincible Hunter Corps... a Two-Star.
-Everyone, tidy up the barracks first, then head out! Transport platoon, start vehicle maintenance over!
The platoon leader, flustered, rapped out orders fast and killed the speaker.
“Argh! Damn it! Knew things were going too smooth.”
“Why’s the division commander coming here outta nowhere? No big training, right?”
“Just heard from the platoon leader—he was passing by and remembered Private Kim Min-jun, so he’s stopping in.”
“Timing’s a real bitch.”
The squad griped but quickly started cleaning the barracks.
“Hey, this feels like...”
Then.
The sharp ones caught on and eyed Kim Min-jun.
“This is a special promotion.”
“Thirty Middlebats down? Hundred percent.”
“Division commander’s coming—bet you pin it today.”
“Whoa... The baby of the squad’s already PFC?”
The seniors chattered excitedly, promising PX snacks if he promoted.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Kim Min-jun, already tipped off by Kim Cheol-min, just smiled lightly.
“Everyone clean the barracks spotless before coming out!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Division commander’s visiting soon—stay sharp and work! Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
The parade ground filled with hunters in no time.
The platoon leader took the podium, issuing tasks one by one.
“Privates, clean up snow inside and outside the unit—make it perfect! PFCs, help transport with vehicle washes first!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Lance corporals, check if yesterday’s mana shield’s still running! Double-check the radar too!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Kim Cheol-min’s orders, hunters scattered to their zones.
“Sergeants... If you can hide without getting caught, do it. But if you do get caught, you’re dead to me.”
“Yes, sir!”
The unit turned into chaos in seconds.
Hunters grabbed tools and hustled around.
Ah, so this is a Two-Star’s power.
“Kim Min-jun. Follow me.”
“Private Kim Min-jun! Yes, sir!”
Kim Min-jun trailed Kim Cheol-min to the platoon leader’s office.
Guess the seniors were right.
How long had he been at the unit, and now he’d meet the division commander.
**
“Loyalty!”
When the division commander opened the platoon leader’s door, Kim Cheol-min, waiting, saluted loudly.
Kim Min-jun held attention as ordered.
‘His eyes are alive.’
Kim Min-jun inwardly admired the division commander’s charisma.
Different vibe from other hunters.
Guess that’s why they pin stars.
“Yeah. Passing by the unit, remembered the rookie from yesterday’s report. Stopped in. You’re Kim Min-jun?”
“Private! Kim Min-jun! Yes, sir!”
Kim Min-jun barked back crisply.
“Yeah. At ease, sit.”
The division commander sat and asked about yesterday.
“Unit radars working fine?”
“Yes, sir! Checked an hour ago—fully operational!”
Kim Cheol-min answered, tense.
They’d followed protocol, but not perfect.
“Yeah. Prep to install one more—no, make it two. Thirty Middlebats means it’s not routine. Fuel depot needs repairs too. How many on guard there?”
“Two, sir!”
“Bump to six for now.”
“Yes, sir!”
It passed without issue; Kim Cheol-min sighed in relief.
After a quick briefing, the division commander’s gaze turned to Kim Min-jun.
“You did brave work yesterday, good initial response too. But think about your body. Should’ve geared up.”
“Private! Kim Min-jun! Sorry, sir!”
Then the fuel depot might’ve blown.
Kim Min-jun apologized anyway.
He hadn’t grabbed combat gear, fact was fact.
“Still, throwing yourself in as a private to handle those Middlebats—good job. Thirty solo?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yeah. Reminds me of my young days—feels good. Division commander’s giving you a gift.”
The division commander stood, beckoning him closer.
Rip!
He peeled the private insignia from his left chest and pinned the private first class one himself.
“You’re PFC now. Normally procedures take time, but overwhelming results deserve quick reward.”
“Private First Class Kim Min-jun! Thank you, sir!”
Pinned by the division commander himself.
Chest swelled with pride.
‘Ah, military life. Getting fun.’
Felt like a game.
“And I’m giving you leave personally—take 2 nights, 3 days, rest up.”
The division commander told him to pack now and go, smiling warmly.
“Feels good having a hunter like you in the 104th. Keep it up.”
“Private First Class! Kim Min-jun! Thank you, sir!”
The division commander, satisfied, mentioned the bonus bounty.
“Wanted to hand it here, but money stuff’s tightly controlled by the country.”
Thirty Middlebats—not one or two.
The bounty would be hefty.
“Platoon leader. Get his leave sorted now.”
“Yes, sir!”
With that, the division commander left the office.
‘Jackpot.’
He’d been mulling leave anyway—free vacation!
With basic training leave, that made 5 nights, 6 days.
Plus the PFC promotion he wanted!
“Kim Min-jun!”
“Private First Class Kim Min-jun!”
“You punk, good job!”
Once the division commander was gone, Kim Cheol-min thanked him.
“Division commander’s orders—radars’ll go up quick. Tough holding with one so far.”
Extra radars and fuel depot repairs were overdue, but funding delays held them up.
Hunter radars detecting monsters? Over 30 billion each. Makes sense.
“I’ll handle your leave. Head out now.”
“Yes, sir! Loyalty!”
Kim Min-jun saluted and headed out.
Thought about using basic leave too, but it’d clash with promotion exams.
‘Promotion exams matter.’
Promotion exam.
Wait right there.
Time to pin lance corporal next.
**
Kim Min-jun didn’t go home—hit a PC bang off-base.
Old address was now a restricted zone; changing it was a hassle.
“Better spend that time reducing fatigue by 1 more.”
He booted two PCs, flexing multibox skills on two characters.
“Whoa... Check that out.”
“Insane. Hand speed’s nuts...”
“Guess that’s Hunter Corps level.”
PC bang folks gawked at his flashy play.
Course, it was DFO, so interest faded fast.
“Kaa! +13 endgame weapon buffs hit different! This is why I’m in Hunter Corps.”
Swinging his enlistment gift weapon, enjoying the game briefly.
-WhopmiWhopmiLover: Living the dream, freebie style. Some of us whale for +13.
-DFOMaster: Enlist then, you punk.
-WhopmiWhopmiLover: Nah, I’m civic duty. Catch monsters in real life, not games, plz.
-DFOMaster: Bless your parents’ long life.
Some DFO player picked a fight.