Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Enjoy Unlimited
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I was going to at least pass along congratulations on his promotion to corporal, but to think he'd pull something like that.
‘Kim Min-jun… 2nd Battalion, 2nd Company, Kim Min-jun. I thought kicking a goblin to death wasn’t normal from the start.’
Son Eun-seo remembered the battalion and name of the unit Kim Min-jun belonged to.
“Hey, hey. What’s with you since earlier, Min-jun? Looks like Son Eun-seo’s got her eye on you.”
“Corporal, Kim Min-jun! Negative!”
“What do you mean negative? She was staring you down during the stats exam.”
On the way back to the barracks.
The seniors crowded around Kim Min-jun, bombarding him with questions.
The privates first class, who had suddenly become his juniors, perked up at the talk but couldn’t get up from their seats.
Kim Min-jun was their senior now, after all.
“She’s super famous, you know. With that face and body, she could’ve been a model or actress and raked in cash easy.”
“Tell me about it! If she’d acted in some drama, at least we could watch her on screen!”
Normally, the platoon leader would step in around now and tell them to quiet down, but he was in a good mood.
He didn’t bother reining them in.
‘Ah. This is annoying.’
Kim Min-jun pondered how to end this boring conversation.
“Hey. You don’t seem that interested in her?”
“Honestly, I don’t really think much of it.”
“Crazy. Son Eun-seo’s not good enough?”
“Min-jun. Then who’s your type?”
After a moment’s thought at the seniors’ questions, Kim Min-jun spoke up.
“Looks aside for now, someone who shares my gaming hobbies would be great.”
“Oh yeah? What games you play? League?”
“I play Dungeon Fighter.”
“…….”
“Uh….”
The noisy bus went dead silent in an instant.
“Dungeon Fighter? Min-jun, you play DF?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ooh….”
The seniors were stunned by Kim Min-jun’s answer at first, then brushed it off with laughs.
“Why not just say you didn’t wanna talk about it? That was kinda funny, though.”
“Already got corporal and cracking jokes, huh.”
Such an elite hunter playing Dungeon Fighter didn’t fit the image.
‘What? It’s true, but they don’t believe me.’
At least the clingy seniors backed off, so that was fine.
**
The next day, Sunday.
The squad members sharing quarters with Kim Min-jun wolfed down lunch and headed to the PX.
Not frozen junk, but brand-name chicken, pizza, braised chicken, pig’s feet, boiled pork, and more.
The big table was piled high with mouthwatering delivery food.
Of course, no deliveries inside base.
The platoon leader had seen Kim Min-jun pass the promotion exam and brought these back himself, telling them to eat up.
“Min-jun, congrats!”
“Thanks.”
“Man, already three stripes? Insane. You’ll hit sergeant in no time at this rate.”
“Never seen the platoon leader this happy. And check this out—all premium menu items.”
Naturally, quick-on-the-uptake Kim Min-jun had tipped off the seniors in their quarters.
“To Kim Min-jun! Cheers!”
“Cheeeers!”
“Kaaaaah! Beer after so long!”
Drinking was banned on base, obviously.
PX sold beer and such, but all non-alcoholic.
Just for the vibe.
But today was Sunday, and the company commander had specially okayed booze for Kim Min-jun’s squad.
“Guess passing the promotion exam carries weight. Even privates first class who passed never got drink privileges.”
“Hey. It’s not just passing. Dude got perfect score. Perfect.”
“What?”
“For real?”
“Perfect on that brutal exam? For real, Min-jun?”
The squad’s eyes turned to Kim Min-jun.
“Ah, just worked hard and it happened.”
“Crazy. If working hard got you perfect, I’d be at the academy by now.”
“Felt it during shooting, but you’re officer material for sure.”
“Shut up. Officer? Kid’s academy-bound.”
The seniors gawked at Kim Min-jun, shocked by the perfect score news.
‘Was perfect that hard?’
It was a breeze for me.
Thud!
Amid the chatter.
Sergeant Lee Seung-ho strolled in, arms full of cold beers.
“Don’t slack off just ‘cause you passed the promotion exam.”
He passed out cans around the table, cracked one, and chugged.
“Kaaaaah. Anyway, good job. Keep it up, Kim Min-jun. Squad scores are booming thanks to you.”
“Corporal! Kim Min-jun! Yes, sir! Thank you!”
“Sergeant Lee Seung-ho. Saw you grinning outside earlier.”
“Shut it.”
“Yes, sir….”
As the mood loosened, the seniors excused themselves for a smoke.
‘Alright. Got corporal now—time to play senior.’
Kim Min-jun turned to the privates first class, now his juniors.
“Hey, guys. Remember last time you said you’d buy me PX stuff? You, you, and you.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Y-Yes!”
“How much you got?”
His smiling question had the privates sweating bullets, racking their brains.
‘Dodging him was the smart move.’
‘Already our senior? Nuts.’
‘Shouldn’t have opened my mouth.’
The privates pulled out their cards, saying use as much as wanted.
“Enjoy unlimited! Hunter Love Card! All together now! Hunter Love Card!”
Oblivious to restraint, Kim Min-jun hummed cheerfully, swiping the cards with scary gusto.
“There. It’s on you guys, so eat up. Beer’s too basic for a day like this. Swept up all the fancy liquor.”
“Th-Thank you… sir.”
Kim Min-jun had bought plenty, even for the juniors.
Thoughtful senior, if he said so himself.
“Whoa, what’s all this liquor?”
“Bought it to celebrate making corporal.”
With their cards, of course.
“Whoa, corporal treating? Awesome! Let’s go!”
Soon the seniors returned, and the party rolled on.
“Clear the beer! We’re on liquor now!”
“Weakest drinker talking big.”
“What, punk? Bring it.”
“Challenging me to a drink-off?”
Kim Min-jun partied on with the seniors.
“Ugh, hey. Tipsy already.”
“Got duty tomorrow, bleeech!”
The booze fest wrapped up past dinner time.
Seniors, hyped on rare base drinks, lost control and got smashed.
“Corporal Kim Min-jun, sir… congrats. Corporal again already.”
“Thanks.”
Lee Dong-jin was pretty wasted too, it seemed, from pent-up stress.
“You head in. Rest of you privates first class, clean this spotless.”
“Got it.”
Kim Min-jun gave orders to the juniors and slipped out.
“Plan’s going smooth.”
One stripe had become three.
Staring at his rank insignia brought back memories of his otherworld days in Isgard.
Back then.
Walking the black mage path, saving countless lives and doing good deeds, but all he got was fear and scorn.
“Not here.”
The better he did, the more recognition he got.
That satisfied Kim Min-jun.
Plus, Dungeon Fighter existed here, biggest perk.
**
2nd Battalion commander’s office.
“Man, this kid’s a natural, total natural. Born soldier.”
The battalion commander grinned at the promotion exam results.
“Fifty took it, one passed… was thinking of cranking up training. You agree?”
“Yes, sir!”
The company commander looked a tad tense.
Commander seemed pleased, but one passer out of fifty?
Down from four last time—poor showing.
“Private who’s been here less than a month promotes to private first class. Then aces the exam right away. Choi Seung-beom begged to slot him in, and boom, exceeds expectations. Perfect score too?”
“Yes! Corporal Kim Min-jun aced stats, main weapon test, and monster combat too!”
“Kim Min-jun… right, the one who soloed that middle vet in the fuel depot?”
“Yes! And fastest response at dawn—Corporal Kim Min-jun!”
The battalion commander chuckled and held out a hand to the company commander.
Sharp company commander handed over Kim Min-jun’s personnel file.
“Kaaaaah. Snagged a gem. First hunter I’ve seen promote this fast.”
He checked the calendar for schedule.
“Tomorrow, after morning duties, all 2nd Battalion hunters in PT gear for combat sports in the afternoon.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Can’t grind the troops too hard. Gotta let ‘em blow off steam too, right?”
“Absolutely!”
“Then I’m off for some long-overdue tennis.”
The battalion commander stood, grabbing his tennis racket from the corner.
Habit when he was pleased.
‘Whew.’
The company commander finally exhaled in relief.
**
Next day.
Kim Min-jun’s squad dragged through duties, nursing headaches.
Rare base booze binge—they’d pounded till self-control vanished.
“Ugh. Head’s splitting. Who said liquor’s clean?”
“Crazy bastard. Clean if you drink moderate. Chug it like beer and feel fine?”
“Hell. Morning drag then I’ll shake it.”
“Min-jun, you good?”
“Corporal, Kim Min-jun. Yes, sir! Fine!”
Kim Min-jun helped the wobbly seniors, speeding through tasks.
“Rest up. You’re corporal now—delegate to juniors. You must be beat from yesterday.”
“No, sir. Wanna move around.”
Kim Min-jun insisted he was fine and pitched in for the juniors too.
‘Can’t get drunk even if I want to.’
Blame the magi in his body.
Any toxins entering got auto-purged.
“Idiots. Told you drink moderate. You the ones who swept the PX liquor?”
The platoon leader eyed the staggering squad with pity.
“Sliding ‘cause Kim Min-jun’s busting ass. Show restraint next time.”
“Yes….”
“Got it….”
“Now, keep working and listen. Wrap morning duties like this, then afternoon: all hunters, PT gear, combat sports.”
Combat sports in the afternoon.
Hunters perked up.
“Yes!”
“Got it!”
“Combat sports and they’re lively. Battalion commander’s orders—no one skips, full participation. Clear?”
“Yes!”
The shambling hunters now hummed, powering through work.
Morning tasks done, lunchtime.
One senior approached Kim Min-jun.
“Hey, Min-jun. You play soccer?”