Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Hunter Guerrilla Instructor-1
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“Hunter guerrilla instructor?”
“That’s right. Not just anyone can do this. You know that, don’t you?”
Only corporals with outstanding records could apply for guerrilla instructor duty.
If five hunter instructors were selected, it’d be two corporals and three sergeants, something like that.
And he was one of those two.
“The battalion commander recommended you. Of course, the final decision is yours.”
Second Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min said that filling out the application was just a formality—apply, and the spot was guaranteed.
‘Of course I’m doing it. The performance points are insane.’
There was no reason to turn it down.
Of course, corporals in the know would freak out even if you offered them points as a bribe.
On the surface, being an instructor meant you could boss around even the officers, but reality was different.
The selected hunters received pre-training before the actual course.
And the intensity of that pre-training was, naturally, higher than the guerrilla training itself.
“I’ll do it.”
“Ha! Knew it, Kim Min-jun. Just put your name here and sign…”
“But I have one request.”
“Hm? What is it?”
At the word “request,” Second Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min’s eyes went wide.
Had Kim Min-jun ever asked for a personal favor?
“Tell me. Let’s hear it.”
“While I’m participating as an instructor, I’d like to train as a hunter too.”
“…What? Explain that in detail.”
Here’s what Kim Min-jun meant.
He wanted to join the guerrilla training as an instructor, but also participate as a soldier in the trench combat.
“Haha. First time at guerrilla training since arriving at your unit? Missing out on trench combat as an instructor, huh?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kim Min-jun nodded.
‘If I only participate as an instructor, I can’t do trench combat.’
That’s what looked the most fun.
“Wait a sec. I’ll check with the company commander first. Trench combat should be fine.”
“Understood.”
Second Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min called the company commander and relayed exactly what Kim Min-jun had said.
-Kim Min-jun, Corporal? He really wants to do trench combat? Well… that’s not a big deal. The battalion commander recommended him, so they’ll allow it.
But he emphasized that if he participated in trench combat, he had to win.
-Tell him if he doesn’t, I’ll throw him straight into the disciplinary unit.
“Got it. I’ll pass that along.”
Hearing the company commander’s joking tone, Second Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min chuckled lightly.
“Min-jun, company commander says trench combat’s fine.”
“Thank you.”
“Good. Trench combat counts toward performance points, so give it your all. Though as an instructor, it won’t apply to you.”
“Thank you!”
Kim Min-jun’s lips curved up in satisfaction.
‘Doesn’t matter. I’ll rack up points for the squad.’
Anyway, instructor duty.
Getting to drill the hunters like crazy.
Come on already, guerrilla training!
“Min-jun, you really taking on guerrilla instructor?”
Back at the barracks, the seniors—who somehow always knew everything—approached him.
“Whoa, you accepted that brutal gig? Lee Seung-ho turned it down flat.”
“Yeah. Oh, but I’m joining trench combat too.”
“Trench combat?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it the most fun part of guerrilla training?”
At his follow-up, the squadmates sighed.
“Dude, you’ll be fine as instructor. But look at us. Rolling around exhausted, then trench combat? You think that won’t suck?”
“Instructors get brutal pre-training too. You corporals know that—why act surprised?”
“Ahem. Fair point.”
The corporals coughed awkwardly.
“You corporals better stay on my good side. And you privates too. Got it?”
Kim Min-jun swept his gaze over the squad, flashing a meaningful smile.
“…Why’d it have to be this guy as instructor?”
“We’re screwed…”
“And this training’s already tougher.”
The squadmates behaved cautiously until Kim Min-jun left for instructor training.
**
Two weeks later, the day of guerrilla training.
The hunters set off in full combat gear toward the guerrilla field 60 km away.
First day of guerrilla training: the so-called march to camp.
“Ugh, the field’s right there, and we’re looping around? For real?”
“I’m more worried that the power suit’s already wearing me out.”
Unlike last time, the hunters were all wearing power suit vests.
Each vest weighed a whopping 80 kg.
From now on, they had to wear them at all times, except when sleeping.
[Invincible Guerrilla Field]
When the hunters reached the entrance, instructors in red berets stood in formation.
These were the demons who’d torment them for the next four nights and five days.
“First, set up camp! You’ll have plenty of time, so hydrate thoroughly before training starts!”
“Understood!”
At the guerrilla instructors’ orders, the hunters took positions and began pitching tents.
“Whoa, scared the crap outta me.”
“That Kim Min-jun, Corporal?”
While pitching tents, an instructor approached, and the hunters reflexively stepped back.
It was Kim Min-jun.
“Yeah. Body was itching just sitting around, so I came to play. Instructors get a break right now.”
“Ugh… we’re rolling soon…”
“You won’t say that after pre-training. Anyway, pitch fast and rest. This is the most downtime you’ll get.”
“Got it.”
As the hunters pitched tents, a corporal from the neighboring company approached Kim Min-jun.
Choi Seung-woo, Corporal—a muscle-bound guy with a strength stat near 40.
“Kim Min-jun! Bet with me!”
“Corporal Kim Min-jun. What kind of bet?”
“You’re instructor this time, right? How about that?”
Choi Seung-woo pointed to the military tent.
The same one used in hunter mobility training.
“Whoever sets up the most within the time. If I win, go easy on me.”
Oh.
Look at this guy.
Well, he’s from another company, so he doesn’t know my tent skills.
“Then if I win, I can drill you till you beg for death?”
“Okay. Deal!”
At that, Choi Seung-woo snorted, saying save the trash talk for after he wins.
‘Heh. I’ve got plans.’
The corporal from the next company had plotted this since the day Kim Min-jun left for instructor training.
“No instructors around—let’s finish quick.”
“Got it.”
With the impromptu bet set, the other hunters’ eyes locked on them.
“Begin!”
The bet started, and the corporal and Kim Min-jun busily pitched tents.
“That guy knows Kim Min-jun’s a tent pro, right? Why’s he doing this?”
“He’s about to get schooled. Says he’ll pitch ours too—let’s watch.”
As the hunters predicted, Kim Min-jun dominated early.
“Summon! Come forth! My summons!”
But midway through.
Choi Seung-woo struck a weird pose and shouted.
“Didn’t say I’d do it alone? Call your numbers too.”
Sure enough, his three squadmates appeared to help.
“Hey, that psycho. That’s your big plan?”
“Cheater.”
“Totally rigged.”
“What a moron! Put that effort into stats, he’d be a sergeant by now!”
The squadmates, who’d been watching excitedly, spat curses at the corporal’s pathetic move.
“Whoa… look at that.”
“Wow… Min-jun’s still faster?”
Moments later.
The hunters’ eyes turned to Kim Min-jun.
Even with four on the other side, he wasn’t falling behind—he was speeding up.
‘Cute little things. Good idea.’
I’ll see you at training.
Gonna drill you insane.
“Hey! Told ya—Kim Min-jun’s a tent god.”
“Ha! That’s a schooling!”
Kim Min-jun’s squadmates mocked Choi Seung-woo gleefully.
“I lost… like this…”
In the end, Kim Min-jun won by one tent.
Choi Seung-woo stared in shock, turning to Kim Min-jun.
“Corporal Choi Seung-woo. 2nd Battalion, 3rd Company, right? I’ll remember. Especially you—get ready.”
Leaving those words, Kim Min-jun coolly left to prep PT calisthenics.
“Screwed… guerrilla in my last month’s bad enough, but losing like this…?”
The bet’s proposer slumped in despair.
**
Time passed, and now in front of the Invincible Guerrilla Field parade ground.
Male and female hunters alike stood in rigid formation, faces tense.
They usually sang when mixing units, but everyone looked grim.
No wonder—with the new power suits, they had to complete the training.
Plus, word was the number of instructors had more than doubled.
Meaning they’d be drilled even harder.
“From now until training ends, all responses will be ‘Sir’! Understood?”
“Sir!”
“That all the voice you got? Understood?”
“Sir!!”
“You there! Standard!”
“Hunter Trainee 198! Standard!”
“Widen intervals for calisthenics formation—execute!”
“Guerrilla! Sir!”
Training began, and the guerrilla commander’s tone turned savage.
“Your mental state’s off. Push-ups!”
“Sir!”
“Faster! Snappier! Understood?”
“Sir!”
The guerrilla commander barked at any trainee who lagged even slightly.
It was due to the battalion commander’s special order to drill them hard for the upcoming trainings.
‘Oof, these guys are in for it.’
Of course, compared to the trainees, the instructors had it worse.
“You, trainee! Posture straight!”
“Sir!”
“Deeper!”
“Sir!”
That’s why the instructors’ eyes burned with ferocity.
Kim Min-jun patrolled near the trainees with the other instructors, checking if they took it properly.
“We’re starting PT calisthenics now! But first, demo from our expert instructor! Instructors, forward!”
“Guerrilla!”
At the guerrilla commander’s call, Kim Min-jun dashed to the platform.
Only one instructor—the top performer among those selected—did the demo.
Naturally, it was Kim Min-jun.
“High jump prep!”
“Guerrilla!”
“This is high jump prep position! Understood?”
“Sir!”
“PT number one: high jump, three reps initial!”
To the guerrilla commander’s whistle, Kim Min-jun performed high jumps.
Tweet! Tweeeet! Tweet!
“One!”
Tweet tweeeet! Tweet!
“Two!”
His angles were precise as a protractor; trainees couldn’t look away.
‘Whoa… that form. Insane.’
‘So cool…’
Especially the female hunters stared intently.
“Execute PT number one now! No final cadence! Understood?”
“Sir!”
“Anyone calls cadence, reps triple. Understood?”
“Sir!”
The guerrilla commander nodded to the instructors and put the whistle in his mouth.
Instructors took positions around the trainees, ready to monitor.
‘Oh? What’s this?’
Kim Min-jun’s eyes stopped on one trainee.
‘She’s right in front of me?’