Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Final Days in Kaesong
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The Kaesong suppression operation was finally drawing to a close.
The time spent searching for monsters had become far longer than the time spent hunting them.
As a result, a sense of ease replaced the grim, tense atmosphere that had pervaded the Chilgok Unit.
With plenty of time on his hands, Do-jae went to see Kim Hwan-soo.
"Captain, could you teach me swordsmanship?"
Do-jae wanted to learn the way of the sword.
One might wonder what use a sword was to him now that the Harpy Queen's Plumage was shattered, but his goal wasn't to wield a sword himself; it was to learn how to counter sword techniques.
Countless Awoken favored the sword.
It was the most common weapon among both Hunters and the Suppression Corps.
While some Awoken used spears or axes, the difference was merely in their application; they were all fundamentally bladed weapons.
That was why Do-jae had sought out Kim Hwan-soo, the most skilled swordsman in the Chilgok Unit.
"Hmm. I'll help you out when I have time."
After that, Do-jae sought out Kim Hwan-soo whenever he was free and learned from him.
As expected of someone who wielded a weapon as tricky as a chain-sword, Kim Hwan-soo had a profound understanding of swordsmanship.
Even if his skills originated from a skill, there were things one learned only by honing that skill.
It meant that the prowess of an A-rank Awoken wasn't built on luck alone.
Though the time was short, he learned diligently.
And a few days later, Do-jae noticed he had gained a new skill.
[Swordsmanship Lv. 1]
It was his first skill unrelated to golems.
He had never imagined he could acquire a skill in this manner.
Do-jae certainly had a quick grasp of swordsmanship.
He assimilated the basic forms Kim Hwan-soo taught him in a remarkably short time.
There was a reason for this.
Do-jae's high Spirit stat.
The Spirit stat enhanced his comprehension and memory.
Realizing this, he felt a slight twinge of regret, thinking he should have raised his Spirit stat when he was studying for the Suppression Corps written exam.
Ultimately, he learned that the Spirit stat helped him quickly master completely unfamiliar fields, and what he learned could become a skill.
Do-jae used the skill in front of Kim Hwan-soo.
The movements he had been taught flowed from him automatically, without conscious thought.
Kim Hwan-soo was thoroughly amazed.
A person without a skill might take years, or even decades, to reach a level comparable to one.
Even then, it was difficult to catch up to an Awoken who possessed the skill from the start.
Yet, Do-jae was perfectly mimicking him after just a few sporadic lessons.
Do-jae didn't stop there. He used Nerves of the Golem to amplify the destructive power of his swordsmanship.
Instantly, the skill’s level rose to 4.
But that was its limit.
By repeating the same movements, the level of his Swordsmanship skill refused to rise any further.
If he had been given more time, he would have learned the next stage of swordsmanship from Kim Hwan-soo, but unfortunately, another problem arose.
***
"Who's in charge here? Get out here, now!"
As the last of the monsters were being wiped out, people from the North Korean side began to creep out of the woodwork.
Their objective was money.
They were demanding that everything be left behind, since the monsters had, after all, emerged from their land.
"Ugh, they were nowhere to be seen when the monsters were here, and now what? They're telling us to leave because it's the 'people's territory'?"
Song Ji-yoon grumbled with a frown as she searched for any remaining monsters in hiding.
While combat was considered the most critical part of the Suppression Corps' mission, proper cleanup was just as important.
They had to hunt down every last hiding monster to completely reclaim the land for humanity.
If they missed even one, the consequences would fall squarely on civilians.
Ultimately, the Suppression Corps, who had fought with their lives on the line, would be blamed for the one monster they accidentally missed.
No credit for a job well done, only blame for failure.
That was why suppression operations always dedicated a great deal of time and effort to mopping up remnants.
Fortunately, the geographical features of Kaesong made this part of the suppression effort relatively easier.
"Everyone, pull back."
After reporting to Kim Hwan-soo, Do-jae ordered his squad to withdraw.
If this had been South Korean territory, the situation would have been complicated by a tangle of various interests.
For example.
What happens to the area where a dungeon break occurred?
Usually, the government steps in to purchase the land and develop it into a new city or a national park.
But would the people who lived there just stand by?
The moment it seemed the monsters were gone, they would appear out of nowhere, setting up canopies and tents to stake their claims.
Of course, the government provides substantial compensation for those who lost their homes in an instant.
Most are satisfied and find new places to live, but there are always a few who refuse to reach an agreement and stage protests.
From the Suppression Corps' perspective, having civilians show up before the area is completely cleared is a major headache.
Some people even eat and sleep next to rotting monster carcasses.
And what if a hidden monster suddenly lunged out and attacked a civilian?
All the responsibility would be heaped upon the Suppression Corps.
Inevitably, the Corps would have to waste manpower on the situation, and with public officials, police, and firefighters getting involved, the process would drag on.
These days, dungeon breaks were less frequent, and institutional systems were better established, so such situations were not common. Nevertheless, being able to wrap up the suppression without these concerns was a huge relief for the Chilgok Unit.
"You've all worked hard in a foreign land. As of today, the Kaesong suppression operation is over. Everyone, prepare to withdraw."
Kim Hwan-soo gathered all the unit members and officially declared the end of the operation.
Now, the battle for this land would be fought not with bodies, but with minds.
That was a job for the higher-ups, not the Chilgok Unit.
And so, the Kaesong suppression finally came to an end.
The time to part with the members of Squad 3, with whom he had shared hardship and camaraderie for months, was fast approaching.
He had resolved not to get attached, but it seemed he had grown a little fond of them after all.
***
On the last day of the withdrawal from Kaesong.
A small table with drinks was set up in the middle of the barracks.
"Squad Leader, it was an honor to be with you, however short the time!"
"Squad Leader, don't you forget us!"
"We'll always be Squad 3!"
Do-jae and the members of Squad 3 gathered together, sharing lighthearted conversation.
"I'm sorry I couldn't take better care of all of you. And Ji-yoon and Hyun-jae, you two worked hard cleaning until just a moment ago."
Do-jae said, looking at Song Ji-yoon and Yook Hyun-jae.
For the first time, Yook Hyun-jae spoke with a scowl.
"Has your anger subsided a bit now?"
"Haha, yes. Thanks to you two cleaning so diligently every day."
"Then I'm relieved. I should have stopped Ji-yoon that day. I felt terrible toward you, Squad Leader."
"It's all in the past now, so let's not hold any grudges."
"Yes, Squad Leader."
Do-jae and Yook Hyun-jae lightly clinked their beer cans.
Do-jae then held his can out toward Song Ji-yoon, but for some reason, she just stared blankly at it.
"What are you doing? The Squad Leader's arm is going to fall off."
"Huh? Oh... oh!"
Snapping out of it, Song Ji-yoon hastily raised her can.
In the process, she knocked Lee Ji-woong's can to the floor.
*Fshhhhh-*
"What the heck, sis. What a waste. We didn't even buy that many cans. *Slurp*."
Lee Ji-woong picked up the fallen can and drank the overflowing foam.
Seeing this, Son Jeong-gyu asked Song Ji-yoon.
"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"No... not really..."
Normally, Song Ji-yoon would have been cheerfully chatting and leading the mood.
But today, her lips were sealed shut.
"Sis, don't tell me you're sad the Squad Leader is leaving?"
"No."
"Come on, it's not like you'll never see the Squad Leader again. You're really not sad?"
"I said no."
"Right. Even for our Squad Leader, it's not something to be sad about. Wait? Are you crying? Are you?"
Lee Ji-woong leaned in close, teasing her, while the other members chimed in.
"Yeah, what's with you? This isn't like you."
"Drink up, Ji-yoon! The only thing that can soothe regret is alcohol!"
"Ugh... I said it's not that..."
Song Ji-yoon lowered her head, her body starting to tremble.
Finally, she exploded, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"Hey! You little punk!"
"Gah! S-save me!"
Having been thoroughly teased, Song Ji-yoon grabbed the head of Lee Ji-woong, who was sitting beside her, and shook it.
With each shake, clumps of his hair flew into the air.
"Keuk..."
Kang Eun-taek clutched his own long hair protectively and slowly backed away.
The other squad members roared with laughter.
"Hahaha. Now that's the Song Ji-yoon we know."
"Yeah, you weren't acting like yourself."
After the little commotion died down.
Lee Ji-woong rubbed his smarting head and said.
"Ughhhh. Let's talk about something else. Oh, right, I heard the Squad 2 Leader is also transferring to Suppression HQ, so they're having a farewell party too. They were all excited about going on a trip to China together."
Lee Ji-woong, with his sharp ears and loose lips.
He also served as Squad 3's source of news.
He relayed the news about Squad 2 to Do-jae, though from where he'd heard it was anyone's guess.
"China? Why China of all places?"
Do-jae asked Lee Ji-woong.
Come to think of it, he didn't know much about Shim Young-jin.
He grew curious about what connection he had to China.
"I don't know about that. Maybe he just likes China..."
"Perhaps it's because of Polina?"
Kim Jun-su, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.
Among the members of Squad 3, Kim Jun-su was the most well-connected, on good terms with members from all over the Chilgok Unit.
"Polina? The major corporation Polina?"
"Yes, the fourth son of Polina's chairman is Squad 2 Leader Shim Young-jin."
Do-jae was surprised.
To think that Shim Young-jin was the son of a major corporation's chairman.
He then recalled seeing something about a large corporation in a news article about Song Deok-hoon.
He had thought Shim Young-jin was just the reckless nephew of a major guild's vice master, but it turned out he had an even more formidable background.
"I heard that Squad Leader Shim Young-jin lived in China when he was young. Polina's most successful overseas branch is in China, so there might be a connection."
"Wow, Jun-su, how do you know all that?"
"Ji-woong, a person needs to keep up with the news to know how the world works. Especially economics, you have to know economics."
Kim Jun-su said, lecturing Lee Ji-woong.
At that, Park Jin-ho, who was from the same class as Kim Jun-su, said with a laugh.
"Pfft. Is that why every stock you touch plummets?"
"Hey, that story..."
"Hahahaha. That's right, Ji-woong, you should never listen to Jun-su!"
"Puhaha. Right, if you just avoid whatever Jun-su invests in, you won't lose your principal."
A wave of laughter filled the barracks.
Song Ji-yoon, who had been fuming, seemed to have calmed down. She stretched out her arms and shouted to the squad members in a liberated voice.
"This dreary Kaesong life is finally over!"
Song Ji-yoon's voice rang out like a song.
Do-jae, as if responding to her, raised his beer and said.
"Take care, everyone."