Chapter 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Preparation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A remote, tranquil military outpost, quite a distance from the recruit training center.
"Supply Sergeant."
"Yeah?"
There, two women share a brief conversation. One is a still-clumsy soldier, the other a non-commissioned officer whose eyes seem perpetually half-closed.
You could describe her as squinting, but her ever-present smile lines could also be called charming.
A relaxed voice,
Languid smile lines,
And beneath them, a tiny beauty mark.
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"Mmm~"
Let's skip the detailed description.
Someday, these threads will weave into one story, but for now, they're scenes unfolding in the same time, different spaces.
No need to delve too deep just yet.
"About the Company Commander, ma'am. What kind of person is she?"
The soldier asks the Supply Sergeant.
Their unit harbors a few inexplicable mysteries, one of which revolves around the Company Commander.
"I've heard rumors she's the heir to some incredibly prestigious family. So why would someone like that end up in a backwater post like this..."
"Hmm— a backwater post, huh."
The Supply Sergeant graciously overlooks the soldier's foolish word choice. Someone else would chew her out anyway, even if she didn't.
But the soldier's curiosity is understandable. Even the Supply Sergeant herself has plenty of questions about their commanding officer.
Captain Yujin exudes refinement at first glance.
If the word "elite" took human form, she'd look exactly like it—beautiful, without a trace of excess, inspiring admiration in others.
Yet despite all that, Captain Yujin is stationed in a remote, notoriously tough unit. For promotion, she'd be better off riding influential lines and racking up achievements early on.
This place is what they call the [forward line]. A bit different from the Korean concept, but think of it as far from the Albatross Union's heartland.
Mountains loom ahead of the base,
And behind, a few large and small cities connected by roads.
In a way...
It's just an unremarkable rural spot.
"I don't know much about that~ Even though we're pretty close now, she still won't tell me. Tsk... Whatever. She's a good commander anyway, right?"
That's probably why Captain Yujin was assigned here. Among forward positions, it's one of the milder ones. A quiet place to lay low.
"I trust the Company Commander~ Hope she brings back a bunch of solid recruits. Whew..."
The Supply Sergeant stretches with a big yawn and stands to do some stretches. She looks older up close, but outwardly, she doesn't differ much from the other soldiers.
It's her habit of patting her waist and her occasional pitiful antics that make her seem a bit pitiable.
Rumors say
Captain Yujin volunteered for this post herself...
Who knows.
Unless she speaks up,
No one will ever know the truth.
Military Life Points: +14
Overall Rating: A fine talent setting an example for the other trainees! Keep it up just like this!
Arousal Points: +33
Overall Rating: Your bold demeanor is impressive. Flowers on cliffs and fruits high in trees are all the more enticing.
The status window shows two metrics steadily rising. But human life isn't determined by just a few numbers.
I still need to watch a bit longer to see what results my choices bring, but I don't regret them.
"Whoa, what's this! No. 158... uh, Trainee Han Jeong-woo! So, you want to try being Squad Leader Trainee?"
The candidates selected from each barracks gather to meet the Company Commander and Platoon Leaders.
But as expected,
The main topic here is also the [male Squad Leader Trainee].
"The Company Commander supports you. Doesn't it look great? This is progressive barracks life. The military's heading in the right direction!"
The Company Commander beams, expressing genuine respect—or maybe gratitude?—toward me.
She didn't do much herself, but I showed up out of nowhere and handed her a huge event on a platter.
"Truth is, the Company Commander was worried. With you being the only man, I thought you might struggle to fit in... But you're showing real soldier spirit instead. Makes me so grateful."
This wrinkly old lady doesn't treat me sexually, but sees me as a [stepping stone] for her own career.
She's not dumb enough to kick away a gift that fell into her lap. Right now, she's probably pondering how to report this to superiors and emphasize her own achievements.
"Excellent, just great! Alright, everyone, give our Jeong-woo your full support as Squad Leader Trainee... And the rest of you, work hard to help your own squad members too. Got it?"
Thanks to this, the other women barely register to her. She heaps praise on me, tossing in a casual "work hard" for the rest. All attention's on me.
But none of the trainees mind. Their focus is entirely on me too.
How ridiculous must I seem to them? Utterly absurd, probably.
In this world, men were likely all meek things doing laundry and dishes. Think of ancestors who beat their wives like rats. It's probably something like that.
Thinking this way makes me feel like a [men's rights activist]. In my original world terms, a feminist?
A man tirelessly smashing the glass ceiling.
The sentence itself is hilarious.
"Alright, trainees, return to your barracks now..."
Before my self-mocking smile fades, the meeting with the Company Commander ends. She's rushing us out, probably for a commanders' conference.
We snap quick salutes, turn, and file into the corridor. The women immediately tilt heads or click tongues at me once alone...
But I swallow hard
And put on an even bolder front.
"Looking forward to it, everyone. Let's do our best together?"
"Huh?"
They're all wearing utterly baffled expressions. Some scoff with mocking laughs.
Doesn't matter.
I spin on my heel and dash back to my barracks before they close their gaping mouths.
Becoming Squad Leader Trainee doesn't pile on massive responsibilities.
Usually, one instructor per barracks oversees the whole group, and the Squad Leader Trainee assists them.
"No. 158!"
This actually means more time with Drill Sergeant Kate. She relays training schedules and such to me, handling everything from cleaning to roll calls through me.
In front of others, she calls my number or uses my new Squad Leader Trainee title...
But when fewer eyes are on us...
"...Jeong-woo, watch closely. Like this."
She treats me warmly. Our relationship is ambiguous in many ways, but inside the training center, no one helps me like Drill Sergeant Kate.
"You try it. So you can help the others."
According to her, combat enhancement training kicks off in earnest tomorrow.
Apparently, we hike to some hilly wilds, so here I am, packing field gear even in this world.
Not much different from the Korean army. Just adjust sizes to fit.
"..."
Drill Sergeant Kate watches my hands intently from behind. Most couldn't mimic it after one look, but...
"You're good."
It's all too familiar to me. After a year and a half, it'd be a problem if I were still clumsy.
"Yeah, you..."
Her hand lightly rests on my right shoulder. What thoughts cross her mind watching my back?
"You'll be way better than the other girls. Guess I worried for nothing. You're nothing like other men."
"Thank you."
"No need to be so formal when it's just us."
Kate, sharp and prickly with everyone,
Is downright gentle with me.
"You can use informal speech."
"Pardon?"
"W-what, pretending not to know now? Between us..."
Her blushing cheeks are subtly cute.
But something's
Off. She's gotten too sweet—almost scary.
Like treating a lover.
No way.
We're just a casual one-night thing. Why go that far...?