Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Change
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Drill Sergeant Kate wasn't the only one whose attitude had shifted. For whatever reason—maybe because I'd become Squad Leader Trainee—every woman in the squad was showing some kind of change, big or small, in how they treated me.
"Everyone, gather round?"
After a quick lesson from Drill Sergeant Kate, I headed back to the barracks. Now it was my turn to teach the entire squad how to pack their gear.
"I'll show you first, so watch closely and learn."
To be honest, I was better at it than Kate.
The supplies here were all in Korean military style, so I could apply every trick I'd picked up during my service. To me, it felt completely natural and straightforward.
But even as they watched my near-expert hands at work, some squad members started chattering among themselves.
They knew they'd be in trouble later if they didn't focus now, but they were picking fights anyway, just to protect their pride.
If I had to describe the atmosphere inside the barracks...
It was total chaos, noisy as hell,
and zero control whatsoever.
"Hey, pay attention, alright?"
"Sure~"
They still couldn't wrap their heads around me being Squad Leader Trainee. Almost no one was even watching my demonstration.
Except for one person.
Mino stared straight at me...
and dragged her own gear right up, plopping it down in front of me.
"Show me again."
That finally quieted the rowdy barracks. When Mino stepped up, all eyes turned to her. Even the giggly girls couldn't keep slacking off.
I always thought the same thing—she had an incredible presence. Like those insanely powerful characters in novels who radiate aura all around them. Mino gave off exactly that vibe.
"Like this... pull it tight here..."
In the middle of the barracks, I put on a special demo just for Mino. She picked things up so fast, I didn't need to repeat myself even once.
A newbie might mess up on the first try, but she'd never slipped up, not even once.
It had to be innate talent. Mino mastered everything quickly, and when it came to using her body, she nailed it perfectly every time.
"Like this?"
"Yeah, exactly. Nice job..."
I was the product of hard-earned practice,
but Mino was a natural genius, handling every new military chore flawlessly without a hitch.
What a waste for her to be spinning her wheels here. I didn't know much about this world, but she should've been an adventurer or something.
Or since she was in the army, maybe special forces. Letting talent like that rot was criminal.
It was impressive even to a regular guy like me,
so I could only imagine what the other women thought.
"Good job. That's it."
"Yeah."
Mino was one hell of a mysterious woman.
Her horns sprouting from her head and her toned body always scared everyone off, but she was actually the kindest, most gentle person around.
She just got misunderstood because of her quiet nature and tough looks. Strip away the height and muscles, and she was a total girl.
One of the best figures among the women in this world, too...
"Hey."
She wasn't great at getting close to people,
and she was kinda shy around strangers, but otherwise, perfect.
"Thanks."
I wasn't sure if she meant thanks for teaching her how to pack gear,
or for taking on Squad Leader Trainee.
Either way, just saying those short words seemed to overwhelm her—she blushed bright red. Her awkward fidgeting didn't match her tough exterior at all, and it made me want to smile.
But of course, I couldn't laugh out loud.
That'd just cause a misunderstanding, and she'd probably beat the corn right out of me. A subtle smile was the safest bet.
"Thanks for listening so well."
I didn't skip the thank-you either. Thanks to her, the other squad members started sneaking over to watch and learn.
"..."
But even my quick reply embarrassed her. By now, I could sense the faint emotions behind her stoic actions.
What she was thinking, what she felt—I could vaguely tell.
"Yeah."
Short reply, but
her flushed face was full of shyness and embarrassment.
It didn't suit her looks,
but watching from the side, it was pretty damn cute.
Getting closer to Mino little by little was noteworthy, but honestly, the biggest change in my training camp life was probably my relationship with Drill Sergeant Kate.
"You've all worked hard this past week. But from now on, this is the real training. Play to your strengths! Endure with willpower, and aim higher!"
Training camp week 2,
the full start of Combat Training Week.
With the company commander's speech, we dove into brutal workouts that pushed our bodies to the limit. Amid all that, Kate and I kept having our one-on-one sessions.
"Trainee No. 158, focus."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Truth be told, it was more like remedial lessons or punishment duty. I'd chosen this thorny path just for the Squad Leader Trainee badge, but Kate's special instruction was even harsher.
"Swing properly. I get that you've never fought before, but that won't cut it in real combat. Remember this: a soldier needs basic self-defense for emergencies."
This was where the differences from the Korean military started showing.
Lifestyle and ranks were identical, but here they did some seriously unique [Combat Training].
Hand-to-hand fighting.
I had no idea why the army wasn't teaching shooting and was doing this instead, but it was practical close-quarters combat.
Judo?
Jiu-jitsu...?
Felt like a mix of both. Of course, I'd never trained in either.
"A soldier has to protect their own body at minimum. Focus more. Especially as a man."
At first, I thought I'd awaken some hidden power. You know, like in novels where the protagonist suddenly discovers insane talent or a cheat ability after thinking they came to the isekai empty-handed...
"Again."
But my hands never once touched Drill Sergeant Kate. Whenever I rushed to close the distance, one of her [small movements] would throw me off-balance and send me tumbling.
Thud-!
I lost count of how many times my body floated up. Every crash into the ground sent shocks through my nerves and bones.
"Urgh..."
"...You okay?"
After slamming down, Kate would whisper worried consolation in my ear on the sly. But damn it, of course I wasn't okay.
"I-I'm fine..."
I wished she'd switch partners or something.
Training was two-man teams, so the other squad members paired up comfortably, but I was stuck learning directly from this tough woman.
"Get back in stance. This time, try it on me. Grab the arm tight and flip in one go. Got it?"
Maybe I could land one this time. My competitive fire flared up. I wanted to beat a woman for once.
Giggle-
Look at him.
Typical guy.
Ooh, I see it...
I wanted to smash every one of those whispering voices.
"Here I go?"
But Kate's movements were...
way too fast for a normal person to follow.
Whoosh-!
The gap between us vanished in an instant. She didn't even give me time to blink.
"Fail again. You're dead right there. How many times do I have to say that's dangerous?"
Kate smirked. It wasn't funny to me at all, but she grabbed my arm with a smile like it was lovers' play-fighting—
"Flip like this when you see an opening."
And slammed me down.
Crack!
...My dazed mind cleared up minutes later. That snapping-out feeling was seriously unpleasant.
"You okay?"
Lying there with Kate's thigh across me, I groaned and hauled myself up. I nearly died. For real.
"I went too hard. Sorry."
"...I'm fine."
"I told you to speak casually when it's just us."
This really was an isekai.
Those cat ears and tail weren't for show. Her movements were on a level impossible back on Earth.
"You can sit this out if you want. I already reported it."
"...I'll keep going."
"Tch. Speak casually, I said. You're making it awkward."
I had no idea why she kept insisting on casual talk, but I couldn't just lie here looking weak. How much were the other women laughing at me?
Was the army just endless sessions of this crap? Getting knocked out and excused as Squad Leader Trainee wasn't cutting it.
I needed something I was actually good at.
Like,
shooting or...
Yeah, shooting.
"This is a magic tool even those bad with mana can use easily. Sure, you might have preferred weapons like swords or spears, but mastering this will greatly boost your squad's combat power."
That's why my heart was racing.
Day 11 of training camp,
the first weapon Drill Sergeant Kate showed us...
"Hitting targets accurately takes consistent practice, but it has the advantage of not depending on your mana quality or proficiency. So train steadily. Skilled users get good treatment anywhere."
An assault rifle.
This isekai army had guns.
Seeing my eager eyes, some women started giggling again, expecting another humiliating flop.
"Show us, Squad Leader Trainee~"
"Bet he hits at least once?"
Sorry to disappoint.
...I'd never missed top marksman in my military days.