Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Competitive Spirit
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"Two years. Jeong-woo, let's tough it out together for just two years."
Captain Yujin clutches my forearm tightly as she speaks.
She still has more to say, it seems. But I've already heard plenty.
Her voice has been echoing nonstop in my head. It's crammed so full there's no room left, so even if she keeps babbling, I can't take in another word.
'She waited until my discharge. Even after coming to this world, she'll help me adjust to military life.'
That chilling sentence gnaws at my mind.
It's not anger—
my pride crumbles, and a hollow laugh escapes me.
'She enlisted herself just to do military service alongside me.'
I've mulled it over and over, but I still can't wrap my head around it. How could anyone even think like that?
And yet Yujin won't let go. She keeps talking, trying desperately to convince me.
"I get how you feel. Two years isn't short. Doing military service twice would be brutal."
Her face is full of sincerity.
She truly, unwaveringly believes she's in the right.
"That's why I'm here. It's too tough for an ordinary guy to make it in this world, right? I'll watch over you and make things easier. Come with me. We'll suffer together for two years, then go get our families' official permission to date."
I don't need to spit right in her face.
Truth be told, the smartest move would be to pretend I understand, fool her, bide my time, and slip back to our original world when the chance comes.
No need to go head-to-head with this idiot who dragged a fully discharged reservist back to basic training.
"..."
But my heart's pounding too fast.
That's where all the trouble starts.
"...No."
Most people can tell what's wise from what's foolish, but life has a way of sneaking up on you, making you pick the irrational choice without realizing it.
Pride.
Competitive spirit.
Revulsion.
If I could just let go of those three, I'd win every time.
"Let me be clear. I'm not your boyfriend, and we're just childhood friends who were close for a little while back then."
Of course I'd pull something this stupid.
Without even thinking about the fallout.
"I only saw you again after exactly twelve years. After you moved away, I barely thought of you."
The more I speak, the harder her expression grows.
"...Huh?"
Yeah, that's the feeling.
I felt the exact same way when I first heard you.
"Haha, what kind of nonsense is that?"
Shock.
Her trembling voice slips past her gaping lips.
"Jeong-woo, I know I messed up big time. Can't you forgive me now? You're taking this joke way too far..."
"It's not a joke. Sorry, but I hardly remember the times we spent together. It's all too long ago."
I'm not even lying. Just speaking my honest truth is shock enough for her.
"You've been waiting for me all this time...? Never even dated anyone...?"
"It's not that I didn't date—it's that I couldn't."
Our worldviews clash head-on.
Two people, both utterly convinced they're right.
"No way! How is that even possible?!"
Yujin shakes her head vigorously, outright denying my claim.
"For twelve years, you didn't even hold hands with a girl, barely talked to them...!"
"That was just shyness. Hold on—how the hell did you even know that...? Never mind. Anyway, in our world, that happens a lot!"
"Quit lying already. You're actually scaring me now. For real...!"
The more I say, the worse it gets for me, but truth always stings whoever hears it.
"Argh! Listen up. It wasn't because of you that I held out—I was just too damn shy around girls!"
I shout it loud and proud.
Being a lifelong singleton was a half-forced tragedy, nothing more.
"If I could've dated, I would've gone all out. Holding hands, kissing, hell, even hitting motels! I'd have done everything!"
"Kyaa! Stop it!"
Yujin screams and clamps her hands over her ears, like my words are pure agony.
But I can't stop now.
The dam of pent-up frustration has burst—it has to flow all the way.
Even if it wrecks my life completely, even if it means awkward military service with her.
I have to say my piece.
I've always been like this.
If I could hold back in a situation like this, I'd have become a pastor or a monk instead.
"Come on, that doesn't make sense. You're twenty-two, not married, no fiancée...! No grand purpose would make someone live that lonely...!"
Now Yujin's the one who's scared.
She can't understand me, and it's throwing her into confusion.
Of course. How could an elite social butterfly like you grasp a lifelong virgin's world?
"No, wait, okay. Fine. Say that's true, a hundred concessions. Then it's even better."
Yujin pulls herself together and extends her hand to me again.
"We can just start over from now...?"
Slap!
But I brush off that pale palm lightly and say,
"Sorry, Company Commander."
I'm not even calling her Yujin anymore.
I'm fully prepared.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll focus on my service. Looking forward to working with you!"
Fuck you.
Let's see who wins.
Everything in life boils down to a battle of wills.
It all depends on your mindset.
"You're joking, right?"
Yujin smiles. Not a pretty smile, but the kind that slips out from sheer bewilderment.
She probably doesn't know how to get mad. Makes sense—she's lived a life far removed from scraps like this.
The Yujin in my memories isn't much different.
All the other kids staring with admiring eyes, approaching her first, teachers fussing over her...
"Come on, Jeong-woo. Why are you like this?"
How did we even get close?
I can't remember.
How'd a nobody like me end up friends with Yujin?
"Seriously, why? Jeong-woo—"
"Trainee No. 158, Han Jeong-woo!"
I don't know.
And honestly, it doesn't matter.
The atmosphere sinks slowly,
a razor-sharp tension building between me and Yujin.
That's all that counts.
Right here, right now—what do we feel, and what do we do?
"..."
Yujin's smile fades.
She stares straight at me, that subtle smirk frozen on her face.
"Ah, I see."
Our reunion ends like this.
Or maybe it's just beginning.
"Let's see you do well, then."
Yujin's offended too, and I'm in just as foul a mood.
"If it gets tough, tell me. I'll keep waiting.?"
And so our story begins, tangled in the worst possible misunderstanding.
"Just a bit more! We're almost there!"
The instructors shout. They're trying to boost the trainees' morale.
"Don't give up, no matter how tough! You can do it!"
We've had plenty of shit and scandals so far, but by the end of training camp, everyone forms their own bonds.
Doesn't matter if it's the Korean military or here—same deal.
"Almost there! Keep marching! Stopping makes it worse. Think of your comrades and push on!"
30kg rucksack on my back,
plus the cumbersome rifle and gear strapped to the front.
All told, about 40kg.
Forcing this brutal march at training camp...
And with the front person's pace slowing and speeding erratically, I can't even walk steadily.
The instructors saying "almost there" is total bullshit. We've still got 10km to go.
"...Jeong-woo, rest if you're struggling. You've pushed too hard already."
But they don't apply the strict rules to me.
Because I'm a guy.
And because Drill Sergeant Kate leads our squad.
"You sure you're okay?"
I see her worried face.
Can't blame her.
This rucksack, packed FM-tight, is heavy enough to snap my back.
Heavier than the Korean military ones, even.
From the side, I'd look ready to collapse any second.
Sweat pouring like rain,
legs screaming with accumulated pain.
"F-Fine... g-got... it... huff..."
"No! D-Don't talk. You're fine. Yeah, just keep going."
But I grit my teeth to the end.
Truth is, I could've lightened the load before starting. Per training camp rules, guys only need 20kg for a standard march.
"You're doing great. Keep it up..."
But I don't want to live by those eased standards. And I sure as hell don't want anyone's help.
"Good, just like that...!"
All the women's eyes are on me.
Sure, girls like Mino march briskly without a drop of sweat despite the weight, but raw power draws less gaze than this gritty, underground-style desperate struggle.
Now some women are falling behind, but I keep walking.
Walk, and walk,
endlessly walking.
No matter how heavy the load on my body, I ignore it.
"You're doing great! Keep going!"
Fuck you.
Eat shit.
"Jeong-woo, just a little farther...!"
If I say I will, I will.
Let's see who wins.
March - Training Camp New Record (Male)
You completed a 40km march with full 40kg combat gear. Tied for 1st place among male records at the Albatross Union Recruit Training Center.
Congratulations! Military Life Points have exceeded 50!
Military Life Points Shop function unlocked.