Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Chapter 4 - Reporting In
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My mental state is completely shattered.
If I'd just stayed quiet, it would've been better.
"This tattoo means there's nothing we can do about it now. It's a problem even I can't handle..."
Corporal Liv keeps chattering away about something only he seems to know.
He doesn't notice my face rotting away.
Well, from my perspective, that's actually a relief. I can't show a shitty expression like this to the senior I'll be living with, starting from our first meeting.
"You crossed dimensions, right?"
Corporal Liv continues explaining to me. I can't make sense of what he's saying, but he seems to know quite a bit.
"This tattoo often appears on people who travel between dimensions. Especially when coming from Earth to here, it comes with special abilities."
Maybe he was dragged here against his will, just like me. The way he gives such clear answers to the bizarre things I'm experiencing suddenly gives me that hunch.
"And that's the problem. This shouldn't have happened."
"Pardon...?"
Corporal Liv's stiffened expression scares me half to death.
My mental is already in pieces, and now he's piling on the fear.
"Everything happens for a reason. You were brought here because of the Company Commander, right? But this tattoo is a separate issue. And that's the really important part."
Corporal Liv has even picked up on the thing between me and Captain Yujin.
But his focus isn't the heavy tug-of-war between this man and woman...
"What ability do you have? What does the tattoo say?"
It's my tattoo and the power I possess.
Sweat trickles down my spine for no reason. His dead-serious face and intensity make me shrink back.
"Hyung, tattoos don't just appear out of nowhere. The fact that it showed up means you absolutely have to do [something] here."
The pitying, sympathetic look in his eyes has completely changed.
It's like he's interrogating me, investigating. Corporal Liv is clearly seeing something in me.
"What does the tattoo say?"
He grabs my wrist.
[Warning! Warning!]
Red warning text.
The status window vibrates violently, sending me a signal.
It looks far more urgent than anything I've seen before.
Corporal Liv doesn't look like some villain, but my body—tied so closely to the tattoo and status window—is suddenly overwhelmed with terror.
"Ah, wait a second. Did I startle you? Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just trying to help as much as I can—"
The one who wraps up this situation isn't me or Corporal Liv...
It's Mino's hand.
Snap—
She reaches out and grabs Corporal Liv's wrist. Mino holding Corporal Liv, Corporal Liv holding me—an awkward triangle grip.
"..."
In the center, Mino and Corporal Liv lock eyes.
Neither says a word, but an ominous vibe starts thickening the air.
I have no idea what's going on. But as if by some unspoken agreement, they both let go at the same time.
Thanks to that, my wrist is free. The warning text floating in front of me fades away quietly...
"Sorry about that. Looks like I scared you both pretty good?"
Corporal Liv flashes his friendly smile again.
But he's clutching his own wrist. Looking closely, there's a bright red mark there.
My wrist, on the other hand, shows no trace. Corporal Liv had just gripped me firmly—no direct harm to the skin.
We're fucked.
Mino helped me out, sure, but in military terms...
That's straight-up insubordination.
"Mino...! You idiot...!"
"?"
I smack Mino's side hard as she tilts her head, wondering what the issue is.
I'm grateful, but she crossed the line way too far. Two brand-new recruits mangling a veteran's wrist...!
"S-s-s-sorry! You apologize too!"
"Sorry."
Mino just bows her head, mimicking me, without a clue what's wrong. Naturally, she doesn't look remorseful at all.
"Hahaha. It's okay. I should be the one apologizing. You two must've been shocked."
The silver lining: Corporal Liv brushes off even this weird incident like it's nothing.
"You two seem really close. It’s nice to have a fellow classmate you can rely on."
But he's not just letting it slide without questions. Corporal Liv can't shake his bewilderment.
He keeps tilting his head, staring at the mark on his wrist.
"...But damn, that's some grip strength."
The mark perfectly molded to Mino's hand shape...
"Well. Better than being weak!"
Anyway, the mess gets sorted.
...I think?
"Speak casually from now on."
Corporal Liv leads the way, crossing through the barracks building interior.
"What happened back there stays a secret between us three. I'll dig up what info I can too. I'll pass along whatever I find when there's time."
Mino and I follow, keeping our steps precise and snappy. Recruits gotta move like recruits.
"Adapting to the unit comes first. You'll get the hang of it living day-to-day, but I'll help make it quicker and smoother."
The tension and anxiety swell as huge as the duffel bag slung on my back.
I'm stuck here, no escape, for nearly two years. To survive that marathon, two things matter most...
Meeting good people, and an easy schedule.
"Straight talk: our unit isn't some cushy paradise."
Okay. Easy schedule? Kiss it goodbye.
That line usually means you're in for hell.
"Everyone wants to coast since we're all stuck in the army. But don't you think finding pride in your assigned duties is more worthwhile?"
Corporal Liv makes a fair point. But that sunny optimism does zilch to console a fresh-faced recruit.
"Still, the unit folks are all great!"
Damn. That's another red-flag line.
The classic go-to when the daily grind is utter shit. Like, "People are nice, so suck it up."
My head's already pounding. And are the people really that great? Jury's out.
"...Your barracks crew aren't bad either."
The hesitation before speaking? Super suspicious. Like he thought of someone and paused.
And here's another head-scratcher.
Your barracks?
"Hey, Corporal Liv? Mind if I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"Aren't you our barracks squad leader?"
He freezes mid-step, then turns to us like he just remembered something.
"Nah. Circumstances... weren't ideal, so I stepped in. I'm squad leader for Barracks 2. You two are Barracks 1."
Okay. Good people? Yeah, that's fucked too.
Thought Corporal Liv was my squad leader. Nope. What the hell's the deal?
"Sadly, your barracks folks were out on mission. No one free to handle recruits, so here I am."
Only our barracks on mission?
On recruit arrival day, no one could peel off to greet us? Had to beg a senior from another barracks...?!
Fucked.
This is seriously fucked.
Every word out of Corporal Liv's mouth blares emergency sirens on my military-life radar.
But I can't just squeeze my eyes shut and collapse.
First, learn to survive here.
"Memorize your affiliation on the way. I say it like: 'Corporal Liv, Intelligence Company, 13th Infantry Brigade.' Swap in your rank and name."
Private Han Jeong-woo, Intelligence Company, 13th Infantry Brigade.
The phrase I'll drone out endlessly from here on.
"Same for phone calls or when anyone asks. Simple, right?"
We repeat the line like a mantra as we head to admin.
To finish check-in with Corporal Liv.
Real unit life starts now. No backing out—gotta grit teeth and bury my bones here, day by day.
"Almost there."
Straight down the spotless corridor, 30 seconds more, and admin appears.
"I salute first when we enter—you don't. Fill a few forms, out we go. Supply Sergeant or others might chat you up—answer sharp. Got it?"
"Yes, got i—"
"Yes, sir!!!"
I belt out a crisp reply for Mino's half-assed one.
Even if Liv's from next door, we'll cross paths plenty. And most importantly, he's my ticket home to Earth.
So, gotta rack up points.
"Perfect. Keep that energy."
Corporal Liv turns, beaming at us.
Success.
"Recruits with no nerves... Unit's full of good eggs. Life here's gonna be way more fun with you two."
That easy confidence? Maddeningly enviable.
Will I ever toss out lines like that?
He's got that veteran slacker vibe down pat, but no slurring—crystal clear.
Might be one hell of a guy. Makes sense—surviving this unit as a man...
Plus, clocked my thing with Yujin, knows all about my tattoo and status window.
What is he?
Sole consolation: not out to get me.
"Corporal Liv, here on admin business."
"Oh~ Liv's here?"
A voice from inside— even softer, gentler than Liv's.
"My."
First real unit encounter.
Our intro VIP is...
"Newbies~"
The Supply Sergeant.
I clock her importance sans glancing at the insignia nestled in her ample cleavage.
That level of chill in a unit? Means serious pull.
One unique lady. Feels mature, against her looks...
"Oh? Hold up. A boy's here?"
Her hair's in a retro braid with hairpin—vaguely antique.
"...Tch."
But here's the real oddity.
"This won't do~"
Looks disappointed, eyeing me.
"Wow~ At least one sturdy recruit showed~"
"Private Mino."
Her constant grin makes emotions tough to read, but her vibe toward Mino...
"Right. Mino, huh? What'd you do back in civvy street?"
"Wandered."
"Oho. Nice, nice. Tried it all, eh?"
Totally different.
Feels dismissive, but not offensive.
Hell, I'm even touched.
"Memorize this face. Yeah? I'll holler when I need ya—let's work together~"
"Understood."
God almighty.
She's not leering at my body...!?
...But am I really thrilled over this?
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