Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: These People All Have to Discharge Before It's Your Turn
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Six bunks connected to lockers.
Two of them were prepared for me and Mino.
"The guys from Barracks 1 will probably be back soon too. If the Supply Sergeant's at the admin office, it means the mission she was leading is pretty much wrapped up."
Corporal Liv was still hovering around us, lending a hand. Even something as simple as setting down our heavy duffel bags on our bunks and unpacking neatly...
"Don't worry too much, bro. This place is still full of people just like us, so nothing bad's gonna happen. Got it?"
And while helping out, he kept reassuring me with these lines that tugged at my heartstrings for no reason.
"You can speak casually to me. You're way senior to me, after all."
"Let's do it like this when it's just us."
It might be too early to judge what kind of guy he really was, but just knowing he was in the next barrack over already put my mind at ease.
Calling me "bro" was appreciated, and so was the help with unpacking...
"Once we're both discharged, we'll be bros again anyway, right? So speak casually when it's just us, Jeong-woo bro."
But there were still plenty of mysterious things about him.
I still couldn't remember Corporal Liv at all, yet he treated me with utmost respect while also seeming curious about my ability.
"I'll do my best to get you home faster. Just hang in there till then, bro. Got it?"
I had no intention of dropping the formalities myself, but his eyes were so earnest and pure that I couldn't help but trust him. Drawing a line felt pointless now.
"...Yeah."
But outwardly, I let my doubts spill out.
"Why are you helping me out like this, anyway?"
It hadn't even been a full day since we met.
Yet he was actively trying to help me, all while giving off an aura that made it hard to get too close.
"Why am I helping?"
Liv tilted his head. He pondered silently for a good thirty seconds or so before...
"...Isn't it natural to want an old acquaintance to do well?"
...flashing a bright smile as he answered.
"Mino, right? Take good care of our bro from now on."
He even bowed his head politely while asking a favor of my fellow trainee.
His humility felt downright awkward. He'd been here for over a year already, and we were fresh transfers.
Yet he was showing respect to us rookies based on time served.
"They might be a bit on edge right after the mission. Make sure to greet them properly so no issues come up, and help out Jeong-woo bro if he gets in a bind."
"...Yes, understood."
Mino glanced down at him reluctantly as she replied. Suspicion and wariness still filled her eyes, but her sharp instincts hadn't picked up anything malicious from Liv.
She'd been razor-sharp with Hayes, drawing clear lines, but not a peep out of her toward Liv.
I wondered if it was because she found him attractive...
"Anyway, I'm heading out! Good luck, you two!"
The moment Liv closed the door behind him...
Screeech.
"That guy's giving me bad vibes."
Out of nowhere, she blurted something crazy. I was in the middle of organizing my locker when my legs gave out, and I plopped down like an idiot.
"What do you mean? We just met."
Still, I tried to respect Mino's gut feeling as much as possible. If I had to pick between her and Liv right now, I'd go with Mino.
WWe were fellow trainees who had survived boot camp together. By now, we’d grown quite close and could rely on each other...
"Why's he rubbing you the wrong way? Did you sense something?"
So I asked out of courtesy.
But Mino just pouted her lips.
"Just."
"Just...?"
It was an absurd answer. It sounded like a sulky kid throwing a tantrum.
Nothing like the sharp warnings she'd given me back at training camp.
"What do you mean 'just bad vibes'? Fine, say that's possible. But he's our senior from the barrack right next door. You can't just say stuff like that carelessly."
The more I scolded her, the stonier Mino's face got.
Her lips stuck out even further, like she thought she was a pufferfish or something.
"Plus, he said he'd help me. Help me get back to my original world faster. Nothing to lose by trusting him, right?"
"I dunno."
Mino shook her head vigorously.
Every time Liv's name came up, she acted like this. It suddenly hit me.
That dummy—could she be jealous of me getting close to Liv?
There didn't seem to be any other reason.
"Anyway, if you don't like him, no need to force it. But I need to talk to Corporal Liv more. It's really important to me. Getting back to my home—"
"I know."
Mino cut me off.
She looked genuinely upset.
"Sigh. Fine, whatever..."
This wasn't the time to argue over something trivial.
I had to finish organizing my locker.
The seniors would be back from their mission soon.
At least get it done before they arrived...
Thud thud thud thud—
But then a curveball.
Furious footsteps echoed from afar, growing louder as they barreled toward us...
Bang!
The door flew open. It was impossible to tell if they were opening it or trying to smash it down.
"Argh, fuck!"
And the moment it swung wide, an explosive voice rang out.
Mino and I caught sight of their combat boots before even seeing their faces. The enraged seniors stormed in...
They filed into the barrack one by one.
"This is such bullshit! Do I really have to deal with this crap in my last year? Is this for real?"
One Private First Class (2 years in) with fiery red hair, ranting up a storm.
"Rachel Corporal, this ain't right. Platoon Leader must've totally lost it!"
Following behind, a Corporal (3 years in) grumbling in a thick dialect. Total: 2.
"Feels like they all hate just us..."
A slouched Private (2 years in) shambling in. Total: 3.
"Quit your whining and get your ass in here, idiot!"
"Y-Yes, sir... Waaah..."
Another Private (5 years in) kicking the first one's butt along. Total: 4.
All four seniors piled into the barrack and tossed off their gear with huge sighs of relief.
They were caked in dirt and mud—who knew how hard they'd worked—and drenched in sweat.
Even from a distance, that funky smell wafted over.
"Gonna wash up~ Military life is shit right to the end~"
The women stripped off their clothes without a care.
Mino and I just sat bolt upright on our bunks, blinking blankly amid it all...
"...Huh?"
Finally, the seniors noticed us.
They paused mid-strip, glancing back and forth between me and Mino.
"What the hell is this?"
"Heard we were getting some rookies assigned here."
The pissed-off, sweaty vibe flipped in an instant.
The top senior Private First Class, clad in just panties and a towel, approached with curious eyes and loomed right in front of me.
Her barely concealed breasts hovered right in my face, filling my vision. Every time she shifted, the towel slipped just enough to tease a glimpse of nipple.
"Huh...? Hold up. Look at this guy?"
"Private Han Jeong-woo!"
I gave my name and rank for her sake—for all of them.
At the sound of my voice, smiles broke across the seniors' faces.
It was unmistakably not a woman's voice.
"Rachel Corporal, we got ourselves a dude!?"
"M-Me, a m-man!?"
"Wasn't there talk of a male rookie...?"
But the most excited of all was...
"Kyahaha! Yeah, military life needs events like this!"
...the red-haired Rachel Private First Class.
Clap clap clap—
She clocked the situation right away and started applauding for me and Mino.
"Rookies are here~!"
Rachel plopped down on my bunk, laughing merrily.
Her sweat-soaked panties and ass planted blatantly on the sheets—seemed too much, but as a rookie, I couldn't say a word.
"Jeong-woo, huh? Cute name~?"
"W-Wow... N-Never thought we'd get a guy in our barrack..."
"Hey rookie, how old are ya? Hmm~?"
And they all crowded around my bunk. My perfectly made sheets were getting wrecked.
Hands ruffling my hair, pinching my cheeks... total chaos.
Surprisingly, none paid Mino any mind. All eyes on me.
"Private Han Jeong-woo! 21 years old...!"
But amid this steamy situation, only one thought crossed my mind.
Total: 4.
These people all have to discharge before me and Mino's turn comes.
Fuck.