Chapter 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: What the Hell, This Guy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the first running drill, it felt like everyone's perception of me had completely flipped.
The blatant stares were still there, unchanged, but their flavor was entirely different now. No more women looking down on me with sneers, and the number of people giggling for no reason had noticeably dropped.
"Hey, you were seriously amazing out there."
Once we returned to the barracks, a barrage of questions poured in from my squadmates. The awkward atmosphere that had lingered was gone without a trace, replaced by everyone chatting and laughing about me.
"A guy keeping pace with the girls' speed? That's a first for me."
"Maybe he's got hero blood in him or something. Or blessed by the gods..."
I couldn't help but feel pretty good.
Up until now, I'd thought I was just the pitiful lone guy suffering in a female-dominated workplace, but now that I'd proven myself, it felt more like I'd been assigned to an all-girls high school as the hot new student teacher pulling all the attention.
"Nah, it's not that big a deal..."
It was a pretty fast pace, sure, but getting all this exclusive spotlight for just running 3km left me flustered. My squadmates crowded around my bunk, making a huge fuss.
But amid their endless questions,
"Where are you from?"
the question about my origins caught me off guard.
"..."
Where am I from?
"You look super distinctive."
"Some minority race, right? Definitely not a regular human, that's for sure."
"Nah, probably beastkin. I heard beastkin guys have pretty solid physiques."
"No way, he's from the Holy Kingdom."
All sorts of guesses flew back and forth among the squadmates. But I couldn't live up to their expectations and just calmly revealed my utterly ordinary background.
"...From a place called Korea."
"Korea?"
There was a sliver of hope. Maybe one of them had heard of Korea.
But as expected,
they all tilted their heads at the unfamiliar name.
"What about Earth...? Ever heard of Korea or Earth? Either one...?"
"Hmm, no clue."
No matter what word I threw out, they didn't know it. They spoke the same language, wore combat uniforms and PT gear straight out of the Korean army playbook, yet none of them knew my country or planet.
"See? Told you. Minority race."
"Yeah."
"I heard there are still tons of small countries out east. Korea must be one of them. Right?"
Instead, they pegged me as some member of a fringe minority from the boonies.
It was a bit disappointing, but not enough to get me down. My wrist still bore the tattoo, and with that, I'd make it home someday.
"...Yeah, that's right."
"Knew it! My eyes never lie. Want me to guess another one? You were nobility back there, huh?"
"Nah, nothing like that. Just lived an ordinary life."
"Liar."
So I let it go and focused on chatting with the squad.
This was my one way to understand this isekai world and survive in this army.
"It's obvious just looking at your hands. You gonna claim you plowed fields with those soft, pristine things?"
"Hands that have never done laundry either. You were totally nobility."
"So you're a prince or something? Ooh..."
They kept up the fun speculation. No way was I jumping in to ruin the vibe.
It was just like watching a substitute teacher surrounded by excited high school girls.
"Fucking awesome."
"My prayers reached the heavens...!"
Wait, no—more like rowdy high school boys...?
The reactions were intense. Too much for "girls."
"I-If anything's tough living together, come to me, okay?"
"No! I'll help you. Don't worry!"
Super proactive. Aggressive, even.
I couldn't figure out gender dynamics here. At first, I thought guys had it worse, but their reactions made it seem like rarity made men get treated like kings...
"Thanks, everyone. Let's get along great from now on."
Ooh—
Every time I said something, it was chaos.
Had I ever gotten this much attention? My heart was racing too.
Makes sense. Surrounded by pretty girls treating me like royalty—who wouldn't feel great?
Of course, I wasn't about to grin like an idiot playing king bee. This was strategic networking.
I was building a friendly environment. In a place like training camp, allies were key...
"Hey, I'm Rosa. We met on CQ duty last night, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks for that. I'm Han Jeong-woo."
So amid the quick introductions, I offered a handshake first.
To mean "let's get along."
"Uh..."
But had I messed up? Suddenly everyone was eyeing each other, swallowing hard.
"...Ah, in my country, we usually shake hands for first greetings. Was that rude?"
Wondering if handshakes meant something else here, I started pulling back...
"Yeah, nice to meet you!"
But Rosa, cheeks flushed, grabbed my hand firmly and shook it up and down.
The tension eased. Everyone shyly accepted my handshakes.
Yet even in this great vibe, one girl wouldn't approach.
The one with twin horns sprouting from her head.
The second squadmate I'd met on CQ duty. Tall as hell, flawless movements, stunning looks, and an incredible figure peeking through her androgynous beauty—
"I-I'm Hayes!"
...No time to think about her.
Sixteen girls per barracks meant even quick name-and-handshake intros took time.
Especially with them gripping so desperately, beaming.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you."
Still,
somehow the feel of their hands and names didn't register.
More curious about that horned squadmate tidying her spot, waiting for breakfast.
Why? No idea.
Maybe because she was the only one not crowding my bunk, making a fuss... Or...
"..."
Maybe those brief, worried glances she shot my way.
After the run,
the Albatross Union Recruit Training Center shuttled squads to the mess hall for breakfast in sequence.
The mess was big, but not enough for everyone at once.
"Fill your tray in order and sit at empty spots. Got it?"
"Yes, understood!"
Our squad hit the mess at 07:43. Military efficiency kicked in—serving started right away, but...
I was a little disappointed scanning the menu. Amid a chow line like the Korean army's, I faced isekai grub.
Felt more American military, actually. Thick brown stew evoking Western style, plus bread as the main.
Plus veggie salad and fruit on the tray. Simple, standard fare.
Honestly, I'd hoped for Korean stuff. Kimchi, fried fish, pork cutlet, soybean paste soup, side dishes...
This isekai army ran just like the ROKA—no reason not to have that. But staring at my loaded tray, the "isekai" hit home.
Facilities, gear, ops screamed Korean military, but the girls and food screamed otherworld.
A mishmash of cultures here—I was just a wanderer chasing homeland echoes.
"Trainee Han Jeong-woo—no, No. 158, this table."
"Yes."
Such thoughts were fleeting.
Tray in hand, I followed Drill Sergeant Kate straight in.
"Eat up. Got it? Nutrition first. Want more, just say."
"Understood. Thank you!"
Her changed attitude,
the sidelong glances from the hall—
none mattered right now.
I sat quick and scanned around.
And soon,
spotted my target from before the mess.
Tall frame and horns made it easy.
And anyway,
she was looking at me too.
Thud, thud—
More adventurer than soldier,
warrior than knight.
Screech—
She pulled out the chair beside me and sat.
Jealous stares from other squadmates burned, but she ignored them, grabbing her fork and digging in.
"...Hey."
Didn't want to get chewed out by instructors for chatting in the mess, but I mustered courage and spoke first.
"Hi. Already greeted the others, but still don't know your name..."
"Yeah."
Short words, but not curt.
"Mino."
She gave her name curtly,
then dunked bread in stew again.
Cute name, mismatched with her bold look.
Her tray overflowed with over twice the standard portions, but it suited her perfectly.
No clue what world she'd lived in. Felt most like my image of an "isekai" heroine.
Female warrior...
That vibe.
"Ah, cool. Nice to mee—"
"Watch out."
But as I tried greeting her properly, Mino warned me out of nowhere.
"Huh?"
Had I said something wrong?
Wondered if I'd screwed up, but...
"No guard up for a guy."
Mino didn't hold back.
"From another world, huh."
And,
dropped exactly what I needed to hear.
"Don't act like that here. They're all trying to get at you."
What the hell,
this bitch?