Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Silence
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In the bustling, chaotic mess hall,
amid all this clamor, I fix my gaze solely on Mino and ask,
"...You just said [other world], right?"
"Yeah."
Despite how shocking her words are to me, Mino casually shovels food into her mouth without a care. Her silver tray is already nearly empty.
"If you know anything, tell me everything. Yeah, you're right—I came from another world. I didn't choose to come here. I just woke up one day and suddenly I was here."
I have so many questions I want to ask. I try to suppress my emotions as much as possible so no one else notices, but I can't stop my trembling voice or the sweat dripping down my face.
"You can go back home once this is over, right? This tattoo here—when it hits zero, that's when I go home, yeah?"
Before Mino can say another word, I roll up my sleeve and show her the tattoo. I'm clinging to her like a drowning man grasping at straws.
All the women I've met so far didn't even try to understand words like "Earth" or "Korea." But Mino's the one who brought up [other world] first and even offered me some advice.
"..."
But her reaction is underwhelming. She scrapes the last bits of stew with her bread, deliberately dragging her feet.
I grit my teeth and wait patiently, but what she finally gives me is...
"I don't know."
Nothing but an utterly irresponsible answer.
"...?"
It's like I've been smacked upside the head—I freeze in place. What? She brings up another world first, and now she claims she doesn't know? What am I supposed to do with that?
Irritation surges through me, but I can't raise my voice. If it comes to blows, I'll lose.
Most people picture women as fragile compared to men, but she radiates this aura like she could snap my neck without breaking a sweat.
Before coming to the training center, did she maybe go around hunting dragons or something? I don't even know if dragons exist in this world, but dealing with a woman like Mino would probably require something on that level.
"Well, I'm done then."
"H-Hey... wait a sec!"
And damn, she eats fast too.
Even though she was one of the last in our squad to get her tray, she's the first to finish and stand up.
I still have a ton of questions left, and she just bails because she's done eating?
"Wait up!"
But I'm not letting this conversation end like this. I've finally met someone here who talks about [other world]—food doesn't matter right now.
I shoot to my feet, ready to dump my leftovers in the slop bucket and chase after her, but...
Grab!
"Trainee No. 158."
Two hands land on my shoulders. Soft, warm, a little damp...
"...Trainee No. 158, Han Jeong-woo!"
"You weren't planning on wasting food, were you?"
But despite the feminine softness of those hands, the grip is brutally strong—like iron weights pressing down. My shoulders ache under the pressure.
"Eat well and rest well if you want to be a good soldier. And sorry, but we don't do leftovers here at the training center."
It's Drill Sergeant Kate.
She was definitely over there eating with the other instructors just a moment ago...
"You weren't really going to throw it out, were you?"
"N-No, ma'am!"
"Good. Then you must not have gotten enough. After running so hard this morning, you'd be hungry."
She snatches my tray, heads to the serving line, and comes back with nearly double the amount of food piled on.
I don't even know if this is a good thing or bad. The other women complain about portions being too small, but mine is loaded with enough for a burdensome breakfast.
No, seriously,
this is basically food torture...
"E-Eat up! Got it?"
But Drill Sergeant Kate's cheeks flush pink. Even this small act of kindness seems embarrassing for someone as prickly and strict as her.
"Nyaaat..."
She piles it high, then scurries out like she's fleeing. She must be conscious of the other instructors and trainees watching.
But fuck, how am I supposed to eat all this?
...A sigh escapes as I stare at the mountain of food, but I pick up my fork and spoon and start shoving it in.
Yeah, no need to rush. Mino and I are in the same barracks anyway, so I can talk to her anytime.
For now, just eat well,
and bide my time...
But,
strangely enough, I can't seem to find any spare time.
"Albatross Union soldiers devote themselves to maintaining public order and providing civilian support within the union. The soldier's spirit you must always carry is one of service to the citizens and an open mind befitting our unified world."
From day one, it's drill after drill and mental conditioning lectures nonstop. Honestly, beyond that, I can barely grasp what I'm even doing here.
"Place your hand on the mana tester. Ah, 158. You're exempt."
They test for mana and such since this is another world, hand out extra supplies...
And just like that, the day flies by. I wanted to ask Mino about the other world stuff, but breakfast turns into dinner before I know it.
Mino always scarfs her food down and leaves quick,
and the other women finish faster than me too.
Even without Drill Sergeant Kate piling on extras, their eating speeds are way ahead. Back home, guys were always faster.
I don't get it. In this world, things are completely flipped from what I'm used to. I can't even guess where it all went wrong or what causes these differences.
Of course, there aren't any [this sucks] deal-breakers that make it unbearable. Even in another world, it's still a place where people live.
Minus the army part, it's tolerable. Hell, even the otherworld army I could grit my teeth through.
"Hey!"
But,
right before shower time at 1900 hours, that's when I finally catch Mino.
"Let's pick up that talk from breakfast. What exactly do you know, and how much?"
"..."
Why this tattoo's branded on me, why I ended up here of all places, whether following what it says will really send me home...
To put an end to all these nagging anxieties.
"I told you, I don't know."
"Then how did you know I was from another world? No, wait—the fact that you can even say that means... you know it's possible for people to come over from other worlds."
We're walking to the washroom with our army-issued toiletries tucked under our arms, but the conversation doesn't stop.
"How'd you know?"
"Read it in a book."
"What book?"
"A fairy tale."
Every answer pisses me off more, but I stick to her like glue anyway.
I can't let go of the first person in this world who knows about [other worlds]. Somehow, I have to keep talking and pry some useful info out of her.
"What fairy tale?"
"..."
"Look, sorry, but can you just spit it out already? I don't get what you're thinking, but this is seriously important to me. Anything—please, just tell me!"
But Mino purses her lips and says,
"The name of the fairy tale isn't what's important."
No, fuck.
If that's not important, then what the hell is?
I wake up in a world I've never seen before? I don't even know if I can go back, or why I'm here in the first place?
If I'd gotten hit by a truck, died, met a goddess, and got sent here, it wouldn't be this bad. But no, I just fucking ended up here out of nowhere?
And it's the goddamn army.
The army, you bitch.
"..."
A torrent of curses floods my mind, but...
"Haa, fine. Then what is important?"
I hold back, eyeing her build. Even if I landed a solid punch to the jaw, I'd still lose.
She's taller than me. Pretty face, great figure, but standing there looming over me, she's kinda scary.
"A boy should act like a proper boy and behave demurely."
But what she says next sounds like some Joseon-era noble lecturing girls. What? Demure?
"What'd I even do?"
"..."
I ask in disbelief, but
instead of answering, Mino opens the shower room door.
Loud laughter echoes from inside, but
the moment the light hits my face...
Gulp-!
Silence descends,
and only the sound of shower water and nervous swallows ring out clearly.