Chapter 2

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: Romantic Newbie

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BOOM!

The Space Compression Bomb detonated, and nothing remained where the Type 2 Bug and Karl Squad Leader had vanished.

The squad members flinched at that exact moment.

"Attention."

The Platoon Sergeant's voice rang out.

"Salute for the squad leader."

I reflexively clenched my fist and brought it to my chest.

This was the salute in this world.

Silence filled the space.

Yet no one shed tears staring at his empty spot.

We're soldiers, after all.

The moment we finished saluting and lowered our arms.

Plenty of time left.

In another sense, the Type 2 Bug was gone, but the quest wasn't over yet.

"We're holding Sector 3 defense line no matter what. Rookie!"

"Rookie Lucas!"

...What did I just say?

Lucas?

"Take the wounded and fall back! Everyone else, watch the front!"

"Got it!"

I carried out the Platoon Sergeant's order on reflex while panicking inside.

Lucas.

A familiar name and nickname.

Because this was the one I used in the game...

"Ugh...!"

A groan snapped me back. Approaching the wall, I saw the wounded soldier who couldn't move due to a broken spine.

"You okay?"

"Hurts like hell—does it look okay?"

She grumbled but signaled with her eyes.

For me to leave her behind.

"Just go without me. I'll only slow you down."

"Can't do that."

I slung her arm over my shoulder.

"The only time I abandon a comrade is if my girlfriend cheats on me."

"...I'm a girl, you idiot."

"Could be gay."

"You crazy bastard?"

More than anything, the squad leader sacrificed for us.

Abandon a comrade here?

That'd make me the biggest asshole.

Besides, in this game, those kinds of jerks couldn't even play—veterans slaughtered no-romance newbies indiscriminately.

...Is that why the game flopped?

Right then.

A grin tugged at my lips as the quest window popped up.

Most players ditched the wounded and ran.

It was more efficient.

Romance is the king of inefficiency, after all.

But veterans were different.

'We save 'em for the romance.'

And the reward for that was...

"Hey, rookie."

The wounded senior—my squadmate—looked at me.

"What's your name?"

You don't ask a rookie's name right away when assigned to the same squad.

Why bother with some guy dying soon?

Might just make your bunk feel awkward.

But asking means...

"Private First Class Lucas, ma'am."

"Lucas? Unusual name."

She recognizes me as a squadmate and comrade.

She smirked at my response and introduced herself.

"I'm Private First Class Ellen. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

The moment we exchanged names, the quest updated.

The affinity system worked perfectly.

Max it to 100 with an NPC, and they might sacrifice for you—or ambush you at night for a forced marriage.

"Lucas! Move it!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Platoon Sergeant's shout jolted me. Supporting Ellen, I retreated down the corridor.

But the bugs wouldn't wait.

"Kieeeek!!!!!"

A despairing shriek from behind.

From the path we'd cleared—it meant we were surrounded.

...How much time left?

Still over 20 minutes.

"Behind us too, huh."

"Obviously. Bugs are smart."

I glanced at her bitter smile as she tapped her helmet, then aimed my rifle backward, on guard.

Just 20 more minutes.

"Sector 3's a trap by design. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Easy in, hard out."

I knew that.

Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about the emergency exit.

But using it required the whole squad wiped out, you alone surviving.

The infamous coward route.

Survive that way, and you continue—but 'Coward' title sticks forever.

That's why romance is peak inefficiency.

Ultimately, hold the line straight-up against bugs for 20 minutes. Not impossible.

I'd done it hundreds of times in game.

"Kieeeek!!!!"

A massive shadow—and dozens of bugs swarmed from the front corridor.

Not one or two.

"Fire!"

Squad opened up on the Platoon Sergeant's order.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Kieeeek!!!!"

The mad monsters advanced, using fallen kin as shields.

I wanted to show 'em God's Rod, but tutorial—no can do.

Later, I'll show you.

"Keep firing!"

"Ammo's low!"

"Dump it all!!"

About 10 minutes left, but despair crept in silently.

"Kieeeek!!!!!!"

Bugs from behind grew closer as our ammo dwindled.

The result.

"All ammo expended!"

"Melee prep, everyone!"

Everyone except me and Ellen drew blades.

Ultrasonic Cutters—vibrating edges that sliced Type 1 Bugs like butter. Cutting-edge tech.

Some sword masters only did melee with these. Wonder if they're still kicking.

"Honored to meet my end with you all!!"

"Follow the Platoon Sergeant!!!"

One by one, they started kamikaze runs on bugs.

To civilians, madmen. In this game? Everyday sight.

"For humanity!!!!!!"

The last soldier detonated his Space Compression Bomb, but bugs remained ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠aplenty.

One minute left.

"You run, at least."

"No can do."

I pulled my Space Compression Bomb, steeling myself.

Click—the timer activated.

"Honored to go out together."

"...For humanity."

"For humanity!"

The bomb went off as time hit zero, and the world went black.

"Ugh!"

Opening my eyes, cold metal pressed against my back.

"Phew..."

That's right.

The reason I went all-in building affinity till the end.

This whole thing was a solo virtual training sim.

A hidden tutorial—one in ten runs.

Fail the benchmark, you're out—but no real death.

Just lose trust, dishonorably discharged.

Stepping from the capsule, a massive training hall spread before me.

Dozens of VR capsules lined up, most flashing red 'FAILED'.

"Lucas, you with us?"

Familiar voice.

Turning, a flashy blond with blue eyes stood there.

Karl Squad Leader.

Perfectly fine.

No— not squad leader.

He was...

"Sergeant Karl."

"Good work, Lucas."

He clapped my shoulder—his way of showing approval.

"Best rookie this batch. Keep serving humanity."

"Yes, sir!"

"Rest in barracks today. See you tomorrow."

With that, Sergeant Karl walked off. I followed signs to the barracks.

Lucky me?

Single rooms—no issue mumbling to thin air.

Time for rewards?

"Yes."

Same as in game.

Except one thing.

"SF Gallery?"

"What's this?"

Never saw it in the game. Once.

"Enter."

"What the... a gallery?"

Stunned, I stared blankly before cautiously clicking the first post.

Post looks insane.

Would normies even play this flop?

Are these guys possessed like me?

Curiosity won; I hit new post.

Comments hit 100 in under a minute.

A chill ran down my spine scanning the comments.

"Crazy... this place is all veterans?"