Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Sparring and Spirits
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In the end, I couldn't decide on a nickname.
Kai was no good, Wonbin didn't fit either, and something like "What, dude?" was out of the question.
'I'll think about it later.'
I let out a sigh and flopped face-first onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, when the door suddenly burst open.
"Lucas!"
At the sound of my senior's voice, I shot up from the bed on reflex.
"Private First Class Lucas!"
"That rookie sure is quick on his feet, huh?"
The voice belonged to Naga Corporal, grinning from ear to ear as he strode into my room, two bottles of booze clutched in his hands.
"You didn't forget our promise, did you?"
"Didn't you say you'd let me drink the bar dry?"
"I already did!"
With that, he proudly displayed the bottles in both hands. I never imagined I'd actually lay eyes on those.
Whiskey among whiskeys, infamous even in the game.
The label promised a taste of heaven with just one sip—and now here I was, about to try it for real.
"Come on, hurry up! The Squad Leader's waiting!"
The Squad Leader too?
This was the first I'd heard of Ellen Sergeant joining the party.
Right then, my communicator buzzed.
[Third Squad Private First Class Lucas. Report to Training Ground B-3 immediately.]
It was Ellen Sergeant's voice.
...Didn't you just say the Squad Leader's waiting?
I shot Naga Corporal a resentful glare, but he averted his eyes.
"...We'll drink later."
"Yes, sir..."
What could I do? I was the junior, and he was the senior.
No room to argue.
Besides, he looked genuinely disappointed as he set the bottles down.
Orders were orders.
"Hey, why's the Squad Leader suddenly calling you to the training ground?"
"No idea, sir."
"You sure you didn't screw something up?"
"No idea, sir."
"'No idea' won't get you through your service."
"Sorry, sir!"
Ugh, PTSD kicking in...
"Just kidding, man. Makes it scarier if you don't know why, though."
I left Naga Corporal shoving me toward the door and headed to Training Ground B-3 with a knot in my stomach.
Screeech.
The door slid open with an ominous grind, and inside stood Ellen Sergeant, arms crossed.
No other squad members—just her. The problem? She held two training melee weapons.
"You're here."
"Private First Class Lucas."
She tossed one training weapon my way.
I caught it on instinct. What was this about?
"Squad Leader, this is..."
"I saw how you moved on today's mission."
She spun her training weapon in one hand as she spoke.
"Too good for a rookie."
"I studied the manual hard..."
"If the manual alone could churn out rookies like you, humanity would've wiped out the bugs ages ago."
Right in the gut.
What was I supposed to say to that?
...Running's not an option.
Not like I could hide anywhere on base.
"Got me curious about your real skills."
"You mean...?"
"Let's spar."
Her red eyes locked onto mine—no trace of playfulness.
Pure fighting spirit.
And beneath it, sharp wariness and raw curiosity.
This was a test.
She wanted to probe me, verify something firsthand. But what did she suspect?
I barely understood this body myself.
"I can't say no in a spot like this, can I?"
"Obviously."
I sighed and checked the training weapon.
It looked like a standard beam sword, but zero lethality.
Still hurt like hell if it connected, though.
Tears-inducing pain.
But.
'If you can't dodge it, enjoy it.'
I gripped the weapon and assumed position.
Thousands of hours honing close-quarters combat in the game were etched into my body.
Question was how well this body could pull it off.
"Begin."
She lunged first— so fast I'd have missed it without focus. No normal human could track that speed.
She vanished from sight, then the weapon whistled in from the side.
Thud!
"Ngh."
I blocked on reflex, but the shock jolted up my arm.
She's insane—actually strong as hell!
"Just blocking won't win it for you."
The second strike came down from above.
I sidestepped and deflected it. A glint flashed in her eyes.
Blocking forever was pointless, so I parried her attack by a hair's breadth and went low.
Feint low, then thrust high.
Her eyes widened at my counter; she barely blocked, staggering back a step.
"Hah."
She smirked. Terrifying.
Like a hunter eyeing prey.
"Not only deflecting my attacks—a rookie's countering?"
That smile hid thick killing intent.
"Fine. Time for me to get serious."
...She's dead serious.
Boom!!!
Weapons clashed, the echo ringing through the training ground.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Fifteen.
I blocked her onslaughts, mind racing.
I could win.
This body exceeded my expectations, executing moves flawlessly.
But if I beat her?
Suspicion could turn to outright enmity.
Only one choice.
Lose naturally.
As naturally as possible—let her attack land.
Tap.
Her weapon touched my throat.
"That's enough."
I collapsed to the floor, gasping raggedly.
"Huff... huff..."
"......"
Ellen Sergeant wiped sweat from her brow with her hand and looked down at me. Those eyes still held suspicion.
...Damn, did she see through me?
"A rookie lasting twenty minutes."
She squatted in front of me, meeting my gaze.
"Who the hell are you, really?"
How to answer that?
Only one right response.
"Private First Class Lucas, ma'am!"
"Pfft..."
She chuckled—totally different from before.
Recognition, not wariness.
"Fine. Won't pry into your secrets."
She stood and offered her hand.
"But one condition."
"...Condition?"
"Drink with me tonight. No refusals."
...Why make a simple drink sound so dramatic?
Made me uneasy for no reason.
I took her hand and stood.
"Who's paying?"
"Naga Corporal, obviously. You said you'd drink him dry."
A scream from behind.
"Why pick on my wallet!?"
I turned to see the entire squad watching, Naga Corporal included.
"You guys—how long you been there?"
"From the start."
Kallix Platoon Sergeant answered calmly.
"Squad Leader called the baby, so we got curious."
"Enjoy the show?"
"Lasting twenty minutes? Honestly impressive."
Naga Corporal clapped my shoulder.
"You're amazing. I tapped out in three."
"Three minutes?"
"Yeah. Never challenging the Squad Leader again."
The squad snickered.
"Alright, full squad tonight—everyone's in."
Cheers erupted at Ellen Sergeant's declaration.
Everyone except Naga Corporal.
"My wallet...?"
"You said you'd drink it dry."
"That was for Lucas only...!"
"Squad Leader's orders."
"Tyranny!!"
The base's makeshift bar buzzed louder than expected with the full squad gathered.
"To today's star, Lucas!"
"To Lucas!"
Glasses clinked, whiskey burning down my throat.
"......!"
The game's "heavenly taste" description wasn't hype.
Insane.
And Naga Corporal got this?
How!?
"Good, right!?"
Naga Corporal beamed proudly.
"Emptied three months' pay for these."
"Three months'?"
"Yeah... so please, sip slow..."
His plea vanished into the air.
"This stuff's great."
Ellen Sergeant downed her glass and poured another.
Emptied, poured.
Emptied, poured.
Her silver hair loose, she radiated a totally different vibe.
"Squad Leader, that pace is..."
"Nothing wrong with good booze!"
As Naga Corporal paled, the two bottles vanished in a flash.
"Squad Leader, you okay?"
"Squad Leader's off-duty now. Call me sis, relax."
She handed me a glass with a smile. Was she always like this?
"No way!"
"Not so innocent, huh."
A chill ran down my spine.
If I'd called her sis...?
...I wouldn't have made it back alive tonight.
Then a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, kiddo."
"Platoon Sergeant."
Kallix Platoon Sergeant slung an arm around me. Was this guy made of stone?
So damn rigid.
"Just call me bro."
"No thanks!"
"And listen."
He whispered low.
Watch out for the Squad Leader.
"She holds her liquor, so stay sharp."
"Huh?"
"Nah, the problem's she holds it then crashes suddenly."
I didn't get it at first.
But an hour later...
I did.
"Luuucaaas."
Ellen Sergeant leaned on my shoulder, eyes half-lidded.
She'd been fine moments ago.
"Squad Leader, you good?"
"My cute little rookie... worrying about meee? So touchinggg..."
Was this the same woman who'd held a blade to my throat?
"Sis is fiiiine..."
Didn't look it.
"Squad Leader really drops out of nowhere."
Kallix Platoon Sergeant shook his head.
And unfortunately, the only sane ones left were me and him.
The rest were wrecked—crying or yelling "Assai!" What was with these guys at drinks?
...Gotta bail next time.
Platoon Sergeant patted my shoulder.
"You're on Squad Leader duty."
"...Me?"
"You lasted twenty. Perfect for it."
With that, he started kicking squad members out one by one.
"Buncha lightweights! Can't even outdrink the rookie!? Naga, get lost!"
Squad thinned out, Platoon Sergeant slipped away eventually.
Left: wasted Ellen Sergeant and me.
He totally dumped her on me.
"Squad Leader, I'll get you back to barracks."
"Mmm..."
Supporting her the whole way, she wouldn't shut up.
"My rookie's so sweet..."
"Thanks."
"Good actor too..."
"Huh?"
I froze at her words.
"What do you...?"
"It's okay... your secret's safe..."
She hit the bed and passed out.
...She knows.
Damn. And the buzz was hitting me too.
One wrong move, I'd drop.
Stumbling toward my barracks...
Bzzzzt.
Her personal terminal rang.
Screen: [Dad]
Answer it?
Ignore, it'd keep going.
Wake drunk her? Nah.
I hit accept.
"I've got the call."
"...Who are you?"
Deep, heavy voice.
Intimidation poured through the comm, straightening my back.
"I'm..."
"Where's my daughter?"
I glanced at her on the bed.
"Lying next to me."
"...What?"
Booze fogged my head, but his tone dropped colder.
"You're in my daughter's room?"
"Yes."
"Just the two of you?"
"Yes."
Awkward silence followed.
"Mm..."
She stirred in sleep, grabbing my arm.
"Lucas, no more..."
Her coquettish murmur sank the mood further.
"What's your relation to my daughter?"
Her earlier words echoed: Squad's family.
"We're going to be family."