Finally Got Stronger but Ended Up Regressing

Chapter 21 Reunion (1)

06:30, I woke up to the sound of the reveille as usual.

I quickly arranged my slippers and drew the curtains before heading out to the hallway.

I was holding a pink tumbler in my hand.

I filled it with water from the communal water purifier and returned to the living quarters.

Only then did the seniors start to wake up one by one.

Corporal Gwak Woo-hee was also stretching with her disheveled hair.

“Yaaawn.”

She gestured with her half-closed eyes.

“I want water.”

“Private Gu Yunho. I have it ready for you.”

“Very good posture.”

Corporal Kwak Woohee always asks for water as soon as she opens her eyes. It was something she did every day before her return, so she could perform it without forgetting.

This tumbler also belonged to Corporal Kwak Woohee.

She gulped down the water and handed the tumbler to me.

“Have a sip too.”

“Private Gu Yunho. Thank you. I’ll drink without touching my lips to it.”

“You can touch it.”

“Oh~ an indirect kiss?”

Corporal Jung Yesom, who was rubbing her eyes beside me, giggled.

Corporal Kwak Woohee pointed her chin towards the top of the locker.

A heavy combat helmet was placed there.

“Yesom, do you want to get hit with that from the morning?”

“Corporal Jung Yesom. Just kidding.”

Anyway, they were always fun sisters. I laughed lightly and drank the water. The slight drowsiness that remained disappeared completely.

Corporal Jung Yesom reached out her hand.

“Yunho, me too, me too.”

“No, I don’t like you.”

“Aww, just let me drink once.”

She clung to Corporal Kwak Woohee’s arm with her own, acting cute.

Corporal Kwak Woohee shook her head and said,

“But don’t touch it with your lips.”

“Wow, is my mouth dirty?”

“Yes.”

“…That’s too much.”

With a firm answer, Corporal Jung Yesom’s lips pouted. I barely held back my laughter and handed her the tumbler.

“Private Gu Yunho.”

“Thank you.”

Corporal Jung Yesom also drank some water. After a few sips, she tilted her head.

“Hey, why is the water lukewarm? It should be cold.”

“In the morning, room temperature water is better.”

“Why is that?”

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee said with eyes now wide open.

“It’s more comfortable for your stomach. Think about it, after resting for eight hours, if something cold suddenly hits you, how uncomfortable would your body feel?”

“Hmm, that makes a lot of sense.”

It’s not just that it makes sense, it’s actually true. That’s why I also developed the habit of drinking room temperature water in the morning, following Corporal Kwak Woo-hee.

“But what’s with him?”

There was no need to worry about Corporal Byun Ji-tak, who usually got up just before morning roll call, from today. Corporal Kwak Woo-hee picked up a pillow.

“How can a junior still be sleeping when a senior has already woken up?”

The pillow flew straight and landed on the head of Corporal Byun Ji-tak, who was snoring.

Thud, he jumped up.

“Who the hell did that?”

“It was Woo-hee. Why?”

“Oh…!”

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee, with arms crossed, glared at Corporal Byun Ji-tak. He looked like he was ready to kill someone, but then he lowered his eyes and handed the pillow back to her.

With both hands, politely.

I was beside her, tidying up her bedding.

“Corporal Byun Ji-tak, you need to get up quickly in the morning. Understood?”

“…Corporal Byun Ji-tak. Understood.”

Even though Corporal Kwak Woo-hee was the ace of the squad, Corporal Byun Ji-tak was still a corporal. Despite his terrible personality, he was quite skilled.

Nevertheless, Corporal Kwak Woo-hee never let Corporal Byun Ji-tak off the hook.

Because she knew that if she did, he would run wild like an untamed horse.

It was clear from how she treated Corporal Song Ji-han, who was more junior, relatively leniently.

“Yoon-ho, have you finished tidying up?”

“Yes, I just need to straighten it up.”

“Forget about that, come and massage my shoulders. I think I’m still feeling the aftereffects of the vacation.”

“Understood.”

As the youngest, it was my duty to assist her. I sat behind her and massaged her shoulders.

“Yes, like that. Good, good. A bit harder.”

“Yes.”

The more I touch, the more amazed I am. Despite having such a slender frame that there’s almost no flesh to grab, once the battle starts, they single-handedly dominate.

That’s why abilities are frightening.

They make it impossible to judge by appearances alone.

“Five minutes until morning roll call!”

After finishing the massage, I informed the seniors of the time. The male seniors just wiped the sleep from their eyes and went out, while the female seniors at least tidied their hair before heading out.

Anyway, it wasn’t like they were trying to impress each other.

I also left the living quarters on time.

“Did everyone sleep well last night?”

“Yes!”

“Your voices are too quiet. Did everyone sleep well last night?”

“Yes!!!”

“Good, that’s more like it. Then, let’s start the morning roll call for May 16, 2030.”

07:00, the parade ground.

Today is May 16, so it’s been ten days and one more since I returned.

Has it already been that long?

Time flies.

But in those ten-odd days, there have been many changes.

Most of all, in myself.

‘Positive changes. There will be more to come.’

After the morning roll call, we had breakfast and a quick wash.

A shower would have been refreshing, but I wasn’t that diligent.

Anyway, I would soon be drenched in sweat.

Today, a patrol of the restricted area is scheduled.

“Sigh, just thinking about walking around with the equipment makes me feel hot already. Don’t you think so, Corporal Gwak Woo-hee?”

“That’s why I brought this.”

“What is that?”

In Corporal Gwak Woo-hee’s hand, who had changed into combat uniform, was a small fan.

Unusually, it was in military green.

“A mini fan. It’s surprisingly cool. Try it.”

Whirring, the sound was small but the wind blew fiercely. The hair of Corporal Jeong Yesom, who had her face close to it, fluttered.

“I can’t believe such a cool item exists. The color is also military green, so you wouldn’t notice it at first glance.”

“That’s right. You could carry it on your X-band instead of a flashlight, and no one would know.”

“Where did you buy it? I’ll get one when I go on leave.”

“You don’t need to buy it.”

“Hey, are you going to keep it all to yourself?”

“No, it’s already here.”

Corporal Gwak Woohee took out another identical mini fan from the locker.

“Here.”

“Wow! Are you giving this to me?”

“Yes, it’s a gift for our Yesom. Since I make you work so hard, I should at least do this much.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Corporal Jeong Yesom accepted the mini fan with sparkling eyes.

“Corporal Jeong! Yes! Som!”

“Anyone would think you’re receiving an award.”

“This is as good as an award~”

She attached it to her X-band instead of a flashlight.

Then my name was called.

“Rookie.”

“Private Gu Yunho.”

“If we’re giving gifts for hard work, we can’t leave out our rookie. Here, take it.”

“Me too?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

“Ah, my arm is falling off.”

I quickly moved over to her bunk.

“Private Gu Yunho! I will use it gratefully!”

“Sure. Keep supporting your senior well.”

“Yes!”

The unreasonable grand witch Gwak Woohee. But because she thoroughly used both the carrot and the stick, she was never hated by her juniors.

“Come here. I’ll attach it for you.”

She personally attached a mini fan to my X-band.

It was secured with a snap button, so it wouldn’t fall off even if I sprinted.

“If you get hot while patrolling later, just turn the head part to activate it.”

“Understood. Thank you once again.”

“Sure. Thank you too.”

She patted my head and finished putting on her equipment.

“What are you doing right now?”

Corporal Byun Ji-tak, who had gone out for a smoke, returned to the living quarters. He frowned as he saw me placing the removed flashlight on the locker.

“Is this rookie so spoiled that he gets to remove his equipment?”

“I did that.”

A cold voice echoed from behind. Corporal Kwak Woo-hee, who had already put on all her equipment, was wearing her combat boots.

“I removed the flashlight and attached the mini fan.”

“…Oh.”

“Do you have any complaints?”

“…Of course not. None at all.”

A few words were enough to shut his mouth instantly.

In fact, it’s because the opponent is Corporal Byun Ji-tak. If it were just me, I would have to be cautious.

But none of the other seniors have any complaints about this.

It’s not because Corporal Kwak Woo-hee is the squad leader.

They all know how much I suffer(?) from her.

“Yoon-ho, make sure to relax your hand muscles this weekend during the extended lights-out. I need a hand massage.”

Just look at things like this.

“Yes.”

I don’t think Corporal Kwak Woo-hee’s behavior towards me is particularly unfair.

Preventing someone from doing what they can do.

That’s what real unfairness is.

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee’s actions are rather close to affection.

“Today, we’ll be patrolling the restricted area all morning and afternoon. You all know the rules without me having to say them, right? Make sure your walking, speech, gaze, and everything else are in line with the hunter soldier’s demeanor.”

Before departure, Sergeant Kwon Min-chan warned us. It was the usual speech before going out on patrol.

It can’t be helped.

Setting aside the posture of the hunter soldiers, some twisted citizens actually report it.

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Corporal Byun Ji-tak and Private Kang Sung-jun, who were answering half-heartedly, whispered. Looking at the watch faintly visible through Sergeant Kwon Min-chan’s sleeve.

“Corporal Byun Ji-tak, isn’t that watch of the squad leader really expensive?”

“Yeah. It must be at least a few thousand.”

“Where did he get it? Could it be a fake?”

“The squad leader only wears luxury brands even in civilian clothes. It’s probably not a fake.”

Sergeant Kwon Min-chan was the first to get into the vehicle. Private Kang Sung-jun, who was watching him as if observing, spoke.

“Even if it’s clothes, does he have enough money to buy such a watch? Now that he’s a sergeant.”

“Absolutely not. Did he steal it from somewhere?”

It might be hard to understand, but ironically, it’s true.

Sergeant Kwon Min-chan is currently stealing.

The cause of the commotion that will occur in our squad is precisely because of his wrong actions.

The foolish thing is, if he did such a thing, he should at least be cautious, but he flaunts it like this.

Tsk tsk.

I quietly clicked my tongue.

Anyway, the time has come. It will ignite tonight and explode as soon as the day breaks tomorrow.

The squad will be turned upside down.

After that, Sergeant Kwon Min-chan will be dishonorably discharged and ‘that person’ will be newly appointed, so in the end, it’s a good thing.

*

09:15 AM, near the unit’s national park.

On a pleasant day with a cool breeze blowing, a group of hunter soldiers were moving in pairs or threes.

It was our 3rd squad on patrol in the restricted area.

“Look at those two, kissing from the crack of dawn.”

Since the place was quite large, there were quite a few visitors even on weekdays. The squad members, especially Corporal Song Ji-han, who was paired with me, showed displeasure at the couples around.

“Break up after a big fight.”

He even cursed them.

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee, who was in the same group, laughed out loud.

“Hey, be kind-hearted. That’s why you don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Ah, it will happen soon.”

“Soon as in about five years?”

“No, why are you cursing me, Corporal Kwak Woo-hee? That’s too much.”

Corporal Song Ji-han muttered with his lips pouting. Corporal Kwak Woo-hee laughed for a long time.

“It’s a good time, a good time.”

Among the spectators, there were high school girls who seemed to be on a picnic. Their steps were full of vitality, as befits their age.

Corporal Song Ji-han chattered as if this was his chance.

“Seeing those girls after looking at Corporal Kwak Woo-hee, they look so fresh.”

“Are you saying I’m old?”

“Hey, why do you take it that way?”

“Ji-han.”

“Corporal Song Ji-han.”

“Do you want to get beaten up in front of all these civilians?”

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee fiddled with his weapon. Corporal Song Ji-han immediately backed down.

“Ha, hahaha. Now that I look again, Corporal Kwak Woo-hee looks fresher. You transcend age.”

“Right?”

“Yes, yes.”

Thanks to their banter, I couldn’t stop laughing. It was at that moment that several pairs of eyes glanced over.

They were all looking this way.

“What? Are they looking at us?”

“It seems so.”

I answered.

“Is there something behind us?”

I turned around, but there was nothing.

Only new spectators coming in.

“Maybe they’re infatuated with me?”

Corporal Song Ji-han drank a whole bowl of kimchi soup. Corporal Kwak Woo-hee spread his palm wide.

“If that’s the case, I’ll fry my liver.”

“What if you’re right… huh? They’re coming this way.”

At that moment, the high school girls started running towards us in a group.

About seven people.

With their skirts fluttering, they arrived in a single breath and stopped right in front of someone.

“Excuse me…!”

That someone was me.

The clear eyes of the high school girls stared at me intently.

What is this, these kids?