Finally Got Stronger but Ended Up Regressing

Chapter 33 Treasure in Hell (4)

“Yoon-ho, what happened…?”

“Hey, hey, explain it quickly.”

Everyone, regardless of our team or the opposing team, flocked to me.

A noisy atmosphere.

There was no sign of silence or order.

Even in such a situation, the instructors and trainers still did not make any comments.

They were also just waiting for me to open my mouth.

The outcome of the match was that obvious.

Even comparing just the body size, he was practically twice my size.

But this was the result.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

I had already expected this kind of reaction if I won.

I just need to tell the truth as it is.

With a slight embellishment.

“I have awakened all the physical abilities.”

“Not just one, but all of them?!”

“Yes.”

To be precise, [Strong Bone] amplified the physical abilities.

“How can that happen so suddenly?”

“It’s not really sudden.”

Corporal Jeong Yesom, who was quietly listening while rubbing his chin with his fingers, spoke up.

“Awakening usually comes unexpectedly, doesn’t it? It accumulates through proficiency and understanding. Yunho has accumulated a lot in that regard.”

“Hmm.”

“This recent guerrilla training might have been the catalyst.”

“That’s not wrong.”

Corporal Gwak Woohee added a few words.

“Just looking at the growth over the past few weeks, it’s true. Recently, he even created a manifestation.”

“The old saying is never wrong. Effort never betrays.”

“Something like that?”

Sergeant Sun Arin, who had been listening silently, also spoke up.

“I’ve seen similar cases at the Hunter NCO School. Someone who was at the bottom for a long time suddenly awakened a lot of abilities and their grades skyrocketed.”

“Yunho seems to be like that.”

“Yes.”

That person might have taken runes or elixirs too.

Sergeant Song Giyong clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, it’s amazing. Even though he awakened all the physical abilities at once, to make a shield soldier like that.”

“Ouch, that must hurt. It’s a wonder he didn’t pass out.”

Corporal Song Jihan shuddered as if he was in more pain just watching.

Private Kang Seongjun was receiving rapid treatment from the medics.

Fortunately, it seemed his ribs were not broken.

Corporal Song Ji-han, who looked back at me, had a grim expression.

“As a result, we lost the 6th game…”

“Yeah, that’s right! Now it’s 3:3!”

Corporal Jeong Ye-som clapped her hands like a seal in delight.

Corporal Gwak Woo-hee held my hand.

“Well done, our youngest.”

“Private Gu Yun-ho. Thank you.”

Everyone was happy and congratulated me. Except for Corporal Byeon Ji-tak, whose face had been stiff as if he had chewed on something unpleasant.

“We will proceed with the 7th game.”

Soon, the 7th game began.

The result was obvious.

Sergeant Sun Ah-rin, who stepped up as the ace, pushed Sergeant Song Ki-yong out once again.

How could such strength come from such a slender body?

It’s a mystery.

Of course, the biggest mystery would be me, who kicked out a boulder-like giant with my foot.

“The losing team, prepare for PT exercises.”

“Ugh!”

A thrilling comeback victory of 4:3.

Our team enjoyed a happy rest under the shade of a tree until we moved to the next training ground.

*

On the 3rd day, and even on the 4th day, I did not complain of any particular pain or fatigue.

Beyond the simple effect of [Strong Bones], it was the influence of my bones themselves becoming sturdier, just like the name suggests.

It felt like I had become an iron man.

“Hey, Yun-ho.”

“Private Gu Yun-ho.”

On the evening of the 4th day, Sergeant Song Ki-yong brought it up after returning from his shower.

“Did you evolve into an iron man yourself when you awakened your ability the other day? How is it that there’s no difference from the morning of the 2nd day?”

“No, I’m struggling too.”

“Look at them.”

He pointed to the other squad members with his chin.

Due to the repeated PT exercises and obstacle courses, everyone was half-dead.

Using muscles that hadn’t been used in a while all at once over a few days left us with no stamina.

Corporal Jeong Yesom, a magic soldier, looked so emaciated that it seemed she might actually die.

She responded while lying on a blanket.

“Yeah, compared to us, you’re like Iron Man. So share some of your stamina or whatever. At this rate, I’m going to die, Yunho.”

“Haha.”

I just laughed.

Next to me, Corporal Kwak Woohee was munching on a biscuit.

As someone whose specialty was dual axes, she was relatively fine.

She spoke in a deliberately serious tone.

“Has there ever been a case where someone was promoted to corporal less than a month after becoming a private first class?”

“Less than a month?”

“Yeah.”

“Nope. There’s no such case.”

Sergeant Song Giyong said firmly.

The hand holding the biscuit pointed at me.

“For some reason, I feel like that case might come up.”

“Uh… I can’t deny it.”

Sergeant Song Giyong scratched his head.

Corporal Kwak Woohee continued.

“The thing Yunho lacked the most was physical strength, right? But that’s been resolved. To the point where he can knock out shield soldiers. So isn’t it quite possible?”

“That’s true.”

Sergeant Song Giyong’s voice grew louder in agreement.

“Wow, it really seems possible, not even joking.”

“Right?”

“Yeah. His materialization skills are already better than most privates, and he proved himself by taking down orcs on the first day. Damn, Yunho becoming a corporal?”

“Exactly.”

With just a few words, it had already become a foregone conclusion that I would be promoted to corporal.

Corporal Jeong Yesom slightly lifted her head while lying down.

“Yunho, even if you become a corporal, you can’t treat me carelessly. Got it?”

“Private Gu Yunho. I’m a private.”

“No, I also feel like it will be just like Sergeant Song Kiyong and Corporal Gwak Woohee said.”

“You think so too, right?”

When Corporal Gwak Woohee asked, Corporal Jeong Yesom answered without any hesitation.

“Yes. But are you eating alone? I have a mouth too.”

“Even if it’s hard, you still crave snacks, huh?”

“I can’t resist sweet things.”

A few biscuits flew towards Corporal Jeong Yesom.

She created a small mana ring and caught them.

“Oh, nice catch.”

“Hehe.”

Chewing on the biscuits, Corporal Jeong Yesom said,

“Anyway, Yunho. This sister is very happy.”

“What do you mean?”

“That you did so well.”

“Agreed.”

Corporal Gwak Woohee also nodded.

Sergeant Song Kiyong just looked amazed.

“It’s something to see in a long life. Yunho surpassing private and becoming a corporal.”

“Aren’t you all overestimating me?”

“I think so too, Yunho.”

At that moment, the entrance curtain was pulled back, and a clear voice was heard.

It was Sergeant Sun Arin.

“Yunho, you have a good chance of special promotion.”

“!”

It was an affirmation from a non-commissioned officer, not just a soldier.

To be honest, I think so too.

Swordsmanship that grows several times faster than others with the [Soul of the Iron-Blooded Knight].

Various awakening abilities that were already unlocked with the senses from before the regression.

The legendary primordial [Mystic Snake] embodiment.

Even the physical strength, which had been one of the weaknesses, was resolved with [strong bones].

If I couldn’t get the sergeant rank, that would be a bigger problem.

However, it was strange that others saw me that way first.

I could relate more to Sergeant Song Ki-yong’s words just now, saying that living long enough to see such things was worth it.

In hindsight, I really had lived a long time.

*

“You all worked hard.”

On the fifth day, even the notoriously tough guerrilla commander showed a human side at the end.

“From now until 4 PM, we will conduct combat swimming.”

“!”

“Does everyone hate it? Should we go back to PT exercises?”

“No, sir!”

“Prepare for combat swimming.”

“Ugh!”

A giant swimming pool was set up behind the training ground. There, a water play disguised as combat swimming took place.

The trainees were excited.

“Wow, the water here isn’t dirty like in other places.”

“It feels like a hotel vacation.”

The water was clean because it was drawn from a nearby river.

Isn’t this an oasis in the desert?

This is exactly it.

Male trainees with their upper bodies exposed splashed into the pool.

I also took off my shirt.

Female trainees had to wear at least short-sleeved shirts.

Sergeant Jeong Ye-som also entered in the same attire.

Due to her body structure, there were inevitably more prominent areas.

“Hmm, the size is enormous.”

Sergeant Song Ji-han admired. A powerful smash landed on his back.

“Ouch, I was just stating a fact.”

“It sounds too perverted when you say it.”

“Chet, let’s play a game. When Jin’s team returns to the base, we’ll freeze and shoot.”

“Sure. Yunho! Come over here too!”

Amidst the lively trainees, our squad engaged in a simple ball game. It was a pitching and dodging game where you move aside if hit.

“Squad leader! Over here!”

“Yes!”

Even Sunarin Hasa, who had briefly visited the situation room, joined in late.

The atmosphere momentarily quieted as she clumsily fell in.

Especially among the male trainees.

“Oops.”

“Hey guys, I’ve made up my mind again. It seems like I can’t give up on the squad leader.”

Corporal Song Giyong even grasped the love he had let go of.

“There was something hidden under the combat uniform.”

Sunarin Hasa, not as impressive as Corporal Jeong Yesom, still boasted a considerable presence.

As they watched her glisten in the water, the male trainees all raised their hands.

“We’ll be in the squad leader’s team!”

“Me too!”

Corporal Kwak Woohee nodded vigorously.

“Uh, those mischievous ones.”

“But Corporal Kwak Woohee.”

As Corporal Jeong Yesom bounced the ball with her fingers, she glanced back at her.

More precisely, at her neck.

“But if it’s too flat again…”

“Yesom, do you want to die?”

A fierce gaze was directed at her. Corporal Jeong Yesom immediately bowed her head.

“W-Well, it’ll just hurt my neck and back. I, I also know how uncomfortable it is…”

“Oh, now you want to tease me?”

“W-What are you talking about! N-No!”

“It won’t do, let’s teach you a lesson.”

It felt like murder was about to happen at the swimming pool. Corporal Jeong Yesom hurriedly followed behind Sunarin Hasa, seeking refuge.

“S-Squad leader! A m-monster has appeared!”

“Huh?”

“Th-there!”

“If I catch you, you’re dead!”

“aaah!”

Thanks to the two older sisters, laughter burst out. Although Corporal Jeong Yesom, who was caught, got a bit of a beating…

We spent a few hours happily.

The guerrilla training that had felt like hell had now become a pleasant memory.

But that was only for a moment.

“After a simple dinner and a short break, there will be a return march.”

The finale of the guerrilla training was waiting.

The method is similar.

The moment we try to exit, monsters will pour out just like on the first day.

We can only return to reality after defeating all of them.

“How much rest time will they give us?”

“Probably just enough time to digest.”

“Ha, I guess so. This is so tiresome. When will it end?”

“At least they give us a big break in the middle.”

“I wish they would just give us a permanent break.”

The trainees grumbled as they prepared for the return march.

Massaging their feet or packing secret snacks like chocolate bars.

I also started preparing right away.

‘There is still one more treasure left in this guerrilla training ground.’

In some ways, it was more valuable than the elixir that had given me [Strong Bones].

I planned to take that with me too.

Time is tight.

As the seniors said, they would probably give us just enough time to digest before we set off.

The bigger problem was how to sneak out alone.

Fortunately, there was a good excuse for times like this.

“Squad leader, I have an urgent need to use the bathroom. Can I go quickly?”