Finally Got Stronger but Ended Up Regressing

Chapter 37 Plans (2)

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Where is our hero of Biho going?”

“Come on, tell us.”

Everyone was all ears. I scratched the back of my head and said.

“I haven’t really thought about it.”

“What, that’s boring.”

At the sound of disappointment, the seniors turned their attention away from me as if nothing had happened.

But it’s true.

I haven’t thought about it yet.

Sergeant Jeong Yesom understood my feelings.

“Well, Yunho is probably thinking more about when he’ll be discharged than about his plans after discharge.”

“Because there’s still a lot of military life left?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s not always like that, is it?”

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee folded and unfolded his fingers, counting something, and then spoke.

“When did Yun-ho transfer in? He’s been here for quite a while. We’ve been mistaken because he’s been a private for too long.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, that’s true.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

That was true, but the reason I hadn’t thought about my plans after discharge was because the present was more important.

Either improving my skills through training.

Or awakening.

Or finding runes or elixirs.

Discharge is something for later, so shouldn’t I focus on the present?

And I already have a rough idea of the pros and cons of each affiliation.

Private guilds, as Corporal Jung Ye-som mentioned earlier, can make a lot of money.

Unlike the Hunter Corps, which has nothing but salary and additional allowances, private guilds can monopolize by-products depending on the contract conditions.

That’s not all.

There’s much less hierarchy.

‘No, if you listen to my third sister, private guilds aren’t always like that.’

In this field, there are cases where a sergeant makes a subordinate dispose of his household food waste, so it’s not really comparable, but in severe cases, private guilds maintain hierarchy as strictly as the Hunter Corps.

In small teams, there’s definitely less hierarchy. Even if there is, you can just leave.

Teams are everywhere.

You can even start your own.

‘The problem is, there are too many troublesome tasks. Disposing of by-products, owning dungeons, managing equipment… It takes forever to handle everything.’

If you hire staff, it costs more.

In that case, you might as well join a private guild.

The last option is to stay in the Hunter Corps.

I’m split on that.

‘It was awful trying to please the superiors… but as Ye-som said, it was rewarding.’

The sense of protecting the country and its citizens brings out indescribable emotions.

I’ve never cried, but there were times when I was moved to tears.

But I’ve already experienced all that.

Before the regression, while I was a non-commissioned officer.

‘At least, it doesn’t make sense to drive another stake just because of a sense of fulfillment.’

There has to be a plus alpha. The money that can be earned from private guilds or the freedom that can be obtained from small teams.

Those things must be included unconditionally, and there must be another plus alpha to even consider it.

I can’t make a definite decision.

‘Damn it, I was the subordinate who went to the chief warrant officer’s house to throw away food waste…’

Being a soldier is mandatory, so there’s no choice, but being an officer is entirely within my choice.

Even if they pressure me by creating a non-existent award like the best guerrilla soldier, in the end, the choice is mine.

And I was originally almost fifty years old.

If you think about it, isn’t the company commander or battalion commander lower than me?

At least to them, I won’t be dragged-

“Yoonho, what are you thinking so deeply about? Do you have any concerns?”

“Private Gu Yoonho. No, sir.”

“Eat up.”

“Yes, sir.”

I snapped out of my thoughts and continued eating the frozen food. It wasn’t crispy, but it had its own flavor.

I quickly finished a few pieces.

Then I asked.

“By the way, Corporal Kwak Woohee, what are your plans after discharge?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you. Well, I…”

I already knew, but I asked just in case Corporal Kwak Woohee had changed her mind.

“I’m going to drive a stake. Whether I start as a specialist or go straight into active duty as a non-commissioned officer.”

She was the same.

“Then I have to meet the conditions quickly.”

That’s why she wants to finish her military service quickly.

Sometimes I wondered.

“Corporal Kwak Woohee, you don’t really like military life, do you?”

“That’s right. I don’t like it. It’s frustrating.”

“Then what’s different if you become a non-commissioned officer?”

“It’s cool.”

The reason remains the same.

“When you get some experience, you’ll get BOQ, so it won’t be as frustrating.”

“But won’t it get worse when you get that experience? Especially if you’re a sergeant… Ugh, I can’t do it.”

Corporal Song Ji-han shuddered.

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee shrugged.

“It’s the same even if you go to a private guild. A brother I know was called by his team leader on a holiday to clean his house.”

“Oh my goodness, a big cleaning?”

Corporal Jung Ye-som was horrified.

“Yeah. In the end, it’s similar no matter which organization you go to. I think it’s more important who you meet within it.”

That’s true. There was a warrant officer who made me throw away his household food waste, while another warrant officer always gave me recovery drinks and pocket money, saying I worked hard.

Anyway, cleaning is a bit much.

Damn people.

“But Ye-som, if you’re going to stay, will you become a non-commissioned officer?”

“Probably?”

“Then come under me. I’ll go ahead and pave the way nicely for you.”

“Oh!”

Corporal Jung Ye-som’s eyes sparkled, as if just imagining it was good.

But it was only for a moment.

“You’re trying to make me do all the work, aren’t you? Hmph, I know everything.”

“You’re really quick-witted.”

The lively conversation continued.

Anyway, I should seriously think about it when the time comes.

About my plans after discharge.

*

After a total of four days off, including two days of combat leave, the daily routine as a hunter soldier began again.

Since there was a big training called guerrilla warfare the previous week, the officers didn’t push the soldiers too hard.

Though there was a lot of work.

That weekend.

I went on leave as a reward for being the best soldier in guerrilla warfare.

It was a 4-night, 5-day leave, just like the 100-day leave.

Ah, when will I use the one I got during the Modang Station incident?

That one is for 6 nights and 7 days.

Having too many vacations is also a worry. Of course, it’s a pleasant worry.

“Oh my~”

The schedule worked out, so my sisters and I got to see each other.

My second sister, with her hands neatly together, played a mischievous prank.

“What brings the famous person to this humble place?”

“Deliver your lines with more flavor.”

“Why are you suddenly criticizing my acting? I’ve been getting a lot of compliments from the PDs lately!”

“Your angry acting is flavorful. Well done.”

“This is really!”

I quickly took refuge inside the house to avoid my second sister’s claw-like nails.

My eldest and third sisters followed, saying, “Why do you two always act like this whenever you meet?”

“Do I even need to ask how you’ve been lately?”

During the time we were eating fruit after the meal, my youngest sister picked up an apple with a fork and asked. She said she had been going to dungeons every three or four days lately, and the hard work showed on her face.

Even in such times, seeing her take care of fruit like this, I thought I was really lucky to have such good sisters, especially the eldest one.

Of course, excluding the second sister.

“Ahem.”

I put on a bit of a show.

If I don’t show off now, when will I ever?

“I’m doing well. Very well. I even received the Best Soldier Award during last week’s guerrilla training.”

“Really? That’s amazing~”

My sisters and parents were as happy as if it were their own achievement.

“Our Yunho is finally reaping the rewards of his hard work. Mom is really happy.”

“Yes, that’s how life should be.”

My family knew. They knew how hard I had lived all this time.

That was enough showing off.

I declared my ambition to my parents.

“From now on, I’ll make sure you live in comfort.”

“Just hearing that makes me grateful.”

“Really, I’m serious.”

“Hahaha, alright. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Laughter spread throughout the house.

Even my sisters chimed in.

“Mom, Dad. We’re here too, you know?”

“Don’t worry about us, just hurry up and get married.”

“Ah, that talk about marriage again.”

My second sister covered her ears as if she was fed up. Another round of laughter erupted.

“But what about us? Don’t we get anything?”

“Of course. We need to repay everything we’ve received from the eldest and third sisters, and give them even more gifts.”

“Yeah, good li… Wait a minute! What about me?”

“I don’t owe you any gratitude.”

“Hey! Do you know how much I take care of you? That’s it, you need some education.”

I quickly ran to the kitchen to escape the angry buffalo. It was just a joke, but I didn’t expect such a reaction.

I hurriedly protested.

“No, no, it was a joke. Of course, I need to repay the second sister and give her gifts too.”

“Will you really?”

“Of course. Just wait and see.”

Since it came up, I decided to do it during this vacation.

I gave gifts to my parents and sisters, and we all went out to eat and had a wonderful vacation.

I also trained whenever I had time.

The day before returning, I checked the timeline.

It was a timeline I had prepared earlier to use the memories and information from before my return more effectively.

“Let’s see… There’s nothing special during the week I return.”

My gaze shifted to the following week.

There was a dispatch mission where only the aces from each squad were selected.

It was to attack the tower.

There was something to gain from that tower.

One thing was certain, but the other two were unclear.

Of course, even if I only got that one thing, it would be worth it.

As mentioned earlier, only the aces are selected, so normally I wouldn’t be able to participate even if I wanted to.

But now, the situation has changed.

‘Even the battalion commander is taking an interest in me. This time, I might have a chance to be selected.’

As I muttered and thought positively,

I realized belatedly.

‘Damn, come to think of it, the minimum rank requirement was sergeant.’

No matter how outstanding my skills are, if my rank is private or private first class, I can’t be selected even if I die and come back to life. Since I am currently a private first class, I naturally fall under that restriction.

An unexpected obstacle.

A sigh escaped my lips.

“Ah, damn… Am I going to miss out on that item like this? This is the perfect timing.”

*

The regret continued until the next day when I returned to the unit.

But there’s nothing I can do about it.

It’s not like I have a two-star general backing me, and I can’t suddenly ask for a promotion.

“Loyalty! Private First Class Koo Yoon-ho returning from leave.”

“Loyalty. But why do you look so down? Did something happen outside?”

“No, sir!”

“Really? Got it. Go upstairs and rest.”

“Yes, sir!”

I trudged up to the barracks.

Remembering what I heard in the situation room earlier, I opened the door with the brightest smile I could muster.

“Loyalty! Private First Class Koo Yoon-ho returning from leav-”

Pop!

With the sound of fireworks, colorful confetti fell over my head.

Corporal Jung Ye-som hurried over and attached something to my rank insignia.

It was a new rank insignia.

Instead of two bars, there were three.

“Congratulations on your promotion to sergeant, Koo Yoon-ho.”

“You’ve been specially promoted!”

“I couldn’t believe it, but you really made it to sergeant.”

“I heard that there’s going to be a separate promotion ceremony tomorrow.”

Special promotion to Corporal.

It was a celebration for my return.

I couldn’t help but shout out loud.

“Wow!!!”

“Hey, are you touched? Woohee and Yesom insisted that we do it today instead of tomorrow.”

“Hehe, looks like you’re a bit moved.”

I felt sorry for my seniors, but the reason I was so excited wasn’t because of the surprise celebration.

‘Now that I’ve become a Corporal, there’s a chance I might be selected for the raid on the tower next week!’

What was impossible before has now become possible at this very moment.