ALL NOVEL chapter 43
Chapter 43 Sacred (1)
“Corporal Gu Yunho, I have something important to tell you.”
Somehow, even though it was too much, he praised me excessively. While waiting for the return vehicle, Major Yeom Dongcheol spoke subtly.
“Do you have any thoughts about working in the special forces? Our 333rd unit, I mean.”
“I’m sorry. I have no thoughts about it.”
Of course, I refused outright.
“Can I ask why?”
“I just have no intention towards the special forces.”
“I see.”
As the firm answer continued, Major Yeom Dongcheol didn’t ask any more.
But he seemed quite regretful.
“This is my number, so if you change your mind, contact me anytime.”
“Corporal Koo Yoon-ho. Understood.”
He even gave me his personal phone number.
I am truly overwhelmed with emotion. Thinking about Major Yeom Dong-chul from the first day and Major Yeom Dong-chul now.
There is only one reason why I refused the offer.
It’s because of the information and memories from before the regression.
All that information and memories, including runes and elixirs, are centered around the Bihodae unit.
If I want to continue to benefit, it’s convenient to operate within the Bihodae unit.
That’s why I’m contemplating my destination after discharge.
The Hunter Corps’ dungeons are like the national treasury, so unless it’s a special case, you can never knock on that door.
Not with the status of a private guild hunter.
I could sneak in at night, but why take the risk?
“Yoon-ho.”
“Corporal Koo Yoon-ho.”
As I was about to return to my seat, Captain Oh Joon-beom, who I didn’t even know was there, approached. He glanced at Major Yeom Dong-chul, who was walking away.
“What did that guy, no, the commander, say? Did he ask if you had any thoughts about joining the special forces?”
“He did.”
“I see. Got it.”
He seemed to have heard it but asked me for confirmation. He left a somewhat meaningful answer and returned to the soldiers.
“Well then, good job everyone. Make sure to return to the unit safely.”
“Loyalty!”
“Loyalty.”
Finally, it was time to return to the unit.
The soldiers boarded the bus with a light and excited heart.
Was this bus always this cozy?
Soon, we departed for the Bihodae unit.
I leaned my head against the seat and caught up on my lack of sleep.
When I opened my eyes, a familiar scene was spread out before me.
The front gate of the Bihodae unit.
The winged tiger is especially welcoming today.
“Have you been well?” I greeted as I got off at the training ground.
The stationed officers and soldiers came out to greet me, as there seemed to be no other schedule.
The news had already been conveyed.
I entered the company building, receiving their warm welcome.
“So, we entered the quiet snowy field on the 4th floor, and suddenly, Yunho shouted, ‘Thud!'”
“What did he say?”
“He said monsters were coming. Even though the officers and soldiers were all bewildered, he didn’t tremble his voice once and said it again.”
“What else did he say?”
“He said he had opened his enemy detection ability the night before.”
“Did you believe it right away?”
“Of course not. The commander was about to curse him out. But Yunho, without blinking an eye, said, ‘You may not trust the words of a mere corporal, but wouldn’t you trust the words of an ability?'”
“Indeed, the words of an ability do inspire trust. What happened next?”
“The Quibe Bear really ambushed us.”
“Wow.”
“As Yunho said, we changed our formation in advance and prepared tactically, so we didn’t suffer any damage. Anyway, after that, the high-nosed special forces major completely changed.”
“Yunho played a big role.”
“Yeah. He was practically the vanguard.”
It was lunchtime. Corporal Jeong Yesom was enthusiastically recounting my exploits.
“Right, Yunho’s manifestation.”
“The snake?”
“Yeah. It’s different from before. It’s gotten huge.”
“How big?”
Corporal Gwak Woohee added a word.
“It bit off the head of the Quibe Bear.”
“Corporal Gwak Woohee, is that true?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. Even the special forces guys were momentarily stunned.”
“Wow.”
I hadn’t said a word, but somehow, I was being revered by all the other squad members, no, the entire company.
It wasn’t just the soldiers.
“Attention! Salute to the battalion commander!!”
“Loyalty!!”
A few days later, during the battalion commander’s mental education session.
As it was coming to an end, my name was mentioned again by Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol.
“Remember the exploits of Corporal Koo Yoon-ho of the 3rd Company. That is what it means to be a hero of the Viper Battalion.”
*
Upper floor of the Viper Battalion headquarters, battalion commander’s office.
Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol was sitting at the head seat, drinking tea.
Captain Oh Joon-beom spoke in an admiring voice.
“His growth rate is terrifying. His skill in handling materialization is already top-notch.”
“And what was it? The ability to detect enemies?”
“Yes. He easily detected the surprise attack of the Quibe Bear, which even a special forces major couldn’t notice.”
“They say you never know a person’s life, and that’s exactly the case with Corporal Koo Yoon-ho.”
“That’s right.”
Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol was maintaining his dignity as a battalion commander, but he was just as excited. His voice was slightly higher than usual.
“You’re still putting pressure on him, right? We have to keep him somehow.”
“Yes. We’re using every possible method. I’ve also informed the platoon leaders, especially the 3rd squad leader.”
“Good, good.”
In fact, the one putting the most pressure on him was Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol himself.
Creating awards that didn’t exist.
Ordering special promotions.
Commending him in front of the entire company.
All of these were initiated by him.
“But, battalion commander.”
“Speak.”
“If it’s just about keeping him in the Hunter Corps, does it matter if he goes to another unit?”
“Another unit?”
“Oh, it’s just that during the recent tower raid, a major from the 333rd unit tried to recruit Corporal Koo Yoon-ho.”
“Recruit him? Tried to make him one of their own?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, that’s quite interesting. What’s the name of that major?”
“Yeom Dong-cheol here.”
“Major Yeom Dong-cheol, huh. He needs to be taught a lesson.”
Though he was smiling, there was a sharpness in his words. Captain Oh Jun-beom, who had served under Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol for quite some time, quickly noticed it.
His body reacted first.
He shivered for no reason.
“It can’t be any other unit. It has to be our Bihodae Battalion, or a direct superior unit of Bihodae Battalion.”
“Understood. So, if Corporal Koo Yoon-ho stays in the Hunter Corps, are you considering him for a non-commissioned officer position?”
“If we’re going to make a proper drama, wouldn’t it be better for him to be an officer rather than a non-commissioned officer?”
“An officer…”
Captain Oh Jun-beom, who usually agreed with his superior’s words without question, felt a slight doubt this time. He didn’t express it directly but spoke indirectly.
“It’s not unprecedented, so it’s certainly possible, but wouldn’t it be a bit difficult?”
“Yes, most of those precedents were parachuted generals or those with special abilities.”
“Yes.”
“But, we just need to make it happen somehow.”
“How do you mean?”
“The ability to detect enemies. Isn’t that already a game-changer?”
“Ah.”
“And in my opinion.”
Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol spoke with a slightly confident tone.
“Even without taking such a roundabout way, if he continues as he is now, becoming an officer seems possible.”
“!”
“At this point, what’s unrealistic is not him becoming an officer, but his growth rate. That’s the most unrealistic part. It’s too fast, even considering he’s a soldier.”
“That’s right.”
“So, keep putting pressure on him.”
“Yes, Battalion Commander. Leave it to me.”
“I’m also in talks with the superior unit.”
“The superior unit, sir?”
“Yes.”
Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol roughly explained the ongoing discussions with the superior unit.
Captain Oh Jun-beom’s eyes widened as he listened.
“Th-That’s right. Understood.”
“And there’s a promotion test for corporals coming up soon, right?”
“Yes.”
“Include that guy in the list.”
“Well, it’s recommended that the promotion test candidates maintain their rank for at least three months, but…”
“Recommended, not mandatory, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“At his current growth rate, three months is enough time for him to rise above the rank of corporal.”
“!”
“We can’t waste that precious time. If we’ve already given him a special promotion, why not an early promotion?”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“If it were up to me, I’d promote him automatically, but I’m holding back because of the procedures.”
“Haha.”
“If you understand, carry it out that way.”
“Yes, Battalion Commander.”
The conversation ended there. Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol stopped the 3rd Company Commander, who was about to stand up and salute.
“By the way, what did you say earlier? Corporal Gu Yoon-ho’s squad is going on leave soon?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then arrange for them to stay at Uan-ri.”
“Uan-ri… Do you mean your villa, Battalion Commander?”
“Yes. It’s a three-story building with plenty of rooms, so it should be fine.”
“Understood.”
Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol’s villa in Uan-ri was a place even the officers of the Viper Battalion, except for the company commanders and the operations officer, had never visited.
He was sending ordinary soldiers there.
For the sake of Corporal Gu Yoon-ho alone.
“If we want to keep him properly, we need to treat him accordingly.”
*
Just before the squad meeting.
I was slipping my hand inside Corporal Kwak Woo-hee’s uniform.
With my palm smeared with body lotion.
Her soft back becomes even smoother.
“Yoonho, you’re the only one who takes care of my moisture.”
She seemed to have completely forgotten that just a moment ago, she had patted her back and said, “Yoonho, my body, my body,” right after taking a shower.
But there’s nothing to feel bad about.
It’s not anyone else, it’s Corporal Kwak Woohee.
“It’ll be hard to get this kind of thing from now on.”
“Why is that?”
“Yoonho, you’re not the youngest anymore.”
“In terms of military number, I am the youngest.”
“But not in rank.”
“But Corporal Kwak Woohee, you’re almost at the end of your term.”
“That’s right. The one who should be worried is me.”
Corporal Jung Yesom, who was leaning against the locker watching TV, turns around.
“At this rate, Yoonho will become my senior.”
“It’ll happen soon.”
“What, is Yoonho getting promoted again?”
“Probably? There’s a promotion test for corporals next week.”
“Isn’t there a restriction? You have to be a corporal for at least three months to be eligible.”
“That’s not mandatory, it’s recommended.”
“I see.”
“Considering how the battalion commander gets excited whenever Yoonho’s name comes up these days, he’ll definitely get picked. I have a feeling.”
If it’s Corporal Kwak Woohee’s feeling, it’s trustworthy.
And actually, I think the same.
Considering Lieutenant Colonel Park Euicheol’s recent actions to keep me around, there’s a possibility he’ll treat me well in that regard too.
Frankly, it might be something I deserve rather than a favor.
The power I currently have is that much.
“Yoonho.”
Corporal Jung Yesom’s tone becomes cautious.
“Even if you become a sergeant, you won’t bully me, right…?”
We’ll see.
I was about to joke around, but I quickly changed my words, thinking our innocent Yesom might take it literally.
“There’s no way that could be.”
In the first place, Corporal Jeong Yesom has never bullied me.
If anything, she took care of me.
“Corporal Jeong Yesom is my benefactor.”
“Oh, come on, it’s not like that.”
Corporal Jeong Yesom waved her hand in denial, but she seemed pleased. Her blushing cheeks were cute.
Anyway, it’s a clear fact.
Corporal Jeong Yesom is a benefactor I can never forget.
“Hey, hey, Koo Yunho. What about me? What am I to you?”
Of course, Corporal Kwak Woohee too.
“Corporal Kwak Woohee is also my benefactor.”
“That’s right. It should be.”
And during the squad meeting that followed, another benefactor entered.
“Loyalty!”
“Loyalty! Let’s start the squad meeting.”
“Yes.”
It was Sergeant Sun Arin.
“…So, it seems there won’t be any special schedules until next week. Except for two people.”
Two people.
Corporal Kwak Woohee’s intuition was not wrong.
“The candidates for the corporal promotion test next week from our squad are Woohee and Yunho.”
“Wow! Even Yunho! Oh, I’m sorry.”
Corporal Jeong Yesom, who had been excitedly chatting, realized it was the squad meeting time and quickly shut her mouth.
“Pfft, it’s okay. Considering the time Yunho has been a corporal, it’s natural to be surprised.”
A warm gaze, like the sunlight of a spring day, was directed at me.
“But you were listed because you are fully qualified. Everyone knows that, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
All the squad members agreed. Even Private Kang Seongjun, who hadn’t bothered me once since being kicked during the guerrilla training, nodded quietly.
However, Corporal Byun Jitak was an exception.
The emotions of dissatisfaction and anger were clearly visible on his face.
Bright red.
I understand his feelings.
It must be hard to accept the fact that the subordinate who was far below him suddenly became a private first class and a corporal, and now might even become a sergeant.
But what can I do about it?
If it were another senior soldier, it might be different, but that b*stard is just a damn jerk.
There’s no reason to comfort him at all.
At that moment.
“Admit what you need to admit.”
Sergeant Sun Arin’s gaze shifted to Corporal Byun Ji-tak.
She had a rough idea now.
How Corporal Byun Ji-tak, no, Byun Ji-tak, had behaved towards me.
“Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
A reluctant answer came out.
I had vowed to take revenge after returning, to give him hell, but perhaps this moment is hell for Byun Ji-tak. Seeing his face, which was so red it looked like it might burst, made me think so.
A week passed like that.
From Wednesday to Friday of that week, the corporal promotion test was conducted for two nights and three days.
I passed all the processes with perfect scores.
Now I was a sergeant.