Finally Got Stronger but Ended Up Regressing

Chapter 44 Divinity (2)

“That guy, Goo Yoon-ho, is more than what I’ve heard?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Physical strength, swordsmanship, energy, materialization, even tactical skills, there’s nothing he’s lacking.”

“It’s said to have taken just two months. To become like that.”

“Even the soldiers were talking about it earlier.”

“What did they say?”

“They said it seems like he awakened his abilities and himself at the same time.”

“Haha. It doesn’t seem like a mere joke.”

“Right. Just looking at these results.”

Several officers from other units also participated in this promotion test for the Biho Battalion corporals.

Among them were non-commissioned officers.

A man with a haggard face lit a cigarette. His dark skin was deeply wrinkled.

Despite his appearance, he was only thirty-two.

“Do you know what surprised me the most about that guy?”

“What is it?”

“He doesn’t get nervous at all.”

“Nervous? Isn’t that because he’s confident in his skills?”

“No, it’s something else.”

He took a drag on his cigarette and said,

“He acts like he’s been through this kind of situation countless times. Just think about the last combat section.”

“Now that you mention it…”

“Yeah. Even when he faced traps that could seriously injure him, he didn’t flinch. While other candidates were startled and fell over.”

“With enemy detection abilities, he wouldn’t be able to detect traps, would he?”

“Exactly. Phew.”

A genuine admiration burst out with the smoky breath.

“Watching him, it’s like, how should I put it, he’s like one of our non-commissioned officers with over ten years of experience.”

He said it half-jokingly, but ironically, it was true.

The soldier they saw today had been a non-commissioned officer for a whopping 25 years.

It was natural for him to look like them.

*

“Reporting! Corporal Koo Yoon-ho has been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant as of today! Reporting!”

Since it was a regular promotion, there was no separate promotion ceremony like for special promotions.

Instead, he received congratulations from his squad members.

Corporal Kwak Woo-hee as well.

“Reporting! Corporal Kwak Woo-hee has been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant as of today! Reporting!”

She, who was at the end of her term, also became a sergeant today.

She stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

“Yoon-ho, you can speak comfortably now.”

“Got it, Woo-hee.”

“Ah, no, no. Let’s keep it as it was for a while. I need time to adjust.”

“Haha, understood.”

Soon, four new stripes were added to the rank insignia of Corporal Kwak Woo-hee and me.

Sergeant Sun Ah-rin personally attached them.

“Sergeant Kwak Woo-hee!”

“Sergeant Gu Yoon-ho!”

“Congratulations, both of you.”

Applause erupted once again.

A private approached, rubbing his hands together.

“Congratulations, Sergeant Gu Yoon-ho. I knew this would happen since the training.”

It was Kang Sung-joon.

He, who used to hang around Byun Ji-tak, showed the typical behavior of an opportunist.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Our squad’s senior was Sergeant Song Ki-yong, but he was about to leave soon.

The real power was Sergeant Kwak Woo-hee.

Since I was very close to her and now held the same rank, I could also be considered influential.

Private Kang Sung-joon had already caught on to that.

“Sung-joon, since when did you start acting like that towards Yoon-ho? It doesn’t suit you at all.”

“Private Kang Sung-joon has decided to become a new person.”

“Ha, really.”

Corporal Jung Ye-som clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Anyway, congratulations, Sergeant Gu Yoon-ho.”

“Thank you, Corporal Jung Ye-som.”

“You can speak comfortably with me.”

“Mutual respect is important.”

I whispered to her as I moved closer.

“When the officers aren’t around, just act like usual.”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. I actually prefer it that way.”

“Hehe, got it.”

Breaking the hierarchy due to personal relationships is absurd, but if it’s Corporal Jung Ye-som, it’s acceptable.

That doesn’t mean this sister would treat me carelessly.

Of course, someone like Private Kang Sung-joon is an exception.

“What are you doing right now?”

After Sergeant Sun Ah-rin left, someone snapped at Private Kang Sung-joon.

It was Byun Ji-tak.

“Private Kang Sung-joon. Are you talking to me?”

“Who else would it be, you idiot?”

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

It was a blunt reply. In the past, he would have started with an apology.

Byun Ji-tak got even angrier because of that.

“Kang Sung-joon. Do you want to die?”

Sergeant Song Ki-yong had followed Sergeant Sun Ah-rin to the squad leader’s office, and Sergeants Kwak Woo-hee and Jung Ye-som were in the bathroom.

In the living quarters, I was the only one senior to Byun Ji-tak.

I spoke up.

“Ji-tak.”

“What did you just say? Did you just call me Ji-tak?”

His eyes, ready to kill someone, glared at me. Somehow, they were even more murderous than those of the monsters.

“When a senior calls you, you should state your name and rank, not glare at them.”

“You b*stard!”

His mouth, which knew no restraint, shouted.

It was the usual repertoire.

“Your little buddy is quick to grasp the situation, but you seem completely clueless.”

It had been like this for a while, but from today, there was no need to bow my head any longer.

I yawned and spoke.

“Ranking by service number is only for when the ranks are the same. But now, the ranks are different. You have three.”

I pointed to his rank insignia with my chin and continued.

“I have four. Understand?”

“You son of a b*tch!”

“Hey.”

Instead, I took a step closer.

“If you say one more word, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

“…!!”

We stared at each other in silence. The eyes that were always so stern slowly lowered.

The giant was backing away from me.

It was the beginning of a reversal.

*

A high-end Korean restaurant near Seoul.

“Salute! Have you arrived!”

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol, who had been waiting in advance, stood up abruptly to greet the guest.

Even the one who reigned as the king of the Bihodae Battalion was just a servant here.

Because the guest who just entered was…

“Salute. So, you arrived first.”

“Yes! Please have a seat.”

It was the division commander.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol knelt down and politely poured a drink into his glass.

The division commander was a well-known heavy drinker.

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to our Lieutenant Colonel Park, I’ve been doing very well.”

“Hahaha!”

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol responded with an exaggerated reaction.

“Thanks to you, division commander, I am also enjoying every day.”

He flattered for almost 30 minutes. Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol had even pre-studied the recent activities of the division commander in Abyss before coming here.

Only then did he bring up the main topic.

“The soldier I mentioned before.”

“Soldier? Ah, that guy?”

“Yes, Gu Yoon-ho.”

“Right, right. Gu Yoon-ho. I heard he’s still doing great these days?”

“Yes, he is.”

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol turned his head, emptied his glass, and spoke again.

“He was recently promoted to sergeant.”

“Has it already come to this?”

On one side of the table, there was Sergeant Gu Yunho’s recent record book, neatly organized. The division commander, who had skimmed through it, spoke.

“From now on, the key is to keep him in the Hunter Corps. Is that what you want to say?”

“Yes, that’s right. So, as I mentioned last time, how about we have him knock on the division’s door?”

“Good idea. If we offer him a good position in a higher unit while he’s mingling with the soldiers, he might develop an interest.”

“Yes, yes.”

“But isn’t there still some service time left?”

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol, who seemed to have been about to bring up that topic, answered.

“Yes, there wouldn’t be any problem if it’s for a non-commissioned officer, but for an officer, it’s a different story.”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of contemplation, the division commander spoke.

“Then let’s do it this way.”

After hearing everything, Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol’s mouth involuntarily opened.

“Is that possible?”

“There’s nothing that can’t be done.”

“-“

“I’ll make sure to support the drama you’re trying to create, Lieutenant Colonel Park.”

“Thank you.”

“But there’s something important. This task requires that friend’s capabilities to match up. If we set the stage perfectly and he can’t perform, what’s the use?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-cheol assured.

“I’ve confirmed it with my own eyes. If he continues as he is, it’s definitely possible.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

In the upper left corner of the record book, there was also a photo of Sergeant Gu Yunho.

Looking at it, the division commander smiled as if he found it amusing.

“To think such a talent would emerge among ordinary soldiers, not even in the Hunter Corps. You live long enough, you see everything.”

*

As usual, it was time to wrap up the day’s work.

Sergeant Sun Arin had some announcements.

“Guys, our squad’s leave accommodation has been decided.”

The squad members were puzzled by the sudden announcement.

“Wasn’t that supposed to be decided by Wednesday?”

“The battalion commander arranged it separately.”

“The battalion commander?”

“Yes. He has a villa in a place called Uan-ri, and we’re going there.”

“Wow!”

If it’s Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-chul’s villa, even the officers here, except for the company commanders or operations officers, probably haven’t been there.

There?

“The commander wants to express his gratitude as a leader for Yunho’s performance in the last tower raid.”

It’s because of me again.

At this point, it’s not just simple pressure to re-enlist, it’s practically a threat.

Isn’t this complete special treatment?

But the surprise was short-lived.

It was just as expected.

They’re trying to win my favor somehow.

I just have to quietly enjoy the benefits.

“The battalion commander’s villa? What’s going on?”

“Thanks to Yunho, we’re going to have a great time.”

With the squad members.

“But we might have to change the schedule a bit. It seems to be by the beach.”

“Oh! Even better.”

From the theater, amusement park, and pension barbecue party straight to Lieutenant Colonel Park Eui-chul’s villa.

The schedule changed significantly, but the squad members welcomed it.

After all, watching movies, riding rides, and grilling meat can be done anytime.

But going to an officer’s private villa is not a common opportunity.

So the weekend arrived.

Saturday morning.

The squad members, already beaming with smiles, boarded the pre-arranged bus.

The attire was initially combat uniforms, but it would soon change to flashy swimsuits.

Wearing military shorts and no top.

This is flashy enough to be a swimsuit, right?

“There’s no place around here that rents swimsuits, is there?”

Corporal Jeong Yesom, sitting next to me, expresses her regret. It seems she prefers a real swimsuit over a fake one.

“Sigh, I should be wearing a bikini at times like this.”

“When we arrive, I’ll quickly go to the nearby town and buy one.”

Across from us, Corporal Song Jihan’s head pops up. He looks somewhat excited.

“Corporal Jeong Yesom, do you have a size in mind?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could.”

“Yes.”

“But your intentions are impure.”

“Why do you say that? I’m just trying to help my senior as a junior.”

“Your expression is lewd.”

“No, it’s not! Lewd, you say!”

Corporal Song Jihan protested as if he was wronged. The bus was filled with laughter.

On the bus heading towards Uan-ri, I briefly thought about the next schedule.

The schedule after this squad’s leave.

Thanks to my memories from before the regression, I naturally know how the unit will operate.

The problem is the changed me.

I got promoted to sergeant earlier than expected.

Originally, I should be going to Dungeon A at this timing, but I might suddenly go to a higher-level Dungeon B.

So this time, I think I need to work outside the unit rather than inside.

The timing is just right.

I’ve grown strong enough.

To deal with ‘that guy’.

I’ll go and retrieve the ancestors’ relics.