I Became a National ‘Disaster’ Level Monster

Chapter 132 Side Story 2 – A National Disaster-Level Monster Enlists (2)

Trainees who chose the Hunter Military Branch were placed in different units than regular trainees.

Normally, each barrack in the training camp housed between 40 and 60 people, but Hunter Branch trainees, who had switched careers from the Hunter Association to the military, usually numbered around three in camps that accommodated about 60 people.

This time, there were four of us, including myself, who had enlisted in the Hunter Military Branch.

“Hello, my name is Lee Bak,” said a man with a strong country accent.

Lee Bak was an E-rank Hunter from the Hunter Association. He was a diligent young man who, despite being in the Hunter Branch, where it wasn’t mandatory to cut his hair, had still shaved his head before enlisting.

“I’m Kim Pal-nyeon!” declared the next guy in line.

Kim Pal-nyeon had worked as a monster cleaner for the Hunter Association. The reason he enlisted was simple: the military offered slightly higher pay than the association.

“Hello! I’m Jung Soo-ah,” said the only woman among the four of us.

Jung Soo-ah had been a researcher at the underground lab of the Hunter Association, where Ria was once held.

“A researcher?”

“Wow, with your credentials, why enlist in the military?” asked Lee Bak.

“Yes! Well, the military supports the development of the weapons I want to create better than the association does. That’s why I decided to enlist.”

Though she didn’t have the power to fight herself, Soo-ah had dreams of building weapons that would one day eradicate monsters from the world.

‘They weren’t even mentioned in the original story, but it makes sense why they enlisted…’

*Hunter’s Blood* was a story told from the perspective of a protagonist who became a Hunter. Therefore, the military side had only a bit of background lore, and there were no detailed depictions of it. I had no idea people like this existed.

“So, why did you enlist, Shin-woo?” Soo-ah asked.

“Me? Oh… it’s nothing special. I just wanted to experience a bigger world.”

“Considering you were a Meister at the workshop, I’m sure you’ll be treated well even in the Hunter Branch,” said Pal-nyeon.

“Haha. Compared to you, a monster cleaner, I don’t think I have much to offer.”

We were having our first conversation in the waiting barracks, getting to know one another.

That atmosphere didn’t last long, though, as the door burst open, and the drill instructor walked in.

“Greetings! I graduated 20 batches before you, a former D-rank Hunter from the Hunter Association and currently Private Gon Hak-seon of the Hunter Military Branch at Nonsan Army Training Center.”

“….”

“…”

Ah, this brings back shitty memories. Back in my day, recruits would feel a bit of relief, but then instructors like him would come in and immediately start laying on the discipline.

Private Gon Hak-seon glared at us from under his tightly fitted red cap.

“If you want to drop out of training, feel free to leave. We’ve got plenty of people lined up for the Hunter Branch.”

“…!”

“Don’t think this is the military of the old days. Nowadays, soldiers *want* to stay long-term, and competition to become a non-commissioned officer is fierce—1,000 to 1! Especially in the Hunter Branch, competition for long-term service is even tougher than in other branches!”

I knew that soldiers were treated well in the *Hunter’s Blood* universe, but I didn’t realize it was such a popular career choice.

‘I thought they were exaggerating when they said it was as popular as being a Hunter, but I guess not.’

“For the record, I’ve already passed the long-term service exam after just two months in the Hunter Branch.”

“……”

“Hey.”

“…Yes?”

“Are you not going to clap?”

I didn’t care, as I was only going to serve for three months and then leave. But the other three seemed eager to serve long-term, so—

“Clap!”

“Cl-clap!”

“Amazing!”

You couldn’t be a rookie soldier and act clueless.

Especially not as a new recruit. While it was natural to make mistakes, ironically, the military was the kind of place that didn’t tolerate such mistakes.

“You’ve got good instincts… Alright, stop!”

When Gon Hak-seon finally told us to stop clapping, I gave the others a signal with my eyes to halt as well.

Afterward, we were assigned our trainee numbers.

“You.”

“Yes! Trainee Han. Shin. Woo!”

“…?! Oh, alright… You’re number 1. As number 1, you’ll be the squad leader. Understood?”

“Yes! Understood.”

Becoming a trainee again in this life… I knew I was in for this, but being assigned a trainee number and having to learn from a mere private again made me feel like crying.

Maybe the drill instructor was a bit surprised by how I instantly adapted to military behavior without hesitation.

‘Those secret military factions… I’m going to crush you.’

After assigning numbers to the other three as well, Gon Hak-seon turned back to me.

“Trainee Han Shin-woo.”

“Yes! Trainee number 1, Han. Shin. Woo!”

“Oh, right… Have you attended a non-commissioned officer academy before? You seem unusually familiar with the military.”

“Uh, well, actually…”

I served in the military in a past life.

I have a soldier in my family.

Neither of those were valid responses.

So I paused for a moment.

“I’ve always been interested in the Hunter Branch, so I studied a bit before coming.”

“Hmm, I like that attitude. The drill instructors and officers here will be evaluating you over the next two weeks.”

Satisfied with my answer, Gon Hak-seon advised us.

“Your performance here will significantly impact your chances for long-term service, so focus during training. Got it?!”

“””Yes, sir!”””

“Good. Now, let’s go get your uniform sizes measured. We’ll run there. Follow me!”

As expected of the Hunter Branch.

While other trainees were given random uniforms to fit into, we were carefully measured and given uniforms that fit us perfectly.

‘Digital camo… I can’t believe I’m wearing this cursed thing again…’

It was absolutely dreadful.

But I had to endure it.

After putting on our uniforms and being ordered to wait back in the barracks—

“Sh-Shin-woo…”

“Yes?”

“You’re amazing!”

“As expected from a Meister! You’re really something!”

“Phew. I was worried I’d get stuck as squad leader since I’m from the Hunter Association, but it turns out we’ve got a real soldier here.”

“…Excuse me?”

What were these people talking about?

Who did they think the real soldier was?

…Was it me?!

“Look, guys, I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not here for long-term service like you guys…”

“Come on, Shin-woo. No need to be modest. You think we’d get jealous?”

“No, really, it’s not that…”

“If someone like you, Shin-woo—no, Squad Leader Shin-woo—becomes a soldier, wouldn’t Korea be that much safer?”

“I’ll do my best to support you, sir.”

They were clearly misunderstanding something.

Couldn’t they see the expression on my face screaming, *I hate the military*?

If I actually did long-term service, the Earth—no, my life—might end.

‘I need to start acting more incompetent…!’

Determined, I decided to act lazy and incompetent. After all, there was no point in trying hard in the military.

But then…

“Now I’ll teach you how to disassemble the K2 rifle.”

_Swipe, swipe._

“?! Hey, Number 1 trainee, you already know how to do this after watching just once?”

“Y-yes?! Uh, I mean, yes, sir!”

“Wow… You’re a natural soldier!”

The information I had been forced to absorb over a year was impossible to forget.

“Let’s begin zeroing your K2 rifles. Align the sights so the two circles overlap perfectly when aiming. When you pull the trigger, hold your breath for a moment, keep your focus, and fire!”

_Bang! Bang! Bang!_

Maybe it was because I’d taken so many hits in my monster form, but—

“Trainees 2, 3, and 4, your bullets are all over the place. We’ll need to try again to zero your rifles.”

“””Yes, sir!”””

“And Number 1 trainee, where did you learn to shoot?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why are you so good at this? Your rifle’s already zeroed. I’ll give you bonus points later.”

In my previous life, I had struggled so much with zeroing that I was constantly punished.

But after shooting so much since then, it was now second nature to me.

Then there was the CBR training.

“Ugh… This is insane, even the second time around…”

“Trainee Number 1! It’s your first time, so why are you acting like you’ve done this before? Still, I’ll commend you for leading the group in a spirited rendition of the military anthem.”

First aid training.

“You tie this part here… Done.”

“…Hey, you should consider being a medic.”

“Excuse me?”

Even at checkpoints.

“Stop, stop.”

“Oh, right.”

“Salute! State your name and rank!”

This damned body had already fully adapted to everything military.

By the time rumors of an S-rank trainee exceeding A-level among the 142nd Hunter Branch spread throughout Nonsan…

“Salute. Second Lieutenant Han Chal-hyuk!”

“Private!

Gon Hak-seon!”

“Good. Are you managing the Hunter Branch trainees well?”

“Yes, sir! Company Commander!”

There were only two soldiers assigned to manage Hunter Branch trainees due to their small number, averaging about three per batch. Gon Hak-seon was the drill instructor, and there was also an officer.

As they smoked during lunch break, Company Commander Kang Chul-jung approached and started discussing the Hunter Branch trainees.

“I’ve received word that a regimental commander from another unit with a lot of interest in the Hunter Branch will be visiting Nonsan in two days.”

“R-regimental commander, sir?!”

“Yes. He’s coming to observe and report to the training center commander, but he’ll be taking a tour while he’s here.”

A man on the brink of earning his first star. A colonel.

Everyone broke into a cold sweat at the news that one of the highest-ranking officers, next only to the training center commander and chief of staff, was coming.

“Let’s put on an individual combat training demonstration for him when he arrives.”

“Individual combat training, sir…?”

“That’s right! Didn’t I hear that there’s an S-rank among the Hunter Branch trainees? If we’ve got someone like that, we can pull it off, right?”

“But… Sir, individual combat training is dangerous. We usually save it for the final day of training…”

“Do you want to show him first aid training when the regimental commander arrives?”

Company Commander Kang Chul-jung, eager to impress the regimental commander and earn his promotion, ordered his two subordinates to prepare for a grand demonstration.