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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Itaewon 2-dong, Gate Containment Operation - 1
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Lee Hyun-wook found his target immediately, but he still pretended to look around and contemplate for about five minutes.
After all, choosing something the moment he walked in would seem quite strange.
"Lieutenant Oh, B-554. I'll take that sword, please."
Lee Hyun-wook recited the serial number on the rack.
"Okay."
Oh Jeong-tae operated the control panel, and a mechanical device moved to retrieve the item. Then, Oh Jeong-tae checked its information...
"...Hmm, Hyun-wook, I don't think this is the one."
he asked, tilting his head.
"Are you worried about picking a good item because you're F-rank? This is a transfer of ownership, so it'll be yours even after you're discharged. Did you know that when you chose it?"
He was asking because he thought the item's value was low; with its potential still hidden, the information a Player could see was bound to be unimpressive.
"Yes, I knew when I picked it. It's fine, please give me that one."
"Really? I'm asking you one more time. Don't come crying to me if you regret it."
"Yes, that's my final decision."
Captain Oh Jeong-tae nodded with a bitter expression.
"Well, alright then. Can't be helped. What a shame."
Thus, no one yet knew what value this item truly held.
"Here, take it."
As Lee Hyun-wook took the item, a brief summary of its information appeared before his eyes.
[Item Information]
- Name: Sword of Clouds
- Effect: Absorbs water to release 'water mist'.
'It's quite light.'
At a glance, it looked like a bronze sword, but it was longer. The blade was about 70cm, the perfect size to be wielded with one hand.
And the blade had a distinctive wavy pattern, which at first glance resembled Damascus Steel.
'The center of balance is perfect, too. Just the kind of weapon Choi Young-jun would favor.'
In the future, after his main weapon is destroyed, Choi Young-jun will hastily grab whatever he can from the battalion armory. That's when this 'Sword of Clouds' will fall into his hands.
And through a chance event, he will unlock this weapon's potential.
'Choi Young-jun's second sword... sorry, but I'll have to take it first.'
The item's true name, revealed after its potential is unlocked, was 'Unsa-amsu (雲師暗手)'.
In the Dangun myth, there were three weather gods who descended to earth with Hwanung: Pungbaek (風伯), Usa (雨師), and Unsa (雲師).
Among them, Unsa (雲師) was the god who governed the clouds.
And Amsu (暗手) meant his dark hand.
'Unsa-amsu, interpreted, means something like a blade hidden within the clouds.'
What blade could be hidden in the clouds?
That was none other than Raegong (雷公).
It meant lightning.
In other words, when its potential was unlocked, it would grant the user the power of lightning.
'The combination of steel and lightning was the best.'
Most metals are conductors, meaning electricity flows through them very well.
This meant that if Lee Hyun-wook struck the metal he controlled with lightning and let the current flow, it would become a weapon more powerful than he could imagine.
'Most importantly, I can break free from the limitations of purely physical attacks using metal.'
And so, the steel held lightning.
***
The battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kim Kang-seok, placed a cup of hand-dripped coffee in front of Warrant Officer Cheon Myeong-ho.
"Thank you. Wow, it smells wonderful."
"You have a good nose. These are premium beans from Guatemala."
Warrant Officer Cheon Myeong-ho was a rather important figure within the A.M.T, and whenever he visited other units, he was often invited by the commander for refreshments like this.
"I believe this is the first time we've met since the 'Gwangmyeong Ogre Battle,' Warrant Officer Cheon."
"Yes, I believe so. That was already two years ago."
"Time flies. That was right when I'd just made B-rank."
As early members of the A.M.T, the two had fought together on many battlefields.
"So, how is the Black Tiger Unit doing these days? Any trouble?"
"Over here, well, we're always struggling with a shortage of manpower."
After exchanging such formal pleasantries and catching up, they soon got to the main topic.
"Hmm, I suppose you've come to our unit because of Sergeant Choi Young-jun, haven't you?"
Choi Young-jun. It was that name, as expected.
"Ah, that's right. The rumors about that young man are quite something."
"Yes, he's remarkable. But unfortunately, he happens to be on leave... If you had contacted us beforehand, you wouldn't have wasted your precious time..."
"Thank you for your consideration. But you see, making a sudden offer like this catches them off guard, and in that moment of surprise, they're more likely to feel tempted and sign the NCO application. It's a kind of psychology. Haha, kids these days are all trying to run off to guilds, so we have to come up with persuasion tactics like this."
Cheon Myeong-ho laughed awkwardly.
"Tsk, these days, guilds try to snatch up anyone who's C-rank or higher, so it can't be helped. But Choi Young-jun will think positively of it. He's a young man who understands the honor of being a soldier."
With that, Kim Kang-seok began to talk at length about Choi Young-jun.
His tone was calm and measured, but the content was closer to boasting and promotion—essentially a letter of recommendation for the talent he had personally commanded and nurtured.
But Cheon Myeong-ho's attention seemed to be elsewhere entirely.
"Commander, to be honest, I haven't seen the young man fight, so I can't evaluate him just yet."
The meaning was clear: he didn't want to hear any more about Choi Young-jun.
"Ah, I forgot for a moment that you always judge after seeing things for yourself, Warrant Officer Cheon."
"It's a bad habit of mine. Hmm, but speaking of which..."
Cheon Myeong-ho's eyes gleamed, as if he was about to say something important.
"As it happens, I discovered a very special talent in this unit yesterday."
This was Cheon Myeong-ho's real reason for being here.
"Oh, is that so? Which soldier?"
"Have you perhaps heard of a Corporal Lee Hyun-wook?"
"Ah, if you mean him..."
Kim Kang-seok's eyes lit up as well. As his large frame tensed, he exuded the intimidating presence of a wild beast.
"...He's F-rank, but he's a rare, true soldier."
"...He's F-rank, but he's a born warrior."
The two men answered at the same time.
A born warrior and a true soldier—similar, yet different, assessments.
"Hahaha! Well, I'm proud to see that I share even a little of your eye for talent, Warrant Officer Cheon."
"Since you think so too, Commander, I suppose what I saw wasn't a mistake."
"Hmm, but what was it that made you think so highly of him?"
In response to Kim Kang-seok's question, Cheon Myeong-ho recounted what he had witnessed: the combat training between Lee Hyun-wook and Lee Won-seok. At this, an even deeper glint appeared in Kim Kang-seok's eyes.
"...Warrant Officer Cheon, are you perhaps thinking of bringing him into the Black Tiger Unit?"
"Not to that extent yet, but I did half-force my business card on him."
"Hmm, even so, I think it would be too much for an F-rank to handle the heavy responsibilities of a special warfare raid. A regular A.M.T non-commissioned officer role, perhaps, but..."
At those words, Cheon Myeong-ho's hand, which was raising his coffee cup, froze mid-air.
"A regular NCO, you say? It seems you've also had your eye on him, Commander."
Kim Kang-seok gave a faint smile.
"Of course. He seems to be an outstanding soldier, not just a Player. However, I plan to observe him a bit more. Right now it's just a feeling, but to be certain, I'll need to assign him a proper mission."
"Then may I also observe when he carries out such a mission?"
"Hahaha! My, my. It sounds like you want to enter a bidding war with me over an F-rank."
"I've been ready to bet big for a while now."
And so, unbeknownst to many, a recruitment battle began over an F-rank Player.
***
"...Hoo!"
Park Jun-mo was hanging from the pull-up bar, his arms trembling like leaves. He took a breath and pulled himself up.
"Fi-fi-ve!"
And then he dropped.
"Hey! What do you mean, only four?"
"Hah! Hah! W-what? Wasn't that five?"
"Nah, you didn't even make it halfway up that last one. Let's be honest, that was four."
Ahn Min-tae sneered, having just completed six pull-ups himself.
"Ugh... After three sets, my arms feel like they're going to fall off."
As Park Jun-mo whined, Ahn Min-tae clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, your arms are nothing. Weren't you saying that if it wasn't for Corporal Lee Hyun-wook yesterday, you would've stopped breathing?"
"Hic! That's right. Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, thank you once again."
Lee Hyun-wook, who had just finished five sets of twenty, nodded.
Meanwhile, his body had bulked up considerably in just a few days. His muscular frame was now clearly visible even through his clothes—the result of squeezing out non-existent reward points to drink recovery potions while working out.
"Wow, he's doing five full sets of twenty..."
"Isn't that better than most athletes?"
The squad members couldn't help but be amazed. This was perhaps the first time they had truly admired him.
"But hey, guys, don't overdo it on the first day."
Lee Hyun-wook said, looking at his squad members struggling on the pull-up bar. But they shook their heads, panting heavily.
"I'm still okay."
"I can still do about three more sets."
"Then I'll try just one more set!"
They all seemed filled with a new sense of determination.
It was unclear what impact Lee Hyun-wook's actions and words from yesterday had, but seeing these guys who never exercised now gathered here doing pull-ups, it was clear he had made some kind of positive impression.
However, this sight didn't seem to sit well with the members of other squads.
"Hey, look over there. What are the guys from the support squad all huddled up for?"
Some scoffed as they passed by the 5th Squad members gathered at the pull-up bar.
"...Hey, shh! Corporal Lee Hyun-wook is looking this way."
When Lee Hyun-wook glanced at them, they averted their eyes.
It seemed the image of him effortlessly overpowering the Barbarian yesterday had been properly etched into their minds.
"Gasp! Don't make eye contact. He might run over and throw a leg kick."
"Or jump on your back and put you in a chokehold..."
But Lee Hyun-wook couldn't care less what others thought. What was truly important wasn't some trivial glances.
'It's about time.'
He checked his watch.
Having experienced this once in the past, he knew the order for deployment was coming soon.
"Ahn Min-tae. Let's take the guys inside."
"Huh? Why so early? There's still plenty of time before the dinner formation, isn't there?"
Ahn Min-tae asked with a bewildered expression.
'You won't be eating that dinner.'
A gate would soon open in the garrison area, and monsters would pour out. There would be no time for a meal.
"I just saw the operations chief, who had already left for the day, heading up to the main building. He was carrying his main weapon, a longbow. Looks like we're about to be deployed. Our company is the 'vanguard' this week, right?"
The vanguard was the company designated to arrive on the scene first after the 5-minute standby alert team when a gate opened within the garrison area.
"What?"
"Is that for real?"
And if the operations chief, who had already gone home, was returning to the base armed with his main weapon... they all knew from experience that it could only mean one thing: a mission.
"Ah, I really hope that's not it..."
But...
'This lie was a plausible one.'
The story about seeing the operations chief—armed with his main weapon, no less—was a bald-faced lie.
He didn't even know if the operations chief had left for the day; it wasn't a position from which one could leave so early in the first place.
'It's easier if we go in and get ready first.'
It was obviously much smoother to be mentally prepared and already inside than to scramble up to pack your gear after hearing the deployment announcement.
And so, while the other squads went about their normal routines, completely unaware, all nine members of the 5th Squad were able to be in position in their barracks.
However...
"Hmm..."
Trusting Lee Hyun-wook's words, they slowly prepared their gear, glancing up at the speaker with a hopeful 'just in case' feeling...
"Um..."
More than five minutes passed with nothing happening.
"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, isn't it a little too quiet for the operations chief to have come back armed?"
As everyone voiced their doubts, Ahn Min-tae glanced at Lee Hyun-wook and asked.
But Lee Hyun-wook, with some unknown certainty, had already finished packing his gear.
"Ahn Min-tae, do you think a gate gives a warning before it opens? All of you, just hurry up and get ready."
"That's true, but..."
- *Click!*
At that moment, the broadcast turned on, and the sound of someone breathing could be heard.
"Oh!"
- Ah! Ah! This is the operations chief, broadcasting!
"It's really the operations chief!"
"Quiet."
Could Lee Hyun-wook's words be true?
Ahn Min-tae swallowed dryly and waited for the rest of the broadcast.
- ...All personnel of the 1st Company! Emergency deployment due to a gate opening within the garrison area! I repeat! All personnel of the 1st Company! Emergency deployment due to a gate opening within the garrison area!
"...Damn it!"
"Pack your gear, quick!"
It was all true.
At the same time, someone started shouting at the top of their lungs in the hallway, and the sound of 1st Company soldiers, who had been scattered throughout the barracks, could be heard clattering down the halls as they ran to their rooms.
"Ah, shit!"
"Run!"
Emergency deployments were a common occurrence for the A.M.T, but they were always just as urgent.
"Move faster! The longer you take, the more civilians will die!"
The 1st Platoon leader's shout echoed through the hallway.
"2nd Squad! Why are you so slow? Where are you just getting back from?"
"S-sorry, sir! We were at the PX..."
It was, quite literally, an emergency deployment. The response time varied drastically depending on where the deployed personnel were at the time of the call.
In other words, the 5th Squad, already assembled in their barracks and preparing for deployment, was able to respond more smoothly and meticulously.
"Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, everyone's ready!"
"Good. Move to the assembly point."
Meanwhile, the other squads were still scrambling to pack their gear.
"Huh? Why are they already heading out? Isn't that the 5th Squad? How are they so fast?"
"Wow... At that speed, you'd think they knew beforehand."
To them, it was an unbelievable speed.
And as the 5th Squad descended the stairs, the 1st Platoon leader's shout could be heard behind them.
"Hey! What are you doing! You have time to chat? The 5th Squad has already finished preparing and is on their way down!"
The evaluation system in this organization called the military was, as a rule, based on relative comparison.
If there was someone who did well, the rest were simply those who did worse.
"1st Squad, 2nd Squad, you bastards! You call yourselves our company's first string? Huh?"
This was the moment that the 5th Squad, led by Lee Hyun-wook—the support squad that had been looked down on as the weakest—took the lead for the first time, however small that lead might be.
And Lee Hyun-wook could guarantee that this lead would only grow larger.