I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 12

I clenched my fist and stopped walking, thinking something was wrong.

“Candidate Paran!”

“Was the candidate the top candidate?”

“Yes, sir!”

I had earned a kind of title called “top candidate” for having good cleaning conditions during a surprise inspection.

‘Those 2 bonus points were really sweet.’

Thanks to that, it became an opportunity to get closer to the rear position that had grown distant.

“I have a proposal for the candidate. Are you interested in being the battalion representative candidate for the upcoming march training?”

“Representative candidate, sir? May I ask what that entails?”

My head automatically started to tilt at the unfamiliar term, then quickly returned to position.

“During the march, you’ll be responsible for boosting morale among the cadets belonging to our 3rd Battalion and managing supplies.”

“I’m not sure if I’m qualified for such an important mission.”

It looked like an incredibly troublesome position at first glance.

‘Am I crazy to accept this? I’m already dying from how hard it is now.’

It seemed like a position created to dump their work on someone else. Accepting this would just make me a slave.

“I’m making this proposal based on my judgment that the candidate can handle it sufficiently. And if the training is completed without problems, you’ll be awarded 3 bonus points.”

‘Wait… wait, 3 whole points?’

My pupils shook involuntarily at the enormous bonus points.

‘If I get 3 points and don’t receive any additional deductions.’

Even with rough calculations, I could definitely make it into the top ten.

“If you’ll allow me, I’ll do my absolute best!”

Was there any reason to hesitate about this?

I’d be marching anyway, and they’re giving me bonus points on top of that.

‘Even if I can’t eat it, I should at least say yes first.’

Did my enthusiastic answer please him? The Assistant Instructor slightly raised the corners of his mouth with satisfaction.

“Then we’ll proceed with Candidate Paran as the representative candidate for our 3rd Battalion.”

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity!”

“Return to the barracks now.”

“Yes!!!”

Perhaps because happiness was dominating my brain, my body felt heavy but my steps felt light.

“So Paran hyung is going to be our representative from now on? From the battalion, not just the platoon?”

“That’s how it turned out. I don’t think I’m really qualified for it though.”

“3 bonus points… I’m jealous. Since the battalion representative position is taken, isn’t there something like a company representative?”

Ion, who was ready to do anything for bonus points, looked at me with the most envious gaze in the world.

“You’re already doing well enough. How much higher are you planning to climb?”

“I need to get into the top 30 at least. Paran, you’re basically guaranteed as long as you don’t have any special incidents, right?”

“Well, yeah. I’ll go up ahead first.”

“How annoying.”

30th place.

It was a perfect upper-tier ranking where you’d have to drop to the rear even if you didn’t want to.

‘Military life is just flowing so smoothly.’

It was so perfect that I wondered if it was okay to be this happy.

“Huh? Hyungs. There’s medicine and bandages here.”

As we entered the barracks while chatting, medical supplies on the desk caught my eye.

‘They must have left it since it was obvious we’d be injured.’

Just when I was thinking it was like having a helpful fairy, I suddenly felt something was off.

“The Assistant Instructor came in and left… wasn’t this a cleaning inspection?”

At my words, my roommates’ eyes wavered as they quickly scanned their areas.

“All the blankets are folded, and clothes are organized according to regulations. I think mine’s fine.”

“Me too.”

“Same here. Well, I don’t know if they opened the drawers, but they don’t usually go that far.”

“That’s true. Then there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Since we were really quite neat, I felt relieved and took off my combat uniform.

“Ugh, I expected it, but I’m completely scraped up.”

“I’ve never been injured this badly in my life. My poor skin.”

“I think we need to rinse with water first.”

Everyone’s elbows and knees were bloody from the traces of hardship.

‘But except for Derick, they all have such… pale skin.’

They weren’t from noble families for nothing.

“That Instructor bastard, I guarantee he’s a psychopath. If I met him in civilian life, he wouldn’t even be able to make eye contact with me.”

Pluto grumbled while wrapping bandages around his knees.

‘Agreed, totally agreed.’

That’s exactly why I don’t like the military.

Whether you’re a doctor or a billionaire in civilian life.

It’s a structure where a homeless person who entered just one day earlier has more power.

Some people might think this is normal, but I don’t.

‘Since ability has nothing to do with it and it’s all about who entered first, the organization becomes stupid and inefficient.’

It’s an organization that can’t be eliminated, so it survives by being plastered with tax money.

I guarantee it’s probably the organization with the least development relative to the money spent.

“When he says nonsensical things, I really want to punch him. Threatening us with scores and all.”

“Ugh, I really hate this place. When are we escaping? I get a headache just seeing red berets.”

“That Instructor bastard, I guarantee he’s definitely single. Who would want such a trashy personality…”

Clatter!

While everyone was taking turns complaining.

Suddenly the closed door opened and the sound of combat boots could be heard.

“Candidate Paran.”

A heavy voice calling my name.

I turned my head at the chilling sensation, and there stood the Instructor we had just been harshly criticizing.

‘Did he hear…?’

His forehead wrinkles were slightly creased as if he was angry.

It seemed like we were screwed.

“Loyalty!!”

“Were you receiving treatment? You’ve worked hard.”

“No sir!”

I lowered the hand I had brought to my forehead and answered in the loudest voice possible.

‘If he heard us, it would definitely be punishment drills. Since he’s quiet, maybe he didn’t hear.’

Come to think of it, the door was closed, so the probability he heard wasn’t that high.

“I heard you’re going to be the battalion representative candidate. It’s a position with heavy responsibility and physical and mental hardship. Can you perform it well?”

“I will do my absolute best!!”

It seemed he came to see me because he heard I was going to be the representative candidate.

“I like your voice at least. I’ll be expecting good things from you.”

“Thank you!!”

The Instructor looked at me, nodded once, then turned around and left the dormitory room.

But not before leaving one more comment.

“When talking badly about others, be careful with your voice. Those kinds of words tend to carry better.”

The door closed before we could respond to anything.

An indescribably chilling silence settled over the dormitory room.

‘We’re really screwed.’

“He just gave us a warning, so maybe it’s okay?”

“We should pray for that.”

“Having to watch our words too, this is really exhausting.”

Pluto shook his head and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.

After taking some time to rest individually, when the fatigue had lifted a bit, the instructor’s voice could be heard.

-Candidates are to assemble at the parade ground to attend academic classes. That is all, transmission over.

“Ugh, let’s go. Still, we rested longer than I thought.”

Ion stretched and gathered his writing materials and notebook.

“Right, it felt like we rested for almost 30 minutes.”

I also left the dormitory room feeling somewhat refreshed and lined up at the parade ground.

“Attention.”

The demon instructor who had conducted the training stepped up onto the platform.

“This instructor has finally discovered truly soldier-like behavior for the first time while observing the candidates today.”

A speech that suddenly began without any warning.

Candidates who were new to the training camp might not know, but to me it was just verbose nonsense.

“All candidates have definitely improved since the day you first entered this place. So you can take pride in that.”

‘Ah, yes yes.’

How could he say such cringeworthy words without changing his expression at all?

If it was acting, he was a great actor; if it was sincere, he had an over-immersion disorder.

“Since tomorrow is a holiday, make sure to concentrate and listen until the end. Understood!”

“Yes sir!!!!”

Did speeches really have an effect?

The candidates’ voices had gotten louder than before.

Of course, I also raised my voice.

Why?

Didn’t the instructor just officially confirm that tomorrow was a holiday?

How could I not be happy about that?

“Finally, we get to rest.”

Had there ever been a time when I longed for a holiday this much?

‘If there had been training tomorrow too… I would have died.’

It wasn’t a lie, it was really a dangerous situation.

“I need to get a good night’s sleep.”

“I don’t think I’ll even be able to get up.”

Pluto and Taylor were talking about their plans with the happiest expressions in the world, but I couldn’t smile along.

‘It seems like they’ll let us rest, but I wonder if they’ll allow us to use the beds.’

I’d have to see to know for sure, but somehow my gut feeling said probably not.

“We meet again, everyone. How have you been?”

As I sat waiting in the auditorium chair, Lieutenant Zavein with his familiar face entered.

‘What? Wasn’t that guy’s lectures supposed to be over?’

The number one half-hearted teaching instructor.

He had definitely given farewell remarks on the last day of class, so I was a bit flustered to see him appear again.

“Looking at your expressions, it seems you’ve been through some tough training. Did you do some running?”

Jaebin asked while looking at a candidate in the front row, as usual.

“We just finished individual combat training!”

“Oh my, that’s really tough. Are your knees and elbows okay?”

“Ha…haha, they got scraped so I wrapped them with bandages.”

The candidate laughed awkwardly while showing his arm.

“You’ve been through a lot. But it’s just today and then it’s over, right? I only did individual combat for two days. Guerrilla training was a whole week. Oh, right. You guys don’t have to do guerrilla training, do you?”

At Jaebin’s words, my eyes widened involuntarily.

‘Is that really true, Lieutenant?’

Guerrilla training.

Anyone who had been through the military couldn’t not know it – the number one most difficult training.

The training content was simply put, just torture.

Endlessly repeating meaningless movements created by some perverted psychopath, making your entire body cry out in pain.

“You guys are really lucky. Being able to commission without even doing guerrilla training. I’d go through the military twice for that.”

Jaebin’s joke-like comment stabbed at my heart.

‘Would you really go through the military one more time for something like that?’

It wasn’t easy to suppress my expression from crumpling.

“That’s enough small talk. The reason I’m here again is simple. A wartime special subject has been added. It’s called Adits Empire Analysis.”

‘That is necessary content.’

You have to know your enemy to plan proper strategies and fight, right?

Of course, I was planning to fall back to the rear.

“I haven’t slept a wink since the day before yesterday preparing for this, and I’m dying.”

Looking at Jaebin’s face, he indeed had dark circles hanging heavily under his eyes.

“I’ll teach all the content today, and about ten questions will be included in the comprehensive evaluation, so it would be good to review.”

Comprehensive evaluation.

It was a written exam before graduation that could result in up to 15 points deducted – the biggest variable at the end.

‘Ten questions would be worth at least 5 points…?’

It meant this was a class that could spell disaster if taken lightly.

“I didn’t have time to make textbooks, so I’ll just speak, so make sure to take good notes. Now, the first thing we’ll look at is…”

At the no-textbook declaration, candidates hurriedly opened their notebooks.

I also moved my pen with the mindset of not missing a single word, but he was a formidable opponent.

“The place called the core food warehouse is the Alpine Grasslands, and whether you can penetrate there or not is a major watershed…”

“When conducting siege warfare, the Adits Imperial Army mainly uses tactics utilizing rapid mobility…”

Showing how diligently he had researched, his mouth wouldn’t stop.

‘Stop it, you crazy bastard.’

I already had a lot to review over the weekend, and that amount was multiplying in real time.

“Looking at the core command structure, first we have General Mammold Sikaite as supreme commander, and as army commander…”

Various names suddenly appearing.

Usually these kinds of things appeared frequently on exams.

“The Adits Empire is evaluated as having superior naval power to ours. Does anyone know the reason?”

At Jaebin’s question, Derick quickly raised his hand.

“Oh, would you like to answer?”

“I believe it’s because of the warship Eltho imported from the Kingdom of Osiris.”

“Correct. What’s your name?”

“Derick Rahila!”

“I wondered how you knew that, but you’re from the famous Rahila Family. Excellent. Please give that candidate bonus points.”

“Thank you!!!”

As expected, even if he taught classes poorly, he was reliable about giving bonus points.

“Our military is also investing a lot of funds in development, but we haven’t surpassed the Eltho yet. That’s why it’s better to avoid naval battles when possible.”

Unlike before, this was a detailed explanation.

Not having textbooks was a disadvantage, but the content itself was good.

‘The problem would be… that all of this is exam material.’

This hell where I couldn’t rest my hand even for a moment finally ended after three hours had passed.

*    *    *

“Aaaaagh! This is ridiculous! Why won’t they let us lie on our beds!”

7 AM.

Although we woke up 30 minutes later than usual, the announcement heard during roll call shocked the roommates.

‘No sleeping in allowed, 2 points deducted if caught. As expected.’

Was it because I hadn’t expected anything from the start?

Unlike my roommates, I didn’t have any particular thoughts about it.

“What are we supposed to do just sitting here!”

“Ugh, at least give us some cards or something.”

Pluto and Taylor were dying of boredom.

Actually, it’s not like there was nothing to do.

‘Just reviewing what we learned yesterday would take at least five hours.’

They were probably avoiding reality because it felt too overwhelming.

“Hyung, if you’re bored, want to come exercise with me?”

Derick, who had changed into workout clothes, asked while looking at the two of them.

“You want to go work out again after getting rolled around all week?”

“Monster, aren’t you tired?”

The two of them looked disgusted.

Seeing their reaction, Derick tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand.

“What we did until yesterday was training, but this is voluntary exercise. When else would we get this opportunity if not on weekends?”

Weekend-only use of the Parade Ground, permitted until dinner time.

I wondered who would actually use it, but it turned out the protagonist was right in our dormitory room.

“Isn’t anyone coming with me? We shouldn’t just rest on weekends – we need to loosen our muscles to prevent injuries when training starts again.”

It was quite reasonable advice, but going to work out on weekends wasn’t a decision just anyone could make.

‘Maybe I’ll just follow along for a bit.’

It wasn’t that I suddenly wanted to exercise, but I had something I needed to do right now.

[Physical Fitness Test]

Grade: Not Taken

Next Grade: Grade 9

Assessment Items: 3km run in 15 minutes, 30 push-ups, 35 sit-ups

Reward: Shop access, 50p

‘I can do this now.’

Maybe not before enlisting.

But my body, which had been pushed to its limits without a single day’s break for a week, had made considerable progress.

“Derick, let’s go together.”

“Oh! As expected of Paran hyung!”

When I got up from my seat, Derick welcomed me enthusiastically and gave me a thumbs up.

“You’re going to exercise? Maybe I should…”

Was it because I said I was going?

Ion, who had been burying his head in a book, looked up and hesitated for a moment.

“No, never mind. Have a good time.”

Thinking that working out on weekends was still too much, Ion, who had been about to get up, sat back down in his chair.

“Hyung, we’ll be back.”

“Alright.”

I changed into workout clothes and left the building.

‘It feels good to move around freely like this.’

I could truly appreciate how grateful it was to be able to walk at my own pace without anyone forcing or rushing me.

“There are fewer people than I expected. I thought everyone would come out to prepare for next week.”

Derick looked puzzled as he counted just over ten people.

‘He’s overestimating these noble young masters.’

I was actually surprised that as many as ten people had come out.

“Hyung, you’re going to exercise with me, right?”

“Huh? No, we should do our own thing.”

I quickly rejected Derick’s hand as he naturally tried to drag me along.

‘Am I crazy to exercise with you?’

From what Derick usually talked about, his workout routine was more brutal than even the demon instructor’s training.

“What? I thought we were doing it together?”

“Do I have a death wish?”

“I’ll match your level.”

“No thanks. Let’s do our own thing. I have something planned too.”

“Okay…”

Not having expected to be rejected, Derick moved away looking disappointed.

“Phew.”

Now alone, I started with stretching to warm up my body.

“Training should originally start with warming up like this, but those ignorant bastards.”

After touching each muscle group once, I opened the fitness test window.

[Would you like to take the Grade 9 test?]

“Yes.”

[Scanning surroundings.]

[Environment suitable for fitness testing.]

[Penalties will be applied if cheating is detected.]

The real charm of fitness tests was usually cheating, but this system seemed to lack human warmth.

[Starting fitness test.]

[Run 3km within 15 minutes.]

[14:59]

[14:58]

.

.

“What, it starts right away?”

The progression was bewilderingly fast.

Since time was most important, I immediately started moving my legs without any preparation stance.

“Huff! Huff! Huff!”

There wasn’t a separate track, but I ran at a steady pace along the edges of the Parade Ground.

[1km breakthrough]

[10:30]

[10:29]

Exactly the pace I had calculated.

My plan was to complete 3km within 14 minutes.

‘At this rate, it should be more than enough.’

This was the first time the brutal training from the demon instructor actually proved somewhat useful.

[0:47]

[3km completion successful]

[Push-ups will begin in 3 minutes.]

Such a tight rest period.

If the same muscles were used, it might have been problematic, but fortunately arms and legs weren’t closely related.

‘Push-ups are something I’m confident in.’

The countless punishments I’d received over the past week.

I could now consider myself to have reached the ranks of experts.

[Chest must be 3cm~10cm from the ground.]

[Record resets if you rest for more than 3 seconds.]

[Push-ups (0/30)]

“Geez, the standards are strict.”

I scratched my head and placed both hands on the ground.

“One.”

Since the depth was specified, I lowered my body as much as possible.

[Push-ups (1/30)]

‘Oh, it shows up right when I meet the standard.’

This won’t be difficult at all.

[Push-ups (2/30)]

[Push-ups (3/30)]

.

.

The count steadily rising.

Since my body is already above 9th grade, from push-ups to sit-ups.

Nothing is difficult at all.

[You have passed the Physical Fitness Test (9th Grade).]

[Shop is now open.]

[+50p]

[A strong mind dwells in a strong body!]

[Mental attack resistance has been enhanced.]

“Mental attacks? Hmm, does that mean things like drugs?”

Well, it’s not a bad thing, so I can look into it later.

‘More importantly, the key is the shop.’

Without needing to think, I opened the newly unlocked shop.

[Welcome to your first visit.]

[The range of items you can purchase increases according to your rank.]

[Points Owned: 50p]

[Points can be obtained through physical fitness tests, promotions, mission completion, etc.]

-Sturdy Boot Laces 5p

-Odor-Eliminating Socks 5p

-Swift Combat Boots 25p

-Spirit’s Purification Gas Mask 30p

-First Aid Kit 50p

-Dwarf’s Grinding Whetstone 50p

.

Really various items.

Each one was quite tempting.

‘Especially the odor-eliminating socks and swift combat boots are really tempting.’

The odor-eliminating socks are obviously what they sound like.

The swift combat boots also look impressive from the product page.

[Swift Combat Boots]

For soldiers, long-distance movement is not a choice but a necessity. Reduce fatigue with better boots, more comfortable boots.

Ability: 20% efficiency increase compared to standard boots

“I have to buy this.”

Since there’s a march next week, this is something I need right now.

[You have purchased Swift Combat Boots.]

Hesitation only delays delivery.

As I pressed the purchase button as if enchanted, boots with the exact same design as the ones I’m wearing fell from thin air.

“I hope no one saw that…?”

I moved to the spectator area and tried on the new boots.

“Whoa, this is insane.”

The appearance was perfectly identical, so I wondered what could be so different, but once I put my foot in, it’s just on a completely different level.

‘This feels like walking on clouds.’

I put on both and walked around, and the soft sole was reducing the fatigue on my feet.

“The shop is definitely useful.”

Not just the boots, but from gas masks that protect against gas attacks to first aid kits that can treat wounds and poisoning symptoms.

The only regret was having just 50 points.

‘I should save the rest just in case.’

I wanted to buy the odor-eliminating socks too, but that seemed like a luxury, so I passed and closed the shop.

“Hyung, what are you doing?”

Having finished the fitness test, I was about to head back to the dormitory when Derick, who had been running in the distance, approached.

“Uh…? Oh, I just thought there was a stone in my shoe, so I was checking.”

“Ah. But why did you bring combat boots?”

Derick asked, pointing at the combat boots instead of training shoes.

“These? Well, since we’ll eventually wear combat boots during training, I brought them to practice in the same environment.”

“Wow…”

It was a hastily made excuse, but did it miraculously work?

Derick nodded.

“That’s a really great idea. You’re trying to follow the saying ‘train like it’s real combat,’ right? Paran hyung really is different.”

“It’s not that big a deal.”

It feels like another misunderstanding is forming.

“I should try running in combat boots tomorrow too. I’m learning again today.”

‘Don’t learn this kind of thing.’

A bit of guilt crept up, but what can I do.

I can’t tell the truth.

“Don’t overdo it.”

“Yes, of course. I’m just planning to run exactly fifteen more laps before going in.”

“Huh…?”

I was momentarily speechless at the exercise amount that was completely wrong.

“Hyung, run with me.”

“N-no, I was about to head back…”

“Come on, why are you saying such weak things? If you want to survive next week’s march, you need to build up your stamina now. I’ll run slowly.”

Derick came over and grabbed my arm.

His grip was so strong I couldn’t break free.

‘Damn it!’

That morning, I could only escape from hell after Derick confirmed I had a leg cramp.

*    *    *

-Representative cadets from each battalion report to the parade ground immediately.

After lunch, while I was sitting across from Ion reviewing what we learned during the week.

The instructor’s voice that I didn’t want to hear called for me.

“Ugh, why are they calling us on the weekend?”

I really don’t want to go, but disobeying orders cannot exist in the training camp.

“But they give 3 bonus points.”

“Well, that’s true. I’ll be back.”

I stood in front of the mirror, checked my uniform, and went out to the parade ground.

“I will now announce regarding the march training.”

As expected, they called us because of the march.

‘Don’t these people rest on weekends?’

What amazing passion.

“Since the three people here are the representative cadets of each battalion, you will become leaders and lead the training.”

Three cadets standing in a line including myself.

Even their eyes have that soldier-like feeling.

Except for me, of course.

“The training camp’s march traditionally has each battalion take different routes to compete and see who is superior.”

I thought we’d all just walk together desperately, but apparently not.

‘Competition. Then there must be rewards too.’

“The most outstanding battalion will have its cadets receive 2 bonus points, and the representative cadet will receive 3 points.”

2nd place gets 1 point for the battalion member, 2 points for the representative.

Last place gets nothing at all for either of them.

‘Wait… this is completely different from what I thought.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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