I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 13

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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 13

He made it sound like he’d unconditionally give 3 points, so I agreed to do it, but now he says you need to get 1st place for 3 points.

Isn’t this complete employment fraud?

“What I’m handing out now are the march routes for each battalion. The total distance is around 100 kilometers, so plan your schedule well.”

When I received the map from the instructor and unfolded it, I could see a route that circled around the outskirts of the capital.

‘This is dizzying, 100 kilometers.’

I already feel a headache coming on.

“May I ask one question?”

A burly candidate representing the 1st Battalion raised his hand.

“Go ahead.”

“During the march, are we also supposed to plan things like sleeping time?”

“That’s right. During the march, the assistant instructors and I will only observe, except in emergency situations.”

‘This… I thought this was just a position where you get picked on seniority and run errands. But it’s tougher than I thought…?’

Even if you get 1st place, you only get 1 extra point, so I really don’t want to do this.

But I can’t back out now.

I’ve been completely hooked.

“What should we do if there are candidates who don’t follow orders?”

“The candidates have to handle that themselves. Do I have to take care of every little thing like that?”

“N-No sir!”

At the sharp voice, the candidate who asked immediately backed down.

“Sleeping bags and rations will be supplied by today. Distribution is also something the candidates must handle, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes!!”

“Then dismiss.”

At the instructor’s words, the candidates scattered to their respective battalions, but scanning glances were exchanged between them.

This was the start of competition for bonus points.

“So if we get 1st place, it’s 2 bonus points, and if we’re last, we get nothing?”

“Yeah, and the representative candidate gets 3 points. Anyone want to be the representative candidate?”

No one raised their hand at my words.

“How cold. But 100 kilometers, is this even possible?”

I know from running training that most candidates have seriously poor stamina.

Taking those guys on a 100-kilometer march?

You could call it insane.

“From rest timing to supplies, you’re really going to be crucial, hyung.”

Derick examined the map with serious eyes.

“Right. We need to minimize dropouts while also coming in fast, but how do we do that?”

They didn’t give us the exact scoring formula, but they said the number of dropouts and the time it takes to finish are the grading criteria.

“If we come in last here, that’s at least a 2-point difference from all the candidates in the 1st place battalion. That’s pretty harsh.”

Ion’s expression, currently in the leading group, hardened.

‘Realistically, if we come in last, getting assigned to the rear will become difficult.’

That’s how huge a 2-point difference is.

“If you need help with anything, just say so. I’ll help you.”

“Yeah, thanks. First, I think I need to spread the word to the battalion members. Should I go around to the dormitory rooms?”

There’s the option of calling everyone together, but there’s no suitable place.

And there might be people who’d criticize it as giving orders.

‘The supplies are coming later too, and if I have to handle all of this one by one, it’ll never end.’

If this was the only thing I had to do, I could just throw time at it.

But I also need to study for the comprehensive evaluation that’ll happen right after the march ends.

‘Right, covering 400 people by myself is absolutely impossible.’

There was an idea that came to mind when I first heard about this march plan.

“I need to appoint platoon leaders.”

Slaves who’ll work in my place—no, excellent workers.

I need them.

“Platoon leaders? What’s that?”

“You know, 1st platoon, 2nd platoon. Candidates who represent their platoons. I can’t manage everyone by myself.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Ion nodded as if it was a reasonable opinion.

“The problem is I don’t have anything to offer them. How should I ask them to help?”

Being a platoon leader clearly means additional work for anyone who looks at it.

Unlike me, without any compensation.

“Do you really need to give them something? I think they’d be happy to do it if you just asked.”

“No way, it’s such a bothersome job.”

“Ask the person with the highest status in that platoon, and if they say they don’t want to do it, ask someone with a lower title. Then they’ll come running saying they’ll do it.”

“Oh… that’s genius?”

Come to think of it, our noble brothers.

Don’t they absolutely hate listening to people below their status?

“Even if not for that reason, most of them will say yes. There are tons of kids who love showing off.”

As expected of a ducal family.

Your mind for manipulating people is exceptional.

“I’m not capable enough to command so many people alone, so could you lend me some strength?”

I went to the 1st Company, 1st Platoon first and asked Jerome from the Hamilton Duchy, who had the highest title, to be platoon leader.

‘Please say you’ll do it.’

I asked with a trembling heart, worried about being rejected, but Jerome’s reaction was more positive than expected.

“For that reason, I, Jerome Hamilton, should help you. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Who else in our platoon would do it besides Young Master Jerome?”

“We’ll call you Platoon Leader from now on.”

The candidates flattering him from the side.

Thanks to that, perhaps.

Jerome’s shoulders rose all the way to his face.

“Haha! If you need anything, just say the word. I’ll manage our platoon properly.”

That expression full of responsibility, and the composure that comes from being a marquis.

It seems like I won’t need to worry about the 1st platoon.

“Then I’ll trust you. Please take care of it.”

I succeeded in appointing my first platoon leader while shaking hands with the incredibly reliable Jerome.

This news spread quickly to other platoons, and before I could even visit them, people started coming to me saying they wanted to be platoon leaders.

“Since 2 bonus points are at stake, may I take charge of our 2nd Company, 1st Platoon?”

“Well, as long as the platoon agrees, I don’t mind.”

“I’ve already finished talking to them, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Then please take care of it.”

From 1st Company, 1st Platoon to 3rd Company, 4th Platoon.

The time it took to appoint a total of 12 platoon leaders was just one hour.

They couldn’t be more proactive.

‘They may be clueless and useless, but people are good.’

I gathered all the platoon leaders in our dormitory room and spread the map on the desk.

“This is the route for this march. The goal is to get through with as few dropouts as possible. Do you have any good ideas?”

“Since it’s hot during the day, how about moving at night? That should reduce stamina consumption.”

Is this the power of collective intelligence?

Amilon Peon, who was in charge of 2nd Company, 1st Platoon, came up with a brilliant idea.

“That’s good. I’ll write it down.”

After that, more ideas came up: people with good stamina should share the load of those likely to drop out.

Since you won’t die from starving for 3 days anyway, let’s minimize food, and other ideas emerged.

-Transmitting to all battalion representative candidates. Come to the parade ground immediately to receive supplies.

-You may bring other candidates who can help at this time. That is all, transmission over.

The instructor’s voice came through while we were in the middle of exchanging opinions.

Everyone stood up from their seats before I could even ask first.

“It would be awkward if too many go out, so let’s just take five people from each squad.”

“Understood. I’ll gather them right away.”

Our squad leader brothers who brought the workforce on their own.

I couldn’t feel more reassured than this.

‘Indeed, people need to be given power to work proactively.’

I was newly impressed by Ion, who had known this from the beginning.

“Huh… you brought quite a lot of people.”

Five people from each of the 12 squads.

So I brought roughly 60 people, and the assistant instructor looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“These are the 3rd Battalion supplies, so you can take them. If you don’t have a place to put them, you can leave them at the parade ground until the afternoon.”

Supplies including sleeping bags contained in container-like boxes.

The quantity was clearly substantial, so it would be impossible to bring them into the barracks without distribution.

“Let’s take them out first, then count and distribute them.”

“That would be best. Alright, let’s begin.”

Clap clap!

When Ion, who had taken on the role of squad leader, clapped his hands to get things moving, everyone began to act.

‘There wasn’t anyone higher ranking than Ion here, right?’

The Velburn Ducal Family, one of the Empire’s three great noble families.

To beat Ion, someone from the imperial family would really have to come, not just anyone.

‘It was worth earnestly asking him to become squad leader.’

I had appointed him thinking to use his authority to suppress any incidents that might arise, but now I see his influence was helpful in normal times too.

“Is this… combat rations?”

They were contained in metal lunchbox-like containers so I couldn’t see the contents, but they clearly wouldn’t be delicious.

‘I wonder if the noble brothers will actually be able to eat these.’

These are people who complain about the Training Camp cafeteria, and now combat rations?

I guarantee quite a few people will declare a hunger strike.

“There are 384 sleeping bags, enough for everyone, and 3,000 combat rations. How should we distribute them?”

Ion finished the quantity survey and informed us of the numbers.

‘So that’s 7 per person with some left over.’

Thinking of it as 2 nights and 3 days, it’s enough to cover three meals a day.

“Let’s distribute 7 each and give more only to those who can handle the weight. These are quite heavy too.”

“Got it. We’ll start distribution, so 1st Squad line up first.”

“Let’s maintain order so we can get inside quickly!”

Time flew by as we frantically distributed sleeping bags and combat rations.

“Hah, this is exhausting.”

After finishing all the immediate tasks and returning to the barracks after dinner, it was 6 PM.

I thought at least ten times today that I regretted becoming a representative candidate.

‘I need to study, this is really driving me crazy.’

Trying to earn 1 extra point, I’m now facing massive point deductions.

“Just watch me fail the exam, I’ll curse them out on graduation day and head to the front lines.”

I forcibly suppressed my fatigue and opened my notebook to survive.

“The core of naval power is Eltho, the supreme commander is Maemold…”

Just like studying Korean history.

I wasn’t trying to understand, just cramming it into my head.

The problem was that this damn training camp had no intention of leaving me alone.

-Battalion representative candidates come out immediately. That is all, transmission over.

“Let me study! Just let me study!”

*    *    *

The day of the march finally arrived.

The holiday I thought I could rest and study during passed by frantically.

I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was standing at the front of the formation with my pack on my shoulders.

“1st Battalion!!!”

While waiting for the instructor to come, suddenly the 1st Battalion representative candidate opened his mouth with a booming voice.

“Can you complete the march to the end!”

“Yes!!!!”

“Will you fall behind?!”

“No!!!!”

A Q&A session that suddenly began.

What the hell was that supposed to be.

‘How immersed are they in playing soldier. This is dizzying.’

Just watching it made me feel suffocated.

“Let’s advance together to the end and become the best battalion! Fighting!!!!”

“Fighting!!!!!!”

The 1st Battalion seemed to be in high spirits.

They were definitely all under some kind of group hypnosis.

‘I’m already tired, just stay quiet…’

“2nd Battalion!!!”

When I was trying to stay quiet and still, the damn 2nd Battalion representative candidate also raised his voice.

‘Hey hey, if you do it too, then I have to do it. Why are you doing this.’

I wanted to go and cover his mouth right away, but it was already too late.

“Will you fall behind in a mere 100-kilometer march!”

“No!!!!”

Having watched and learned from the 1st Battalion, their responses were similar too.

And perhaps not wanting to lose?

Their voices felt just a little bit louder than the 1st Battalion.

“If there are struggling comrades, let’s help them and return here together! Do you understand!”

“We understand!!!!”

“When I say 2nd Battalion, answer with ‘strongest’! 2nd Battalion!!!”

“Strongest!!!!!!”

The 2nd Battalion representative candidate conducting like some recreation instructor.

Naturally, all eyes turned to the last turn, the 3rd Battalion, which meant me.

‘Do I really have to do this?’

I had wanted to depart quietly, but the atmosphere made that absolutely impossible.

‘Hah, this is maddening.’

I had no confidence to do it, and honestly, it was embarrassing.

But what choice did I have.

I was wearing this damn armband.

“3…3rd Battalion!!!”

I shouted as if my throat would tear, recalling the instructor’s remarks.

‘If I’m going to do it, let’s do it properly.’

Being half-hearted about it would be even more embarrassing.

“Did you rest well over the weekend!”

“Yes!!!!”

As if they had been waiting.

The 3rd Battalion candidates raised their voices desperately.

However, if it had been that voice-obsessed maniac instructor, he definitely wouldn’t have been satisfied here.

“But is that all the voice you’ve got! 3rd Battalion!!!”

“Yeeeeees!!!!!!”

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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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