I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 20

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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 20

Soldiers describe a 2-night, 3-day leave like this:

‘2.3 seconds.’

A 3-night, 4-day leave would be ‘3.4 seconds.’

As you can see, it means time passes that quickly.

And this remains the same even after becoming an officer.

No, it’s not even 2.3 seconds anymore—now it feels like just 0.23 seconds.

“Son, did you pack everything you need?”

“Yes, well.”

A few decent novels to read, a wristwatch, and quality underwear.

Honestly, I’ll put up with wearing combat uniforms since there’s no choice, but the issued underwear is absolute garbage.

‘It’s not like anyone can see my underwear, so surely they won’t make a fuss about wearing different ones. That’s only something they’d care about at the Training Camp.’

Even when I was an enlisted soldier, I wore my own underwear.

“Alright, make sure to write letters.”

“I will.”

After exchanging hugs with my mother, I climbed into the carriage.

‘Now I’m going back again. To hell.’

Still, I’m not going back empty-handed after this 2-night, 3-day leave.

“Status window.”

Name: Paran   Family Name: Oclo

Affiliation: Intelligence Command

Rank: Lieutenant

Skills: Physical Training, Eyes of Truth, Swordsmanship Mastery

‘Lieutenant in Intelligence Command. Nothing but trouble packed inside.’

It’s the perfect menu combination for indigestion.

Anyway, setting that aside.

The two new skills I gained this time are much more useful than I expected.

[Eyes of Truth]

An excellent commander must be able to see a person’s true nature behind their mask.

Ability: Can use points to check target’s information

[Swordsmanship Mastery]

For a soldier, the sword is a second life. A weapon that must not be released until the moment of death. It’s easier to think of it as one body connected to your hand.

Ability: Increased swordsmanship proficiency, opens shop ‘Bookstore – Swordsmanship Manuals’

The descriptions are a bit long, but to summarize, I got a target information viewing pass and a swordsmanship skill boost.

‘Opening the bookstore is huge too.’

I took a quick look yesterday, and it really had manuals for all kinds of swordsmanship.

At quite steep prices, that is.

‘The cheapest one was 50 points.’

It was too expensive, so I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything yet.

“Young master, we’ve arrived.”

We reached our destination, and the coachman politely opened the door with both hands.

At the same time, the tavern’s sign came into view.

<Arvion>

It was exactly the same name written on the memo.

“Is this the right place?”

“It’s my first time here too, but it seems right.”

“Are you planning to have a drink before going in?”

“I’d like to, but I drank too much yesterday, so that might be difficult.”

I want to tell the truth, but doing so would very likely cause problems.

“Haha, when I was your age, young master, I once went a whole week without stopping. Aren’t you being a bit weak?”

“That’s admirable. Anyway, I promised to go with friends, so I’ll be off now. Give my regards to mother.”

My perfectly crafted lie.

Specifically, that I was sharing a carriage with friends going to the Western Front.

“I could escort you there.”

“I won I rock-paper-scissors, so just go.”

“Stay healthy, young master.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After pushing the hesitant coachman’s back to forcibly send him away, I entered the tavern.

“One beer here!”

“Pretty lady, what are you doing tonight? I’m free today.”

“I’m not that kind of woman! Go find someone else!”

“No, look. War has broken out now. So where should we invest?”

The interior was incredibly spacious for what you’d call a neighborhood bar.

It must be famous for its food, as it was packed with customers to the point where it was deafening.

‘Usually in spy stories, don’t they exchange signals with the bartender in a quiet tavern?’

Somehow, it just doesn’t feel right from the start.

“You’re here. Did you enjoy your leave?”

While I was wondering what I should do, Captain Eden appeared from somewhere and spoke to me.

“Loyalty.”

“There’s a mountain of things to teach you. First, don’t salute. Not unless you want to spread rumors that you’re military.”

Captain Eden sighed, and thinking about it, he was right.

“I’m sorry.”

‘Don’t tell me the operation is already going awry?’

Usually in spy stories, aren’t the other people in taverns like this enemies or something?

There’s a chance my salute just now caused problems.

“Be careful next time, and follow me.”

Following the captain’s steps, I entered a private room inside the tavern.

“One bottle of Racle with appropriate appetizers, please.”

“Understood.”

When the captain, who ordered skillfully, closed the door, the outside noise was perfectly blocked out to an amazing degree.

‘A soundproofing magic device?’

Looking up at the ceiling, as expected, a magic device emitting blue light was installed like a work of art.

‘This isn’t something you’d install in just any bar—quite an investment.’

This is a facility found only in the highest-end restaurants that nobles frequent.

“Why are you making such a surprised face over something like this? A family like the Oclos should be able to install this in private rooms too.”

“That’s not wrong, but I was surprised to see it in an ordinary tavern.”

“The shop owner is an avid music enthusiast. He probably practices playing here when the door is closed.”

“Ah.”

If that’s the reason, then it makes sense.

“Anyway, that’s why I’m a regular here. It’s almost the only place where you can drink reasonably priced alcohol while having secret conversations.”

“I’ll set down the drinks and appetizers you ordered.”

While Captain Eden was sharing what could be considered TMI about the tavern,

A staff member came in with drinks and food to set them up.

“Since you’re nobility, I ordered alcohol one grade more expensive than usual—you can handle this much, right?”

“Yes, well… I drink cheap stuff fine too.”

How refined could a palate be that enjoyed soju-beer cocktails in the Republic of Korea?

“That’s unexpected. Have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

In a way, this was my first day of work, and I wasn’t sure if drinking before actually working was right, but I accepted since he offered.

‘It looks strong just by looking at it.’

From the bottle containing alcohol to its aroma, everything indicated that it was strong whiskey.

‘Tsk, but I have to drink it anyway.’

Gulp.

After filling Eden’s glass with alcohol as well, I hesitated for a moment before downing it.

“Ugh.”

A sound escaped me involuntarily at the much stronger taste than I expected.

“A bit bitter for a kid’s palate.”

“I’m not a kid.”

Maybe not in the Republic of Korea, but here it’s an age where people even get married early.

“If you’re struggling with just this much, you’re still a kid.”

Eden poured alcohol into his empty glass and downed it twice in a row.

‘Ugh, that strong stuff.’

He smoked strong cigarettes too, so he’s definitely someone worn down by life.

“But aren’t you curious? What the Lieutenant will do after coming to Intelligence.

“Well… I just need to do what I’m told, don’t I?”

“You know well. In the military, you just do what you’re told. Especially during times like these.”

Eden took out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth.

“In the Lieutenant’s view, do you think war will break out in earnest?”

“The atmosphere is tense, but won’t it eventually be resolved through diplomacy?”

Both empires have far too much to lose.

“Wrong. War has already begun in earnest. It just hasn’t surfaced yet.”

Eden casually dropped this rather shocking statement and blew out smoke.

“And what’s currently fighting and dying on the front lines is Intelligence Command, which you’ve just stepped into.”

So in short, he was elaborately explaining that I was screwed.

“Do… do people actually die?”

“Do you think war is child’s play? Especially in intelligence warfare, if your identity is discovered, the probability of returning alive approaches zero.”

“Ha… haha.”

Damn it.

How did I end up here from being a member of the Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion?

There couldn’t be a worse downfall than this.

“If I were outstanding in ability, I’d help, but it’s unfortunate that I don’t know anything yet.”

I said this meaning they surely wouldn’t assign work to a mere Lieutenant, but the Captain was crazier than I thought.

“No, in my view, the Lieutenant already has sufficient talent. Didn’t you thoroughly separate your personality even in civilian life?”

“Pardon…?”

When did I ever live with a separated personality?

At my reaction of hearing this for the first time, the Captain raised the corner of his mouth and poured alcohol into his glass.

“You see, I’m not particularly interested in nurturing someone. They usually die before their growth is complete anyway.”

A bitter expression, as if he’d experienced this many times.

“In that regard, the Lieutenant is quite useful. A moderately sweet-looking family background and a personality that knows when to be appropriate.”

“Ha… haha, I appreciate the positive evaluation, but I’m absolutely not that kind of person.”

“You might not know yourself, but my eyes. Precisely, the information we investigated is never wrong.”

Eden said this while taking out a paper from his pocket and throwing it onto the table.

“This is the first mission I’m assigning to the Lieutenant. Go to the 3rd Division, make contact with Major Olmen, and secure the list of turncoats.”

“Pardon…? Me?”

With trembling hands at this obviously serious matter, I unfolded the paper.

[Olmen]

Rank: Major (3rd Division Ground Operations Regiment 1st Infantry Battalion Commander)

Age: 34

Interests: Soccer, alcohol (whiskey), gambling

.

.

Personal information about this person named Olmen written densely.

Everything was included except his underwear color.

“Currently, the most critical task Intelligence is handling is investigating soldiers who have turned traitor. And this bastard is what we recently discovered.”

Eden pointed his finger at the name Olmen written on the paper.

“He’s the first field-grade officer turncoat we’ve found, and there are definitely more. But these bastards are hiding so well that finding them isn’t easy. Phew.”

He deeply inhaled the cigarette smoke before exhaling, and I could feel deep fatigue in that scent.

“So I changed my thinking. Let’s approach them and find out directly. I’m planning to deploy the Lieutenant in that operation.”

“A novice like me…? I think it would be more appropriate for more excellent people than me to do this.”

I mean, who am I to be assigned such an important operation from the start?

‘Aren’t these bastards just dumping this on me because they don’t want to do it themselves?’

It’s a situation worth being suspicious about.

“Well, honestly, I don’t really trust the Lieutenant either. But those guys are very suspicious. I already sent about two people, but forget about becoming friends, they withdrew after sensing the risk of discovery.”

“If they’re that suspicious, would I succeed?”

“You might not, but in my view, there’s sufficient possibility. The Lieutenant is natural in every aspect and has a background that Major Olmen would like.”

“Is that so…?”

“If you don’t want to do it, just say so. I did prepare another mission for someone like you.”

“Then I’ll take that one.”

Honestly, approaching a turncoat to extract his group is too dangerous, isn’t it?

I immediately moved to the other mission.

“Well, I’d be more grateful if you’d do this one.”

Captain Eden said this while taking out another paper, and the content inside was truly shocking.

<Albein Castle, Infiltration Operation>

“We’ll prepare a false identity for you, so you just need to steal information related to military deployment. By the way, if you’re discovered, you’ll be tortured, so absolutely don’t reveal any information related to us…”

“I… I’ll go to the 3rd Division. Thinking about it again, it seems like the perfect mission I can handle.”

“Is that so?”

Captain Eden raised the corner of his mouth as if things had gone as he wanted.

‘These devil bastards.’

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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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