I Became an Officer in Another World in Just 5 Minutes - Chapter 22

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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 22

“This is my first time, so I might be clumsy, but I’ll work hard, so please take care of me.”

You might think you need to come on strong to avoid being ignored.

But do you feel scared when a puppy passing by on the street barks at you?

A newly commissioned Lieutenant is in exactly that position.

‘You need to have some weight class to bark. If you’re a new officer, you should definitely keep your head down.’

Sergeant above Corporal, Lieutenant above Master Sergeant.

If you live your military life with this kind of wrong mindset, you’re headed for trouble.

‘Suddenly I’m worried about our precious ones. I wonder if they’re doing well.’

Those noble brothers who always show behavior that defies common sense.

I had an uneasy feeling that they probably started speaking informally to Sergeants and Staff Sergeants as soon as they arrived.

“We should be the ones asking you to take care of us. Things have been hectic lately, so please lead us well…”

Just as I was about to shake hands with the Assistant Instructor.

-Weeeeeeeng! Combat Readiness Level 2 declared! Order from Division Commander.

“I thought it was quiet today.”

“Haa, damn it.”

At the announcement from the loudspeaker installed outside, the squad members began moving quickly.

“Tsk, follow the Assistant Instructor closely. You’ll be doing this every damn day from now on.”

With the situation breaking out, the Lieutenant left his position after leaving only brief words.

“You haven’t received your gear yet, right?”

“No.”

“This belongs to a soldier, but please wear this for now. There might be problems if you go out without anything.”

“Thank you.”

Thanks to the Assistant Instructor’s consideration, I received and put on a combat vest and helmet.

‘It’s better maintained than I expected.’

Unlike the Training Unit gear that you wouldn’t even want to touch, this place was different.

“If you’re ready, let’s go. Squad Leader, please follow me.”

“Yes!”

We left the Company Building and boarded the wagon assigned to our squad.

“But… are we going to fight right now?”

After getting on the wagon and confirming I had some breathing room, I carefully asked about my curiosity.

‘Honestly, it’s not combat already, right?’

It’s only been two hours since I reported for duty.

My neck is still warm enough that it’s not time to die yet.

“It depends on what the enemy does, but there probably won’t be any bloodshed.”

That was somewhat good news, but I shouldn’t let my guard down.

‘They’re not going to suddenly start attacking today, right…?’

Haven’t I been suffering countless injustices since I started my second life?

I couldn’t help feeling anxious.

“This is…”

After traveling a short distance by wagon, we arrived at a defense line where nearly ten thousand soldiers were deployed.

“This is your first time here, right?”

“Yes, this is incredible. I had no idea it would be this extensive.”

As far as I know, the area that the 3rd Division is responsible for is somewhat distant from the main battleground, the Abyss Defense Line.

‘But if it’s this much even here, just how many people are crowded over at the Abyss Defense Division?’

It’s not easy to even imagine.

“You’ve come to hell.”

The Assistant Instructor showed a bitter smile, and I could feel deep fatigue in that expression.

“Ha…haha.”

Anyone could see this was my future, so I couldn’t comfort him.

“Still, since we’re the Vanguard Company, our guard duty is more relaxed than other places.”

“I see.”

Since we have to go out and fight first when the enemy picks a fight, it’s treatment we naturally deserve in a way.

“We’ve arrived. Let’s get off.”

The moment I got off the wagon, tension shot up from the cold atmosphere of the battlefield that was hard to describe in words.

‘I really came here.’

The Front Line I so desperately wanted to avoid.

I’m standing there right now.

As a Vanguard Company Squad Leader.

“We did this yesterday, so there’s no need to explain separately, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then everyone to your positions.”

Clap!

When the Assistant Instructor clapped once, the Squad Leaders led the soldiers and moved.

“What should I do?”

“Supervise combat readiness and monitor enemy movements…”

“Is the entire Vanguard Company here?”

While I was talking with the Assistant Instructor, I heard the familiar yet cautionary voice of the Battalion Commander from behind.

“Loyalty! Vanguard Company 2nd Squad has completed all Combat Readiness Level 2 preparations.”

I reflexively saluted and then reported the progress.

“There are observations that this provocation is more severe than usual, so please prepare fully for combat engagement.”

At the Battalion Commander’s words, my expression almost crumpled without me realizing it.

‘Here comes another injustice. Damn it.’

They’re just desperate to kill me.

“Understood!”

“You seem to be adapting well, which is good to see. Keep up the good work.”

The Battalion Commander patted my shoulder with a kind smile and moved to another location.

‘Really, no matter how I look at it, it’s not him.’

If someone like that is a traitor, then the world is wrong in my view.

‘Next time I meet him, I’ll have no choice but to try using that.’

My newly acquired skill, Eyes of Truth.

I don’t want to use it if possible since it consumes points, but I have no choice when I’m this uncertain.

“The Battalion Commander is really great, isn’t he?”

The Assistant Instructor asked me while looking at the Battalion Commander’s back as he moved to another company.

“Yes, he seems like a good person.”

“When there are problems, he always takes the lead in solving them, and he often gives life counseling to soldiers. Of course, the soldiers approach him first.”

My eyes widened at these quite shocking words.

‘Soldiers approach the Battalion Commander first for life counseling?’

The only Battalion Commander counseling I know of is the last signal before suicide.

This is beyond respect, it’s astounding.

“That’s… incredible.”

“He really is an incredible person.”

After listening to the Assistant Instructor’s praise of the Battalion Commander a bit more, I turned my gaze toward the Direction of the Enemy.

‘Are those them?’

Thousands of troops standing in formation on the opposite side, about 700 meters away.

Thinking that if they attack, I’ll have to fight on the front line, cold sweat ran down my face.

“Uh… wait, hold on.”

While I was praying to God and carefully watching the enemy’s movements.

The enemy forces began moving toward us.

‘They’re really coming…? You crazy bastards! That’s not it!’

Flutter!

Not long after the enemy’s movement was detected.

A blue flag was raised from the command post.

“Load crossbows!”

“Load!!”

As if the flag was a signal, the squad members took out the crossbows they had been carrying on their backs and loaded arrows.

“Target the enemy ahead, aim!”

“Aim!!”

While continuing the standoff in this tense atmosphere.

As the distance gradually closed, the cavalry unit that was the symbol of the Adits Imperial Army came clearly into view.

‘I have to fight against those monsters…?’

Just looking at them made my throat feel cold.

“Oh God. Oh God.”

A desperate prayer toward the heavens.

Whether my voice reached them or not, those guys stopped approaching at a distance of 300 meters.

“You cowardly Lycans!”

A man with the build of a Viking came to the front and shouted.

“How long will you hide in there trembling! Come out here and fight like men!”

“Cowards!!”

“Cowards!!!! Wooooooo!!!!”

Pouring jeers.

After dozens of minutes of this psychological attack, the squad members became irritated.

“Damn it! Can’t we just go out and fight them? I want to tear that mouth apart.”

“How many weeks has this been going on? We’re stronger, so why are we doing this!”

Did these squad member gentlemen have two lives or something?

They were uniformly making the shocking statement that they wanted to go out and fight.

‘No, it’s good that they’re just jeering like that. What are they talking about?’

I couldn’t understand it with my way of thinking.

Anyway, the enemy continued for about another hour before returning to their camp, and we also had combat readiness level 2 lifted and returned to the company.

“We just did pointless things again today.”

“There’s never anything happening anyway, so is there any point in having a 5-minute standby team?”

“Exactly.”

Not a single good word came from the mouths of the soldiers taking off their gear after returning to the company.

‘I should step in here.’

The favorability built in this kind of atmosphere lasts the longest.

“Everyone worked hard. Is there a shop or something that sells food around here?”

“If you go straight along the left path from the battalion building, there is one. But why are you asking?”

“Our squad worked hard today, so I’ll treat everyone. Let’s all go together once we’re ready.”

“Wow…! Really?!”

“I don’t lie about things like this.”

“Squad Leader, thank you!!”

Do you know what the greatest weapon I have in my hands right now is?

Status window? My position as an officer? None of that.

Just my father.

The nearly infinite financial abundance he gave me is the strongest weapon I possess.

‘Look, I immediately went from Squad Leader to Squad Leader-nim.’

The easiest way to buy people’s hearts is with money.

‘It’s bigger than I thought.’

The shop we arrived at with a total of 61 people including the Assistant Instructor had a real PX-like feeling to it.

“Buy whatever you want to eat. Stock up on some snacks too.”

“Huh…? Weren’t we just buying one drink each?”

The Assistant Instructor asked with a confused expression.

“Coming all the way here just to buy one drink is too inefficient. Everyone fill your baskets.”

When I glanced earlier, the prices here were cheaper than market prices, just like the PX in the Republic of Korea.

‘How much could it possibly cost anyway?’

In Republic of Korea terms, I’m at least the son of a major corporation chairman, if not Samsung level.

“Thank you! Squad Leader!”

“This is what nobility is like. Crazy.”

Squad members with wide eyes grabbing baskets and sprinting full speed into the shop.

Just watching them made me happy – isn’t this the joy of sharing?

‘Should I buy some things too?’

I headed to the food section with curiosity.

<Strawberry Chewy Cookies>

<Chocolate Flavored Cookies>

<Lemon Aid>

.

.

Foods where you could imagine the taste just from the names.

There were more varieties than expected, making it quite a task to choose.

“Is that tasty?”

While browsing, I asked a squad member who was putting snacks in his basket next to me.

“Huh…? Oh, yes! This is my favorite snack.”

What he was holding was mint chocolate chip cookies.

The green dough with chocolate chips embedded in it was impressive, though it seemed like it would be polarizing.

“Hey hey, Hedrick. You’re selling weird drugs again. Squad Leader, that’s really not edible.”

Squad Leader Malik, who had been watching and approached, stopped me from putting the cookies in my basket.

“Squad Leader doesn’t know good taste. It’s always a popular snack that ranks in the top ten sales, so don’t slander it.”

“It’s just a weird taste preference. What’s so delicious about toothpaste flavor?”

“Toothpaste, what do you mean by that…!”

Hedrick opened his mouth as if shocked by Malik’s statement.

If I leave this alone, it looks like it’ll turn into a fight.

“I’ll try one. You have to try various things to find what you like best.”

When I put the mint chocolate chip cookies in my basket, Hedrick’s expression brightened completely.

“Good choice. You definitely won’t regret it, Squad Leader.”

“I… see.”

‘Does his family make cookies or something?’

Otherwise, this level of excessive reaction would be hard to understand.

After filling my basket with several cookies and drinks, I headed to the checkout counter.

“Uh… how do I pay for this?”

“I’ll pay for everyone behind me here all at once.”

“Waaahhh!! Squad Leader is the best!!”

These squad members definitely know how to make people feel good.

Of course, the cashier’s expression was ashen hearing this cheer.

“Lemon Aid 12 bottles…”

Since there’s no barcode system here, they calculate everything by hand.

The paper with the itemized list easily exceeded one page.

“So altogether… it’s 24 gold and 70 silver.”

“24 gold is… my monthly salary.”

“Didn’t we choose too much?”

The squad members looked at me nervously, but 24 gold – though it’s awkward to say this – is less than what I spend on a single outing.

Of course, I’m talking about that eldest brother over there, not me.

“Here you go.”

Since I had brought 50 gold, I paid the money without any trouble, and another cheer erupted from behind.

“Just how much money do you carry in your wallet…?”

“Squad Leader is the best!!”

Anyone could see their loyalty had shot straight up.

As expected, money is the best way to get close to people.

“I’m treating you today because you worked hard, so eat well and get plenty of rest. Got it?”

“Yes!!!!”

I returned to the company with the squad members whose gazes toward me had changed to favorable ones.

It was time when everyone except those on night duty would have gone off duty.

After sending the soldiers to the barracks, I entered the office to look over the handover documents, and the lights were on.

“You’re here.”

There sat Lieutenant Alpen, facing the door as if he had been waiting for me.

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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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