#59 Raid Preparations
An unfamiliar ceiling.
Kim Jin-tae jerked upright, then clutched his head.
"Ugh, my head."
"Awake?"
"Yeah... I don't remember yesterday."
"Hmph, that's how it goes."
"What is?"
"Hmph hmph."
Cheol-du's vague laughter made Jin-tae uneasy, but he got no answer.
"Hey, did I do anything stupid?"
"Nope. Heh."
"Then why are you laughing?"
"Heh."
"Seriously, what's going on?"
The answer came from outside.
"Wake up and come eat! Get out here!"
At Grandpa's voice, Jin-tae asked,
"Grandpa, you're not working today?"
"We drank together yesterday. I've wrapped things up."
"Oh right. You said you were retiring to the farm."
When Cheol-du and Jin-tae opened the door, Grandpa was boiling ramen.
"Jin-tae awake?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Good. Sit. Let's cure that hangover."
For some reason, Grandpa's expression as he looked at Jin-tae seemed emotional.
They set the table and grabbed chopsticks.
After bringing out kimchi and the pot, the ramen was ready.
"Anyone else coming?"
"No, just us eating."
"Ah."
"Hmph hmph."
"Stop laughing like a cow."
"Hmph hmph."
"Quit it."
"So fussy."
"Again with the attitude toward your elder!"
When Kang Yong-cheol raised his hand, Cheol-du dodged instantly.
"Let's eat!"
"Sure."
"Thanks for the meal."
Slurp.
The three began eating. As Cheol-du inhaled noodles at a speed that would choke livestock, Kang Yong-cheol spoke calmly to Kim Jin-tae.
"Come visit whenever you want to see me."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Good. Like I said yesterday, you're like a grandson now. Fate gave me two grandsons, blood-related or not. Makes me feel secure."
"......"
Memories flashed through Jin-tae's mind.
'Ah.'
I got drunk yesterday.
Whined about wanting a grandpa.
Poured out my family history to Cheol-du's grandpa.
And Kang Yong-cheol just listened to my sob story.
"......Yes."
"Is this a happy occasion or not? Speak up!"
"Yes! Grandpa!"
"Haha, good."
Slurp.
"You two are friends, but might as well be brothers."
"Chuckle, Grandpa, we're already brothers-in-arms."
"You focus on your noodles."
"Sure."
Kang Yong-cheol looked warmly at Kim Jin-tae.
"You're both grown men now. Too old for parents to meddle, so I'll just cheer you on. Work together and do well."
"Yes."
Kim Jin-tae held back tears while slurping noodles.
"Grandpa, really won't you come?"
"No, brat."
"But what if Earth's destroyed?"
"So what? Then it'll just be my death day."
"Hmm."
"Everyone lives their own life. What good would clinging to you do? I'll farm my homeland and die content."
"Understood."
"When will you visit next?"
"Hmm, staying in Paju a few days then returning. Mainly commuting from Cheongju now."
"Good. My hometown's Mungyeong - not far by car. Once I'm settled, visits will be easier."
"Chuckle, sounds good. Should I tell my men?"
"Tell those thugs to stay out of my sight."
"They're good kids."
"No way!"
At Grandpa's cold response, Cheol-du shrugged. Some grudge against gangsters? They're all well-behaved.
"Then get to work."
Seeing Kang Yong-cheol preparing to leave, Cheol-du tilted his head.
"Where you going?"
"I'm busy, brat!"
Apparently even elders have social lives.
"Chuckle."
Cheol-du and Jin-tae lounged on the sofa.
"TV's all North Korea news."
"Think we'll reunify?"
"Hmm, maybe."
"Kinda tragic how North Korea's high-tier in Nova."
"Huh, true."
Cheol-du stroked his chin.
Goryeo General Lee Seok-gae.
"Cool guy."
"What?"
"How strong you think he is?"
"No idea. But you're probably stronger."
"Let's bag a Cyclops when we recruit mercenaries in Paju."
"Huh? Seriously?"
"Yeah. No field boss has been taken down worldwide yet."
"So I've heard."
Being Major Park Joon-pil's official statement made it reliable.
"Only first achievement left in Paju Portal, so let's clear it."
Most Paju areas were already mapped. There might be hidden dungeons like Obongsan's abandoned dragon nest, but searching would be wasteful.
Found dungeons aren't instantly clearable anyway - better to tackle them when discovered.
Judging by difficulty, even recent finds wouldn't be easy.
"Hehe, community's buzzing lately."
"Why?"
"North Korea's the hot topic. Terms like Nova and Awakened Novices are everywhere now."
"Information control will soon be impossible."
"Probably. Who knows where the next Apocalypse Trial will be, but the second test will really thin the herd."
"Hmm, wish Grandpa could've become one."
Would be nice if Kang Yong-cheol became a Novice farming safely in Nova... though honestly Korea's still safer.
"Can't force life choices."
Warriors seek their battlefield.
Maybe farmers have their calling - best to help Grandpa settle in Mungyeong.
Cheongju isn't far anyway - we'll visit often.
Time flew as they lounged. By afternoon at the office, Seo Jong-du's crew waited solemnly.
"Boss. This is Manager Lee Cheol-hyun. He'll handle Earth operations."
"Good. Pleased."
"Honored, Boss."
"Yeah. Take good care of Grandpa."
"Leave it to me, Boss."
"Let's move."
"Yes."
Cheol-du approached a man awkwardly standing among gangsters.
"Oh, Lieutenant."
"...You're a gangster?"
At Oh Joon-hwan's bluntness, Seo Jong-du bristled but held back without orders.
"No."
"Then what's this?"
"Mercenary group."
Oh Joon-hwan smirked and shrugged.
Who'd link a highschooler to gangsters?
And this kid's apparently the boss.
'Was his dad gangster?'
Should've checked his profile better.
Eh, whatever.
"This is rich."
Good thing I got discharged.
"Chuckle, introduce yourself, Jong-du."
"Yes, Boss."
"You'll be instructor."
Oh Joon-hwan had the best combat sense Cheol-du had seen.
"Tch, I'm sticking with you."
Whack!
"Ow! Why?!"
Rubbing his head, Oh Joon-hwan was shocked. A week ago he wouldn't have been hit...
'He's stronger already.'
No limits to this guy?
Weeds grow slower.
By the time he sensed movement, pain already flared. No time to dodge.
"Bodyguard and errands when free. Instructor otherwise."
"Tch. Just bodyguard?"
"Backtalking your boss?"
"Ugh, fine. Understood."
Just left the military for stricter hierarchy. Oh Joon-hwan accepted it.
"Hmm, your position..."
"Make him manager."
"Whatever."
Earth-side titles didn't matter.
Seo Jong-du smirked victoriously, offering a handshake.
"Manager Oh. Pleasure. Director Seo Jong-du."
"...Oh Joon-hwan."
Cheol-du ignored their rivalry.
"Move out."
"Yes!"
In the car, their petty feud continued - mostly Seo Jong-du fixating while Oh Joon-hwan ignored him like a cow swatting flies.
"Hehe, Jong-du."
"Yes, Boss."
"Right now, 300 of you couldn't beat Manager Oh."
"Th-that much?"
"Yeah. Get stronger."
"Understood!"
Seo Jong-du bowed, eyes glistening.
'The boss's care?'
Though outmatched now, this favor means I must grow stronger!
'I'll train relentlessly!'
His eyes burned with determination.
Cheol-du asked Oh Joon-hwan:
"Military?"
"Discharged."
"You're not a Ranker, right?"
"Tch, where'd you hear that?"
His rude tone made Seo Jong-du bristle, but Cheol-du ignored it.
"Joon-seop mentioned it."
"Joon-seop? Captain Choi Joon-seop?"
"Yeah. Said you couldn't Rank so fled to Earth."
"That bastard..."
Oh Joon-hwan flared up, then sighed.
"Well, not wrong. My highest stat's Sense at 47."
"Damn, rough."
"......"
Oh Joon-hwan's face soured.
"Tch, that's why I'm avoiding Nova. Was planning solutions anyway. Looking forward to working with you. Call you boss?"
"Chuckle, whatever. So you haven't quit?"
"Men don't quit. Limits exist to be broken."
"Oh, good attitude."
Cheol-du liked him more.
"After breaking through, train some men."
"Easy. Leave it to me."
"Great."
Cheol-du found him oddly endearing.
Would be great to have Choi Joon-seop or Ki Yong-su, but they're staying enlisted. Oh Joon-hwan would do.
Now the mercenary group's second strongest.
Idle chatter passed time until arrival in Paju.
"C-Commander?!"
Oh Joon-hwan hid behind Seo Jong-du.
Why's the Commander here?
Does he know I'm Nova-bound?
'Did he consider me that valuable?'
Enough to personally welcome me back?
"Hey, Cheol-du."
"Joon-pil. You waited?"
"Haha, waited to go together."
"Chuckle, loyal."
Their casual exchange left Oh Joon-hwan gaping.
"Insane."
What am I seeing?
This defies reason.
This isn't about protocol - it's about basic sense.
"Joon-pil, know him?"
"Hmm? Familiar face. Special Missions Unit?"
"Yes, sir! Lieutenant Oh Joon-hwan! Discharged."
"Oh? Good to see you."
"Thank you."
Shaking hands, Oh Joon-hwan swallowed tears.
So much for welcome back - he doesn't even remember.
"Chuckle, new recruit."
"Fine catch. Hahaha."
"Let's talk inside."
"Sure. Much to discuss."
Park Joon-pil's expression suggested successful business.
