#62 Mercenary Company's Departure
When Cheoldu opened his eyes, he saw Kim Jin-tae's back.
"......"
"Where's Warrant Officer Oh?"
"Ah, shit. You scared me."
Jin-tae, who had turned around, flinched in surprise.
"Huh? What? Are you crying?"
Tears were streaming down Cheoldu's cheeks.
"Hmm?"
Cheoldu wiped his face and realized it was indeed wet.
"Wow, this is the first time I've seen you cry."
"Hahaha, these are a man's burning tears."
"......You okay?"
"I'm not okay."
"Huh?"
Don't people usually say they're fine?
Kim Jin-tae was a fresh-faced 20-year-old.
He was still too young to come up with comforting words in such a situation.
"Uh, I don't know what's going on, but it's okay to cry. Look at me. I cry a lot."
"Crybaby."
"No, damn it."
"Hahaha. It's fine, Jin-tae."
"......"
"I just looked into my own heart. That's why I felt a little sad."
"......"
"While my body grew this big, my heart hasn't grown an inch."
"Ah......"
Jin-tae, unable to find the right words, stuttered like a malfunctioning robot.
"Just as my body grew stronger, my heart will soon grow stronger too."
"Uh, you'll do great."
"But where's Warrant Officer Oh?"
"You've been like that for four days."
"Hmm?"
Cheoldu was startled but soon shook his head.
"Well, that's how mental training starts."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's a thing. So, how's the expedition prep?"
"All done. Oh Jun-hwan handled it well. Maybe it's because he's ex-military, but he was really efficient. You'd be surprised if you saw it."
"Hmm. Huh?"
When Cheoldu suddenly looked startled, Jin-tae flinched too.
"What, what? What now?"
"I haven't eaten for four days!"
No wonder I've been so hungry since earlier.
"......Let's go get some food."
"Good idea!"
Cheoldu and Jin-tae left the camp where the mercenaries were training.
"Warrant Officer Oh, good work."
"Tch, it's been ages since I was discharged."
Oh Jun-hwan grumbled as he watched the captain and vice-captain leave everything to him and go off, though his expression wasn't entirely displeased.
'This is doable.'
Not just doable—it's fun.
Had he ever taken the lead and done something so proactively during his military service?
'Nope.'
The captain had given him near-irresponsible full authority.
On top of that, the New Seoul Garrison Commander provided all the requested supplies, making Brigadier General Park wonder if the man he knew was really that addicted to playing magistrate.
"We'll be back."
"Hahaha, got it. Let's stop by the workshop on the way to pick up some gear."
"Ah, I already got that."
Jin-tae pulled out a saddle and other items from his inventory.
Cheoldu also summoned Sonadda.
"How do I do this?"
"I'll help. I learned how."
With Jin-tae's help, they placed the saddle on Sonadda's back, secured it tightly, and attached stirrups.
They tied the reins and even put on barding to protect the chest. There was a helmet too, but it was impossible to wear because of the two horns.
"I'll have to ask them to remake this."
With the barding on, it wasn't quite heavy cavalry, but it definitely looked sturdier than light cavalry.
"Aren't you doing yours? Let's ride."
"Ah, I can summon it with the barding already on."
Whoosh
"Neighhh!"
When Jin-tae summoned Abangdae, it was already saddled and armored.
"Hoho!"
Cheoldu effortlessly mounted Sonadda.
Even on foot, Cheoldu was a visual spectacle, but on horseback, everyone in the alley came out to watch.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Cheoldu led the way, with Jin-tae riding alongside him.
"Doesn't this feel embarrassing? Let's walk."
"I guess you're not proud of Abangdae. Well."
Only a mount as big as my Sonadda would do.
"No, that's not what I meant. Ugh. Whatever."
Jin-tae gave up mid-sentence.
Seeing Cheoldu's raised lips, he figured he must be in a really good mood.
"Aren't we going to eat?"
"Right."
"Why this way? There's a tavern over there."
"If we eat at Jun-pil's place, it's free."
"......"
He really thinks the New Seoul Garrison Commander is his friend.
Once again, Jin-tae was amazed by his friend's audacity.
The two soon reached the government office, and someone who had heard of their approach came out to greet them.
"Brothers."
"Isn't that Jun-seop?"
"Are you done with your seclusion?"
"Seclusion?"
Cheoldu tilted his head and glanced at Jin-tae, who must have made up the excuse.
Well, it wasn't entirely wrong in spirit.
"Yeah, it's done. We came to eat."
"Haha, come in."
The sergeants bustled about, relaying the news inside.
"Is Jun-pil here?"
"He is. Come in for a meal and some tea."
"Good."
Cheoldu and Jin-tae headed to the government office's attached dining hall and filled their stomachs with delicious food prepared by the cooks.
"Where's Jun-pil?"
"Let's go. I'll guide you."
Following Choi Jun-seop, they found Brigadier General Park at the archery range in the backyard.
Twang, thunk!
"Cheoldu, you're here?"
"Yeah, shooting arrows?"
"Haha, why don't you give it a try?"
"Sure?"
At Cheoldu's words, a waiting soldier quickly handed him a bow and a quiver.
"Have you shot a bow before?"
"A bit back on Earth."
"Ah! It feels like just yesterday I was amazed by your records."
Brigadier General Park watched with anticipation as Cheoldu strung the bow.
Familiar with the motion, Cheoldu tested the tension before nocking an arrow and drawing.
Creak
The sound of the bow bending was followed by the release almost as soon as he aligned his aim.
Twang, thunk!
Brigadier General Park marveled at the arrow embedded in the bullseye.
"Haha, that was an incredibly fast shot."
"Hahaha, I've gained a skill."
"With form like that, of course you would."
"Archery Level 2."
"Well, it's not just skill—it's mastery already... Here, let me gift you a good bow."
"Hahaha, I'll put it to good use."
Cheoldu accepted it without hesitation.
"Did you see the request form?"
"No, not yet. I just woke up and came straight here."
"Haha, you really were in seclusion. The reward is hefty. But take two of our guys with you and show them the ropes."
"What do you mean?"
"Just watching you tackle a dungeon is valuable intel. You're going after the Cyclops, right?"
"That's the plan."
"Thought so. Take some guys there too."
Originally, the government's gain from the Cyclops hunt request was just 'information.'
All the loot would go to the Ironhead Mercenaries anyway.
"Not sure if you know, but there's already a famous mercenary group out there."
"Hmm? Where?"
"Over in the U.S. Based in Michael City, they're known for dungeon raids. They're already big in Nova's underworld."
While the public wasn't informed about Nova, it seemed governments were sharing intel among themselves.
"Like that monster ranker that showed up in Japan recently—everyone's way ahead, but haha."
Brigadier General Park smirked.
"That's just because info about you hasn't spread yet. Hahaha."
Kang Cheoldu was a treasure to South Korea. At least, Brigadier General Park saw him as a secret weapon.
The day Cheoldu registered, the top of the rankings would belong to South Korea.
Just imagining it sent a thrill through the Brigadier General.
'A ranker is my friend.'
I wonder what face those arrogant Army HQ guys would make. Calling such a treasure a potential terrorist?
Hmph, how dare they.
"What's with the sneaky smile?"
"Hahaha, just a happy thought."
"I'll put the bow to good use. Let's catch that Cyclops and talk then."
"Sure. Oh, leave all the iron at Obongsan Village—the government will handle transport."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
As Cheoldu waved and left, Jin-tae followed, impressed.
"Wow, you're so natural."
"At what?"
"I mean, doesn't Brigadier General Park make you uncomfortable?"
"Why would friends be uncomfortable? Jin-tae, do I make you uncomfortable?"
"That's not what I meant. We're the same age."
"Hahaha, in a place where time flows differently, age is meaningless."
"Well, yeah, but—"
"Jin-tae."
"Yeah?"
"I'm a barbarian."
"Huh?"
"Even if our races differ, we can be friends. Why would age matter?"
"Uh, I guess?"
Cheoldu looked around and pointed at an ant.
"If I said I was friends with those two ants, would you ask about their ages?"
"No."
"Hahaha, to me, both you and Jun-pil are precious human friends."
"Ah......"
Even when he's recklessly charging ahead, moments like these make him seem different. Jin-tae short-circuited like a glitching robot.
Cheoldu, who looked ordinary, once again felt like an alien, twisting Jin-tae's brain.
"Ugh, whatever. Damn it. Maybe I should just be friends with Brigadier General Park too."
"Tsk, such a rude guy."
"......"
Is this hypocrisy?
"Show some respect for your elders, Jin-tae."
"Dammit, what about you?"
"I'm a barbarian."
"......"
This isn't some racial shield...
"Hahaha, anyway, let's move out."
Returning to the mercenary base, they found Oh Jun-hwan putting the mercenaries through Combat Drill No. 8.
"Keep those legs up! Two!"
"Aaargh!"
The mercenaries screamed in pain from their positions on the ground.
"What's this?"
"Combat training."
"What kind?"
At Cheoldu's innocent question, Oh Jun-hwan hesitated.
Now that he thought about it, both leaders had no military experience.
"It's a thing. Where'd you go?"
"To eat with Jun-pil."
"Ah—sigh. What's the deal with you and Brigadier General Park?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, how did you become friends?"
Good question. How did that happen?
Cheoldu thought back and nodded.
"Don't remember. We just became friends."
"......Huh."
Our captain really lives life on easy mode.
"How's training?"
"Well, divided roles and specialties."
Oh Jun-hwan answered vaguely.
"Good work."
"......?"
You're okay with such a shoddy report?
"Hahaha, let's move out. Get everyone ready."
"Huh? Wait. The sun's about to set—now?"
"What's the problem? We'll camp along the way."
"Well, yeah, but......"
Even for mercenaries, isn't this too disorganized?
Oh Jun-hwan was starting to feel uneasy.
He was usually the troublemaker, not the cleaner...
But here, there didn't seem to be anyone to clean up.
'Am I the only one?'
As Oh Jun-hwan fretted, Cheoldu bellowed:
"Everyone, pack up! We're moving out!"
"Whoo!"
The mercenaries jumped up gratefully.
"But isn't this too rushed? No detailed plans?"
"Hahaha, I trust you, Warrant Officer Oh."
"......"
Even the Tang Dynasty's army was more organized than this! And I told you I'm discharged—stop calling me warrant officer!
