At the Haeun Special Training Battalion, the officers held an unexpected emergency meeting in the faculty room.
The meeting was not particularly solemn, yet it wasn’t light-hearted either.
It had been convened suddenly because an outsider had burst in. Of course, this outsider was also attending the meeting.
“Hehe. So, will you do it or not, members of the Haeun Battalion?”
The uniform he wore was a shade greener than the standard digital military uniforms. At a closer look, the material of the beret he was wearing seemed slightly different as well.
998 Infiltration Training Brigade.
With two diamond marks on his collar, he was a lieutenant of the 998 Brigade. The nine eagle marks attached to his left arm proved he was a true soldier.
“No, that’s…”
On the other hand, there were no marks yet on the side of the Haeun Battalion.
Since Lee Shin had forcibly established the battalion, it was closer to being under the jurisdiction of the government rather than the military.
The teachers from Haeun Battalion were quite intimidated by just one lieutenant from the 998 Brigade.
Up until recently, the officers of the Haeun Battalion had been civilians. Although they were all reservists, their experience differed from that of the lieutenant from the 998 Brigade.
“Are you not going to say much? Then, may I speak directly with the battalion commander?”
“Victory. I’m the captain of the 2nd Company, 10th Platoon of the Haeun Special Training Battalion.”
The captain of the 10th Platoon saluted the lieutenant from the 998 Brigade. Noticing the single diamond on the captain’s uniform, the lieutenant immediately became informal.
“Is it customary here for a lieutenant to take the initiative? I see lieutenants and even captains among you.”
“I don’t think it’s very polite to demand to see the battalion commander directly.”
“Hehe. Well, well. That’s a pretty way to put it. Deathly pretty.”
The lieutenant was from the famous Special Forces, known for their black berets. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t even bother talking to such a ragtag group.
After the Pest incident, the old timers in the military realized that Lee Shin was behind the Haeun Battalion. They feared that if things continued this way, Lee Shin might even take control of the military.
The old timers in the military, worried about their secure positions, established a new training institution to check Lee Shin.
“Haeun Battalion… A rolling stone dares to challenge me.”
That was the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade.
For a hastily organized unit, its contents were quite exceptional.
Special Forces from the black berets were inserted as instructors and teachers, and capable students from all over the country were scouted.
It was already quite famous.
The only worthy opponent of the Haeun Battalion, which had overcome the Pest,
A tower of education gathering South Korea’s talents,
The combat veritas presented directly by the military.
The 998 Brigade became even more famous after recruiting a student who had defeated Monster Ahn Sungho.
As soon as he joined the 998 Brigade, the student openly talked about his victory. Through various SNS, interviews, and video media, he said that Ahn Sungho and the Haeun Battalion were no match.
The captain of the 10th Platoon bowed to the lieutenant from the 998 Brigade.
“If you felt bad, I’m sorry. But your sudden visit wasn’t exactly considerate of us either, was it?”
“Well… Whatever. I’m okay as long as the conversation progresses, whether the person in charge is a lieutenant, a private, or an idiot who doesn’t even know his rank….”
“…And by that conversation, you mean.”
The reason the lieutenant made a sudden visit was clear.
A joint training between the Haeun Special Training Battalion and the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade.
In reality, it was a showmanship for a show of strength rather than joint training. The outcome would determine the direction of future applicants.
The brigade, having continuously accumulated strength, thought it was time to pick a fight.
Ahn Sungho was okay, the White Jade Goblin was all green.
Enough talents were recruited, and those talents were sufficiently trained.
“Our 998 side is considering a large-scale infiltration operation.”
“Ha! A large-scale infiltration operation…”
“The battalion, with the brigade?”
Hearing the lieutenant’s words, the officers let out small sighs.
Counter Infiltration Operation.
Activities conducted to detect, annihilate, or clear enemy special forces and agents infiltrating through land, sea, and air.
Simply put, it’s a fight about blocking or not.
The lieutenant, looking around the officers of the Haeun Battalion, continued with a sly smile.
“If we do it, I’d like 998 to take on the role of infiltration. Considering the overwhelming manpower of other countries, it’s much more natural to train that way.”
“Well, that is true, but…”
The captain of the 10th Platoon hesitated to express his discontent.
If this were just a training, it would be entirely reasonable. It would be odd not to accept that the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade wants to take on the infiltration role.
“Kek kek. Bring me the battalion commander then. Or have someone sign on his behalf.”
But it’s clear that the intent is not just that.
The brigade and the battalion differ in scale to begin with.
By definition, a brigade is assigned more personnel than a battalion but less than a division, meaning it’s much larger than the nearly 1,000-strong Haeun Battalion.
About 3,000 personnel.
To block a force of nearly 3,000 with just 1,000? Such absurdity is unparalleled.
“Let’s see which students are more excellent.”
Moreover, with the nature of the training where actual killing or substantial injury is impossible, the side performing infiltration has a clear advantage.
998 advertising they have talents surpassing Ahn Sungho and Kim Seyun.
998, with numbers much larger and openly trying to take an advantageous rule.
They propose it this way, disregarding any opposition, knowing it can’t be avoided.
Lee Shin is secretly supporting the Haeun Battalion, and 998 is openly supported by the military.
“Haha.”
However, the captain of the 10th Platoon couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Laughing? Ha! You find this situation funny? Haeun Battalion lieutenant?!”
“Captain of the 10th Platoon, lieutenant sir. I apologize for laughing. It was a mistake.”
It seems the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade had overlooked one crucial fact.
The military elders, worried about their secure positions, created a new educational institution to counter Lee Shin.
“Haeun Battalion… A rolling stone dares to challenge me.”
That was the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade.
Despite being hastily organized, its components were exceptionally superior.
Special Forces operatives from the Black Berets were placed as instructors, and talented students were scouted from all over the country.
It was already quite famous.
The only rival to the Pest-conquering Haeun Battalion,
An ivory tower of education gathering the talents of South Korea,
The combat veritas directly showcased by the military.
The 998 Brigade became even more famous after recruiting a student who had defeated the monster Ahn Sungho.
This student openly bragged about his victory as soon as he joined the 998 Brigade. Through various SNS, interviews, and video media, he claimed that Ahn Sungho and the Haeun Battalion were no match for him.
The captain of the 10th Platoon bowed slightly to the lieutenant from the 998 Brigade.
“If you felt offended, I apologize. But isn’t it also inconsiderate to come unannounced like this?”
“Well… whatever. I’m fine as long as the conversation progresses, whether the person responsible is a lieutenant, a private, or some idiot who doesn’t know his own rank…”
“…Are you referring to…”
The lieutenant’s sole reason for visiting the battalion was one thing.
A joint training between Haeun Special Training Battalion and the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade.
Technically speaking, it was a show of strength under the guise of joint training. The outcome would determine the direction of future applicants.
The brigade, having continuously amassed power, thought it was about time to initiate a challenge.
Ahn Sungho was okay, the White Jade Goblin was still green.
Enough talents were recruited, and those talents were sufficiently trained.
“Our 998 side is considering a large-scale infiltration operation.”
“Ha! A large-scale infiltration operation…”
“A battalion against a brigade?”
Hearing the lieutenant’s words, the officers let out a small sigh.
Counter Infiltration Operation.
Activities conducted to detect, eliminate, or clear special forces and agents infiltrating through land, sea, or air.
In simpler terms, it’s a fight of block and tackle.
The lieutenant, looking around at the battalion officers, continued with a sly smile.
“If we do it, I’d like 998 to take on the role of the infiltrators. Considering the overwhelming numbers boasted by other countries, it makes more sense to train this way.”
“Well, that’s true but…”
The captain of the 10th Platoon hesitated, unable to express his dissatisfaction.
If it were just a matter of training, it would be entirely understandable. It would be strange not to accept the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade taking on the role of infiltrators.
“Kekeke. Bring the battalion commander here. Or have someone delegate a signature.”
But the intent was clear to anyone who looked.
The scale of a brigade and a battalion is different from the start.
By definition, a brigade is assigned a personnel size between a regiment and a division, meaning it’s significantly larger than the nearly 1,000-strong Haeun Battalion.
About 3,000 personnel.
Expecting merely 1,000 people to block a force of 3,000? That’s absurd.
“Let’s see which students are better.”
Given the nature of training where actual killing or serious injury is impossible, the infiltrating side has a clear advantage.
998 advertising that they have talents superior to Ahn Sungho and Kim Seyun.
998, with not only a numerical advantage but also blatantly more favorable rules.
They proposed this knowing it can’t be avoided, a gesture of disregard.
Lee Shin secretly supports the Haeun Battalion, and 998 is openly supported by the military.
“Ha.”
But the captain of the 10th Platoon couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“…Funny? Ha! Is this situation funny to you, Haeun Battalion lieutenant?!”
“Captain of the 10th Platoon, sir. I apologize for laughing. It was a mistake.”
Indeed, the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade had overlooked one thing.
***
“Hehe. Private Park Jinsung?”
“Huff huff huff. Ye, yes! Private! Park! Jin! Sung!”
“You don’t really need to state your rank and name to me, but hehehe, hearing it does feel good. By the way, are those friends behind you your subordinates?”
“No, they’re friends…”
“Yeeeeeesss!! The captain is our captainnnnnn!!”
The Zombie Squad proudly puffed out their chests, boasting about their relationship with the captain.
“Hehehe! You’ve got some spirited subordinates there. It seems you’ve been training them well.”
“Yeeeeeesss!! The captain trains us wellllllll!!”
“I have something to discuss with your captain.”
“We’ll give you spacccccccccce!!”
“Quick to catch on, good. Could you also keep this a secret?”
“We’ll take care of itttttttttttt!!”
The Zombie Squad, with faces beaming, awkwardly shuffled away and disappeared.
Lee Shin gently pushed Park Jinsung’s back, leading him to a secluded spot.
“What do you want to talk about? Why would someone like the advisor come to see someone like me?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s not an advisor who came to see someone like you.”
“……”
“I saw you fighting in the trench combat arena.”
Lee Shin and Park Jinsung had a height difference of nearly 20 centimeters. The dim weather made Lee Shin’s figure appear even more formidable.
“I’m just a D+++ rank at best.”
“Do you think there’s a rank to one’s soul?”
“Ah…?”
Park Jinsung sounded dazed, as if he had been hit hard on the head.
“The Haeun Battalion is a stage I personally set up. I believe souls can also progress, so I deliberately created a challenging environment… that’s an excuse, more accurately, I just didn’t manage it properly.”
“You created the Haeun Battalion?”
“I had high hopes for Sergeant Ahn Sungho, but it seems things don’t always go as planned with people.”
“No! We’ve been greatly influenced by Sergeant Ahn Sungho! Sergeant Ahn is truly a monster among monsters!”
Park Jinsung passionately defended Ahn Sungho’s worth. Even someone of an advisor’s stature couldn’t easily diminish Ahn Sungho.
“Hehehe!! There seems to be a big misunderstanding! No, that’s not it. I also think highly of Sergeant Ahn Sungho. What I expected was whether he had the power to change others. It seems he had enough of that power with you.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Sergeant Ahn Sungho changed me, and I, in turn, changed the Zombie Squad.”
“Hehehe! So, those friends are called the Zombie Squad? That’s a tasty name!”
“Hehe. The full name is the Mad Zombie Squad.”
“Seeing you during the trench combat, there was no nickname more suitable than zombie.”
Lee Shin, even leaning back with laughter, suddenly turned to leave.
“Advisor?”
“Seeing you in person, I’ve gained some confidence myself. Thank you. Continue to overcome your soul relentlessly. The fact that I came and went so suddenly, well, take it as it is. Hehehe!”
“Yes…”
Lee Shin may not have known Park Jinsung’s true identity, but he realized what kind of person Park Jinsung was. He even thought that someday, this child might benefit him.
‘A child who devours growth… This child might one day reach the world where the superhumans among superhumans gather. But.’
As remarkable as the child was, he wasn’t yet at the level Kim Iljeong had described. Either Kim Iljeong had lied, or perhaps they had driven out Pest in collaboration with other children.
“Ah! Private Park Jinsung?”
“Yes, Private Park Jinsung!”
“Let it be our secret that I’m in charge here and that I visited today, alright?”
“Yes, I understand!”
“Ah! One more thing!”
As Lee Shin turned his head, it felt like a massive statue had moved.
“The 998 guys shouldn’t beat you, right? No, no. Hmm. That’s a bit off.”
“What do you mean…”
“Hehehe!! You’ll find out soon enough! Then!”
With a few steps forward, Lee Shin disappeared as if by magic.
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