From a young age, Park Jinsung did not prefer SNS or community sites.
Having a phone was pointless as it would either be taken by other kids or broken, and being an outcast, he was never invited to SNS or group chats in the first place.
‘Why is the atmosphere at the base like this today?’
Therefore, Park Jinsung had no idea about the heaviness that enveloped the base today.
[Today’s Top Video – Monster Ahn Sungho Gets a Lesson After Going Berserk]
-Wow. Check out Ahn Sungho’s character. Why is he such a mess?
-Totally insane. I was a fan of Ahn Sungho, but now I’m disappointed.
-LOL. Served him right. Acted all high and mighty and got knocked out cold.
-998 is amazing. Turns out Haeun Special Brigade was really just a piece of cake.
An unclearly sourced video completely overturned Ahn Sungho’s image.
The video started with cunningly edited footage.
The troubled girl was nowhere to be found, and it immediately showed Ahn Sungho beating up members of the 998.
Yuk Dongho neatly subdued the rampaging Ahn Sungho.
Because the dialogue was drowned out by appropriate background music, innocent Ahn Sungho was made out to look like the weird one.
“What on earth is this?”
Park Jinsung, who knew nothing, rolled his eyes in bewilderment as he broke out in a cold sweat.
The tarnished image was not just Ahn Sungho’s.
The prestige of Haeun Special Brigade, which had once hailed Ahn Sungho as its champion, had plummeted to rock bottom.
In fact, what the media and the public were focusing on was how easily Haeun Special Brigade’s strongest had been defeated by the 998 Brigade.
The public was well aware that it was difficult to grasp the exact situation just from the video. After all, it wasn’t their first time being misled by sensational articles.
Regardless, what mattered was,
The fact that Ahn Sungho, thought to be the best in high school, had knelt before some pig. This much was an undeniable truth.
Monster Ahn Sungho was one of Korea’s proudest rising stars, recognized as a top talent along with Goblin Kim Seyun, who had repelled Pest.
That such a super-talented individual had not just lost after a fierce battle but had been helplessly defeated.
It was an atmosphere too dismal to be considered good, all happening overnight.
“Sigh. I’ll have to ask him about it later.”
Park Jinsung glanced around cautiously before licking his lips.
Currently, Ahn Sungho was receiving one-on-one personal treatment in the medical office, not even under confinement for the battle.
His condition was serious enough that a directive was issued advising other personnel not to seek the medic for the time being and to refrain from physical education classes.
“Hehe. I wish club activity time would come soon.”
The classroom, where Park Jinsung had been monologuing to himself.
The story brought by the 10th Platoon leader was as heavy as his expression.
“…Sigh. Exactly 10 days from now, we’ve agreed to go head-to-head with the 998 Infiltration Training Brigade.”
“……”
Kim Seyun, sitting next to Park Jinsung, made an even more wretched face than the 10th Platoon leader.
“Pl-platoon leader? Why do you look so terrifying?”
“I’m really sorry… but could you not talk to me for a while? I’m really angry.”
“Uh, what’s with everyone?”
As Park Jinsung was bewildered, Byun Kiyoung and Kim Seyun simultaneously erupted in anger.
“These trash bastards dare…!!”
“Those 998 jerks probably thought this was their chance to jump Ahn Sungho…? Ah… I’m so angry…”
That Ahn Sungho was brutally defeated meant they were brutally defeated as well.
Kim Seyun had implicitly acknowledged Ahn Sungho’s monstrous abilities.
Could a monster that even the White Jade Goblin felt unsure of defeating be brought down by a mere fatty?
Something was very wrong.
The 10th Platoon leader sighed softly and continued.
“Sigh. Kim Seyun, Byun Kiyoung, and Park Jinsung, go to the staff room right now. The rest of you, review the squad combat.”
“Eh? Is there some kind of joint training? Graduating is too hard.”
“…Jinsung, did you not know what happened last night?”
“Platoon leader? What happened?”
“…Never mind. That’s all.”
The three representatives of the 2nd Company followed the 10th Platoon leader to the staff room.
Even as they walked through the corridors, the base atmosphere was chillingly cold. The air felt as oppressive as walking through a slaughterhouse.
Step, step, halt.
The 10th Platoon leader stopped in front of the staff room door.
“Guys, have you heard about Sergeant Ahn Sungho?”
“Eh? What are you talking about?”
“I’m counting on you. This joint training must be handled entirely by the soldiers themselves.”
“Te-teacher! I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Let’s go, Jinsung.”
Kim Seyun pulled Park Jinsung towards the staff room, preventing any further conversation with the 10th Platoon leader.
“…You’re here.”
The three from 2-10 were the last to arrive.
Rankers drawn from each grade showcased their ominous glares.
The staff room now radiated a heavier sense of pressure than the usual one occupied only by officers.
It was an urgently convened meeting due to a matter that required the soldiers’ attention. Representatives were gathered, three from each company, totaling nine people seated here.
Among them were familiar faces like muscular sergeant and Ju Ye, as well as people they were meeting for the first time, likely first-year students.
“Huh? Isn’t this supposed to be a gathering with three people from each grade? But why isn’t Sergeant Ahn Sungho here?”
However, Park Jinsung raised an eyebrow, noticing the absence of someone who should have been there.
Ju Ye, having steeled herself, approached Park Jinsung.
“…The squad leader isn’t here. It’s up to us nine to showcase the battalion’s values.”
“Wow. Senior, it’s been a while. But what do you mean Sergeant Ahn Sungho isn’t here?”
“Shut it, radioactive waste. Tsk. Are you that oblivious?”
Unable to bear it, Byun Kiyoung grimaced. Ju Ye, attempting to add more, was cut off by Byun Kiyoung.
“The squad leader… Ah, he was defeated by the 998th Brigade and is currently receiving treatment at the military doctor’s office.”
“Ah… Ah…?”
Park Jinsung, taken aback, could only utter an incredulous response.
“Normally, he should be under confinement, but his condition was worse than expected. So, the battalion quietly agreed to have him undergo treatment while under confinement.”
“Se, Senior sister? What do you mean?”
Thud!
Kim Seyun grabbed Park Jinsung’s shoulder and gently shook her head.
“No! Can someone explain properly! The sergeant undergoing treatment!! The monster iron fighter NPC sergeant cannot be beaten by anyone!!”
“Are you the famous sophomore known as E-killer?”
A third-year, newly called up in place of Ahn Sungho, blinked in surprise.
“…Do you know what happened to Sergeant Ahn Sungho?”
“I know it all. Ahn Sungho got severely beaten by the 998th and tarnished the Haeun Battalion’s name.”
“Ha! I agree! How could he bear the battalion’s title and be defeated so miserably!”
A first-year, with eyes slit like a sparrow’s beak, suddenly joined the conversation.
“……”
Park Jinsung struggled to suppress his rising fury.
Among these fools, no one had the right to belittle Ahn Sungho. Not Park Jinsung, and not even the White Goblin could speak ill of him like that.
But before Park Jinsung could erupt, Ju Ye from the same squad raised her voice first.
“Silence! None of you have the right to judge Ahn Sungho’s value!”
“Haah, Ju Ye, are you defending him because you’re in the same squad? Ahn Sungho is done for. We need to prepare for battle amongst ourselves. Hey, Muscles. What do you think?”
“I, I think.”
The muscular sergeant was much more cautious of Park Jinsung’s opinion than Ju Ye or the new sergeant. This effectively split the sides: Ju Ye versus the new face, with the neutral party being the muscular sergeant.
“I fully agree with the new sergeant! We should proceed as if Sergeant Ahn Sungho isn’t here and prepare for the battle against the 998th!”
The first-year with sparrow’s eyes swayed the opinion towards the new sergeant.
The remaining two first-years followed the sparrow-eyed one like scarecrows, indicating he had some influence among the first-years.
Ju Ye was furious, but the sparrow-eyed’s boldness was not to be underestimated.
“Don’t get cocky, first-year! You’re not even qualified to be here with your value!”
“Ha?! Sergeant Ju Ye… I’m considered quite something within the first company, okay? I’m the only first-year corporal in the battalion!”
“How dare a mere corporal discuss Ahn Sungho’s value?!”
“If you say that, it’s problematic! Here, Private First Class Park Jinsung came all the way to the staff room, didn’t he?”
Sparrow-eyed subtly demeaned Park Jinsung by not addressing him properly, which was evidence enough.
‘……’
Park Jinsung struggled to understand the situation, desperately trying to regain his composure while focusing on the shoulder gripped by Kim Seyun.
‘Sergeant…’
He begrudgingly accepted the fact that Ahn Sungho might have been defeated, conceding a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand times over.
‘Ah, seriously.’
However, that didn’t mean these fools had any right to disrespect Ahn Sungho.
Like Ju Ye kept mentioning about value, Ahn Sungho’s true worth wasn’t just in his combat abilities.
Having finished his thoughts, Park Jinsung quietly lowered Kim Seyun’s hand.
“Jinsung, you….”
“Everything is not alright, but it might be okay, perhaps.”
Sparrow-eyes was still locking horns with Ju Ye, seemingly seizing the moment to showcase his strength.
“You all know nothing! The likes of you aren’t worthy of discussion!”
“Ha! Listen, Sergeant Ju Ye. Sergeant Ahn Sungho is past his prime. Even the new sergeant said so. The title of high school’s strongest is now.”
“Shut up.”
With just one word from Park Jinsung, the noisy crowd turned their attention solely to him.
“Oh? Private First Class Park Jinsung?”
Yet, Sparrow-eyes faced Park Jinsung without flinching, as if proving his mettle.
“Look who it is! The famous F-killer, Private First Class Park Jinsung!”
“Hey, Sparrow-eyes. Rank and name.”
“Eh. Do I really need to give my rank and name to a private?”
“Rank and name.”
“Didn’t I say no?”
“Rank and name.”
“You’re of lower rank, so I don’t see why I should, uh, uh, oh!”
Sparrow-eyes momentarily lost his composure upon facing Park Jinsung’s killing intent.
“…Rank and name.”
“Uh, uh! Why should I…!”
“Give your rank and name, you bastard.”
Park Jinsung approached Sparrow-eyes until he was nose to nose.
Thud!
Sparrow-eyes slumped to the floor, powerlessly. His ambiguous talent had caught a glimpse of the Edeya behind Park Jinsung’s gaze.
Though he had intuitively sensed the killing intent, it wasn’t something he could fully withstand.
Park Jinsung did not relent, even to his downed opponent.
“This is the last time. Rank and name.”
“Cor, Corporal… Cough…!”
“Seems like you do have some pride. Fine, a corporal like you is enough.”
Gnash!
Sparrow-eyes, belatedly wounded in pride, ground his teeth.
“……”
The crowd was instantly subdued by Park Jinsung’s charisma. The only person who could afford a slight smile was Kim Seyun.
After surveying the surroundings, Park Jinsung commanded the crowd in an almost declarative tone.
“From now on, I’ll be giving the operational commands alone. Any objections? New sergeant?”
“A, a mere private dares to…”
“I asked if you have any objections, new sergeant.”
Park Jinsung looked down on the new sergeant with a particularly calm gaze. The new sergeant, facing those eyes, couldn’t muster the courage to retort.
“I have no intention of meddling with the command structure, so just listen to the operation plan and act accordingly. Any objections, muscular sergeant?”
“No, no objections from me!”
“And you, Sergeant Ju Ye?”
“You were the only one Sergeant Ahn Sungho acknowledged. Fine, let’s see your worth.”
Park Jinsung finally turned to Kim Seyun, the only person besides the sergeants he asked for an opinion.
“Hmph.”
Kim Seyun turned away with a light snort.
Kim Seyun was on Park Jinsung’s side, ready to follow his lead as a gesture.
“Hey, waste. You’re not asking me?”
“Hahaha. You’ll just let it go in one ear and out the other, won’t you?”
“Hehe. I’ll consider it if it’s a good suggestion.”
The faces of the annoying ones turned fearful, and even Byun Kiyoung seemed a bit relieved. For the first time, the 2nd and 3rd companies were uniting emotionally.
“Now, then.”
A slight smile returned to Park Jinsung’s face as he headed towards the whiteboard prepared by the officers.
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