The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 14
14. Unconventional offers and vacations - 2
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For an F-rank soldier, becoming an officer?······.
The battalion commander clearly said so..
That one word was so shocking that the entire staff stopped eating..
widely-
The sound of the dishes stopped and there was silence for a moment..
Lee Hyun-wook looked embarrassed, even if it was on purpose..
‘I was commissioned as an officer, not a non-commissioned officer... Honestly, I didn't expect it to be like this..’
To be honest, I expected to be offered a non-commissioned officer position, but I never dreamed of becoming an officer..
As everyone knows, an officer is the highest rank among the three major ranks in the military..
And for AMT officers, the criteria were so strict that it made no sense to select them without considering 'player level', so it was extremely rare for former AMT soldiers to be commissioned as officers..
No, there has never been one..
‘Even Youngjun Choi was commissioned as a non-commissioned officer. A few years later, he surpassed everyone's expectations and rose to Grade A, but it was too late for him to receive officer training.······.’
In this way, the ‘grade’ initially given determines the player’s fate..
All players in Korea enter the player training center and receive two months of training..
At this time, after going through various tests, the final ‘initial grade’ is given..
And on the day of the graduation ceremony, a ‘bidding competition’ begins based on the grade..
‘It's a kind of draft..’
In other words, it is a gateway to new players..
Private guilds, AMT, PMC, etc.,
Organizations with the authority to hire players compete to obtain better player resources, and most players want to be chosen by 'private guilds'..
It was true that private guilds were the most advantageous in all aspects of fame, money, and life..
Otherwise, the next best option······.
‘I would like to enroll in on the recommendation of the training center director..’
Even if you were a soldier, if you were an officer, you would receive the best treatment in the player world, and it was also possible to join a civilian guild after being discharged..
But if you don't get any choice······.
‘This is where I will spend two years as a soldier..’
In other words, being a soldier is the worst case scenario, meaning you cannot become a good worker..
In this respect, I was able to see how unconventional Kim Kang-seok's proposal was..
“······.”
But when he became an officer... everyone must have been surprised, but he kept it as obvious as possible..
Among them was the strategy platoon leader, Seo Eun-ha..
She glanced at Lee Hyun-wook with a mysterious expression..
Kim Kang-seok seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere and continued to say what he wanted to say..
“Even though your player ability is only F grade, the combat power you showed by utilizing that small ability to the fullest... could easily be considered C grade in my opinion. Of course, I think your combat power may drop sharply if you only encounter orcs rather than small monsters like goblins or kobolds, but we'll have to wait and see..”
Grade C corresponded to the unofficial ‘officer performance standards’ within the AMT..
To put it simply, if you do not reach grade C, promotion will be limited in most cases..
Like Lieutenant Oh Jeong-tae, the battalion armory manager, his promotion to captain was delayed and he ended up being semi-forced to be discharged..
“And above all, apart from your fighting skills, your judgment is your greatest ability..”
It's judgment······.
Perhaps because Lee Hyun-wook's words, actions, and strategy of trying to please Kim Kang-seok so far have worked well, Kim Kang-seok's evaluation seemed to be very generous..
“Thank you for your kind words, Battalion Commander..”
“I'm not the only one who thinks well of you. I was told she received a business card from the Black Tiger Unit's tactical instructor..”
“Yes that's right.”
“This means that the Black Tiger Unit is also watching you closely. However, if you go there, even though he is a non-commissioned officer, he is actually the youngest. It would be like living as a private again..”
Even secretly keeping the Black Tiger unit in check.······.
“If you want to try for officer commission, I plan to support you both materially and spiritually..”
He said and raised his coffee cup..
Kim Kang-seok's support meant getting on one of AMT's important lines..
As he is a founding member of AMT, he maintains a close relationship with the highest level..
gulp-
Even though I was assisting Kim Kang-seok closest, I could hear some officers swallowing their saliva as they had not yet reached the end of the line..
Among them, the loudest voice was the 2nd platoon leader of the 1st Company, Lieutenant Lee Hee-min. Lee Hyun-wook saw him with his head down, his nose almost buried in the tableware, and the corners of his eyes fluttering..
“Corporal Lee Hyun-wook, what do you think? Being called Lieutenant Lee Hyun-wook once.”
Kim Kang-seok even got wind of it like that..
“ah······.”
However, just like the first time, Lee Hyun-wook had no intention of remaining in the military..
And this thought will not change in the future.
‘Above all, in order to be commissioned as an officer, you must enroll in and complete the two-year raid command course..’
Lee Hyun-wook didn't have time for that..
‘But it is not good to reject it outright..’
The trust of the battalion commander, Kim Kang-seok, was a tremendous weapon..
I had no idea that my relationship with him would be of great help not only during the remainder of my military service, but even after I was discharged. No, it would definitely help..
In other words, even if it was a treacherous idea, there was a need to hold on to the rope given by Kim Kang-seok..
“thank you The battalion commander has given me such a great opportunity over the past few days. It almost feels like it doesn't fit the bill..”
“The past few days have been a test and as a result, we are finally giving it a real chance. Your worth has been proven.”
Kim Kang-seok gave strength to ‘real’.
“thank you But maybe it's because I've been through so much lately that I'm just confused to make a judgment. Above all... I am grade F. The limits are clear. If I were to take on such an important responsibility,······.”
After a pause, he looked straight at the battalion commander and said:.
“······I think that the most important competency a commander must have is not simply to fight and win against the enemy, but to make the soldiers trust and follow my judgment. The battalion commander said my judgment was good, but wouldn't it be useless without the right leadership and proper teamwork? The truth is, I'm not sure if I, an F grader, can secure that point..”
The officer organization would not welcome an F grade, that was what they meant..
Nevertheless, the corners of Kim Kang-seok’s mouth slowly rose..
The importance of leadership and teamwork... As expected, this was an answer that a true soldier would like to hear..
“······But I haven't had a chance to think about that yet. This is because a temporary squad leader was appointed a few days ago. I would appreciate it if you could give me some time..”
“Hyunwook Lee You know how to see the point..”
Kim Kang-seok nodded..
“Okay, then think about it while you're on vacation. positively.”
“Yes, I'll give it some serious thought..”
Lee Hyun-wook asked Kim Kang-seok directly and received approval for a 3-night, 4-day vacation starting tomorrow..
However, there would be no time to think about Kim Kang-seok's recommendation during the vacation period..
‘There is so much to do to grow.’
All he had in mind was to make this vacation a 'hidden stage' for explosive growth..
‘Above all, the return day coincides with the day the incident occurred..’
Important events that will happen in the future······.
Immediately after his return, Lee Hyun-wook organized them in a notebook..
And among them, there were several incidents that were underlined, and in the next four days, we will reach the first 'underline'..
‘······4An incident that marked the beginning of the tea wave.’
Wave).
This refers to a phenomenon in which a gate explodes within a specific area..
At present, most of the areas that experienced the 1st to 3rd waves have become ruins, and some areas have been left unrecovered and have become the land of monsters..
‘But such an incident happens in Seoul..’
Lee Hyun-wook was the only person who knew that a crisis like a huge wave was approaching..
Therefore, all his actions were made under thorough calculation..
‘Take full advantage throughout the period.’
***
After finishing a meal with the battalion commander, I was returning to the 1st Company barracks..
“······Hyunwook Lee!”
Someone called from behind.
It was Seo Eun-ha’s voice..
When he turned his head, something flew at him, and Lee Hyun-wook caught it without hesitation..
······It was chocolate.
“······.”
I looked at Seo Eun-ha with an expression asking why she was giving me this, but she still had an expressionless expression..
“I was sorry yesterday.”
“······yes?”
Without even answering what I was sorry about, I tapped his shoulder once and passed by Lee Hyun-wook..
In some ways, she seemed like a very cool, cool female executive.······.
Hyunwook Lee I forced myself to burst into laughter..
‘Oh, is it because he shot me right after defeating the kobold warlock yesterday??’
She seemed to be upset about it..
‘Anyway, I heard you were pretentious.······.’
On the outside, he clearly appears to be a cold and cold knight..
He was a soldier with a sense of duty and the best tanker, somehow holding on to his heavy eyelids when he was on duty, and running first when something happened..
There was no one who did not acknowledge her like that..
‘But I guess it's because I've seen him drunk and covered in tears and snot so many times.······.’
However, Lee Hyun-wook knew..
Even though Seo Eun-ha is cold on the outside, she is so thoughtful and considerate that she subtly apologized with something like chocolate because she was concerned about a comment she made yesterday.,
That's why he was willing to die for his comrades······.
***
Lee Hyun-wook arrived at the dormitory and threw something green onto Ahn Min-tae's bed..
It was the squad leader's epaulettes..
“Oh, am I finally going to try this??”
Prior to the vacation, command of the squad was handed over to Ahn Min-tae..
“Don't like it too much. Because it’s a pinch hitter’s pinch hitter.”
“ah? Now that I think about it... where are you going? We'll be meeting for dinner soon..”
“Just give me some PX.”
Post eXchange).
In Korean, it was a loyalty club, a military canteen..
However, AMT's PX also included a 'military item store'..
“oh! Are you flexing with the reward points you earned this time??”
“I just wanted to use it up before I go on vacation..”
“ah! Do you want to cash it out??”
“Don't ask for details.”
Items purchased with ‘reward points’ at the military item shop are not supplies and belong to the individual player..
Therefore, it was also possible to raise money by selling items purchased with reward points to society, so-called 'cashing'..
The PX was located in the building between the 1st Company barracks and the 2nd Company barracks..
‘It's always bustling..’
After all, PX is a safe haven for soldiers. Regardless of whether they were female or male, there was a group nearby..
The inside was quite spacious.
There was a stand on one side and about a dozen tables at regular intervals on the other side..
However, as soon as you enter the entrance, there are some unwelcome faces sitting at the table in front of you..
Sergeant Oh Sang-guk and Corporal Kwak Jin-cheol were the self-proclaimed powerful duo of the 2nd Company..
“and! Aunty Shin, has this guy already gotten his corporal? Time flies?”
“Oh really... I think I can see how much the successors will hate it when I see Sang-guk talking about him..”
They were sitting across from two female soldiers from the 2nd Company..
Originally, close contact between soldiers of the opposite sex was prohibited, but without strong sanctions, there was no way such a personal rule would be properly observed among these energetic young soldiers..
“Ugh! I am still a beloved senior. Isn’t that right, Jincheol??”
“ha ha ha! Oh, Sergeant, honestly, you are a necessary evil..”
“Wow, doesn’t that mean it’s trash? Oh, Sergeant, as expected..”
Lee Hyun-wook tried to pass them by without even thinking about it.······.
“uh! That corporal over there, that's him.?”
“Ah, he's grade F, but he's the person who commanded the blockade operation.?”
The female soldiers pointed to Lee Hyun-wook and spoke, and Oh Sang-guk and Kwak Jin-cheol were momentarily speechless..
“······huh? who?”
Even though Oh Sang-guk turned his head and saw Lee Hyun-wook, he tried to pretend not to notice..
“Why~ Two days ago, in the Itaewon operation, the man in your company was rated F but made a great contribution and received a commendation from the battalion commander..”
“That person is very famous in our company. Please say hello.”
“No, ladies! Since when have you been so interested in other people’s important matters??”
Oh Sang-guk made a sound without realizing it..
“No, this guy... why are you suddenly so irritated? Of course I'm not interested in guys. I wouldn't know if he was like my older brother like that person. By the way, he looks good as rumored~”
2The female soldiers in the company giggled..
“But, isn’t Mr. Sang-guk that person’s senior? You can't call me just once?”
“······What are you talking about? These women are real!”
Lee Hyun-wook could hear their conversation, but he passed by without even looking and went to the ‘item corner’ at the very back of the PX..
‘My reward points were 5,500..’
One ‘recovery potion (small)’ of international standard was worth about 100 reward points..
And considering that it is traded on the market for around 150,000 won, 6,000 points were worth a whopping 9 million won..
‘Let’s see which items are good for cashing in.······.’
In order to cash out, it was necessary to purchase the most in-demand items..
“Of course it's 'of'.”
Orb).
It was a sphere containing magic, used to give specific ‘characteristics’ to an item..
As a highly versatile item, the market price was high and stable..
Hyunwook Lee purchased a total of 3 grade 5 and low grade orbs..
Each item was worth 1,500 reward points, which was worth about 6.75 million won in total..
‘And there's no need to buy painkiller potions. Absorption will end soon.’
- A 'breath room' is forming in the stomach. (78%)
* May be accompanied by extreme pain!
I still had heartburn, but it stabilized over time..
‘Once the breath room is completed, a furnace will be created in the body, so digestion will be much faster..’
Until now, the best option was to swallow metal and then exercise..
However, since the 'breath room' also functions as a kind of 'furnace', the speed of ability growth in the future could be accelerated several times..
Lee Hyun-wook bought three orbs with reward points and packaged them in a dedicated safe box..
Since the orb is a consumable item that reacts to the equipment item, if done incorrectly, it can stick to the female item..
Until then, Oh Sang-guk and Kwak Jin-cheol were still sitting at the table and talking with the two female soldiers..
As Lee Hyun-wook approached the entrance after completing the calculation, Oh Sang-guk's somewhat excited voice was heard..
“······No, listen. That guy says that's not a big deal? It was grade F to begin with. I just got lucky. If you lock him in a room with a few goblins, he'll just roll over? Fuck, it's so ridiculous that such a rumor exists! Like he's some kind of hero, really.!”
No matter how much I heard, the target of that grandiose criticism was Lee Hyun-wook..
Oh Sang-guk was left speechless when one of the female soldiers who spotted Lee Hyun-wook laughed and said, “Wow.”.
“Aunty, why are you laughing at me??”
“I'm sorry, Mr. Sang-guk, but I think he heard everything.?”
“······what?”
Oh Sang-guk turned his head..
And then I made eye contact with Lee Hyun-wook, who was passing right behind me..
“······.”
A moment of silence, Oh Sang-guk quickly blinked and slowly turned his head..
And then······.
“······hiccup!”
Suddenly I started to hiccup.
“huh? Mr. Sangguk, why are you doing this??”
“Hiccup! Hiccup! Ah, c-hiccup!”
“······Oh, oh Sergeant?”
Kwak Jin-cheol was also embarrassed and handed the can of the drink he was drinking to Oh Sang-guk..
“Hiccup! hiccup!”
“omg! That F-grade oppa, must he really be scary? So much so that I hiccup just by making eye contact.?”
“Oh no, Shiba-hiccup! That's not it - hiccup!”
The female soldiers started laughing at that sight..
“Oh my, I guess I should call you Uncle Hiccup instead of Uncle Sangguk.!”
Lee Hyun-wook didn't say anything, just looked at them once and passed by..
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