Chapter 9: The Opposing Force
Seo Juhwan instructed the company members to build more complete defensive positions. Thanks to that, the soldiers of the 4th Company were drenched in sweat even on a snowy winter day. The sun had already set long ago, and darkness had begun to settle in.
"Sergeant Seo Juhwan, do we really need to go this far?"
A few of the junior soldiers complained in dissatisfied tones. Going beyond simply shaping the structure, gathering fallen leaves and tree trunks to camouflage it was an extremely tedious and exhausting task. But Seo Juhwan was firm.
"The opposing force is being deployed this time. If we do things like usual, we'll get completely wiped out. This exercise is being conducted at the division level—if we get wiped out even once, it'll be a big problem."
Seo Juhwan explained calmly and logically. The discontent on the juniors' faces faded a little, but one person continued to resist.
"With the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Companies ahead of us, there's no way the opposing force will come all the way here. Won't it be handled up front? Isn't this just pointless effort…?"
Kim Jonghak muttered, trailing off. His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, hardly a private remark. When Seo Juhwan looked at him in disbelief, Kim Jonghak returned a challenging glare as if he had said nothing wrong. He had been complaining nonstop, and now it was practically a provocation.
Seo Juhwan let out a hollow laugh.
'I was really looked down on that much.'
To be honest, he had expected complaints. Who would willingly choose hardship? If their positions were reversed, he might have felt the same.
But still.
This wasn't the attitude to show during training.
If there was a complaint, it should be raised after training. At the very least, it should be said quietly. Who openly talks back like this to a senior—one with over six months of difference in service, the most senior member, and a squad leader—while glaring like they're picking a fight?
If he let this slide, he would be nothing more than a joke as a squad leader.
"Kim Jonghak."
Seo Juhwan threw down the branch he was holding and strode toward him. Kim Jonghak's face tightened with tension, seemingly not expecting this reaction.
"Kim Jonghak."
"..."
"Are you not answering?"
"…Yes."
"Where did your full report go? Aren't you my junior? Or am I yours? Is that why you're speaking casually to me?"
Seo Juhwan frowned. His already sharp eyes looked even harsher when he scowled. It wasn't a pleasant expression, but it was effective in this situation.
Kim Jonghak avoided his gaze and muttered.
"I never spoke casually…"
"You're doing it right now. Still haven't come to your senses. Do you think I'm an idiot? Did you think you could just say whatever you want by pretending it's a monologue?"
Seo Juhwan pressed harder. He had already lived a timid and pathetic life once before. He didn't intend to live this life the same way.
And more importantly—
'If we follow Kim Jonghak's thinking, we'll all get wiped out.'
Contrary to Kim Jonghak's belief, the opposing force would first wipe out the 3rd Company and then come here.
Normally, training followed an unspoken rule of clearing units from the 1st Company onward. But this time was different. An unspoken rule was just that—unofficial. In the end, the entire 1st Battalion would be thoroughly wiped out by Staff Sergeant Yoon, who would circle around the mountain slope.
To change that outcome, they needed to act proactively. It didn't suit his personality, but now wasn't the time for gentle words.
'…But what do I do next?'
It wasn't like he had experience chewing someone out. He had already set the atmosphere and stood firmly before Kim Jonghak, but nothing came to mind for what to do next. Should he just keep staring?
About five seconds of heavy silence passed.
Then Lee Junghoon, who had approached unnoticed, bowed his head deeply in place of Kim Jonghak.
"I'm sorry! I failed to properly manage my junior! I'll make sure to correct him when we return!"
The members of the 4th Company were stunned. The 25-year-old eldest, who carried more weight than even Seo Juhwan, had bowed his head.
Seo Juhwan was just as surprised, momentarily flustered, when Lee Junghoon pressed down on Kim Jonghak's head.
In a low voice, he whispered harshly.
"Are you going to keep pushing it? You want to keep embarrassing your senior? Stop resisting and finish this while Sergeant Seo is giving you a chance."
Unlike his usual easygoing demeanor, his voice was chilling.
In the end, Kim Jonghak spoke with a trembling voice.
"I-I'm sorry."
It wasn't a heartfelt apology, more one forced out of panic. But what mattered now was that he apologized.
Seo Juhwan had no intention of pressing further. There was no time.
"Alright. Just get back to reinforcing the position. Make sure the camouflage is solid."
"…Yes."
"Once your position is done, take responsibility and help the others too."
"…Understood."
"Alright, stop watching and get back to work. Move."
"Yes, sir!"
At Seo Juhwan's clap, the company members quickly resumed moving, faster than before.
Returning to his spot, Seo Juhwan spoke quietly to Lee Junghoon.
"Hyung, that was a tough situation. Thanks."
"No need to thank me. When you put on that serious face, you were scary. Full of charisma."
"Ah, stop teasing me. What charisma."
"Ahem. Hey, Kim Jonghak. Not answering? Where did your full report go?"
Lee Junghoon mimicked the earlier situation in a low voice. Seo Juhwan felt a chill at the sight.
"Ah, hyung!"
"Oh dear. I'm sorry, Squad Leader!"
"Seriously. Hyung, hurry and build your position too. We still have more to do."
"There's more?"
Lee Junghoon blinked in confusion, his speech already back to formal.
Seo Juhwan grinned and pulled out a cutter knife and an L-shaped flashlight from his pocket.
"This will earn us a reward."
"A reward? This?"
"Yes."
Instead of explaining, Seo Juhwan began working.
Scratch, scrape.
He shaved down the marked section with the cutter knife until a hole formed. The marked area was where the battery was. Soon, a slit formed, creating a gap. By inserting a piece of paper between the batteries through the gap, it was complete.
After finishing, Seo Juhwan checked if it worked.
Click.
Even when he turned on the switch, the flashlight did not light up. When he slid the paper out, the batteries connected and the light shone brightly.
"Done. A light-emitting obstacle."
The work was finally finished.
The current time was 20:15. He didn't remember exactly, but it should be about time.
Seo Juhwan stood up and stepped outside the position.
"Everyone stay alert. I'll go install this and be back."
"Understood… Sergeant Seo Juhwan? The installation direction for obstacles is that way."
Seeing where he was headed, Lee Junghoon corrected him.
"No, this is right."
Seo Juhwan smiled confidently.
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