Chapter 12: Comradeship in the Frost
December 24th, Friday.
For some people, it was an exciting Christmas Eve, but for soldiers like Seo Juhwan, it was merely the final day of extreme cold weather training.
"Let's sing the military march song! The march song is, comrades!"
"Comrades!"
The soldiers sang the military march song with raised voices.
""Born as the noble sons of our people~!""
40km march in full combat gear.
Currently, the 1st Battalion members were walking in a long, single-file line. And Seo Juhwan was walking at the very front of the formation, carrying the company flag.
"I'm a flag bearer at this rank of service..."
Originally, flag bearer duties were handled by privates. But for some reason, the company commander had designated me as the flag bearer this time. It seemed I didn't carry the flag before returning, which was strange. I couldn't refuse after being granted the overnight pass anyway.
"This damn thing is heavy."
As he complained to himself, a message suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[Powerful luck related to sex is intervening!]
The moment the message appeared, he heard Jeong Sora's voice.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
Jeong Sora turned around from her position at the front, apparently having heard his muttering. Seo Juhwan startled and deliberately lifted the flag with precision. At his response, Jeong Sora let out a knowing laugh and slowed her pace, moving to his side.
"Hang in there a bit. The battalion commander noticed you, so this look is good for appearances."
"Haha..."
He laughed awkwardly. Damn, it was almost time to be discharged, but what's with all this attention? It would be better to be treated like I don't exist.
Just then, Jeong Sora proposed an unexpected sweet reward.
"Instead, I'll give you a ride when you go on your overnight pass tomorrow."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah. I have to go into the city anyway."
"Thank you so much!"
This changed things entirely. A car was an enclosed space, wasn't it? It was a very good place for the pheromone's effects to manifest. He wondered what kind of fortune this was.
'Wait a minute. Fortune?'
The message from earlier came to mind. Was this the powerful luck it mentioned? Now that he thought about it, it seemed like the Dream Demon God's blessing had such an effect too.
'Blessing window.'
He checked his blessings.
1. Dream Demon God's Blessing (60 days)
▶ Effect 1: Luck related to sex increases significantly.
▶ Effect 2: When mastering something, gain 200% additional effect.
▶ Effect 3: Vitality springs forth.
2. Hell Creator's Blessing (60 days)
▶ Effect 1: Male hormones increase significantly.
▶ Effect 2: All exercise proficiency increases by 200%.
▶ Effect 3: Muscle recovery speed increases by 300%.
Indeed, it was an effect brought by the Dream Demon God's Blessing.
'Wow. This effect seems bigger than I thought?'
When he first saw it, he didn't think much of it, but experiencing it directly was no joke. Honestly, while trying to gain Jeong Sora's favor, he hadn't had high expectations, but now he was starting to think it might actually happen.
---
35km into the march.
Only 5km more and they'd arrive at the battalion. The completion was almost within reach.
However, from Seo Juhwan's experience, recruits usually gave out around this time.
"Captain, I'll go check on the soldiers."
"Sure. Leave the flag with me."
"Thank you. I'll be right back."
After handing over the flag, Seo Juhwan slowed his pace and scanned the formation. Injuries during marches occurred less at the beginning or middle, and more when arrival was approaching.
As expected, he spotted a soldier nodding off with a dazed expression. He was a new recruit who had just been transferred to the 4th Company recently.
"Private Choi Minseong, open your eyes."
"Y-yes, Private Choi Minseong, sir. I apologize!"
The soldier who had been dozing off suddenly snapped his head up and stated his name and rank. Trying to regain consciousness, Choi Minseong forcefully opened his eyes and looked ahead as he walked. But Seo Juhwan knew from experience that this state wouldn't last long. He too had experience dozing off during a march when he was a private. Especially during extreme cold weather marches with chilly wind—it was colder and made you sleepier.
There was a special remedy for this situation. Seo Juhwan tapped Choi Minseong's shoulder as his eyes were starting to close again.
"Y-yes, Private Choi Min—"
"That's enough, man."
"I apologize..."
Choi Minseong's expression looked gloomy. Getting pointed out consecutively by a senior soldier on his first march was understandable.
Seo Juhwan laughed playfully and reassured him.
"Minseong, think of something indecent."
"Sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Think of something indecent."
"Something indecent, sir?"
Choi Minseong looked puzzled.
"You get sleepy when you walk for long periods. Even more so in cold weather like this. A march is surprisingly manageable at first, painful from sore feet in the middle, and a battle against sleepiness in the final stretch."
"...That's true. I had no idea you could fall asleep while walking."
"There's a method for when that happens."
"Oh, is that the indecent thinking method?"
Choi Minseong seemed to understand now. Seo Juhwan nodded. This was probably a method used by all soldiers in the Republic of Korea.
"Yep. That way you'll be less sleepy. Just don't fall over while thinking indecent thoughts."
"Haha, understood! Thank you!"
"Yeah. We're almost there, so hang in just a bit more."
"Yes, sir!"
He patted Choi Minseong's shoulder and looked back at the other company members. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any other soldiers dozing off. Toward the back, Lee Junghoon, who would soon take over as squad leader, was actively encouraging his juniors.
Seo Juhwan quickly moved back to the front.
"Captain, I'll take the flag now."
"Sure. Are the soldiers doing okay?"
"Yes. Everyone seems to be doing fine."
"That's good. How are you doing?"
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