Chapter 2: Preference given to new hires with experience

The operation was over.

Seong-han Lee was confident.

[That it would be reported as a complete success.]

Then his service period would be reduced.

“Discharge! Discharge is coming! I must find my discharge certificate! Everyone, open your eyes! Shout! To the place where that priest who exudes all the world’s paradise is…!”

“Shut up, where do men shout!”

“Diiiischaaaarge!”

This country is going crazy. Seong-han Lee was sure of it.

Even if you’re a citizen abroad?

Even if you’re discharged?

Even if you’re a reservist?

Even if you’re a woman?

Even if you’re a child?

Even with various other conditions attached,

If you awaken, you’re conscripted regardless.

‘Crazy bastards.’

South Korea was significantly lacking in awakened personnel at the national level.

1. Either they were taken by other countries.

2. Or they ran away before they could awaken.

Generally, it was one of the two.

If you couldn’t choose between those two options, you ended up serving.

“Are you enjoying it?”

“I’m going to get discharged like this.”

“What a joke.”

Seong-han Lee was returning to base, sitting in the back of a deuce-and-a-half truck.

As befitting a remote area, the surroundings were desolate.

Originally, this kind of quietness has its own charm.

When you’re in the military, people become sentimental.

“By the way.”

The platoon leader sitting across from him.

Flicked a cigarette butt onto the road.

“What do you think of my proposal?”

“Are you talking about the term-limited NCO?”

“Yes.”

Term-limited NCO.

A system commonly referred to as a specialist sergeant.

To awakened soldiers, it was also called permanent service.

“I can take care of you to some extent. More than freelance hunters.”

“Aren’t they just suicidal bastards?”

“I mean, they’re better than thugs with guns.”

Seong-han Lee let out a sigh.

“Specialist sergeant doesn’t suit me.”

“Is that so?”

Thump.

“Ah, we’ve arrived. Get off first, you need to get paid, right?”

“Thank you as always.”

Asking me to stay in the military, they must be crazy.

I’d rather hang myself.

The deuce-and-a-half truck stopped without giving him time to think.

Cheorwon Field Base.

One of the supply depots guarding the front lines of South Korea.

Especially, this logistics warehouse was the largest in South Korea.

It was a terminal where all kinds of goods and personnel came and went.

“Attention!”

“Attention!”

“What is your business here?”

“We need to settle accounts related to monster hunting.”

“Ah, I see. Please enter.”

Seong-han Lee saluted the guard and entered the logistics warehouse.

All kinds of supplies aligned.

Monsters being unloaded.

Even byproducts piled up high!

“Wow. That frog, even its guts are intact.”

“This is crazy. Can this facility handle it? I think we’ll be screwed if we touch that wrong.”

“It’s already bad enough being in the army, but thinking about that is even worse. But if they say do it, we have to.”

The attention of the crowd was focused on one place.

A Frog hanging from a crane.

It was the mutant that Seong-han Lee had killed.

‘That guy is also pitiful.’

Seong-han Lee heard that it would be dismantled at a private research lab.

Cheorwon logistics warehouse was also a relatively modernized facility.

Of course, it was poor compared to private facilities.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

There was no one in the logistics warehouse administrative office. Seong-han Lee filled out a few electronic documents.

And printed out the necessary documents and certificates.

It was nice and quiet.

“Huh, this awakened soldier is really something else.”

Creak.

A calm voice came from behind.

Seong-han Lee’s fine hairs stood on end.

‘My last-year-sergeant sensor is activating. At least a sergeant major level. Equal to or more dangerous than that!’

He carefully turned his gaze.

An officer with a cold complexion was approaching with long strides.

A woman dressed in a hunter’s uniform.

Very young.

Maybe just out of high school?

‘Rank?’

Major.

Most likely an awakened one.

Seong-han Lee stood at attention and saluted.

“Attention!”

“Attention!”

“At ease. Are you also a hunter?”

“Awakened soldier Seong-han Lee! Yes, I am.”

The major casually tossed her bulky military jacket onto the sofa.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Did you come to fill out official documents too?”

“Yes,I’m printing them out now.”

“Please do mine as well.”

“Understood”

Seong-han Lee additionally printed out blank forms.

He was lost in thought for a moment.

‘The unit mark is strange.’

A flexible S-shaped curve pattern.

It resembled the shape of a bird’s wing.

Which unit was it?

‘Hunter Management Bureau, ah.’

Seong-han Lee shook his head.

Hunter Management Bureau.

Famous for raising several top-ranking hunters.

In Korea, a barren land for the awakened, it was a very big deal.

If there was a promising talent?

They would even raise ordinary people.

They receive tremendous support to operate like that.

‘The problem is, they are deployed to places where lives are really ground down. Just missions where they really risk their life.’

The Hunter Management Bureau has been short-staffed since its establishment.

And by a lot!

Because that’s how many people were worn out.

“The documents aren’t ready yet.”

If this goes on, it’s kidnapping.

“You. You said your name was Seong-han Lee?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

The major leaned against the table and smiled kindly.

She looked at the monsters being dismantled from afar.

“How many did you hunt today?”

“A total of five were killed.”

“Five? These days, new recruits can’t even catch one. What a shame, what a shame.”

The major approached with an interested look.

“Excellent. You’ll be promoted soon. Congratulations in advance.”

“You flatter me, Major.”

Seong-han Lee just wanted this moment to pass quickly.

Because few people who entered the Hunter Management Bureau came back alive.

“Hunters are all about skill. Flattery is also a blessing, a driving force to move forward. But you.”

“Awakened soldier Seong-han Lee!”

“Did you handle that creature?”

Seong-han Lee felt like the major’s pointing gesture was like saying, “That bird is a harmful bird,” like that certain someone in China.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“A Frog. A mutant species at that. They appear with an extremely low probability. About 0.00062%? There was a lot of talk about it at headquarters.”

Seong-han Lee let out a sigh.

The probability was very low.

It would be strange not to be interested.

“You. I believe you understand why talented people are being ground down.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Of course, in this kind of manpower shortage, those with very little combat experience are also deployed. If they survive, they will be rewarded accordingly.”

Seong-han Lee’s face turned pale.

He silently nodded.

“Yes. I killed it.”

“I knew it.”

“Thank you for thinking highly of me, Major.”

She already knew everything and came here.

What if I lied and things got bigger?

That’s a problem in itself.

The hunter-cam data would have already been sent to headquarters.

Because it’s connected in real-time with headquarters to prevent the desertion of awakened individuals.

She must have come after seeing it herself.

Seong-han Lee swallowed hard and asked.

“Major?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. I’m Major Mi-young Kang. I’m in charge of the special forces at the Hunter Management Bureau.”

Mi-young Kang offered a handshake.

Seong-han Lee also cautiously responded.

His stern expression didn’t loosen at all.

‘Iron-blooded Empress, Mi-young Kang?!’

Mi-young Kang.

South Korea’s top influencer and an S-rank hunter.

A legendary being who most monsters couldn’t even scratch.

“Are you the Mi-young Kang that I know?”

“Are there many Mi-young Kangs out there?”

“I apologize.”

“You’re fun to tease. Hehe.”

Seong-han Lee gulped dryly.

《System: Information》

‘Iron-blooded Empress’ Mi-young Kang

□ Traits

[Your Shield (SSS)], [Steelification (SSS)], [Coercion (SSS)], [Regeneration (S)], [Perfection (S)]

‘Her stats are insane.’

It’s basically impossible for an awakened individual to see another awakened individual’s information.

Unless they use special equipment or are at least a top-level sage.

Seong-han Lee could,

But even he didn’t know the details.

‘For now, Mi-young Kang is the number one person I shouldn’t associate with. She’s dangerous. My discharge could go up in smoke.’

Seong-han Lee smiled kindly.

“Thank you for thinking highly of me. I need to submit these documents now.”

“You.”

“Yes.”

“You only do what you feel like doing.”

Gulp.

“Ah, ahaha.”

Seong-han Lee escaped the office as if running away.

He doesn’t want to roam the front lines like Mi-young Kang.

That’s really a suicide mission.

“Something’s bothering me.”

Mi-young Kang stared at the door Seong-han Lee had exited for a moment.

“Hmm. I can’t let it go.”

She pressed the keypad on her smartphone.

Ring ring.

Ring ring.

After a few rings, the other person answered the phone.

“I found a decent guy.”

-……

“Really. His name is Seong-han Lee, re-enlisted, awakened, and of course, male.”

……..

Every time I look at the hunter-cam, I’m reminded.

Of his incredible skill.

Situational awareness.

Improvisation.

All are talents that surpass her own, she wants him. I don’t know what kind of man he is, but at least it won’t be a loss.

Mi-young Kang smiled brightly.

[Favourability level has increased.]

“No, even perfect wouldn’t be enough to describe him. I need to put him in the strike team immediately.”

****

And so, a few days passed.

Because of the unnecessary attention, Seong-han Lee was troubled.

It was like seeing a new restaurant open up that serves your favourite dish every day.

The problem is, that kind of restaurant never existed nearby before.

But now it’s right next door, poking him every day.

Honestly, if Seong-han Lee had such a place, he’d visit that restaurant 365 days a year.

“You. You’re interesting. Join us right now. I’ll double your salary.”

“No. I don’t want to.”

“If you join the Hunter Management Bureau right now, I’ll discharge you.”

“I want to be a wild man.”

“Damn it, you! Why are you getting me so excited and then doing this! Don’t you know you can burn down the whole house trying to catch a flea!”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing, Major?”

Mi-young Kang’s interested gaze and obsession made every day a living hell. That woman is just persistent.

“They say people change their minds easily, if I respond positively here, my military life will be screwed! For real.”

Every time I think about it, it’s irritating.

Like a fish bone stuck in my throat.

‘If I get caught by the Hunter Management Bureau, it’s over. It’s the same as being stuck here forever.’

Seong-han Lee is also avoiding her gaze like a blind man, but he can’t do that every day.

If he had a good solution, he’d implement it right away.

But they’re all not very effective.

“Yeah, Seong-han, relax. Ugh, it’s cold.”

Seong-han Lee quietly walked along the path inside the forward base.

The combination of the outskirts and the streetlights made it almost pitch black.

It’s not desertion.

Because if he deserts, Mi-young Kang will kill him.

The Hunter Management Bureau also handles such matters.

“What could happen? I applied for the license, so the discharge reduction is a given.”

While Seong-han Lee was arriving at the barracks with a light heart.

A broadcast echoed throughout the field base.

-This is the administrative office. Special Forces soldier Seong-han Lee has a visitor. Please proceed to the visitor’s room immediately. We are told they have arrived at the visitor’s room. Over.

“Ah.”

A visitor at this late hour?

‘Could it be Mi-young Kang?’

It was highly likely, but he couldn’t just ignore someone who had come to see him.

Seong-han Lee turned his steps with a heavy heart.

“Is anyone there?”

As soon as he opened the door to the visitor’s room, he saw a wooden round table.

A woman in a black suit stood up from her chair.

“You must be Seong-han Lee? Please sit down.”

Seong-han Lee tilted his head.

Did the license arrive already?

He had never heard of it happening this fast.

“Did the license come out already? Is it because I’m a man?”

“There are systems in place to help male awakened individuals enter society, but… since you’re not affiliated with the association.”

The woman gestured with her upper body as if she understood.

Then, she introduced herself.

“My name is Jin-young Kang. Let me get straight to the point.”

Jin-young Kang took out an employee ID card from inside her suit.

NIS (National Intelligence Service).

It was the National Intelligence Service.

“We need you to work with us. Hahaha.”

Thwack!

Jin-young Kang snapped her fingers, and the door behind her locked.

Damn it, I’m surrounded.

“As for compensation… let’s start with your discharge?”

“Huh?”

A shortcut suddenly came into view.

He just needed to walk the right path, but Seong-han Lee recalled his remaining service period.

‘About… four more years.’

Could he get through four years without any issues?

He didn’t know.

That’s 48 months.

1,460 days.

35,040 hours.

2,102,400 minutes.

He has to be trapped in this hell for that long, and even that’s not a fixed value.

‘Damn them, why did they make it so flexible?’

Curses naturally came out.

International and domestic affairs, the whims of politicians, public opinion, etc.

The discharge period of awakened soldiers changes drastically depending on external factors.

It’s no wonder they’re treated like they can change their minds at any moment.

“You don’t want to be in the military anymore, do you? I know. So, how about working with me?”

If there’s an express train to escape that hell right in front of you, wouldn’t most people take it?