NOVEL NEXT chapter 24
Chapter 24 Dragon’s Tail (1)
“Yoonho, how can you train all weekend?”
Monday morning, on the way to the barracks cafeteria after roll call.
Corporal Jeong Yesom looked at me and stuck out his tongue.
“Are you human? Actually a machine?”
“If I don’t train, my body feels itchy.”
“…Even if you search all the hunter units in the country, there won’t be a maniac like you.”
“Haha.”
“What are you two talking about?”
A sharp voice interrupted. It was Corporal Kwak Woohee, who had stepped out for a moment to talk to a fellow squad member.
“We’re talking about Private Gu Yoonho, who trained all weekend because his body felt itchy.”
She also opened her mouth as if she had something to say about it.
“Our youngest is really something else.”
She said with a sly smile.
“That’s why I’m even more excited. I wonder what kind of performance they’ll show in this week’s dungeon raid.”
“Me too, me too.”
“And didn’t they say it themselves? That we can look forward to it.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
With such high expectations, the woman and the enthusiastic audience had breakfast together.
Afterwards, they went up to the living quarters to prepare for the day’s work.
Corporal Song Ji-han asked while changing clothes.
“Sergeant Song Ki-yong, what are we doing today? Since there’s no specific word, are we working?”
“Well, I haven’t heard anything either.”
It’s a bit hazy, but if my memory serves me right, the dungeon raid is today.
“Salute!”
“Salute! Did everyone have a good weekend?”
“Yes!”
“Good. I have an urgent announcement. The previously scheduled dungeon raid will take place today.”
My memory was correct.
“Today? I thought it would be around Thursday or Friday since there wasn’t a specific date.”
“I don’t know the reason either. It’s an order from the company commander during the morning meeting.”
“I see. Understood.”
It’s probably because of Sergeant Kwon Min-chan.
Trying to achieve some results to improve the company’s image.
Since even the Hunter Military Police got involved, Captain Oh Jun-beom would want to make up for it somehow.
“So, there will be a briefing related to the dungeon raid in the morning.”
Sergeant Sun Ah-rin was exhausted, probably due to the handover or something. Her once pale face was now shadowed.
But she didn’t show any signs of fatigue to her squad members.
“When the afternoon work starts at 13:00, we plan to head straight to the mission site. You all know where it is, right?”
“Yes. It’s the redevelopment area in Guseong-gu.”
“That’s right. The monsters to be dealt with… Ah, I’ll talk about the details during the briefing. See you in the squad meeting room at 09:00.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After chatting with the seniors, we moved to the squad meeting room. As it was a dedicated room for the squad, the interior wasn’t very spacious.
It could barely fit a dozen or so people.
A large screen was attached to the wall.
The briefing began in earnest from Sergeant Sun Ah-rin.
“The dungeon our 3rd squad will be attacking today is…”
The explanation continued in a calm tone.
It was like a teacher.
Her voice was also very clear and pleasant.
“In summary, we will be hunting Hexstones in a plain terrain with bushes and rocks scattered around.”
“Using the terrain features will be important.”
“That’s right. It would be good to ambush them by hiding in the bushes or behind rocks after identifying their positions in advance.”
The screen showed hunters taking down a group of Hexstones.
Swords, spears, and magic were used, and things like bombs exploded with a bang.
The screen paused there for a moment.
“For ambushes, using auxiliary equipment like this is effective. Things like magic bullets and incendiary bombs.”
It was a textbook tactic.
Not only was it powerful, but it also had a wide range, and Hexstones were originally large bear-like monsters.
Their movements were slow, making them easy to hit even without abilities like [Throw] or [Aim].
The problem was.
“How many magic bullets and incendiary bombs does each person carry?”
“Considering the number of Hexstones, each person should carry three.”
“!”
The weight of the magic bullets and incendiary bombs was considerable.
The condensed energy was that much, and the material itself was excessively thick to prevent the energy from exploding.
The ones from 2055 were processed repeatedly to be as light as feathers.
“It’s almost like carrying full military gear.”
“It will be tough, but let’s endure it for a few hours. We can’t increase the risk just to make ourselves comfortable.”
It was a hundred times correct.
The squad members immediately agreed.
The briefing continued for another hour.
If it were other squad leaders, they would have said, “That’s enough. Go to the barracks and take care of your personal maintenance,” and left. But Sergeant Sun Arin added detailed explanations about the specific sounds Hexstone makes.
This is typical of a new sergeant.
Doing everything diligently.
Doing their best in every single thing.
But even later, Sergeant Sun Arin was like this.
Her determination to never let her squad members get hurt was greater than her desire to perform the mission well.
“It’s okay to fail the mission. You can always try again. But you must not get hurt. If there’s even a slight danger, run away without looking back. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“Good. I’ll end the briefing here.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Oh, and Kiyong, I’m sorry, but can you come to the squad leader’s office by 12:40? There’s something we need to prepare separately.”
“Sergeant Song Kiyong! I can come by 12:00!”
“Pfft, no. You need to eat. Just come by 12:40.”
“Yes, understood!”
Even when Sergeant Kwon Minchan called him just five minutes earlier than the assembly time, Private Song Kiyong would grumble, “Ugh, this lousy squad leader.” But now, he had become a loyal dog(?) who would run when called.
That’s because he was completely in love with Sergeant Sun Arin. He was at the point where hearts were practically coming out of his eyes.
Corporal Kwak Woohee shook his head.
“Kiyong oppa, you’re going to be a civilian soon. You can’t win her over anyway.”
“I’m just going to stay here forever.”
“The guy who curses as soon as he wakes up on the mattress wants to stay forever?”
“What’s military life compared to love?”
“Oh, come on.”
Private Song Kiyong was determined.
“From now on, I have to work hard in training and combat too.”
“To get the squad leader’s attention?”
“Yeah. From what I see, our squad leader likes people who work hard.”
“Wow, you figured that out already?”
“To win love, that’s the basics.”
“You’re really quite the lover boy. Yes, yes, do your best, Sergeant Song Kiyong.”
“Just cheer me on, will you?”
He clenched his fists and reignited his determination.
From behind, I quietly swallowed the words, “Sergeant Song Ki-yong, I come from the future and I know well that there is absolutely no chance of you and the squad leader getting together.”
After lunch, it was almost 1 PM.
“Salute! 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad here to receive one box each of magic bullets and fire bullets.”
“Salute. Alright, take them.”
I, along with the privates, prepared the magic bullets and fire bullets through the supply officer. Since we brought them in boxes, the quantity and weight were enormous.
Thud, we placed them outside the company building.
One by one, the seniors came down and took their allocated amount of magic bullets and fire bullets.
Of course, Corporal Jung Ye-som was an exception.
“Hmph, that’s why you need to learn magic. I can make those with just a few spells.”
Though the power might be different, anyway, magic soldiers rarely carry such auxiliary equipment.
Due to the nature of their specialty, they need to keep their bodies light.
“Ye-som.”
“Corporal Jung Ye-som.”
“Magic or not, I can force you to carry 12 of these. Want me to hang them all over your X-band?”
At Corporal Gwak Woo-hee’s words, Corporal Jung Ye-som quickly brought his hands together at his belly button and bowed.
“Thank you for your hard work, Corporal Gwak Woo-hee.”
“Unbelievable, really.”
“Hehe.”
Corporal Gwak Woo-hee shook his head as if he couldn’t handle it.
Anyway, I live with laughter because of these sisters.
“Ki-yong, did you prepare all the equipment?”
“Yes, squad leader. Everything is ready. No issues with the personnel either.”
“Good, let’s move out immediately.”
At 1:07 PM, with Sergeant Sun Ah-rin in the lead vehicle, the 3rd Squad moved to the redevelopment area in Guseong-gu.
Due to the nature of the place, there was no sign of people.
The vehicle stopped in front of an alley.
A circular vortex was spinning ahead.
It was the entrance to the Hexton Dungeon we were going to attack today.
“One last time, check all equipment.”
“All clear!”
“All clear!”
“All clear!”
Sergeant Sun Arin, having completed the check, was the first to insert herself into the entrance.
Starting with her, the seniors entered first, followed by the juniors.
I licked my upper lip and reached out my hand.
My heart beat a little faster.
Even if I tried not to get excited, I couldn’t help it.
Beyond there, a truly amazing treasure was hidden.
*
Inside the Hexton Dungeon.
“This time, as per the briefing earlier, we will move in two teams: the squad leader’s team and the sub-leader’s team.”
“Yes.”
I was part of the squad leader’s team. Along with me were Corporal Kwak Woo-hee and Corporal Byun Ji-tak.
Just like before the regression.
Everything is going according to plan.
“Finally, we get to see our youngest member in action.”
Even as I watched Corporal Kwak Woo-hee’s growing excitement, I remained calm.
Rather, I wanted to jump onto the stage quickly.
“Ki-yong, make sure to check the map thoroughly as we move. Hexton will be exactly at the marked point.”
“Understood, squad leader.”
“And remember what I said. Your bodies are more important than victory. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“Then let’s begin.”
Finally, the first battle with the new squad leader began.
The green plains.
The place, overgrown with bushes and rocks, was almost identical to the terrain where we faced the Zabricks during intensive training.
Except for one big difference…
“It’s big, really big.”
“When a bear becomes a monster, it’s not cute at all.”
“Strictly speaking, that’s not even a bear. It just has a similar appearance to a bear.”
“Well, that’s true.”
The monster they were facing was different.
A massive figure covered in ashen fur appeared before the troops hidden stealthily in the bushes.
Just by looking at its broad palms, it was a bear itself.
Sergeant Sun Arin raised her hand.
“From now on, shh.”
Everyone’s mouths closed.
There were six of them.
Their mouths were stained red with blood, as if they had just had a hearty meal.
If we weren’t careful, we could become their next meal.
Torn apart by their brute strength.
“When the signal is given, throw the magic bombs and fire bombs all at once to take the initiative. Then the shield bearers will charge first, followed by the senior swordsmen and spearmen. Yunho, you go last.”
“Yes.”
“The squad leader will take the lead, so don’t worry.”
In most situations, wizards, who have significantly lower defense despite their physical strength, are positioned at the rear.
No matter how many shield spells they cast, they eventually break under the monsters’ strong attacks.
Nevertheless, Sergeant Sun Arin takes the lead.
Because she is superior to them in every way.
“Throw!”
Her shout was the signal. A dozen bombs flew towards the Hexstones simultaneously.
Boom!!
Blue and red energy wrapped around them. The ashen giants, who had been resting, writhed in pain.
“Let’s go!”
The shield bearers shouted and sprang forward.
Right behind them, swords and spears were raised high.
Crackle…!!
Even further ahead, the air was filled with writhing currents.
They exploded towards the monsters in an instant.
Boom!!
The ashen fur was charred black. Only the whites of the fierce eyes remained.
This was just the beginning.
I was already running.
I swung the sword I gripped with both hands towards the Hexon in front of me.
The one hit directly by the fireball had its right arm engulfed in flames.
I aimed precisely at that spot.
Swoosh!
A heavy sensation traveled up the blade.
A red line appeared through the flames.
Thud.
A long chunk fell to the ground.
Twisted blood vessels wrapped around the blade.
With a burst of blood, the creature screamed.
“Kyieeek!”
I straightened my grip on the sword and thrust it forward.
Squish.
The blade pierced the skin and burst the squishy insides.
The creature, writhing in agony, soon collapsed to the ground.
Red paint spread on the green canvas.
When I pulled out the sword, the intestines spilled out.
As I shook off the remains and looked for the next prey, notifications poured in.
《Your proficiency in [Slash] and [Thrust] has greatly increased due to your outstanding combat.》
《You have met the conditions for awakening.》
《[Slash] has awakened into [Sharp Slash]!》
《[Thrust] has awakened into [Piercing Thrust]!》
Two awakenings at once.
I was momentarily surprised.
I knew I was close to the awakening threshold, but I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly and simultaneously.
“Yunho, you…!”
Sergeant Kwak Woo-hee, who was smashing the Hexons’ heads with his twin axes, looked at me in astonishment.