Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 91

The next morning.

“Hey, did you guys sleep well?”

“Yes, we slept well.”

Corporal Yoon Tae-young, whom they had seen yesterday, led Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi to the smoking area with a friendly face.

“Have a smoke, each of you.”

“Thank you.”

“They said they’d be here around ten, so they should arrive soon. Did you pack your bags again?”

“Yes, we did.”

“Okay. Today marks the start of your unit life. Good luck.”

Why did Yoon Tae-young’s face seem a bit annoying?

Kang Jin-ho took a couple of puffs of his cigarette and then put it out.

“Hey, why are you throwing away a perfectly good cigarette?”

“I’m quitting.”

“Are you crazy?”

Kang Jin-ho replied calmly.

“I was wondering why I keep smoking this stuff. I’ve been smoking out of habit when offered, but I think it’s better if I just don’t smoke anymore.”

“Hey, Jin-ho.”

“Yeah?”

“Just take the cigarettes and give them to me.”

“…Okay.”

Seeing this, Kang Jin-ho thought that Joo Young-gi could be quite clever at times.

At that moment, someone opened the door and peeked out.

“Corporal Yoon Tae-young.”

“Yeah?”

“They said the vehicle from Charlie [referring to a specific company within the military] has arrived, and they want you to bring the guys.”

“Oh, okay.”

Yoon Tae-young gestured to Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi.

“Let’s go, guys.”

“Yes.”

Following Yoon Tae-young, they saw a small truck parked in front of the barracks.

Someone got out of the passenger seat, glanced at Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi, and grinned.

“These guys are pretty big. They look like they can handle some work.”

A non-commissioned officer with a staff sergeant rank walked over and patted them on the back.

“Get in. You’ll find out who I am later. For now, let’s head to the unit.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi got into the back of the truck, the NCO secured the safety net and got into the passenger seat.

As the vehicle started, Joo Young-gi looked at Kang Jin-ho and said,

“It’s kind of funny when you think about it.”

“Why?”

“We’re going together until the very end.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Joo Young-gi’s face twitched.

He never thought that he would end up in the same company as Kang Jin-ho, whose first impression was the worst. Still, seeing Kang Jin-ho across from him in the dark truck was somehow comforting.

“Jin-ho.”

“Yeah?”

“If I look like I’m about to cause trouble, stop me.”

“Okay.”

“You have to.”

“Okay.”

Joo Young-gi was dissatisfied with Kang Jin-ho’s blunt reply, but he knew that was just Kang Jin-ho’s style, so he didn’t add anything more.

“I’m naturally quick-tempered.”

“Yeah.”

“So, if you think I’m doing something stupid, you have to stop me. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“Do you really understand…”

Joo Young-gi shook his head. When he talked to Kang Jin-ho, he couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration.

The truck drove for a while, and they felt it bumping up a hill. They were already in a high-altitude area, and they wondered where they were going next. Soon, the vehicle passed through the guard post and entered the unit.

“Ugh…”

Joo Young-gi gripped his duffel bag tightly with a nervous face.

‘It seems like we’ve come quite far forward…’

Kang Jin-ho looked at the scenery behind the truck with an intrigued expression. He knew that artillery units were supposed to support from the rear, but he didn’t expect to come this deep into the mountains.

He wondered what new things would happen here.

“Get out.”

The safety net was removed, and Joo Young-gi and Kang Jin-ho got out of the truck. Once again, they had to go into a place labeled ‘Battery Commander’s Office’ and listen to the battery commander’s usual speech.

Then, the door opened, and two tall young men with sergeant ranks came in.

“Take one each.”

“I’ll take this one.”

“Then I’ll take that one.”

“Okay, then.”

The battery commander nodded coolly, and Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi followed the sergeants who grabbed them and went outside. Outside the door, Kang Jin-ho and Joo Young-gi exchanged glances and then followed the sergeants who were leading them in opposite directions. They were together up to the battery, but it seemed that the squad and barracks were separate.

“New recruits are here.”

The sergeant in front opened the door, and the barracks became noisy.

“New recruits!”

“Tae-ho, you’re escaping the bottom of the totem pole! It took a while. You must be happy?”

“Yes, I am, sir.”

A private first class called Tae-ho smiled brightly and approached Kang Jin-ho, taking Kang Jin-ho’s duffel bag.

“Tae-ho, get him settled. Hyuk-soo, help him out.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your name is Jin-ho, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Jin-ho, let’s have a chat.”

“Yes, sir.”

The sergeant took out a board from the corner and sat down at his desk. Kang Jin-ho sat in front of him and looked at the sergeant.

“I’m Choi Sung-min. But you don’t have to worry about me. I’m about to leave, and the slick guy you see behind you is your squad leader. I’m just managing you for today.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than another sergeant, who had been watching Kang Jin-ho, put his arm around Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder and said gently.

“Rookie.”

“Private, Kang Jin-ho!”

“I’m your squad leader. The person you see in front of you is just an old man, an old man. Don’t worry about him.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth. He knew that it was better not to say anything in this situation.

“I’ll just ask you some simple questions, so don’t be nervous.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s Saturday today, so everyone is off. It’ll be easier to adjust than if you came on a weekday.”

“Rookie, let’s go play games with me when this is over. We have a PlayStation here.”

“Ah, get lost!”

“That old man. You’re about to go home, but you’re so grumpy, really! You smell old, so go home quickly.”

“I want to go too! I want to!”

Choi Sung-min chased away the lingering guys and asked Kang Jin-ho a few questions.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, sir.”

“What kind of games do you usually play?”

“Are your parents still alive?”

“Yes, sir.”

After going through all the trivial things that he wondered why he was asking, Choi Sung-min closed the book.

“Okay, good job. From today, you are assigned to the 3rd squad of Charlie Battery. Listen to your seniors.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tae-ho.”

“Private First Class, Sung Tae-ho.”

“Get him cleaned up and changed. And then teach him what he needs to know.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You know that if you teach him well during the waiting period, you’ll have less trouble, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo grabbed Sung Tae-ho’s head tightly and sighed.

“But squad leader, how can he teach him if he doesn’t know anything?”

“Tae-ho is good enough.”

“I know Tae-ho listens well and works hard, but he doesn’t do anything properly.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo said, poking Tae-ho’s head with his finger.

“Then, do you want to teach him?”

“Hey, squad leader. I’m about to become a corporal, so it’s past my time to take care of new recruits.”

“Then shut your mouth, you punk.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo raised both hands and stepped back.

Sung Tae-ho scratched the back of his head and grabbed Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder.

“You’re Jin-ho, right?”

“Private, Kang Jin-ho.”

“Let’s go wash up. Get your toiletries and workout clothes.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sung Tae-ho took Kang Jin-ho, who had washed up and changed into workout clothes, to the lounge outside the barracks.

“Do you smoke?”

“…”

Kang Jin-ho, who was about to say he didn’t, remembered Joo Young-gi’s words and changed his mind.

“Yes, I do.”

“Here.”

Sung Tae-ho smiled and offered a cigarette.

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ho took the cigarette and put it in his mouth. Sung Tae-ho lit Kang Jin-ho’s cigarette and then put one in his own mouth.

“Basic training was tough, right?”

“No, sir.”

“It was really hard for me. But when I came to my unit, I realized that what I learned there wasn’t very useful.”

“I’ve heard that.”

“If you learn one thing at a time, you’ll be able to do well soon. Just by looking at you, you already look like an A-lister.”

“Thank you.”

At that moment, the door burst open, and Jeon Hyuk-soo came out, cursing.

“Ah, damn it.”

Sung Tae-ho jumped up from his seat.

“A-lister, my ass. Just by looking at him, he looks like he’s going to be a pushover. Hey, Sung Tae-ho.”

“Private First Class, Sung Tae-ho!”

“You, you bastard, didn’t you hear that Sergeant Jo Won-gu was going to take him to the game room?”

“I did, sir.”

“But what gives you the right to take him out and give him a cigarette? Who do you think you are?”

“No, sir.”

“If you don’t do anything right, you should at least have some sense. Didn’t you think that Sergeant Jo Won-gu would be waiting for him in the barracks?”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Ah, damn it. I’m tired of hearing ‘I’m sorry,’ so just do it right.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Is this punk making fun of me!”

Jeon Hyuk-soo crumpled the cigarette pack and threw it at Sung Tae-ho.

Sung Tae-ho couldn’t avoid it and was hit by the flying cigarette pack.

“I told you not to say sorry, you bastard.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“Yes, sir? Yes, sir? Damn it, yes, sir?”

Jeon Hyuk-soo strode over and tapped Sung Tae-ho’s face with his palm, then sighed deeply.

“Ha, damn it. You should be grateful that this is the military, you bastard. If you had met me in society, you would be dead by now.”

Sung Tae-ho couldn’t say anything and hung his head.

“Kang Jin-ho?”

“Private Kang Jin-ho.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo approached Kang Jin-ho and stroked his head.

“You look smart, kid. Don’t be scared, finish your cigarette, and come to the barracks with him. Got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Listen to that voice.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo chuckled and stroked Kang Jin-ho’s head a few more times, then changed his expression, glared at Sung Tae-ho, and turned back into the barracks.

“Hah…”

As Jeon Hyuk-soo disappeared, Sung Tae-ho sighed deeply and looked at Kang Jin-ho with an awkward expression.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Private First Class Jeon Hyuk-soo is a good person, but he tends to get angry sometimes. But if you do well, that won’t happen. I just can’t seem to do it.”

“Oh, I’m saying all sorts of things.”

Sung Tae-ho stubbed out his cigarette and urged Kang Jin-ho with his eyes. Kang Jin-ho also put out his cigarette and followed Sung Tae-ho into the barracks.

‘It’s not going to be easy.’

The atmosphere inside the barracks that he had just grasped was not a peaceful place. There was a certain tension in the air.

He felt like he understood what they meant when they said that real military life starts when you get to your unit.

As they entered the barracks, Jo Won-gu rushed over, put his hand on Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder, and grinned.

“Did you smoke?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tae-ho gave it to you?”

“Yes. Private First Class Sung Tae-ho let me smoke.”

“Okay, good job. Then, let’s go play games with me.”

“Is that okay?”

“Hey, who’s going to say anything when I say we’re going?”

As Jo Won-gu dragged Kang Jin-ho out the door, he could feel unpleasant gazes piercing his back.

‘Hmm…’

He knew that the military was a place where you just had to handle things well, but he realized that handling things well wasn’t always as easy as it sounded.

“He looks like a slick one.”

Jeon Hyuk-soo clicked his tongue as he watched Kang Jin-ho follow Jo Won-gu.

“I don’t know why all the new recruits are so stupid. They need to get crushed once to come to their senses. You’re dead from Monday.”

But Jeon Hyuk-soo didn’t know.

He didn’t know what kind of person the new recruit he had received was.