Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 413

“Hmm? Why are you wearing your combat uniform at this hour? Where are you coming from?”

The Information Officer asked Corporal Lee Dong-woo. The reason was simple: his attire, complete with combat uniform and boots, was hardly appropriate for a trip to the restroom.

Corporal Lee Dong-woo responded immediately.

“Corporal Lee Dong-woo, on sentry duty!”

“Sentry duty?”

The Information Officer looked back and forth between Sergeant Oh Sang-geun and Corporal Lee Dong-woo, tilting his head. He couldn’t understand the situation at first glance.

It was then that Sergeant Oh Sang-geun stepped forward.

“Sergeant Oh Sang-geun. Corporal Lee Dong-woo suddenly had a stomachache, so I was covering his sentry duty for a bit.”

“Oh, is that so…?”

The Information Officer nodded as if he understood, but still looked at Sergeant Oh Sang-geun with a hint of suspicion. There were two reasons for this.

One was the rank. Usually, when asking someone to cover a shift, it’s common to ask someone of similar rank or a junior. But in this case, it was clearly a sergeant filling in.

The other reason was Sergeant Oh Sang-geun’s attire. It was too perfect for someone just covering a shift. From the tightly laced boots to the helmet, everything was impeccable.

Just then, the officer of the day stepped in.

“He’s a pre-discharge soldier.”

“A pre-discharge soldier?”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s leaving for the brigade tomorrow to report his discharge. So, for one last time…”

“Is that really the case?”

Before the officer of the day could finish, the Information Officer looked at Sergeant Oh Sang-geun and asked.

“Sergeant Oh Sang-geun, is that right?”

“Yes, sir, that’s correct.”

“Haha, look at this guy. A friend about to be discharged tomorrow is covering for his junior and even has his uniform perfectly in order. Hmm… I can’t just stand by.”

The Information Officer pulled out a notebook from his pocket and handed it to Sergeant Oh Sang-geun.

“Write your military ID and name here. When you report your discharge tomorrow, you’ll receive a commendation from the brigade commander as an exemplary soldier. Of course, it might not mean much as you’re finishing your military service, but it will help you in your social life someday.”

“Sergeant Oh Sang-geun, thank you! Forward!”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun saluted without realizing it. It was a commendation from the brigade commander, the highest position in the brigade. He knew it would definitely help him find a job in the future, so he saluted without thinking.

With that, the sudden night patrol at the brigade came to an end.

As soon as the Information Officer, the officer of the day, and the officer of the watch left the barracks, the barracks were silent for a moment, as if a storm had passed through.

But that was only for a moment.

“Hoo!”

“Haa…”

Sighs of relief could be heard from everywhere.

Among them, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun’s sigh was particularly loud.

If it hadn’t been for the new recruit’s Gold Card [a metaphorical term for a stroke of good luck or a hidden advantage], the discharge party would have definitely happened, and by now, the company would have been a complete disaster.

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun shook his head. The more he thought about it, the more dizzying the moment was.

And another person who had been to the brink of the underworld was Corporal Lee Dong-woo. When he returned from the bathroom and opened the barracks door, he thought he was in hell. He had expected no one to be there, but the barracks were full of people.

Among them, there was an unfamiliar face. If he didn’t recognize him, it meant he wasn’t a battalion officer, but someone from the brigade on a night patrol. The first thing that came to his mind was his rifle. Regardless of the reason, he had left his rifle on his bunk, so there was no way to deny it.

This was definitely confinement [military detention]. It was something that should never happen as a soldier. But someone had saved him from that hell. It was Sergeant Oh Sang-geun.

Corporal Lee Dong-woo grabbed his trembling legs and approached him.

“Forward! Sergeant Oh, thank you!”

“…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun couldn’t say anything. He hadn’t even calmed himself down yet. He was just as surprised by what had happened today.

Corporal Lee Dong-woo greeted him again.

“Thank you so much! Sergeant Oh Sang-geun.”

“Um… yeah. And don’t thank me, thank Private Kim Hyun-sung. He saved me, saved you, and even saved our company. Listen to the details from your comrades, and…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun stopped, about to say something else. He figured that Corporal Lee Dong-woo was already aware of his mistake. As a soldier, he should know that his rifle is more precious than his own life.

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun’s steps naturally turned towards Hyun-sung’s bunk.

“I know you’re not sleeping. Don’t get up, just listen to me quietly. I don’t know how you knew and used the Gold Card, but thanks to you, I lived. No, not just me, but also Sergeant Choi and Sergeant Yoon, and even Corporal Lee on sentry duty. And…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun continued to speak. He didn’t forget to mention that thanks to Hyun-sung, the officer of the day, the officer of the watch, the company commander, and even the officer of the day and the battalion commander could pass by without incident.

Then, he finally spoke again.

“There’s no need to explain how you knew about today’s events. The important thing is that we lived thanks to you. And the last thing I can do is talk to Sergeant Choi and Sergeant Yoon before I leave, so don’t worry about anything and just focus on your military service. Thank you!”

“…”

Hyun-sung closed his eyes and answered inwardly. Everything was resolved. Sergeant Oh Sang-geun would receive a commendation from the brigade commander instead of going to military correctional education [a type of military prison or disciplinary facility].

And Sergeant Choi Han-il and Sergeant Yoon Hee-soo would also continue their military service as if nothing had happened. That was enough. Hyun-sung finally closed his eyes and began to fall asleep.

Shortly after.

The three gathered in the lounge.

“…”

No one spoke first. The three simply exhaled long streams of cigarette smoke towards the ceiling.

After a while.

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun broke the silence first.

“Sergeant Choi.”

“Sergeant Choi Han-il.”

“Just speak comfortably now. I’ll be a civilian after today. Plus, we’re the same age.”

“No, Sergeant Oh. What’s the biggest pride of our company? It’s the hierarchy. Once a senior, always a senior.”

Rank is life in the military. If that collapses, it’s over. That’s why the punishment for insubordination is so severe in the military. But that’s only when you’re in the military.

Things change when you’re discharged. From then on, no one cares about rank. In some cases, people even go to find their seniors after being discharged because they were bullied in the military. In that case, violence is inevitable.

But that has never happened in the headquarters company of the 6233rd unit. Even after being discharged from the military, respect for seniors is maintained as thoroughly as in the military. Rather, the relationship becomes more intimate as they live their social lives, and seniors lead their juniors.

That’s possible because respect for seniors is maintained even after being discharged and entering society. This is also a long-standing tradition of the company. That’s why Sergeant Choi Han-il said to Sergeant Oh Sang-geun a little while ago, ‘Once a senior, always a senior.’

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun continued.

“Well, thank you for saying that, Sergeant Choi. And I have one last thing to say to Sergeant Choi today.”

“To me?”

“Yes, it’s about the discharge party.”

“The discharge party?”

Sergeant Choi Han-il looked at Sergeant Oh Sang-geun with curiosity. He didn’t expect the discharge party to be mentioned after the brigade had come out for a night patrol and swept through the place.

But a completely different story came out of his mouth.

“I’m going to stop here.”

“Did you say you’re stopping now?”

“Yes, to be honest, it was a tradition that I wasn’t entirely proud of, so I was hesitant. But after experiencing something like this today, I don’t think it’s right to continue. So, I’m not going to have that discharge party. So, about that…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun took a breath and continued.

“I need Sergeant Choi’s consent.”

“My consent?”

“Yes, I’m saying that I won’t recognize the discharge party as a tradition anymore.”

“Does that mean…?”

“Yes, I’m saying let’s cut it off. Let’s cut it off in your generation and mine. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem right. We were able to avoid it this time thanks to Private Kim, but if it wasn’t for Private Kim, all three of us would be in military correctional education tomorrow morning…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun stopped talking and looked at Sergeant Yoon Hee-soo. Then he immediately continued.

“Sergeant Yoon, what do you think?”

“I agree with Sergeant Oh. To be honest, it’s always been on my mind, but after experiencing something like that today, I don’t want to do it again. I think it would be good for the three of us to make a decision this time.”

“Since even Sergeant Yoon thinks so, there’s no need to delay any longer. Sergeant Choi, what do you think? Let’s make a decision for sure this time.”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun looked at Sergeant Choi Han-il. He was asking for his consent one last time.

Sergeant Choi Heon-il seemed to think for a moment, then immediately continued.

“Okay. I agree with Sergeant Oh’s opinion. Come to think of it, we’ve been having discharge parties without thinking because of tradition. In fact, when you think about it, the discharge party wasn’t a tradition, but a bad habit. I think it’s right for us to break that bad habit this time.”

“Um… that’s right. Sergeant Choi is right. Come to think of it, it wasn’t a tradition, but a bad habit. Good, I’ll take care of this issue for the last time and leave.”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun finished speaking, looked at the two of them alternately, and then spoke again.

“And I have a favor to ask of you two.”

“Please tell us.”

“It’s about Private Kim.”

“Private Kim…?”

“Of course, I mean Private Kim Hyun-sung. But Private Kim Dong-soo is also in the same class, so it can be said to apply to him as well. What I mean is…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun’s explanation continued. His explanation went on for a long time, but the conclusion was one.

Bo-eun (報恩) [repaying a favor or debt of gratitude].

In short, he wanted to repay the favor. He didn’t know how Hyun-sung knew that the brigade would be patrolling, but the important thing was that he owed him a favor.

So, he wanted to ask Sergeant Choi Han-il and Sergeant Yoon Hee-soo to take care of his military life. After he leaves, the two of them will be the first and second in the company’s hierarchy. Sergeant Oh Sang-geun said that if the two of them paid attention, the new recruit’s military life would be that much easier.

As soon as Sergeant Oh Sang-geun finished speaking, Sergeant Choi Han-il immediately continued.

“Don’t worry about that. To be honest, not only Sergeant Oh, but also me and Sergeant Yoon here owe Private Kim a favor this time. Even if Sergeant Oh doesn’t ask, we will definitely take care of him until we are discharged. So, trust us with that issue. We will take responsibility and take care of him for sure.”

“That’s right. I still have three months left until I’m discharged, so I’ll take care of him for sure until then.”

This time, even Sergeant Yoon Hee-soo stepped up to support Sergeant Choi Han-il’s words.

Then, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun nodded as if he understood and looked at the two of them. Then he immediately continued.

“Okay, I trust you guys. And thank you for everything so far. If you ever come to Gangneung [a city in South Korea], be sure to contact me.”

“Yes, Sergeant Oh, thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Sergeant Oh.”

Sergeant Choi Han-il and Sergeant Yoon Hee-soo quietly saluted Sergeant Oh Sang-geun. Then, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun also received the greeting with a salute.

That’s how their discharge party was replaced with mutual greetings.

The next day.

It was just before disbanding after the morning assembly.

“Wait a minute!”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun raised his hand and looked at Sergeant Jung Min-ho, the officer of the watch.

Then, Sergeant Jung Min-ho immediately continued.

“Everyone, stop!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun came forward. Then he immediately continued.

“Okay, before we start cleaning, I have one thing to say. As you all know, our company has had a discharge party until now because of tradition. But from this time onwards, that tradition will disappear.”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun looked around the entire company once and then spoke again.

“In fact, when you think about it, it wasn’t a tradition, but a bad habit. So, we’ve decided to get rid of that bad habit from now on. And that decision has been agreed upon not only by me, but also by Sergeant Choi and Sergeant Yoon here. So, there will be no more discharge parties in our company. And…”

Sergeant Oh Sang-geun’s words continued after that. While he was speaking, the expressions of the company members were all in agreement.

‘Hmm…!’

Among the many company members, Hyun-sung’s feeling was different. In his past life, the discharge party system was abolished when the three went to military correctional education. It was a special instruction from the company commander.

But this time, unlike then, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun himself chose to abolish it. That’s why Hyun-sung felt different.

“… That’s all.”

As soon as Sergeant Oh Sang-geun finished speaking, applause suddenly began to be heard from somewhere, although no one knew who started it first. And as time passed, the applause grew louder and louder.

As the applause echoed through the company for a long time and quieted down, Sergeant Jung Min-ho, the officer of the watch, opened his mouth again.

“Company, attention! Salute to Sergeant Oh Sang-geun!”

“Forward!”

The company members’ salute echoed through the company as if they were passing by the battalion commander.

In his past life, Sergeant Oh Sang-geun would be leaving for military correctional education at this time. But this time, on the contrary, he was receiving a group salute from the entire company.

Hyun-sung slowly nodded his head.

Another thought came to his mind.

‘Now it’s driving training…’

Hyun-sung was looking at his right forearm without realizing it. He remembered how much he had been beaten under the pretext of driving training in his past life.