IGMB 07

Chapter 07

Entering the Training Camp (2)

I pulled the issued supplies out of my duffel bag and arranged them neatly in my locker.
Everyone else was doing the same.

Partway through, a drill instructor stepped in and repeated the warning several times.
“Precision is life for a soldier. If you slack off like you do at home and I catch it during inspection, you’ll be on extra duty immediately. Remember that.”

“Yes, understood!”

That dreaded “extra duty hell” lurked here just like anywhere else in the army—
maybe even more so. In fact, basic training is probably where you rack up the most punishments in your whole military career.

Suppressing a grumble, I recalled my memories from twenty years ago.
With the muscle memory of a veteran sergeant, I set to work creating perfectly crisp folds.

Watching me closely, Seo-hwan let out an involuntary exclamation.
“Whoa… what is that? You didn’t stuff something inside, right? How do you get a perfect right angle like that?”

“Fold the blanket and pad a few times and you’ll get there too.”

Unlike civilian bedding, army blankets hold their shape if you press and crease them properly—that’s why the army is obsessed with those sharp corners.

It had been a while, so I was unsure at first, but my body remembered.
Before long my folds were sharper than anyone else’s.

Other recruits came over to gawk.
“Touch it and it might cut you.”
“Seriously, that’s amazing.”
“I wanna take a picture.”

That was a bit much, but I’d finished my work.
I flopped onto the floor to rest—only for the sound of combat boots to echo in the hallway less than five minutes later.

Sensing an instructor approaching, I shot upright, pretending I’d been sitting properly all along.
Sure enough, the same barracks instructor from earlier appeared.

“Attention, everyone.”
“Attention!”
“Finish organizing and assemble in front of the barracks by fifteen minutes past. Got it?”
“Yes, understood!”

He moved on to the next room, repeating the same orders.
Seo-hwan tilted his head.
“What’s that about now?”

I already knew.
“Probably the induction ceremony.”
“Oh, right. They did mention that.”

The army loves a show.
It never skimps on appearances—especially for events like entrance or graduation ceremonies.

As instructed, we gathered in front of the barracks.
The instructor who’d oversee our five-week training shouted,
“Entire unit, forward—march!”

“Left, left, left, left!”
“Match your pace with the person ahead and beside you!”
“Swing your arms higher!”

The ceremony hadn’t even started and already the commands were flying.
Compared to the reception unit, the training battalion was clearly stricter.

Our destination was the Thunder Hall auditorium, a place we’d be visiting countless times.
It was roomier inside than it looked.

“See the blue tape on the floor? Line your left toes up with it and stand straight!”
“Yes!”

Thanks to the tape, we formed ranks easily.
Seo-hwan stood right in front of me.

‘Hard to see past the tall guy,’ I thought, not that I cared.
Induction ceremonies don’t interest me.

I only care about one thing:
‘Any new quest yet?’
All that matters is stacking up the hundred-billion-won prize.
Army business is irrelevant—unless a quest is tied to it.

Discreetly, I opened my status window to check.
Still empty.
Just in case, I pinned the quest panel to the side.

Soon the instructor explained the procedure.
“When the battalion commander arrives, you shout loud. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“If anyone makes a mistake, you’ll spend the entire day doing corrective training instead of drills. Stay sharp!”

Sounded miserable. No recruit likes extra duty—unless they’re a masochist.
I certainly don’t.

The ceremony itself was simple: salute the commander, pledge to train hard, sing the national anthem.
But because we had to impress the commander, we rehearsed again and again for thirty to forty minutes until everyone looked drained.

‘Anyone watching would think we already finished a workout,’ I mused.

Only after passing the instructor’s inspection did the real ceremony begin.

“The battalion commander is entering!”

With the familiar march music, the commander took the stage.
The recruit selected as platoon leader barked, tense,
“Company, attention!”

Snap! Everyone moved in unison.
“Salute!”
“Salute. At ease.”
“At ease!”

The commander began his address.
“Not just anyone is entrusted with defending the Republic of Korea. Take pride as soldiers and train diligently. I expect all of you to finish safely and earn your private stripes. Understood?”

“Yes, understood!”
“Too quiet! Louder!”
“Yes, understood!”

An energetic commander—
which, for us, only meant more hassle.
Experience told me that eager officers make life harder for the ranks below.

After his speech the ceremony wrapped up.

But there was more.
The instructor grabbed the mic again.
“During these five weeks you’ll earn merit or demerit points. The recruit with the most merit will receive a three-day reward leave. Remember that.”

Eyes lit up all around. Mine too, a little—
though beating this many people isn’t guaranteed, and aiming for top recruit can be more trouble than it’s worth.
Sometimes it’s easier to stay under the radar.

…Or so I thought.

Ding!

A notification popped up.

[Rare Quest Generated]
[Become the top recruit in basic training.]
[Reward: 100 million won added to your total.]

“One… hundred million…!”

I nearly shrieked aloud, clamping a hand over my mouth just in time.
‘This is insane!’

Finally, a quest with nine digits.
But the difficulty was higher than the reception unit’s tasks—
I’d have to rank first among hundreds.

Even so…
‘I can’t pass this up.’

I had to do it.
Top recruit wins; those with heavy demerits get sent to the discipline unit on weekends.

The instructor confirmed it.
“Anyone with too many demerits will spend weekends in the discipline barracks. Give it your all.”
“Yes, understood!”

He wrapped up.
“Assistants, escort the recruits back to the barracks. Lunch, then prepare for afternoon drills.”

While the others moved out, only one thought filled my head:
Top recruit. One hundred million won.
‘I need the perfect plan—brains and brawn both.’

If someone asked me what basic-training food tastes like, I’d say:
“Army food tastes the same everywhere.”

There are exceptions, but that’s for later.
For now, I shoveled the bland meal into my mouth—fuel for the afternoon drills.

At least the side treat was decent: a corn ice cream cone.

Seo-hwan’s eyes sparkled.
“Damn, how long has it been since I had ice cream!”
“Come on, it’s only been a few days,” I said.

He carefully unwrapped it like treasure.
“Feels like a month to me. Gotta eat it before it melts… mmm, so good!”

The sugar jump-started my brain too.
As I ate, I strategized how to claim the top-recruit title.

Physically, I wasn’t the best—
I wasn’t a physical-education major like Seo-hwan.

My real weapons were my knowledge of the army, foresight of what’s to come, and experience.
‘If I use those well, I can do this.’

The main rival to watch was Recruit 122, Han Kang-tae, the platoon leader from the ceremony.
That role earns big merit points and offers plenty of opportunities.

‘I should’ve volunteered for it myself if I’d known this quest was coming.’

Still, being platoon leader doesn’t guarantee top recruit.
‘There’s still a chance.’

A hundred million is on the line.
No way I’m giving up.

‘Afternoon drill is close-order drill, right? Time to start racking up those points.’

END