LRMP 04

Chapter 04 …

Life Reset, Oh Military Police!

“Sir Instructor! My friend learned martial arts at a temple! It’s just a habit he hasn’t broken yet!”

However, the instructors’ expressions remained cold.

“Talking about martial arts in the army… That’s complete nonsense.”

From their furrowed brows, it was painfully clear that this place was not a temple of guardian monks but a strict military environment.

Proper form was the bare minimum, and above all, in the army, discipline was life itself.

That didn’t mean the guardian martial arts were always a hindrance.

As time passed, they began to show their strengths in other types of training instead.

The most notable example was obstacle course training.

While fellow recruits dangled helplessly from ropes or collapsed from exhaustion in front of obstacles, Oh Sangjin moved through them like a fish in water.

The balance and reflexes he had cultivated through guardian martial arts naturally shone through.

The same was true during marksmanship training.

Lying face-down on the dirt with his rifle clutched to his chest, sweat poured down like rain and calluses steadily formed on his palms.

Still, Oh Sangjin calmly regulated his breathing and focused.

It was thanks to the mental discipline he had internalized during his training at the temple—the art of controlling one’s mind.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each time he pulled the trigger, the bullets pierced straight through the center of the target.

Oh Sangjin recorded a perfect score, something rare even in the training camp, leaving everyone astonished.

Marching was no exception either.

As fellow recruits began to limp and fall behind during the dozens-of-kilometers mountain march, Oh Sangjin actually took the lead—carrying even Choi Kangho’s pack on top of his own.

His breath rose to his throat and his lips dried out, but his steps never faltered.

And just like that, the final week of training came to an end.

Oh Sangjin was exceptionally selected as the top trainee of the training camp.

“Attention!”

When all the trainees gathered on the parade ground, an officer stepped onto the platform.

His rank was Major General.

He was the commander of the training regiment, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung.

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung glanced through the documents in his hand and called out loudly.

“Private Oh Sangjin, step forward!”

“Private Oh Sangjin!”

Oh Sangjin clearly announced his name and rank and walked up to the platform.

He stood tall with firm steps and impeccable posture.

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung stared at him intently for a moment, then his eyes gleamed.

“I’ve seen countless trainees during my time as training commander, but someone like you is a first. Outstanding. Truly outstanding.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Oh Sangjin’s reply was filled with energy.

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I’m proud of you. As the top trainee, you will receive a commendation.”

The certificate held by the aide was handed to Oh Sangjin.

As applause erupted from below the platform, Oh Sangjin accepted the certificate in perfect military posture and responded.

“Loyalty!”

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung watched him with satisfaction before calling over the company commander.

“Company Commander, after the graduation ceremony, bring Private Oh Sangjin to my office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Leaving behind the envious gazes of his fellow trainees, Oh Sangjin followed the company commander to the training commander’s office.

After passing through a narrow hallway, they stopped in front of a thick wooden door.

The company commander knocked and announced,

“I’ve brought Private Oh Sangjin!”

“Enter.”

As the door opened, the office came into view, decorated with various unit flags and training insignias.

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung, seated behind his desk, motioned for Oh Sangjin to approach.

“Private Oh Sangjin, step forward.”

“Private Oh Sangjin!”

After loudly stating his name and rank, Oh Sangjin stepped in front of Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung and snapped to a crisp salute.

“Loyalty!”

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung looked at him for a moment, then smiled.

“Watching you on the parade ground earlier, I could see your spirit. The reason I called you here is because I want to give you a special reward leave. Go visit your parents and show them your gratitude.”

At that moment, Oh Sangjin’s eyes wavered.

Even if I get reward leave… there’s no family for me to visit anyway…

As Oh Sangjin hesitated internally, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung frowned slightly.

“Hm? What is it? Aren’t you happy?”

Oh Sangjin bit his lip briefly, then spoke carefully.

“Sir, Training Commander.”

The air in the room instantly grew heavy.

“Would it be possible… to ask for something else instead of the reward leave?”

Even the company commander widened his eyes in surprise.

Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung thought to himself for a moment.

Is this kid getting cocky because I favor him?

But looking into Oh Sangjin’s serious eyes, it didn’t seem that way.

Curious about his reason, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung narrowed his eyes and asked,

“A request?”

“Yes, sir.”

Oh Sangjin’s voice was clear and steady.

His gaze held unwavering sincerity.

For a newly graduated recruit to make a request of the training commander—it was unexpected, yet oddly refreshing.

Perhaps because of that, a subtle smile formed on Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung’s lips.

He folded his arms and nodded.

“Alright. Let’s hear it.”

Oh Sangjin took a deep breath and spoke carefully.

“There is a fellow recruit who enlisted at the same time as me. We relied on each other throughout training.”

“I see. You must be close.”

“Yes, sir. He’s a close friend, but his body is weak. I believe he can endure military life only if I help him from nearby. If possible, could we be assigned to the same unit?”

After a brief silence, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung took the recruit files from his aide and skimmed through them.

“Hm. Private Choi Kangho. He’s certainly different from you. His performance isn’t great, his physical strength is lacking, and his adaptability is slow. In cases like this, he could easily be classified as a concern soldier.”

Closing his eyes briefly in thought, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung soon nodded.

“But since you’re an A-grade trainee and are voluntarily stepping up to help, there’s no reason to refuse.”

His gaze softened.

“Very well. I’ll send you to the same unit. But in exchange, you give up the reward leave.”

A wide smile spread across Oh Sangjin’s face.

“Yes, sir! Thank you, Training Commander!”

Bringing his heels together, Oh Sangjin shouted in a powerful voice.

“Loyalty!”

Watching him salute, Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung couldn’t hide his satisfied expression.

What a fine kid. Someone like him will become a great figure wherever he goes.

From that day on, the name Oh Sangjin was spoken with special reverence throughout the training camp.

* * *

After completing the graduation ceremony, Oh Sangjin and Choi Kangho packed all their belongings into duffel bags and boarded the same bus.

The scenery outside gradually grew more desolate.

The fields disappeared, replaced by barren plains and military facilities.

The bus wound its way north along a twisting mountain road.

Choi Kangho leaned his head against the window and grumbled.

“Hey… don’t tell me it’s Gangwon Province?”

Oh Sangjin pressed his lips together before answering.

“Yeah. Gangwon Province, Cheorwon. The 101st Infantry Division. One of the frontline units.”

“Ah, seriously… why do we have to come all the way to Gangwon?”

Choi Kangho dropped his head and let out a deep sigh.

Having grown up in the city, the name “Cheorwon” immediately conjured images of brutal cold and endless hardship for him.

Oh Sangjin glanced at Choi Kangho’s shoulder with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry. I didn’t expect us to end up this far either.”

Choi Kangho shook his head.

“No. I’m just glad I’m with you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I could survive military life alone.”

Those words made Oh Sangjin’s chest tighten.

He lightly punched Choi Kangho’s shoulder and said firmly,

“If things get tough, tell me everything. I’ll help however I can.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

They met each other’s eyes and burst into quiet laughter.

Outside the bus window, dry reeds swayed in the late autumn wind.

After a long silence, Choi Kangho spoke cautiously.

“Hey… do you think we might even end up in the same platoon?”

Oh Sangjin replied with a smile.

“Hey, isn’t that asking too much? Getting into the same unit is already a huge stroke of luck.”

But his thoughts were different.

Memories of waking up side by side at the training camp, carrying mess trays together, and marching shoulder to shoulder passed through his mind.

Having shared all that time together, even imagining being separated now made his chest feel cold.

Still… it’d be nice if we were in the same platoon.

Oh Sangjin murmured inwardly as he stared out the window.

His faint reflection appeared on the glass, with layered mountain ranges looming heavily in the distance.

* * *

Their worries turned out to be unnecessary.

In fact, the consideration shown by Training Commander Lee Taeyoung didn’t end there.

Before the unit assignments, Lee Taeyoung personally picked up the phone.

“This is Brigadier General Lee Taeyoung, Training Commander of the Army Training Center.”

—Yes, sir!

“Among the newly assigned recruits, there are Private Oh Sangjin and Private Choi Kangho. If possible, I’d like them assigned to the same platoon. Can that be arranged?”

—Yes, sir. We’ll confirm and take care of it.

“Thank you. Carry on.”

—Yes! Loyalty!

It was a short and decisive order.

A few days later, Oh Sangjin and Choi Kangho were indeed assigned to the same platoon.

It was highly unusual.

Normally, recruits from the same training camp scattered across units nationwide after assignment.

So when the two arrived together in the same platoon, quiet murmurs spread among the officers and soldiers.

“What’s with them? If the training commander personally took care of them…”

“Do they have some kind of backing?”

“They must be special.”

But the two themselves paid little attention to those looks.