Chapter 138: Disciplining (3)

Chapter 138: Disciplining (3)

The 'Charlie' artillery corps quickly regained its sense of normalcy.

Ju Yeong-Gi was still unconscious, but the soldiers acted as if he had never existed in the first place. Kang Jin-Ho was no different.

“Jang Jae-Hwan,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Private 1st Class Jang Jae-Hwan, sir!”

“Are you done cleaning yet?”

“Sir, I’m done.”

“Again.” Kang Jin-Ho gestured to the floor.

“Yes, sir.” Jang Jae-Hwan grew tearful as he grabbed a mop.

Kang Jin-Ho walked away afterward to attend to other matters.

After making sure the coast was clear, Jang Jae-Hwan groaned loudly and tossed the mop at his junior soldiers. “We don't have a choice anymore, fellas. Corporal Kang wants us to surf the floor once more.”

One of the private 2nd classes raised his hand. “Private Jang, sir?”

“What now?”

“I've been wondering about this for a while, and... Could it be that Corporal Kang thinks that this is a fancy hotel and we're its cleaning crew?”

“...Why don't you ask him personally?”

“I don't have the courage, sir.”

***

The investigation into Ju Yeong-Gi's matter was quickly wrapped up, just like Noh Su-Bong had anticipated.

A case like this would commonly be filed under 'suicide' even if the victim's guardian showed up to harass the officials with sharp questions. However, no one showed up and demanded justice for Ju Yeong-Gi. As such, the momentum of the investigation quickly fizzled away, with no investigators willing to dig any deeper.

Jo Gyu-Min began his report.

- Mister Jin-Ho, Ju Yeong-Gi has been successfully transferred to Jaegyeong's hospital.

“Good work. As for his guardian?”

- We've found he has a father, a grandmother, and a younger brother. However, the father should be declared legally unfit, in my opinion. He's an alcoholic, and... let's just say he's unsalvageable as a human being. As for the grandmother, she has been working as a cleaner to eke out a living for her family, but she has recently been diagnosed with pneumonia and is currently hospitalized. The family can't even keep up with the treatment cost.

“What's happening with the younger brother?”

- That kid is only a middle schooler. Due to his young age, I don't think he fully understands the severity of his current situation. When he learned about Ju Yeong-Gi's hospitalization, the boy seemed lost and confused, Mister Jin-Ho.

Kang Jin-Ho's grip on the phone receiver tightened. “What about the mother? Is she dead?”

- Yes. It seems she passed on a while ago.

“I see.” Kang Jin-Ho sucked in a deep breath. “Please, stay on top of this matter. And I'd like you to provide financial assistance to the grandmother, as well.”

- I've already dealt with her treatment fee. As for the child, the legal side of things hasn't been sorted out yet, and he can't be moved to a proper institution. As a stop-gap measure, I've contacted a welfare organization. With a bit more push, we can have the father declared legally unfit and take away his guardianship rights. And I think it's not a bad idea to have him stay in Seongsim for the time being until this matter is resolved.

“Mm. That sounds like a good idea,” said Kang Jin-Ho. The orphanage's kids were all kind, so they should treat Yeong-Gi's younger brother well. “I'd be great if that boy gets to see Yeong-Gi in the near future.”

- He'll get the opportunity to visit the hospital soon. The grandmother doesn't know about Mister Ju Yeong-Gi’s hospitalization; however...

“What about her condition?”

- She should make a speedy recovery with continuous treatment, but... With how weakened she has become, I don't think she can continue working as a cleaner, Mister Jin-Ho.

“I see. Please provide for her living cost from my account.”

- Will do.

“Then, I'll call you again later.”

- Take care, Mister Jin-Ho.

Kang Jin-Ho ended the call and leisurely walked out of the Administration Office.

***

In the afternoon of the same day, Kang Jin-Ho received a new visitor.

“Soldier, you must be Corporal Kang Jin-Ho.”

Kang Jin-Ho stood at attention and saluted. “Yes, sir.”

“Nice to meet you. I'm Major Nam Tae-Sik from Defense Security Command.”

“Sir.”

“Take a seat, please.”

Kang Jin-Ho sat on the spot on the couch pointed out by Major Nam. They were currently the only people inside the Battery Commander's office.

Major Nam Tae-Sik leaned forward and spoke in a calm voice, "Let me cut to the chase. I'm here to get your cooperation on that matter.”

“I see...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

Kim Hak-Cheol jumped up in shock at that sudden voice out of nowhere, and he hurriedly looked back. “K-Kang Jin-Ho?!”

The owner of that voice turned out to be Kang Jin-Ho. He stood at the entrance of the storage... while holding a familiar-looking exercise book. “Hmm. Were you looking for this?”

Kim Hak-Cheol freaked out. “H-hey, you brat! Why do you have that?!”

That exercise book was definitely Ju Yeong-Gi's diary.

Kang Jin-Ho's expressionless gaze landed on Kim Hak-Cheol before shifting over to the diary. “Sir, you should have been more careful when it comes to storing important things like this.”

“Y-you bastard, you...” Kim Hak-Cheol was at a loss for words. He couldn't think of a way to respond. What was he supposed to do here? After all, Noh Su-Bong was the brain of the team, not Kim Hak-Cheol!

But then, something completely unexpected unfolded right before his eyes.

Rumble!

The diary in Kang Jin-Ho's hand suddenly caught fire and began burning away.

“...Eh? Huh ” Kim Hak-Cheol blinked and stared at the spectacle in a daze.

The diary turned to ashes in the proverbial blink of an eye, and Kang Jin-Ho lightly dusted his hand. He looked back at Kim Hak-Cheol. “Well, then. Later.”

Kang Jin-Ho leisurely strolled away back to the barracks. As for Kim Hak-Cheol, he could only stand there with his mouth agape.

'W-what... the hell was that all about '

***

Noh Su-Bong narrowed his eyes. “Say what? What are you trying to tell me?”

Kim Hak-Cheol gulped and animatedly explained in a hushed whisper. “That guy burned the diary, sir! Yes, Kang Jin-Ho really did that!”

“...And? What happened after that?”

“H-he said I should have been more careful when it comes to storing important things like that.”

“Hah, f*ck me...” Noh Su-Bong shot a sharp glare of annoyance at Kim Hak-Cheol. The latter flinched and hurriedly lowered his head. “...Fine. Fine! Whatever the case may be, that diary is now no longer a problem, right?”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“You sure it was our diary?”

“Yes, sir. I'm definitely sure. It wasn't a military-issued notebook, so I could easily tell it apart, sir. Even if it's the same type of exercise book, there’s no way you can find another one that looks that old.”

Noh Su-Bong tutted quietly, “In that case, it's fine.”

“But sir, I can't figure out what that brat was thinking.”

“He's probably looking for a payday, that f*cking bastard. I should at least praise him for not threatening you. We just have to sufficiently grease his palm, and everything will be over.” Noh Su-Bong groaned as he said this.

The situation had gotten a bit complicated toward the end, but the matter should still be as good as over now. Finally feeling relieved, Noh Su-Bong mouthed a fresh cigarette with a content expression on his face.

***

That night...

After the evening roll call, Kim Hak-Cheol lay down on his bedding, then whispered to Noh Su-Bong next to him, “With this, are we finally in the clear, sir?”

“That's right. All you gotta do is keep your mouth shut.”

“Sir, that punk won't suddenly wake up now, right?”

“He's apparently half-brain dead. Even if he wakes up, nobody is going to believe his word. You think I don't have the power to make that happen?”

“...I think I can finally relax, sir.” Kim Hak-Cheol closed his eyes while saying those words. Worries had been gnawing at him for quite a while now, even during his sleep. But now? He believed he could finally get some decent rest.

***

Kim Hak-Cheol woke up from a strange sensation. Why did it feel like bone-chilling coldness was digging deep into him

'So cold!'

Maybe the soldier in charge of the boiler room had forgotten to turn the boiler on? Without that explanation, it shouldn't be this cold in the—

“...Euph?!”

Where was this

Kim Hak-Cheol's fully opened eyes took in the unfamiliar sight. He hurriedly turned his head to look around.

'Isn't this the boiler room '

Why was he in here? Unless he had suddenly started sleepwalking, he shouldn't be down here in the boiler room, so how...

Kim Hak-Cheol tried to get up from the floor only to shudder in shock after realizing that his body... refused to move. Could this be some kind of sleep paralysis

That was when his hearing picked up a low, hushed voice. “She told me to become someone who reaches out first.”

That voice... It sounded like it came straight out of the netherworld.

Kim Hak-Cheol felt his entire body freeze at that voice. His limbs shriveled up; his hands and feet began to tremble in fear all on their own. It was just a voice, yet Kim Hak-Cheol's body began convulsing.

What was going on here? What was this situation?!

“In that case...” The voice grew louder. “...What kind of a hand should I extend to you?”

A demonic fiend slowly rose from the deepest, darkest corner of the boiler room.