RTN 30

chapter 30

“Sorry.”

Seol Ah-yeon bowed politely. She clasped her hands together and lowered her head deeply, showing utmost respect.

However, the other party didn’t seem willing to accept her apology at all. And it was understandable—Jang Seok-joo had almost lost a hand.

Just as Seol Ah-yeon was about to straighten her bent back, Kim Do-woon pressed the palm of his hand firmly against the back of her head, preventing her from rising. Then he spoke firmly:

“I’ll make sure such an incident never happens again by enforcing strict discipline.”

Jang Seok-joo, seated in his chair, looked up at Kim Do-woon. His gaze shifted between Seol Ah-yeon, who was still bowing deeply, and Kim Do-woon, who was pressing firmly on her head.

“You handled it?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, next week’s deployment?”

“I’ll be absent.”

Jang Seok-joo’s eyes widened.

“You’re leaving them all to die without you?”

“You worry too much. Things will run smoothly even without me.”

“Don’t be so modest. Of course, we’ll need a competent instructor, but that doesn’t mean the battlefield is completely safe to ignore.”

“That’s the commander’s orders.”

Ah, Jang Seok-joo leaned back against his chair. Soon, a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth. Then he burst into loud laughter, and Kim Do-woon removed his hand from the back of Seol Ah-yeon’s head.

Seol Ah-yeon rubbed her head and straightened up. Her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings, sparkling with anticipation.

“So, you’re out? The others will be on edge.”

Jang Seok-joo clapped his hands, clearly delighted. Kim Do-woon reflexively glanced around. Fortunately, none of the researchers were paying attention to them; everyone was busy setting up the measurement room.

They seemed excessively busy, as it had been since Jang Seok-joo injured his hand. Everyone was cautious, tiptoeing around him, which made avoiding him the wise choice.

Yet, the current Jang Seok-joo looked extremely pleased.

“I told you, right? The commander’s fond of you.”

“Please lower your voice. Rumors spread easily.”

“What rumors? That someone from the colony gets the commander’s favor? It’s true, what can I do?”

“Team leader.”

Jang Seok-joo chuckled, adjusted his glasses, and began rummaging through his desk. Papers scattered over his bandaged right hand. Picking up files and clearing the cup from his desk, he said:

“In a group, even if someone is exceptionally good, it can be troublesome. Especially if they have weaknesses. Work piles up on them, while others get left behind.”

Seol Ah-yeon looked up at him, but Kim Do-woon didn’t turn. He responded with a sigh:

“Someone might think I’m destroying the ecosystem.”

“Isn’t that true?”

“Only someone like the commander could get away with saying that.”

“That guy’s a monster. Anyway, it worked out. Take advantage, rest while training this one. You’re not receiving links anymore, right?”

The rumors were fast, spreading across the galaxy and almost reaching his home planet. Well… maybe not quite his home. Just thinking about it made his chest ache.

Communication no longer reached that planetary system. The further the warfront pushed, the more distant his home became. Sending messages had become impossible.

“Here it is.”

Jang Seok-joo tossed a chip from under his laptop. Kim Do-woon caught it midair and looked at Seol Ah-yeon. Their eyes met. Her curious gaze made him slightly flustered.

Does she not get nervous at all?

She should have been worried about what kind of training awaited her, yet there was no sign of it.

But that composure wouldn’t last long. Kim Do-woon grabbed the hair tie at the nape of her neck and pulled. The tie came loose, her hair cascading down, brushing his hand.

For a moment, he thought it smelled good—but it was a foolish illusion. It was just the standard shampoo provided in every dormitory.

He tossed the loosened hair tie back to her.

“Tie it up high. I’m attaching the chip to your neck.”

“Is it a bomb?”

“What do you take me for?”

Seol Ah-yeon gathered her loose hair with both hands and lifted it high, revealing the slender line of her neck.

Again, a pleasant scent wafted—a breeze that seemed to have passed through a forest.

Was this the scent of the shampoo I use? Kim Do-woon turned his head, pondering, when he noticed:

“You’re nervous.”

Jang Seok-joo was watching him with his chin resting on his hand. Kim Do-woon stiffened. Seol Ah-yeon, tying her hair, immediately replied:

“I’m not nervous.”

“Not you… her…”

Before Jang Seok-joo could finish, Kim Do-woon attached the chip sharply to the back of her neck. Seol Ah-yeon flinched.

“It stings.”

“Don’t speak after I attach it…”

“Okay, go. Roll for 30 minutes.”

Kim Do-woon pushed her forward. Seol Ah-yeon widened her eyes, staggered a little, then pressed close again.

He signaled the waiting researchers at the entrance. Four of them rushed over.

“Simple warm-up. Also measures basic fitness,” one said.

“Not going to shoot cannons at me again, right?”

“Whatever it is, you said you exercised, right? Intensity will be moderate.”

“What intensity? You need to tell me—”

“30 minutes. Endure it.”

Kim Do-woon shoved Seol Ah-yeon toward the researchers.

“Take her in.”

“Wait, you need to explain what’s happening first—”

“Ever seen an enemy attack without warning? Treat it as real combat. Go.”

The researchers dragged Seol Ah-yeon into the measurement room. She shouted, but Kim Do-woon ignored her and sat beside Jang Seok-joo on a folding chair.

It was a simple test: just running straight to avoid imaginary enemies. No explanation was needed.

He plugged one of the intercoms Jang Seok-joo handed him into his left ear and took the tablet. Considering Seol Ah-yeon’s outstanding fitness from the previous test, he set the difficulty to medium-high.

Watching her run through the measurement room via the tablet, Jang Seok-joo leaned forward, gesturing for him to come closer.

Kim Do-woon lowered his head toward him. Jang Seok-joo whispered:

“I think… you two might know each other?”

Kim Do-woon straightened.

“Excuse me?”

“The commander and her. Don’t they know each other? Maybe the commander remembers but pretends not to.”

“Why do you say that?”

“How can you be sure the commander isn’t an outsider?”

“Well…”

No guarantee. Of course, they had to assume not. Even if Baek Yi-hyun were revealed to be an outsider, it would be complicated. He was a genuine war hero. Even if he claimed to be an outsider, the higher-ups would cover it.

“There’s no evidence, but does it matter? Background doesn’t matter in his position. Though with so many enemies, it could be annoying, but His Majesty would handle it…”

“I think he has feelings for Seol Ah-yeon.”

Kim Do-woon straightened his posture.

“It’s a bit like that.”

“Right?” Jang Seok-joo brightened.

“You noticed too?”

“Yes. I thought I was the only one. No one else mentioned it.”

“The idiots beside you are nothing.”

Suddenly, the intercom crackled—static from someone inexperienced trying to connect.

Kim Do-woon glanced at the tablet. Seol Ah-yeon was rolling on the floor, dodging attacks. Even then, she adjusted the intercom in her left ear, clearly composed.

Soon, her labored breathing came through his earpiece:

-Stop, stop!

“What?”

-It’s too hard!

“Do your best.”

-I already am…

“How long has it been? Crying in the middle of a battlefield?”

-I don’t know what to… Aah!

“Don’t exaggerate. Everyone here knows you’re exceptional.”

Seol Ah-yeon muttered something. Kim Do-woon readjusted the intercom.

“Did you just curse?”

-No, it’s the situation!

“Stop whining. Treat it like real combat. Real combat. Move!”

He yanked out the intercom and tossed it onto the table. He couldn’t risk Seol Ah-yeon hearing their conversation. Same for the busy researchers. He lowered his voice.

“I don’t know if they really know each other, but she’s definitely paying attention.”

“Exactly. She’s shaken.”

“Could this affect the war?”

Jang Seok-joo crossed his arms, looking troubled.

“Not good. Unpredictable.”

Agreed. Currently, Baek Yi-hyun essentially led the battle.

“I’m scared. If the commander misjudges…”

“I could kill her. Leave just the shell.”

“Excuse me?”

Kim Do-woon looked at Jang Seok-joo. He was staring emotionlessly at the closed measurement room entrance.

For a moment, Kim Do-woon remembered how Jang Seok-joo had risen to this position—it wasn’t just skill.

Jang Seok-joo spoke calmly, eyes fixed on the room:

“I could erase her soul. She’d become an S-class weapon in human form. Easier to handle. The commander doesn’t like weapons anyway, so he wouldn’t hesitate.”

Kim Do-woon was speechless. Jang Seok-joo added dryly:

“Doesn’t matter. She’s an outsider anyway.”

His palms sweated. Jang Seok-joo’s willingness to consider harming her, something no human should, reminded him of the colony-born’s usual mistreatment.

After clenching his teeth to control his emotions, Kim Do-woon found the rational flaw in Jang Seok-joo’s plan.

“Seol Ah-yeon is protected by her status window. How could…”

“Possible. If you help…”

A loud thud rang out. The monitors at the measurement room’s console went dark, and the researchers panicked.

Kim Do-woon checked the tablet. The window was off and wouldn’t turn on. He rose along with Jang Seok-joo and grabbed the intercom. Turning it on and plugging it into his left ear, he asked:

“What’s going on?”

Only heavy breathing came through. He had no idea what happened. It was such a simple training session that there shouldn’t have been any variables.

Running toward the measurement room, he shouted:

“What is it?!”

-Just… did my best.

Her voice was clear, even through heavy breaths.

-Treat it like real combat.