episode_0043

The place we are heading to today is a village called ‘Kruha’ in the southeastern part of the barbed wire fence, which is said to be a large grain-producing area.

Dakota is in charge of the location report and any special instructions, and we received a brief order to just do as we are told and diligently carry out our tasks before heading to the command room.

I casually stuck by Dakota’s side and nudged his side before asking, “You didn’t even raise your hand last time, why did you suddenly decide to join in today?”

Dakota, like me, barely opened his mouth and answered in a mumble, “I also tried not to go if possible, but what can I do if I’m chosen as the guide?”

“You could have just said you didn’t want to.”

“I have the lowest tier among the leaders. Even if I could only participate in the tier measurement last time, it’s a shame that I’m not in that position.”

“Are you still hung up on me poking you with my tail on the subway last time?”

“That wasn’t the intention, but if it sounded like that, I apologize.”

He shamelessly attacked me, leaving me speechless. Seizing the moment, Dakota suddenly pushed forward and walked ahead.

That arrogant purple-haired punk. Grinding my teeth, I followed him.

Despite being called a civilian support, receiving a subway ticket to move around felt excessive, similar to when going on guard duty. Couldn’t they at least provide a truck? Is there no such transportation here?

Upon complaining about this, Lena, who was listening beside me, passed through the gate and kindly explained, “Most activities at the academy involve moving by subway. Vehicles are prone to damage, right?”

Just say you don’t want to give us a ride. Seeing humanoid monsters, even on the subway, doesn’t make the subway seem like a safe zone.

All of this is because of the villain who created the setting, author Lager Godin.

After about an hour on the train to Kruha, a few empty seats started to appear. Lena, who had been watching us cautiously, was the first to take a seat, followed by Lager on the opposite side.

That leaves the two of us. There are plenty of seats available.

It doesn’t matter where we sit, but I thought it might be better if Dakota could build some rapport with Lager at this time, so I nudged her back.

“Hey, go sit over there.”

But Dakota, who would usually thank me and move forward, suddenly closed his mouth and shook his head slowly.

“Miss Chloe is going.”

What’s going on now? I pursed my lips and grumbled in a tone that sounded like I was about to speak, just like before.

“I told you to go. Did you forget what I said last time?”

In response, Dakota also closed his mouth and stood his ground.

“Did you forget what I said about beer snacks? He clearly likes you. It’s so obvious, why should I try to change his mind?”

“You like Lager too!”

“Of course I do. But I also want him to be happy.”

“Make him happy!”

“That doesn’t seem to be my role. With a name that matches so perfectly, why are you trying to distance yourself like this?”

“He’s already taken!”

“He likes you now!”

“No, he doesn’t!”

“Yes, he does!”

I was somewhat perplexed by Dakota’s unwavering stance.

What’s going on? Wasn’t this guy’s ultimate goal to ‘prove his love to Lager Godin at all costs’? He was so actively pursuing Lager, even unbuttoning his blouse, so why is he now pulling back like this?

Not missing the moment of distraction, “Oh….”

“Sloppy. Just like a ‘casual tier’.”

She didn’t even have a chance to shout that if I use that word, I’ll get stabbed in the liver. She lightly pushed me to the side, causing me to stumble and cling to Lager, just before falling over.

Thanks to her, I ended up in a precarious position, swaying and clinging to Lager to avoid falling.

In the end, Lager extended his arms to prevent me from falling and ended up embracing me.

Dakota let out a snort and casually crossed her legs as she sat next to Lena.

What a fox-like move. I wanted to push Lager away and start the second round right away, but it seemed difficult to do so given the atmosphere, so I gritted my teeth and stayed put.

“…Can you move a bit away?”

I felt like her thigh was getting too close, so I backed off.

“You can just move to the side.”

Because I stood my ground, I couldn’t find my footing and had to subtly move my hips to the side.

Why are they all like this? Somehow, I felt like I had become the weakest in this group and felt a little sad. I decided to curl up like a shrimp and doodle some pictures. Hehe.

After spending another hour doing our own tasks, we finally arrived at the final destination.

Kruha Station was like a rural area surrounded by fields and meadows once you removed the iron fence. It was a village full of nostalgia, where you could almost smell the sweet scent of cow dung from somewhere.

Just a little further from the station, instead of asphalt, there was a newly paved road, making it a perfect countryside neighborhood.

Today, we were supposed to help with harvesting crops. It seemed like the rice had already been harvested, and unknown green crops were waiting to be harvested, swaying their leaves in the wind.

And above those fields, a large newly paved road.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud.

A three-wheeled cart was approaching noisily with its engine roaring.

“It looks like our client for today.”

Ignoring Dakota’s words, the cart driver spotted us in front of the station and waved enthusiastically.

Whether he was happy to see people or free labor, I wasn’t sure, but anyway, it seemed like we just needed to help him today.

“Oh, come on in!”

Surprisingly, the cart driver was a grandmother. Despite wearing a sun cap, her deeply wrinkled face and petite figure made us all awkwardly bow our heads.

Dakota took the lead and stepped forward.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am. We’re here to help you with your work from the academy…”

“Oh, hurry up and get in! We’re running out of time!”

A gesture to listen while getting on. In the cool demeanor of the grandmother, we momentarily forgot what we were going to say.

As we rode behind the cart towards the worksite, the grandmother turned back and spoke to us.

There was a lot to harvest, and there weren’t enough hands to help, so they were just idly waiting around. Luckily, being in the south, it wasn’t too cold yet, but once the cold weather arrived, all these crops would rot and go to waste.

“Thank you so much for coming at this crucial time. I’ll make you a delicious meal.”

Looking back, there were not only farming tools behind the cart but also small pots and pans, as well as simple dishwashing items and food ingredients. It seemed like they were planning to save time by having meals in the field.

It reminded me of my rookie days when I went out to help the villagers during my active duty. We used to receive makgeolli and it was so nice. I thought about asking if there was any alcohol, but I held back. It would seem like I came here just to have fun.

“Alright, we’re here.”

The grandmother turned off the engine of the cart and got off.

“Is this the place?”

Surprisingly, the field was not that large. It was about the size of an elementary school playground, and it seemed to be the smallest field I had seen so far on my journey.

This shouldn’t require much manpower. The grandmother, who looked puzzled, personally assigned roles to us.

“I’ll take care of the food. Pair up and one pair will help me pick some beans and red beans over there.”

“The other pair will help me hunt some monsters.”

…Ah, so that’s why we were called here.

It wasn’t just a civilian support mission.

Just then, rustling and ominous sounds could be heard in the distance. It was a completely different kind of sound from the rustling of the wind.

Sure enough, fierce-looking wolves began to emerge one by one from the bushes, and eventually, a large, white wolf that seemed to be the leader appeared among them.

What caught my eye in the midst of all this was the presence of ‘humanoid monsters’.

None. That’s what it meant.

“Raga, Dakota, Lina. Hurry up and get your gear ready for the field.”

A sparring partner enough to gauge my skills.

I stepped forward in front of the three people and took out two handguns and a holster from the tablet, as well as a pump-action shotgun.

I couldn’t let my cigarette go out while holding the shotgun, so I took out a cigarette from my pocket, put it in my mouth, lit it, and loaded the shotgun.

“I’ll take care of them.”

As the cigarette smoke scattered over the peaceful field,

The wolves, signaled by the nicotine scent, howled and simultaneously rushed towards us.