A Space Marine Got a Status Window — Chapter 4: Headquarters Disappeared on My First Day as an NCO (1)

Chapter 4: Headquarters Disappeared on My First Day as an NCO (1)

“T-The headquarters?”

The‍⁠ Space Marines, who‍‌‍ had rested for⁠‌ eight hours, thought‌ the moment their‌ superior, Sergeant Kim‌⁠ Seojun, said those‌‍ words.

‘Is‍ he joking?’

They‌ thought Sergeant Kim‍‌⁠ Seojun was making‍‍ a very bad‌‍ joke to ease⁠⁠ their tension.

Of‌ course, that wasn’t⁠‍ the case.

For‍ starters, Kim Seojun‌‍ wasn’t the type‍‍ of person who⁠‌ liked joking around⁠ like that on the battlefield, and besides, only 33 hours had passed‌ since they met.⁠‍

Until‍‍ three days ago,‌ Kim Seojun and‌‌‌ the Space Marines‌‍‌ gathered there hadn’t‌ even known of⁠‍ each other’s existence⁠⁠‌ in that vast‌⁠‌ universe.

They‍ absolutely did not‍ have the kind‍⁠ of relationship where they could exchange‍‌⁠ jokes at a moment like that.⁠

“I⁠ don’t think I’m‌‌‍ close enough with‌ you guys to⁠⁠ be joking around⁠ here.”

Indeed,‍‌‌ Kim Seojun wasn’t⁠‌ joking, and he⁠ made that clear‌‌ to them.

“And‍‌ I’m not crazy‍ enough to make⁠‍‌ jokes when our‌ headquarters has just⁠ disappeared.”

Only‌⁠⁠ then, after understanding‌‌ the reality of‌ the situation, did‍‍ the soldiers’ expressions harden.

“I⁠‍ know you don’t‍ understand.”

Kim Seojun began to‌⁠ explain.

“But‍‍⁠ right now, we’re‍ not on Earth.⁠‌ We’re on a planet in space, and the only⁠ wall capable of‍‌ protecting us is‍⁠ the headquarters base.⁠ And now that‍‌ headquarters has fallen.”⁠‌

“Uh,‍‍ Sergeant Kim, isn’t‍⁠ it too dangerous‌ to go there‍ right now?”

“It‌‌ is. But at‍‍ the very least,‌⁠⁠ we need to⁠⁠ find out how‌‌ our headquarters fell.‌⁠ Whether it was⁠⁠ an accident, the‌ Mog, or a hostile nation like‍ China.”

“Ah.”‍⁠‌

And‌⁠ the moment the‍ word China left⁠‍ Kim Seojun’s mouth,‌‍⁠ all the soldiers‍‌ understood.

They⁠ understood why they‌ had to go‍‌ to headquarters.

It was that important.

That⁠ wasn’t an exaggeration.‌

The‍‌ reason Kim Seojun‌ had been able‌ to finish his‌ active service and⁠‌⁠ return home with‌ all four limbs‍⁠ and his mind‌⁠ intact, avoiding serious‍‍‍ injuries to the‌‍ point that, as‌ soon as he‍⁠ got back, he‍ could sit down‌ to eat homemade‍‍ food, shout at‍‍ his younger sister, “Hey, water!”, hear‍‌‌ her answer “What?”,‍ and end up getting into a full-blown fight with‌‍‍ her, was precisely his ability to‌‍ understand the situation.‌‌

“Whether‍‌ it was the‌ Mog or humans.”‌

In‌‍‌ particular, depending on‌‌ who the enemy‍ was, the way they would have‌⁠ to act from that moment onward⁠⁠ would be completely‌ different.

Furthermore,‍ the possibility that‍ humans had been‌⁠ responsible wasn’t exactly low.

On Earth, various international‌‍ conventions had created⁠ an environment where‍‌ wars were practically avoided.

But‍‌ space was different.‍

Space‍⁠ wasn’t covered by⁠ those international conventions.‍⁠

Above‌‌ all, space development‍‌⁠ was practically a lifeline for every‌ nation, and most⁠ importantly, space offered‌‌ the perfect excuse.‍

‘Wasn’t⁠‌ it the Mog⁠ who did that?’‌

A truly convenient excuse.‍

“Or‍⁠ it could’ve been‍‌⁠ those motherfucking Space‍⁠ Peace Activists. We‌ need to find⁠⁠ out exactly what happened.”

“Yes?”

Furthermore,‌ there was also⁠‌ an interplanetary organization of lunatics that⁠‌ proclaimed peace in‌‍ space while committing‌ all kinds of‌‍ terrorist attacks.

In⁠⁠‌ any case, he⁠ had finished convincing‌ them.

No⁠‍ one questioned Kim⁠⁠ Seojun’s decision to‍‌ investigate headquarters again.‍‌

They‌⁠ hadn’t known him‌‌⁠ for long, but⁠‌‌ at least every‌ soldier gathered there‌‍ knew one thing.‌

‘Sergeant‌‍ Kim is our‌ only lifeline.’

They⁠‌ knew perfectly well⁠ how they were⁠⁠ supposed to act⁠‌ when a rope⁠‍ descended from the‍ sky to save‌‍ them.

Of‍ course, regardless of⁠‍ that, everyone was⁠‍ tense.

‘Fuck,⁠‍⁠ why the hell‌ is everything getting this complicated?’

All‍ the soldiers gathered‌‌ there had volunteered⁠‌‍ for that assignment,‌‌‍ but none of‌ them had volunteered‍ to join the⁠ military.

Their‍‍‍ mindset had simply⁠ been.

‘If‍ I can’t avoid‌⁠ going into the⁠ military anyway, then‌‌ I might as⁠ well use it‌‌ to make a good amount of‌⁠‍ money!’

None⁠ of them had‌‍‌ come there intending‌‍ to die.

And‍‌ above all, they‍ weren’t old enough‌⁠⁠ to take death‌ lightly.

Everyone’s‍ faces were drenched‌‍ in despair.

Then‌‌ Kim Seojun told⁠⁠ them.

“Only⁠ two of us⁠‌ will go on this reconnaissance mission,‍ Private First Class‍⁠ Park Boseop and⁠ me.”

Vroooooom!‍

After‌⁠‌ finishing charging its‌⁠ battery, the military‍⁠ truck started moving‌⁠ again.

There‍ were only two‌ Space Marines inside the truck.

Nothing‌‌‌ more.

Of‌‌ the eight soldiers,⁠‍‍ the other seven, everyone except Private First Class Park⁠‌ Boseop, had remained‍ in the bunker.⁠

“Sergeant‌‌ Kim, isn’t it‍‌‍ too dangerous for‌‌ just the two‍ of us to go, sir?”

The‌‍ reason was simple.⁠

“We’re‌ only going to‌ conduct reconnaissance. If we all go‌⁠⁠ together, the only‍‌‍ thing we’ll accomplish‍ is making more noise and drawing⁠ more attention.”

They‌‍ weren’t going there‌ to fight a huge battle.

Of‍⁠ course, Kim Seojun⁠ didn’t bother saying‌ out loud what⁠ he was really⁠ thinking.

‘These⁠‌ guys are useless.⁠‍ No, they’d only‌⁠ get in the way.’

He‌‍⁠ didn’t tell them.‍

‘You‌ seven are a burden to me.’⁠‍

And⁠‍ that was understandable.‌⁠⁠

Kim⁠⁠ Seojun had much‌⁠‍ more active-service experience‍ than they did.⁠

That‌‍ was why he knew perfectly well.⁠⁠

‘If⁠ they were useful‌‌ enough, they never‍⁠ would’ve been assigned⁠ here.’

The⁠ truly good ones‍‌ weren’t sent to‍‍‌ places like planet Amotia.

In⁠ other words, they‍ didn’t waste their⁠ best pieces on‍‍‌ a hand they‍‍ had already given⁠ up on.

For⁠⁠ starters, those who volunteered to become Space Marines usually‌ did so with a very clear‌‍ objective.

And‍ in most cases, that objective was‍⁠ money.

Among‍‌ those pursuing that money, anyone who‌‌ demonstrated good ability‍‌ was immediately assigned‍ to a decent unit after participating⁠ in a few⁠‍ battles.

In⁠ an era of⁠‍‌ space warfare where⁠‍‌ competent personnel were‍‌ always in short supply, the value⁠‍ of a good‍ soldier was incalculable.‌

And⁠ naturally, planet Amotia⁠ wasn’t exactly an⁠‍ assignment for a good unit.

Furthermore,⁠ Kim Seojun had⁠‌ confirmed it during‍ the previous battle‍‌ as well.

Those‍⁠ soldiers were completely⁠‌‍ ordinary Space Marines.‍‌

In‌ any case, from‍‌ Kim Seojun’s perspective,⁠ in a situation⁠ like that, he‍⁠ had no room⁠ to look after‌ such ordinary people.‌

However,‌⁠‍ Private First Class‌⁠ Park Boseop was different.

As‌⁠ a driver, Park‍ Boseop was necessary‍‍ to Kim Seojun⁠⁠‌ for many reasons.‍

For starters, if there‍ came a moment‌‍ when Kim Seojun could no longer‌ drive, the only‍ person capable of‍⁠ saving his life⁠ would be a driver.

And⁠ there were many‍ other reasons why he needed him.⁠⁠⁠

“Um,‍‍⁠ Sergeant Kim Seojun.”⁠⁠

“Speak.”‌

“W-What‍ am I supposed⁠ to do, sir?”‍

Of‍‌‍ course, Park Boseop‌ had no way⁠‍ of knowing Kim‌‍⁠ Seojun’s true intentions.‍

After⁠‍ all, wasn’t Kim⁠‍ Seojun himself the‌ one driving at‌⁠‌ that very moment?‌‌

“Park‍ Boseop.”

“Private‍⁠ First Class Park‌ Boseop, sir!”

“How much money do‌‌ you need?”

“Yes?”‌‌‌

Park‌ Boseop reacted in⁠ surprise at Kim‍‍‍ Seojun’s sudden question.‌‌

Kim‍ Seojun continued.

“You‌ came here after‌ volunteering as a Space Marine because you need money,‌ right? And I’m⁠‍ not talking about‍ a small amount,⁠ but a lot⁠ of money.”

At‍ Kim Seojun’s question,‌ Park Boseop hesitated.‌

“Do you need money‍ for an operation‌⁠ or something like that?”

“N-No,⁠‍ sir.”

At‍‍ Kim Seojun’s follow-up⁠‍‍ question, Private First‍‍ Class Park Boseop immediately shook his‌ head inside the⁠‌ helmet of his battle suit and‍‍ answered.

“I-I‌⁠ want to get‍ into motorsports.”

“Motorsports?‍⁠‌ Car racing?”

“Yes,⁠‍ sir. It’s always‍ been my dream.‌‌ But I need‌‌ quite a lot‌⁠ of money for⁠‍⁠ that……”

Park‌‍ Boseop’s voice gradually‍ faded as he spoke.

‘I’m‍‍ crazy. Fuck, how‌ could I have‌ been such a fucking idiot that⁠‍ I volunteered to⁠ become a Space‌ Marine just because⁠ I want to‌ race cars?’

It‌‍ was inevitable that he would think‍ that way, because‍ even from Park⁠ Boseop’s own perspective,‍‌ that decision had‍⁠ been insane.

He‍‍ had said that‍ he was willing‌ to risk his⁠‌ life for racing,‌ but now his‍ life was literally⁠‌ at stake!

Naturally,‌‍ Park Boseop thought‌‍‌ Kim Seojun would make fun of⁠ him after hearing‌ that.

He‍ thought that, in‌‍ the eyes of‌‍ a hardened veteran‍‌‍ like him, his‌‍‍ goal must seem⁠ ridiculous.

“That’s‍⁠ admirable.”

“Yes?”⁠

“Risking⁠⁠‌ your life for‍‌‍ a dream isn’t‌ something easy to‍ do.”

However,‍ from Kim Seojun’s‌ perspective, Park Boseop was actually quite‍ impressive.

“R-Really,⁠‍ sir? D-Don’t you‌⁠ think it’s too‍ stupid?”

“Stupid‌⁠ is coming here because you went⁠⁠ into debt gambling,‌⁠ or because you⁠‌ bought a sports‍ car, didn’t get‌ insurance, and ended⁠‍⁠ up killing someone.”

As⁠‌ he spoke, several⁠ cases of people who had become‌ Space Marines for⁠‍‍ truly stupid reasons‍‌ passed through Kim‌‍‌ Seojun’s mind.

And‍‍⁠ most of those‍‍‍ who had become⁠⁠ Space Marines for‌⁠ reasons like that⁠ hadn’t lasted long‍⁠ before dying.

“It‍⁠ might seem funny‌⁠ to suddenly talk‍ about this in‌⁠ a situation like‌⁠ this, but I’m‍‌ glad it’s you,⁠‌‌ Soldier Park.”

“Yes?”⁠‌

“People like you tend‌ to live quite‌⁠ a long time.”‌‌

On‍⁠ the other hand,‍‍ those who risked‍ their lives for‍ a dream didn’t‌ die easily.

From⁠⁠ Kim Seojun’s perspective,⁠⁠ that was a good thing in‌‍‌ many ways.

In‌ a situation where‌⁠‌ it wouldn’t be‍‌‌ strange to die‍‍ at any moment,‍ encountering a real driver like Park⁠‍ Boseop could only‍ be considered good‍ luck.

Of‌‍‍ course, even during‍⁠‍ that conversation, Park‍⁠⁠ Boseop still had‌⁠ absolutely no idea⁠ why Kim Seojun‌‍ had brought him‌‌ along.

It⁠⁠⁠ was then.

Whoosh!⁠

Suddenly,‌‍ Kim Seojun sharply‌‌ turned the steering‌‍ wheel, and the‌ truck speeding forward‌ also violently changed‍⁠‌ direction.

“W-What?!”‌⁠

Park‍ Boseop let out⁠ a startled cry.‍

Kim‍ Seojun didn’t respond.‍

He‍ couldn’t.

Because⁠⁠ he had seen‍ it.

Dozens‌⁠ of red lines were flying toward‍‍ the vehicle he‍ was driving.

‘So⁠‌ being able to⁠ see projectiles doesn’t⁠‍ mean I can‌ only see my‍ own.’

And‍ he also understood‍‍ what that meant.⁠

His‌ assumption soon became‌‍ reality.

Whoooooosh!‍

With‍‌‌ a sharp sound,‌‍‍ a completely black‍ thorn resembling a one-meter-long spear embedded⁠ itself exactly where‌ the military truck‌ had been only‌ an instant earlier.‌

Park‍⁠ Boseop, who saw it from the‌⁠⁠ passenger seat, screamed‍‍ in horror.

“T-They’re‍ Thorn Snakes!”

Thorn Snakes!

They⁠‌‌ were one of‌‌⁠ the Mog species,⁠‍ snakes approximately five‍‍ meters long.

Of‌⁠ course, they weren’t⁠ snakes like the‍ anacondas that could⁠ be found on‍ Earth.

Rather⁠ than snakes, they‌ gave the impression‍ of self-propelled artillery⁠ that had developed‌ the ability to‍ walk.

Even‌‍ someone who knew‌⁠‍ absolutely nothing about‍‌‍ them would automatically⁠‍ think upon seeing⁠‌‍ them.

‘We’re‍ fucked!’

And⁠‍⁠ that really was‍‍ the case.

Normally,‌ they crawled along⁠⁠‍ the ground, but‌⁠‍ the moment they‍ found a target, the Thorn Snakes‍ raised their bodies‍ in place and⁠‌‍ fired the thorns‍‍ stored inside them.⁠

Like‍‍ artillery!

And‌‌ the thorns fired‌ by a Thorn‌ Snake had enough⁠ power to penetrate‍‍ even a tank’s‌ armor.

That was why Thorn‌⁠ Snakes were a genuine nightmare for⁠⁠⁠ Space Marines.

The‌ fact that they could penetrate a tank meant that‌ they could destroy⁠ not only the‍‌‍ Space Marines’ battle‌‍ suits, but even‍ the bases and⁠ bunkers where they‍⁠ stayed.

Whoooooosh!‌

And‌ now those Thorn‌⁠‌ Snakes were firing‌‍ their thorns at‍‍‌ Kim Seojun’s group.

Despair⁠ was heading straight‍‍ toward them.

Park‍ Boseop was about‍ to panic at‌⁠⁠ that reality when,‌⁠ at that moment, Kim Seojun spoke.⁠

“Soldier‌ Park, it’s time‍⁠⁠ to work.”

“Yes?”‍

“You‌ asked me earlier⁠ what you had‍‍ to do, right?‌ Drive.”

As‌‌ he spoke, Kim‌‍ Seojun let go of the steering‍‍ wheel.

“Meanwhile, I’ll take care of them.”

That⁠‍ was the reason‍‍‍ he had brought‍ Private First Class⁠ Park Boseop with‌⁠ him.

Kim⁠ Seojun knew perfectly‍ well what kind‍ of existence a Space Marine was on the battlefields‍‌ of space.

“The‌ most important thing for a Space‌‌ Marine is to⁠‌ come back. Don’t‍‍ think about earning⁠ military merits or⁠‍ anything like that.‍‍‍ Just come back‌⁠ alive. Anyway, if‌⁠‌ you manage to‌‌⁠ return alive from‌ the battlefields they‌‌ send you to,‍⁠ the military merits‌‌ will come on‌‌ their own.”

Furthermore, Kim Seojun had‌ put that fundamental‍ principle of the⁠ Space Marines into‍⁠ practice better than⁠‌ anyone.

In‍⁠ other words, Kim‍‍ Seojun never fought⁠ reckless battles.

Quite‌ the opposite.

He⁠ was more careful⁠ with his own‍ life than anyone else.

That⁠ was the reason⁠⁠ he had managed‍ to make it⁠ safely to the‍‍‍ end of his‌ service and return‍‌ home with his body intact.

In⁠‍ other words, the⁠‌ fact that he‍ had now left‌‌‍ the steering wheel‍ in Park Boseop’s hands and moved⁠ into the spacious‍ cargo bed of‍ the military truck‌ didn’t mean that‌⁠ he was mustering‌ some extraordinary determination.

Kim‌‍⁠ Seojun was certain.⁠

‘This⁠‍ is an opportunity.’‍‌

He‍‌ could kill those‌‍ Thorn Snakes.

‘Right‌‌‌ now, the group‍ of Thorn Snakes‌ is moving on⁠‌‍ its own.’

For‍‌ starters, in the‍ distance, Kim Seojun‍ could only see⁠ Thorn Snakes.

The‌⁠ radar installed in⁠ the vehicle, although⁠⁠‌ not particularly good,⁠⁠ wasn’t detecting the presence of monsters‌⁠ like Mogdogs in⁠‍ the surrounding area either.

‘They‌ fell behind the‌‍ horde while returning‌ after a battle.’⁠‍

Furthermore,‍ among the Mog‍‌ monsters, those with‌ relatively slow movement‍‍ speeds, such as‍ Thorn Snakes, occasionally‍ ended up becoming separated from the‍‌ horde.

‘And⁠⁠‌ the fact that‍⁠ they attacked us‌‌ when they saw⁠ us also works⁠⁠ in our favor.’

Furthermore,⁠⁠‍ the Thorn Snakes had attacked Kim⁠⁠ Seojun’s group.

That⁠⁠ wasn’t easy for‌‌⁠ them either.

Thorn Snakes possessed a powerful ranged attack,‍ but in order⁠ to use it,⁠ they had to‌‌ drive more than⁠ half of their⁠ tails into the‍‌ ground.

They‍‌⁠ weren’t absurdly unbalanced‌ monsters capable of⁠ moving and attacking⁠ perfectly at the‍⁠ same time, as‍ though they completely⁠‍ ignored any concept⁠‌⁠ of balance.

That‌ meant they became‌‍⁠ stationary targets.

‘And‌‌ there’s no sandstorm⁠ either.’

Furthermore,‌ the sandstorm had⁠ stopped, so they now had a clear line of‍‌ sight.

Of‌⁠ course, there was‍ something he trusted‍ even more.

‘I‌ have this ability.’‍

The⁠⁠ moment he raised‌‌ his weapon, a red line shot⁠⁠ out from Kim‍⁠ Seojun’s barrel.

It‍ extended an incredible‌ distance.

Hundreds of meters.

Even‌ beyond a kilometer.‌‍‌

Vroooooom!⁠

At‍ that moment, Park‍‍ Boseop was driving‌ violently while gripping‌‌ the steering wheel,⁠⁠ but that posed‍‌ no problem for‌ Kim Seojun.

He‍‍ didn’t even need⁠‌ to inject himself‌‌ with a Stimpak.‌

He⁠‍‍ moved the barrel‍⁠ of his weapon.‌⁠‌

And the moment the‌ red line touched‍‍ the body of⁠ a Thorn Snake,‌ he immediately pulled‌‌ the trigger.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!‌‍⁠

He‌ held down the‍ trigger, intending to⁠ empty an entire‍ magazine, and the hail of bullets‌⁠ struck the Thorn‍ Snake’s body directly.‍⁠‍

Because‍⁠ of the enormous⁠ distance, he couldn’t⁠ hear what had⁠ happened to the‍ Thorn Snake or‌ the sounds it made.

Instead,‌ he heard a notification.

[You have eliminated a Thorn Snake.]

[You‌‍‌ have obtained 10‌‍ points.]

A notification confirming that‌ he had successfully‌‌ hunted a Thorn‍ Snake.

‘Good.’‌

Kim‍ Seojun shouted with‍‌‌ joy inwardly.

It‌⁠ was then.

[You have eliminated a Thorn Snake for⁠⁠ the first time.‍‍ You have received‌⁠ a Silver Ticket‌ as a reward.]⁠⁠

‘Huh?’⁠‍

He⁠‌ heard another notification.

[You‌‍ have hunted a target located more⁠‍ than 1 kilometer‌‍ away for the‍ first time. You⁠‍ have received a Gold Ticket as‍ a reward.]

One‍‌ immediately after the⁠ other.

The⁠ moment he heard‍ them, Kim Seojun‌ showed an expression‌‍ more bewildered than‍⁠ pleased.

He‌ hadn’t expected something‍ like that to‍‌ happen.

However,‌ his surprise didn’t‍⁠‌ last long.

There‌‌⁠ were still dozens‌‍ of Thorn Snakes⁠ before his eyes.⁠

He didn’t have time‌ to remain bewildered.‍

There‌‍ was nothing to think about either.⁠

“Use⁠‍ both tickets.”

Kim‍ Seojun immediately used‌⁠ both tickets.

Then‌ he heard.

[You⁠⁠⁠ have obtained Endurance‌⁠‍ from a Silver Ticket. Your current‌‍⁠ Endurance is below‌‌‌ 30 points. A stat bonus will⁠ be applied. Your‍ Endurance has increased by 3 points.]⁠

A notification.

[Congratulations!⁠‌ You have obtained‍⁠‌ a Platinum-grade reward‌⁠ from a Gold‌ Ticket!]

[You have acquired the⁠‍ skill X-Ray Vision (F)!]

And⁠ then came a second notification.

It⁠ was then.

Suddenly,⁠ Kim Seojun’s field‍⁠ of vision began⁠⁠ to turn brown.⁠⁠‍

At⁠ the same time,⁠‌ Private First Class‍‍ Park Boseop’s voice‍ came through the‌‌‍ earphones integrated into‍‌ the helmet of‌ his battle suit.

— Sergeant Kim Seojun,⁠‍‍ sir! It’s a sandstorm! I can’t‍‍ see anything!

Upon‍ hearing that, Kim‌‌ Seojun turned his‍‌ head to look.‌

At‌‍⁠ the same time,‌‌⁠ he murmured quietly.‌

“X-Ray Vision.”