Chapter 273:

Words : 1206 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 273: Chapter 273 Yoo-hyun looked at him with a puzzled expression. It was the same when they practiced disassembling and assembling firearms. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Everyone else was doing it casually, just stamping their papers, but Hyunjin did it exactly according to the FM. He was so diligent that even the instructor tried to stop him. “Senior, you don’t have to work so hard.” “No, I have to.” He used honorifics to the soldiers and worked hard. But he wasn’t good at it. He seemed to know the theory well, but his hands were clumsy. “If you twist the barrel angle by about 14 degrees and insert it...” Yoo-hyun, who had already finished, reached out to him, who was struggling. “You have to put this part in and turn it.” “Oh, right. Thank you.” Hyunjin thanked Yoo-hyun with an awkward expression. Yoo-hyun felt strange at his simple gratitude. It was because he kept seeing his past self in him. Hyunjin, who received a lunch box and had lunch, brought up his story for the first time. “I’m working at Ilseong right now...” “You’re working at Ilseong? Are you an engineer in the communication parts field?” “How did you know?” “Just a guess. You said your military specialty was communication earlier.” Yoo-hyun guessed and Hyunjin laughed. He had a sense of humor in such unexpected places. “Hahaha. What does that have to do with anything?” “It’s kind of related. You said you had a hard time because of a crazy senior in the unit, right?” “Yes.” “Don’t you have the same problem at your company?” “Now that you mention it, I do. Maybe it’s because I’m naive.” Yoo-hyun had never heard his story directly, nor had he seen his interview. That’s how much Hyunjin didn’t reveal himself. But his colleagues had talked about him in interviews. He was a respectable leader. So Yoo-hyun could say more confidently. “No, it’s just bad luck.” “Is that so?” “I’m sure of it. I have a good sense of people.” “Hahaha.” Hyunjin laughed heartily as Yoo-hyun spoke casually. They finished their lunch and went around the individual training ground on the mountain. They had to take theoretical classes on individual combat, first aid, chemical defense, etc. at the 16 courses there. They all had to stamp their papers to pass, so people followed without complaining. The places where the military officers were instructors were unusually quiet. The problem was the places where the soldier assistants taught directly. “Seniors, hello. This assistant is...” “Hey, just do it already.” There was inevitably bullying by the reservists there. The reservists’ typical arrogance was also there. Every time that happened, Hyunjin flinched. Yoo-hyun asked him next to him. “Do you want me to say something?” “No, it’s all like that. What can I do?” Hyunjin shook his head, but he looked uncomfortable. Yoo-hyun took him in his eyes. The next course was a little higher up. They arrived at the first aid training ground where the assistants taught. “We’ll take a 10-minute break. Please keep your uniforms on even during the break.” “What bullshit.” The reservists snorted at the assistant’s words. Rifles and bulletproof helmets rolled on the floor. Hyunjin followed the assistant’s words as always. Yoo-hyun smiled and said with a consistent attitude. “I’ll go to the bathroom for a bit.” “Okay. I’ll save your spot.” “Thank you.” It was when Yoo-hyun came back from the bathroom. “Thank you, senior.” “You should thank him.” Yoo-hyun pointed with his hand, and the assistant bowed deeply to Hyunjin. “Thank you. Thank you very much.” “You did well.” Hyunjin held the assistant’s hand with a warm smile. That’s how the incident ended. It was after the reservist training that day. Hyunjin said to Yoo-hyun. “I wish I could do it with you tomorrow, but it’s a shame.” “Come tomorrow.” “Haha. I really want to come.” Hyunjin’s eyes were sincere. But he had already completed his reservist training hours today. Yoo-hyun didn’t want to let him go either. He put his feelings in his smile and said. “Then how about a drink tonight?” “Sounds good.” Hyunjin agreed enthusiastically. That night. Yoo-hyun and Hyunjin faced each other at a beer house in Ulsan. Clang. They cheered happily and drank beer. After one or two glasses, they loosened up their tongues as they were the same age. They shared their worries and troubles. “The truth is, no matter how much I work at the company...” He was called a genius, but he was just a part in the company. Yoo-hyun listened to his troubles and advised him. “Jingun, that’s because you’re too talented.” “What talent? Everyone is the same when they enter the company.” “No way. I guarantee it.” Yoo-hyun held out his glass and Hyunjin smiled. He was doing what he had always wanted to do in a roundabout way now. It was a strange feeling. They chatted like that until Hyunjin brought up something more personal. Not his story, but his brother’s story. “I have a brother...” “Yeah? He went to the army with that body?” Yoo-hyun showed a surprised reaction, and Hyunjin gave a bitter smile. “Yeah. He must have been complexed by his weak body. He insisted on going to the army even after taking a re-examination. I couldn’t stop him.” “So you were nice to the soldiers?” “I thought of my brother.” Yoo-hyun nodded as he listened to Hyunjin’s words. He could tell how much he cared for his brother. Then he asked casually without thinking much. “Which unit is your brother in?” “The 17th Division.” “Oh, the Lightning Division?” “Yeah, that’s right.” Suddenly, Yoo-hyun’s eyebrows narrowed. A vague memory from a long time ago came up. -We have selected additional personnel for the Hansung Humanitarian Award to improve our group’s image this time. Yoo-hyun, who was in the group strategy room, personally selected the personnel for the Hansung Humanitarian Award. At that time, Yoo-hyun picked mainly people who were making issues on the internet. One of them was a military explosion victim. Hyunjinsu. He had burns all over his body and lost his legs. He was falsely accused of causing the accident. He fought with the military for a long time and finally proved his innocence. It wasn’t his fault that he caused the accident. It was entirely due to the negligence of the ammunition depot officer in charge. Rather, he threw himself toward the explosives to protect his juniors who were about to be discharged. But the military didn’t admit that fact and there was no compensation for any damage either. This unfair incident became a big issue on the internet. Yoo-hyun was next to him when he received the Hansung Humanitarian Award in a wheelchair. He had no memory of seeing Hyunjinsu after that. That was several years before he met Hyunjin. -It’s just paying back what I owe you. Yoo-hyun finally understood what Hyunjin meant by his short words.

Chapter 273:

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