โWhyโฆโ
Silence except for the rhythmic beeps of the stereo device, the low noise reverberating throughout the entire room. The group of three soldiers and one civilian is situated in a dark, dingy military shelter on the outskirts of District 37, hundreds of miles away from the Paramus Sea. Theyโd stayed here for the past three days and they look rather comfortable, too, donned in layers upon layers of cotton shirts, wool sweatshirts and hoodies.
The First Unit doesnโt give an aura of mercenaries when dressed so casually. Rather, they look to be retired folk, slouched down and with their feet propped up on the dining table. Yoo Seok is the epitome of lazed and uncaring, his one elbow propped up on the seat rest, his other hand holding a lightweight brown book. Some kind of old novel with the pages wrinkled and all. How he dug that up is a mystery.
โWhy!โ Jae repeats himself more insistently, throwing his hands up in restlessness. โWhy is the Colonel not responding?!โ
Jae is rigorously tapping on the transceiver, pressing all the buttons at random, hoping he could contact any squad that has sighted their team colonel in the past few days. The young soldier doesnโt look like he knows how to even operate the device โ it was mentioned to be a new model โ but Jae, always an improviser, has a way of doing it regardless.
To his side is a more knowledgeable but just as distressed Li Jiayun, her frantic eyes growing wider per each incorrect press of a button โ โI donโt think itโs that one,โ she tried to tell Jae earlier but to no avail. The young man insisted that it had to be at least one of them and if not, then what do they have to lose?
Li Jiayun, in charge of communications by default, tried to give the young man pointers on how to operate it. To be frank, itโs not that Li Jiayun ever wanted to be their tech and comms person, but Colonel Yang had randomly designated her to the job two years ago. He had tossed her his handset, waved his fingers at her, told her to โtake care of this for meโ and so she did.
The good and naรฏve soldier Li Jiayun had handled the peanut gallery with no troubles and now, after a long while of being under the irresponsible colonelโs wing, sheโd gotten used to this type ofโฆ again, irresponsibility. Colonel Yang is great in battle but not so much anywhere else โ an unfortunate point that all of his soldiers had found out just one day into enlistment.
Missions are difficult and training sessions are even more difficult, points subtracted if the ordinary private cannot scale up a hill in under five seconds. The colonel is selective of his soldiers and for good reason โ if they couldnโt accomplish such a โtrivialโ task, then they wouldnโt be able to survive out here in the wild. Combat Unit One is a special designation unit traversing in the most hazardous conditions, trekking up not just hills but mountain peaks.
Of the few dozen recruits, half dropped out and the other half metโฆ honorable deaths.
The worst is, although Colonel Yang is a great fighter, heโs a terrible instructor and an even worseโฆ human being. An underestimate, really, considering how he once made Jae limp miles with a bloodied leg. Just in case he was infected.
โTen meters away,โ he had told him with a dismissive wave. โIf you donโt turn in half an hour, Iโll consider you cleared.โ
A very rational way of thinking, but certainly not socially nor ethically appropriate. It is very unfortunate that, for whatever strange reason, Colonel Yang always has this irrefutably dominating aura that spurs more vigor than hate. A marshal of war he is, magnetic and so self-assured in poise that his boasts carry renewed strength.
He also carries a sense of security.
Two years ago, the colonelโs absence wouldโve brought upon utter turmoil. Now, however, as the three remaining soldiers of Unit One try to figure out how to use a new version transceiver (without a manual), the atmosphere is more than easygoing.
โThat knob is for frequency control,โ Li Jiayun says earnestly as she watches Jaeโs struggle. โI think I studied this model onceโฆ. You turn it clockwise to adjust higher, counterclockwise to lower. Then, you do a long push on the tune buttonโฆ Oh, these turns on the side are for volume balancing and the other one isโ”
A loud pop and then a fizzle, the screen of the transceiver suddenly shutting down black. Jae gasps out loud and Li Jiayun darts her eyes around in horror, a trained response to look for the colonel when things go wrong.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
โIt stopped working,โ Jae says in shock. โD-Did I b-breakโโ
โTbe aegcfv la boo,โ Tbb Vfbx lcobgwr tlw ab atf rlvf. โTbe vlvcโa ygfjx la.โ
They try turning it back on again but to no avail. The device still seems to be attached with the proper pieces โ the antenna is as good as new โ and everything should be fine, or so Jae says.
โP mjcโa aegc la yjmx bc.โ Lf qertfr atf yeaabc olnf wbgf alwfr obg ubbv wfjregf. โPr la gfjiis cba ygbxfcโโ
โPaโr cba,โ Tbb Vfbx lwwfvljafis rjsr.
โYt.โ Ajf cbvr. โKtjaโr ubbv.โ
And so, everyone dismisses the potentially broken apparatus only a minute later. No one cares to recheck or confirm, not even Ming Tang whoโs hidden away in the corner of the room, reading an old paperback novel. Theyโd gotten used to his presence โ or his lack of presence, rather โ and had basically adopted him as a member of the team.
โEveryoneโฆโ Jae begins solemnly, putting both hands on the table, pushing away Yoo Seokโs feet, โif by any chance, the most infinitesimal of chances, that the colonel doesnโt return or contact us in a week thenโฆ whatโฆ what should we do?โ
Li Jiayun starts biting her lips in heavy contemplation. โWeโฆ Should we go back to the Nexus? We would have to report to Command and thenโฆโ
โThen theyโd write him off as deceased,โ Yoo Seok tells her. โIf they havenโt written off all of us already. Itโs a better choice to wait another week.โ
โBut we would be neglecting our duties,โ replies the redhead. โI donโt know if thatโs a proper action to take. It is imperative for us to report our locations so that Command can keep track of our movements and provide support if necessary.โ
Yoo Seok puts down his book and asks her, โWhy?โ
Li Jiayun blinks at him, not understanding the implication. โAh, the faster we get reinforcements, the quicker weโd be able to regroup, resupply and procure a transport vehicle. We are also low on MRE rations soโโ
โWhat I mean is we are not obligated to,โ Yoo Seok says, his tone kept monotonous but still carrying weight. โReporting our location would merely speed up an unnecessarily annoying assignment. Perhaps youโve internalized obligations to serve the Nexus, but our small unit of three plus one child is unable to save the human race.โ
Jae chimes in, โOhโฆ hyung means, in less sophisticated words, that we can slack off neatly and no one will know.โ
Li Jiayun nods slowly. โI understand, butโฆ although we may not save the human race, we should make an effort to bring back research specimens. Perhaps one day, we may be able to conquer through radiation.โ
โHm,โ the young man leans back against his chair and replies simply, โalso understandable.โ
โBesidesโฆโ Li Jiayunโs face turns complicated. โIโโ
โYou have family,โ Yoo Seok finishes for her. โYou need to pay your fatherโs medical bills, and treatment for cancer is extremely expensive.โ
โNot so much expensive as it is unnecessary.โ She gives him a soft smile. Her pretty features are lit up through kerosene lamps, and it is only at times like these that she seems a normal young woman. Not a battle-hardened mercenary she was slated to be. โThe Nexus has no obligation to care for my father if I am not in the First Unit. It is not that I have anโฆ obligation to serve either, butโฆโ
โWe all have our personal motives,โ the man tells her simply.
โWhat is yours?โ
Yoo Seok picks the book back up again. โI donโt exactly have one.โ
Even when acquainted for two years, the members of the unit arenโt close. Theyโre companions, not friends and though theyโve shared some smoke and drinks, details of their private life are kept at bay. There are unspoken questions that linger between them, always, but background checks arenโt necessary for soldiers who may die the next day.
โIโve wonderedโฆโ Li Jiayun ponders over her words. โAbout Colonel Yangโs motive. He clears every mission without fail and yet, heโฆ doesnโt seem to, um, care much for it. I donโt know his background nor does he speak of it.โ
โWho knows,โ Yoo Seok replies, flipping a page of his novel. The title of it is grayed out from heavy use and neglect. โThatโs why we should wait it out. Let him figure out whether he wants to head to the Nexus with a hybrid on tow orโฆโ
He props his elbow on the seat rest again, assuming his previous posture of indifference. His white shirt hoists up by the buttons, clinging onto dips of muscle. Yoo Seok holds certain poise that matches his alpha physique, but he isnโt conventionally braggart nor is he overbearing. A true neutral. He does, however, still exude an aura of firmness.
โOr if heโd rather run away.โ Yoo Seok suddenly breaks character and gives a snort โ not quite a chuckle, just a small exhale of air that is still more expression than he has on a daily. โA perfect opportunity to integrate with Noah and his feline friends. Radiation therapy, if you will, for his alpha medical condition. Free of charge.โ
Pindrop silence.
The kerosene lamps are close to flickering off. There isnโt a response until ten seconds later, when Jae clears his throat. โโฆDid you laugh just now? Are you trying to crack a joke?โ
Yoo Seok meets eye contact and then tilts his head. โIs it not funny?โ
โโฆI-I guess it was?โ Jae replies and then, sensing the incredible awkwardness, he immediately switches topics. โAh, yes, about Noahโฆ? Colonel Yang has an interesting way of showing affection, I think, so even though they argue a lot, Iโm sure their relationship is going great. I mean they havenโt broken up yet soโโ
โโWhat?โ Li Jiayun sounds flabbergasted. โTheyโre d-d-dating?โ She takes a moment to think about the apparently preposterous idea before adding, โโฆI-I guess itโs always been strange how uh, kindly the colonel treats Noah. Itโฆ It makes sense? But the thought of Colonel Yangโno, Iโm not commenting on the colonelโs moral character, and while he is a charismatic l-leader, he is also a little overbearing in natureโno, I mean heโsโฆ”
As Li Jiayun goes into an off-tangent rant to herself, Yoo Seok asks with some surprise in his tone, โSince when?โ
Ming Tang makes himself known as well. He looks up from his novel โ novels, considering the young teen had accumulated a bookshelf of them in the last ten minutes. โWhat relationship?โ
โY-You knowโฆโ Jae starts blushing whole-face red. โI saw themโฆ doingโฆ that.โ
โWhatโs that?โ Yoo Seok asks, his dark-brown orbs lightening in curiosity. โI find it improbable that a man like Colonel Yang would ever seek dynamic relationships outside the bedroom. Not only did he mention the impracticality of them, he alsoโ”
โI tried to tell you last time!โ Jae almost screams in agony. โThat they were doingโฆ unspeakable things outside of the bedroom, a-as in literally outside our room! In the dining area! You ignored me and went back to sleep so I thought you didnโt careโI mean, Colonel Yang can sleep with whoever he wants, but I mean isnโt Noah infectedโฆ?! And Noah is an omega so he needs to be careful and use proโโ
โYou knew he was an omega?โ Yoo Seok raises a brow in surprise. โSince when?โ
โI-I knew tooโฆ?โ Li Jiayun pipes up beside them, scratching the back of her ears. A fidgety habit. โSince um, a while ago. Day one, actually, when I dressed his wounds inside the storage room. There was a really distinct scent that even I, as a beta, could tell. The pheromones faded shortly after.โ
โโฆDay one for me too,โ Jae says with some awkwardness. โWhen I found him covered in snow. But his scent disappeared really quickly as well, and I thought he might be on heavy suppressants. Normally, his blood wouldโve given it away butโฆ it was so cold my senses were numbed.โ
โDay one as well,โ Yoo Seok responds. โWhen I first saw him. Alpha intuition.โ
Ming Tang looks to the three soldiers. โSo all of you knew except for that other guy? Why canโt he figure out something so obvious?โ
โโฆโ Li Jiayun opens her mouth to think of an excuse for her colonel. โI-In Colonel Yangโs defense, I donโt believe Sergeant Hannes knew either, as heโd always had an unfortunately insensitive sense of smell.โ
โIn Colonel Yangโs defense,โ Jae nods fervently, trying to come with an excuse as well, โhe hadnโt bothered to dress up Noahโs wounds when he was first transported to the shelter, so I think he dismissed the thought entirely.โ
โIn Colonel Yangโs defense,โ Yoo Seok finishes up, โheโs merely an idiot.โ
Now, unexpectedly, the group of four collectively share knowledge that Yang Rong, for all his worth, is undoubtedly the most ignorant of them all. News of the colonelโs scandalous tryst with Noah in a candlelit night, however, remain up for speculation. As Jae narrates his full experience of witnessing them do the deed, Yoo Seok remains unconvinced and Li Jiayun opts to dip out of conversation altogether. She remains confused and silent in the corner with Ming Tang, who hands her a paperback novel to quell her mixed thoughts.
Nobody comments about how a twelve-year-old boy is more mature than the fumbling Jae and the so-shocked-she-got-an-out-of-body-experience Li Jiayun.
โHe wasโฆ Noah was giving him aโฆโ Jaeโs face turns even redder if that were possible. He tries to narrate the story but his hand gesticulations are not helping his case. He flails his arms around like a fish and says defeatedly, โโฆYou know. That.โ
โInteresting,โ Yoo Seok comments as he watches the various expressions on the younger soldierโs face. โWhat else?โ
โI-I donโt know!โ he cries out. โIโm not a voyeur!โ
โYou should watch it closely next time,โ Yoo Seok tells him and whether or not thereโs a hint of tease in his toneโฆ Itโs up to Jaeโs imagination. โYou may learn a thing orโ”
โAnyway!โ Jae cuts him off abruptly. โTheyโre dating! And now theyโre shipwrecked, stranded and lost in the middle of nowhere we know about. I-Itโs romantic? Things will be great?โ
Romantic?๐ kinda yes๐ผ
uninhabited islands are p romantic ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ
๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ* ๐ค
PFFT NOT YR being the last person to know about Noahโs gender ๐ญ๐ As a expected of a man (five year old) with only one braincell ๐
r.i.p yang rong ๐
Was he going to say head๐
On another note thx for the chapterโค๏ธ
๐ this novel is completely innocent i swear
Yoo Seok x Jae? Anyone??
Yes please! ๐
1 ๐
hmmmMM
I def got the vibes when he said to learn from them ๐คข
*๐ณ I meant this emoji
I kinda felt something when Jae and Yoo Seok was introduced. So were they, or are they, or will they, be dating?
Hmmm. Thanks for the chapter!
๐ฆ not the author sweating, thinking up their relationship on the spot
j k (but am i really)
Lol these people … I would like to see rong ge reaction after knowing how stupid he was ….
And the teasing yoo seok.. something fishy I can smell
Thanks for the chapter โฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
yang rong: …………
yang rong: how should i know?! i simply haven’t thought it through, alright?!
Oh my I have the biggest crush on Yoo Seok. He spicey
yoo seok <– the hot and cool ML we all wanted
yang rong <– the clown we got
Lmao Iโm dead
So everyone except YR knew?๐ Why am I not surprised lol. Ah Jae you poor thing. Also I love Yoo Seok. He is so dont-give-a-single-fuck its great ๐. Hmm Jae and Yoo Seok tho๐ค are they a thing?
Thanks for the chapter!
hmmmmmmmMMMMM ๐๐๐
HAHAHAHA that was really funny. Thank you for the chapter.
๐
Thanks for the chapter <3
โค
This chapter was so funny ๐
I love Yoo Seok by the way ๐
Thank you for the chapter ๐
yoo seok… has more credentials than yang rong…..sigh
THIS IS SO GOOD I REALLY LOVE THE NOVEL HOPING THIS WOULD BE FINISHED, IM REGRETTING NOT WAITING FOR IT TO BE FINISHED BEFORE DIVING NOW I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO READ AGAINN THANK UU
aww thank you~! it’ll be finished for sure but give me some time! ๐คง
R-ROMANTIC HUH
Poor jae’s getting bullied ๐
On another note “In Colonel Yang’s defense, he’s merely an idiot.” I love Yoo Seok to death, no doubt about it.
BUT WAS YOO SEOK TEASING JAE IN THE END? WAS THAT IT? HE EVEN CRACKED A JOKE???
So today, yes. I am officially a simp for Yoo Seok. The end
No wait, Jae, yes. Romantic, I’m certain. They’ll be better than great, they’ll be fantastic.
YS ๐
And of course the idiot is the last to know, I’m not even surprise ๐ฉ
Yoo Seok cracks a joke for the first time ever and nobody understands what is even happening ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
There is only one Paramus in the world and that is in New Jersey, USA. I suppose since this is an ABO universe in a post apocalypse setting, our heroes could be mixed together anywhere. The idea that part of the action takes place in Paramus adds an extra layer of weirdness for me!
I say it again ..
JAE CARRIES THE WHOLE STORY!
I Love him so much โค๏ธ