Hearing Kim Cheolsu’s words, Major Hong Sewoong felt a sudden chill. The toughest time in the military is always during basic training.
No matter how much some slack is allowed for military discipline, having drill instructors beat trainees? That’s unacceptable.
The real problem was that the military doctor knew about this. If Kim Cheolsu formally raised the issue, it could become quite a scandal.
“…Could you please explain exactly what happened, Lieutenant Colonel? This is a very serious matter, so we need detailed information to consider our response.”
“A recruit named Noh Ginam from the 31st Infantry Division’s Basic Training Center came in with a sprained elbow joint, but I noticed bruises all over his body. It’s clear evidence of brutal assault, so we admitted him to the military hospital for protection. I also obtained information about the drill instructors through the training sergeant. Is that sufficient?”
“That’s enough. I’ll have a squad from the 31st Division’s Military Police detachment dispatched immediately. Can you keep them from escaping?”
“If it’s difficult, we can arrest the drill instructors when they return to their units.”
“I was planning to go out and find them anyway. It’s best to handle this as quickly as possible.”
“Understood. Also, please do not leak this matter to the media. I’m counting on you, Lieutenant Colonel. The military’s image is already fragile these days… If the military doctors expose this problem, we’ll be in real trouble.”
Kim Cheolsu narrowed his eyes. Rather than showing concern for the victims of abuse, the priority seemed to be preserving the military’s reputation, which felt wrong.
But not everyone could think like him. Perhaps the Military Police were viewing the situation from a broader perspective.
“We need to protect the victims, so there’s no need to make a fuss. Let’s handle this quietly.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel. Yes, sir! I’ll send the men out immediately. One call will be enough. Good luck.”
Click
After hanging up, Kim Cheolsu fell into deep thought. As head of the Military Police, he was involved in delicate relationships with higher-ups.
Since he had been promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was now seeing various connections he hadn’t noticed before.
Still, his commitment to patient confidentiality hadn’t changed, but he was becoming increasingly aware of political undercurrents.
“Soldiers specialize in hiding, minimizing, and suppressing incidents. They may seem stubborn, but maybe I can use these traits to my advantage.”
After all, Kim Cheolsu’s goal was to protect the soldiers and save lives.
If necessary, he would raise a ruckus, but handling things quietly wasn’t inherently wrong.
He was gradually getting used to life as a soldier himself.
Glancing at the bamboo-flower insignia with two blossoms on his epaulets, he left the headquarters on the sixth floor.
“Well then, let’s find out where those rotten drill instructors are hiding. Noh Ginam is admitted to the orthopedic ward. So the drill instructors’ next move must be…”
Lieutenant Sergeant Lee Seonghwan, a drill instructor at the 31st Infantry Division Basic Training Center with only a short time left in his military service.
He was relatively handsome but had a hooked nose from a past fight.
Because of this, he had a complex and often covered his nose with his hand.
While picking at frozen food with a toothpick at the camp PX, he spoke to other drill instructors.
“Where’s that bastard Noh Ginam? Did you make sure to tell him the squad is coming?”
“Yes. We definitely told him through the nursing officer. But that guy’s nowhere to be found. Looks like he’s hiding because he’s scared of you, Sergeant.”
“Training camps these days are way too sensitive. Drill instructors are basically teachers who teach soldiers necessary skills, right? But these guys act like babies if you so much as touch them… Tch. The military’s a total mess.”
“If you say stuff like that here… Sergeant, I’m worried other unit instructors might overhear.”
Irritated, Lee Seonghwan smacked the back of the lower-ranking instructor’s head.
When he saw slackers, his anger would flare up like a rage disorder.
“Ow! Why are you doing this, Sergeant? That hurts!”
“No matter how modern the world gets, you don’t dare defy a Sergeant First Class. Got it? You just do what I say. Now, everyone, let’s go up to the orthopedic ward.”
“W-what are you planning?”
“Our drill instructors are visiting. What are the nursing officers gonna do? Let’s just barge in.”
Taking three instructors, Sergeant Lee stormed into the orthopedic ward and intimidated the nursing officer.
“But we’re only here to visit a patient. How can we not be allowed inside? This is ridiculous.”
“I said no. There are regulations that the ward is for medical staff only.”
“Come on, take this as a bribe and smile nicely.”
“What is this… so much money? I can’t refuse. Okay, we’ll let you in briefly.”
Seeing the surprised nursing officer, Lee Seonghwan felt satisfaction. Money solved everything, whether on the battlefield or in the military. It was a truth he had learned in life.
In fact, he was here today to prevent Noh Ginam from complaining.
His method was clean and efficient, fitting the son of the wealthy Gwangju Industrial Corporation owner.
-“Hey…”
-“Hey…”
-“Hey…”
“Noh Ginam. How’ve you been? Thought you could hide here and we wouldn’t find you?”
“…S-Sergeant Lee Seonghwan, what are you doing here…?”
Noh Ginam lay on the bed, still fearful from the aftereffects of the assault. He avoided Lee’s gaze.
In the harsh military hierarchy, fear of superiors grows exponentially.
Moreover, the wounds from multiple beatings hadn’t yet healed.
Though this unexpected visit was inappropriate, Lee Seonghwan, son of the reliable businessman from Gwangju, had no second thoughts.
He came personally to prevent any surprises from coming his way.
“Enough talk. When are you returning to duty? When you come back, you’ll have to see us, right?”
“…Y-yes…”
The very thought of that future made Noh Ginam even more terrified, but Lee was right. When Noh Ginam returned, he would have to face the drill instructors again.
Overwhelmed with fear, Noh squeezed his eyes shut. Seeing this, Lee spoke irritably.
“Don’t be so scared. The drill instructors are human too, and they don’t intend to harm you.”
The insincere words of the drill instructor made anger surge inside him, but there was nothing he could do.
Only memories of being surrounded and beaten after work in the barracks remained vivid.
Sergeant Lee already realized his opponent had no intention of resisting. He smiled.
“I came just in case, but you didn’t tell the military doctor about us, did you?”
“No… I didn’t.”
“Tch, smart bastard. Hey guys! I told you—Noh Ginam is different, right? Always handles himself properly!”
He laughed with the other drill instructors, mocking Noh Ginam, who had no choice but to clench his fists and silently wish this moment would pass.
The wealthy son, Lee Seonghwan, slipped some money into Noh’s hand.
“Put this towards your medical expenses. You’re cooperating well, so how could I hate you? Go to the PX, eat whatever you want, and when you return to training, don’t cause trouble. Honestly, if you do, I won’t go easy on you. Got it? You’re pathetic—no guts. Makes me angry.”
Smack!
Lee roughly tapped Noh’s hand with a scowl. It didn’t hurt, but it was an unpleasant gesture.
But the memories of the earlier assault jolted Noh, making him meekly reply,
“Y-yes, sir. I won’t tell anyone. I swear, drill sergeant!”
“Ha ha ha! Look at him talk. Gets promoted, and suddenly he’s all loyal, huh? Guys, I told you—there’s nothing money can’t fix. Right? Right?”
Lee boisterously waited for the reactions of the junior soldiers, but the drill instructors behind him suddenly went silent as if they had eaten honey.
Nothing was said. Only silence.
At that moment, Noh Ginam mustered a glimmer of hope and said,
“Military Doctor Kim Cheolsu… what are you doing here?”
Lee Seonghwan turned around in irritation.
The famous handsome military doctor everyone talked about. The annoying doctor who was digging into Noh Ginam’s assault case.
A newly assigned, green officer interfering in training center affairs?
Still, this was the perfect opportunity to settle the matter once and for all.
Lee’s eyes hardened in an instant as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.
Then, taking out several checks, he said,
“Oh, you must be the military doctor treating our precious Noh Ginam. I’ve heard a lot about you. Ahem! Do you know Gwangju Industrial Corporation? I’m Lee Seonghwan, second son of the Gwangju Industrial family. If you want to stay safe around here, you better not make enemies with my family.”
“Is that so? Then what’s this money for?”
“Military pay’s not enough, right? Use it when you come to Gwangju to blow off steam. If you want to party with girls or rent a room at a nightclub, you’ll need cash. And if you’re short on entertainment expenses, call Gwangju Industrial. My father will reward you handsomely for this matter.”
Kim Cheolsu’s expression twisted.
He hadn’t encountered someone trying to bribe a doctor with money in a long time. It reminded him of the wealthy sons he met back in S company.
Kim Cheolsu chuckled, and thinking he was well hooked, Lee said,
“It seems you and our military doctor get along well. Well then, I’ll take my leave. There seem to be some false rumors going around… please keep this quiet. Nobody wants unnecessary noise.”
After finishing the business, Lee and his group were startled when military policemen suddenly appeared in front of them.
The sudden arrival of the divisional Military Police caught them off guard.
“W-what’s going on here? Military Doctor, wasn’t this supposed to be handled quietly?”
The platoon leader from the divisional Military Police rushed up to Kim Cheolsu and saluted.
“Sir! We came upon receiving your report, Lieutenant Colonel Kim! What should we do with these guys?”
Of course, the answer was already clear.
These rotten drill instructors were unforgivable.
If they were left lying around, they belonged in a cold prison cell.
Kim Cheolsu handed over the checks Lee Seonghwan had given him and spoke coldly.
“Arrest them on charges of assaulting trainees and bribery. A simple reprimand won’t suffice. Transfer them immediately to the Army detention center.”