"Ahh."
Even without a drop of alcohol, he felt drunk.
His heavy shoulders lightened.
His body went languid.
As if today were the last day on earth.
How could the sunset's red glow, usually ignored, be so beautiful?
Not the end of the world, but the end of my military life.
640 days.
Interminably long.
No—long didn't even cover it.
It had been pure hell.
But where there's meeting, there's parting.
Where there's a beginning, there's an end.
Eons had flowed by, drawing this grand saga to its close.
877th Discharge Ceremony Notice
Due to heavy rain advisory tomorrow, the discharge ceremony will be canceled.
Dischargees may exit starting at 07:00.
You remain on active duty until midnight—maintain soldierly conduct until the end.
Was the sky patting his shoulder from above, saying good job?
The ceremony—lacking fun or emotion—was canceled.
These guys... early exit too? For real.
The commander must've been in a good mood yesterday.
"Maintain soldierly conduct to the end? Screw that—maybe file a complaint. They're insane."
That damned military discipline, chain of command, soldierly bullshit—it made him want to puke just hearing it.
"Finally getting out, huh? Finally free. Haha!"
Bipolar much?
Ten seconds ago, he'd smiled at early discharge.
Five seconds ago, he'd raged at the soldierly crap.
And just now, discharge thoughts brought a grin.
Yeah, after 600+ days, going nuts makes sense.
He knew the cure for this madness.
Get out, slam a steaming bowl of seolleongtang, hit the PC bang—cured.
Just thinking about it sent shivers of delight.
He savored pre-discharge leisure, grin unhidden.
After roll call came the discharge event.
Senior assholes got curses and Human Disqualified send-offs, but he'd played nice—using them as bad examples?
Live well out there.
Keep in touch.
Grab a meal sometime.
Solid, nice words—he spent his last day on that note.
Didn't do shit for them.
Ignored screw-ups.
Bought juniors sodas at most.
Guess that's why they say half the battle's just surviving.
Decent military life, then?
Honestly, his service hadn't been easy.
At basic, gaslighting instructors nearly broke him—led to SDT, special forces signup.
Fucking insane. Joined Air Force for easy ride, got spec ops.
Grueling training, brutal seniors no regular could imagine.
Hellish—regretted it endlessly.
"Still, looking back... not great, but not the worst."
He'd gained a real hobby: fitness. TOEIC from zero to 800.
"Something's better than nothing."
Recalling good times, he lay on his bunk.
"Lights out."
Darkness fell.
Felt like yesterday someone said 'your remaining service.'
Time's speed baffled him.
"Sergeant Lee Ji-ho, congrats on discharge!"
"Just call me bro—no sergeant crap. Two months left?"
"Haha, yeah. Soon."
"Soon? That's when it starts. Blew all leave on your girl, huh?"
Norm was saving leave for the end, but boyfriend soldiers splurged.
"She's visiting next week—gotta tough it out."
"Lucky bastard."
Most crashed and burned, but Kim Si-yeop kept his relationship.
Enviable, watching from sidelines.
Out first thing: get a girlfriend.
That's why he'd worked out in service.
Read books to sound smarter in chats.
"Discharged now? Girls'll be easy."
"Thanks, man. Stay safe."
He left 21 months' home lightly, quietly—main gate.
Whoosh!!!
"Rain's pouring."
Explained the advisory.
But two hours early exit? I'll take it smiling.
Gloomy for some; poetic for him.
"On duty till midnight—keep uniforms crisp on the way home. Last time, you can manage. Want warrant officer? Step aside."
Chief warrant at the gate, policing dischargees' dress.
Obsessive—but scarier: hunting slaves to the end.
Not a place for humans. Gotta bounce.
Shook head, flashed discharge papers, passed gate—free world.
Felt MPs' envious stares.
Shoulders rose instinctively.
Keep spinning your wheels, bros. I'm out.
That unsayable thought inside, he hopped a taxi.
"Hwangsung Station, please."
"Got it. Discharged today?"
"Yeah, finally."
Grin snuck up at cabbie's question.
"Tough job, kid. Eat big tonight."
"Till I burst."
Beef basics, seafood sides planned.
"Gotta get you there fast."
Driver whistled like it was his discharge, floored it.
Heavy rain advisory sped-up cabbie drive.
W-wait... is this okay?
National road hit triple digits.
In this weather.
Sensing doom, opened mouth—
Crash happened.
"S-sir..."
Screeech!!!
Instantly, car lost grip, skidded.
No traction on wet road—smashed guardrail, spun, plunged cliff.
Consciousness faded.
Instinct screamed death.
Fuck! Just discharged!!!
Before outrage, pain hit—blackout.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Calculating your life.
Sin (D), Good Deeds (B), Luck (F)
Investigation into your despairingly low 'Luck' underway.
[...]
Mercy granted for your pitiful life: drafted against your will, served 21 months as soldier, died in service despite no crimes.
Pitiful life, huh.
Mind clearing, text appeared.
After army slurs like grunt, barracks rat—pitiful life soothed him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Your second life begins in a better position and situation.
Second life...?
Better position? Chaebol heir first thought.
Wait... reborn means army again?
Worry brief—celebs dodged with breakdowns; chaebols could too.
Yeah, time to live it up.
Satisfied, eyes closed—but no such bliss allowed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Adjusting life for quick adaptation: same occupation continues into next life.
Your final occupation: soldier.
"Fuck? What?"
Fog lifted; voice burst out.
If spoken, he'd grab the throat.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Luck adjustment: start as soldier in better environment.
May you achieve your goals in this second life.
"Ah... no, not soldier."
Before protest, vision blurred—blackout again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Young master, time to rise."
Plush mattress feel.
Birdsong-like woman's voice.
Unfamiliar—waking by non-mom woman—eyes snapped open.
"Where... ugh."
Vast info flooded brain sans warning—headache hit.
Who he was, where, her name—Aurora.
Whole other world.
Fantasy with magitech, emperor, nobles—medieval-ish empire.
Memories merged, clashing hard.
"Hoo."
"A-are you okay?! I'll fetch the physician—"
Grabbed Aurora—house maid—mid-dash.
"Fine, don't worry. Just sat up too fast."
Clutched forehead, faked calm, gulped tea she brought.
Drink helps.
Conflicts sorted fast.
Key: Name Palan Oclo.
Oclo Count's youngest: Palan Oclo.
Far from succession—playboy-ish, enjoyed pleasures.
Terminal-life stereotype noble youngest.
Possession, huh.
Hard to accept unreality, but not dream—he'd died off cliff.
Thought death final; webnovels real, who knew.
Amazed, scanned more info.
Noble house leads massive trading company—loaded.
Chaebol-level by Korean standards.
Jackpot.
Seemed perfect second life.
One hitch.
"Aurora, mind a question?"
"Yes? Just ask—why permission?"
Shot weird look—like since when polite?
Right, noble.
Officers held leave hostage—instilled subservience.
"Haha, yeah?"
"Up late? Look tired. Anyway, ask freely."
"Okay. Do I enlist?"
Per memories, Palan no soldier.
But system said soldier.
Option left: enlistment.
Skippable here—not mandatory like Korea.
Forced draft? Someone'd rage.
Adult men dragged regardless of will—not draft?
"You enlist? Nightmare?"
"Yeah, nightmare. Good, no."
Sighed relief, adapted via new memories.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Two months later.
"Sorry during meal! Urgent news..."
"If urgent, straight to point."
Oclo Count head—second-life dad—Broad Oclo eyed door-burster.
"Aditz Empire just invaded western border!"
Bigger than expected.
War... now?
War.
Familiar word from divided nation—but real was different.
"Tch, happened. Suspected when caravans blocked lately."
Broad scowled, set fork down.
"Off to palace. West's opposite—act normal, no worries."
"Yes, Father."
"Safe travels."
Sister, mom saw dad off.
"War? Cocky Aditz bastards overstepping."
Head gone—eldest Tems, de facto #1, grumbled angry.
"Bro, we won't get drafted...? Scared of battlefield, ugh."
Timid second bro Edmon trembled.
"Unless war goes badly lopsided, no draft. Don't worry."
"Phew, good."
Edmon sighed.
Palan, listening quiet, sighed too.
Saved.
Feared draft— but Tems said no.
"Actually, opportunity. Supply military, catch emperor's eye..."
Money-minded Tems calculated amid war.
House calmed quick.
Post-dinner, back to room—finished novel.
Till dad returned with bombshell next day.
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Read 199 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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