God of Blackfield

Kang Chan put down the radio and moved to the table outside. The three soldiers followed behind him like they were tied by a string, their faces much more serious than before the radio transmission.

“Gather the soldiers,” Kang Chan said.

One of them executed his order. Soon, annoyed, curious, and tense soldiers approached the table. The man whom Kang Chan had hit earlier stood at the front with a bruised nose, eyes, and cheeks. He looked quite displeased.

“We have orders to depart at 07:00 tomorrow and gather at Beeshock. We’ll have breakfast and check our weapons by 06:30.”

The soldiers craned their necks to look at the map, but the moonlight was not bright enough to see anything other than the red lines.

Regardless, they had to get some sleep before the operation tomorrow. Hence, Kang Chan got up and headed to the barracks, making the crowd slowly disperse.

Kang Chan then returned to the radio and took out the documents that the transport officer had left. Going through the pages, he couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. Right behind the page of his special promotion were the personal details of the seventeen recruits.

Who were these personal records supposed to be for?

Looking through them would only allow him to memorize a couple of names at best. When Kang Chan first came to France, he too thought that mercenaries shared some kind of sticky emotional bond that made them willing to die for each other.

However, it was all nonsense. This place was nothing more than a gathering for personal gain. Besides, the training process made it hard to form emotional connections.

If someone didn't pass the course, they were out. Moreover, although it presented many situations that required teamwork, it only ended up making them worry about their colleagues dragging them down.

Kang Chan walked over to the field cot and threw himself onto it. It was best to sleep whenever possible. Otherwise, his concentration would falter just like during those awful two days he had to endure with Enzo,

He could hear faint laughter outside.

You guys go ahead and waste time. I’m going to sleep. Wait, did I forget something…?

Kang Chan suddenly got up to take out the mosquito coil.

***

Waking up just before sunrise, Kang Chan shook his head, got up, and drank some water.

Today’s the day.

He grabbed a water bottle and poured it over his head.

“Phaah! Phaaah!”

Washing up always made him feel so rejuvenated. It was incredible.

After drying off, he brushed his teeth with his fingers until they were squeaky clean. He then tied his hair back with a bandana and put on his beret. Next, he put on his uniform and checked his weapons one by one, strapping them to his body.

No regrets. This is the life I chose.

Click! Clack!

After checking the rifle's magazine one last time, he slung the gun over his shoulder and turned it to his back.

Clomp. Clomp.

The noises his weapons made as he walked felt strangely comforting. It was as if they were saying, “We’re in this together, so take care today too.”

Kang Chan dramatically flung open the tent flap, but the sight that greeted him only made him frown.

Why the hell is it raining in Africa?

The drizzle annoyed him. After all, it had rendered his shower earlier pointless. At the very least though, when the horizon started to brighten, the rain made the coffee aroma feel new again. Kang Chan walked to the central table like a child distracted by the sound of a flute.

“Coffee?”

“Coffee,” Kang Chan replied.

The soldier poured a large cup of coffee for him, then added cream and sugar.

It might not seem like much, but the quantity really affected the taste. Once satisfied with the amount of cream and sugar, Kang Chan sat at the table and drank the sweet coffee.

The morning sun began to rise from the far end of the land, but it couldn’t fully push away the darkness due to the rain. Fortunately, the sound of raindrops gently falling on the tent’s roof and the water trickling down to the ground matched the coffee quite well.

That day, Kang Chan learned that Africa smelled completely different when wet.

Yes, you all need to shower at least once to survive.

While Kang Chan was drinking coffee and looking into the distance, the soldier who had given him the coffee placed a C-ration in front of him.

This guy must have worked as a server in a restaurant or something.

The way he placed the cup and C-ration made it seem as much.

They had no idea what would happen once they had left the ochre-colored African land.

Crunch. Crackle. Snap.

The four ate together. For some reason, they felt as if they had been together for a long time, though it was probably just because of the coffee that the guy had served him.

Crunch. Crackle.

Kang Chan chewed on a biscuit and took a sip of coffee. He hadn’t realized how comforting sweet things could be.

“What’s your name?” the soldier who had served him coffee casually asked.

Kang Chan glanced at the soldier and swallowed the biscuit he had in his mouth. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to exchange names. After all, it would help in situations where they had to get each other’s attention.

It was just a little bit, but Enzo had been special to Kang Chan. Still, not asking for the names of the soldiers they were with would be really foolish.

Just as Kang Chan was about to say his name, the soldier who had given him coffee spoke with deep eyes.

“They told us to follow your lead in the transport plane.”

Maybe this guy went to college but ended up here because his family’s restaurant business went under? Well, it’s also possible he just couldn’t get over a breakup.

“Just call me Capitaine[1],” Kang Chan said.

The two soldiers listening nodded with pursed lips, indicating that it wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’m Maxon. I’m from the US. I went to college for about a year, worked at a bakery for another year, then finally enlisted here.”

Kang Chan smirked.

Got one right!

“I’m James. I’m from the US too. Played American football until high school, then I came here.”

No wonder he looks like a gorilla.

The introductions went around in order.

“I’m Gegen. Was a farmer before I left the US.”

Kang Chan recognized the word "farmer" there.

Since the others had introduced themselves, it was only proper for him to return the favor.

“Kang Chan. Korea.”

The soldiers extended their hands with a big arm swing as if holding something under their arms. Nevertheless, although handshakes still felt unfamiliar, Kang Chan still shook hands with them in turn.

Do Americans always have to shake hands this way, though?

After the brief introductions, the fourteen soldiers who had been inside came out. It was time to depart now. Kang Chan put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

“Hooo.”

Would I be able to return here? Who will remember Enzo once I’m gone?

As he smoked leisurely, the soldiers with rifles hanging from their waists also smoked or looked around, waiting to depart.

Fucking bastards are acting like idiots in the rain!

“We’ll be taking one truck. Whoever can drive, check the truck and fill it with fuel.”

The soldiers looked at each other until two finally clomped off to handle it.

Vroom!

Soon, an engine roar echoed throughout Nudle.

These guys at least had some sense. After driving the truck over to the group, the driver got out and opened a fuel can. The oily smell of fuel and the acrid exhaust smoke from the truck conveyed the scent of civilization in Nudle.

The soldier in the driver’s seat stuck his upper body out of the window. “We’re ready!”

Kang Chan stood up and walked toward the truck. The rest of the men followed him.

Clomp. Clomp.

Even though he had only been here for three days, the higher-ups still decided to put him in charge of the recruits behind him. Hence, he couldn’t help but wish to meet the person who gave him the order to lead these seventeen soldiers to Beeshock.

Getting there shouldn’t be a problem if that was all we had to do.

However, as shown on the map, they had to walk through the mountains instead of just driving to the rally point.

“Sniper.”

“Oui!” came a reply from behind the group.

“Set up your rifle behind the driver’s seat.”

“Oui!”

The soldier moved quickly.

Damn!

They had only fought the rebels once. Seeing the sniper run off as ordered felt like watching a school play about the military. There was more to it—every rifle was loaded, and one slip could end everything in Nudle, just like with Enzo.

Kang Chan looked over the remaining soldiers.

“We can take the truck to the outer road and drive all the way to Beeshock, but I’m sure our superiors have a solid reason to make us walk through the mountains instead.”

The soldiers, their rifles now slung across their chests, listened intently.

“Once we leave, do not ever let your guard down.”

“Fucking hell!” someone cursed, interrupting Kang Chan.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the soldier whom Kang Chan had beaten up yesterday. He still looked dissatisfied.

“If you’ve got something to say, then say it properly.”

“You’re not so different from us, so stop acting so high and mighty! I have two years of military experience! I should be the one leading!”

Kang Chan smirked at him. The soldier’s swollen, bruised face made him look quite hideous. If he had looked like that yesterday, Kang Chan would have definitely killed him. Oddly enough, though, he wasn’t enraged right now. On the contrary, he came to a realization.

It wouldn’t be different from Korea. If he had to deal with this, he’d crush him so thoroughly he wouldn’t dare speak up again.

“If you want to move independently, then go ahead.”

The guy’s expression conveyed perfect contempt. Since were armed with firearms, Kang Chan acknowledged that if anyone went crazy and opened fire, they would end up shooting each other.

“Decide. Will you come with us or move separately?”

“Fucking shit,” the soldier cursed once more before heading to the back of the truck.

“Come back here,” Kang Chan ordered.

Almost as if the world had paused, a moment of silence followed his instruction.

“Are you deaf? I said come back here.”

The guy turned his head to look at Kang Chan, then walked over slowly. Unlike yesterday, he was fully prepared to intercept any attack. This bastard was clearly trying to provoke Kang Chan into another fight to establish dominance before they departed.

Clomp. Clomp.

He stopped just an inch away from Kang Chan and then pushed his head forward.

If I mess this up now, this could come back and bite me in the ass later.

Kang Chan smirked.

Anyone who thinks like that can never win a fight even if they’re as skilled as Bruce Lee. I’ve known this instinctively since birth.

Kang Chan twisted his neck from side to side. “Would you feel better if I went first?”

The surrounding soldiers exchanged glances.

“Yeah. It would make me feel more at ease.”

The guy pushed his head further forward and sneered.

What’s there to drag this out for?

Whish! Thud!

Kang Chan headbutted the soldier, hitting him right on the bridge of his nose.

Fuck! The bastard withstood it! Was I too close?

When his opponent staggered back, Kang Chan lunged and grabbed his head. His opponent immediately covered his face with his elbows.

What made you think I’d knee your face again? You’re obviously already expecting it! If I did that and got caught, we’d end up on the fucking ground.

Crack!

Kang Chan twisted the guy’s neck sharply,

“Aaaargh! Argh!”

The soldier fell backward as he screamed in pain. It seemed he wasn’t much different from the ones Kang Chan had faced in Korea. Well, to be fair, a slight twist of the neck could make anyone collapse and freak out.

Clomp. Clomp.

Kang Chan walked over to his opponent. Just as his opponent looked up, Kang Chan stomped on the back of his neck with his boot heel.

Thud!

Stupid fucking shit! Well, if anything One good thing about the rain—no dust.

He wanted to kick the soldier in the jaw to ensure he would never challenge him again. However, thinking of the road ahead, Kang Chan decided to give him a gentler punishment.

He smirked, amused that he was so full of humanity.

“Load him up.”

As Kang Chan commanded, Maxon and a few soldiers rushed over and lifted the injured soldier into the truck bed.

“It’s about time we head out.”

The soldiers moved more decisively now. After confirming that everyone was aboard, Kang Chan climbed into the truck bed as well.

Clomp. Clomp.

Kang Chan walked over to the sniper with the mounted rifle. He then slapped the roof of the truck twice with his palm.

“Move out!”

Vroom!

Thud! Clank!

Kang Chan and the soldiers swayed with the truck’s vibrations. Meanwhile, the head of the soldier sprawled on the floor bobbed from side to side like it was dancing.

1. Capitaine means Captain in French. ☜