Chapter 76

Since ancient times, it has been said that summer is hot, and no matter how much one complains about the heat, it won’t change. Even though we’ve reached mid-September, the weather remains around 30 degrees Celsius, making it hard to regain composure. I had expected the late rainy season would cool things down, but what descended was a scorching heatwave.

If the weather suddenly changes, I should prepare for it getting colder. Despite the heat and having entered the Limit of Heat, this could be called a hot autumn rather than summer. However, there is a moment when such hot weather is welcomed—when going to the beach.

“The weather is nice.”

Seeing the scorching sun and waves breaking on the shore, I first thought, “I’m here again this year.”

“Let’s go. The accommodation is that way.”

The accommodation wasn’t far from where we got off the bus. Built by Spacystro, this facility is used by various units depending on the season and is also used by Spacystro team members operating in this region. It is generally public, so it’s most commonly used by units from other regions for training.

“Let’s move.”

Following Luche’s words, my teammates and I pulled our suitcases and headed to the accommodation. Living near the sea like this must be wonderful, but realizing the inconveniences, I quickly gave up on the idea.

Summer combat training. Among the few trainings hosted by Spacystro since coming to Earth, this one is conducted by team to evaluate each team’s combat capabilities.

“What about the previous team?”

“They went ahead to the accommodation.”

Four teams from the Seoul headquarters, each consisting of around 30 people, moved by bus. We were the third to arrive, and soon the fourth team will be here too. With four teams, totaling nearly 120 people, conducting training all at once is unprecedented. Honestly, I’m not sure how it will go.

The accommodation can house more than 120 people comfortably. The scale is impressive, almost unbelievable if you knew Spacystro runs lodging businesses in this area.

Located on the West Sea, this place connects three islands with bridges, making travel between land and island very convenient. Inside the islands, there are secluded spots suitable for training, and the training grounds are private property, preventing outsiders from entering.

Our team came for this summer training, changed into swimsuits, and quickly headed to the sea.

“How excited can grown men be about coming to the sea?”

Luche, wearing a thin windbreaker over her swimsuit, was watching the subordinates playing under the parasol, while I set up a parasol and lounge chair for her to rest.

“All set. Ready now.”

With the setup complete, Luche lay down on the lounge chair with a content look.

“Thank you.”

“It’s not an order but a request, so I’m happy to do it.”

Sitting on the floor next to Luche who was lying on the lounge chair, I watched my colleagues who were excited to be at the sea. Fortunately, it was a weekday, so no one was around, and we could play with black masks on our faces without being noticed.

“Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“Yes, but what can we do? Our positions differ from those of the higher-ups.”

Team leaders expose their faces publicly. They don’t hide themselves, but regular soldiers sometimes need to perform covert missions or surveillance, requiring them to wear masks or helmets for protection during operations.

“Don’t you want to play?”

“When did I become so active?”

As I said, I am not particularly active. I prefer resting at home and indoor activities. Not that I dislike outdoor activities; it just doesn’t suit me. This seems to be the perfect description.

Compared to the trip to Gangneung, this weather is ideal for fun, but I actually preferred the Gangneung trip more. Since it was meant for relaxation, I fully enjoyed it, and the children I brought along were happy too.

“That makes sense.”

“Already setting up your spot?”

Turning at the voice behind me, I saw 1st Team Leader Esmeralda standing in a revealing bikini.

“Good day, Team Leader Esmeralda.”

“Even here, don’t salute so formally.”

She gestured for me to sit, and feeling awkward, I sat back down. Behind her, members of 1st Team ran over. Unlike our team, hers included women, though they all wore black masks.

“But isn’t it suspicious for 120 people to wear masks together?”

Even with just two teams combined, the sight of masked people in swimsuits didn’t quite fit the beach scenery.

“Masking is only to prevent personal information leaks. Even if we meet the Earth Defense Union here, there will be no fighting.”

“That’s true.”

Battles occur only on predetermined dates, times, and locations. Any preemptive attack outside these conditions is considered a rule violation, resulting in a loss regardless of the outcome.

Esmeralda laid out a picnic mat under the parasol, and noticing my hesitation, she asked me to help. Looking at the seated Esmeralda, Luche glanced over.

“What do you think about this training?”

“I hope so. I have high expectations for Team 3.”

Though we haven’t achieved any results, our team’s training performance has consistently been good. Esmeralda knows this well, and flipping her platinum blonde hair, she looked at Luche.

“Not just that, overall progress.”

“We’ve already discussed everything. Details can be confirmed tomorrow.”

Spacystro combat training involves a 2-night, 3-day schedule, with the second day being the main training period. The first day is designated for movement, rest, and confirming training items, but given the experienced personnel from the Seoul branch, the preparation process is highly efficient, ensuring ample rest on the first day.

“Our team has many members missing due to field control. Including A.”

Hearing my name, I felt a start. I don’t think I was called because they expect something from me; it’s probably just because I was nearby.

“Still, Team 3 always performs well.”

“That’s not my team.”

“But I’m the overall team leader.”

Esmeralda is in charge of overall command for this team-by-team training. Experienced soldiers are deployed for field control, so I must follow Esmeralda’s orders during this training.

“Is this A’s first time controlling the field?”

“No, I’ve done various tasks, but directing is new.”

“Thinking about it, you’ve done a lot. You were an infantry soldier, and when in space, you were a duty officer and maintenance worker.”

“Duty was handled by others during my breaks, but my core role was always as a maintenance worker.”

Despite Esmeralda’s usually intimidating presence, in this relaxed atmosphere, her demeanor lightened, making conversation easier.

“That’s right. You were a maintenance worker for a long time.”

Looking at Luche as Esmeralda mentioned maintenance work, Luche caught my gaze and turned her eyes to the sea.

“Hello.”

Approaching us, Angelique, wearing a revealing one-piece swimsuit, greeted us with her long silver hair tied up. Her sudden approach surprised me.

“Hello.”

As I greeted her, Seira appeared behind Angelique. Since we were at the beach, Seira stood out among numerous team members and officers who were in swimwear.

“What are you doing? Gathering like this.”

“Just chatting. A is just sitting quietly.”

Luche replied appropriately, and when I whispered “Just hanging around,” Angelique smiled at me.

Seira and Angelique then sat on the picnic mat laid by Esmeralda. Initially, we planned to relax and watch the sea, but soon, team leaders gathered.

Noticing my intention to leave, my teammates whispered among themselves, likely saying something like, “We’ll never go that way,” or “What’s he thinking, sitting with the team leaders?”

I’m not sitting with the team leaders because I want to; it’s just that they gathered while I was resting.

“Team 4 is really late.”

“There was a wrong turn halfway.”

While pondering when to leave the conversation among team leaders, my teammates from afar waved at us.

“Luche! Don’t just sit there, let’s move!”

Watching the team members waving, Luche smiled reluctantly and stood up.

“Do you want to stay here?”

When Luche asked the other team leaders, Esmeralda and Angelique waved their hands, and Seira stood up too.

“We need to supervise our team before they cause trouble.”

Even experienced soldiers revert to childlike behavior when playing. To properly supervise as a team leader, Seira followed Luche toward the beach.

Finally, only I, Esmeralda, and Angelique remained under the large parasol. As the highest-ranking members from the Seoul branch, someone might feel uncomfortable, but I was relieved just seeing Luche and Seira weren’t around.

Perhaps because both were former supervisors, I didn’t feel awkward in their presence.

“Still not moving much, A?”

“People say change comes when you die.”

“But you’ve changed a lot compared to before. Is it because you’re close to death?”

Even in the past, when deployed to vacation spots, I wasn’t particularly fond of being active. Responding with a smile to Angelique’s comment, Esmeralda made a joke, eliciting a slight laugh.

“By the way, they’re applying sunscreen, right?”

Angelique remarked, watching Luche and Seira play in the water. I applied sunscreen before leaving, as chosen by Yubin.

“They didn’t seem to. Did you apply, Angelique?”

Noticing Angelique’s skin didn’t show signs of sunscreen, Esmeralda asked. Angelique shook her head and took out sunscreen from a small bag.

“Now it’s time to apply. But my back…”

Her back, exposed in a circle, was unreachable for sunscreen application.

Both sets of eyes turned to me.

“Yes?”

Instinctively sensing something, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Can I ask a favor?”

Angelique handed me the sunscreen and lay face-down on the mat. Applying sunscreen wasn’t difficult, so I squeezed some onto my palm.

“Interesting swimsuit. It’s a one-piece but exposes the sides and back.”

“Isn’t it pretty?”

Feeling the cold touch of sunscreen on Angelique’s exposed back, I noticed her shiver slightly.

“It’s pretty, but… how should I describe it? It feels more revealing than Esmeralda’s swimsuit.”

Esmeralda, who had been silently observing, narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

“What? Were you looking at your superior with those eyes?”

“Not exactly, it’s just my impression. Esmeralda’s swimsuit is beautiful too.”

As I spoke lightly about my impression while applying sunscreen to Angelique’s back, Esmeralda smiled and lay down.

“I have a request too.”

“Sure.”

Reluctantly responding, I decided to apply sunscreen since there was no reason not to.

Unlike Angelique’s swimsuit, Esmeralda’s two-piece bikini made applying sunscreen much easier. I spread sunscreen across their backs with both hands, taking a considerable amount of time to ensure thorough coverage.

“They’re having fun.”

My gaze shifted to the playful Luche and Seira. Though not particularly active, I watched the lively team members and team leaders curiously. Luche caught my eye and smiled.

“Coming over?”

“Of course.”

Luche, who had been playing, emerged from the water and rushed over. Feeling it was enough, I stopped applying sunscreen to the team leaders.

“A!”

“Yes?”

Approaching with a loud call, Luche stopped in the shade under the parasol. She glanced at the still-laying Esmeralda and Angelique, and the team leaders smiled at her. Confused, I observed the situation and decided it was time to leave.

“I’ll go buy drinks.”

I walked towards the supermarket located above the beach and was joined by Luche walking beside me.

“? Going to buy drinks?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, nothing like that.”

At the supermarket, we met other team members and team leaders who decided to buy drinks. We filled a cart and headed to the checkout counter.

Beep, beep. The sound of barcodes being scanned echoed. Despite it being a weekday, there weren’t many people due to the summer season.

“Expect a crowd on weekends.”

Suddenly, I thought of the HunterKiller members on vacation. Watching them resolve conflicts peacefully, I felt at ease. Of course, I didn’t witness it directly, but I received confirmation that all members were on vacation.

“HunterKiller?”

“Spacystro?!”

That’s what I thought.

This place connects three islands via bridges, allowing smooth transportation from the mainland. When told about the travel destination, I confirmed it was another island, and even if it was the same island, it seemed unlikely we’d meet in such a vast area.

But why? I thought I had thoroughly checked. How did I end up meeting HunterKiller members, who were on vacation, at the supermarket?