March Novel (Completed) - Chapter 20

“That… who was it? That punk who stuck to Gi Taejeong like goldfish poop.”

“Are you referring to Lieutenant Park Yeonjung, sir?”

“Yeah. I ran into that bastard at the Ministry of National Defense earlier. Gi Taejeong is holed up in his official residence, and that guy is wandering around alone?”

Lieutenant Kim knew the man’s name was indeed Park Yeonjung, and had even exchanged a brief conversation with him when they met. Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant had also witnessed the scene right beside him. He knew everything, yet he called him so carelessly. As if his presence was too faint to notice, and thus, there was no need to treat him with importance.

‘Where did you sell off Gi Taejeong to go wandering around alone?’

‘Are you asking because you don’t know that Brigadier General needs a period of rest?’

‘Oh, really? What’s with your tone? Your words are very short, aren’t they?’

‘That’s what I want to say. I’m speaking respectfully because you’re almost twice my age, but how about you, Lieutenant Kim, show some courtesy among officers of the same rank? Acting childish at your age makes you look pathetic.’

‘What? Lieutenant Kim? Did you just say Lieutenant Kim?’

‘Yes. Is that incorrect? I’m Lieutenant Park, and Lieutenant Kim is Lieutenant Kim.’

‘This bastard, really…!’

‘Still, since we’re both lieutenants, I’ll give you one piece of advice. Please remember that rank insignia aren’t just for show. What excuse will you give your elders if you get disciplined for carelessly using the Brigadier General’s name?’

Lieutenant Kim recalled his encounter with Lieutenant Park at the Ministry of National Defense building moments ago, and his bulging spleen trembled.

Lieutenant Kim was Army, and Gi Taejeong and his hangers-on were Air Force. It was an era where seizing control of the sky was crucial, whether in localized skirmishes or large-scale wars. Moreover, the Air Force could partially perform Army roles during operations, so in terms of importance, the Air Force was clearly superior. It was said that in the past, the Minister of National Defense was always a graduate of the Korea Military Academy, but that era felt so distant it was hard to even call it a past glory. Regardless, according to the logic of the power games within the military, Lieutenant Kim, regardless of his age, was in a situation where it was difficult to even speak to Lieutenant Park.

However, Lieutenant Kim believed his position was far superior to guys like Gi Taejeong or Park Yeonjung. No, it wasn’t just a belief; it was a fact. Just because they wore the same rank insignia didn’t mean their origins and status were the same.

Of course, without his family’s help, Lieutenant Kim wouldn’t even have been able to enter the military academy, but in this day and age, what’s more important than having powerful connections? Although Lieutenant Kim had no military achievements since his commission… that was because he was assigned to the Army. He was confident that if he had gone into the Air Force, or even the Navy, he would have soared as much as Gi Taejeong.

“Does that make sense? Gi Taejeong was picked up to do that kind of work. The military has fed and housed him all this time just to sacrifice his body instead of modern weapons and turn everything into scorched earth. He shouldn’t be laid up sick just because he messed up one tiny little principality.”

Even with the rolled-up joint still in his mouth, Lieutenant Kim busily moved his hands. When you’re high, you shouldn’t lose your momentum.

“However, it seems true that Brigadier General Gi Taejeong is at the official residence. He’s diligently submitting GPS reports, and we’ve also confirmed records of military doctors entering and exiting several times.”

“Don’t be sure of anything until we secure a hologram. How troublesome that bastard Gi Taejeong is. Oh, right, so why did Lieutenant Park come to the Ministry of National Defense?”

“Ostensibly, he reported that he visited to submit documents on behalf of Brigadier General Gi Taejeong, but…”

“But?”

“After wiretapping his secretary, it seems they briefly discussed the ‘Harvest’ project. They clearly heard the words ‘formal’ and ‘protest,’ so Brigadier General Gi Taejeong’s seclusion also appears to be a move to prepare for public opinion.”

“Ha, sh*t.”

Spitting phlegm as if his appetite was ruined, Lieutenant Kim took the old voice recorder. Though an outdated relic, it was perfect for exchanging wiretapped records as it was less prone to leaks than modern devices with advanced radio equipment.

“This is the first time Brigadier General Gi Taejeong’s man has officially mentioned ‘Harvest.’ It seems they might have realized that the House in District 4… that is, the drug, is almost complete.”

“Those bastards are idiots for only realizing it now. Other guys have already come to test the waters.”

Gi Taejeong ultimately can’t beat me. Patting his bulging belly, Lieutenant Kim put a newly rolled joint of marijuana into his mouth. Compared to what he usually touched, the effect was as mild as a cigarette, but it was better to be high on something than to be starving.

“Khaha… No matter what I think about it, shouldn’t soldiers be allowed some drugs? How can people who dedicate their lives to the country achieve great things if they don’t even have this much fun?”

There was no drug that didn’t exist in the military. From antidotes to save people poisoned or drugged during intelligence operations, to excellent supplements that boost one’s condition to the peak, everything was available. Of course, they weren’t dispensed to just anyone at any time, but Lieutenant Kim didn’t consider himself “just anyone.”

At least one-tenth of the military’s boasted cutting-edge medical facilities had been cultivated by his family. There was no money without reason in the world, and if you invested, you should rightfully get something back. If it weren’t for the foundation laid by his family’s donations, could guys like Gi Taejeong have achieved such remarkable feats? Therefore, Lieutenant Kim, who had barely attained his rank through connections and money, felt he deserved a little more privilege. Wasn’t it an egalitarian capitalist society? It was only natural for those who spent money to be treated accordingly.

“Huh? Right, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right, sir.”

Lieutenant Kim, suffering from withdrawal symptoms, was utterly ferocious. But did he behave well when he was high? That wasn’t it either. He liked to boast but actually had low self-esteem, and above all, he was consumed by an inferiority complex towards Gi Taejeong, so every time he took drugs, he acted even more violently to hide his complex. The fortunate thing was that after a few hits, he would quickly pass out. So, until then, his adjutant just had to endure and play along. Having learned his lesson after a few painful experiences, Lieutenant Kim’s adjutant nodded with a Buddha-like expression.

“Damn it. This isn’t even enough to touch the sides.”

After one hit, he only craved the other tastes he already knew even more. Something stronger. Something more fantastical…

“Lee Sehwa makes drugs splendidly, but…”

The comrade who introduced him to Lee Sehwa was now dead.

Soldiers and some members of the upper class were granted the right to use ‘ports’. Boarding a port that had pushed maglev technology to its limits, one could arrive in another district in less than 5 minutes. While commoners suffered terribly submitting IDs and various documents and undergoing inspections, they could cross districts as if taking a stroll in their front yard. For people with shady hobbies like Lieutenant Kim, port usage rights were nothing short of a blessing.

The most primal pleasures were found in the red-light districts of District 1 or 2, but after reaching the rank of lieutenant, he hesitated to go below District 4. Lieutenant Kim rarely bowed his head to anyone in the unit, but he was mindful of his family elders. So he nudged a drug-smelling comrade in the unit and was introduced to a place in District 4 that was good for getting goods. It was an illegal house that dealt in everything: gambling, prostitution, drugs… The distributor, who was said to have many customers who sought him out, was Lee Sehwa.

His face was so pretty that when Lieutenant Kim first saw Lee Sehwa, he was momentarily entranced. But that was only for a moment; he quickly composed himself. This was the guy who, despite his looks, was rumored to be better at drug dealing than at anything else, and it was said that March Boy in District 4 was the real deal. He felt like he’d get into big trouble if he messed with him carelessly.

And Lieutenant Kim’s judgment, having spent half his life in a drug den, was accurate. Lee Sehwa was a terrifying person. It was different from what one would generally call terrifying, but… anyway, he was indeed someone who could bewitch a person.

‘The first and last Christmas present I ever received was a children’s book called Monkey’s Flower Shoes (by the late Jeong Hwi-chang, Hyoriwon Publishing). A customer said it was a gift for a child, but they left it behind, so it became mine. I knew it wasn’t originally for me, but… I remember reading it so much that the book wore out.’

Lieutenant Kim was excitedly waiting for Lee Sehwa to mix something new into his LSD, when Lee Sehwa suddenly started an unexpected story. He wasn’t rough around the edges, but he never proactively acted like a sycophant, so Lieutenant Kim secretly felt proud, thinking the guy had recognized him as a regular. After all, Christmas was just a few days away, and it was snowing outside today. It was a good time to set the mood. Something soft and ticklish.