章 93: challenge
Do temporary squad leaders have any privileges? Yes, they do! For example, during meals, Jake gets an extra bowl of meat soup and an extra steamed bun compared to others. When resting and sleeping, Jake has a separate tent while other team members have to squeeze into a large tent, sleeping together on a common bed. Also, during training, Jake can supervise the members of his own squad, allowing him some relaxation without continuous training.
In short, although it's just a temporary squad leader, there are still some differences compared to regular soldiers. Perhaps this is intentionally arranged by higher-ranking officers to encourage soldiers to train seriously, be courageous in battle, and only through such dedication can they improve their position and enjoy privileges different from others.
Jake is not particularly concerned about other aspects; what he cares about most is having a separate tent to sleep at night. When he is in this world, he disappears during the night and returns to the real world. If he were to live with others, his sudden disappearance could easily be noticed, which would be troublesome and could even lead to trouble. On the other hand, living alone would reduce the risk of being discovered, although the possibility of being found out still existed, it was much lower.
After knowing about this privilege of the squad leader, Jake set his sights on becoming the squad leader. The training proceeded as scheduled, and for Jake, who had undergone military training in college, the training here was not unfamiliar, just more intense. However, the intensity was not too extreme since they were only miscellaneous soldiers responsible for logistics and other tasks and not meant to be sent to the front lines like professional soldiers, so the training intensity couldn't be compared to that of professional soldiers.
However, Jake noticed that Eli seemed to be very serious or, rather, strict in his approach. Compared to other squads, the training intensity in their third squad was significantly higher. Jake even suspected that Eli was training them as if they were professional soldiers.
High-intensity training naturally made the soldiers more exhausted. With other squads as a reference, many in the third squad began to complain, feeling that Eli's training was too intense. They were just serving temporary military service and not regular soldiers, so there was no need for such intense training.
In response to these complaints, Eli had only one response: "If you are dissatisfied with your training, you can apply to transfer to another squad." However, Jake knew that this was impossible. Once they were assigned to the third squad, unless under special circumstances, they couldn't transfer to another squad until their military service was over. This was a military camp, not a place where one could do whatever they wanted.
"I want to challenge you!" During a break in training, the burly man in Jake's squad approached him and requested a challenge. Private fights were prohibited in the military camp, but challenges like this one for sparring purposes were not only allowed but also encouraged. The higher-ranking officers believed that this could inspire the soldiers' fighting spirit and maintain their courage.
Clearly, this burly man still harbored some resentment towards Jake being appointed as the temporary squad leader. Even though Eli had already said that after the training period, the squad leader positions would be officially reappointed, the burly man still felt that accepting someone like Jake, who was inferior to him, as their leader, was embarrassing. He wanted to defeat Jake, and not just that, he wanted to defeat Jake publicly, letting others know that he was the most qualified person to be the squad leader.
If this had happened before, Jake might have paid no attention to the challenge. He might have even voluntarily given up the position of temporary squad leader to avoid trouble.
However, after learning about the privilege of having a separate tent as the squad leader, Jake had changed his mind. He was not going to give up this position of squad leader.
In order to make his subordinates believe in him and establish his authority within the squad, and to prevent others from coveting his position, Jake had to accept the challenge from the big man.
"Alright," Jake nodded, "Not just you, but anyone who has any issues with me being the temporary squad leader can speak up now and challenge me. I accept all challenges. However, after this challenge is over, if I win, all of you must obey my orders without any more doubts about my position as the squad leader. Understood?"
Jake directed his words to the remaining team members as well. He knew that being the temporary squad leader, not only the big man but others might also have doubts or objections about him. After all, he appeared somewhat slim and weak, and people tend to judge one's strength based on appearances. So, having some skepticism was only natural.
"Humph, I don't need anyone else, I can defeat you on my own!" the burly man declared.
"That's not for you to decide," Jake replied calmly, "Anyway, I've given you all the opportunity, and this is the only chance. Whether you want to challenge or not is entirely up to you. However, after today, I don't want anyone to doubt my position as the squad leader. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Enough talking. I don't care what others think, I'll go first!" The big man shook his arm and fixed his gaze on Jake.
"Alright." Jake stood up, discarded his long sword, and stretched his muscles, saying nonchalantly.
The duel between the two also attracted the attention of many people, including Eli and the other squad leaders he brought.
"Boss, it seems like someone isn't happy with your appointment," one of the squad leaders remarked with a playful smile. They were seasoned veterans, and such challenges were not uncommon in the military camp.
"Overestimating himself," Eli glanced at Jake and the big man, saying casually.
"Boss, it looks like you have a lot of confidence in that young man. But from what I see, apart from having slightly better equipment, there's nothing special about him. His physique seems a bit thin. Why are you so confident in him?" Another squad leader asked curiously.
"Just wait and see. That big man is no match for him," Eli said.
"Boss, why are you so sure?"
"Instinct," Eli said nonchalantly.
"Instinct? Boss, when did you start believing in such intangible things? Didn't you say that marching and fighting should never rely on instincts?"
Eli glanced at Jake and calmly replied, "This time is different."
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット