Passion Translation "Fanfictions"

Vol 1 - Chapter 24: An Unexpected Impression

After a while, it seemed like the members of the European branch had settled into their assigned rooms, and the suspicious noise in the hallway began to die down. Although they shared rooms on the same floor, the supervisors seemed keen to avoid igniting any futile conflicts and had reasonably divided the area: members of this branch were placed near the eastern staircase, while members of the European branch were placed near the western staircase.

Jeong Taeui thought that with separate bathrooms and showers, the chances of clashes between the two sides would be reduced. However, this thought was perhaps a bit naive. Even if they met at the end of the hallway, they could point fingers and yell before charging at each other like beasts.

Someone would need to intervene, but the animosity between the two sides was so deep that it was hard to find anyone willing to step in. Even if the supervisors and officers made an effort to intervene, if a real fight broke out, it would be very difficult to control.

"Just be careful in the fight between whales so that the shrimp's back doesn't burst*..." - Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue and muttered to himself. Perhaps Morer heard him; he glanced at Taeui, nodded vigorously as if in agreement, and returned to his puzzle.

(*When whales fight, the shrimp's back bursts: Implies that in a conflict between powerful parties, the weaker ones suffer the most.)

Taeui chuckled. He was too familiar with the simple nature and cooperation of men on missions to defeat a common enemy. He didn't particularly dislike the atmosphere but rarely got involved in such missions. If he did participate, it was usually in light-hearted events like sports competitions. Therefore, it was understandable that he didn't want to engage in the tense atmosphere now.

Tomorrow, the serious joint training would officially begin, and he was genuinely looking forward to it from the start.

Jeong Taeui recalled his uncle's informal blessing - "You probably won't die" - and scratched his head.

In previous joint training sessions, the highest number of casualties was six. Out of ninety participants, six deaths equate to a 1/15, or about 6.7% chance. Even when rounded up, it's still only around 7%.

It was unpredictable, but would he be among the six or seven unlucky ones? Furthermore, if the highest number of deaths in the past was six, it would likely be fewer this time.

Jeong Taeui patted his gradually heavy stomach and then looked around the room, his eyes stopping at a bookshelf filled to the brim in a corner. Ticnat, who had moved to the South American branch, was known as a bookworm, and indeed, his bookshelf was quite extensive. The portion of the shelf allocated to Ticnat was crammed with books stacked tightly. During his time here, there would certainly be no shortage of reading material.

"...Ah."

At that moment, Jeong Taeui frowned and muttered.

How could he forget? Seeing the books reminded him that he had left the book he borrowed from his uncle in his room. The book was valued at $3500 - although his uncle said it wasn't worth that much, to Jeong Taeui, all the books on his uncle's shelf were worth $3500.

He had forgotten the book on the desk last night. Despite many other books, that book was the most valuable in the room, and since it wasn't his, the responsibility was even greater.

"Damn... I have to go get it back."

Jeong Taeui scratched his head and shook it.

Last night, after reading, he had left the book on the desk and forgot to take it. Although there were many other books, that book was the most valuable in Jeong Taeui's room and wasn't his, so the responsibility for its safekeeping was even heavier.