Chapter 61.2

Chapter 61.2

Time flew by.

Seoryeong returned after completing the mountain march during the ninth week of training.

They had moved from the training camp near the beach to tackle a rigorous schedule through Deogyusan, Minjujisan, Yeongdong, Songnisan, Mundeoksan, Baekhwasan, Gongdeoksan, and Danyang.

Their combat boots often developed holes, and they frequently stumbled into ditches as their legs gave out, but they all returned safely without a single dropout.

Instructor Lee Wooshin constantly emphasized, “A mercenary must excel at walking continuously so they can run well in emergencies.” Seoryeong inwardly resisted every time he said this.

How often in life will I need to run away? Oh, right…! If I ever have to run after knocking out that bastard, I better learn well now.

With such rebellious thoughts, she pouted her lips at whatever he said.

They walked all day in places without any traces of paths and had to climb increasingly rugged cliffs. As the course grew tougher, their feet swelled and blistered, making it difficult to walk.

During these times, Lee Wooshin would come to her during their overnight camps and personally pop the blisters on her feet. His unfeeling hands pricked without mercy, but the careful grip on her ankle felt familiar.

That absurd thought jolted Seoryeong awake. She kicked his solid chest like an agitated horse.

It was unsettling and nerve-wracking that the only way to gauge her husband’s behavior was becoming blurred in this manner.

What was Lee Wooshin’s reaction then? She only remembered the sudden sharp pain spreading through the foot he held.

Whether it was the needle or something else, she couldn’t be sure in her drowsiness, but the damp heat against her skin was vivid.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Finally, the cadets took a breathrer from the intense training as they returned from the march.

“Blast Agency’s basic training program officially ends today. You will now be assigned to various teams within Blast Agency, both domestically and internationally. You’ve all worked hard to get here.”

They endured those excruciatingly long two months just to hear this one sentence.

An indescribable sense of accomplishment began to spread like wildfire across the faces of the near-exhausted team as they gathered at the bottom of the mountain.

“It’s over! Finally, we can take off these damned clothes and get out of here!”

As a deep sense of victory welled up from within, a definite color returned to Seoryeong’s dry face.

She felt ready, like a freshly loaded gun. Despite the painful time, she had significantly improved in terms of stamina, skill, knowledge, and combat ability. She was a far cry from when she first stepped into this company as a housekeeper.

Just then, Dong Ji-woo, standing beside her, muttered as if pouring cold water over her enthusiasm.

“But it’s the 9th week.”

“What about it?”

“Our training. I thought the 10th week was the last one…”

“……”

“That leaves us with one more week.”

Before he finished speaking, Lee Woo-shin’s deep voice reached their ears.

“I believe I mentioned during orientation that cadets who complete the basic training will have the opportunity to join the Special Security Team through a final test.”

An unspoken commotion swept through the cadets. They seemed to realize what awaited them in the last week.

“It’s simple. From now on, you need to capture the instructors.”

“….!”

“But there are only two instructors who will go into the mountains with you. Whoever captures the instructor first will be the newest member of the Special Security Team.”

At that moment, Lee Wooshin’s eyes met Seoryeong’s as if on cue. He smiled confidently and pointed to his chest, indicating that he was the target.

“Oh—and how do you plan to catch me?”

He clasped his hands behind his neck and gave a provocative smirk. Seoryeong clenched her fists silently at his challenging demeanor.

“The instructors have no intention of getting caught.”

Why did those words turn her stomach so much? All her bravado against Lee Wooshin suddenly felt pointless. She was projecting her trauma onto him.

No intention of getting caught….

Her angry, hungry gaze fixed on the man who was smiling leisurely. A snowstorm was approaching.