50 Team Whisky (1/2)

”It's not so bad. I can endure this much. Though it hurts every time I breathe.”

Kijo sat on the bed and said. For the time being, Kijo had been hospitalized for a penetrating wound. He would have died had the arrow landed a little closer to his heart.

Kijo seemed much more mature after experiencing a near-death experience. Han left the hospital ward. There had been a lot of second years hospitalized. Unfortunately, many of the hospitalised youths had no hope of recovering.

Han and Canute visited their injured peers from time to time after stopping by Kijo's room. He walked toward the psychiatric ward.

Creak.

Squad 7, Kato Souki, appeared from within the mental recovery ward. He had lost half of the members from Squad 7.

Squad leader Kato Souki had a severe case of neurosis as a result of the brutal battles. He had just witnessed numerous members of his squad die as a result of his commands. He was having trouble coping mentally.

”Kato.”

Han spoke first. Kato looked to Han with tired eyes.

”Han, I really dislike you, but I'm glad to see you safe like this. As you've said, I don't have the strength to kill nor see someone be killed in front of me.”

Kato's tone of voice seemed indifferent. He was emotionally depressed. Han could see Kato's condition was extremely dangerous.

”You will get better. Kato, stay strong.”

Han couldn't think of any words to say other than this. He was not a psychiatrist. He didn't know much about that subject.

The trivial rivalry between the squads had become meaningless. They were all youths of Ark. They had seen for themselves, their one true enemy. They were merciless and cruel beings from another world.

Han's commanding skills were excellent. This had been acknowledged by the drill instructors and students.

'However, I must become stronger. If I had been stronger then….'

Han had never had a problem winning in the battles he had fought while in Ark. They had always battled with those of similar strengths.

Han could win in close combat as long as they were of similar strengths. If he had lost, it was by a small margin, and most of the time it was due to a mistake from his team that had thrown off the flow of the battle.

The second years of Ark were in a lull. Their training and lectures were put on hold. Han returned to his dorms to lay down in bed. Everyone had shut themselves in their own rooms.

”Hey! Our Hero! If it isn't Squad Leader Han.”

Jose said with an exaggerated tone. Han chuckled. Han had a will as strong as steel, while Jose's passion was as hot as fire. The two were used to coping with sadness.

”How are the squad members doing?”

Han asked Jose.

”Not too bad. Though, they may seem a bit cold… Squad 13 only lost two members and everyone else survived. Our situation is a lot better than many other squads. Rather, it seems their murderous killing intent has risen exponentially. They say sadness and happiness are all relative, right?”

Jose examined Han's condition. He had been worried about Han more than anyone.

'Han's sense of responsibility is heavy. It's highly likely that the missing two members of Squad 13 were dead. It would be troublesome if he felt like they had died because of himself.'

Jose's worries were groundless. Han mourned for the two missing squad members, but he didn't let that completely occupy his mind. He was already experienced in dealing with such situations from his time in Korea.

”The dead have died, and the living must live on. If we spend a day praying for those who died, then that would mean that someone would starve to death the next day.”

Han had experiences that others in Ark had not. These experiences could not be forcefully learned through artificial training drills. The chances of someone surviving through such circumstances were slim.

'Now I feel embarrassed for worrying about him.'

Jose scratched his head after hearing Han's answer. It was hard to believe that he had such control of his emotions although they were the same age.

”I've never been to Korea, but I know that it's a very difficult place to live. I didn't have as tough a time like you, but my family wasn't on the wealthy side either. I lived in the Barcelona slums and our house was nearly falling apart. My mother and father, although poor, loved alcohol and had continued to produce children one after another. I had four siblings. I got news that a new baby was born not too long ago, and so I have five siblings now. It should be obvious why I came here, right?”

Han nodded. He was in a similar situation himself. Lots of poverty stricken children had come to Ark for similar reasons.

”It's similar to my case as well. Though you're already aware.”

Han had never spoken out loud, but Jose had been by his side for a long time and could conclude as such. From time to time Han would go off by himself to read his mail, and would take out a hologram photo of not his family, but a photo of a group of children.

”After the war ends, let me invite you to my home. Though, I'm not sure if Spanish cuisines would be to your liking.”

”I'm not picky with my food, so you don't need to worry.”

Han and Jose passed the time talking about this and that. The topics were never ending. They were both from different countries and cultures. This alone had an endless amount of topics to cover.

Someone barged in without knocking. There was no one in Squad 13 who would behave like that. Han narrowed his eyes. The person who had let himself in wasn't the most pleasing guest.

”S,Silence?”

Jose was more surprised. Silence had barged in while dressed in a full black battle suit. It seemed like he kept the skull mask on for 24 hours a day.