The morning sun heralds a new chapter in Warin's life as his alarm cuts through the silence. A montage of his morning routine unfolds.
…
Waking up, showering, breakfast, a glance at the morning paper, stretching, and brushing his teeth, each action a step closer to his new role.
…
Today marks his transition to the Central, stepping into the shoes of the First Lieutenant of the 99th Division.
Packing his belongings, Warin casts a final, reflective look around his room, memories of the past two years flashing before his eyes.
…
Warin: "Time sure does fly when you're alive..."
Closing the door behind him, he makes his way to the North Department’s main hall, where his friends and Lieutenant Parks await to bid him farewell.
…
Yago: "GOOD MORNING WARIN!”
Bernat: "HEEEYYY GOODMORNING FIRST LIEUTENANT!!!"
Warin: "Good morning, fellas. Morning, Lieutenant Parks."
Lieutenant Parks: "Morning, comrade."
Warin: "Thanks for coming to see me off. But you know I'll visit North HQ often, right?"
Tomor: "Don't be so cold, Warin. It's a big change not having the team together all the time."
Warin: "That's true. Thanks, I really appreciate it, guys."
Yago, Bernat, Valdis, Tomor: "Don't sweat it!"
As they continue to chatter around for a little while, a vehicle’s noise can be heard.
…
Warin: "Seems like my ride's here. See you guys soon!"
Yago: "Bye!! "
Bernat: "Bring some souvenirs if you visit! "
Valdis: "Don’t forget us! "
Tomor: "See ya!"
…
A strong farewell later, Warin walks outside to find the designated driver waiting for him.
Driver: "They sure seem like a handful!"
…
Warin: "More like two hands full..." (smiles)
Warin sets off to the Central, with eyes set out in the light blue sky above him, he leaves with a feeling of melancholy.
…
Upon arriving at the Central, Warin goes through the usual security checks and enters the main hall, where he is greeted by a welcoming face.
Guide Emily: "Welcome, First Lieutenant Radboud! Here is the key to your new room, your official 99th Division badge, and Lieutenant emblem badge."
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Warin: "Thanks!"
Warin's new quarters, room 227, offer a stark contrast to his previous accommodations.
Warin: "Whoa, this is more spacious than the Lieutenant rooms in the North Department…Lieutenant Parks would be jealous!”
…
Warin wanders over to the alluring window that is next to his bed.
Warin: "Oh wow, what a beautiful sight on the King’s Forest from here…”
As Warin is staring out of his window, in awe of the beautiful view, he is woken up from his daydreaming by a knock on his door.
[knock knock]
Warin: “...! Come in! "
The door slowly opens. Revealing the welcoming face from earlier.
…
Guide Emily: "Lieutenant Radboud, I hope you've settled in a bit. Are you ready to meet your division?"
As Warin is reminded that his new role demands a higher work ethic, he contemplates his recent choices.
Warin (thinking): "Oh boy, I've been here for 5 minutes and already regret this promotion."
…
Warin: "Sure, I'm ready. Lead the way!"
Following Emily to Building F, Warin is get’s a small breakdown of the Central’s physical layout.
Guide Emily: "Is it your first visit to the Central, Lieutenant Radboud? "
Warin: "Not really…however, I haven’t visited anything else besides Building A…"
Guide Emily: "I see. Let me give you a short breakdown of what makes the Central so special. "
Warin: "Please! That would be great! "
Guide Emily: "The Central, is the biggest war department of the KOB, hosting 26 buildings, that’s why they are lettered A to Z. "
Warin: "…I knew the Central was big… but 26 buildings is way more than I would have guessed! "
Guide Emily: "Haha, you’re not the first one to say that. "
Warin: "…Also I have a question. Wondering if you know the answer? "
Guide Emily: "Hmm? Ask away, we’ll see if I know my KOB history well, haha... "
Warin: "Is it true that the Central is the center of the world? "
Guide Emily: "I have been told so as well. Furthermore the Center Continent is the center of the world, so by default the 5 war departments are at the center of the world…with the Central being completely set in the middle…"
Warin: "…center of the world... "
As Warin and Emily are walking down a corridor in building F, they are greeted by the raucous sounds of people coming out of a room at the end of the corridor.
Warin (thinking): "I wonder what that noise is? "
Guide Emily: "We’re almost there. "
Warin and Emily arrive at the room where the noise was coming from.
…
Warin, after entering the meeting room, narrowly avoids a flying water bottle.
Warin: "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS???"
In shock Warin is still trying to make something out of this…while he stands at the entrance of the meeting room, he looks at the lively faces already present.
Guide Emily: "These are the selected soldiers for your 99th Division, they are a handful, but I am sure you can manage…"
Warin: "You don’t say…"
Guide Emily: "Well then, I will take my leave. Good luck! "
…
The chaos subsides, and as Emily left, Warin finds himself facing his new team.
…
Warin explains the current situation and who he is. A small introduction to bring some context to his new division members.
…
Warin: "...And that's how it is. From today onwards, I'm your Lieutenant. Looking forward to working with you."
Miro: "Question!!!"
Warin: "Yes, Miro?"
Miro: "Can we call you Warin instead of Lieutenant Radboud?"
Daw: "No, let's call him Lieutenant Monkey instead, hahaha!"
Aki: "Or 'useless man', just like you, Daw."
Daw: "Say that again to my face, you wannabe human!"
Karen: "HAHAHAHAHA!"
Aki: "WANNABE HUMAN??? YOU'RE THE ONE LOOKING LIKE YOU WERE STUCK MID HUMAN EVOLUTION, YOU APE."
…
Warin annoyed at their childish behavior, yells on the top of his lungs, demanding space to conversate his thoughts.
…
Warin: "SILENCEEEEEEEEEEEE! "
…
A silence fills the meeting room.
…
Warin: "…You guys are a real handful. I hope your skill in battle is as good as your banter. If you do your job, I don't care what you call me."
…
Seemingly happy with the terms offered by Warin, the team outs their agreement with it.
Karen, Aki, Miro, Daw: "Deal!"
Warin: "Now go get ready, we already have a small mission to complete. It involves providing security for the transport of a type of new generation ammunition. We have to deliver them to the East Department. "
Miro: " Sweet! I never been to the East Department! "
Karen: " The stories and rumors say it's the most deadly place to be at as a soldier on the battlefield! "
Daw: "eeek--"
Aki: "What's up Ape-man ur trembling like a kitty cat! "
Daw: "…you wish! That's because I am excited! "
Warin (thinking): " I hope this goes well. sigh…"
…
Meanwhile, somewhere else in a random clandestine meeting, two Top Executives report to a mysterious figure.
…
Mysterious Figure: "..Was the bait taken? "
…
Top Executive: "…Yes. "
…
Mysterious Figure: "…Good, standby until further notice."
…
Top Executives: "Understood, Lord."