Chapter 8
On Christmas Eve Songtan was heading to Chungju for his enrollment at the Central Police Academy. He was in his father's car; his father had taken a special leave. Song Bonggu glanced. Carols echoed from every street corner. Songtan was heading to Chungju for his enrollment at the Central Police Academy. He was in his father's car, who had taken a special leave.
Song Bonggu glanced sideways and asked cautiously.
Aren't you nervous?
Songtan, who had been staring blankly out the window, shrugged his shoulders.
What's there to be nervous about? It'll be similar to military life anyway.
After passing the Police Exam, he immediately enlisted in the military, and it was only after two years that he was able to enroll in the Central Police Academy. Becoming a Police Officer and completing military service were separate matters.
For Songtan, there was no downside. Once he passed the exam, there was no rush, and regular military life was optimal for building his body.
So, he deliberately volunteered for the front lines in Gangwon Province. After all, a place with clean air was much more advantageous for practicing Internal Cultivation Method. Thanks to this, he was able to accumulate even a tiny bit of internal energy during his military service.
His skeletal body gained muscle, and he grew a little taller in the interim, now falling within the range of a normal person. Even so, he couldn't completely shake off the feeling of being slender.
Actually, I'm more nervous than you are.
Song Bonggu picked up a water bottle, though he wasn't thirsty, then put it back down. The dream of becoming a Police Officer, which he had never dared to pursue due to his physical disability. An indescribable emotion welled up within him, thinking that his son, more precious than his own life, had achieved it.
You're the youngest successful candidate, even catching a Snatcher. Won't you get more attention?
Songtan scratched his head with an awkward expression.
You're not still bragging about it all over town, are you? What are you talking about? I'll be doing it for another ten years!
Indeed, as soon as the article about him being the youngest Police Officer (rank) to pass that year was published, Song Bonggu bragged about his son to everyone he met, even though it was a local newspaper article that hardly anyone read.
I've told you several times, he just tripped over his own feet by luck and fell. But you caught him, didn't you?
Songtan shook his head from side to side.
He knew well that whatever he said would be useless anyway.
In fact, around the time he took the Police Exam, Songtan had an encounter with a pickpocket on the Subway. A man stealthily taking a wallet from a woman's handbag happened to catch Songtan's eye, and as an aspiring police officer, he couldn't just stand by, so he subtly tripped the man. When the woman's wallet popped out of the man's pocket, the crime was exposed.
He had intended to slip away quietly, but the woman who had been pickpocketed happened to be a local newspaper reporter. Thanks to that, he had to pay a rather harsh price for sticking his nose in once.
Anyway, go and work hard. I hear that if you get good grades there, you can get assigned to a good place."Oh, I'll just... do moderately well. Like I did in the military.
Don't stand out too much. Don't draw attention. Maintain moderate grades, maintain a low profile, to get assigned to the desired workplace.
This was Songtan's resolution before his enrollment.
***
The Main Gate, inscribed with the phrase, <F1>Young Police Officer, the Motherland Trusts You</F1>, came into view., inscribed with the phrase, <F1>Young Police Officer, the Motherland Trusts You</F1>, came into view.
Song Bonggu parked the car in a suitable spot and patted his son's shoulder.
"Do well. And don't get hurt, no matter what." "Why are you stopping here? Why not go inside?"
It's just a stone's throw away. You can just walk. Why do you need me to take you inside? You're not a child.
He said that, but Songtan knew the truth. He was doing it on purpose, worried that his son might face disadvantages because of his disability. His father had never attended such events ever since he saw his son come home crying after being teased by other children at his elementary school entrance ceremony.
Don't be like that, let's go in together. I have so much luggage." "Kid, you're really stubborn."
Song Bonggu hesitated slightly.
Shall we, then...?
He reluctantly pressed the accelerator again, unable to completely hide his excited expression.
***
The main athletic field of the Central Police Academy was bustling with people. Everyone was taking photos with their families, friends, and lovers, sharing happy moments.
Alright, taking the picture. Move a little closer.
Song Bonggu, who had been standing awkwardly next to Songtan, moved one step closer.
His posture was so stiff it made a wooden doll look natural.
But he couldn't hide the happiness radiating from his face.
Thank you.
Songtan, receiving his phone back from a passerby, looked at Song Bonggu.
"I'll really go in now." "Will you be staying here for about four months?"
Yes. They say that day passes and Special Overnight Leave will eventually be allowed little by little, so I'll come to see you whenever I have time. It'll only be for a short while anyway, so don't bother coming. Just tell me when you're getting out, and I'll come down.
"I'll do that then." "I'll say it again: Don't get hurt. And don't overdo it trying to do well."
Don't worry about that. That will absolutely not happen.
Only after seeing his son's confident smile could Song Bonggu turn his steps away.
Songtan, who had been gazing at his father's retreating back, listened to a brief explanation at the tent in the middle of the field and then moved to the dormitory.
Upon my arrival at the Dormitory, there was already an early bird.
Oh! Finally, a roommate!
He looked to be in his late twenties. A man with shaggy hair and horn-rimmed glasses jumped up and greeted him.
"Hello. I'm Jeong Daeyun."
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. I'm Songtan."
Songtan? Awesome! I absolutely love Songtan Budae Jjigae!
Jeong Daeyun, who abruptly tried to force a connection, from then on began to chatter incessantly.
I passed the Police Exam on my fourth try, and let me tell you, I went through hell in Noryangjin... But you know what? I started something with a girl from my study group...
Songtan nodded along to the rapid-fire chatter, looking around the interior.
On the desk lay a name tag with his name, class number, and student ID. Only then did it truly sink in that he had entered the Police Academy.
But then she passed first, and she immediately dumped me and moved on to a Police Officer Classmate...
The chatter-hell finally ended when the other two roommates arrived. The other two were twenty-nine and thirty-one respectively, and both had easygoing personalities, so they quickly became friendly.
Thus, the chaotic first day of enrollment passed, and the first stage, known as the 'Adaptation Training of Terror,' officially began from the next day.
Stage 1 included Drill Training, Physical Training, group exercises, trekking, and Hope March. Physical training primarily dominated.
Of course, for Songtan, who had just been discharged from the military, these were familiar, so they posed no problem at all.
Blending in seamlessly, Songtan diligently completed all training, maintaining a moderate, unremarkable presence.
Just as he intended, without attracting anyone's attention.
He passed the first week uneventfully, and finally, Stage 2 began.
From this point, they would graduate from riot gear and wear service uniforms, taking classes such as Arrest Techniques, Marksmanship, and Driver Training.
And today was the long-awaited first class of Arrest Techniques.
***
Chosim Hall at the Central Police Academy.
Inspector Kim Yeongtae, in charge of the Arrest Techniques class, scanned the Trainees with sharp eyes.
For a Police Officer to effectively apprehend a person suspected of a crime, Arrest Techniques can be said to be the most essential skills. And let me say it again, this is not an exercise. This is strictly a technique for subduing people. If you mess around and get hurt, you will immediately be subject to expulsion, so be aware of that.
With his intimidating face, reminiscent of a gangster, and heavy aura, the Trainees' mouths snapped shut. Thinking the atmosphere was sufficiently set, Kim Yeongtae continued with the main lesson.
The most important thing in Arrest Techniques class is Breakfall. A police officer who hasn't learned how to fall will be the first to die in the field. Understand!?
Yes! Understood!
Kim Yeongtae stepped onto the mat himself. Then, without any warning, he threw his body backward. A light, silent landing.
This is the basics. Now, try to follow.
From then on, the Trainees began to throw their bodies awkwardly.
Your head! If you don't protect your head, it's over in the Field!
Kim Yeongtae's voice cut sharply. Cowering under his fierce, beast-like momentum, the Trainees moved their bodies even more diligently. Soon, the blue mat was filled with the sound of heavy breathing.
A faint smile formed on Kim Yeongtae's lips, as if pleased with the exhausted Trainees. Though it vanished quickly, like an illusion.
Alright, now we'll properly learn Restraint Techniques. You there. Come forward.
At Kim Yeongtae's designation, a burly Trainee rushed forward.
Hold out your hand.
As soon as he held out his hand, Kim Yeongtae grabbed his wrist and twisted it. No, it was barely a twist; he merely shifted the angle slightly, to the point where calling it a twist felt ambiguous.
Aaaah.
Despite his size, the Trainee immediately dropped to his knees.
As you can see, you can upset an opponent's balance with very little force.
Kim Yeongtae, releasing the wrist he was holding, added.
Remember this. A Police Officer's job is not to harm others. From now on, you will practice in pairs. There will be a test at the end, so don't think of slacking off. If not a single one of you can take me down, we will have Special Night Training tonight.
The Trainees' eyes began to burn fiercely. because they couldn't afford to waste their precious free time at night on punishment.
Aaaah! Damn it! That hurts, you bastard! Kid, stop exaggerating.
The practice, filled with groans, came to an end.
I'll call you out one by one, so come and subdue me.
The air in Chosim Hall grew heavier with Kim Yeongtae's booming voice.
The first trainee called out showed clear signs of nervousness. In the end, he missed his timing and couldn't even properly grab the wrist. Kim Yeongtae feigned stepping back, then suddenly shifted his center of gravity. And then.
Thud!
"Ugh."
Instead, the Trainee fell backward.
Pathetic. Next.
The second, the third.
The results were all similar. Someone slipped from applying too much force, while another's arm was taken by Kim Yeongtae.
*Is it even possible to take that man down?*
This was the common thought running through the minds of the Trainees who had been watching.
Tsk, tsk, this batch is truly pathetic.
Kim Yeongtae, frowning deeply, pointed to the last person.
You there. Come out.
Instantly, everyone's gaze fell on Songtan. And one by one, they couldn't hide their disappointment. Because he clearly looked far from athletic.
We're totally screwed. Damn it, we were supposed to have a snack party today.
Amidst the murmurs of his classmates, Songtan approached Kim Yeongtae with a rather composed expression.
Alright, grit your teeth and give it a try. If you can take me down, I'll let you go on Special Overnight Leave.
Kim Yeongtae extended a thick hand, like a pot lid. Songtan snatched Kim Yeongtae's wrist like lightning at the same moment.
Kim Yeongtae flinched and tried to pull his caught wrist free. Before Kim Yeongtae's center of gravity could shift, Songtan's foot moved half a beat faster.
In a fleeting moment, Songtan observed Kim Yeongtae's posture. The angle of his shoulder, the direction of his toes, the leg bearing his weight.
Calculating all of it, he lightly twisted, neither pulling nor pushing.
Not just the wrist, but the elbow is connected behind the wrist, the shoulder is behind that, and the entire body weight is supported by that shoulder.
If you disturb the center, the force will follow naturally.
The moment Kim Yeongtae reflexively applied force, that force became the axis of rotation. His heavy body, losing balance, spun in the air like the blades of a windmill.
Thud—!
Kim Yeongtae, who had tumbled ungracefully, looked up at Songtan with a bewildered expression.
Um... can I go on Special Overnight Leave?
Kim Yeongtae had no way of knowing that the reward of a Special Overnight Leave Privilege was sweet enough to shake even Songtan's resolve to absolutely not stand out.