My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros’ Obsession

"Hey, how are the recruits looking?"

As we struggled to hold a rigid "attention" stance while catching our breath, a man strolled over lazily and struck up a conversation with the senior supervising us.

“They’re garbage as usual, sir.”

“Come on, give me something objective. Not the usual.”

The senior gave us a quick glance before answering hesitantly.

“Well... they're not bad. Physically, they’re average, but we’ll only know for sure once they start handling swords.”

“Alright, let’s try to keep more of them alive this time. I can’t handle another class where they all die off.”

“I’ll do my best to drill them properly.”

Wait. What did I just hear?

Maintaining my stance, I exchanged uneasy glances with my fellow recruits. Did he say the last class got wiped out? No, I must have misheard.

Something is definitely wrong.

When you think of survival in romance fantasy novels, it’s usually something like, “Surviving the Tyrant Emperor!” or “Escaping the Lunatic Tower Master!”

In those stories, no matter how much the tyrant or the lunatic plays around with the heroine, they never actually kill her. Instead, they smirk and say something like, “Interesting.”

But here? Surviving on the border while evading monsters sounds like a death sentence. No monster is going to toy with me and mutter, “Interesting.” They’re just going to eat me.

“Alright, I think we’ve tested their physical abilities enough. Let’s show them their quarters and let them eat.”

“Do it.”

“Hey, you lot! Follow me.”

We followed the senior as he led us to what he called “quarters.”

Well, at least it’s called quarters. That has to mean it’s not as bad as I’m imagining.

In romance fantasy stories, quarters for maids or soldiers are usually described as cozy spaces with white beds, four-person rooms, and maybe some floral curtains.

But when we arrived at our so-called quarters, I could only stand there, trembling in disbelief.

You’ve got to be kidding me. Why even call this ‘quarters’? Just call it a barracks and be honest!

This was exactly like the military barracks I’d seen on Korean reality shows. No privacy, no personal space.

XX, is personal space too much to ask for? How did the original female lead even manage to have a romance here?

Yeah, this isn’t a romance fantasy world. This must be some parallel dimension.

“You, come with me. This way.”

The senior tapped me on the shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. Only then did I realize this was the men’s quarters, meant for my seven male peers.

Relieved that there were at least separate accommodations for women, I followed him.

They could’ve just set up a separate women’s unit in the first place, XX.

But no, as the novel explained, the Adolphe Empire decided it was cheaper to house men and women in the same unit. That’s why the Border Defense Force is mixed-gender, and the original female lead got to have her romance with the male leads.

Well, at least the sleeping arrangements are separate. That’s something.

The senior escorted me to the women’s quarters, knocking cautiously before speaking in a tense voice.

“Permission to bring in the new recruit.”

“Let her in,” a clear female voice responded from inside.

The senior quickly opened the door, shoved me in, and shut it behind me like he couldn’t wait to leave.

What’s his deal?

His behavior screamed that he wanted nothing to do with this space.

Now inside, I glanced around in confusion.

The room was much smaller than the men’s quarters. Only two women were inside.

The first was a petite girl with long, shining blonde hair. When she saw me, she smiled warmly, her light green eyes sparkling.

“Are you the new recruit?”

“Yes… Yes, I am.”

Her smile didn’t waver as she scanned me from head to toe, still radiating friendliness.

The second woman had long black hair tied in a high ponytail. The moment our eyes met, she turned her head sharply, completely ignoring me.

What’s her problem?

“Yuri, you’re not going to introduce yourself to the newbie?” the blonde asked with a teasing tone.

“Not interested,” the black-haired woman—Yuri—replied coldly.

Did I already get on someone’s bad side?

Thrown off by Yuri’s icy attitude, I stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.

“Nice to meet you, recruit. What’s your name?” the blonde asked kindly.

“S-Salvia.”

“I’m April. Let’s get along from now on,” she said, extending a hand.

I hesitated but shook it, her gentle demeanor slightly easing my nerves.

“You didn’t bring anything, did you? Tell me your size, and I’ll grab some clothes for you.”

Is she a kind senior? Like an angelic mentor or something?

April’s warm smile and soft tone lulled me into a false sense of security. She even took care of my missing belongings.

Of course, I would find out just a few hours later that her radiant smile was infamous in the unit as the “devil’s grin.”

***

“Phew, I just don’t get it… Why are they all so weak, huh?”

XX, what else do they expect us to do?

That was my inner monologue as I ran my 30th lap around the training field. My throat tasted like blood, my head kept drooping forward, and I felt like my legs were about to give out.

I’m going to throw up.

These maniacs seemed to have no concept of pacing or mercy. As soon as lunch was over, the hellish new recruit training resumed.

Lunch had been a rare moment of camaraderie. My nameless comrades and I were united in a single goal: survival.

It had been the most aggressive meal of my life.

Sure, anything would have tasted amazing after enduring the morning’s torment, but the food was surprisingly good. The portions were also generous, perfectly satisfying our desperate hunger.

At least they know how to cook. If the food were bad, I might have seriously deserted already.

But no sooner had we finished stuffing ourselves than our senior, Plato, declared, “If you fight monsters in this state, you’ll definitely die. Let’s build some stamina first.”

That’s how we ended up here, running endlessly.

Plato was our designated trainer, and it didn’t take long to realize that he wasn’t in charge. Standing next to him, grinning like a cat toying with a mouse, was April.

April was this unit’s unchallenged tyrant.

“Phew… It breaks my heart how weak they all are. Maybe we need a group meeting where everyone can share their feelings and build camaraderie?” she suggested, her smile as bright as ever.

“N-no need! The recruits can push harder! Hey, pick up the pace! Keep running!” Plato stammered, sweating buckets as he cranked up the intensity.

Yeah, she’s definitely at the top of the food chain here.

Given how deferential Plato was to her, April was clearly a senior officer with a formidable reputation.

XX, someone save me.

“Hey! If anyone falls behind, we’re all screwed! You know how collective punishment works!”

Hearing that, I was struck by a sudden, violent urge to desert.

Even though I had the enhanced physical capabilities of a hetero sapien, there were limits to what I could do. My body, while superior to that of ordinary humans, still couldn’t compete with male recruits of the same species.

“Oh, so monsters are picky about gender now?” April quipped, her smile unwavering.

Because of that little remark, I was still gritting my teeth and forcing myself to keep running.

XX, if I fall behind, I’ll get chewed out by the seniors and beaten by my comrades. There’s no escape.

“Ten laps left!”

Hearing that, my legs nearly gave out. I staggered, almost collapsing onto the ground when a strong hand suddenly pressed against my back, steadying me.

“Keep running.”

The voice was low and firm, so close that I could feel his breath against my ear. Summoning the last reserves of my strength, I pushed off with my legs, glancing back at the person who had helped me.

Jet-black hair hung down to his brows, damp with sweat. His sharp, crimson eyes gleamed intensely, while his lips—bitten so hard they looked ready to bleed—formed a tense, determined line.

It was none other than Aquila, the male lead of the original novel and one of my fellow recruits.

Is this… the start of a romance arc? Is he going to start helping me and looking out for me?

For a moment, my brain went into overdrive, fueled by an absurdly optimistic daydream.

After all, I’m supposed to be the “first love” they can’t forget. Maybe this is how my suffering ends, and the romance begins!

But then Aquila’s next words shattered my fantasy.

“Falling behind is not an option.”

His tone was so cold and resolute, it sounded like he was ready to kill anyone who dared to slow down.

Oh. He’s not helping me out of kindness; he just doesn’t want to get punished alongside me.

Once again, reality had crushed my fleeting hopes.

This wasn’t a romance fantasy. It was the military.

And as I forced my trembling legs to keep moving, I came to a bitter conclusion:

Salvia, your life will never follow a romance arc. Just accept it already, XX.@@novelbin@@

***

“Phew, I just don’t get it… Why are they all so weak, huh?”

XX, what else do they expect us to do?

That was my inner monologue as I ran my 30th lap around the training field. My throat tasted like blood, my head kept drooping forward, and I felt like my legs were about to give out.

I’m going to throw up.

These maniacs seemed to have no concept of pacing or mercy. As soon as lunch was over, the hellish new recruit training resumed.

Lunch had been a rare moment of camaraderie. My nameless comrades and I were united in a single goal: survival.

It had been the most aggressive meal of my life.

Sure, anything would have tasted amazing after enduring the morning’s torment, but the food was surprisingly good. The portions were also generous, perfectly satisfying our desperate hunger.

At least they know how to cook. If the food were bad, I might have seriously deserted already.

But no sooner had we finished stuffing ourselves than our senior, Plato, declared, “If you fight monsters in this state, you’ll definitely die. Let’s build some stamina first.”

That’s how we ended up here, running endlessly.

Plato was our designated trainer, and it didn’t take long to realize that he wasn’t in charge. Standing next to him, grinning like a cat toying with a mouse, was April.

April was this unit’s unchallenged tyrant.

“Phew… It breaks my heart how weak they all are. Maybe we need a group meeting where everyone can share their feelings and build camaraderie?” she suggested, her smile as bright as ever.

“N-no need! The recruits can push harder! Hey, pick up the pace! Keep running!” Plato stammered, sweating buckets as he cranked up the intensity.

Yeah, she’s definitely at the top of the food chain here.

Given how deferential Plato was to her, April was clearly a senior officer with a formidable reputation.

XX, someone save me.

“Hey! If anyone falls behind, we’re all screwed! You know how collective punishment works!”

Hearing that, I was struck by a sudden, violent urge to desert.

Even though I had the enhanced physical capabilities of a hetero sapien, there were limits to what I could do. My body, while superior to that of ordinary humans, still couldn’t compete with male recruits of the same species.

“Oh, so monsters are picky about gender now?” April quipped, her smile unwavering.

Because of that little remark, I was still gritting my teeth and forcing myself to keep running.

XX, if I fall behind, I’ll get chewed out by the seniors and beaten by my comrades. There’s no escape.

“Ten laps left!”

Hearing that, my legs nearly gave out. I staggered, almost collapsing onto the ground when a strong hand suddenly pressed against my back, steadying me.

“Keep running.”

The voice was low and firm, so close that I could feel his breath against my ear. Summoning the last reserves of my strength, I pushed off with my legs, glancing back at the person who had helped me.

Jet-black hair hung down to his brows, damp with sweat. His sharp, crimson eyes gleamed intensely, while his lips—bitten so hard they looked ready to bleed—formed a tense, determined line.

It was none other than Aquila, the male lead of the original novel and one of my fellow recruits.

Is this… the start of a romance arc? Is he going to start helping me and looking out for me?

For a moment, my brain went into overdrive, fueled by an absurdly optimistic daydream.

After all, I’m supposed to be the “first love” they can’t forget. Maybe this is how my suffering ends, and the romance begins!

But then Aquila’s next words shattered my fantasy.

“Falling behind is not an option.”

His tone was so cold and resolute, it sounded like he was ready to kill anyone who dared to slow down.

Oh. He’s not helping me out of kindness; he just doesn’t want to get punished alongside me.

Once again, reality had crushed my fleeting hopes.

This wasn’t a romance fantasy. It was the military.

And as I forced my trembling legs to keep moving, I came to a bitter conclusion:

Salvia, your life will never follow a romance arc. Just accept it already, XX.