Chapter 26: Damn! What a Handsome Bastard!

The first thing Zishan noticed about the Forward Medical Section Three was that nobody seemed particularly interested in hearing about the terrible injustices he had suffered since arriving at the Eastern Battlefield.

Actually, considering how many injured soldiers were being carried around the station, he supposed his problems were relatively insignificant.

Only relatively, though!

He still believed Corporal Tagum deserved to step on something sharp whenever he removed his boots, but he was willing to postpone wishing further inconveniences upon the man until he had finished his current assignment.

The Sergeant led him through an opening between two reinforced barricades, where several soldiers were unloading supplies from a wagon. Beyond them stood six large medical tents, surrounded by smaller shelters and hastily constructed defensive positions. Healers in pale uniforms hurried between the tents while wounded soldiers occupied practically every available bed.

Zishan noticed a young woman whose entire left arm had been wrapped in bandages. Another soldier was sitting outside a tent while a healer carefully removed something black and disgusting from a wound in his thigh.

For the first time since receiving his assignment, Zishan remembered that he was technically supposed to be helping these people.

"Sergeant, do I get to choose what kind of work I do here?" he asked while following the man toward the largest tent. "Because I’m actually quite knowledgeable about medicine. I can assist with the injured, prepare supplies, and probably do several other things if someone teaches me how your medical equipment works."

The Sergeant glanced back at him. "You’re here because we’re short on combat personnel. Your Healing Magic is useful, but don’t expect to spend your entire assignment inside a tent."

Zishan’s enthusiasm diminished slightly. He had already imagined himself sitting comfortably beside a few patients while occasionally healing somebody and collecting Quest rewards for his outstanding contributions to military medicine.

However, before he could negotiate a better arrangement, an older healer emerged from the tent and hurried toward them.

"Sergeant! Please tell me you’ve brought more than one soldier. We’ve already transferred most of our walking patients to the inner section, but the western perimeter is practically undefended!"

The Sergeant briefly introduced Zishan, explaining that Commander Holtz had personally appointed him and that he possessed both combat experience and Healing Magic. The healer immediately inspected him from head to toe, seemingly unimpressed by how young he looked.

"Level?"

"Twenty!" Zishan proudly announced.

The woman rubbed her forehead. "We’re really that short on people?"

"Excuse me?!" Zishan immediately protested, feeling personally offended. "You haven’t even seen my abilities yet! I’m actually a very talented individual, and I have personally fought against Commander Holtz as well!"

The Sergeant turned toward him.

Zishan coughed lightly. "Well, fought is a strong word. He was mostly beating the shit out of me, but I survived! I think that’s worth something, right?"

The healer stared at him for another moment before shaking her head and returning to her tent.

"Why does nobody appreciate me in this world?" Zishan muttered.

The Sergeant just ignored him and instructed two nearby soldiers to show him where the western defensive positions were located.

They clearly did not believe his nonsense. Fight with the commander and survive after that? What kind of delusion was that?

However, just as he was about to follow them, something beside one of the smaller medical tents suddenly caught his attention.

A mirror!

It was an old rectangular mirror positioned beside a wooden washstand, presumably for the healers and soldiers who needed to clean themselves after handling the wounded. One of its corners was cracked, and the wooden frame looked as though it had survived several wars of its own.

Nevertheless, it was large enough for Zishan to see almost his entire body.

And what he saw was absolutely magnificent!

"Whoa!" Zishan immediately stopped walking and approached the mirror, completely forgetting that the Sergeant had already instructed him to follow the other soldiers.

He carefully inspected his reflection, starting with the military uniform he had received after his appointment.

The standard Olmost military uniform was considerably more fashionable than he had initially expected. His dark forest-green tunic was made from thick, tightly woven fabric, with reinforced black panels covering the shoulders and elbows. Its high, structured collar had narrow silver piping along the edges, while a row of polished silver buttons ran down the front, fastening the garment securely around his torso.

The sleeves were fitted without restricting his movements, and the black cuffs carried the same narrow silver trim as his collar. A small military insignia had been embroidered above his left breast, while his shoulder straps bore the simple markings of an ordinary Soldier.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the impressive decorations worn by higher-ranking officers.

Well, not yet!

His trousers were charcoal-black, slightly loose around the thighs to allow sufficient movement during combat before narrowing toward his calves. A thick leather belt secured the tunic around his waist, complete with a small equipment pouch and several loops intended for military supplies. His black leather boots reached almost to his knees, with reinforced toes and thick soles.

The uniform was clearly intended for military operations, but the combination of dark green, black leather, and silver detailing gave it an unexpectedly elegant appearance.

Especially when somebody as handsome as him was wearing it!

Zishan straightened his posture and adjusted his collar while admiring how the fitted tunic complemented his increasingly athletic physique. His long white hair had become slightly disheveled during the journey, so he quickly ran his fingers through it and arranged the strands falling across his forehead.

Then, he leaned closer to the mirror.

His striking emerald-green eyes stared back at him.

"Damn! What a handsome bastard!" he exclaimed, turning his head slightly to inspect his appearance from another angle. "Look at those eyes! That jawline! Those beautiful white locks! HAHAHAHA! I LOOK LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTER FROM A FUCKING WEBTOON!"

He adjusted his collar again before placing one hand against his waist, deliberately adopting what he considered an exceptionally attractive military pose.

Thinking about it, his previous appearance on Earth had been perfectly acceptable. He had never considered himself ugly, although he certainly hadn’t possessed this particular combination of extraordinary-looking eyes, white hair, and an increasingly impressive physique.

Transmigration had apparently provided him with several unexpected benefits.

"HAHAHAHA! If only those assholes from the game could see me now! Those bastards would probably drop their jaws!"

Zishan briefly imagined returning to Earth and showing off his new appearance. He would probably take hundreds of pictures of himself wearing his military uniform before posting one online with the caption, ’Probably the most handsome man on Earth’.

Perhaps he would even send a picture directly to those bastards who had been insulting him since that game launched.

"HAHAHAHA! WHO’S THE FUCKING NPC NOW?!"

He adjusted his collar once more, thoroughly satisfied with his appearance. He coughed lightly and acted elegantly while still staring at himself in the mirror.

A Soldier passing behind him noticed the young man’s peculiar behavior and slowed down. He watched Zishan adjust his uniform, inspect his reflection, and enthusiastically compliment himself. Then, the Soldier went away as he shook his head. There were far more important things for him to do.

Meanwhile, Zishan was already imagining what he would look like after receiving a higher military rank.

Perhaps he would eventually have a beautiful ceremonial uniform with a luxurious cape and magnificent golden decorations. He could even picture himself standing beside Commander Holtz while several thousand soldiers saluted him.

Actually, forget standing beside Commander Holtz!

He would look much better standing in front of him!

’Hehe. I’ll definitely look like a young military prince!’

[The System recommends that the Dumb Host remember his actual military assignment.]

’CAN’T YOU SEE THAT I’M BUSY APPRECIATING MYSELF?!’

Zishan was about to continue examining his handsome face when a tremendous horn suddenly sounded from somewhere beyond the barricades. The unexpected noise startled him so badly that he nearly struck his forehead against the mirror.

"WHAT THE—CAN’T YOU SEE SOMEBODY IS HAVING A MOMENT HERE?!"

Another horn answered from a different direction, followed by a third, much closer to the medical station. Soldiers who had been resting immediately grabbed their weapons, while several healers abandoned what they were doing and began moving their patients toward the reinforced trenches.

Zishan finally stepped away from the mirror.

A scout rushed through the western entrance before the Sergeant could respond to the approaching commotion. His armor was covered in dust, and he approached them, breathing heavily.

"SERGEANT! MAGIC BEAST HORDE! THEY’RE COMING THROUGH FROM THE WEST!"

The Sergeant’s expression immediately changed. He demanded an estimated number, and the scout reported at least a hundred and fifty Magic Beasts, with more possibly following behind them. The leading pack consisted of Level 40 Ridgefang Hounds, while several larger beasts had been spotted farther back.

The Sergeant immediately began issuing orders. Everyone who could still move and fight was to follow him outside, while the healers were instructed to relocate the remaining patients behind the second defensive line. The few soldiers who could no longer fight would remain inside to assist with the evacuation.

Zishan watched the entire station descend into controlled chaos.

Then, a familiar sound rang inside his head.

[DING!]

His expression changed.

[FIELD QUEST UPDATED]