# Sid story 3: Gyeongju

The man thought to himself: this tenacious life of his, which had survived against all odds, seemed to have finally reached its end.

The situation was hopeless. What had initially appeared to be a C-rank dungeon-type gate transformed into an A-rank as soon as they entered.

A team composed of just C- and B-rank members could not possibly tackle an A-rank dungeon gate. The escape route was blocked, leaving no way out. The chances of being killed by the monster in front of them were far higher than surviving long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

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Unless a miracle happens, this is the end, the man thought.

Some of their group had already died. More than half of the survivors were injured, and even the ones who were unharmed weren’t in great condition. The man was no exception—he’d lost all strength in his left arm some time ago.

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He took a deep breath.

In truth, all this struggle didn’t mean much. The only difference was whether he died now or a little later. Still, he couldn’t allow himself to die meaninglessly. He had always fought to survive and had lived up to this point because he never gave up.

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So, the man forced strength into his shaky legs.

And then, a miracle happened.

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A wave of icy air surged, and the monster charging toward them froze instantly. Its momentum carried it forward, but it toppled over, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud. The impact shattered its frozen body into pieces that scattered across the ground. The man stared at the fragments, his mouth agape.

It had all happened in an instant. After staring at the remnants for a while, the man quickly snapped out of his daze and looked up, ready to thank whoever had come to their aid.

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But as his gaze fell beyond the monster, he froze. A man stood there, alone. The man’s eyes widened even more. The face before him was unfamiliar yet strangely familiar at the same time. Slowly, he took in the man’s features. Yes, they were unmistakably familiar—it wasn’t just his imagination.

Blinking in confusion, the man hesitated before carefully uttering a name, a name that felt distant and unfamiliar now.

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“Kang I-won?”

At the sound of his name, Kang I-won turned his head. For a moment, his typically stoic expression gave way to rare surprise as he spoke.

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“…Kim Seok-joo?”

The man, Kim Seok-joo, couldn’t hide his bewilderment. Meeting someone he thought he’d never see again, and in such an unexpected situation, only added to his confusion. After a moment’s hesitation, he forced an awkward smile and spoke in a strained voice, trying to feign nonchalance.

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“It’s… been a while. Do you remember me? Wait, no, of course, you remember me—you just said my name. Right, that makes sense.”

Kim Seok-joo stumbled over his words for a moment before continuing.

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“I heard there was an S-rank coming from Seoul… but that was you? No way, you were definitely B-rank before. And this ability… what is this…?”

His speech was disjointed, reflecting his confusion. Kang I-won cut him off, his tone firm.

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“I reawakened. But this isn’t the time for this conversation.”

Kim Seok-joo flinched at Kang I-won’s words and quickly nodded.

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“Ah, right, of course. What was I thinking?”

“Who’s in charge here?” Kang I-won asked.

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“That would be me. Just talk to me,” Kim Seok-joo replied.

Kang I-won’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he nodded and continued.

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“How many people?”

“No one’s unaccounted for, thankfully. Two dead, seven injured. The rest of us—five, including me—aren’t in great shape either, as you can see.”

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Kang I-won glanced at the exhausted Espers before turning back to Kim Seok-joo.

“Do you want to head to the exit first, or follow me? Your call.”

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“Follow you, obviously. If we stay put and a monster shows up, we’re as good as dead.”

“Fair enough. And… do you have a detection Esper?”

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“Luckily, yes. Though they’re only D-rank.”

“Well, it’s something. Who is it?”

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A timid-looking man adjusted his crooked glasses and raised his hand hesitantly.

“Uh, that’s me. I’m the detection Esper.”

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“Given the situation, you’ll need to stick close to me and detect as we move. Can you handle that? I’ll do my best to keep you safe.”

“Y-yes, of course. I can do that,” the man stammered.

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Kang I-won turned to address the group of weary and battered Espers.

“We’re moving now. Stay sharp and follow my lead. Let’s make it out of here alive.”

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“We’ll locate the boss and move as quickly as possible. If anyone wants to head straight to the exit, let me know. I won’t force anyone,” Kang I-won announced.

But no one raised a hand or spoke up. They all understood—their chances of survival were far greater if they followed Kang I-won, even if they were exhausted, than if they attempted to make their way to the exit alone.

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Still, with more than half of the group injured and the rest equally drained, they decided to take a brief rest before moving out. Kim Seok-joo stretched his fatigued body, occasionally glancing at the cold, lifeless corpses. His expression grew grim as he observed them.

When someone dies inside a gate, their body disappears with the gate when it closes, leaving no trace behind. The thought of unexpectedly losing a family member was devastating enough, but the inability to recover their body was an even deeper wound for the bereaved, a nail driven into their hearts that would never be removed.

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If nothing else, only small keepsakes could be recovered—if they were lucky. This time, at least, they had managed to secure those keepsakes. Kim Seok-joo fiddled with the items in his pocket, though he couldn’t shake the thought that returning a body, even in death, was far better than offering mere tokens.

Finally, after much hesitation during the break, Kim Seok-joo approached Kang I-won with a cautious voice just as they were about to depart.

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“Uh… do you think we could bring the bodies with us?”

Without a word, Kang I-won nodded and took the lead. Kim Seok-joo, despite his injuries, hoisted one of the corpses onto his back. Another relatively unharmed member did the same with another body, while the rest helped the severely injured walk.

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Carrying the stiffening corpses and following Kang I-won wasn’t an easy task. Yet, gritting their teeth, they trudged after him, step by step.

All they had to do was follow. That was their only role—to drag their injured bodies and keep up with Kang I-won.

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When Kang I-won’s icy energy swept past the approaching monsters like a cold wind, they froze solid, transforming into lifelike ice sculptures. Any that weren’t frozen outright were swiftly dispatched by Kang I-won himself. The group had no part to play in the process.

Even when they reached the dungeon’s boss, it was no different. Their role was simply to stand in awe, overwhelmed by the sight unfolding before them.

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The boss was a serpent with ten heads. Its thick, stubby body connected all ten heads, resembling something that might have been pulled straight from mythology. Each head bore sharp, venomous fangs, the poison so potent it visibly dripped onto the ground, sizzling upon contact.

Frost formed around Kang I-won as the venom that came close to him froze mid-air, falling to the ground as solid ice fragments. When one of the serpent’s gaping maws lunged at him, Kang I-won’s powers froze it in place, the head stopping dead in its tracks. He moved gracefully, slipping through the frozen jaws, only for the remaining heads to crash into the icy one, shattering its hardened scales and leaving blood to pour onto the ground.

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He froze the heads that posed a threat while evading those he could dodge. The standoff continued, until finally, the serpent’s heads became so entangled with one another that they resembled a massive ball of yarn, each head writhing and snarling in frustration.

Kang I-won frowned, focusing intensely. The cold air around him grew sharper and more oppressive, frost visibly forming at his fingertips. The frost spread from his hands, engulfing the tangled serpent in a block of solid ice.

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As the last head squirmed in resistance, Kang I-won let out a breath and ceased his energy. The serpent fell still, frozen entirely.

“Head to the exit first. I’ll catch up shortly,” Kang I-won instructed.

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Kim Seok-joo, who had been staring at Kang I-won in a daze, snapped back to reality and nodded quickly. After all, Kang I-won had cleared most of the monsters on the way here, so the path back was unlikely to be dangerous. Even if trouble arose, Kang I-won would likely rejoin them before it became a problem.

As they began their journey back to the gate’s exit, leaving Kang I-won behind, soft murmurs of admiration started to ripple through the group. The awe they felt was undeniable, and each step they took was accompanied by quiet, amazed exclamations.

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“Wow… that’s seriously incredible.”

“I’ve never seen an S-rank in action before!”

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“So that’s what being S-rank means. Damn, I’m so jealous.”

“Hey, Team Leader Seok-joo, do you know that S-rank guy?”

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“Huh?”

“I mean, it looked like you guys knew each other. You were talking and everything.”

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“Oh, yeah. I know him,” Kim Seok-joo replied, still a bit dazed. His nonchalant answer sparked envy among the Espers following behind.

“Wow… lucky. Can you introduce me to him when we get out of here?”

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“Hey, no cutting in line! Team Leader, me too!”

“Hey! Is now really the time for this?” Kim Seok-joo scolded them, though his tone wasn’t harsh. In truth, he felt at ease for the first time since entering the gate. The realization that they were truly going to survive had settled in, and it was likely the same for the others. That was why they were finally able to loosen up and chatter like this after being silent for so long.

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Not long after, Kang I-won rejoined them, having finished off the boss. The Espers, now calmer, quietly glanced at him, gauging his mood.

The rest of the journey passed without incident. Everyone made it out of the gate safely, and a few, overwhelmed by the relief of escaping certain death, collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.

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As Kim Seok-joo set the corpses down and took a moment to catch his breath, he approached Kang I-won to express his gratitude.

“Uh… thanks for everything,” he said awkwardly.

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“There’s nothing to thank me for,” Kang I-won replied curtly.

Clearing his throat, Kim Seok-joo hesitated before continuing. “So, uh, Kang I-won.”

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“What?”

Kim Seok-joo, hiding his awkwardness, tried to sound casual. “I didn’t even get to ask how you’ve been. You’ve been doing well, right? I mean, judging by how you look, you seem fine.”

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“…Have you been well?” Kang I-won asked in return.

“Huh? Me? Oh, yeah, I’ve been fine. Totally fine. Um… hey, once all this is wrapped up, how about we grab a meal together? You know, catch up. I’m curious about how you’ve been living…”

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Kim Seok-joo immediately wanted to smack himself. He couldn’t understand why he was stammering like some fool. And that sudden suggestion—what was he thinking? Suppressing a sigh, he told himself it was just a polite gesture, the kind of thing you’d casually say to an old colleague after meeting them again. Knowing Kang I-won, the response would likely be a quick rejection.

“Sure,” Kang I-won replied.

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Kim Seok-joo froze. “…What?”

“I said sure,” Kang I-won repeated, his expression unreadable.

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Kim Seok-joo blinked in shock, struggling to process what he’d just heard. Of all the things he’d expected, this wasn’t one of them.

“Yeah, I figured you’d say that—wait, what?”

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Kim Seok-joo’s eyes widened in shock as he whipped his head around to stare at Kang I-won. Kang I-won tilted his head slightly, his expression calm as he replied.

“You said we should eat together.”

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“Oh… yeah, I did. Right,” Kim Seok-joo muttered, still stunned.

Seeing Kim Seok-joo’s dumbfounded expression, Kang I-won let out a quiet chuckle. The unexpected sound made Kim Seok-joo’s face go blank with even more disbelief.

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The old colleague he was reunited with after so long… was no longer the same person he remembered.

* * *

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Kim Seok-joo was born and raised in Gyeongju. After becoming an Esper, he naturally joined the Gyeongju branch. Having no desire to leave his familiar hometown, he decided long ago that he would spend his life—and eventually be buried—in Gyeongju.

Because of this, Kim Seok-joo often found himself in the role of bidding farewell to familiar faces and welcoming new ones.

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The first time Kim Seok-joo saw Kang I-won, he was struck by how gloomy the man appeared. His hair was an unkempt mess, sticking out wildly and tied back in a careless knot. His bangs hung down to the tip of his nose, unruly and unmanaged. Through the parted strands, sunken eyes peeked out, shadowed by dark circles that seemed to stretch, exaggeratedly, all the way to his chin.

He looked like someone who had been plucked straight out of their room after years of isolation. Though his facial features were sharp and objectively attractive upon closer inspection, the air of despondency surrounding him ruined any appeal, making him someone no one would voluntarily approach.

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Adding to the impression was the constant gloom etched onto his face, as if the thought of dying was the only thing on his mind. He made no effort to integrate with the team, choosing instead to remain an outsider.

Still, since they were teammates and would inevitably be working together for at least a few months, Kim Seok-joo tried his best to get along with Kang I-won.

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“Nice to meet you. We’re the same age, so can I speak casually?”

“…….”

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“Let’s get along from now on. Oh, by the way, I’m Kim Seok-joo. Just call me whatever’s comfortable. You can speak casually, too.”

“…….”

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But Kang I-won was the kind of person who made any effort feel wasted.

“Hey! Kang I-won! What are you doing after work? We’re grabbing drinks—want to come?”

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“…No.”

“Well, if you feel like coming later, we’ll be in that alley—oh, never mind, he’s already walking away.”

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Every invite to a gathering was met with rejection.

“Why’s it so hot these days? Feels worse than last year, don’t you think? Wait—don’t you feel hot at all? Cut those bangs already. It’s suffocating just looking at you.”

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“…….”

“If you don’t want to, I can cut them for you.”

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“…No.”

“Yeah, sure.”

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Even when Kim Seok-joo tried to strike up a conversation, Kang I-won barely responded.

“Hey, did you see that new movie? You know, the action one that just came out—it’s been getting a lot of buzz!”

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“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t even watched the first season! It’s super popular. You should really check it out.”

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“Not interested.”

“Ah… okay.”

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No matter what topic Kim Seok-joo brought up, the conversation was always cut short. Eventually, he grew tired and gave up. What’s the point of trying to get close? he thought. He’s probably going to transfer to another branch in a few months or, at most, a couple of years. Might as well keep things distant and just let him go when the time comes.

Even if their interactions were distant, Kang I-won performed his duties exceptionally well in the field. If anything, he went too far.

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In battle, Kang I-won charged ahead like a bulldozer, recklessly throwing himself at monsters despite his fragile, paper-like body. It was as if he believed he was made of steel. Watching his reckless abandon often left Kim Seok-joo’s heart pounding with anxiety and his brows furrowed in frustration.

As a result, Kang I-won was always covered in blood by the time they finished taking down monsters. More than once, Kim Seok-joo’s heart nearly stopped, thinking he’d been gravely injured, only to find that the blood wasn’t all his. Kang I-won would wash off the blood and casually walk around the center, looking far less injured than expected.

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And so, despite the awkwardness, the team managed to function—barely.

Months passed, and while Kim Seok-joo grew closer to the other team members, his relationship with Kang I-won remained distant. Then, something happened—something that still sent chills down his spine whenever he thought about it.

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There were only a handful of Espers stationed in the provinces. To make matters worse, recent cuts meant even fewer teams compared to the previous year. And then, a wave gate appeared.

With too few Espers to stem the wave and high-ranking, numerous monsters pouring out, the pace of extermination lagged behind. Before they could eliminate the current wave, another erupted from the gate. Despite desperate calls for reinforcements, they were insufficient. Monsters piled up and swarmed through the city like a relentless tide.

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“Monsters! Run!”

“Mommy! Waaah!”

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“Please, help! Aaah!”

Kim Seok-joo, who had been leisurely enjoying his day off before rushing to the scene, clenched his teeth in frustration, knowing he’d arrived too late.

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He ran back and forth, doing everything he could to assist with evacuating civilians. That’s when he spotted two people approaching—the first, a middle-aged woman bleeding from her ankle, and the second, a young man carrying her on his back.

The man wasn’t in good shape either. His clothes were filthy, his face bore several cuts, and he was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as he pressed on.

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Kim Seok-joo’s eyes widened as he recognized them. They were the owner of a restaurant he frequented and her son.

“Ho-joon, just leave me here. You go on ahead. Hurry….”

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“I told you, I’m not leaving you behind, Mom.”

“Ah, you stubborn brat.”

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“…….”

Ho-joon kept his mouth shut, focusing on moving his heavy steps. Then, suddenly, a monster sprang out of an alley and charged at them.

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Kim Seok-joo realized it was too late to intervene. Ho-joon, unable to react, shut his eyes tightly, bracing for the worst.

In that critical moment, Kang I-won appeared out of nowhere, taking the monster’s attack in their place.

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“Get back… now…! Cough!”

The monster’s attack pierced through Kang I-won’s abdomen, causing him to cough violently and spit blood. Even as his arms trembled, he swiftly swung them, severing the monster’s limb embedded in his body. The creature screamed in pain, and Kang I-won yanked the appendage from his stomach, his body convulsing as he struggled to suppress the agony.

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Taking deep breaths, Kang I-won straightened and staggered toward the monster. He lunged, leaving a deep gash across its body before being struck and sent crashing to the ground. Even then, he wobbled back to his feet, his battered frame blocking the path to the mother and son he had protected.

The son, still frozen in shock, could only stare at Kang I-won’s bloodied back. His mother desperately tugged at his sleeve, urging him to move. Snapping back to reality, he hurriedly helped her escape while Kang I-won wrestled with the monster, gripping its limbs to buy them time.

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Kim Seok-joo, who had also been watching the reckless display in a daze, finally joined the fray to assist Kang I-won.

By the time they managed to bring down the creature, Kang I-won was left utterly ragged, barely able to stand. But there was no reprieve—a new monster appeared almost immediately.

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“Damn it… damn it…,” Kim Seok-joo muttered through labored breaths, his voice trembling with frustration and fear. His body was already battered from the last fight, and he had no strength left. He could only wonder if this was where he would meet his end. The looming specter of death made his entire body shudder.

Kim Seok-joo’s weakened arms lost their grip, causing him to drop his shield as the monster charged toward him. With no way to defend himself, he could only watch the slow, inevitable attack. It wasn’t actually slow—it only felt that way because of the way death narrowed his perception. By the time he realized the attack was upon him, it was already too late. He squeezed his eyes shut.

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But instead of the fatal blow, he felt a strong shove push him aside. He didn’t need to open his eyes to know who it was—Kang I-won.

When Kim Seok-joo looked up, he saw Kang I-won taking the hit meant for him. Blood poured from Kang I-won’s neck, which was almost halfway severed. Kim Seok-joo’s eyes filled with horror.

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“Why… why would you go that far?” he stammered, his voice choked.

Kim Seok-joo bit his lip, cutting himself off. This wasn’t the time for questions. Forcing his trembling limbs to move, he retrieved the shield he had dropped. If Kang I-won could push himself to such extremes, then Kim Seok-joo couldn’t allow himself to give up.

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Thankfully, reinforcements arrived before either of them died. With the help of three A-rank Espers, the new monster was quickly subdued. Kim Seok-joo, now safe, turned to thank Kang I-won for saving his life, but Kang I-won was already staggering off in another direction. His determination to keep pushing, even after so much exertion, left Kim Seok-joo dumbfounded.

“You need to rest. You’ve done more than enough! Let someone treat your wounds—wait, what?”

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Kim Seok-joo’s voice trailed off as he noticed that Kang I-won’s neck, which had been gruesomely slashed, was completely healed. He stared, bewildered.

Kang I-won brushed off Kim Seok-joo’s hand and, without a word, walked away, his gait steady as if nothing had happened. Watching his retreating figure, Kim Seok-joo finally realized the truth.

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The injuries Kang I-won had suffered weren’t minor or insignificant. They had been severe—horrific, even. The only reason they seemed negligible was because his body regenerated them almost instantly, faster than anyone could notice.

The realization weighed heavily on Kim Seok-joo, his expression darkening. What kind of life has he lived to endure wounds like that and act as if nothing’s wrong? he wondered.

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I should treat him better starting tomorrow, Kim Seok-joo thought. But there was no tomorrow. Kang I-won left the Gyeongju branch without a word, not even staying long enough to accept a simple thank-you.

He was, in every sense, a bastard.

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* * *

Kim Seok-joo anxiously tapped his foot as he waited for Kang I-won. His impatience eventually got the better of him, and he stole a glance toward Kang I-won, who was talking with his Guide.

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He could see Kang I-won saying something to the Guide, whose expression was twisted into a frown, clearly displeased. Then, without warning, Kang I-won casually leaned in and kissed the Guide on the cheek. Kim Seok-joo’s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly averted his gaze, as though he had witnessed something he shouldn’t have.

Moments later, Kang I-won approached him and motioned with his chin.
“Let’s go.”

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“Huh? Oh… yeah, sure.”

As Kim Seok-joo glanced back, he caught the Guide glaring at him with an unmistakable look of displeasure. Startled, he shuddered and snapped his head forward, but he could still feel the weight of the Guide’s intense stare drilling into the back of his head.

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“What’s wrong?” Kang I-won asked.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

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There was no way Kim Seok-joo could admit that the Guide’s fiery gaze made him feel like his skull was about to sprout a hole.

As they walked in silence, Kim Seok-joo snuck a glance at Kang I-won, who was wearing a faint smile. It was strange, seeing him like this—after all, Kang I-won had always looked so grim and lifeless. Yet now, he could smile. It was unfamiliar, but… not unpleasant.

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“Something funny?” Kim Seok-joo asked, his tone a bit lighter now.

“It’s cute,” Kang I-won replied, his answer abrupt.

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Blinking in confusion, Kim Seok-joo quickly asked, “Who?”

Me? he wondered, dismissing the thought just as Kang I-won clarified.

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“My Guide,” Kang I-won said, the smile on his lips growing wider.

“Watching them get jealous—it’s adorable.”

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The memory of the Guide’s sharp glare flashed in Kim Seok-joo’s mind. That was jealousy? But… cute? He blinked again, looking at Kang I-won, whose smile lingered. Well, if he says it’s cute, then it must be cute in his eyes.

Kim Seok-joo spotted a familiar restaurant up ahead and pointed it out.
“Hey, see that place? I bring my team here all the time. The food’s great.”

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Leading the way inside, Kim Seok-joo greeted loudly, “Boss! I’m here!”

“Seok-joo! What’ll you have?”

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“The usual, three servings!”

“Got it! Just give me a moment!”

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Kim Seok-joo sat down, and Kang I-won took the seat across from him.

“Ah, I just ordered the usual out of habit. Is there anything you want to eat?” Kim Seok-joo asked.

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“What’s the usual?”

“Braised beef ribs. Best in the area.”

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“Sounds good.”

“Right? Want anything else? Order whatever you want—it’s on me.”

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“I’m good.”

Before long, the food arrived—but it wasn’t just the three servings they ordered. The table was filled with dishes, far more than expected. Even Kim Seok-joo was taken aback.

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“Boss, why is there so much food? And these aren’t even on the menu!”

“On the house,” the owner said with a grin.

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“Why the sudden generosity? You’ve never given me a freebie, not even once, no matter how often I come by,” Kim Seok-joo teased.

The restaurant owner replied in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, “This gentleman is the Esper who saved my son and me. His vibe might be different now, but how could I not recognize him? You’re Kang I-won, right?”

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Caught off guard, Kang I-won hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.

“Wow, Boss, you’ve got a sharp eye. I was planning to tell you after we ate,” Kim Seok-joo chimed in, a grin on his face.

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“What’s the point of bringing it up later?” The owner lightly scolded Kim Seok-joo before turning back to Kang I-won. “We didn’t even know your name back then. It was Seok-joo who told us—my son Ho-joon mentioned meeting you in Gyeonggi-do.”

Ho-joon? It clicked—Hyun Ho-joon. Kang I-won remembered that Ho-joon had mentioned his parents ran a restaurant in Gyeongju. Blinking in mild surprise, he nodded again.

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“Oh… yes, that’s right. We were on the same team.”

“Ho-joon said you looked after him really well. Honestly, I feel like I’ve been in your debt for a long time now,” the owner said, placing a steaming pot of seafood stew on the table, packed with fresh ingredients.

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“Please enjoy this. If you need more, just let me know.”

“No, this is more than enough,” Kang I-won replied, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

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“This is the least I can do. I’ve been wanting to thank you in person for so long. When I heard from Ho-joon that he met you, I wanted to go up to Gyeonggi-do immediately, but I held back—I didn’t want to impose,” the owner continued.

“You really didn’t have to—”

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“But I did,” the owner interjected, shaking his head. “If it weren’t for you, my son and I wouldn’t be here today. Please, let me repay you, even if it’s just with this meal.”

“…Thank you. I’ll enjoy it,” Kang I-won finally said, picking up his chopsticks.

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Once the owner stepped back to give them space to eat, Kim Seok-joo immediately spoke up. “So, you met the owner’s son, too?”

“…Yeah. I didn’t know he was the owner’s son, though.”

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“What a coincidence,” Kim Seok-joo remarked with a laugh.

Kang I-won gave him a long, questioning look. “Did you bring me here on purpose?”

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“On purpose? This place is a legit restaurant! I bring my team here all the time. Okay, fine, maybe I had a bit of an ulterior motive. The owner mentioned wanting to thank you, so I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone?”

“…….”

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Though surprised, Kang I-won wasn’t particularly bothered. Feeling that it wasn’t such a bad gesture, he picked up his chopsticks without further comment, and the two began to eat.

The braised beef rib melted in his mouth, the tender meat practically falling apart. Juicy and perfectly seasoned, it was undeniably delicious.

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“Good, isn’t it?” Kim Seok-joo asked with a knowing grin.

Kang I-won nodded, chewing thoughtfully. For a while, the table was quiet except for the clatter of chopsticks as they focused on eating. Once Kim Seok-joo had his fill, he finally broke the silence with a question.

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“So, how’ve you been?”

“Same as always. You?”

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“Eh, you know, just getting by. Busy, but nothing new,” Kim Seok-joo replied with a shrug. “Still in Gyeongju, working with the same team.”

The easy conversation carried on as they slowly finished their meal, the weight of unspoken gratitude lingering but unintrusive between them.

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“Me? Nothing much has changed since back then,” Kim Seok-joo replied.

“You’re a team leader now,” Kang I-won pointed out.

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“That’s just because I’ve been stuck in Gyeongju. They probably gave me the promotion early because of that,” Kim Seok-joo shrugged.

Kang I-won seemed like a completely different person. The curt, short responses that used to define him were gone, replaced by an ease in holding conversations. It was strange, but in a good way.

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Compared to the past, Kang I-won looked much more alive. His richer, more expressive face supported that impression. As old memories resurfaced, their conversation continued effortlessly.

“Do you even realize how stiff you used to be? You’d barely respond to anything I said, just staring blankly.”

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Kang I-won let out an awkward laugh.

“…Back then, I was going through a rough time.”

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“Even so, how could you act like that toward people?” Kim Seok-joo grumbled, his tone light with mock irritation.

“And then, to top it all off, you left so suddenly. No goodbye, nothing! Do you know how blindsided I was?”

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“…Sorry about that,” Kang I-won admitted.

“Why’d you leave like that?”

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After a moment of hesitation, Kang I-won finally answered.

“…It was because of the wave. The first breach was at my position.”

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During the wave incident, the monsters had broken through the spot Kang I-won was defending first. From there, the breaches spread, letting monsters pour into the city.

At the time, Kang I-won had blamed himself. He thought it was his fault—that he wasn’t strong enough, that he’d failed to stop them. It was during a time when he carried all the weight of the world on his shoulders.

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“I thought it was all because of me…,” Kang I-won said, lowering his gaze and taking a sip of water to mask his unease.

Kim Seok-joo let out a dry laugh. What a ridiculous sense of guilt, he thought. Even if Kang I-won had held that spot, another part of the line would have fallen eventually. How could someone be this absurdly self-critical?

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“Wow. You really were an idiot back then. I mean, I already knew you were reckless with how you threw yourself around, but this? This is next-level stupidity.”

“Who are you calling stupid?”

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“You, obviously,” Kim Seok-joo said, laughing heartily. The old teammate who had once seemed so distant now felt approachable, even friendly.

Their conversation drifted to lighter topics, a natural flow of casual banter. As the last of the dishes were nearly finished, Kang I-won set down his chopsticks.

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“I should get going,” he said.

“What? Why?”

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“My ride’s here,” Kang I-won replied simply.

“Who?”

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“My Guide.”

Kim Seok-joo glanced around but didn’t see anyone resembling Kang I-won’s Guide. He was about to scoff when the door to the restaurant opened, and in walked the very Guide he’d seen earlier. Blinking in surprise, he asked, “How did you know they were here?”

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“I’m bonded,” Kang I-won replied matter-of-factly.

“Well, thanks for the meal,” Kang I-won said as he stood up. He went to thank the restaurant owner, who clasped his hands warmly and insisted that he visit again. Smiling sheepishly, Kang I-won nodded and left with his Guide.

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Kim Seok-joo remained seated, watching them until they disappeared from view. Then, with a chuckle, he muttered to himself, “Hah… he really is like a different person now.”

The Kang I-won he once knew had vanished, replaced by someone brighter, more grounded. The gloom that had once weighed him down was gone, and he no longer seemed like a man teetering on the edge. He could carry a conversation, express himself, and, most importantly, he had someone by his side who brought him joy.

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For the month that Kang I-won spent in Gyeongju, that happiness remained constant. He was always with his Guide, their connection evident to anyone who saw them. Sometimes their public displays of affection were over-the-top enough to make Kim Seok-joo roll his eyes, but Kang I-won’s bright laughter made it hard not to smile along.

The once precarious teammate now stood firm, supported by a solid foundation.

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Before long, the month flew by, and the day came for Kang I-won to leave. As they exchanged contact information and promised to meet again, Kim Seok-joo watched him prepare to go. Then, mustering his courage, he called out loudly.

“Hey! Kang I-won!”

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Startled, Kang I-won turned back to look at him.

“Thanks for saving my life back then!” Kim Seok-joo shouted.

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The delayed gratitude brought a wide, clear smile to Kang I-won’s face. It was a smile without any shadow, bright and unburdened.

<Damn My Guide, End of Side Story>

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TL/N: Hope you enjoyed the novel!!

❃゜・。. ・°゜✼ ゜°・ . 。・゜❃

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