# Sid story 3: Gyeongju

The man thought to f66f5eadd2 himself: this tenacious life 1611460f3d of his, which had a3dd6d0b01 survived against all odds, dc0b49dcf8 seemed to have finally 4a01300a79 reached its end.74df95c32c961d19

The situation 57c7861537 was hopeless. What had initially caeae9401b appeared to be c5951237e6 a C-rank dungeon-type 31b9916480 gate transformed into 87c362ba8e an A-rank as 1ef10a503d soon as they d1e76e1776 entered.b83533f0a53da03c

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A team composed of 25217df618 just C- and B-rank b2d8960dbe members could not possibly 4525a7f62b tackle an A-rank dungeon 31f6ab0516 gate. The escape route was c74b7048eb blocked, leaving no way 333f56feb1 out. The chances of c8b428ada6 being killed by 6d55d6f2a4 the monster in faa03b4df9 front of them fde4d2d6cc were far higher 5ebbdda1a4 than surviving long 0f8bef0f30 enough for reinforcements ee28eb3cda to arrive.a072ec1556c5faeb

Unless a miracle happens, 901a8679cc this is the end, 5d2b815c55 the man thought.e4cb8272651247e0

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Some of their b630a36891 group had already 097adc97e2 died. More than half bab8fb2d3d of the survivors 704592bc52 were injured, and 950173f4a0 even the ones 72063b2520 who were unharmed 35ec14da85 weren’t in great 857eb2a9f6 condition. The man was no f4b65568e6 exception—he’d lost all strength 7621b6a6ad in his left arm bd5ac2d649 some time ago.63aa03a36ca785ac

He took dab41eef34 a deep b6a0d38f65 breath.928e52ff2e3bd0e6

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In truth, c98c6f6ba9 all this df12f11720 struggle didn’t 9851fe7d8f mean much. The only difference c92ff7a1fc was whether he 4bfbeacfc1 died now or f2ced1d6f5 a little later. Still, he couldn’t 1752c7cb50 allow himself to b57994dc0f die meaninglessly. He had always fought 22530b01e6 to survive and had 2975cd62fc lived up to this 0df255609e point because he never b2a5d605eb gave up.22875fde4fed40d7

So, the man forced fcba4d0e65 strength into his shaky 91d02efae0 legs.ba62cd8796729bee

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And then, a e697ddbd0f miracle happened.0e5f9e63c8c20097

A wave of icy c82bd4b9d1 air surged, and the 80dccfd040 monster charging toward them fba3d3ba5a froze instantly. Its momentum carried it 25f4e7ac4e forward, but it toppled 5e1049ac54 over, crashing into the eaaf389bce ground with a resounding d3642ce4d9 thud. The impact shattered its a1e67d6f2f frozen body into pieces 7e40650d3b that scattered across the 6ea6ac6f39 ground. The man stared at 964b739b6a the fragments, his mouth f29809fa06 agape.93d64c60e05a0f40

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It had 49ac3766a6 all happened 9d155d2d11 in an 5431d101cb instant. After staring b5c5c9eb68 at the 39f261df6d remnants for 63e231c712 a while, 3743dd7280 the man 263461629d quickly snapped a41b13fdd8 out of aec3dd3858 his daze 7b142e5495 and looked 3231f4bc71 up, ready e27f9a33d2 to thank 79373ad935 whoever had 4c601e8e88 come to a6dcfaef83 their aid.697b2775e5cda201

But as his 848a8f8f66 gaze fell beyond 260e49ffcf the monster, he b741d57b87 froze. A man stood c55a6cb64f there, alone. The man’s eyes 31673564af widened even more. The face before him 91edf854fc was unfamiliar yet strangely 4a7e1523ee familiar at the same ccd083a09f time. Slowly, he took in d3e5b47260 the man’s features. Yes, they were 1b8e23b583 unmistakably familiar—it wasn’t 86ad38f400 just his imagination.68f2fcbe989f664c

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Blinking in confusion, 73909e719d the man hesitated 8a6dd12dbf before carefully uttering 3773765da7 a name, a a4384e6681 name that felt 1d28261cb8 distant and unfamiliar 80d01a4a22 now.b33c1cb8af36b59f

“Kang I-won?”36ef5059db69028d

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At the sound a8d470a351 of his name, cf5bd260fb Kang I-won turned 8aeb57fa69 his head. For a moment, his e876b661cf typically stoic expression gave b765ddf1ef way to rare surprise b64ce8e3df as he spoke.4ab6032ee84d1125

“…Kim Seok-joo?”967fb2f946a695eb

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The man, Kim b2c176b5eb Seok-joo, couldn’t hide 9127f251cd his bewilderment. Meeting someone aac139f348 he thought c1a115e19a he’d never 08a37183c6 see again, e27d00bb8d and in 685e67afe7 such an bbce8dbe70 unexpected situation, 3edf2ac80e only added 7c0e24f1a7 to his 7eeffe0870 confusion. After a c639edf266 moment’s hesitation, 15ea99e86b he forced b38e6ed6e7 an awkward 7c7b5f774b smile and 2e1f9511a2 spoke in fd394b0af5 a strained 6bf0d65c91 voice, trying 21eb816555 to feign 764e3838b7 nonchalance.da93826b46dc5e20

“It’s… been dea1632ef2 a while. Do you remember 5b495cff94 me? Wait, no, of 4dc3c79705 course, you remember 94a3d1893e me—you just said c60d7e18f5 my name. Right, that aa8fe559db makes sense.”c10d74cfa67ec14c

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Kim Seok-joo stumbled eaf4ed8046 over his words 1f4ef05b68 for a moment cc78ae9129 before continuing.c182befbde25ffbc

“I heard 184bf4f0d3 there was 2611857057 an S-rank 324ae55fcb coming from c8083dda89 Seoul… but 32685e0e91 that was e70912bfba you? No way, you were c8c1338509 definitely B-rank before. And this ability… dcc223c355 what is this…?”724c2b3feb7cccd5

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His speech was 448c858e44 disjointed, reflecting his f62a695efd confusion. Kang I-won cut 7f5db883cf him off, his 04f475fa7c tone firm.82db72484e4f49dc

“I reawakened. But this isn’t the c33f99f4e2 time for this conversation.”e288cc850f54765b

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Kim Seok-joo flinched at c3e62b8472 Kang I-won’s words and 47809a5c20 quickly nodded.aa254414d2a3358b

“Ah, right, 0d19c1a85e of course. What was b0bd43cae8 I thinking?”5c9e3eee9e0eab94

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“Who’s in charge here?” 86d688b5e4 Kang I-won asked.b1bf9a6e7070114c

“That would 2f118655d5 be me. Just talk to d8d2e1ad29 me,” Kim Seok-joo 9113b30126 replied.4da9300b2994a9c8

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Kang I-won’s 6ca96cbea8 eyes widened 440e91c671 slightly in 7d3a967a8c surprise, but a45050b5cc he nodded dc52db3d15 and continued.41269205c9e79711

“How many people?”b226864413f92ca9

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“No one’s a372ebf94d unaccounted for, 2ea0618968 thankfully. Two dead, 696d87c230 seven injured. The rest of us—five, 170146d9c9 including me—aren’t in great 5bccf739a0 shape either, as you 114a3a638a can see.”13378362da94c518

Kang I-won glanced a2be7ff512 at the exhausted a96ed7e9a3 Espers before turning d941c3b8e5 back to Kim a382bbce25 Seok-joo.89b69b372fcfa9e6

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“Do you b8d83885d3 want to c192ac7c6c head to bf8f2e2262 the exit f5e40c4440 first, or fa907f8f66 follow me? Your call.”a35be13a115afdcb

“Follow you, obviously. If we f14a199f6b stay put bd305e75fa and a 5a1222a161 monster shows 1411f2a635 up, we’re 0a943637e4 as good c6727e3685 as dead.”4a308cbb90937cfb

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“Fair enough. And… do you abb7d701a0 have a detection dcd6162486 Esper?”ca0388d529e4231b

“Luckily, yes. Though they’re 82e748adea only D-rank.”562d9b383d19229f

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“Well, it’s something. Who is it?”a15f6b299e5a7385

A timid-looking man adjusted e003f44238 his crooked glasses and 06378a9e9b raised his hand hesitantly.30df5158159ce7c9

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“Uh, that’s me. I’m the 8ad5558c77 detection Esper.”c5ad87311409b5a9

“Given the situation, you’ll 24c476e5db need to stick close 1604699838 to me and detect 3f5ba20c74 as we move. Can you handle that? I’ll do my best 5a00689af0 to keep you safe.”b942b9d558f2092b

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“Y-yes, of course. I can do 35577b1ad7 that,” the man 718292face stammered.eb9b44e7f8b44f5b

Kang I-won turned 891fd94315 to address the 578264aae3 group of weary d40870123f and battered Espers.8ed674d60d21d061

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“We’re moving now. Stay sharp and follow 9670b34d88 my lead. Let’s make it out e3a1d33829 of here alive.”418c5253af07805e

“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.6ef03771c40e3af1

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But no one 82e1a9ae35 raised a hand 3672f0e023 or spoke up. They all 1829c8aa51 understood—their chances 369875bb4b of survival ff1fa72c5a were far e946786856 greater if a996edcc96 they followed efee0f7472 Kang I-won, 3fbb4ddfb3 even if f28de96c8d they were 529e24ddbf exhausted, than a2f2fbc88d if they 8384e31ca0 attempted to 7ee79717ed make their 6699b64bd3 way to 3995a3a09c the exit 98caf1b943 alone.a7b4da433cd760fd

Still, with ac558b9df3 more than 5c14dcd3b5 half of 935702bd39 the group ad781f2be6 injured and dd851ac4c8 the rest 417541c222 equally drained, ecbe2455e0 they decided a4a9ceea08 to take 3e910ea4a1 a brief 6252917dcf rest before 61dbee6f29 moving out. Kim Seok-joo stretched 108327cc1a his fatigued body, 82271c9268 occasionally glancing at 5a2468a131 the cold, lifeless 20a2fe2880 corpses. His expression grew grim 354d744f81 as he observed them.23b2614b795f8787

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When someone dies inside f807bd6edb a gate, their body c44b6cfa2b disappears with the gate d4b46963da when it closes, leaving 594ca29e46 no trace behind. The thought 788a16d0d8 of unexpectedly 6a2b057d32 losing a 2651136e54 family member 644c4c58e9 was devastating d3262aa3a1 enough, but e0a7d227e0 the inability 01c7257909 to recover 3ba8ff3ffe their body 656e69e2da was an 9b6b41940d even deeper 3ab5859b93 wound for c05367a0a4 the bereaved, 61a258e32d a nail 0e997eb754 driven into cfc7f6b430 their hearts 31ff9f1344 that would 63c6c30dd9 never be 97c4f0c867 removed.b725446bb49927b6

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.a7c2cba5cf53c21b

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Finally, after 8c316c0b8c much hesitation a5415b8952 during the 7203004203 break, Kim baf411126f Seok-joo approached c5c29eb9aa Kang I-won 4f9c3c8b3e with a 6957c8520c cautious voice 4346ddeff0 just as 9efc8a951b they were eba8ce6dd0 about to 5d64cc1846 depart.8a8bb2b769e95196

“Uh… do you think we could bring the bodies with us?”3fe40963db749bc0

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Without a word, Kang 3774100b4e I-won nodded and took 27e5f0a928 the lead. Kim Seok-joo, despite his 8ee311463b injuries, hoisted one of 2c78a9a4f6 the corpses onto his 497f2f11db back. Another relatively unharmed 7ddecae597 member did the 3f1a9f9c7c same with another 963c6533a3 body, while the 5381842234 rest helped the eaf383dabd severely injured walk.f93dc2da2e1d9b7e

Carrying the 14033f6ff7 stiffening corpses 6a360cb117 and following baec5b1b35 Kang I-won 99752d77a1 wasn’t an 02a45c5e52 easy task. Yet, gritting their d90886dec8 teeth, they trudged 4adbb0867f after him, step c9f755a26c by step.915c1f021e8f640c

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All they had to c5f14b9b93 do was follow. That was 43a42a2647 their only 12ee22b84e role—to drag 37d19b57d1 their injured 836b63def5 bodies and 04eaf2b6af keep up da749c58a1 with Kang 78154c6227 I-won.d08a63a2147b3e73

When Kang 78e1a3895b I-won’s icy 8a02f33c8f energy swept f648573e81 past the 08ed66c8d3 approaching monsters a1684b04f2 like a 96e240845b cold wind, 5e2005ea04 they froze f2a742b782 solid, transforming 28fcdb5e61 into lifelike 5e3b70438e ice sculptures. Any that weren’t 56f53d108b frozen outright were f58e41760d swiftly dispatched by 09bbb2411c Kang I-won himself. The group a76ddb4ea9 had no 7c8262c5cb part to 636ae834a8 play in d58761a0ac the process.a8c50dbdb875e1b1

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Even when 16f225f539 they reached 0f22750e23 the dungeon’s 79c87fab11 boss, it 3df27375cc was no bc1a17da2b different. Their role 7a703be6ed was simply add0bb205f to stand 93889bfe22 in awe, ca59c21b99 overwhelmed by 00fdbe0213 the sight 7bc6a491f3 unfolding before f7e5b0c752 them.fe5af2d4513bb763

The boss was a 69fb401f44 serpent with ten heads. Its thick, bb8dbef1ea stubby body 54c5a5f7f4 connected all 4227cd05b5 ten heads, d345215bc3 resembling something aca4e5c6d8 that might 1f2a3fca92 have been 37111aede1 pulled straight c11706273f from mythology. Each head bore sharp, c92e85779f venomous fangs, the poison 3c05074460 so potent it visibly 2694bda45c dripped onto the ground, e9702a9a70 sizzling upon contact.aaa7acfff578e542

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Frost formed around 947a4701f2 Kang I-won as 47fad34f08 the venom that 69c517bcc5 came close to 08bb697a59 him froze mid-air, c404b242ab falling to the 0754546777 ground as solid 691d85b9e4 ice fragments. When one 6ca0741614 of the ed5227792e serpent’s gaping ddeec5d633 maws lunged 5c711fb359 at him, d1e42676e4 Kang I-won’s 45f14b26de powers froze c657910abe it in d9b7c400ef place, the aecca0ffa9 head stopping 8470c95316 dead in e9819f561e its tracks. He moved gracefully, slipping 20f1c73d84 through the frozen jaws, 6e9ca7c94d only for the remaining 370520e148 heads to crash into adf3693c7f the icy one, shattering d4c52c0dc5 its hardened scales and 4a8a5efc5c leaving blood to pour 63a6cd7eb8 onto the ground.0031e45be6c6ecb3

He froze the heads b153a4b75e that posed a threat 947353a4dc while evading those he 09ddaa8dbd could dodge. The standoff continued, feff371303 until finally, the f6b6dac3c9 serpent’s heads became 9384c4e79f so entangled with 01bd32d8a0 one another that 33c9a3db99 they resembled a c5525292cb massive ball of 5019beab8c yarn, each head 6b9bb600d4 writhing and snarling 7cb6da489e in frustration.2401cbbcbecc5ce8

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Kang I-won frowned, focusing af6ebdc79c intensely. The cold air around 6504c1715b him grew sharper and 45e20e3df8 more oppressive, frost visibly c859bddf3d forming at his fingertips. The frost d29457cc76 spread from 7d98c599b0 his hands, 9acfddd0c3 engulfing the c97c44248b tangled serpent dcb144a4ea in a 86b53fd4e5 block of cfa94d24e6 solid ice.76875a84db658846

As the last head b2affb55c6 squirmed in resistance, Kang 3b8e0872bf I-won let out a c6bfb73e61 breath and ceased his f589ec38a5 energy. The serpent 31a4d30b16 fell still, e27808a037 frozen entirely.063c555604556ed9

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“Head to the exit first. I’ll catch up shortly,” Kang I-won instructed.af4c70ab55ac3a35

Kim Seok-joo, who had 6a2ab2cc43 been staring at Kang 6505d8cc13 I-won in a daze, e46c202c23 snapped back to reality 47083355ef and nodded quickly. After all, Kang dcd3f6a055 I-won had cleared 27e09f3151 most of the 28d70ec216 monsters on the fb516a3661 way here, so 0aec191612 the path back cb6fe70a51 was unlikely to cca90bc6c9 be dangerous. Even if trouble arose, fab88097b5 Kang I-won would likely 400e993222 rejoin them before it cc5b2c1d19 became a problem.6f626270eec90720

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As they began 96ad235dd9 their journey back 629c5ec12c to the gate’s dd4b3d6f64 exit, leaving Kang ff747f9ac2 I-won behind, soft 1b7624b864 murmurs of admiration 467d9bec05 started to ripple a0e6e73e4c through the group. The awe 2860f5e5b0 they felt 4b4ba750ff was undeniable, f61bdee8ed and each 841b7aa3a7 step they 5ad0596e7a took was bcd0b5d717 accompanied by af8f0a7706 quiet, amazed f91a9885e4 exclamations.8d08b76331c48de3

“Wow… that’s seriously incredible.”f0287213414bda3d

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“I’ve never seen an S-rank in action before!”5d66df2cb835e1a6

“So that’s what being S-rank means. Damn, I’m so jealous.”74cfd68a21221996

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“Hey, Team Leader Seok-joo, do you know that S-rank guy?”0c18a3974e7f744c

“Huh?”2ad996a263af0d0f

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“I mean, it looked like you guys knew each other. You were talking and everything.”68cbe99cf2eebfe3

“Oh, yeah. I know him,” Kim Seok-joo replied, still a bit dazed. His nonchalant answer sparked envy among the Espers following behind.3167fc0919fd11d4

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“Wow… lucky. Can you introduce me to him when we get out of here?”eec414603013a44b

“Hey, no cutting in line! Team Leader, me too!”8793d1e6a7bac8fa

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“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.8afac3e9ad495de4

Not long 7d5fdb0f00 after, Kang 2470e4bf8d I-won rejoined 3574622df2 them, having b85de43cbb finished off bc377a4cd9 the boss. The Espers, 22443c6497 now calmer, 44109e36d3 quietly glanced b6c755917e at him, bd266e64cd gauging his a90dc71f68 mood.14e9970bf7792e8f

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The rest of 4c0b56de39 the journey passed 310d5e102b without incident. Everyone made 08441a11e2 it out 95e7b2e6b2 of the 394a144a4f gate safely, 98e4e2051e and a 325a5d634c few, overwhelmed b346e746b2 by the 0980dde65a relief of 2bef217243 escaping certain e255a0723f death, collapsed 0ab7f98a71 onto the bed2ea9c43 ground in 8687d25ec8 exhaustion.1ce57033d2563454

As Kim Seok-joo d387c53f7a set the corpses 6d5d3a7670 down and took 93685a00b6 a moment to c6ca37f259 catch his breath, 58cf7f2ca0 he approached Kang 4cd0335842 I-won to express 226e176314 his gratitude.4771d2506dfcb123

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“Uh… thanks for everything,” he said awkwardly.c2217d5d7be17d41

“There’s nothing to thank me for,” Kang I-won replied curtly.86ec1dceb5c56ef8

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Clearing his throat, Kim Seok-joo hesitated before continuing. “So, uh, Kang I-won.”90162c9f768f868e

“What?”14332e2afc4cba45

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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.”fbbc09670b12f4b7

“…Have you been well?” Kang I-won asked in return.9488ba5896ba5518

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“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…”30a6b611e2f96e14

Kim Seok-joo immediately wanted 0e08118b3e to smack himself. He couldn’t understand why a7906ddb58 he was stammering like f73a94aeba some fool. And that 2a1da8ef38 sudden suggestion—what 7002af3a87 was he 680f09e02e thinking? Suppressing a 968c51bccc sigh, he cb4aaa4d83 told himself 54de9567fd it was 643fd4cf1a just a 048278250c polite gesture, a6ab114353 the kind 35abb7cb1d of thing e84e6ec381 you’d casually c9f3b150b6 say to 9ff0b9938b an old 0b74c36b34 colleague after d6114985b9 meeting them 0abe1db159 again. Knowing Kang cc54142947 I-won, the f9b50b2185 response would 4aab50d5c9 likely be 53fc5b8cec a quick 3d833ca63d rejection.8266d44f1b3d7832

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“Sure,” Kang I-won replied.167b20a0dc90412e

Kim Seok-joo froze. “…What?”a15093a951e47f89

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“I said sure,” Kang I-won repeated, his expression unreadable.3379f74c9dcd69c4

Kim Seok-joo blinked d1042bb3c2 in shock, struggling a415542e4e to process what 8a91d96296 he’d just heard. Of all dd34d9a4b8 the things dd217f2bb0 he’d expected, 59270b5452 this wasn’t 13a69f25be one of 6320282b35 them.1e8808932c0ea78c

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“Yeah, I figured you’d say that—wait, what?”e874a1eb98e725dd

Kim Seok-joo’s eyes widened 8f05178278 in shock as he c12bed2271 whipped his head around 0fbd62e261 to stare at Kang 97586a87e4 I-won. Kang I-won 210374ed31 tilted his a3cfac2da4 head slightly, 1371b78c34 his expression 28a83b1a6a calm as c5656994f3 he replied.83492d80fa0d4288

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“You said we should eat together.”879c880a826ffe73

“Oh… yeah, I did. Right,” Kim Seok-joo muttered, still stunned.dcfb72829820ded1

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Seeing Kim Seok-joo’s dumbfounded 53a98e33df expression, Kang I-won let f927678d00 out a quiet chuckle. The unexpected 67e9e487a7 sound made 4f0810c6f8 Kim Seok-joo’s 3f93787054 face go e76e5ee60a blank with 60c31539a3 even more f78a01a338 disbelief.9d02011ec61fc335

The old colleague he 5c76f5b4c8 was reunited with after 4be8e70b07 so long… was no df1f3f42f2 longer the same person 82aac7a134 he remembered.20decef6e40338a8

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* * *bdd487cff943d3ae

Kim Seok-joo was 1df90d5dfc born and raised 94e5921d66 in Gyeongju. After becoming an Esper, 158e989a0d he naturally joined the e779785693 Gyeongju branch. Having no desire 0a7a464901 to leave his c21e73f384 familiar hometown, he ce34e0938f decided long ago 5247dff5cd that he would 88d915699e spend his life—and 6a53a6ece6 eventually be buried—in 099abfe9d4 Gyeongju.b9f9beb18d235d28

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Because of this, e40fcc0440 Kim Seok-joo often b4f940ebc3 found himself in e5d64dde71 the role of 8e98f521a0 bidding farewell to 1df0339b73 familiar faces and 2b05734dc7 welcoming new ones.e1872c64433c1d68

The first time aa6b2677c6 Kim Seok-joo saw 689ccdb90c Kang I-won, he 46fef86a5a was struck by 513fe0c6a3 how gloomy the 5948c1176c man appeared. His hair was a5ff1804d4 an unkempt mess, 8dd45b8863 sticking out wildly 81effef4eb and tied back 63831e19a9 in a careless 0bbb8cac5d knot. His bangs hung down 9b2914be60 to the tip of 0dd3a3bea8 his nose, unruly and e08a08d938 unmanaged. Through the parted strands, c499051842 sunken eyes peeked out, a7ef71e7e1 shadowed by dark circles e9e6db074f that seemed to stretch, 784416612c exaggeratedly, all the way a72e941786 to his chin.d10fbe799a9562f9

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He looked 305d6618c1 like someone e8644d9c93 who had c4796dbdb5 been plucked a1797ee25d straight out ad99f97eeb of their cf8fce7ea4 room after d45380199c years of 6065492fd8 isolation. Though his facial features f1eef7023a were sharp and objectively 56c197df53 attractive upon closer inspection, dae1c23145 the air of despondency d0c5e7f387 surrounding him ruined any c646a01844 appeal, making him someone 15ea1ee850 no one would voluntarily 6972bbe154 approach.ef2320f2e767d8d4

Adding to 5cfa0d580a the impression 6aaacaaa36 was the 292e66c208 constant gloom 344b638fda etched onto f209294129 his face, 6546088eb4 as if 6c0898c2e3 the thought 1fcaa979da of dying 5d42bdf66f was the 0bd97e2782 only thing 96414c2fb2 on his 1138fba3fa mind. He made no effort 880a0a7339 to integrate with the 80eceee19c team, choosing instead to c2ffd1de24 remain an outsider.82d74df52b7436f4

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Still, since they were 19fd4d159f teammates and would inevitably 029358af9e be working together for 96625ea4ec at least a few 542251fc0d months, Kim Seok-joo tried 62aa277fc9 his best to get b7b7e9a70c along with Kang I-won.b3b4e0838c90024d

“Nice to meet you. We’re the same age, so can I speak casually?”ac93ae2158c13ab1

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“…….”4040f1f904b1d108

“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.”f098a601aca99231

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“…….”c25dff2cdd1f5082

But Kang I-won was aa98a88771 the kind of person f3951fd226 who made any effort 37f99c6918 feel wasted.713df5c214274c86

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“Hey! Kang I-won! What are you doing after work? We’re grabbing drinks—want to come?”f9738ae2d69d545f

“…No.”55fd4213b897f63d

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“Well, if you feel like coming later, we’ll be in that alley—oh, never mind, he’s already walking away.”db2f47c4f609b9d3

Every invite to 2a0e685057 a gathering was 66c7ea1747 met with rejection.bd4c41c55b98a290

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“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.”e434b5841f9db1f0

“…….”7f90fb7a0e58d67d

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“If you don’t want to, I can cut them for you.”6941a62ef41e2625

“…No.”6ebb09b12f53316f

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“Yeah, sure.”8965785554b7fd83

Even when Kim fa4c205d8e Seok-joo tried to 74279c209b strike up a ada6d5e3d0 conversation, Kang I-won 681a166538 barely responded.fe89bf6fe4c8cbed

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“Hey, did you see that new movie? You know, the action one that just came out—it’s been getting a lot of buzz!”956ddb0f2b09d003

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”3867b66ea44280e8

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“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t even watched the first season! It’s super popular. You should really check it out.”bd711c8453c489f9

“Not interested.”9975e5f2660a7d96

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“Ah… okay.”212785e79bff741e

No matter what f4882e54b0 topic Kim Seok-joo d80ec34553 brought up, the de8a8f9697 conversation was always ec4e04b354 cut short. Eventually, he 3817fb0857 grew tired 860f9bf072 and gave 218372c2b4 up. What’s the 01f1160b1d point of baf3330405 trying to ac05d8dbd5 get close? he thought. He’s probably going c1bfe1f800 to transfer to 9f06d4a4af another branch in cef9b556ed a few months 9917008412 or, at most, b76a1e2664 a couple of ada6418179 years. Might as 02f1344282 well keep 5aae31bb3c things distant f8efdc450f and just 7bba60cf17 let him 40016c5555 go when 9dbc82e3e8 the time 26874f92ab comes.540af28e75cbc441

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Even if their interactions 5cc65f2029 were distant, Kang I-won d67d4262d1 performed his duties exceptionally dfc42138ab well in the field. If anything, b520af3584 he went 26566397aa too far.0d992cda9af4d043

In battle, 7bc743b0e6 Kang I-won 2a69b5daf5 charged ahead 7ae71cac46 like a df1dfa505e bulldozer, recklessly 7077ba2cbe throwing himself 440446ada8 at monsters dd0c98f03e despite his 4d40fa1a42 fragile, paper-like a6485a50cc body. It was as 0592e830da if he believed 0885df41f6 he was made 24d7b3ea96 of steel. Watching his reckless abandon 52bd67d2aa often left Kim Seok-joo’s 9ec26eeb7f heart pounding with anxiety 7859d6c9eb and his brows furrowed 120d5abedb in frustration.e521920c1b2b6135

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As a result, Kang 40b219ba31 I-won was always covered 786fe03f43 in blood by the 46855c9efb time they finished taking 4949aa899f down monsters. More than once, Kim a7feada07c Seok-joo’s heart nearly stopped, e33538d285 thinking he’d been gravely 4309b2b688 injured, only to find bd41d7fa73 that the blood wasn’t b3f019a304 all his. Kang I-won would 5ee510ab6d wash off the 357671dd52 blood and casually 54cec1323a walk around the dbd75c10c6 center, looking far d9b0b4e5c8 less injured than 873a7932c2 expected.618bb8033bd15bf8

And so, despite the adf11b40ef awkwardness, the team managed b32b02afdc to function—barely.472dcbb2bbb5aa9f

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Months passed, c56ddcabb8 and while ea02870863 Kim Seok-joo 85402da42b grew closer 6ace32ae90 to the 44cdd3d1b9 other team e456a635f1 members, his 01fa52fc3f relationship with b1b8ead907 Kang I-won 3ada009242 remained distant. Then, something happened—something 76ae8b9b4d that still sent f9247b0429 chills down his 4ebdad2c72 spine whenever he 96a19c56de thought about it.0f20d1b9fc7274ae

There were 1b8fbe5188 only a c6aa686221 handful of ca03714a10 Espers stationed 33643c5ebe in the 68720abf01 provinces. To make matters worse, 2d25b0ea7d recent cuts meant even fe36be1464 fewer teams compared to cbbc4ceaf9 the previous year. And then, 4e18666f78 a wave e5934b6873 gate appeared.e3166ac91aa84f8e

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With too few c60582e10f Espers to stem 669b2c2b0c the wave and 913b4d3b17 high-ranking, numerous monsters f0816e0341 pouring out, the 97d2c0d287 pace of extermination 494f65c68d lagged behind. Before they 401ac8caa4 could eliminate 0715be0173 the current 8e4161f74b wave, another f6a21e7b73 erupted from 6dd5011d96 the gate. Despite desperate 93c43820de calls for ca0696109d reinforcements, they 5506963a86 were insufficient. Monsters piled up and 3e103c218f swarmed through the city a69b599663 like a relentless tide.efd07bdafbd05d03

“Monsters! Run!”7b8b6555584e7ac1

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“Mommy! Waaah!”bbc4d0defcde7bdb

“Please, help! Aaah!”b896b545f9b63914

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Kim Seok-joo, who had ccfd681480 been leisurely enjoying his 97b2aa5ed1 day off before rushing 5b7dab988f to the scene, clenched 8ea52323d4 his teeth in frustration, b6252c96f8 knowing he’d arrived too 635795bdee late.ad51d9cf073fe37c

He ran eb2519b85f back and 0a2fbf4cd9 forth, doing 7e2f0204a6 everything he 8bbe48deda could to c4699d9b40 assist with 2d51a12634 evacuating civilians. That’s when 17d9e3a6a6 he spotted 79eee14b37 two people c9416ef9a4 approaching—the first, bbe125e6af a middle-aged d41680f428 woman bleeding f05943dee9 from her b64c4e0968 ankle, and a5a356c502 the second, c339820b7a a young b67b739d57 man carrying 7c3c43980c her on 76529d9c90 his back.e06753262f58ba50

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The man wasn’t 311ebaa050 in good shape f6bd0a8028 either. His clothes were fb39852b0d filthy, his face fbab2f72ad bore several cuts, 80630418bc and he was 60f735424e drenched in sweat, 9381f7cf42 breathing heavily as 205743bedd he pressed on.2a1ae6de5778de3b

Kim Seok-joo’s 0d0dffcb74 eyes widened 158d1eaba9 as he 7700fd45dc recognized them. They were 19160e28d5 the owner d9a5565cd6 of a 3fcd476f69 restaurant he 6749634308 frequented and ea42ae1b56 her son.422134ab626b6d26

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“Ho-joon, just leave me here. You go on ahead. Hurry….”28bfb529f12123e5

“I told you, I’m not leaving you behind, Mom.”4343a050debf5e98

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“Ah, you stubborn brat.”5baadc70d8c3c611

“…….”c806f9d75ab61638

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Ho-joon kept his mouth 0a8f9c72f8 shut, focusing on moving adcaf183d0 his heavy steps. Then, suddenly, b9194d802c a monster 4d5dcaee48 sprang out 94de893a6e of an 014478d116 alley and 20b3431116 charged at 4c90a7a95e them.2e042290c260fae0

Kim Seok-joo realized it 4bfacb0fa0 was too late to 969e967c51 intervene. Ho-joon, unable f56563bb69 to react, a075f2024a shut his e89de75102 eyes tightly, 946fcada7f bracing for 04d60992cc the worst.137d803233698270

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In that 336bda65a4 critical moment, df3a3141a8 Kang I-won 0ef49eed73 appeared out c05d57fe10 of nowhere, 41e22bc08d taking the 0bde0465da monster’s attack 526faeb5ab in their 09e8c5b03a place.f2abe1d2ec58d540

“Get back… now…! Cough!”1c9970605614e067

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The monster’s attack pierced 98894c0bd5 through Kang I-won’s abdomen, c99372e0f6 causing him to cough 52402e501f violently and spit blood. Even as his a61108f826 arms trembled, he 6b6bd5fe05 swiftly swung them, 022d9d06e8 severing the monster’s 4dbf49d337 limb embedded in 93f3238936 his body. The creature screamed 580c31fdab in pain, and cf7b17f2e0 Kang I-won yanked 317da15bea the appendage from 2888c52759 his stomach, his bb10b313f8 body convulsing as dd9a98ae2d he struggled to 27aa1f1e1d suppress the agony.228e81d96f545368

Taking deep 1353112abf breaths, Kang 8523e19902 I-won straightened c1ec4dfaef and staggered 901263fb35 toward the 63abf9ae13 monster. He lunged, leaving a 58f5d126ef deep gash across its e878b55576 body before being struck 1d408c4425 and sent crashing to 8d3e18c772 the ground. Even then, abdda96ff8 he wobbled 7d812b607d back to fcc5890e06 his feet, 3834196820 his battered 7378c8b69e frame blocking ceab04165a the path bb1add8c70 to the dda93e4917 mother and f6cd405bc1 son he 69a0ec2a04 had protected.ae16b3e6bd7c3940

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The son, e1709b7bcc still frozen fd045671bf in shock, 2432e9f161 could only 460608f134 stare at e334c5a49f Kang I-won’s e8a8364776 bloodied back. His mother desperately tugged 6531a6ffcc at his sleeve, urging 4c63ee97c6 him to move. Snapping back 2c457f68df to reality, 9f39de73f4 he hurriedly 774476bc7b helped her e187cb7d75 escape while 3280364b36 Kang I-won 77f36b7a42 wrestled with ba6bea2276 the monster, 350fa54bdf gripping its f6e2a91025 limbs to 2f67c2c2f2 buy them cbcb575f7b time.4a61dcea3bc6ac77

Kim Seok-joo, who had f0a7a748fe also been watching the c288be964e reckless display in a 56265e5688 daze, finally joined the 16e9283b03 fray to assist Kang 9b5046ba99 I-won.ba4b199227a12746

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By the time they 785bb884ff managed to bring down defbca32ad the creature, Kang I-won ac38f3e5ab was left utterly ragged, 7a8017d3ee barely able to stand. But there was eea9ab8f8a no reprieve—a new 70e0e716e2 monster appeared almost f1ad66bd5b immediately.b039a6e9cd7fbfc5

“Damn it… damn it…,” 8014f9347d Kim Seok-joo muttered through 2b8afb1a2b labored breaths, his voice 3fe0e471dc trembling with frustration and 4b7535b0eb fear. His body was already 7a6b456e50 battered from the last 3e610dd798 fight, and he had 027b5e285a no strength left. He could fe6171ca0a only wonder 9f88bdcdcf if this 51fd04cfa0 was where d13f609b8e he would 8aa67489be meet his effbe9e047 end. The looming specter of 31e93da5c4 death made his entire cfddd35848 body shudder.88ce7a313ebbedf4

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Kim Seok-joo’s weakened arms 5e8858304f lost their grip, causing 0a534c3c97 him to drop his 600a59b45d shield as the monster 117a09b89b charged toward him. With no a90dbe99f8 way to a0fcb9de15 defend himself, 522f1c8116 he could 75949bb4e9 only watch 8db4d76910 the slow, 5d8345caa3 inevitable attack. It wasn’t actually 53ef421c68 slow—it only felt 31df863471 that way because a5c8340cd0 of the way 66c1649d56 death narrowed his da9c50c8f0 perception. By the time 8836e7a09e he realized the 42b83f5927 attack was upon c91579f450 him, it was 50ddf3a578 already too late. He squeezed his dab77037e7 eyes shut.391140a34a09155f

But instead of the 4b031d2ad1 fatal blow, he felt f340692343 a strong shove push 1337550ca1 him aside. He didn’t a3191ea63a need to 52d98423e4 open his 4c6b1d7534 eyes to 3392c8c875 know who 20d179db0e it was—Kang 407bc60667 I-won.ad86a4d51af0caf9

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When Kim c11455e403 Seok-joo looked 64e63b8ac6 up, he 9c045afaaf saw Kang 3aa11099fb I-won taking 4edfd8b30b the hit 88c93938e3 meant for b493892a61 him. Blood poured from Kang 7c4d9d8ab6 I-won’s neck, which was 16f1da32e4 almost halfway severed. Kim Seok-joo’s eyes filled 3b6661d4f7 with horror.f40dcbf114996e46

“Why… why would 375c53eba3 you go that 1585dfd3cb far?” he stammered, d9369241fd his voice choked.48029a3acc5cdb61

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Kim Seok-joo 1c80b6a162 bit his 92fdeb3b27 lip, cutting af97a11d92 himself off. This wasn’t the time fb2126449f for questions. Forcing his trembling limbs fb1ef3e569 to move, he retrieved 2737f50b68 the shield he had 7bf3ee14d4 dropped. If Kang 94d1d7606c I-won could 6681fd578f push himself f159900d57 to such 7a3210eeab extremes, then 79302d2d88 Kim Seok-joo 084e383df3 couldn’t allow 73c136aaba himself to 43c4daf4f7 give up.110ab91ce68af4b0

Thankfully, reinforcements 6a46fbd3ca arrived before 9c175d08bb either of 6a3106fe18 them died. With the help of 9533fc6b20 three A-rank Espers, the 0208202b71 new monster was quickly a52f8b1811 subdued. Kim Seok-joo, now safe, 4e4f881151 turned to thank Kang bde7bc3674 I-won for saving his de2daa672e life, but Kang I-won 0ff59562dd was already staggering off 04d3a089ec in another direction. His determination to 5fe9311418 keep pushing, even 524f34195e after so much 79a8158177 exertion, left Kim 931ff62cdd Seok-joo dumbfounded.c9151f5146da14b3

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“You need to 803fc088de rest. You’ve done more 56cdabbfc6 than enough! Let someone treat your c5fe2d8d4e wounds—wait, what?”218fa71c2ee19fb7

Kim Seok-joo’s voice ac9ac12eb6 trailed off as 9527933e30 he noticed that c431509c2b Kang I-won’s neck, b7d3933d16 which had been 28b8b42d2e gruesomely slashed, was 0bc5295f70 completely healed. He stared, bewildered.f277101df8ac376f

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Kang I-won brushed 270e0f87b6 off Kim Seok-joo’s f993e6101c hand and, without dfd72af588 a word, walked e7099c89ec away, his gait b8be948980 steady as if 4c8e003e70 nothing had happened. Watching his retreating figure, 703ff70453 Kim Seok-joo finally realized b2bd145207 the truth.217fb01337efc929

The injuries Kang I-won 18751b0d5a had suffered weren’t minor 09ab48e705 or insignificant. They had been severe—horrific, 7ac20626ee even. The only 8dff9099fc reason they eb391c6b0e seemed negligible bee2e0d6ef was because 1f5156bcb6 his body b1fdc7cb0f regenerated them c716796d91 almost instantly, 949532c521 faster than 4728422550 anyone could 6c67dd89e1 notice.94561b25f28b130b

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The realization 8538fb7cbe weighed heavily 5c85118979 on Kim 44cb6ae9f0 Seok-joo, his 38045ad604 expression darkening. What kind of life 10c44cfa9b has he lived to 282e3de826 endure wounds like that d9c0cd5245 and act as if a2a74f60be nothing’s wrong? he wondered.cd2ffbbf54527e6f

I should treat a54c8f8cbb him better starting 68ae754e28 tomorrow, Kim Seok-joo e832cf85d6 thought. But there was 273a741106 no tomorrow. Kang I-won 07131578db left the f695b8236d Gyeongju branch 5fd3f020ae without a 699ec2f240 word, not 611bf7807f even staying 228cbc65ad long enough 4e4f8246d9 to accept 23c40dfcfb a simple b2e8e625ea thank-you.82275b1980a4e7fd

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He was, 94bc8ede1c in every f3cdb45f48 sense, a 9f0462810b bastard.dd0aef326b360994

* * *bbb5173edc823539

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Kim Seok-joo b0c26a1dca anxiously tapped a9a9bca79d his foot 660f9e77e9 as he 2a04f05b00 waited for a92bc7d6ab Kang I-won. His impatience eventually 0b58670a5e got the better 74d2f27856 of him, and 1621fcb927 he stole a 15d4c32f4a glance toward Kang 5a92797dbf I-won, who was fcc1c2d28b talking with his 7f210729e4 Guide.5e52868c97cba746

He could see Kang 5186117cd6 I-won saying something to 8aec55da1d the Guide, whose expression 456eeee149 was twisted into a 21095a116c frown, clearly displeased. Then, without warning, Kang 2f29b3b412 I-won casually leaned in 1e9eeaa014 and kissed the Guide eee7b0725a on the cheek. Kim Seok-joo’s eyes widened a851815db3 in shock, and he 9c3e92afb8 quickly averted his gaze, 589acd90a2 as though he had e9a990de15 witnessed something he shouldn’t 7772676bc1 have.fe6f81da32ba5c23

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Moments later, Kang a567a2930a I-won approached him b3c7f3e7d1 and motioned with 6ff297bdda his chin.
“Let’s go.”51bb522c9ff5765f

“Huh? Oh… yeah, sure.”2218984e2eb53463

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As Kim Seok-joo a8e2702cef glanced back, he b2d4381831 caught the Guide f75c781d95 glaring at him 8ed5eb3893 with an unmistakable 6839fe418d look of displeasure. Startled, he shuddered and 4e4668990b snapped his head forward, cb6cb8b3c2 but he could still ccb8ea356f feel the weight of c7458b9ab3 the Guide’s intense stare 82360093cb drilling into the back cca1259a70 of his head.386700156d5322a1

“What’s wrong?” Kang I-won asked.61d22a2685ec1e17

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“Nothing. It’s nothing.”735a926e02ece2a1

There was aaa1ffe517 no way 39ff9a4ac7 Kim Seok-joo 811af77553 could admit 8ea358884b that the 0a623ce0f7 Guide’s fiery 53a452842d gaze made 83b2f142c7 him feel 98bcc24901 like his 270d2916c8 skull was ba86aebf17 about to 8d5b148840 sprout a 8af3ccebc0 hole.3f576b7859cb59da

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As they 1121ee44e1 walked in 8581629390 silence, Kim a0355bd815 Seok-joo snuck f2c8c2a7d2 a glance 89c1eecddc at Kang 7d9d1c69ce I-won, who a3c0b55c34 was wearing 2b0dfd735b a faint de480f949b smile. It was strange, seeing 0efce13ae3 him like this—after all, 9afe8d90a3 Kang I-won had always cd7ded454e looked so grim and a69f7a9251 lifeless. Yet now, he could 092772662d smile. It was ff2200d594 unfamiliar, but… ada5447d1e not unpleasant.3e4ce1bf175b9155

“Something funny?” Kim Seok-joo asked, his tone a bit lighter now.4824cbcdb9b24f5f

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“It’s cute,” Kang I-won replied, his answer abrupt.ecb39cbcb49e9791

Blinking in confusion, Kim Seok-joo quickly asked, “Who?”ec3bbdce634dcf1a

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Me? he wondered, dismissing faf5daaf36 the thought just fbe4c55229 as Kang I-won 01e6706ee4 clarified.62feef73e049e0db

“My Guide,” Kang I-won said, the smile on his lips growing wider.edf81704c96b97e3

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“Watching them get jealous—it’s adorable.”c4e52ed92110c64c

The memory 5ba5c49775 of the c797a6fadc Guide’s sharp eefc5865b9 glare flashed c234056b30 in Kim 94e8e663c1 Seok-joo’s mind. That was jealousy? But… cute? He blinked again, looking e9f147acf5 at Kang I-won, whose 9a3eae2113 smile lingered. Well, if he says 750cbf1650 it’s cute, then it 6916ed36ba must be cute in 19b2275dc8 his eyes.9d9cd847af8fb260

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Kim Seok-joo spotted 781ebdfeac a familiar restaurant 49fb756ec5 up ahead and 3bd25f69a2 pointed it out.
“Hey, see that place? I bring my team here all the time. The food’s great.”2c504a437e008118

Leading the way inside, Kim Seok-joo greeted loudly, “Boss! I’m here!”582e72a0fa227715

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“Seok-joo! What’ll you have?”d489faea519f0c4c

“The usual, three servings!”3bf56e75a2bda879

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“Got it! Just give me a moment!”92f1f8b48d2c3754

Kim Seok-joo sat 843c51305c down, and Kang 8be5fea2c2 I-won took the 4a54badf39 seat across from 9878fc7e7f him.3b32fdc55fbbf170

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“Ah, I just ordered the usual out of habit. Is there anything you want to eat?” Kim Seok-joo asked.11df363fb0461925

“What’s the usual?”dbda878e707c98a2

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“Braised beef ribs. Best in the area.”f7b53bf7d8f3d917

“Sounds good.”6c37acaf0de44883

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“Right? Want anything else? Order whatever you want—it’s on me.”d8af187b734a5c71

“I’m good.”883fdaac8b1e99b3

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Before long, the 3588028249 food arrived—but it ef56efbf6d wasn’t just the c698916cf4 three servings they f1abc7728e ordered. The table was filled c40414f580 with dishes, far more cc285990f0 than expected. Even Kim Seok-joo was ca9346b11a taken aback.79fa4c59e3f66cdf

“Boss, why is there so much food? And these aren’t even on the menu!”87ee07d2cfd0aa03

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“On the house,” the owner said with a grin.34910cf49a654647

“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.6f693b3ac6bce0b4

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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?”60e4edf88942265e

Caught off guard, 72b18b7c16 Kang I-won hesitated 29d3497fc5 for a moment 55c9231edf before nodding slowly.4e26c04d4c801934

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“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.7072a31cb8d5f801

“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.”4b32e62c52cdcdac

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Ho-joon? It clicked—Hyun Ho-joon. Kang I-won remembered that 28edddd45b Ho-joon had mentioned his 6166ac92c2 parents ran a restaurant 563726db1b in Gyeongju. Blinking in mild 4c3abcc68b surprise, he nodded e93ac3dc9a again.a439d9d6144eca0d

“Oh… yes, that’s right. We were on the same team.”290cd4a543073772

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“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.050d64d936cad238

“Please enjoy this. If you need more, just let me know.”28d1bf38aae597f2

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“No, this is more than enough,” Kang I-won replied, feeling slightly overwhelmed.44b3e5146d4361b4

“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.6c672612e2eb0b13

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“You really didn’t have to—”b2448f6496c25323

“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.”92e70b546c935e1f

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“…Thank you. I’ll enjoy it,” Kang I-won finally said, picking up his chopsticks.d723c2f537eb6ede

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?”ac80b431ac22042b

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“…Yeah. I didn’t know he was the owner’s son, though.”a3b83c64547cdf1f

“What a coincidence,” Kim Seok-joo remarked with a laugh.949ac349f009775f

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Kang I-won gave him a long, questioning look. “Did you bring me here on purpose?”f9c8a9300ca503e5

“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?”f18ce17741dcdaaa

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“…….”476dee8812db1de9

Though surprised, Kang I-won 7671fb24a2 wasn’t particularly bothered. Feeling that it a840a3061f wasn’t such a dc0940f1e2 bad gesture, he f20c2544ea picked up his f458b66873 chopsticks without further a0893ae1bc comment, and the 85ac4cfef2 two began to 7d0ed3ef1b eat.dcd0f0d4469155a1

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The braised beef rib 2a47f569c7 melted in his mouth, 55d1412f49 the tender meat practically 1ab916a558 falling apart. Juicy and perfectly 0b9730677e seasoned, it was 0a01284eda undeniably delicious.087cc349f39f088c

“Good, isn’t it?” Kim Seok-joo asked with a knowing grin.c83a6a99b59d47ca

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Kang I-won a9ab29d60b nodded, chewing 1afdb121f3 thoughtfully. For a 954cd8eb72 while, the 57e2820206 table was 2c347d273f quiet except 6960764aa2 for the 55a5af9878 clatter of df9ab78717 chopsticks as a4587d8a76 they focused 339f853845 on eating. Once Kim Seok-joo had 1dfbbfdfef his fill, he finally d85952bd5c broke the silence with 5261e437de a question.d81342327f208f12

“So, how’ve you been?”cd993a14ec5e685e

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“Same as always. You?”9a083be633570501

“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.”dec2367f65a82b41

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The easy conversation carried 96e66c4c28 on as they slowly 0913111221 finished their meal, the c33df5f76e weight of unspoken gratitude 4b82afcf2d lingering but unintrusive between 3eefbf9488 them.8ccf83193af4aca8

“Me? Nothing much has changed since back then,” Kim Seok-joo replied.f134c9c1a29937ef

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“You’re a team leader now,” Kang I-won pointed out.cf0f3169a04c35b2

“That’s just because I’ve been stuck in Gyeongju. They probably gave me the promotion early because of that,” Kim Seok-joo shrugged.9d1e249455962f9f

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Kang I-won seemed like 97654e41b9 a completely different person. The curt, c3a83a4bc7 short responses 973d247a81 that used 7511834e75 to define 364e43a522 him were bb5feade3e gone, replaced e9ba21728b by an 613e97d544 ease in d1fd101ce6 holding conversations. It was strange, d9026e574e but in a f3191bf45c good way.7cb6c505f7753ddf

Compared to 713f3061be the past, 27a52b997d Kang I-won bbbc59a96c looked much e055f07c36 more alive. His richer, more f7d70e2c85 expressive face supported f1a0f6d5ca that impression. As old memories resurfaced, 06e3a33ea7 their conversation continued effortlessly.b7667c47291b1f6b

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“Do you even realize how stiff you used to be? You’d barely respond to anything I said, just staring blankly.”a9b17990aa7c7d1a

Kang I-won e8e5566472 let out 9df75e9b98 an awkward 476c3b24d5 laugh.6b94168cd8f64881

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“…Back then, I was going through a rough time.”7d2ad80ce7ee9a2c

“Even so, how could you act like that toward people?” Kim Seok-joo grumbled, his tone light with mock irritation.830c0ce042a27475

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“And then, to top it all off, you left so suddenly. No goodbye, nothing! Do you know how blindsided I was?”6fcb46ef5d3dce05

“…Sorry about that,” Kang I-won admitted.72ee6a0845d72096

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“Why’d you leave like that?”9583d54cf141fbf9

After a moment 08e8e5327d of hesitation, Kang f40bb64a36 I-won finally answered.72c790288061186c

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“…It was because of the wave. The first breach was at my position.”2b05575baac09979

During the wave c18c4b13c7 incident, the monsters c5fc4590b6 had broken through a098bad365 the spot Kang 84375b12da I-won was defending 8eb834d574 first. From there, the breaches c4076bbd91 spread, letting monsters pour 0c9212b38d into the city.49a1df430bd7597f

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At the time, Kang d831e1f731 I-won had blamed himself. He thought it 97f22a3dad was his fault—that de725d6d29 he wasn’t strong f25072e7ea enough, that he’d c59e5c9999 failed to stop 4a4e5c43b0 them. It was during a 5e18bb2549 time when he carried 81f1900ae5 all the weight of 881cf5aa76 the world on his 35fb8cbd03 shoulders.0b5ba496c196df68

“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.857b910c63a5cbac

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Kim Seok-joo let out 1b0c0dc13c a dry laugh. What a ridiculous sense b6a4303616 of guilt, he thought. Even if Kang I-won 5b1a2e5dea had held that spot, 23f6cf7767 another part of the d461b64ae0 line would have fallen eedd61fd2a eventually. How could c4ef6ba1c9 someone be 49469f64f5 this absurdly 429767419d self-critical?3b09ac817ff2f376

“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.”2725e3425d7f09e0

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“Who are you calling stupid?”555c32d0038b3afe

“You, obviously,” Kim Seok-joo said, laughing heartily. The old teammate who had once seemed so distant now felt approachable, even friendly.05f200a46d223f72

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Their conversation drifted to 3c625329e5 lighter topics, a natural bdc0eb1cd8 flow of casual banter. As the a6d69d3cb0 last of d1b69e43ef the dishes af978c8961 were nearly 718ecfce97 finished, Kang 687f69893d I-won set 726b8bd18d down his 881c8abf01 chopsticks.3f75bb9b6f3eae6f

“I should get going,” he said.6698d04e68832b92

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“What? Why?”ffef2cf17dc5c76a

“My ride’s here,” Kang I-won replied simply.eb6182d36fe56712

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“Who?”9be2a0b2f60bf0bd

“My Guide.”59bd4c0135592cf7

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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?”d70b8e4b110e7b1c

“I’m bonded,” Kang I-won replied matter-of-factly.fc2eb90ae78fe650

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“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.d3406736632fed98

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.”0b17a65615cc0f86

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The Kang 4afa636b2f I-won he 2ec8bb354b once knew 8e4e2ef972 had vanished, 0a9f19433f replaced by 3504617939 someone brighter, 1bb4cc7bf1 more grounded. The gloom e355f7e864 that had deb82d64f8 once weighed f6a31b202a him down b95c9d2d97 was gone, ba3f3778f4 and he 0c64797e79 no longer d0f00081e5 seemed like b68b95470f a man 1bb186e985 teetering on 738b68e7f1 the edge. He could carry a 6eb4d9b2ac conversation, express himself, and, 1460e6010d most importantly, he had 686eac77b2 someone by his side 3c89c63d13 who brought him joy.02b3e54c28fb9928

For the month that bb3d90e5d0 Kang I-won spent in 2ce290d518 Gyeongju, that happiness remained fc28a2e49a constant. He was 0d61e14c61 always with d7b0243454 his Guide, ee96e9b991 their connection 6ab3d69b9b evident to 88952c08d3 anyone who a926722330 saw them. Sometimes their ab97645504 public displays 948239d954 of affection 8a6bd3a225 were over-the-top 5dc75a2fee enough to a5937c98a0 make Kim 5b17e1e014 Seok-joo roll e688181922 his eyes, f6f10e306f but Kang 00dc968627 I-won’s bright 527a4fdd9f laughter made 06dff868ea it hard 41cd53aeea not to 3291179f93 smile along.cc0372a67c88442d

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The once precarious ba550b2730 teammate now stood 3b1eddcab9 firm, supported by 9df1819709 a solid foundation.109b3ebbeeb940fa

Before long, the month 8e191e995b flew by, and the b0c2d1cdcd day came for Kang 4f327e32f3 I-won to leave. As they exchanged contact 873c5d1d1f information and promised to 87dd5c5171 meet again, Kim Seok-joo 1bdcd70e79 watched him prepare to 0c6f724694 go. Then, mustering his d290a6c24b courage, he called 23403e5af6 out loudly.085aede966c71a95

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“Hey! Kang I-won!”55ab8dc7b1962cb6

Startled, Kang I-won a00ef9b878 turned back to 3d7822f802 look at him.4e7a755b25fb2f03

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“Thanks for saving my life back then!” Kim Seok-joo shouted.47908674fe7df571

The delayed gratitude brought d5d27874ec a wide, clear smile a75ad0a0e2 to Kang I-won’s face. It was a 8c23880a3e smile without any a3f1523b61 shadow, bright and fa23ca5753 unburdened.ed01276b97d7a9b4

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<Damn My Guide, End of Side Story>e5fe52b9705ebfc0

TL/N: Hope 69bdde89de you enjoyed 9517dbfc32 the novel!!b4a8d9edefb1fce6

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☕ Hi, friends! Your support means the world to me. If you’d like, you can buy me a coffee here: Click the link on the image! 💖6bb089e4dc8eb529

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Thank you for 2e186c8aef keeping me inspired! 🌸51007e71e6d265a9

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