TTOA Chapter 123

#123

Military Strategy Headquarters, Main Office.

Several empty seats were noticeable around the large table. Some of the generals had taken sick leave, and the number of holographic participants, including General Choi Yul, had increased.

In the subdued atmosphere, the remaining personnel proceeded with the strategy meeting. The generals raised their voices, engaging in heated debate.

“Seo Eui-woo is already corrupted! He used unauthorized abilities within the Center, threatened researchers, and disobeyed the orders of his direct superior. An uncontrollable Esper must be disposed of.”

“Well, yes. Conflict is unavoidable. However, the timing is the issue. If we recklessly expel him, the damage is obviously predictable, tsk.”

“Not only the timing but also the method is important. A direct confrontation should be avoided if possible. If Captain Seo revolts, another catastrophe like last time will occur. If we can resolve it quietly…”

“Exactly. For example, if he were to die in the line of duty inside a Gate, wouldn’t that be clean? That would be the best scenario.”

The generals’ complexions changed as Seo Eui-woo was mentioned. Some contorted their faces, while others stiffened their expressions.

Having been severely affected by Seo Eui-woo, they instinctively felt fear towards him. The experience of being nearly swallowed by a predator was vividly imprinted in their minds, leaving a painful trauma.

Of course, no generals outwardly displayed their fear in a disgraceful manner. Regardless of their inner thoughts, they all acted calmly on the surface and even showed hostility towards Seo Eui-woo.

“No, no, no. The symbolism of an S-rank Esper is important. The government is focused on S-ranks, and disposing of an Esper with that level of ability is a significant loss. Instead of disposal, the best decision is to recruit him.”

“Recruit him? How? How are you going to do that? Are you going to bell the cat?”

“We have Kwon Jae-jin. Espers inevitably crave Guiding. If the military firmly secures Kwon Jae-jin, Seo Eui-woo will also be swayed.”

“That’s unacceptable. Kwon Jae-jin is a Mutant! Employing a Mutant is out of the question. The spirit of the military! The foundation of the military will be shaken.”

“However, as the grade test results show, Kwon Jae-jin is an S-rank Guide. His monstrous stats far exceed the normal range, so they say the test was re-administered three times. Furthermore, his Guiding is said to enhance the abilities of Espers.”

“The issue of ability enhancement hasn’t been definitively proven. Seo Eui-woo refused the ability test and ran away, didn’t he?”

“No, that has been proven. Please focus on the screen.”

Blue holographic screens appeared simultaneously in front of the generals’ seats. The detailed ability test results of Major Ma Tae-o, currently Captain Ma Tae-o, who had been demoted, were displayed on the screen.

“The right side is Captain Ma’s statement, and the left side is the test result. Compare the listed values.”

“Hmm…”

The generals carefully read the screens. They could confirm the noticeably increased ability scores. The strength, radius, and duration of the shield had greatly improved.

“Captain Ma Tae-o was originally an A-rank Defense Type Esper, but now he is exceptional even among A-ranks. This change occurred after contact with Kwon Jae-jin.”

Now that the test results were available, there was undeniable proof.

Kwon Jae-jin was not only the first S-rank Guide, but his Guiding was also unique and captivating. His potential for utilization was limitless.

“This is an opportunity! If we recruit Kwon Jae-jin and Seo Eui-woo, the power of the new military will reach an all-time high. This will be an unprecedented, historic event.”

If the abilities of all existing Espers could be enhanced…

And if Seo Eui-woo were at the forefront of that…

“Can you handle it? Can you control those two?”

“We’re talking about efficiency! Culling them is a clear waste of power.”

As the strategy meeting progressed, the voices grew louder. The generals’ faces flushed as they engaged in fierce debates, and even after several hours, there was no sign of a conclusion.

This was also because General Choi Yul, who held the decision-making power, had remained silent and contemplative from the beginning.

The hologram of General Choi, seated at the head of the table, trembled slightly.

He harbored thoughts different from anyone else in that room.

‘Who is the mastermind behind this…?’

General Choi Yul was chasing an intangible specter.

‘Surely, someone among them is harboring ulterior motives.’

He was convinced that among his close aides who knew about the creature wave and General Choi Yul’s catchphrase, that is, among the generals, there was a traitor in league with Seo Eui-woo and Kwon Jae-jin, and therefore he did not rashly step forward to lead the meeting.

‘Until I grasp the reality of the subversive forces, I must be cautious.’

Rather than making hasty, strong moves, he would patiently wait and search for the traitor. There was no one showing suspicious behavior yet, but he would soon catch their tail.

“We won’t reach a conclusion like this.”

General Choi subtly changed the subject.

“How about we proceed with other agenda items? What is the status of the creature wave?”

No sooner had he said that than a loud alert sounded. It was an emergency call.

The holographic screens in front of the generals’ seats were updated, and an alert window with a red border appeared.

[Urgent!]

LEVEL 3

Creature group moving south at the northernmost point of the 2nd Frontier District.

Collision with the outer perimeter wall.

The generals’ eyebrows twitched as they checked the alert window.

It was a Level 3 emergency call.

Could it be that the creature wave, the predicted disaster, was becoming a reality?

If the bad news that had reached them was indeed the creature wave, there was far too little time to prepare. Nothing was ready yet. It was not the time to argue about the handling of Seo Eui-woo or Kwon Jae-jin. The immediate priority was to assess the situation. What was the size of the creature group, and how much damage had the outer perimeter wall sustained?

General Choi quietly stroked his chin.

A chill ran deep through his heart. A belated regret washed over him.

He felt as if he had missed the opportunity to prepare, even after hearing the warning directly to his face. His deep voice echoed loudly in the main office.

“Immediately summon the Special Task Force. Every member, without exception!”

*

Seo Eui-woo’s brow furrowed deeply as he checked his pager.

The twenty-year-old puppy who had been caressing Kwon Jae-jin’s feet just moments before instantly transformed, revealing the gaze of a trained soldier. His dry, barren eyes seemed to emanate the scent of gunpowder.

Seeing Seo Eui-woo seriously memorizing the call details, Kwon Jae-jin calmly asked.

“…What’s going on?”

Of course, there were plenty of possible reasons.

Because of the grade test? Because of the Guiding? Because of Seo Eui-woo’s disobedience? Because the two of them suddenly disappeared with coordinate teleportation…?

However, judging by Seo Eui-woo’s expression, the reason for the call seemed to be a much more serious issue.

As expected, Seo Eui-woo answered in a stiff, subdued voice. It was a voice that scraped the bottom of a dark swamp.

“Jae-jin. Was the 2nd Frontier District included in the creature wave damage area?”

“Yes, it was. …Don’t tell me.”

Kwon Jae-jin’s eyes flickered faintly like a candle in the wind.

He knew the creature wave was imminent, but already?

“No, it’s too early yet.”

“The future you knew may have changed, Jae-jin. Maybe the Center responded quickly.”

“…”

“First of all, since the summons order has been issued, I’ll have to go and check it out myself.”

Seo Eui-woo tilted his head slightly. He scanned the inside of the house with his eyes, then added briefly.

“You too, Jae-jin.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re coming with me, Jae-jin. It’s safer that way.”

He couldn’t leave Kwon Jae-jin alone in the house like before. The security system was also broken, and the location was exposed. If the Special Task Force members were to suddenly raid this place while Seo Eui-woo was away, Kwon Jae-jin would be in immediate danger.

He would be dragged away helplessly, and might be forced to provide Guiding.

…Both were wrongdoings that Seo Eui-woo had directly committed against Kwon Jae-jin, so he couldn’t help but be wary.

Seo Eui-woo grabbed Kwon Jae-jin’s wrist and moved to the dressing room. There was no time. He quickly changed into his combat uniform and equipped himself, then helped Kwon Jae-jin put on a spare combat uniform as well.

“Wait, am I wearing this too?”

“Just in case.”

Kwon Jae-jin had always borrowed Seo Eui-woo’s clothes, but even so, this was the first time he was wearing his combat uniform. The black, stiff material of the combat uniform enveloped Kwon Jae-jin’s body, which had just finished showering. The clothes were tailored to fit Seo Eui-woo perfectly, so they were slightly loose on Kwon Jae-jin.

“…”

Jae-jin slowly blinked his eyelids.

His heart rate gradually slowed, and his ears became muffled as if he were submerged in deep water.

Suddenly, the dream he had came to mind. The dream of wearing a combat uniform, holding a rifle, and wearing goggles to kill creatures. It felt like that was becoming a reality.

It felt as if he had been waiting for this day, and yet it also felt like it wasn’t time yet. An unknown, subtle feeling stirred inside his head.