Chapter 1: The Return of Esper Team 1

It was almost as if Chae-jun’s fervent wish for an incident had been granted, for the headquarters was buzzing with noise for the first time in a long while. Even Director Kim Sang-hoo, known for his sedentary nature, was frantically scurrying around the headquarters, busy organizing its internal affairs. What could have possibly stirred the Director, who usually remained indifferent even to visiting ministers? As Sa-yoon pondered this in bewilderment, a surprising piece of news reached their ears as well.

“Team Leader. Did you hear the news? Team 1 is returning this time.”

“Who?”

“Esper Team 1, led by Team Leader Han Do-hoon.”

At Chae-jun’s words, Sa-yoon shot up from his reclined position. It had been so long since he last heard of them that Sa-yoon had momentarily forgotten. Esper Team 1 was, after all, the flagship unit of the Korean headquarters, boasting numerous monumental achievements etched into history. Team Leader Han Do-hoon, who led the team, was an S-rank Esper, just like Sa-yoon. Having only ever been deployed on special overseas missions with Esper Team 1, Sa-yoon had never actually met Han Do-hoon in person.

‘They had always acted as if they’d rot away abroad, so what brought them back now?’ Sa-yoon stroked his chin, lost in thought.

“What on earth brought them back?”

“I wouldn’t know either.”

Among those who voluntarily enlisted in the national Esper force, there were many fanatics who followed high-ranking Espers. Among them, the followers of Han Do-hoon were the most extreme. They were jealous about his achievements, acting as if they would sacrifice their lives for him.

“It really makes you think, ‘That’s Team Leader Han Do-hoon for you.’ Not only Espers, but Guides and even the administrative team were bustling about.”

“Is that really why it’s so noisy?”

“What other reason could there be? Oh, of course, for me, there’s only our Team Leader Jin Sa-yoon.”

“Hmm…”

Sa-yoon rose from his seat and straightened their uniform. Noticing Sa-yoon’s movements, Chae-jun tilted his head.

“Surely, Team Leader Sa-yoon, you’re not interested in Team Leader Han Do-hoon, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

At Sa-yoon’s indifferent response, Chae-jun nodded, as if expecting nothing less.

“Please show some interest this time. Still, he’s Han Do-hoon, an Esper of renown. He’s a national hero who’ll be featured in biographies decades from now.”

“Hmm. How remarkable.”

“Could you perhaps say that with a little more conviction?”

Whether Team Leader Han Do-hoon had three arms or was missing an eye, Sa-yoon had no interest in him whatsoever. What intrigued Sa-yoon more was the reason behind the return of this esteemed Team Leader Han Do-hoon.

“I’m going to the Director’s office.”

As Chae-jun had mentioned, Han Do-hoon was indeed the most influential Esper in the country. Consequently, he served as the nation’s strongest card in dealings with overseas headquarters, primarily undertaking foreign deployment missions to gain an advantage in international power struggles.

The foreign currency earned by Han Do-hoon and his team, through resolving crises in other countries, surpassed the profits of most corporations. Yet, Han Do-hoon was now returning, having canceled all his contracts overnight. This could only signify a major domestic issue, significant enough to warrant forfeiting a substantial amount of foreign currency. Sa-yoon’s footsteps echoed with an uncharacteristic haste as he walked down the corridor.

“You’re disgustingly quick on the uptake.”

Director Kim Sang-hoo stubbed out the cigarette he had been smoking in an ashtray. In the sunlight streaming from behind him, his notably sparse scalp gleamed.

“You’re usually so lazy, but you’re incredibly perceptive about things like this.”

“Well, I am rather clever, aren’t I?”

“Sigh. Yes. As you’ve surmised, the situation isn’t good.”

Bursting into the Director’s office, Sa-yoon immediately cornered Director Kim Sang-hoo, pressing him to reveal what was happening. Faced with Sa-yoon’s relentless questioning, much like a debt collector, the Director, throwing up his hands in defeat, divulged the current crisis to Sa-yoon.

“So, Air Lane’s terror target this time is Seoul?”

“If the information Kang Geun-mu possesses is accurate.”

Even as he repeated it, Director Kim Sang-hoo clicked his tongue and gave a bitter laugh, as if his stomach churned. The terrorist organization Air Lane was the group to which the recently apprehended Kang Geun-mu belonged.

“Why cause trouble in Seoul of all places?”

“Indeed, why?”

Air Lane primarily operated in Europe and the Americas. Their last appearance in Asia had been in Nara Prefecture, Japan, and twelve years prior in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province.

“Indeed, who can fathom the minds of madmen? Is Team Leader Han Do-hoon coming because of that?”

“Yes. With the capital on the verge of destruction, all Espers stationed overseas have been recalled. We can’t allow a nation that barely survived to be ruined now.”

Two hundred years ago, on the Last Day, monstrous beings known as Rain poured down upon Earth like a deluge. Fewer than twenty nations survived that massive onslaught, which wiped out a third of humanity. Korea was one of the few countries that had overcome both the Last Day and major terrorist attacks. Espers, Guides, and the unidentified creatures known as Rain.

In a world where monstrous creatures clashed with superhumans, guns and gunpowder had long become obsolete. Keeping pace with this trend, terrorist organizations also utilized the enigmatic creatures called Rain to incinerate cities worldwide.

“Has the exact area been identified?”

“Not yet. We’ve infiltrated an operative disguised as Kang Geun-mu, so they should bring back information soon.”

This meant the headquarters currently had no countermeasures either. Jin Sa-yoon stretched out on the Director’s office sofa. Indeed, the furniture in the higher-ups’ offices always had superior cushioning.

“……”

As Sa-yoon took off his shoes and settled comfortably, the Director’s eyes narrowed as he watched.

“Aren’t you even surprised? Seoul might be blown to smithereens!”

“You said we don’t know anything yet, anyway.”

They didn’t know the scale, the timing, or even the specific location. Though Seoul had been designated, it wasn’t some small rural village. Until proper information emerged, any effort would only be a waste of energy.

“Right. I was foolish to ask you. Sigh.”

Sighing, the Director tapped the documents neatly on his desk before tossing the entire bundle towards Sa-yoon.

“Well, it’s good you came anyway. I was just about to call for you.”

“To give me work?”

“Yes.”

Sa-yoon reluctantly flipped over the papers. It was an Esper roster, the kind Team Leader Sa-yoon regularly received, but the names listed were unfamiliar. At the top of the list was the name Han Do-hoon.

“Most of them are from Team 1, aren’t they? This is the list of Espers returning from overseas deployment this time.”

“Yes. And when they arrive, I need you to handle their initial orientation.”

“What?”

Sa-yoon shot up from the sofa. Orientation for returning operatives? While not a grand mission as Esper Chae-jun might suggest, this was the most trivial of odd jobs.

“Director. I still have my position. This kind of work should be given to rookies.”

“Who else in headquarters has as much free time as you?”

That was, admittedly, true. Sa-yoon had recently applied for leave, using the excuse that he had just returned from a mission. The Director sighed deeply, watching the disgruntled Sa-yoon.

“Just this once, please. As you know, these Espers only listen to those stronger than themselves. Since the overseas-deployed ones are high-ranked, it’s awkward to have rookies handle them. Just hand them a pamphlet and leave them to it.”

Understanding the situation from the Director’s words, Sa-yoon fell silent. Beneath his outwardly impressive facades, Espers were fundamentally simple. If one was strong, they were worshipped; if weak, ignored. Sa-yoon was well-acquainted with this logic, not unlike that of beasts. While the Director’s directive was understandable, Sa-yoon still felt a sense of unfairness in simply agreeing to it.

“What’s so ‘awkward’ about a state-affiliated operative? Strong or weak, if a superior tells them to do something, they do it. Then assign someone of higher rank than me instead.”

“Sa-yoon.”

“This is an abuse of authority!”

“Sa-yoon. I’m higher ranked than you, so why aren’t you listening to me?”

‘Ah, if you put it that way, I have nothing to say.’ Forgetting their own words about pushing with rank just moments ago, Sa-yoon internally protested, deeming the Director’s tactics petty.

“It won’t take more than a few days. In return, I’ll exempt you from all night watches for this year’s missions.”

“You should have said so earlier! Esper Jin Sa-yoon. I shall carry out your command to the best of my abilities!”

Watching Sa-yoon stand at attention and salute, the Director sighed once more. Dealing with that one was harder than responding to a terror attack.

“Anyway, if they hear you’re in charge of orientation, they’ll all be careful, so it won’t be difficult. While you’re at it, try to get a little friendly with Han Do-hoon… Hmm, no. That won’t do.”

It was a name Sa-yoon had heard many times today. When even Director Kim Sang-hoo, who managed all Espers, specifically mentioned Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon tilted his head.

“Why? Why can’t I be friendly with him?”

“No. It was a mistake for that guy to come back after so long. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to get close beforehand, since there’s a high chance you’ll be working together on the terror response mission. But on second thought, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Ah-ha. Oh-ho…”

“…Seeing that reaction, I’m even more worried. Just don’t associate with him at all. Treat him like a stranger.”

Sa-yoon let the Director’s distrustful words pass through one ear and out the other, then looked at Han Do-hoon’s profile picture.

The person in the photo had a high nose and a firm jaw. He was a very handsomely masculine man. Given the broad shoulders hinted at below the frame of the photo, he likely had a good physique too. If one didn’t know who he was, they might mistake it for an actor’s profile photo.