Chapter 60: If You Go, I’ll Go Too

“Lee So-won, do you happen to have a passport?”

So-won, who had been idly looking out the window of the private room to stave off boredom, rolled his eyes as he recalled his passport at Tae-woo’s question.

A passport… He seemed to remember seeing it while unpacking after moving into Tae-woo’s place.

If so, it should be somewhere in a drawer—but he couldn’t even begin to imagine what his passport photo from eight years ago must look like.

“Why do you suddenly need my passport?”

So-won asked for the reason first.

Depending on Tae-woo’s answer, his own would change as well.

If Tae-woo asked to see it, So-won was fully prepared to become a person without a passport starting that very day.

“We’ve received a request for an overseas deployment.”

“An overseas deployment?

Isn’t that for an S-rank gate?”

“That’s correct.”

The answer was far more unexpected than he’d anticipated.

Startled, So-won looked at Tae-woo with an uneasy expression.

Overseas deployment.

Not all Espers stationed in Korea were assigned only to domestic gates.

High-ranking Espers were occasionally dispatched to S-rank gates that appeared overseas.

It was frightening.

S-rank gates were on an entirely different level from other gates.

They weren’t given that difficulty rating for nothing.

There were countless casualties, and if a dungeon break occurred—if monsters spilled into the real world—the surrounding area would be reduced to ruins.

Tae-woo himself had once returned from an S-rank gate with a massive hole torn through his otherwise solid body.

And shortly after that, he had died—right in front of So-won.

But there was another reason So-won felt such deep anxiety.

The past has changed.

Tae-woo had never once been sent on an overseas deployment in his entire life.

A Guide was required to accompany any overseas assignment, yet in the eight years So-won had served as his Guide, he had never left the country even once.

So-won didn’t know exactly when or which gate Tae-woo had gone to in the past—but of this, he was certain.

“Can’t you… not go…?”

So-won asked, clenching his hands tightly.

He tried to hide it, but his voice trembled with fear.

Tae-woo seemed to notice his state and quietly met So-won’s gaze.

He knew.

He knew this wasn’t something one could throw a tantrum over.

He knew that the more So-won pushed, the more difficult it became for him.

And yet, So-won was truly afraid.

Afraid Tae-woo would return gravely injured again.

Afraid he would lose him without being able to do anything.

If there was a way to keep Tae-woo from entering a gate, So-won felt like he could do anything for him.

“I understand.

I’ll decline the overseas deployment request.”

Contrary to So-won’s fears, Tae-woo nodded far too easily.

So-won, who hadn’t expected him to agree so readily, widened his eyes and asked,

“Really?”

“Yes.”

So-won’s face brightened in an instant.

He was so happy he wanted to run to Tae-woo at once, thank him, and pull him into a tight embrace.

But unable to act so recklessly, he merely smiled foolishly, letting his happiness spill over in quiet delight.

He thought the crisis had passed—and that peace had returned.

At least, until—

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

At Tae-woo’s voice, the door creaked open—creeeak—and the person who entered was an employee from the Esper Association’s administrative department.

It was the same man who had previously refused So-won’s request to remove the bomb attached to Tae-woo’s neck.

“Hello.

It’s been a while.”

“Yes… hello.”

It wasn’t a welcome face.

So-won frowned, unable to guess what he’d come to say.

Don’t tell me he’s here to put the bomb back on Tae-woo.

If that was the case, So-won was more than ready to storm the administration office and raise hell this time.

Seated on the sofa, So-won faced the administrative officer together with Tae-woo.

Watching the man hesitate as he chose his words, So-won tensed slightly.

Someone of his rank wouldn’t have come for something trivial.

At last, the man slowly opened his mouth.

“Esper Kang Tae-woo, I’ve come to speak with you regarding the overseas deployment.”

So-won’s heart dropped heavily.

Though the details hadn’t even begun, there was only one reason an Association official would come in person to say this.

“I heard that you declined the request… but regrettably, it seems you must participate in this mission.”

So-won’s eyes darkened.

Despite Tae-woo honoring his request and sending in a refusal, it appeared the overseas deployment target had not been changed.

Overseas deployments typically involved sending an S-rank Esper to assist with clearing an S-rank gate that had appeared abroad.

There were three S-rank Espers in Korea, but until now—due to Tae-woo’s unstable condition—Si-hyeok and the remaining Esper had taken turns going instead.

Even though Tae-woo’s condition had improved recently thanks to guiding, it wasn’t enough to justify selecting him over the others.

“Does it really have to be Tae-woo?

He hasn’t even fully recovered from his side effects, and he’s never gone on an overseas deployment before—so why all of a sudden…?”

“Yes, that’s true.

However, the main reason Esper Kang Tae-woo hadn’t been sent overseas until now wasn’t just his unstable condition.

The biggest factor was the safety device around his neck.”

In the end, it was because So-won had changed the past.

His anxiety spiraled out of control.

What if, in trying to prevent Tae-woo’s death, I actually hastened his fate instead?

An S-rank gate.

Tae-woo’s death.

Those two thoughts circled endlessly in his mind, tormenting him.

So-won bit his lip.

Watching Tae-woo steadily improve day by day, he had allowed himself to relax, believing Tae-woo would never die again.

He thought all that remained was to help him recover completely.

But he was wrong.

Now, even the future itself had become something to fear.

“Lee So-won.”

Seeing So-won’s body trembling faintly, Tae-woo called his name in a low voice.

So-won lifted his head, his face pale.

“I’ll go alone.”

So-won stared at him in shock.

“You don’t need to come, Lee So-won.

So please, don’t worry too much.”

“What?

N-no—Esper Kang Tae-woo, that’s—”

The Association employee panicked at Tae-woo’s words.

So-won felt the same way.

He blinked at Tae-woo’s calm tone, then belatedly noticed his own hand clenched so tightly it had turned white.

It was fear—fear of losing Tae-woo again—but to others, it probably just looked like he was scared.

So-won hurriedly waved his hand.

“No, that’s not it.

If Tae-woo is going, then I’ll go too.

It’s just… because it’s an S-rank gate.

That scared me.”

“You don’t need to push yourself.

Please remain in Korea, So-won.”

“I’m really fine.

If I send you alone, I won’t even be able to sleep.”

When So-won shook his head firmly, the Association employee finally spoke again, visibly relieved.

“I apologize.

We tried to refuse the request as well, considering Esper Kang Tae-woo’s condition.

But somehow, they found out the bomb had been removed, and they specifically requested him…”

The man let out a weary sigh.

From his words, it seemed the Association hadn’t chosen Tae-woo willingly either.

And if even they couldn’t refuse, then no matter what an A-rank Guide like So-won did, Tae-woo’s deployment couldn’t be stopped.

For a moment, a selfish thought crossed So-won’s mind—that if the bomb were placed back around Tae-woo’s neck, he might be exempt again.

But he immediately scolded himself.

He couldn’t turn Tae-woo back into a monster bound by a black collar, all because of fears that weren’t even certain.

So-won forced himself to calm down.

If he guided Tae-woo with everything he had for the remaining time, then surely nothing bad would happen.

Repeating that to himself, he finally felt a little steadier—and asked the question that had just occurred to him.

“When do we leave?”

“As I mentioned briefly in the email to Esper Kang Tae-woo, departure is in three days.

It’s an S-rank gate that opened in Canada, and the gate raid is scheduled for a week after arrival.”

Canada.

Three days.

So-won mulled over the words deeply.

The schedule was tight.

Even if he guided Tae-woo day and night, his condition likely wouldn’t fully recover before departure.

At his current state, even an A-rank gate would leave him barely able to stand…

Shouldn’t I start guiding right now instead of sitting here?

So-won looked at Tae-woo with a serious expression.

“Since this is the first overseas deployment for both of you, I’ll give you a brief explanation.”

The Association employee continued with an overview for So-won and Tae-woo.

So-won listened intently, committing everything to memory.

But since this wasn’t a vacation—and since it was his first time going abroad with Tae-woo—worry weighed on him the entire time, no matter how flat the man’s voice was.

After several minutes, the employee rose, saying he should be on his way.

So-won and Tae-woo stood as well and saw him out.

Just as the man was about to leave the private room, his hand on the doorknob, he turned back.

After hesitating while looking at Tae-woo’s face, he spoke,

“Esper Kang Tae-woo, I’m glad to see that your condition has improved so much.”

With those words, the administrative officer left the room.