Chapter 96: The Order of Things

He doubted there could be some grand secret concerning him.

But if, by any chance, there was something that absolutely must not be disclosed, then that was all the more reason not to ask Eunho about it.

If he handled it carelessly, Eunho could end up suffering for it.

Chaewon soon withdrew his gaze from Eunho, turned around, and resumed walking toward the training room.

In any case, Su-ha had gone to meet Ye-seon.

If there was something Chaewon needed to know, Su-ha would surely tell him.

It’s just that Guide Jin Su-ha could go to Team Leader Min at any time, right? That’s what’s making things complicated for you, isn’t it?

For a brief moment, the words Tae-jun had said the night before resurfaced in his mind.

But he quickly erased them.

To Chaewon, what Su-ha had said to him, those promises, carried far more weight and meaning than anything Tae-jun had implied.

He shook off the vague unease that had briefly surfaced.

Spinning out endless assumptions from uncertainty never helped anyone’s life.

****

“What did you just say…?”

Seated across from Ye-seon, Su-ha leaned forward to the very edge of the table, taken aback by the unexpected words.

Ye-seon had not failed to anticipate such a reaction.

After wearing an awkward expression for a moment, he continued.

“Team Leader Min came to me and said this. Once Chaewon is ready, he’d like to take him along on a dungeon raid.”

“That’s absurd. No matter that Chaewon is S-Class, going on a dungeon raid with Team Leader Min…”

“Ah, of course, he’s not talking about the high-risk dungeons he usually enters. More like a test or training exercise, around a C-Class dungeon.”

At Ye-seon’s explanation, Su-ha fell silent, his expression hardening in thought.

When Ye-seon had summoned him to the office saying there was something to discuss, Su-ha had vaguely guessed it would be about Chaewon.

But he had never imagined this.

Min I-hyeon.

Dungeon.

Lee Chaewon.

The words tangled chaotically in his mind.

After a moment, Su-ha spoke again, his voice heavier.

“Wasn’t Chaewon supposed to be assigned to the Accident Response Team?”

“He was. That was the plan…”

“…”

“But it seems Team Leader Min has his eye on him. Well, if Chaewon can properly utilize his abilities, his value inside a dungeon would be extremely high.”

“If that happens, it would disrupt the higher-ups’ plan.”

The government’s plan regarding Chaewon had been firm from the start.

They intended to gradually ease public anxiety and resentment toward Espers by dramatically exposing him to the public.

Wasn’t that precisely why Su-ha, regardless of his own will, had been assigned as Chaewon’s guide in the first place?

At Su-ha’s remark, Ye-seon shrugged slightly.

“Well, that’s true… but you know how it is. If Team Leader Min strongly pushes for something, it’s hard to ignore his influence.”

“…”

“And if Team Leader Min and Chaewon appear in the same frame… That kind of synergy wouldn’t be negligible either.”

Ye-seon’s reasoning made sense.

Chaewon might not be as publicly visible as he would be in the Accident Response Team, but dungeon combat was not entirely confidential either.

Unless the risk level was extremely high, professional cameramen with special training and protective gear sometimes entered dungeons alongside the team.

Occasionally, for promotional purposes, Espers even wore combat suits equipped with ultra-micro cameras to release immersive battle footage.

Even if Chaewon belonged to the Special Response Team, the higher-ups could still achieve the desired effect if they wished.

Moreover, as Ye-seon said, if the already highly visible I-hyeon personally trained Chaewon and took him into dungeons, the resulting buzz would surpass even that of Chaewon standing in front of the public himself.

And if I-hyeon actively spearheaded it, the impact needed no further explanation.

Realization settled in, and Su-ha’s expression stiffened further.

So that was why I-hyeon had been paying such close attention to Chaewon.

He must have had this plan in mind all along.

At that moment, Ye-seon briefly lifted and lowered his brows, studying Su-ha with interest.

“But Su-ha, you don’t seem very pleased.”

“…I’m just a bit taken aback.”

“From your position, shouldn’t this be welcome news?”

“…What?”

Su-ha looked genuinely puzzled.

Yet Ye-seon seemed even more baffled by his reaction.

“Think about it. Chaewon isn’t in a condition to raid dungeons long-term without a guide. Naturally, you’d have to go in with him.”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Entering a dungeon alongside Team Leader Min. Wasn’t that something you’ve wanted more than anything?”

Su-ha froze, as if struck from behind.

It was clear he hadn’t considered that at all.

Seeing his blank expression, Ye-seon looked even more surprised.

“You wouldn’t be going as Team Leader Min’s guide, of course. But still, where better to show what kind of guide you are than inside a dungeon, beside Chaewon?”

“Th-that’s…”

“If Team Leader Min recognizes your ability, that’s good for you too. Who knows? It could become an opportunity.”

Su-ha fell silent.

Entering a dungeon with I-hyeon.

Fighting by his side.

Proving in front of him that he was a guide capable of being of use.

Being acknowledged.

As Ye-seon said, it was something Su-ha had longed for more than anything.

And yet, even now, realizing it, he felt no joy.

If anything, reluctance surged first.

There was no grand reason.

Su-ha simply disliked that I-hyeon seemed to be taking more than necessary interest in Chaewon.

To his own surprise, that was all.

Unconcerned with Su-ha’s inner turmoil, Ye-seon continued.

“I called you in first because… whether it’s a C-Class or D-Class dungeon, I want to hear from you if Chaewon is in a state fit to enter one.”

“Hmm…”

“If I ask Chaewon, he’ll probably think of everything else before his own body.”

As he said that, Ye-seon gave Su-ha a brief knowing look.

Chaewon was perceptive.

Even without detailed explanation, he would surely realize that this attempt might be a good opportunity for Su-ha.

Understanding the implication easily, Su-ha let out a self-mocking smile and took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts.

Before making any decision, he needed to set aside personal feelings and judge calmly.

This was work.

It was a choice tied to Chaewon’s future and directly to his safety.

He could not decide carelessly, swayed by emotion.

“In terms of his ability utilization, entering a D-Class or C-Class dungeon with a veteran like Team Leader Min would not be excessively reckless.”

“I thought so.”

“However, he hasn’t undergone team training even once. If Team Leader Min truly intends to take him on a raid, team training must come first.”

Ye-seon nodded.

It was the obvious order of things.

Even within the Special Response Team, all Espers operated in teams.

Team training was fundamental.

The time had come for Chaewon to move beyond merely overcoming side effects and begin serious combat preparation.

Su-ha continued.

“He has never experienced anti-monster combat. Simulation training will also be necessary.”

“Of course. So you’re saying… if he properly receives the required training, you think it’s acceptable for him to participate in a dungeon raid?”

“…Yes. If Chaewon himself wants to.”

As he said that, Su-ha let out a quiet sigh.

When it came to choosing between the Accident Response Team and the Special Response Team, personal preference was generally respected.

There were cases where management persuaded someone if their aptitude differed from their preference, and in rare instances, higher authorities forcibly assigned someone for strategic reasons.

But most were placed according to their wishes.

Basic training for both sides was mandatory during the evaluation period, but once assigned, it was rare to substitute for another team’s missions unless under exceptional circumstances.

Given the higher-ups’ plan regarding Chaewon, and if Chaewon himself wished to join the Accident Response Team, then no matter how strongly I-hyeon insisted, realistically it would be difficult for Chaewon to join the Special Response Team.

That was the reality.

“Then… will you tell Chaewon?”

Having gauged the meaning behind Su-ha’s silence, Ye-seon asked lightly.

Calling Chaewon in directly wouldn’t have been strange.

But Ye-seon wanted to give Su-ha time to think.

And he wanted Chaewon to consider it in a comfortable environment, without feeling pressured.

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