Chapter 29: Unexpected Deployment to Busan

That grand resolution couldn’t last even a hundred years. It was rapidly deteriorating into a mere organization, exploited to satisfy personal greed, much like Jin Jung-hoo, Sa-yoon’s biological father.

“Our Director General has nothing to hide, does he? Everyone knows he doesn’t even go home and has no time to spend money. No one would suspect him of embezzlement.”

“Easy for you to say, since it’s not your problem.”

‘Of course, it’s easy to say when it’s someone else’s problem.’ Sa-yoon, a typical office worker who simply received his regular paycheck and followed orders, yawned with a relaxed air.

“You seem quite idle, which works out well. I can assign you to a regional post without a second thought. Head down to Busan next week.”

“Excuse me?”

Sa-yoon shot up from his seat. What an unexpected bolt from the blue, especially when he had submitted a leave request for the following week.

“Your vacation has been postponed until next month. All the team leaders are making major moves this time, so don’t even think about skipping out.”

The Director General shrugged, observing Sa-yoon’s disgruntled expression.

“Why? Is Airain planning another terrorist attack in Busan this time?”

“Don’t speak such ill-omened words. We’re just going for a preliminary inspection to establish a new branch.”

‘Aha.’ At the mention of a ‘branch,’ Sa-yoon twisted the corner of his lips. The true intention was obvious.

Seoul had recently been exposed to a terrorist attack. The realization that the underground bunkers, built for survival, were being used as weapons must have made them anxious.

Busan was the farthest city one could escape to using the airport. Since the massive infrastructure of Seoul couldn’t be relocated, the intention was clearly to prepare it as a refuge for the high-ranking officials.

“Perhaps I should build a bunker for myself while I’m down there.”

“Don’t be so cynical. There’s also the pretext that we’re moving because the provinces have been neglected for too long. It would be good to deal with all the undesirable elements hidden in every corner while we’re at it.”

It was a plausible pretext. Local cities were already home to remaining regional armed groups who had established their own worlds, much like the place Sa-yoon used to live.

The central government, citing a lack of resources, had knowingly neglected the situation.

“If we handle this well, it will help the citizens suffering from unauthorized organizations in the provinces.”

The Director General’s words held some truth. Hadn’t Sa-yoon’s own childhood been similar?

Unregistered Espers had acted like foxes in a tiger-less den, oppressing people. Extortion under the guise of protection, and the imprisonment and intimidation of young Guides, were common occurrences.

If Busan, even farther from Seoul than the city Sa-yoon lived in, was in a similar state, the situation would undoubtedly be severe.

“Understood.”

“Good. I appreciate your understanding. It’s a mission that will take several days, so start packing your bags.

I’ve still scheduled you to leave the latest. Other team leaders have already received their assignments and are preparing to depart tomorrow.”

“All the other team leaders?”

“Yes.”

Sa-yoon froze. ‘All the other team leaders.’ Sa-yoon, who kept people at a distance, had no close acquaintances among the team leaders.

The only person he regularly contacted was Han Do-hoon, Team Leader of Team 1.

Their connection wasn’t merely a matter of contact; they had been together in bed until this very morning. Sa-yoon had kicked Han Do-hoon, who had been reluctant to let him go even after sunrise, and then left.

Yet, the man who had acted as if they would surely see each other again tomorrow now had a business trip scheduled.

“Your expression suddenly looks strange. Are you really that reluctant to go?”

“It’s not that. My nose just feels itchy.” Sa-yoon scratched his perfectly fine nose.

“I’ll just go with the other team leaders then. Otherwise, I’ll hear people saying the Director General is giving me special treatment again.”

“Since when have you cared about such things? Honestly, if you leave tomorrow, I’d be grateful.

I only postponed your departure for a few days because I felt bad about canceling your vacation. Very well, we’ll proceed as planned.”

“Alright then. I suppose I should start packing.”

‘I’ll just toss a few more work clothes into the bag I already packed for my vacation. The supply team will handle the mission-critical items, so what else do I need to prepare? Maybe I’ll check out the beach while I’m there.’

“Now that I think about it, you two seem to be getting along well these days.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You and Han Do-hoon.”

At the abrupt mention of Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon looked at the Director General.

“We’re just getting along fine. He seems like a better person than I thought.”

“Really? That’s quite surprising. I thought he was acting strangely…” The Director General nonchalantly flipped a paper.

“When you went AWOL from the headquarters before, Han Do-hoon was the first one to step up and say he’d look for you.”

“What?”

“He asked us to process it as if you two went on a mission together, saying he’d find you himself. And then he brought you back. When did you two get so close, anyway?”

Sa-yoon had never heard this story before. After that day he had unilaterally deserted the headquarters and stormed his family home, Sa-yoon had received no punishment.

He had vaguely assumed the Director General had smoothed things over using his authority, never imagining Han Do-hoon would have taken the initiative.

“Sa-yoon, you truly are something. You said everyone else was ‘not great,’ yet you ended up befriending Han Do-hoon, of all people.”

“Well, I’m just overflowing with charm, I suppose.” Sa-yoon chuckled playfully.

The Director General shook his head at the familiar display. ‘If only he didn’t say such things himself, he’d be quite an excellent shell of a person.’

“I feel strangely uneasy.” The Director General narrowed his eyes, gazing at Sa-yoon.

Though the Director General couldn’t possibly know about the arrangement between him and Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon instinctively felt a pang of guilt and averted his gaze, muttering, “You’re always telling me to get along with the unit members. Now you’re complaining even when I do.”

“It’s because you’re too compliant, which makes me distrustful. You have a history, you know.

Remember that time I assigned a senior to help you, and you hung him from the ceiling? And before that…”

The Director General grumbled, recounting past incidents where Sa-yoon had caused trouble. ‘Back then, I paid him back because he hit me, claiming to be my senior, and annoyed me by asking if I had a lover because of my ring.’

Sa-yoon had simply brushed it off as not liking the person, not wanting to bring up the ring to others. The Director General, unaware of the truth, had simply shaken his head in disbelief at Sa-yoon’s eccentric behavior.

Only after the Director General’s long tirade finally ended did Sa-yoon subtly sigh and pick up the jacket draped over the sofa armrest.

“If you’re done talking, I’ll be leaving now. I have a lot to pack if I’m to depart tomorrow.”

“Sa-yoon, that…”

“Do you still have more past stories to tell? Let’s save the second verse for another time.”

“Alright, go on then. Well, I suppose there won’t be any major problems.”

Leaving the Director General, who had waved his hand and fallen silent again, Sa-yoon exited the room.

‘If someone were to ask if he harbored any personal feelings for Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon could immediately and unequivocally deny it.’ ‘His initial assessment, that Han Do-hoon was someone to be avoided, had long since changed. He wasn’t as bad a person as Sa-yoon had initially thought.’

‘Yet, between the sentiment of ‘not disliking’ someone and actual ‘affection,’ there lay a distance as vast as two widths of the Han River.’

Even after several intimate encounters and spending time together, this thought remained unchanged. This was largely due to Sa-yoon’s inherent nature, which built high walls around people, but Han Do-hoon’s influence also played a significant role.

Sa-yoon recalled Han Do-hoon during their most recent encounter. He had been tender towards Sa-yoon, like a boy experiencing his first love, yet his gaze remained the same.

Those emotionless eyes weren’t fixed on Sa-yoon, but rather on the reward that lay beyond him. He unequivocally conveyed his desire for the pleasure and liberation he could gain from Sa-yoon.

This seemingly cold demeanor allowed Sa-yoon to meet Han Do-hoon with ease. No matter how much he flattered, there was no fear of misunderstanding each other’s feelings.

Their sole interests were each other’s bodies and the release of stress that couldn’t be dealt with externally.

Therefore, there was absolutely no reason for Han Do-hoon to have covered for Sa-yoon when he went AWOL, much less looked out for him.

Moreover, they hadn’t even been intimate at that point. Even after pondering it intently throughout the journey from Seoul, Sa-yoon simply couldn’t fathom the reason.

“Ugh, I don’t know.”

He stretched, basking in the sun that beat down directly overhead, devoid of any shade. The salty sea breeze blew refreshingly through the sunlight.

Feeling the sensation of crumbling sand beneath his feet, Sa-yoon gazed out at the boundless ocean.

Upon arriving in Busan, Sa-yoon stood on the wide coastline, staring blankly at the horizon. ‘They say to look at the sea when you’re troubled. It wasn’t helping at all. It only made him feel more restless.’

While Sa-yoon spent time lost in unproductive thoughts, the supply soldier assigned to him, having finished preparations, approached.

“Team Leader Jin Sa-yoon. Your accommodation is ready. All the supplies prepared for you have been moved to your assigned room.”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Sa-yoon took the card key and the list of supplies from the soldier.

As Sa-yoon turned his head to greet him, the supply soldier subtly averted his gaze. “It’s, uh, an honor.”

“Is there really any need to call it an honor? Shall we head over then?”

The supply soldier, unable to meet Sa-yoon’s eyes, quickly walked ahead. Following him, Sa-yoon arrived at a high floor of a five-star hotel.

Perhaps due to its former prestige as the second-largest city, the remaining facilities were quite good. The entire hotel, which had been struggling with dwindling guests, had been rented out.

It boasted an excellent view right by the beach, and the bedding was quite clean.

“Each team leader has a different floor. You will have an entire floor to yourself, so please feel free to make yourselves comfortable. And, uh, if you require a Guide, please inform us via the internal line.”

‘No matter how good the facilities were, it was still different from the headquarters, which had thorough soundproofing.’ ‘It seemed they had even separated Espers by floor, considering their privacy with Guides.’

‘It was a rather embarrassing display of consideration, yet it was undeniably useful.’