Chapter 79: The Lunatic Who Asked His Guide to Go to War With Him

“That monster we saw the very first day we met.” “The Quiklops variant?” “Yeah. The one we fought together.”

Lee Chae tilted his head. Haejin continued.

“Headquarters is about to declare a state of emergency. You know what that means for combat patterns, right?”

Lee Chae’s face went white.

“They’ll stop just defending… and start attacking first?”

“Exactly. Which means I’ll be insanely busy. I’ll want to see you more, worry about you more.”

Lee Chae looked down. Haejin gently lifted his chin.

“I honestly don’t think I can leave you behind and go fight.”

Where is he going with this? Lee Chae’s eyes widened.

“So… will you come with me? As Legion’s only guide—when I’m deployed.”

“Are you insane?”

Even as a joke, it was too much. Asking a guide to join actual combat with that serious face? Goosebumps everywhere.

“I’m dead serious. It’s not our first time. Think about it—you didn’t even flinch facing that terrifying Quikl variant.”

Lee Chae couldn’t tell whether to yell or laugh it off. His brain tangled.

“You’ll come with me, right?”

Clear eyes, firm expression—no trace of joking.

Me…Go to the battlefield together?

His vision spun. The only bigger shock than “Haejin is missing” in his life. He stammered.

“W-wait… you do know I’m a guide, right? One wrong move and monsters kill me instantly.”

Haejin nodded, dead serious.

“You know that and still want me to come?”

“Yes.”

The answer was instant. Lee Chae couldn’t understand what Haejin wanted.

“Cha Haejin—no, hyung. Do you even hear yourself? That time wasn’t real combat. I didn’t fight—I just guided while we saved the kids.”

“I know. I’m not asking you to fight monsters. No need to be that scared.”

“You just said join the battle—”

“Stay next to Jae-hyung. Guide instantly when anyone needs emergency support. I’ll never let you get hurt. Safer than going to the cleanup crew, actually.”

Lee Chae tried to calm down. Thoughts wouldn’t organize.

“It’s so sudden… I never imagined… More importantly—why are you asking me this now?”

Haejin took both his hands, eyes burning.

“Because I need you.”

The warmth from his palms, the desperate gaze— Lee Chae couldn’t look away. Words almost slipped out (I’ll go).

“With you there, I feel like I could win anything. Don’t you trust me?”

It wasn’t about trusting Haejin. It was trusting his own D-rank ability. —even with high compatibility, limits existed.

“Or… are you scared?”

Lee Chae gripped Haejin’s hands tighter and thought.

Fighting alongside Cha Haejin…

No fear. He wouldn’t be on the front line—safety was guaranteed. And with Haejin, he wouldn’t be alone imagining the worst.

“I’m not scared.”

After a long pause, Haejin’s eyes lit up.

“Then? Something bothering you?”

“Nothing like that. I’m just worried about the cleanup crew. I’ll go today and quit.”

“Really?”

Haejin’s face exploded into the purest smile—like a kid getting the best gift. Lee Chae couldn’t help laughing too. He felt the same desperation to never be apart, yet Haejin still acted like he was the only one head-over-heels.

But Lee Chae knew— Haejin was deliberately playing the lovesick fool because Lee Chae once asked him to be the one who chased.

He poked Haejin’s shoulder playfully.

“Treat me well.”

Haejin burst out laughing and yanked him into a hug. Hot breath on his ear, body heat everywhere.

“I’ll serve you 24/7 like wind that blows day and night.”

Wind and loyalty? What even… Cheesy, random, cringey— yet Lee Chae’s lips kept curling up. He hid his face in Haejin’s chest to hide the grin.

“Stop the loyalty crap and just fight together.”

“Yes, I love you too.”

Haejin misunderstood “fight together” as “I love you,” and started kissing every inch of his face. If they kept going they’d be late for the resignation talk— Lee Chae pushed him away and escaped the room.

He ran to the living room— and stopped dead.

Yong-yong was engrossed in a game. Jae-hyung clung to his back, pretending to massage shoulders while groping everywhere.

“Tickles! Jae-hyung, stop… stop…”

Yong-yong squirmed. Jae-hyung pointed at the screen—“Look, you’re gonna die! Monster’s shooting!” Yong-yong focused again; Jae-hyung smirked and kissed his nape and cheek.

Are all Legion espers like this? Jae-hyung and Haejin had totally different personalities but identical perv levels. Lee Chae laughed—then locked eyes with Jae-hyung.

He pouted sulkily.

“Stop staring at our Yong-yong. I know he’s pretty.”

“…Me?”

“Who else is hyung-soo-nim here?”

“Right, right… have a beautiful love.”

Untamable couple.

He finished guiding perfectly. He was so nervous about quitting that he’d been extra careful—now exhaustion hit hard.

He cleaned the pads, put them away, and walked toward Kang-wook’s office with leaden steps. He’d sounded confident with Haejin, but now his mind went blank.

Knock knock. “Come in.”

He opened the door carefully. Kang-wook looked up from his monitor—soft smile, completely different from closing-report time.

“Been waiting. Come in.”

“…Yes.”

He moved to the table beside the desk. Two teacups were already prepared. He sat awkwardly; Kang-wook lifted his cup.

“Drink. I picked lemon tea since I don’t know your taste—if you don’t like it I’ll make something else.”

“It’s fine.”

Today’s extra gentleness felt heavy. He wanted to get to the point but couldn’t open his mouth—just sipped tea. When he finally looked up, Kang-wook was smiling faintly.

“You look like you have something hard to say. I was actually excited today…”

Lee Chae’s face hardened. After the man had shown interest, he didn’t want misunderstandings.

“I came to resign effective today.”

Kang-wook’s hand holding the cup stopped. His eyes cooled gaze fixed on Lee Chae. He sipped tea slowly, then asked,

“You won’t regret it?”

“Even if I do, I have no choice. I have personal reasons. But I don’t want to cause trouble—I’ll work until you find a replacement. Please hire someone fast.”

Kang-wook let out a short laugh, then finally got to the real point.

“Because of the S-rank esper?”

Lee Chae’s shoulders flinched. He knows… He kept his face neutral.

“It’s personal.”

“How is that personal? Seems you’re misunderstanding something…”

The man who’d acted like a flirty senior suddenly switched to cold boss mode. Lee Chae tensed—there was intent behind the change. Kang-wook’s lips twisted.

“Management of an S-rank esper’s life and abilities is handled directly by the state. It affects national power. You know that, right?”

Clear mockery: You’re a D-rank—do you really think you belong as an S-rank’s exclusive?

Of course Lee Chae had agonized over it. He’d worried endlessly about the future. That’s why he could answer without wavering.

“I’m aware. And since you seem to already know… yes, we’ve officially registered as exclusive pair.”

Kang-wook’s temple throbbed.

“Guide Jung, do you know why I was suddenly transferred here?”

Lee Chae had suspected, but hoped he was wrong. His heart turned to stone.

“To… keep me in check?”

“Do you think you’re important enough for headquarters to send an A-rank guide just to watch you?”

“No, but because of Esper Cha Haejin—”

“Exactly. You’re not the target. We don’t send A-ranks for simple surveillance.”

The suspicion became reality. Lee Chae felt his heart freeze.

He couldn’t move a finger—like he’d forgotten how to breathe.

I didn’t expect this… no, I did expect it. I told Haejin I’d fight together. So why am I like this?

He hated himself for being shaken by something small. Blood slowly returned; he forced himself to meet Kang-wook’s eyes.

The man smiled—cold, professional.

“So yes, I was sent because of you two. But not to separate you— to persuade you to cooperate willingly.”

Lee Chae’s voice came out smaller than he wanted.

“…Cooperate with what?”

“Simple. Convince Cha Haejin to accept headquarters’ new exclusive guide assignment. An A-rank with regeneration skill. Do that, and no one touches a hair on your head.”

The teacup trembled in Lee Chae’s hand.

Checkmate.