Chapter 9: The Final Flag

“Well, even if I get promoted, I don’t think there’s any department that pays more than what I’m earning right now. If there really was one, I would’ve already moved there after achieving good results.”

When I said that half-jokingly, half-seriously, Choi Siram burst into laughter for some reason and stayed glued to my side.

Still, perhaps because I had intentionally spent so long alone, I couldn’t easily push away the presence of someone beside me.

I thought my own behavior was contradictory, even disgusting.

Inside, I was burning with jealousy toward Choi Siram, yet on the outside, I kept acting like a decent partner.

“Attention. Attack Team 3’s dedicated guide Han Jaeyoon. Defense Team 3’s dedicated guide Oh Junmyung. Attack Team 5’s dedicated guide Ahn Sohee. Lastly, Attack Team 3’s dedicated guide Choi Siram, please proceed immediately to Test Site 3 and stand by. I repeat…”

“Oh! Jaeyoon, look at the match list. It seems like you and I are on the same team.”

“…Seeing multiple guides of different ranks mixed into one team, it looks like this training will be conducted a bit differently from the usual format.”

On the large TV screen in the waiting room, the list of partners who would cooperate during the test began to appear one by one.

As if by some twist of fate, I, a B-rank, and Choi Siram, an A-rank, were paired together in Test Site 3.

“I’m really nervous. What if I make a mistake inside?”

“It’ll be fine. I’ve taken this test several times before, and it’s not harsh enough to put too much strain on your body. The center considers each guide a valuable asset.”

“I-I hope so…”

Most guides had to move as a team with their paired Espers wherever they went.

In such cases, guides needed to be capable enough to take care of themselves without relying on others.

If a guide died during a mission, the Espers paired with them would also have an extremely high chance of dying.

This training was designed precisely to prevent such situations.

“It’ll really be fine. Trust me.”

“…Huff, huff…”

Labored breaths forced their way out between my lips.

An hour had passed since the test began.

I pushed myself off the dust-covered ground and avoided enemy attacks while searching for the red flags hidden throughout the test site.

Gunfire rang wildly, numbing my ears.

An overwhelming number of enemies chased me from all directions.

Bang—!

“Ugh!”

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, and my consciousness began to fade.

My vision darkened rapidly, and sticky blood stained my palm.

The barrage of attacks from the enemy made my eyes sting, and my skin burned from the heat.

Fragments of shattered buildings lay scattered everywhere, blocking my path.

“Jaeyoon, Jaeyoon, can you hear me? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It just grazed me.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“More importantly, can you check if the enemy formation is clear? If there’s an opening, I’ll rush in, retrieve the flag, and end the test.”

“Okay. There are two guards on each side at the entrance. I can’t see deeper inside because of the dust, but there are more soldiers near the table where the flag is placed. It might be difficult to break in right now.”

Choi Siram’s voice through the radio barely held my fading consciousness together.

If I could just get that last flag, the test would end.

I steadied myself and sharpened my focus.

Five to seven enemies.

After quickly calculating, I pulled the pin from the smoke grenade I had been given earlier and hurled it with all my strength toward the enemy position.

Fwoosh—

A hissing sound echoed from the open entrance as blue-tinted smoke spread everywhere.

Their vision was blocked, and their movements noticeably slowed.

Covering my mouth and nose, I asked Choi Siram for covering fire and quickly infiltrated the enemy base.

Caught off guard by my sudden appearance, the remotely controlled soldiers malfunctioned all at once.

Seizing the opportunity, I drew the dagger from my thigh and struck their weak points one after another.

The soldiers, who had moved like real humans moments ago, stopped completely and collapsed.

“Jaeyoon, can you hear me? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ll grab the flag and head your way.”

I stepped forward, pushing aside the lifeless bodies scattered across the ground.

After maintaining such intense focus for so long, I felt like my body wouldn’t last much longer.

Just as I finally reached for the flag, I sensed movement from an emergency exit nearby.

Instinctively, I bent my body to avoid the attack, but the enemy was too fast.

A sharp strike grazed my right side.

Crack—

The reinforced suit shattered under the impact.

So this is the final boss.

I realized it instantly.

Holding a dagger, the enemy relentlessly attacked according to its programmed system.

Cornered, I broke into a cold sweat as I barely dodged its strikes.

When I blocked its blade, immense pressure surged through my grip.

I pushed it away and threw a punch toward its jaw.

My bones felt like they shifted, but that didn’t matter right now.

“Ugh…”

It wasn’t enough.

The enemy struck my abdomen again.

Even with the reinforced suit absorbing some impact, the internal damage quickly became unbearable.

Gasping, I barely lifted my body from the ground.

The final flag was right in front of me.

If I gave up now, everything I had done would be wasted.

I had to find a way through this.

…Then.

I grabbed a shard of glass from the debris.

Reflecting the light pouring into the building, it shone brighter than any lamp.

All the soldiers in this training were remotely controlled robots operated by a psychic Esper.

Which meant…

If I disrupted their sensors again, even this one could be stopped.

“…Whatever. I’ll just try it.”

I threw a small stone to draw its attention.

The enemy instantly located me and rushed forward.

At that moment, I angled the glass shard and reflected the bright light directly into its sensor.

“…!”

Was it luck?

Its movements slowed, even if just slightly.

I didn’t hesitate.

Twisting my body, I kicked its chest with full force.

Caught off guard, it staggered backward.

“…I don’t have much time.”

Biting my dry lips, I slashed behind its knee with my dagger.

Then I kicked its joint hard, producing a burning smell as its leg twisted unnaturally.

I pulled the blade out and drove it deep into its throat.

The puppet-like enemy let out a strange cry before collapsing.

No blood flowed.

No pulse could be felt.

There was no sign of life fading.

I pushed the fallen body aside and searched for the red flag nearby.

“Jaeyoon, can you hear me?”

“Yes. I found the flag. I’m heading back now. Sorry for worrying you.”

“Don’t just say that. Take care of yourself first. There’s no penalty for failing the test, so why are you pushing yourself this far…”

“It just feels like a waste. I’m not seriously injured. I’ll just get checked at the infirmary afterward.”

This place looked real, but it was nothing more than a simulated space created by a psychic Esper.

Injuries here affected the body, but not enough to interfere with daily life.

Finally, I grabbed the flag from the table and held it close.

Limping on my injured leg, I made my way toward the building where Choi Siram was waiting.

As I approached, a notification rang out, announcing the end of the test.

Soon, staff from the center would arrive to escort us back.