Chapter 92: Those Chosen for the Vanguard

It was only natural that Jaeyul was hearing that blaring siren for the first time.

At least as far as I knew, the number of times this highest-grade siren had ever sounded could be counted on one hand.

It only rang when an ultra–large-scale gate break occurred, when a gate too dangerous for one or two centers to handle appeared…

or when ‘X’ showed up.

Since no disaster even close to that had happened after Jaeyul joined the center, there was no way he could have heard it before.

“According to observations, the gates that appeared simultaneously in Seoul and Busan are the largest ever recorded, and we’re already facing difficulties just selecting personnel to conduct preliminary inspections inside……”

An emergency alert blared from our phones, and all Espers and Guides of Seoul Second Center were summoned to the large training hall.

Not only Jaeyul and I, but also team members who had gone out to eat rushed back to the center using their special abilities.

Most likely, summons had been issued to every center nationwide.

“…What does all of that even mean…?”

Park Bomyeong asked the team with a face that clearly said he couldn’t understand any of it.

But no one could explain it easily.

The rest of the team wore similarly confused expressions.

Na Dongchan stood on the podium, organizing and explaining the current situation, but it didn’t look like anyone truly understood it.

“It means exactly what it sounds like.

A gate outside the regulated classification system has appeared simultaneously in Seoul and Busan.

A kind of place where it wouldn’t be strange for someone to die the moment they step inside.”

Oh Seonggyu, who was with our team, summarized it neatly.

Judging by his expression, it seemed like he had experienced summons like this several times already.

Unlike usual, he listened intently to the explanation ahead with a serious, heavy expression.

“But what does that have to do with us.

The location is within the jurisdiction of Seoul First Center.

They’ve got plenty of high-ranking Espers there, so there’s no reason for us to get involved, is there?”

Yueden asked what everyone was likely wondering.

In truth, I roughly knew the full story behind this incident.

First Center hadn’t wanted this gate to begin with.

At a glance, it looked excessively dangerous.

If they had intended to take it on, they would have deployed personnel immediately upon its appearance.

But for some reason, Second Center had volunteered to form the vanguard.

The result was obvious.

The deployed personnel were completely wiped out, and elite First Center agents—including me—and high-grade agents summoned from across the country gathered to prevent a gate break.

If First and Second Center had entered together, the situation could have been resolved with minimal tragedy.

No—at the very least, if even one SS-rank Esper had been included in the vanguard, the outcome would have been different.

As if answering Yueden’s question, Na Dongchan explained the reason for gathering everyone at just the right moment.

“……Second Center will be entering the gate as the vanguard.”

At Na Dongchan’s words, murmurs spread throughout the hall.

Each team seemed to be weighing gains and losses.

Of course, once the head of the Esper division and the branch chief agreed, things would proceed exactly as they wanted.

I used to never understand why they made that choice.

But looking at it now, it seemed to have been a disaster born from twisted ambition.

A desire to achieve results at any cost and climb higher.

However, because the gate looked so dangerous, the agents’ opinions didn’t seem to align with the center’s stance.

As the murmuring grew louder, Na Dongchan’s voice came through the speakers.

“Please remember that our center has two SS-rank agents.

That means we can do what other centers cannot.”

You despicable bastard.

In the end, he meant to use me and Jaeyul… no, Jaeyul.

Since I’m not an Esper, he must think I’d be of little help in combat anyway.

Either way, Na Dongchan’s prediction hit the mark.

The agents who had looked like livestock being led to slaughter just moments ago now had color return to their faces.

It was a vivid demonstration of the power carried by the existence of Seon Jaeyul, an SS-rank Esper.

And conversely… it was also the weight of responsibility pressing down on Jaeyul’s shoulders.

I could understand it perfectly, having experienced it several times myself in the past.

Even SS-rank special ability users are human.

They aren’t absolute beings, and they can be injured or killed just like anyone else.

Yet people forget that, moment by moment.

Or perhaps they know, but choose to ignore it.

They treat SS-rank Espers as special beings capable of resolving anything.

“So that’s why you told me to run away?”

Jaeyul whispered quietly into my ear.

That’s right.

At the time, I hadn’t connected it directly to this incident, but somehow… I had a bad feeling.

If something terrifying happened, it was obvious Jaeyul would be at the forefront.

Even knowing the entire outcome of this event didn’t change my thoughts.

With Jaeyul present, the Second Center vanguard wouldn’t be wiped out like before.

Still, perhaps because of the faint delusion that the future might repeat itself exactly, I didn’t like the idea of Jaeyul being deployed.

Of course, the likelihood was extremely low.

“Sorry, but I’m not running away anymore.

Monsters or whatever else, I’ll handle everything with my own hands.”

“You—!”

My voice rose before I could stop myself.

If not for the eyes turning toward us, I would have asked, ‘What exactly are you working so hard for?’

He worked as if he had some weakness being held over him, or as if he were blinded by promotion.

Normally, I would’ve just thought he was diligent.

But volunteering to enter such a dangerous gate made me curious about the reason behind that zeal.

“Don’t worry.

There’ll never be a situation where you have to run away like before.

So just wait somewhere safe.”

I was about to ask what he meant by that, but Jaeyul was already pushing through the crowd toward the podium.

And before long, the vanguard was formed right there on the spot.

With more volunteers than needed.

Well… maybe this really was just me worrying too much.

There was no reason Jaeyul wouldn’t be able to subjugate a gate I had handled in the past.

I didn’t know his current strength exactly, but one thing was certain—he wasn’t using it all.

There was a strong possibility he was far stronger than I had been at my peak.

Maybe there was no need to worry unnecessarily about someone that strong.

Clinging to that thought, I forced myself to focus on the meetings that continued day after day.

Since the gate had appeared recently, there was plenty of time to prepare thoroughly.

“We’ve decided to enter exactly at noon tomorrow, so everyone head home early today and manage your condition.”

In just a few days, Jaeyul’s face looked like it had been cut in half.

He had no choice but to take on the role of vanguard leader.

Without an SS-rank Esper, it would be impossible to command everyone, and judging by his recent combat record of consecutive victories, he was the perfect candidate.

But unlike a routine sweep, this was an incident drawing the attention of the entire nation.

There were countless preparations to make.

Numerous experts gathered to devise strategies and opinions for various scenarios.

It was only natural, since the survival of Second Center was at stake.

“Ha… I know nothing’s going to happen, but I’m still nervous for no reason….”

Im Chan and Hwang Jiyu, who had relatively little combat experience, looked extremely tense.

“What’s the big deal.

We’ve got our team leader, so what’s there to worry about?”

In contrast, the simple-minded Park Bomyeong was completely carefree.

I appreciated him lightening the mood… but he might be worrying a little too little.

On the other hand, Yueden…

“Why…?”

Why are you staring at me like that.

Yueden was glaring straight at me without blinking.

“Team leader, what are you going to do about this side.

Honestly, in a situation like this, wouldn’t it be much more advantageous to enter the gate together?”

Ah… so that’s why he was looking at me.

Yueden was viewing the situation very rationally.

And in fact, he was right.

For lighter work, I might end up being a hindrance.

My physical abilities were inferior to theirs, after all.

But mixed into a large vanguard like this, I’d at least pull my weight, and it would be better to accompany them for guiding.

And since I knew the monsters inside as well, I was confident I could at least protect myself.

“That’s already been discussed with the branch chief.

Agent Jin Sehyeon will remain at the center.”

But as expected, Jaeyul dismissed Yueden’s suggestion without hesitation.

“Well… bringing a guide into a place where any danger could arise would be too big of a gamble.”

Jaeyul’s reaction was entirely expected.

But an unexpected person stepped in to support me staying behind.

Lee Rihyeon.

When our eyes met, he even had the leisure to give a playful wink.

Honestly… he’s hard to read in a very different way from Jaeyul.

“Oh, right.

What if he just ends up holding us back.

I’m against it too.

Let’s just go home already, Eden.”

Even Park Bomyeong voiced his opposition and started pestering Yueden to go home.

Though Yueden looked dissatisfied, he seemed ready to go along with the majority and stood up with Park Bomyeong.

I exchanged a brief glance with Jaeyul, signaling that we’d meet in the underground parking lot.

I didn’t even know how long it had been since we last went home together.

With a difficult battle ahead, I should prepare something especially nourishing tonight.

Kwaang!

Just as the team was about to leave the meeting room.

Na Dongchan burst in, shoving the door open as if to smash it.

The branch chief followed behind him.

Judging by how urgent they looked, something serious had happened.

“What is it?”

Jaeyul, as team leader, stepped forward to ask.

Na Dongchan and the branch chief exchanged glances, then the branch chief opened his mouth.

He must have decided it was better for him to speak.

“Ahem… Agent Jin Sehyeon is to prepare immediately to head to the Busan gate.”

What… is this now.

How can he say something like that so calmly.

Just telling me to walk straight into my grave.