The command headquarters was brightly lit, yet the generals seated around the table looked increasingly disheveled. They had been locked in back-to-back strategy meetings for days, managing the aftermath of the large-scale battle.
“The current status of our reconnaissance aircraft. We are conducting sweeps for any remaining creatures in the Pioneer District.”
“Next is the list of newly reorganized units.”
“The total number of personnel eligible for promotion based on merit stands at 32, including two officers at the command level.”
“This concerns the proposal to expedite the graduation timeline for trainees at the military training academy.”
“Displayed on the screen is the list of combat-ready personnel and their assigned unit deployments.”
“Current status of supply distribution.”
“Next, the latest risk assessment for potential outbursts among the Awakened.”
One agenda item followed another, covering dozens of topics.
Then, at last, they arrived at the final point of discussion.
“The next item pertains to the handling of the S-rank Awakened.”
A cold silence settled over the room.
The generals exchanged stiff glances, some clearing their throats awkwardly. Though each had their own stance on the matter, none were willing to speak first.
Eventually, the second-in-command of the Central Forces, Lieutenant General Hwang Bo Ki-cheon, broke the silence. As Supreme Commander Choi Yul’s direct subordinate, he was the highest-ranking officer of the conservative faction.
“While our military forces have suffered some losses, the defense wall remains intact. The anomalous phenomenon known as the Creature Wave seems to have been contained. Given this outcome, it is only right that we prune the excess. That includes the contaminated Captain Seo… and the mutant.”
As soon as Hwang Bo Ki-cheon spoke, the other generals began voicing their opinions one by one.
Just like in previous meetings, the room quickly split into two factions—conservatives and reformists, each holding firm.
Half called for their removal.
The other half argued for their recruitment.
“Captain Seo is an undeniable insurgent. Granting amnesty to a soldier who openly defied the military? Frankly, I still cannot comprehend Supreme Commander Choi’s decision.”
“However, given our current depleted forces, executing Seo Eui-woo would be an unrealistic move. He is the only S-rank Esper. You have all witnessed the extent of his abilities.”
“Yes, they are extraordinary. But that doesn’t mean we can allow him to run unchecked. If we commit our full force, the odds will still be in our favor.”
“Let’s remain level headed. Captain Seo made significant contributions in this battle. Calling him a rebel seems excessive, especially when he did respond to emergency summons. As a combat asset, he has proven his value.”
“What are you saying?! He repeatedly violates internal Center regulations—what value does that have? Another report just came in that he used his abilities again within the Center. How many times has this happened now? This has long surpassed the level of a mere disciplinary matter.”
The voices of the generals were graver than in previous meetings.
The situation had escalated.
They all knew.
Knew the storm was already brewing within the military ranks.
And in truth, Kwon Jae-jin was an even greater problem than Seo Eui-woo.
“There’s already a rumor spreading that the Center deliberately paired the two S-rank Awakened together. If this continues, Kwon Jae-jin will become an even bigger threat than Seo Eui-woo.”
A Guide’s value had always been in their ability to guide.
That was why Supreme Commander Choi Yul had initially proposed negotiations with Kwon Jae-jin—to utilize his S-rank guiding, which enhanced an Esper’s abilities.
But Kwon Jae-jin had drawn too much attention.
The generals had already reviewed the battle reports multiple times.
He had worn full combat gear, handled a military rifle with precision, and even operated HMD tactical goggles—an advanced piece of military-grade equipment.
And yet, just a few months ago, he had been nothing more than a civilian.
Even if he had officially undergone an Awakening and received a rank assessment, he should have been useless in battle. Compared to properly trained Awakened soldiers, he should have been as helpless as a child.
The fact that he had rushed onto the battlefield alongside Seo Eui-woo was shocking enough.
But the real issue was that he hadn’t frozen in terror—hadn’t even hesitated.
Instead, he had fought.
He had shot creatures dead, holding his own as if he had always been a soldier.
No one had foreseen this.
The generals could all feel it.
Because of Kwon Jae-jin, the military’s rules—its order—were beginning to shake.
“Kwon Jae-jin has openly advocated for restructuring the military. If his influence spreads, where do you think that will lead? Our soldiers will become contaminated by his ideals. We cannot allow him to be officially recognized as an Awakened and integrated into our ranks.”
“Employing a mutant was a mistake to begin with. Supreme Commander Choi should never have proposed such negotiations.”
“Exactly… Even if it would have cost us some losses, we should have sounded the emergency alarm and eliminated both Seo Eui-woo and Kwon Jae-jin when we had the chance.”
The conservative generals had no trouble running their mouths.
Supreme Commander Choi Yul, who had remained silent until now, leaned back in his seat. His sharp, seasoned gaze narrowed.
“We should have sounded the alarm? And tell me, if we had, how exactly would we have contained the Creature Wave? How would you have been rescued?”
They were full of self-important words now, but at the time, every single one of them had been taken hostage—crushed beneath Seo Eui-woo’s power, moments away from annihilation.
The decision Choi Yul had made back then had not been a mistake.
“So, what, we should have all been wiped out together?”
“No, that’s not what we meant—”
“The Creature Wave, too. If we had been prepared ahead of time, would we have suffered this much damage? And now, instead of addressing that, here we are—wasting time with pointless bickering between conservatives and reformists, debating the fate of two S-rank Awakened. That’s why this disaster escalated in the first place.”
When the third Pioneer District had issued a Stage 3 emergency summons, Choi Yul had felt a flicker of regret flash through his mind.
“The casualties will be devastating. Three Pioneer Districts and one civilian residential zone will be lost. The number of dead will be the highest recorded under your command. And half the officers in this room will be forced to resign in disgrace—including you, Supreme Commander Choi Yul.”
The warning had been delivered right to his face.
That the Creature Wave would strike. That the death toll would be the worst under his leadership. That half the officers would be dishonorably discharged.
The sheer level of detail had been almost insulting.
Every instinct told him to dismiss it—write it off as the meaningless ramblings of a clueless mutant.
And yet, the gut instinct he had honed over decades—the instinct that had put him at the top of the military—was already leaning toward that so-called nonsense.
Besides, the fact that a civilian had known about a classified military phenomenon like the Creature Wave, not to mention personal details like Choi Yul’s habits, was not something he could simply overlook.
At first, Choi Yul had suspected a political trap—someone in the high command backing those two in an attempt to bring him down. But now that the situation had escalated to this extent, searching for a mastermind behind it all felt meaningless.
From the very beginning, their intentions had been clear.
“What exactly is it that you people want? The lives of mutants?”
“We want only one thing.”
“Reformation.”
Right now, the generals’ focus shouldn’t have been on what to do with Seo Eui-woo and Kwon Jae-jin.
The real question was:
Which decision would best serve the military? Which would contribute to the survival of humankind?
Would they pursue transformation—or cling to the old order?
That was the real debate.
“For now, we cannot remove them. The military needs them. We’ll have to keep them in use, at least for the time being.”
“Khmm!”
“Khhmm…”
Lieutenant General Hwang Bo Ki-cheon and the other conservatives shot Choi Yul looks of deep disapproval.
But no matter how fiercely they objected, it was pointless.
As Supreme Commander, Choi Yul had the final say.
No one could overrule him if he chose to maintain this so-called reckless negotiation.
Still, they couldn’t begin to fathom why he was protecting Kwon Jae-jin.
Choi Yul lowered his chin in thought, his expression momentarily unreadable.
Then, as if he had reached a final decision, his jaw set firmly.
His holographic projection flickered slightly as he spoke.
“Kwon Jae-jin will be issued an Awakener Registration Code and assigned to a restricted-access unit. He will hold the rank of sergeant and be officially matched to S-rank Esper, Captain Seo Eui-woo.”
“Commander!”
“This is unacceptable! It cannot be allowed!”
Several generals sprang to their feet the moment the words left his mouth.
Because rank evaluation and unit assignment were two entirely different matters.
Even unfinished trainees and non-combatant F-rank Awakened underwent the same classification tests.
Even creatures captured alive for experimentation went through similar assessments.
On its own, the ranking test meant nothing.
But issuing an official registration code—assigning him a unit—and matching him to an Esper?
That meant Kwon Jae-jin would be recognized as a combat-class Awakener, on par with officially trained soldiers.
Sure, his placement was in a restricted unit rather than a Special Operations force.
And his rank was nothing more than sergeant, a level usually reserved for minor trainees.
But for a mutant, it was a shocking appointment.
“Sit down,” Choi Yul ordered, sweeping his gaze over the outraged generals.
Half the room, as expected, was in open defiance.
“The Creature Wave isn’t over yet.”
“If the Research and Development reports are correct, the Creature Wave hasn’t even truly begun. This decision is to minimize further losses. Save your protests.”
“That’s nothing more than a prediction! And like weather forecasts, those reports are always wrong!”
“Exactly. A-Class Creatures manifesting on the surface? Their habitat is inside the Gates. Even if we prepare, it’s a ridiculous notion.”
“And even if the researchers are right and a second, even larger wave is coming, why should a mutant be granted such a privileged position? Captain Seo Eui-woo alone is more than enough for the front lines.”
“Are you really willing to throw the entire military into chaos over one mutant, Commander?”
“Hah…” Choi Yul exhaled sharply.
“No. Look at the situation properly before you start running your mouths. The Creature horde already tried to breach the defense walls!”
