Chapter 122
Before he could ask what happened, the words quickly poured out.
“I just got a call from the Support Deputy Director that Team Leader Kim Kwang-in was seriously injured during combat and was transported by teleport.”
Hearing this, Park Ung-chul unknowingly paused and asked back.
“Kim Kwang-in was injured?”
It was hard to believe. Kim Kwang-in’s face quickly flashed through his mind.
Kim Kwang-in was a person with very distinct strengths and weaknesses as an awakened. He had excellent skills, enough to be promoted to Team Leader position, and superior judgment in situations, but he lacked the tolerance to embrace and understand others’ shortcomings.
Just a quick look at the reports of his activities revealed his quite cruel temperament and his tendency to absolutely avoid actions that would disadvantage himself during combat. Because of these aspects, the Deputy Guild Master acknowledged his skills but harbored doubts about his qualities as a leader.
On the other hand, he was also specialized in self-protection. In battles with high odds of winning, he would boost morale by slaughtering monsters from the frontline from the start, but when he anticipated difficulties, he would conserve his energy alone until the last moment, only joining the attack when he felt “certain of victory.” Moreover, even team leaders who didn’t favor him unanimously acknowledged his exceptional concentration—so how could such a person sustain a major injury during combat? It was difficult to comprehend.
“Tell me more details.”
“Well… Haah. It seems that while our guild members were conducting a joint attack, Esper Song Ji-hyeok accidentally misfired. Unfortunately, it happened during a fierce battle with a boss mob, so the damage is estimated to be greater.”
Park Ung-chul immediately felt his head throbbing.
There was no need to explain how chaotic and hellish large-scale battle scenes could be. No matter how perfectly plans were laid, on the ever-changing battlefield, minor judgment errors or momentary hesitations sometimes led to terrible situations. This included instances of friendly fire.
So theoretically, it would make sense that Song Ji-hyeok made a mistake or Kim Kwang-in was careless and couldn’t avoid it… But an instinct, like that of a beast, strongly shouted that “there must be a different issue.”
Park Ung-chul wiped his face with a complicated feeling, then spoke in a deliberately calm voice.
“Is there any danger to his life?”
“…The Support Deputy Director said he suffered a major shock to his entire body… We’ll have to hear from the attending physician later to know more.”
“I understand. Tell Song Ji-hyeok to come to the Guild Master’s office as soon as the battle ends.”
“Yes, understood.”
After ending the call, deep wrinkles repeatedly formed between Park Ung-chul’s brows. If this had occurred during guild training or a team joint raid, they could handle it quietly, but since the accident happened during a joint operation with many eyes watching, it was fair to say that keeping it quiet was out of the question.
Moreover, these weren’t amateur mistakes. A highly experienced team leader-level Esper and an innately talented S-rank Esper were involved, so various rumors would certainly circulate, and there would be many watchful eyes.
Two days later, someone entered the Guild Master’s office without even trying to appear respectful. It was Song Ji-hyeok.
The secretary brought tea, but no one in the office paid attention to the cups. The Guild Master’s gaze fell on Song Ji-hyeok. The atmosphere wasn’t one for exchanging formal greetings, and Song Ji-hyeok looked impeccable at a glance, except for a slight redness in his eyes, so he immediately got to the point.
“I’ve heard about the accident in the dungeon.”
“Yes. The monster suddenly changed its trajectory, and as I adjusted my attack to match, that’s what happened. I’m sorry.”
The Guild Master’s eyebrows twitched fiercely once. Even if he was preemptively confessing what they were going to discuss anyway, the Guild Master didn’t like Song Ji-hyeok’s current attitude at all. Though his gaze was lowered, there was not a trace of remorse or guilt about attacking a fellow Esper, whether it was a mistake or not.
“That’s what happened?”
“Yes.”
“Are you saying there was no intentionality?”
“Of course not. After releasing the energy, I discovered Team Leader Kim Kwang-in standing in front, and by then, I couldn’t contain it.”
His voice, which sounded like he was reciting rehearsed lines, remained flat and monotonous. Even a rice field cracked in midsummer couldn’t seem more dry and tasteless. Though he hated to consider it, the Guild Master had expected that even if it were intentional, Song Ji-hyeok would at least pretend to be sorry as a human being, but his expectation was completely off the mark.
Provoked by this, the Guild Master finally showed his emotions first.
“I knew you were young, but I didn’t realize your level of conduct was only this much. Whether it was a mistake or whatever, a fellow Esper is critically injured and hovering between life and death because of your error. Despite this, is it human behavior to act so brazenly?”
“It’s not ‘whether it was a mistake or whatever’—it was a mistake. And if you want me to apologize, I’ll say it directly to the Team Leader when I meet him.”
“You…!”
The sofa armrest that he gripped tightly crumbled like sand.
He was convinced there must have been friction between Kim Kwang-in and Song Ji-hyeok, and had already ordered an investigation. As mentioned, both Espers had very high visibility in the industry. If there was any misunderstanding between them, he planned to step in at a guild level, exceptionally, to resolve the incident as quickly and smoothly as possible. This was because it would benefit both individuals in the long run.
But because of Song Ji-hyeok’s attitude today, the Guild Master decided to change his approach. If it’s the privilege of a youngster to act out in ignorance, then guiding such youngsters to the right path was his duty as both a leader and a senior. Those who cross the line need to be brought to their senses, even if it requires a rod.
“Do you intend to maintain that it was a mistake until the end?”
“It’s not a claim, it’s a fact.”
“A detailed analysis of the wound photos can determine the distance, angle, and timing of the attack in most cases. Probably more will be revealed than you think. So, if you have anything to say, I’ll give you the opportunity now. Was it really a mistake?”
“Yes. My position remains unchanged.”
Despite the intense pressure applied, enough to constrict one’s breathing with just the atmosphere, Song Ji-hyeok showed no change. Eventually, a much colder, subdued voice reached his ears.
“I sincerely hope that’s the truth. For your sake… and for your pair Guide’s sake too.”
“…!”
At that moment, for the first time, a disturbance appeared in Song Ji-hyeok’s expression. The Guild Master noticed him quickly composing himself, but he knew well that letting it go now would shake Song Ji-hyeok more.
“It’s going to get very busy once Team Leader Kim Kwang-in wakes up. You may go now.”
“Yes.”
The Guild Master sighed deeply once more as he watched the retreating figure who bowed slightly and walked away steadily, after having been so disrespectful as to grate on others’ nerves.
He had to admit once again that there was an error in his prediction.
About twenty years ago, when he had just turned twenty, he prided himself on looking at the world with wider eyes than anyone else as an adult, making the best judgments at every moment, and living wisely. But that was an illusion like that of a frog in a well. If the twenty-year-old Park Ung-chul were in front of him now, he was confident he could melt him with sweet talk and strip him to the bone. What’s twenty? He would even succeed in stripping the thirty-year-old Park Ung-chul, though it might be a bit challenging.
The same applied to Song Ji-hyeok. He might think all his thoughts are right and that he’s the best, but in the eyes of life seniors who had lived longer, he was just a youngster who didn’t understand the ways of the world yet. So he thought it was still a period when he could easily manipulate him with carrot or stick, but it seemed he was much more infuriating than expected.
“Guild Master.”
The Guild Master’s shoulders jolted at the sudden voice. The person he thought had already left was looking back at him, holding the doorknob.
“What is it?”
“Man to man, let me ask you. If someone tried to harm the Deputy Guild Master for a ridiculous reason, and all they received was a slap on the wrist, could you just let it go? I couldn’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
Unlike the Guild Master, who questioned with a frozen face in surprise, a faint smile spread across Song Ji-hyeok’s lips.
“Just saying. Anyway, my position is that it was a mistake, and if punishment or disciplinary action is given despite that, I’ll gladly accept it.”
After bowing his head once more, Song Ji-hyeok finally left the Guild Master’s office. The smile he had put on for show changed to a cold, expressionless face in an instant.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
