A Certain Moment (10)
“…What?”
“Is that really true? When will the joint training begin?”
“No, we could decide after Hae-geon adjusts a bit more…”
“Is there perhaps an approximate list of personnel already decided? Essential members or something… I think it would be good to tell my parents in advance.”
The team members’ reactions were more complex than expected. Some scratched their cheeks awkwardly, while others clenched their fists with determination. However, most team members didn’t seem particularly pleased about joining the raid team.
Hae-yoon, who had been observing the situation, stepped forward.
“What’s this? Everyone’s reactions are strange. With less than 3 weeks left, deciding now is actually late. Right, Team Leader An?”
“Yeah. I was thinking the same thing, but I’m surprised by the different reactions than I expected.”
Team Leader Jong-hyeok scratched the back of his head while looking around at the team members. Everyone was avoiding his gaze, looking down nervously. At that moment, Lee Cheol-min, who had been silent all along, spoke up as if representing everyone’s feelings.
“No matter how much defeating monsters and conquering dungeons is our mission and job… it’s inevitable to be afraid of S-class dungeons. Isn’t it natural to hesitate when facing an unfamiliar dungeon? I’ve seen Espers who take anxiety medicine every time they enter even low-grade dungeons despite being Espers themselves.”
“That’s right… Team Leader, you may not understand because you have such a strong sense of duty and nerves of steel, but we’re not like that. I know it sounds ridiculous to say this while receiving hazard pay, but… as Cheol-min said, I’m scared. Honestly. Ability users can be afraid too, right? We can dislike entering dungeons, right?”
“I also hate how ability users are expected to sacrifice themselves as a matter of course. I hate getting hurt all the time and worrying my family.”
Starting with Esper Lee Cheol-min, several team members began to reveal their true feelings. The expressions of Jong-hyeok and Hae-yoon, watching them, began to waver slightly. I could sympathize with the team members’ reactions, as I too felt fear toward dungeons, their environments, and the monsters within.
At the same time, I was also willing to serve honorably if selected for the S-class dungeon raid team. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t feel fear. I’m just trying to comfort my anxiety to protect the daily life of the place I love, the people I love, and the beings I love.
“I see. I understand how everyone feels. I understand, really. But joining the raid team is truly a great honor and opportunity. Technology has developed so much compared to before, making raids much easier.”
“…”
“The reason we’ve been able to live peacefully and freely in Korea until now is all thanks to the ability users of previous generations. It’s because they conquered the S-class dungeons that appear every 10 years that we’ve been able to maintain our daily lives. We can do it too. If they succeeded in much worse conditions, of course we can too.”
“That’s right. Team Leader An’s words aren’t wrong. I don’t think Cheol-min’s words are wrong either. We can be afraid. We can not want to enter dungeons. But we must succeed. We must succeed to protect the peaceful daily lives of those we love. Having the ability to accomplish that is truly a great blessing.”
The hardened faces of the team members gradually softened at the words of Jong-hyeok and Hae-yoon. Some team members who had remained quiet even when Lee Cheol-min and other Espers shared their true feelings spoke up.
“I want to be there at the moment we conquer that dungeon. I’ll conquer the S-class dungeon impressively and gain recognition from the world.”
“Me too. There may not be much I can do, but I’ll still do my best.”
The atmosphere in the office gradually became more spirited. Even Lee Cheol-min, who had initially expressed negative opinions, was soon chanting “we can do it” with the others.
Watching the team members whose reactions changed moment by moment, I realized anew the magnitude of S-class dungeons. And it seemed Sa Hae-geon felt the same way. He looked somewhat surprised seeing team members who had trained and gone to dungeons with us hesitating.
“Anyway, unless you’re injured or have serious personal circumstances, everyone is a candidate for the raid team, so it’s easier to think of it as joining. Now I’m going to the Center Director’s office.”
With those words, Jong-hyeok left the office. Not long after, he returned with news that all raid team members had been selected. A total of 13 people were selected from Field Team 1.
Only one healing-type Esper, one wind-controlling Esper, and one physical enhancement Esper would not be joining the raid team. They seemed dazed about staying in the office. Some team members envied them, but the individuals themselves seemed rather disappointed.
“Hyung, we can go together,” Sa Hae-geon said in an innocent voice. I had naturally assumed Hae-geon would be selected, as each S-class ability user is precious in the current situation, but when it actually happened, my feelings were complex. To be honest, they leaned more toward the negative side. Not that my feelings would have any impact on this matter…
“A total of 254 people have been selected for the raid team.”
“That’s quite a lot…”
“I thought it was fewer than expected. Even A-class dungeons have 80 people going in without S-class Espers, so isn’t 254 a bit small?”
“Is that so? I think it’s appropriate. It’s better to go with a small elite force. I think having too many people would just increase the number of casualties…”
“Ah… I guess you could think of it that way.”
“But most of them will be S-class and A-class, right? Isn’t that manageable?”
“Right. It’s doable, sure.”
I glanced at Jong-hyeok while watching the team members chatting to relieve tension. He was thinking deeply about something with a serious expression. And Hae-yoon, who read his expression at around the same time as me, asked:
“Team Leader An, what’s wrong? What is it? Is there something bothering you?”
The team members’ attention turned to Jong-hyeok. Receiving everyone’s gaze, he blinked and then slowly spoke.
“I was thinking it would be good to deal with Shin Woo-jun before entering the S-class dungeon. But Shin Woo-jun’s side seems quiet these days.”
“…Ah.”
The team members’ faces turned serious, furrowing their brows. At that moment, Sa Hae-geon, who had been listening, tilted his head.
“Can’t we strike them first?”
“We still don’t know their exact headquarters. I tried to find out, but he’s very cautious and suspicious, so it didn’t work. I should have dealt with him when we met in Canada…”
Jong-hyeok clicked his tongue, muttering quietly. He seemed genuinely regretful about that day’s failure.
“Well, since he likes attracting people’s attention, he’ll probably appear soon. It’s been quiet for quite a while, so let’s wait a bit longer. And Do-min, Hae-geon.”
At the sudden call, I stared directly at Jong-hyeok’s face.
“You two prepare to enter an A-class dungeon tomorrow. This time, Hae-yoon and I will go with you, so don’t worry too much. It will take one night and two days if we’re fast, or two nights and three days if we’re slow, so go home early today and rest.”
“Ah… yes.”
“Yes.”
“The team members going with us are…”
Jong-hyeok continued speaking, but I couldn’t hear him. The same seemed true for Sa Hae-geon standing beside me, as he looked down at me with sparkling eyes.
“…What?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy.”
“About what?”
“That I’ll be spending the night in a dungeon with you, hyung. We’ll be sharing a tent, right?”
“…I don’t know yet. By principle, if we’re not a pair, Guides should stay with Guides, and Espers with Espers.”
“That remains to be seen.”
After responding like that, Sa Hae-geon was fidgeting with his fingers, his cheeks reddening from whatever thought he was having.
The next day at dawn. As soon as it became 4 AM, a loud alarm filled the entire room. I couldn’t believe we had to prepare this early to go to the dungeon. I’d been constantly tired since returning to work at the Center.
Given the situation, working without days off had perhaps led to chronic fatigue, making me want to sleep endlessly every day.
I got up from bed and came out of the room yawning, when I witnessed a strange sight. Sa Hae-geon was busily carrying something around from the crack of dawn. The raid support team would bring all necessary items anyway, so I wondered what he needed to pack separately.
“…What are you doing there?”
At my voice, Sa Hae-geon’s shoulders trembled slightly as he stopped in place.
“What’s that?”
As I asked and tried to see what he was moving, he blocked my view.
“Check it later, not now.”
“What?”
It was absurd, but with his cheeks flushing red as he mumbled to check later, I had no choice but to back off for now.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
