STJ_25

The bus, which seemed about to leave the main gate, suddenly stopped again.  

"Those people have already made it here."  

Hearing Guhyeong’s words from the front seat, Doyoung looked outside. There were dozens of people holding placards, protesting.  

[Is this a country or a UEFC dictatorship?]  

That was the most moderate and legible placard. As Doyoung read the various slogans and signs held by the protesters, his eyes landed on one particular message.  

[Sa Iijun is not a hero, he is a murderer.]  

It wasn’t a statement entirely without context.  

A few years ago, a civilian had secretly entered a restricted civilian zone during a battle to record a video for his social media account.  

While hiding in an abandoned building and livestreaming the battle, he was caught in an explosion caused by Sa Iijun and died.  

Iijun suddenly let go of Doyoung’s hand. Doyoung quickly turned to look at him, seeing him fixated on the placard bearing his name.  

Because the protesters were blocking and banging on the bus, it was struggling to move. Amid the chaos, Iijun couldn’t take his eyes off the sign with his name and slowly lowered his head.  

Like a habit whenever he was anxious, Iijun bit down hard on the tip of his thumbnail.  

"Stop..."  

Softly, Doyoung spoke while holding Iijun’s hand, placing it on his lap. He then reached for the back of Iijun’s large hand and gently clasped it.  

Iijun looked at Doyoung, and their eyes met.  

His face was blank and expressionless, yet Doyoung could read the myriad of emotions behind it. Regret. Self-blame.  

Doyoung slowly shook his head at Iijun.  

‘It’s not your fault.’ 

Although unspoken, Iijun seemed to understand the message, and his expression softened slightly. Then, he grasped Doyoung’s hand once again.  

"Ah, it looks like things have settled down a bit."  

Just as Guhyeong said, the soldiers had managed to control the protesters and clear a path, allowing the bus to move forward again.  

Iijun still looked gloomy, absentmindedly playing with Doyoung’s hand while Doyoung listened to Guhyeong and Juhyun’s conversation from the front seats.  

"At first, I didn’t care much, but it’s getting more serious. They’re even crowdfunding from the public now."  

"Is that even allowed? The higher-ups won’t just sit by and watch."  

"They’ve even started running ads on video platforms. I don’t know what freedom of expression is supposed to mean anymore..."  

"If that’s the case, then nothing will come of it."  

"Exactly. They’re like eggs trying to crack a rock."  

The bus passed through the protesters and continued southward.  

After crossing the first defensive line, the area became noticeably emptier.  

Outside the window, overgrown roads, half-collapsed buildings left in ruins, and rusted cars so ancient that it was impossible to tell when they were last used filled the scenery.  

[Safe Travels. Come Back Soon. Special City of Seoul.]  

Seeing the rusted sign with peeling letters, reality sank in even deeper for Doyoung. The calm he had managed to maintain shattered, and his heart pounded heavily once more.  

Noticing Doyoung’s tension, Iijun slowly intertwined their fingers, linking them gently. Then, he traced soothing circles on the back of Doyoung’s hand with his thumb.  

"It’s okay."  

This time, it was Iijun’s turn to offer words of comfort.  

"I’m here."

Doyoung smiled faintly.  

That’s right—he had written about it in his column before. Full Metal Baby, the terrifying killing prowess of Sa Iijun. If there was anyone in the world most capable of protecting others, it was probably him.  

Full Metal Baby. The more he thought about it, the more fitting the nickname seemed. Beneath that steel-like body was a gentle, helpless child trapped inside.

***

The toll gate now functioned as a checkpoint, restricting civilian access. Beyond this point lay a danger zone where it wouldn’t be surprising if Creatures appeared at any moment.  

After passing the final defense line, the bus continued its journey.  

An apartment complex came into view outside the window. Once a well-known set of five high-rise buildings, now only two stood tall under the gray sky, while the other three had crumbled into ruins.  

Doyoung slowly read the faint apartment name still visible on the wall.  

*Forest Ville.* A name that evoked images of a lush forest, though now, all that remained were withered, brown trees.  

Yet in the past, this place must have been full of life—a vibrant green woodland, the laughter of children playing in the park.  

He could almost see the ghosts of the past—people strolling leisurely while pushing baby carriages, others jogging or cycling—overlaying the ruined landscape before him.  

After about thirty minutes of driving over cracked and broken roads, the bus finally came to a stop.  

This place had once been a grassy field where people laid down picnic mats, enjoying peaceful afternoons.  

Guhyeong stood up from his seat and gave patrol instructions.  

If they encountered Loners, they were to avoid initiating an attack and attempt negotiation. However, if provoked, they had to be ready to fight.  

The primary objective was to capture the Loners alive, but if there was any risk to safety, they were permitted to kill on sight.  

"Yoo Namsaeng."

"Yes!"

When Guhyeong called, a tall and lanky Esper immediately stood up and responded firmly. With thick eyelids and round glasses, his appearance was slightly awkward. Perhaps because he had just joined the military, he looked incredibly serious and full of enthusiasm.

The rookie Esper, who had just turned twenty, was named Nam Yuseong. However, during his introduction to the UN task force sent as observers, his nervousness got the better of him, and he mistakenly introduced himself as 'My name is Yoo Namsaeng'. It seemed that from that moment on, his future was doomed.

"Even if you find yourself in a combat situation, just observe until you receive direct orders from your superior."

"Yes, I understand."

Doyoung, feeling as if he had been thrown into a military action film, remained silent, watching the Espers prepare without hesitation, rising from their seats fully armed.

Iijun approached Doyoung and extended his hand in a manner reminiscent of a man inviting his partner to dance at a formal ball—an oddly romantic gesture.

"Come on, Master."

"Where…? Wait, are Guides coming along too? Aren’t we supposed to just wait here?"

Doyoung’s voice was tense as he questioned him.

Hyerin, who stood behind Iijun with an earpiece in her ear, chuckled as if mocking him.

"Oh my, it seems Sa Iijun’s Master is scared."

Doyoung slowly turned his head and shot her a sharp glare. The moment their eyes met, Hyerin flinched, looking like a child caught misbehaving by a strict teacher. She instinctively took a small step back.

"W-What? What did I do?"

"Esper Im Hyerin, please mind your manners."

"…!"

Hyerin’s expression twisted as if she were thinking 'How dare he talk to me like that?'

High-ranking Espers were naturally lacking in manners. With their dominant sense of superiority and recruitment from a young age, they rarely received proper education in ethics or etiquette. In some ways, it was rather unfortunate.

“…Sorry.”

At last, Doyoung managed to get an apology from Hyerin. Without taking Iijun’s extended hand, he stood up and strode down the aisle before stepping off the bus.

“So cool….”

Iijun, following closely behind, muttered to himself in awe.

Wasn’t it natural for people to run when they felt weak? But Doyoung never ran—no matter the situation.

Even when facing a high-ranking Esper, he didn’t flinch. Though tense, he walked forward with confidence into the restricted zone. Not only that, but he even managed to get an immediate apology from Im Hyerin—someone Iijun himself could never outmatch in an argument.

Iijun liked everything about Doyoung. Like a bright-colored figure standing alone in a world drenched in gray.

That person was his Guide.

His shoulders lifted slightly with pride as he watched Doyoung’s back.

Even after stepping off the bus, he couldn’t stop smiling because Doyoung was walking right beside him.

“Oh, come on, are you gonna keep grinning like that until your mouth tears open?”

Guhyeong, who was scanning the area, noticed Iijun’s wide smile and jabbed him in the side with his elbow.

Without answering, Iijun simply flashed a mischievous grin, baring his white teeth like a playful troublemaker.

"Guide Joo Doyoung might be heading into the field more often from now on, so make sure to learn the ropes. From here on out, we’ll be communicating with HQ via radio. If a Creature appears, communication will likely be disrupted since they’re believed to originate from outside this world."

Doyoung nodded at Guhyeong’s explanation. He had already covered this in basic training.

A team consisting of four Espers, two Guides, and two officers with captain ranks arrived at the location previously identified in the recon drone footage.

“HQ, this is Delta. We’ve arrived at target zone Area 41 and found tire tracks. Over.”

Doyoung glanced at Guhyeong, who was communicating with HQ over the radio, then whispered to Yoon Juhyun.

"If a Creature appears, what should we do? I don’t even have a weapon."

Guide firearm training was purely for basic self-defense since regular bullets couldn't penetrate a Creature’s tough scales anyway.

Hearing Doyoung’s naive question, Hyerin once again couldn’t resist mocking him.

"Just scream. Kyaa~!"

She cupped her hands around her mouth and pretended to shriek.

Iijun lightly punched Hyerin’s arm, cutting off her teasing.

As he listened to them bicker, Doyoung gradually began to understand the dynamic between the two. They seemed to view each other as natural enemies.

Yet, when fighting, they moved in perfect sync, communicating through mere glances. Their arguments outside of battle seemed more like playful rivalry rather than true animosity.

At the same time, Guhyeong finished his communication and pointed toward a small structure about 500 meters away.

"Let’s check out that park management post. We can use it as a temporary base. Move out."

At his signal, the group began advancing.

The Guides and their assigned guards would remain at the base to monitor the situation while the Espers patrolled the area. If necessary, the Espers could return for emergency guiding. That was the standard patrol routine.

The dried lakebed beneath their feet crunched with every step, the sound of brittle sand breaking apart filling the air.

Scattered across the ground were large bones, occasionally kicked aside as they walked—hopefully not human remains.

About 100 meters into their trek, a rustling sound came from the dense overgrowth.

At first, they assumed it was just the wind. But in the vast forest overrun with wild, unkempt vegetation, only one large oak tree swayed.

Guhyeong raised his hand, signaling a halt, and spoke calmly into his earpiece.

"Creature at two o’clock."

–

TL: Muji

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