NOVEL NEXT chapter 67
"Team Leader Yunchae!"
"Ah—Raon Team Leader."
Kwon Yunchae flinched when she noticed Raon approaching and quickly pulled her hand off Hamin’s shoulder. Raon glanced at that hand, expression cooling.
"Are we doing this now?"
"No, listen—it's not what you think—"
"Do you want a formal complaint filed through the Center?"
"Sorry."
The moment he mentioned the Center, Yunchae backed down at once, bowing her head. Raon sighed.
"You know better than this."
"Raon Team Leader, you know the combat unit’s situation lately. We're stretched thin."
"We all go into Gates together. We struggled when separated last time, too."
Raon recalled the Violet Gate.
In the end, they had made it out fine—but only because Raon had knowledge from before the regression.
And even then, things had deviated. Inside the tower, there should have only been psychic attacks, but the monsters had swarmed in, the tower had collapsed, and everything nearly spiraled. No one could predict what might happen next time.
Now that it was clear Siwoo and Yeojoon alone couldn’t fully guard the Guide Team, there was no chance he was letting Hamin go. Raon’s expression darkened.
"You've heard—Seo Dojin was hit hard. We don’t know when he’ll be back."
"The combat team does not consist of Seo Dojin alone."
"Well, yes, but…"
Yunchae’s eyes flicked nervously. She and Dojin fought constantly—but there was no denying he was the strongest S-rank Esper in the country. Without him, their combat stability dropped. Of course she was anxious.
"The combat unit has enough personnel as is. And soon…"
"Hm?"
"…Nothing. We have training. We’ll go."
"Ah… right."
Raon had nearly spoiled something. He bowed slightly and turned away. Hamin followed, flustered.
"Team Leader, I did refuse. She kept pushing…"
"I know. Don’t make excuses."
"Yes…"
He had said it because he trusted Hamin wouldn’t choose the combat team voluntarily—but Hamin’s flat tone made him look dejected. Raon softened his own tone.
"If Team Leader Yunchae or anyone else approaches again, tell me immediately."
"Yes, I will."
As Raon’s voice relaxed, Hamin’s eyes brightened. For a moment, Raon almost reached out to pat his head but restrained himself and walked into the training hall.
"Team Leader, you’re here?"
"Team Leader!"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Mm, no reason."
"I don’t oversleep that much."
"Did I say anything?"
Taehyeok smacked Yeojoon’s back as he whined. Raon couldn’t help smiling.
"You’re doing good work, Guide Taehyeok."
"It’s nothing."
No—it was absolutely because Taehyeok was dragging Yeojoon out of bed every morning. Raon gave Taehyeok a sympathetic look.
"Did everyone rest well?"
"Yes!"
"Then you should be able to train harder now."
"Yes!!"
"…"
Raon blinked. He had expected groaning—not enthusiasm. They really weren’t normal.
"As you all know, Dasom and Hamin have reawakened as S-rank Espers, so the two of them will no longer participate in Guide training."
"Huh?"
"From now on, they’ll focus on Esper training."
Neither B-rank Guide had been core to the Guide Team’s strength. With Raon, Hyun Juwon, and Taehyeok still here, guiding capabilities were stable.
"And Dasom—come here for a moment."
"Yes, Team Leader."
Dasom approached nervously. Raon spoke first.
"Dasom Esper—can you clearly distinguish between healing and guiding?"
"Um… honestly, no."
Dasom lowered her head. She had probably tested her ability alone during the break and already realized this. Raon nodded.
"That’s normal. Especially since you reawakened while still functioning as a Guide. It’s going to be confusing at first."
Multi-ability awakeners were not supposed to appear this early. They emerged when humanity was already collapsing under Irregular Gates—like the last counterstrike humanity had left.
Before regression, Dasom had been personally trained by a foreign A-rank healer Esper dispatched as special support. Since Korea’s crisis affected the global situation, the nations had intervened then. For the upcoming Black Gate, countries had exchanged Espers and Guides.
It was still early, but the international union would take interest soon—just like before. And if the discussions hadn’t started yet, Raon intended to request it himself.
"For today, train with Hamin on the Esper side. I’ll handle the rest gradually."
"Yes!"
Dasom brightened visibly. Sharing life-and-death in the Gate built trust—she looked at Raon with full confidence. Raon waved her off to join Siwoo.
"The training hall feels a bit empty now."
"Well, two people left for the other side."
Taehyeok and Juwon looked disappointed. Losing Dasom and Hamin was inevitable. The hall felt abruptly spacious. Raon’s smile thinned.
"Um… Team Leader."
"What is it?"
Hyun Juwon approached, hesitating. Raon looked at him with mild confusion.
Their relationship had always been awkward. Before regression, Raon had treated him terribly. And even now, the distance remained.
Raon didn’t resent Juwon for disliking him—it was deserved. And Juwon had worked quietly without complaint after joining the Guide Team, so Raon had nothing negative to hold against him. But he never knew what Juwon was thinking.
Raon waited.
"I’ve been… misunderstanding you, Team Leader."
"…?"
"I used to think you were… bullying Hamin."
"Oh."
He had bullied him. Very badly.
Raon lifted a hand, about to correct him—but Juwon, face red, continued quickly.
"I won’t doubt you anymore. I’ll follow your lead. Please continue taking care of me."
"Uh… sure."
There were so many things he couldn’t explain. He couldn’t exactly say, Actually, I was controlled by a system that forced me to play a villain.
So he shook hands with Juwon, feeling Taehyeok’s overly emotional gaze burning into him.
Well… at least we get along now.
After Raon, Hyun Juwon was the most skilled Guide in the country. If Raon ever fell back into the system and returned to his villain role, Hyun Juwon would be the one ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ to lead the Guide Team next. Raon had, quietly, chosen him as his successor.
"Let’s start with a light run."
"Yes!"
Raon ran with them, though he tired quickly—only Taehyeok seemed unaffected. After a few laps, Raon slowed to wipe his sweat and drink water.
Beep-beep.
"…Hm?"
His wrist device alerted him. The caller was Director Jang Seokhyeon.
So it’s time.
Raon turned to the others.
"I’ll go see the Director. Train on your own until I get back."
"Understood."
Leaving the two to self-train, Raon headed to the Director’s Office. The door opened immediately, as if he had been expected.
"I’m here."
"Good."
Jang Seokhyeon lifted his head. He looked oddly less exhausted than before.
"Sit."
"Yes. What did you call me for?"
"First—the cohabitation request with Yoon Siwoo."
"What about it?"
Raon frowned.
He had assumed approval was obvious. Something was wrong.
As unease crept into his expression, Seokhyeon spoke.