TG Ch 9 Part 2

The S-rank promotion test consists of three stages.

Stage 1 is the basic promotion examination, Stage 2 is the simulation test, and Stage 3 is the comprehensive test. In addition, the ability user’s mission record is also factored into the promotion.

Countless ability users couldn’t even pass the first stage of this promotion test, and each stage consisted of rigorous and diverse subjects.

Knowing this, Sijin muttered worriedly, “I hope the kids don’t get hurt…”

“It’s an S-rank test; you have to accept that one of the three might get injured.”

“Still…”

The S-rank test was notorious for its high injury rate. Therefore, Sijin planned to observe all the tests as a diagnostic examiner.

Fortunately, all three A-ranks passed the first stage yesterday with decent readings. So now, Jeong Taeyul was undergoing Stage 2, the simulation test.

‘Will Jeong Taeyul be okay?’

Sijin thought, looking ahead.

He was currently in the observation room, watching the simulation room. Jeong Taeyul stood alone inside. He had numerous sensory pads attached to his bare back, along his spine, and was wearing special goggles.

Soon, an announcement echoed.

[All simulations are recorded, and the examinee can stop the test at any time. The test is conducted safely under the supervision of examiners.]

[Also, to maximize the simulation effect, a small amount of harmless gas that causes temporary hallucinations will be sprayed in the test room.]

Sijin frowned at the announcement.

To him, the second test seemed like mental torture. This test evaluated the ability user’s personality, critical thinking skills, ability to make quick decisions under pressure, and even their ideology. The simulation room presented a series of extreme situations, and the ability user had to make a decision within 30 seconds.

[Then, let’s begin the simulation.]

Soon, a screen materialized in the simulation room like a wave, intricately forming the interior of an airplane. Sijin, who wasn’t wearing the special goggles, could only make out blurry shapes.

[First Simulation.]

[A passenger plane carrying civilians is crashing into the sea. The passengers include your friend, a politician, yourself, a child, and a doctor.]

Along with the explanation, a hologram of the airplane’s interior in a state of emergency appeared around Jeong Taeyul. The figures of terrified passengers were visible.

[As an ability user, you can only save one person at a time, and the earlier you rescue them, the higher their survival rate. Who would you save first?]

…And for this, they only gave him 30 seconds. Sijin shuddered at the extremity of the question.

Then, Sijin recalled Ham Geonwu, who had taken the test earlier in the morning.

“Jiwon, who did Geonwu choose first?”

Since he wanted Sijin to stay close, Ham Geonwu had been in the soundproof hallway and hadn’t heard the answer.

“Let’s see… Esper Ham Geonwu… ‘Child, doctor, friend, politician, myself.’ A classic hero type.”

“That’s so like Geonwu…”

“Yeah. So, points deducted.”

“……”

Sijin was speechless at the firm assessment.

The correct answer prioritized efficiency. The ideal candidate the country sought was an ability user who would save themselves within the first three, ensuring they could continue to protect citizens and fight monsters even after crashing into the sea.

And Jeong Taeyul chose his answer without much hesitation.

[Doctor. Child. Myself. Politician. Friend.]

“Poor friend…”

Sijin muttered sympathetically. Kwon Jiwon chuckled and recorded the results on his pad. Sijin, not knowing the exact scoring criteria, could only offer such comments. Instead, he closely monitored Jeong Taeyul’s heart rate and wave readings, which were being recorded in real-time.

‘Jeong Taeyul…’

Sijin stared at Jeong Taeyul’s back.

It was strange. Just looking at his back made his heart pound with a mixture of longing and excitement. He had so much he wanted to say to him, but his unresolved feelings prevented him from uttering a single word. Sijin found this state both frustrating and exhilarating, and he didn’t dislike the fluttering in his chest.

As if sensing his gaze, Kwon Jiwon asked casually, “How are things going with him?”

“Huh…?”

Sijin froze as if startled awake from a dream, then chuckled awkwardly and replied, “Well… Things have been busy, so what could have happened?”

“Busy? You make time if you want to.”

Kwon Jiwon said, sounding like a condescending older brother again. And since he was right, Sijin felt annoyed but couldn’t retort. 

He stared at the test room and mumbled, “We actually talked briefly yesterday… but he said he wanted to stop because he didn’t want to hurt me.”

“What? Did he hurt you?”

“No, no… I, I fainted while we were kissing.”

“Ah, that? What… That’s the same thing my wife said before we got married.”

Kwon Jiwon chuckled. Then, he made an announcement to the test room.

[Guide Jeong Taeyul. From the third question onwards, it will be a multiple-choice format. Or, the examinee can refuse to answer.]

[Okay.]

Sijin quietly watched the test room. He could see the patches controlling the sensory stimulation on Jeong Taeyul’s back. The truly grueling part of the test was about to begin.

Sijin looked at Jeong Taeyul’s toned back with concern. He wished he would turn around, just once, but that wouldn’t happen now. 

Sijin smiled bitterly and said, “Maybe for Jeong Taeyul, I was… just that insignificant. …Still, it was a clean break, so it’s okay.”

“Sigh. Baek Sijin…”

Kwon Jiwon suddenly sighed and rubbed his face. Sijin was startled and looked at his friend, then back at the test room and said, “Uh… I’m listening.”

Kwon Jiwon put down his pad and thought for a moment, then, as if having made up his mind, asked bluntly, “Do you like that Guide?”

“……”

Kwon Jiwon turned to face Sijin directly as he asked.

Even though his gaze felt intense, Sijin couldn’t bring himself to speak. His heart was still pounding, overflowing with emotions, but since they were feelings that had been rejected before he could even express them, he kept them hidden deep within his chest.

[Third Simulation.]

The simulation had progressed to the third question. Kwon Jiwon looked at the confused Sijin, then checked the test room and said, “Do you remember what happened back then?”

“When?”

“About four years ago. When I dumped all my work on you and ran off to chase after my wife.”

Sijin immediately recalled that time. It was the first time Kwon Jiwon had been absent without leave. It was when his Esper wife, unable to continue dating an ordinary person, had rejected him. Kwon Jiwon had run off for love, but for Sijin, it was the day he was bombarded with work.

Even just remembering that day made Sijin smile wryly, “Yeah… I was really struggling back then.”

“Sorry. That’s why I came here to repay the favor.”

“Huh…?”

Kwon Jiwon grinned smugly. Then, while checking Jeong Taeyul’s status, he said, “Baek Sijin.”

“Yeah.”

“If I hadn’t run off back then, I wouldn’t be married to my wife now, let alone dating her.”

“……”

“The thought of that is terrifying. I don’t even want to imagine not having met our daughter.”

Kwon Jiwon spoke candidly.

Hearing his words, Sijin looked at the test room with a melancholic expression. He understood what his friend meant, but his settled friend’s words felt distant to him.

‘If I let him go now… will I regret it someday?’

Sijin became lost in thought. He felt like nothing would change even if he gave up on Jeong Taeyul without resolving his feelings. It seemed like a wise decision for an ordinary person to give up on a Guide.

Suddenly, Sijin recalled the moment of his near-death experience. The moment before he was crushed by the monster.

He had only felt loneliness and emptiness then.

Ironically, Sijin had lived a very diligent life. He had been driven by his past guilt and had devoted himself to his work, caring for countless ability users as a diagnostic examiner. He found fulfillment in his work and had established himself well in society.

‘But in the end, I was left with only emptiness…’

However, facing death, Sijin had no regrets about his life. He couldn’t describe how lonely and empty that realization had felt.

The fact that he had never lived according to his heart’s desires, that he had missed the chance to deeply love someone, was both disappointing and hurtful. He should have been true to his feelings, at least for a day before he died.

Kwon Jiwon glanced at Sijin, who was hanging his head dejectedly. Unable to scold his silent friend any further, he said in frustration, “What do you think it means when an ability user says they don’t want to hurt you? Think about it.”

“……”

“In times like these, the older one should just go and make a move.”

“What are you even… I’m telling your wife.”

Sijin glared at him and scolded him. Kwon Jiwon sometimes spoke carelessly about other people’s affairs. He knew how difficult it was for an ability user and an ordinary person to be together.

Meanwhile, the test had already moved on to the fourth question.

[Fourth Simulation.]

[Your loved one is being held hostage with a bomb strapped to their body. The hostage-taker threatens to detonate the bomb in 30 seconds if you don’t reveal national secrets. What would you do?]

The simulation showed a dark cityscape as the background. The figures of numerous people were blurry to Sijin, who wasn’t wearing the special goggles.

Then, Kwon Jiwon spoke on a whim.

“Baek Sijin. Your hyung is giving you another piece of homework.”

“What…?”

“Try expressing your feelings properly, at least once.”

“…You’re such a nag…”

“Not me, you idiot. Go and tell that ability user.”

Kwon Jiwon chuckled in disbelief. But Sijin just stared blankly at the test room where Jeong Taeyul stood.

‘Huh…?’

Then, Sijin’s gaze sharpened as he watched the test room.

For the first time, Jeong Taeyul reacted physically to the simulation. He reached out, trying to grab the figure in white clothing. The veins on his other arm, gripping the support bar, bulged.

[…….]

‘Why is he doing that?’