SOG Ch 90

Finally, at the end of August, when the summer heat was at its peak, anti-terrorism training for Espers and Guides began. It was just as Team Leader Han Tae-hoon had announced.

The place where the inauguration ceremony and theoretical lectures were held was the liberal arts hall within the Central Management Headquarters Center. It was also the first place Jae-chan opened his eyes after regressing. Jae-chan arrived in the first lecture hall while engrossed in contemplation, and was slightly surprised by the large audience that had gathered there.

The scale of training seemed to be significantly larger than expected.

Almost all of the 234 seats in the size of a small concert hall, spread out in a fan shape were filled. Jae-chan felt puzzled as he slowly walked down the stairs, barely finding an empty seat among the countless Espers and Guides, and sat down. He quickly opened and checked the pamphlet he had picked up as he entered.

The first thing he noticed was a picture and congratulatory speech from Army Brigadier General Kwak Yeon-jung, who served as the training commander for this training.

Although these positions were rotated among key figures, Jae-chan couldn’t hide the coldness in his heart. The reason the Brigadier General’s name sounded familiar was because he was the general in charge of the Universal Park hostage incident.

The person who had caused so many civilian casualties in the past and covered up all the facts was now in charge of the counter-terrorism training. It was natural for him to frown.

‘By the way, the scale of training has become too large.’

Putting aside his dissatisfaction with the military, Jae-chan looked at the pamphlet again. We carefully looked at the scheduled training schedule and content, but the conclusion was that no matter how generous it was, the scale of the training was impossible because it was borne by the center’s own budget.

He checked the front row again. In addition to Brigadier General Kwak Yeon-jung, the education commander, there were several political and military figures present, including the heads of the Guide Division and the Esper Division, as well as key political figures such as the Director of the United National Interests Research Institute, the Planning Department Director of the Ability Research Institute, and the newly appointed representative of the J Innovation Center.

‘If we successfully prevent the Black Swan uprising, this training might end up being in vain…’

At this point, he didn’t expect such a full-scale training. Jae-chan was suddenly feeling an unusual burden in an unexpected situation.

“Wait, are they also participating?” Jae-chan’s eyes suddenly looked up and widened as people murmured. About a dozen E-SOF members in uniform were entering.

Jae-chan, who was looking for one familiar face among them, found out that Go Woo-jin had already been here. Some of the unit members greeted Woo-jin and Chae Seong-hwan. Go Woo-jin was sitting between Esper Chae Seong-hwan and an unknown woman wearing a beanie. It was so far away that he just didn’t notice it.

“Why is E-SOF participating in basic terrorism response training?”

The murmur among the people became stronger. Jae-chan had the same thought. Wasn’t E-SOF supposed to be the Esper special forces closest to facing terrorism in the first place? From their perspective, this kind of training would have seemed like child’s play.

“The opening ceremony will begin soon.”

Following a brief period of bewilderment among the participants, the orientation proceeded smoothly. After Brigadier General Kwak Yeon-jung’s shameless opening speech, the guests left and orientation began.

Han Tae-Hoon was standing on the podium.

“You will gather twice a week regularly. In this quarter, you will learn the fundamental theories of operations, organizations, operations, communications, artillery, special forces tactics, and marksmanship, as well as counter-terrorism principles.

It followed the curriculum that had been developed through many trials and errors after the establishment of the Black Swan. At one time, the Center faced considerable internal difficulties in dealing with the Black Swan, much like in a state of quasi-war. This was due to Espers and Guides’ lack of knowledge about actual military operations.

People seemed puzzled by the fact that Han Tae-hoon stood on the podium in person, but Jae-chan was not surprised. In fact, this training course was no different from the one that Han Tae-hoon established more than half before his regression, and even then, he showed such enthusiasm that he even stood on the podium.

So, it wasn’t surprising that Han Tae-hoon took on the role of an instructor. …Jae-chan stopped taking notes and looked at the neat back of his head in front of him. He had never anticipated that Woo-jin would participate in this training.

‘I guess I’ll have to ask Han Tae-hoon.’

Jae-chan waited impatiently for the orientation to end and then stood up.

It was an addition to notice the presence of someone following him as soon as he moved. It was the follower. A man who appeared to be in his 30s. He had an ordinary appearance, but upon closer inspection, he had a well-trained physique.

The follower who had followed him to major events in the Capitol had disguised himself as a participant and even made it this far into the training.

As he left the lecture room, Jae-chan remembered what happened when he visited the third hospital ten days ago. He was on his way to see Won Seong-il, who was eventually declared brain dead. The follower had shown persistence in following him even to that place.

It was time to detach him. Clicking his tongue briefly, Jae-chan checked the reply from Han Tae-hoon.

Jae-chan went against the crowds leaving the liberal arts center and entered the waiting room down the sloping hallway where lecturers and invited speakers were staying.

“Yes, it’s true that we got E-SOF’s cooperation.”

Han Tae-hoon, who was putting together the presentation and lecture materials, briefly confirmed.

“It’s a waste of manpower. Isn’t it like a specialist participating in an internship course related to their major?”

The purpose of the curriculum was to help many Espers and Guides become familiar with the manuals for military operations and terrorist attacks. However, E-SOF was already in a state of perfect mission execution, having developed familiarity rather than still attempting to adjust.

“Of course, not all of the E-SOF Troop members will participate, but only some will participate. And as an assistant instructor.”

Only then did Jae-chan understand the situation.

“Of course, there is one member who will participate as a student. Can you guess who it is?”

“…”

In both of their minds, one face came to mind.

The corners of Han Tae-hoon’s mouth twitched. He clicked his tongue, staring at Jae-chan with an expression that appeared to be either sincere or fake. Han Tae-hoon’s obvious discomfort made it plain that he did not intend for Woo-jin to participate, at least based on his expression.

“… Why has the scale of training become so large?”

Instead of mentioning Woo-jin’s name, Jae-chan shifted the focus of the conversation. Han Tae-hoon raised his eyebrows slightly, pressed his sore forehead with his thumb, and went back to reviewing the lecture material.

“I just took advantage of the weaknesses you told me about. Of course, I didn’t know that Esper Go Woo-jin would personally participate in the training.”

Weaknesses, huh? Could it be that he was referring to the statement that said ‘Esper Go Woo-jin’s weakness is me’, which was not true but was intended as a deterrent?

Jae-chan thought it was ridiculous, but Han Tae-hoon ignored his unconvinced expression.

“And the suggestion I made. Can I think of it as a rejection?”

“…”

“It seems like you’re slipping away gently like a songbird and flapping its tail next to Esper Go Woo-jin.”

Tuk-tuk. Han Tae-hoon approached and lightly tapped Jae-chan on the shoulder before passing by. Today, instead of smelling like perfume, he smelled of ink and paper.

*

After Han Tae-hoon left, Jae-chan was in a state of shock. Despite the fact that he thought he was thinking in his own way, it appeared to Han Tae-hoon that Jae-chan had entirely caved to Woo-jin. It reflected how much he was swaying towards Woo-jin.

… This was not the time for this.

Jae-chan briefly shook his head and left the waiting room. The place he headed straight to was the office of Guide Team 2.

“Hello, team leader.”

“Guide Seon, it’s been a while.”

Bowing his head respectfully to Team Leader Hong Ye-deok, who had returned from a long business trip, Jae-chan took a seat in the corner of the office. It was related to the large-scale counter-terrorism training that exceeded the center’s budget, and he wanted to examine the relevant documents.

He thoroughly read every related document. The clue was found in documents related to the commencement of the project. At the top of the list of sponsoring companies was J Pharmaceuticals.

Although he didn’t have the authority to view the sponsorship amount, Jae-chan was able to make a rough estimate just by looking at the list of scheduled trainings. Han Tae-hoon’s voice rang in Jae-chan’s head once again.

‘I just took advantage of the weaknesses you told me about.’

Did Go Woo-jin really persuade Chairman Go Young-chang to get the sponsorship budget? No, that couldn’t be. It wouldn’t have been so easy for such a massive investment amount to come and go. 

Of course, if he wanted to be sure, it would be best to check with Go Woo-jin directly.

Perhaps due to the confusion, Jae-chan’s face remained somewhat tense until the next morning when he attended the second training. He arrived precisely on time as the day before and listened to Han Tae-hoon’s theory lecture while keeping a close eye on where Woo-jin sat.

“As announced, we have assignments. The first assignment is a team assignment. Form teams of two and submit the list to the instructor.”

When it came time to finish at lunchtime, Han Tae-hoon stood by the screen and explained how to submit the assignment.

“From the next quarter, Espers and Guides will receive separate training, so I recommend forming teams of one Esper and one guide for this quarter.”

Jae-chan stood up immediately when the lecture ended. Taking advantage of the commotion as Espers and Guides paired up here and there, he approached Woo-jin.

“Can we talk?”