Taeseong spoke calmly.
“I will return to Korea.”
Hearing his answer, Hashimoto responded in a composed tone, as if he had expected such a reply.
“Do you have a reason?”
“I appreciate the offer… but there’s something I want to try with my colleagues in Korea.”
“Something you want to try, huh… That’s unexpected. From what I’ve seen, you were never the sentimental type. Weren’t you always someone who prioritized practicality above all else?”
Hashimoto looked at him with an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Did I misjudge you?’
“It’s true that I prioritize practicality. But if my standards change, then my priorities can change at any time as well.”
“So, you value your teammates enough to turn down my offer?”
“I suppose so.”
To be honest, his teammates had influenced his decision to give up on staying in Japan. However, if asked whether he gave up solely because of them, the answer would be no.
They played a part, but the real reason he changed his mind was something else.
It was the sudden phone call from Choi Harin.
Someone on the Korean side must have told her, because her voice over the phone sounded urgent.
— Lee Taeseong, I heard you got an offer to stay from the Japan branch chief?
— Yes.
— You’re not seriously thinking of staying in Japan, are you? Huh?
— I’m considering it. The terms they offered are quite good…
— Damn it, that bastard! There’s a limit to how shameless someone can be! Ah, and don’t get me wrong! I wasn’t talking about you, Taeseong. You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re just too damn talented. Hahaha! So, what exactly did they offer you?
— Basically, they said they’d grant whatever I ask for.
— Anything?
— Yes. Anything.
— Son of a… Wait right there! Just give me five minutes!
She abruptly hung up after asking him to wait for five minutes.
And sure enough, five minutes later, she returned.
— I’ve settled things with the branch chief.
— Settled what, exactly?
— What else? I got an offer that will change your mind. You won’t regret choosing not to stay in Japan. I worked it all out with the branch chief. Oh, and if you want to look into matters related to your parents, wouldn’t Korea be more convenient?
— That’s true.
— You trust me, right?
— I’ll try to.
— I’m serious. I really am!
Choi Harin had negotiated directly with the branch chief and secured an offer that ensured he wouldn’t regret his decision.
If the conditions were equal or better, there was no reason for him to stay in Japan. His colleagues were all in Korea, and he was originally from the Korean branch anyway.
“That’s unfortunate. But I understand your decision.”
“I apologize.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Just what you’ve accomplished while being stationed here has been more than enough for us. It would have been great if you had stayed, but there’s nothing more disgraceful than dwelling on something that’s already been decided.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Our doors will always be open. If you ever change your mind, let me know. I have a personal interest in you. I hope we meet again.”
“If the opportunity arises, we’ll meet again. I’ll take my leave now.”
Taeseong rose from his seat and exited the room. Hashimoto smacked his lips in disappointment.
As branch chief, it was regrettable that he couldn’t hold on to such a valuable talent. However, more than anyone, he knew—after reviewing Taeseong’s security file—that he couldn’t be forcibly tied down.
“I’ve lost a valuable asset.”
But they would surely meet again.
With his abilities, it was only a matter of time before he was assigned a mission similar to Hashimoto’s own.
A joint funeral was held for the administrators who had died in the recent operation. Among them was Beta-rank administrator Yukina.
The solemn ceremony concluded without incident.
Sooah, who had been holding back her tears throughout the funeral, finally broke down when she saw Yukina’s body consumed by the flames.
Watching this, Taeseong silently prayed that Yukina had safely returned to her original world and reunited with her family.
After the funeral, both the Korean administrators and those from other branches began the process of returning to their respective headquarters.
Taeseong’s younger sister, Sooah, also expressed her desire to return to the Korean branch, and the Japan branch chief readily approved her request.
It was a decision based on the assessment that making an enemy out of Taeseong would bring no benefits.
Xiao Yun had already left without a word, leaving behind only a single letter.
[Thinking about all the hell I went through because of you is exhausting, but I have to admit, it was fun. You’d better stay on your toes next time we meet, you monster. Say hi to Taesan for me.]
It was, in a way, the most Xiao Yun-like farewell.
As a Beta-rank administrator, he would surely cross paths with Xiao Yun again someday.
Since everything was already prepared, their return proceeded swiftly.
On the way to Japan, they had used Lee Eunha’s ability to travel. But knowing that every use of her power came at a great cost, they opted to take a plane this time.
Thanks to the branch chief’s authority, they were provided with a private jet, allowing the Korean administrators to return in luxury.
It was a gesture of goodwill.
The rewards for the mission would be handled individually by each administrator’s home branch.
“…We’re finally going back to Korea.”
“Administrator Lee Sooah, how does it feel to be returning home after so long?”
“It’s unreal. I never thought… I’d have the chance to return.”
“That’s life. You never know what’s coming next.”
“It really is like that, isn’t it?”
Sooah and Lee Eunha sat in plush seats, chatting quietly.
Meanwhile, Oh Haeyoung was fast asleep, wearing an eye mask with giant cartoonish eyeballs printed on it.
“Mmm… Mmm… Taeseong… Don’t go… I’ll get stronger… I’ll become strong enough to cut off your arm…”
Taeseong looked at her with a bewildered expression.
‘Why is she talking about cutting off my arm?’
Yu Gi-jun had decided to stay in the Japan branch. After all that crying and clinging, the fact that he was the one staying behind was ironic, but thinking back, he had a reason to remain.
Originally, Gi-jun had come here for a purpose similar to Taeseong’s. If Taeseong had come to find his younger sister, Sooah, Yu Gi-jun had come to find his missing wife.
He probably had no intention of returning to Korea until he found her. Still, he had built some friendships with the Japan branch’s administrators, so living here wouldn’t be too difficult. Taeseong had also made a personal request to the Yato siblings.
He owed Gi-jun a lot. Gi-jun had taken care of Sooah while Taeseong was absent and had also helped him in many ways after arriving here.
That was why Taeseong was willing to rush to his side whenever Gi-jun needed him.
― Sniff… Captain! Please stay safe! While I’m here, I’ll work hard so I won’t be a burden to you! You can look forward to seeing me the next time we meet! I will always respect you!
He seemed like a rough person, but when it came to those he cherished, he showed an endlessly soft side.
Taeseong knew better than anyone about Gi-jun’s potential. He was sure Gi-jun would soon gain great strength. The latent potential of his abilities was simply too high.
Telekinesis could evolve in countless ways depending on how it was utilized.
Since Taeseong had taught him the mana cultivation method he had revived from past memories, there was more than enough potential for growth.
“…….”
As he turned his head, his eyes met Go Yeonghui’s, who was crying while reading a comic book. Looking embarrassed, she scratched her head before carefully speaking.
“…T-Taeseong, do you want to read this too?”
“I’ll pass.”
When Taeseong turned away, Yeonghui popped a snack into her mouth, chewing quietly, before returning her attention to her comic book.
She looked like the happiest person here. Constantly wiping away tears, she must have been deeply moved.
Taesan, sitting in the back, was devouring ramen and other dishes, washing them down with alcohol, as expected of a seasoned drinker.
Inside the private jet, everything was peaceful.
Even though it had been a mission, living in a foreign country was always exhausting.
Just the fact that they were finally returning home gave everyone here a sense of comfort.
Taeseong was no different.
He had thought he was handling things indifferently compared to the other administrators, but looking back, he realized he had been more on edge than he had known.
But now, he felt completely at peace.
It was probably because the tangled knots in his life were finally unraveling, one by one.
At that moment, the pilot’s voice came through the luxury speakers.
[Honoured administrators, our flight will soon be entering South Korean airspace. We will ensure a safe journey until the end of the flight. Thank you.]
At the same time, Lee Eunha’s phone rang.
Riiing. Riiing.
Eunha, who had been chatting with Sooah, picked up the call.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end belonged to Intelligence Department Team Leader Choi Harin. Eunha frowned.
“What? What are you talking about? The plane? It’s flying just fine.”
What in the world was Harin saying to make Eunha frown like that?
“Yes. Yes. Got it. Okay. We’ll be careful. Wait, since when did he have that ability? It suddenly manifested? Huh… well, even a dung beetle has its talents, I suppose.”
She hung up.
Everyone around her was now staring at her.
Taeseong asked, “Was that Team Leader Choi Harin?”
“Yeah. She said something weird.”
Oh Haeyoung, looking curious, leaned in.
“Weird? What was it?”
“She asked if our plane had crashed.”
“Huh?”
“So I told her, ‘What are you talking about?’ And then she asked if we knew Administrator Kim Ho-jin.”
“Kim Ho-jin? Who was that again…? Oh! Taeseong’s colleague! The one who transferred from the Scouting Team, right?”
A name Taeseong had nearly forgotten.
Kim Ho-jin was a Scouting Team agent who had participated with Taeseong in the Gonjiam Hospital Search Mission.
Eunha nodded and continued.
“Yeah. Apparently, he recently awakened some kind of ability.”
“Ooh! What kind?”
“Precognitive dreams, or something like that. The time, the place—everything is random, with no discernible pattern. But sometimes, he suddenly gets a sense of déjà vu, falls asleep, and sees someone’s future. It’s still unclear, so I think they’re testing it at the institute.”
A strange sense of foreboding crept over Taeseong as he asked,
“So the dream he had… was about our plane crashing?”
“Yeah. More precisely—”
BOOOOM!
Before she could finish speaking, the plane crashed.
