TGIC Ch 75

Chapter 75

I went down to the parking lot and got straight into Vasily’s car.

As soon as I sat in the passenger seat, I gave Vasily the address I had received from Jo Wooyeon. The location of the gate was a bit far, and from the map, it seemed to be halfway up a mountain.

That wasn’t even within Jo Wooyeon’s designated area. He must’ve been suddenly called out due to the deteriorating situation.

As I watched the car leave the Association premises, I asked Vasily:

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“I told you. I’m thinking of trying to build that ‘trust’ Guide Kwon Gidam talks about.”

“……”

That again.

Every time Vasily acted this way, I realized anew that he had truly meant what he said. But still—Vasily willingly agreeing to my request? It felt so unfamiliar I didn’t know how to react.

The road leading to the gate was blocked off to prevent access by civilians. After verifying our identities and driving in a little further, the site came into view.

According to the map, it was supposed to be midway up the mountain, but the actual location looked more like a cliff than a mountain, half-collapsed.

‘Should I be glad I don’t have to climb the mountain…?’

I got out of the car and looked up.

Through the crevice of the cliff, the gate was visible. Partially buried in the mountain, the portion I could see was already larger than a ten-story building.

A shiver ran through my body at the ominous energy leaking from the gate. The sensation from the last time I entered a gate resurfaced, and an inexplicable unease crept up.

At that moment, something inside the gate stirred and stuck out its head.

It was a gigantic leech-shaped monster. They had said it was Grade A, and its aura was certainly menacing.

The sheer presence froze me in place—until a sharp ice spear pierced through the monster’s head.

—Kiiiieeekk!

“Hm…”

It seemed one blow wasn’t enough to kill it. As the monster let out a high-pitched screech, Vasily raised his hand with an impassive expression.

Several ice spears formed in mid-air. They shot forth at high speed and pierced the monster’s head from all directions.

In an instant, five or six spears stabbed through the creature’s skull. The squelching sound of flesh being ripped apart echoed chillingly.

Mutilated, the monster drooped lifelessly. The rest of its body, still trapped inside the gate, was pushed out and tumbled straight down the cliff.

Thud.

The heavy thump sent tremors through the ground. The violent shaking caused the mountain to collapse further, revealing more of the gate that had been buried in the dirt.

Espers, who had been preparing to fight, looked around in alarm at the sudden flurry of ice spears. When they spotted Vasily, they exhaled sighs of relief.

“Was it a Red Gate?”

“Ah, yes…”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t told Vasily it was a Red Gate. Upon hearing my response, his expression soured even further.

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought Guide Kwon Gidam along…”

Vasily muttered under his breath.

“Greetings, Esper Vasily!”

An Association staff member, having heard of Vasily’s arrival, came running over to greet him. Vasily ignored the greeting, as if used to it, and gave an order:

“Bring me a combat uniform.”

“Yes, understood!”

Vasily in a combat suit?

I looked at him in surprise. He always entered gates wearing suits. This would be my first time seeing Vasily in a proper combat uniform.

A short while later, the staff member returned with a uniform and handed it to Vasily. Vasily took it and led me into a nearby tent.

The tent was empty inside. It looked like it had been set up in advance but was abandoned due to the monster attack.

As I looked around at the chaotic interior, I asked:

“Why did you bring me here? If you’re going to change into the uniform, I’ll step outside…”

“I’m not the one putting it on. You are, Guide Kwon Gidam.”

So it wasn’t for him? But I had no reason to wear a combat suit—unless I was entering the gate.

“…I’m not going into the gate.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you asking me to wear a combat suit?”

“It’s a Red Gate. It could get dangerous, so wear it.”

I shut my mouth at his words. Combat suits for Espers were tough enough to withstand monster attacks.

Though far more restrictive than temporary field gear, I quietly agreed, reminded of the monster Vasily had just taken down with a single hand gesture.

I was about to change into the suit he gave me when I paused.

“…Esper.”

“What is it?”

“This suit is too big.”

It was obviously oversized even at a glance. Vasily looked at the suit, then at me, and let out a soft chuckle.

“Guess you thought it was for me. Give it here. I’ll bring a smaller one.”

“…Alright.”

Even though I was fairly tall.

I watched his retreating figure as he walked out of the tent with the uniform. Long legs, balanced physique—a perfect silhouette.

Thinking back to the moment I held the suit up to myself, I went quiet. The pants had trailed along the ground by a full hand’s width. A faint sense of defeat settled over me.

Vasily soon returned with a better-fitting combat uniform.

Before changing, I held it up to check the size. This time, it was about right.

Just as I was about to start undressing, I sensed someone’s gaze and froze.

Vasily was standing there, arms crossed, openly watching me. Our eyes met, but he didn’t bother to look away.

“Are you going to keep watching?”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“Not really.”

…We’re both guys, and it’s not like I’m stripping down to my underwear. With a shallow sigh, I calmly began to change.

Even with Vasily watching, I undressed and changed into both the top and bottom parts of the suit without a fuss.

Now I was about to put on the vest and equipment, which were a bit tricky, when Vasily, who had been silently observing, walked over.

I opened my mouth as I saw his hands reach for the gear at my waist.

“I can do it mys—urk!”

He suddenly yanked the belt tight, making me wince.

“I’ll help.”

“……”

Was this payback for refusing his help earlier? I looked at the smiling Vasily with a dumbfounded expression.

Before I knew it, the equipment had been completely strapped on.

As I instinctively checked the gear, Vasily offered a warning.

“Guide Kwon Gidam, just to be clear—don’t do anything foolish while I’m inside the gate.”

“…? Got it.”

“Haa…”

I nodded with a puzzled look at how seriously he said something so obvious. Vasily let out a long sigh. I said I understood—what was his problem?

“Why are you sighing right in front of me like that?”

“Doing something unnecessary is practically your signature trait.”

“What do you…”

That’s absurd.

But honestly, it hit a little too close to home, so I shut my mouth.

“Just wait here quietly. Don’t do anything.”

“……”

“And especially don’t let me hear that you guided another Esper. If I find out, you won’t get off easy. Understand?”

“…Understood.”

Only after hearing my reply did Vasily finally leave the tent.

He assigned most of the Espers to site cleanup and took only a few of the higher-ranking ones into the gate.

I watched Vasily step over the monster corpse at the entrance and enter the gate before turning to look around.

Monster corpses were strewn everywhere. Especially at the gate’s entrance, they were piled up like a mountain. The one Vasily had just slain was slumped over at the very top.

As I moved to leave, a wet sensation climbed up my toes.

I looked down to see blood-soaked dirt clinging to the tip of my shoe.

Judging by the dark red color, it looked like human blood… Which meant there were plenty of injuries, too.

I wanted to greet Jo Wooyeon, but with everything so chaotic, finding him seemed unlikely.

After scanning the area briefly, I sat down on the ground.

Looks like I might leave without even seeing Jo Wooyeon.

I turned my head and looked at the monster that had been killed by Vasily’s powers.

The long ice spears still stood out sharply.

With that flashy entrance, Jo Wooyeon must’ve realized Vasily had arrived. That was enough.

I sat quietly under a tree so I wouldn’t get in the way of the busy Espers, when I suddenly made eye contact with one of them.

He scowled deeply and approached me.

“What are you doing here?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t think I saw your face earlier—what rank are you?”

“I’m a C-rank.”

“The damn Association sent a C-rank to an A-rank gate after we asked for backup?”

The Esper clicked his tongue and cursed the Association.

I blinked, and then it dawned on me—

Ah, I’m wearing an Esper combat uniform, so he must think I’m an Esper.

“Come on, we need to clean up the monster corpses.”

“Ah, I’m…”

I was about to explain, but after glancing at the devastation around me, I closed my mouth.

Yeah, it’s better to help out than just sit here doing nothing.

I had once moved around sites myself, entering and exiting gates.

I still felt a certain sense of camaraderie with Espers. Even if I’d never done this kind of grunt work before.

Besides, I’d been too far removed from the field lately. Just now, I’d frozen up at the sight of a monster.

At this rate, if I ever got caught up in a gate by accident, I’d probably die without being able to react.

Vasily told me not to do anything foolish, but… it’s not like he’d know what I’m up to while he’s in the gate.

And anyway, this isn’t dangerous, and I’m not guiding anyone.

“Yes.”

With that thought, I got up from my seat.

If I stayed still, time would crawl.

If I wandered around, maybe I’d get to see Jo Wooyeon before I left.